In more ways that one.
There's no smiley after that sentence because that's a genuine, heartfelt compliment, Cam. If anyone could go with the flow at Carter's, take the good and gloss over the bad, it would be you. You're just good people.
Why do YOU hate Carter's Country?
- Thread starter benenglish
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There's no smiley after that sentence because that's a genuine, heartfelt compliment, Cam. If anyone could go with the flow at Carter's, take the good and gloss over the bad, it would be you. You're just good people.
1. I also remember Carter's sales people bad mouthing Glocks - until they got a good enough deal from the distributor to start selling them at a fat profit! Overnight, Glocks became wonderful.
2. Bait-and-Switch. I've heard stories, and I know of people who have accused them of such, but they did it to me and I took it very personally. A shotgun was advertised in the newspaper and a number of copies of the ad were on counters around the store. It happened that I wanted that model, so I went to the store and asked to see one. The particular one in the rack had a vent rib that wandered all over the place, so I told the salesman I'd take one if he had one with a straight rib. He said he did and disappeared in back. A few minutes later, he came out and went around the store with a magic marker changing the ads laying on the counter. Then he went in back and brought me out a completely different model shotgun. He claimed the ads were wrong, but they had been "fixed". I walked away and bought that shotgun at a different store.
3. I've seen the range officers refuse to confront unsafe shooters (gang bangers), but yet they don't have a problem hassling other shooters about ridiculous things (like you can't use the Shoot-n-See stickers that you buy in the store on the range. Where is that posted? Nowhere. Then the RO said, "I'll let it go this one time. I know you old guys have trouble seeing downrange." I calmly explained that he was about to have an old guy's foot up his ass.) Also had them come up behind me while I was shooting and pick up my brass.
4. Sales people are often rude. Seriously rude.
2. Bait-and-Switch. I've heard stories, and I know of people who have accused them of such, but they did it to me and I took it very personally. A shotgun was advertised in the newspaper and a number of copies of the ad were on counters around the store. It happened that I wanted that model, so I went to the store and asked to see one. The particular one in the rack had a vent rib that wandered all over the place, so I told the salesman I'd take one if he had one with a straight rib. He said he did and disappeared in back. A few minutes later, he came out and went around the store with a magic marker changing the ads laying on the counter. Then he went in back and brought me out a completely different model shotgun. He claimed the ads were wrong, but they had been "fixed". I walked away and bought that shotgun at a different store.
3. I've seen the range officers refuse to confront unsafe shooters (gang bangers), but yet they don't have a problem hassling other shooters about ridiculous things (like you can't use the Shoot-n-See stickers that you buy in the store on the range. Where is that posted? Nowhere. Then the RO said, "I'll let it go this one time. I know you old guys have trouble seeing downrange." I calmly explained that he was about to have an old guy's foot up his ass.) Also had them come up behind me while I was shooting and pick up my brass.
4. Sales people are often rude. Seriously rude.
Maverick44
Youngest old man on TGT.
That's ass kicking territory right there. If you bought the brass, you own it, not them.
I bought my first three pistols there (there being the I-10/Spring Branch store) in 1998 during one of their zero finance sales. Ruger Vaquero in .45colt, Ruger SP101 in .357magnum and a Kimber Pro Carry in .45acp. Spent $1800 out the door. The SP101 was a great deal at $398 plus tax (new in box). While purchasing those 3, I asked the manager (Ronnie at the time - tall balding fellow) if he could order me one of the fancy new Glocks in .357sig (Glock 33 specifically)... his first response was " Carter's Country does not and will not EVER sell Glocks. They're unsafe and prone to blowing up.". He then told me that the .357sig round was a fad, and that I shouldn't waste my money.
There was a time when you couldn't beat the Carter's Country sale ads in the Chronicle/Post. Not the case now.
There was a time when you couldn't beat the Carter's Country sale ads in the Chronicle/Post. Not the case now.
Fast Frank
Member
The above mentioned issues are undeniable. But the thing about Carter's that bugs me the most is the black rifle hate.
Not only does it cost more to shoot my AR, but there's also a part of the range thats blocked off and has a "No Assault Rifles Allowed" sign.
Not cool, and it clearly shows that "Ole Bill" doesnt support the fight.
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Not only does it cost more to shoot my AR, but there's also a part of the range thats blocked off and has a "No Assault Rifles Allowed" sign.
Not cool, and it clearly shows that "Ole Bill" doesnt support the fight.
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I left Houston in 1997, so it hurts to read all of this. My experiences are waaay out of date, but I bought my first handgun from CC ('84 I think?) when the range was new and pretty much out in the middle of nowhere. Hurts to read of a Houston institution going bad.
zincwarrior
TGT Addict
I second this practice.
When I was a youngin, around the time electricity was invented, Carter's was a fun place to go to just wander and shop the eye candy. Of course that was substantially before mail, internet, paper, etc. so comparisons with other places were effectively nonexistent.
The comments about the range sound like a complete nonstarter.
zincwarrior
TGT Addict
Wait what, thats just stupid. Do you have to pay by the gun?
Yes is per gun.
And I jinxed myself commenting in the thread. I texted my co-worker yesterday to go shoot. Needed to zero my new optic on my Remington 700 .308 and he bought an AR he wanted to sight in. Since he lives in Kingwood and I'm in Spring, we settled on Carter's as the half way point.
Again... No rifle or gun bags. So we had to go inside and get plastic bags from them to carry our ammo and his mags. Than we go to pay and it was $10.50 for my bolt 700 and $14 for his "Tactical Rifle." Yes... An extra $3.50 because he was shooting an AR.
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I went there once to shoot with an old family friend (I don't live in Houston). I was surprised to have to pay per gun but I only had 2 .22's. The female behind the counter asked to see them so I put my case on the counter and opened it. She freaked out because the actions were closed. I had to go outside and open them. That's all I needed to know about the place. All of these other experiences would be almost unbelievable if I hadn't experienced their stupidity first hand.
zincwarrior
TGT Addict
"You need to open the action on that?"
"its a revolver"
"Open the cylinder"
"Its a Blackhawk"
(deer in headlights)
"its a revolver"
"Open the cylinder"
"Its a Blackhawk"
(deer in headlights)
I bought my safe from them, Amsec very good price and very good delivery guy and install. I know another guy who bought from them with my recommend, and they were happy as well.
Bought a lot of 22 from them, decent prices, not great but decent, and they had it
Would never buy a gun from them
I don't hate them
Bought a lot of 22 from them, decent prices, not great but decent, and they had it
Would never buy a gun from them
I don't hate them
Back when I still went there occasionally, it was an endless source of amusement to bring some strange single-shot pistol, clear it for the cease fire, then walk away and observe from a distance. Since the gun owner wasn't nearby to provide assistance, the RSOs would inevitably do a great impression of that "apes discovering the monolith" scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey.
