RON HESS ARMS CO

[Radiac]

A couple of months ago I made a firearm transaction with Mr. Hess and I found him to be an upfront, no BS kind of guy. I was in and out of there in no time. I lnow he gets bashed alot and I don't get why so many people have a problem with him. I would deal with him again.

[OakRidgeStars]

He must have taken his grumpy pills that day

[Micro]

I was in there a month or so ago. When I went in, he was sitting on a stool with his feet up looking a a computer. His store, he can sit around like that if he wants. But he didn't budge or say a word when I walked in. I looked around and he never offered any help. I did ask to see a CZ82 which he showed me. But he struck me as unfriendly.

His store appears a mess. IMO, his store looks like it belongs on that Hoarding show on TV. It's cluttered with what looks like junk. He has a sign on his door that says if you want courteous service, remove the cell phone from your face.

Hess strikes me a a hobbyist who may or may not care if he sells you anything. He will definitely only help you to the extent he wants to.

That was the second time I had ever been in his store. The first time produced a negative impression, too. I have no idea why I went back.

[Moonduck]

I went in years ago and he rather solidly ticked me off with his dismissive attitude. I decided to give him another chance recently, and while he wasn't as bad as before, it was still horrible customer service. No more chances.

[arkypete]

Most of the old time gun shops had grumpy guys behind the counter. With patience they eventually became friendly and helpful. In most cases they have spent years listening to blowhards and tolerating idiots and fools.
The last one was Linwood Hobgood at the Richmond gunshop. His shop was full of shooting gear, reloading gear, parts of guns, etc. That was a gunshop and gunsmith shop, looked like one, smelled like one. I miss it, great place for a cup of coffee, friendly conversation and lots of knowledge. Never know what Linwood had hiden away for conversation starter.

Jim

[wpoppert]

I am a C&R collector, specializing in Russian and Eastern European weapons. (I have studied Russian history, language, and culture since high school and have a great interest in that area of the world.) After looking around the very dirty and disorganized shop, I asked the man behind the counter if he had any Mosin Nagant rifles. He asked why I would want such "trash", and I told him I collected them. He asked, "Do you collect used gas cans, too?" and proceeded to tell me how people who buy such rifles are stupid. He then pointed me toward a box on the floor buried under other items and quoted me a price at least $40 more than the M91/30* contained therein could possibly be worth. I concluded that I would indeed be stupid to do business with him. I've heard some folks in other forums describe him as a genius. I'm not seeing it. I've encountered some gun shop employees who don't know their merchandise very well, but this guy simply doesn't know how to conduct business. Insulting potential customers is not a good revenue generation scheme.

(When he quoted me the price, I asked if it was a M91/30 in the box. He said, "It's whatever number they stamped on the box.")

[arkypete]

Every great gun shop I've been to has a grumpy old fart behind the counter. The shop is cluttered, smells of coffee and gun oil, has lots of parts and pieces laying around.
Fuss budget stores like Gander Moutain, Dick's are what I 'Yuppy' stores. The clerks know how to open the glass doors and on most days know how to ring up the sale.
A number of years ago, while at the 300, 500 yeard range at my club, a couple pulled up in their Eddie Bauer Explorer. Black as I remember, didn't even have dust on the tires. Out climbed a couple wearing their safari outfits, starched and pressed, even had leopard hat bands. In my opinion perfect examples of the Gander Mountain, Dicks and what ever that other big outfit is, mind set.

Jim

[wpoppert]

Every great gun shop I've been to has a grumpy old fart behind the counter. The shop is cluttered, smells of coffee and gun oil, has lots of parts and pieces laying around.
Fuss budget stores like Gander Moutain, Dick's are what I 'Yuppy' stores. The clerks know how to open the glass doors and on most days know how to ring up the sale.
A number of years ago, while at the 300, 500 yeard range at my club, a couple pulled up in their Eddie Bauer Explorer. Black as I remember, didn't even have dust on the tires. Out climbed a couple wearing their safari outfits, starched and pressed, even had leopard hat bands. In my opinion perfect examples of the Gander Mountain, Dicks and what ever that other big outfit is, mind set.

Jim

Jim, don't assume that because I criticized Ron Hess that I only like "yuppy" stores. I have been to lots of small "mom & pop" stores staffed by crusty old guys with strong opinions. I like to talk about guns, and enjoy places where I can converse with a knowledgeable staff. I much prefer those to stores where everything is behind glass. I have often appreciated the advice I have received in such places, and have even struck up some good friendships, especially at some of the stores in Tampa. I have never been treated as rudely in a store as I was by Ron Hess, and I was not impressed by his alleged knowledge. It is certainly possible to convey one's knowledge without being a jerk (I have seen it done successfully by many in this forum), but he appeared to lack that ability (in fact, he conveyed no knowledge at all, only an ignorance of history and good business practice). On the other hand, I've had great experiences at Tidewater Military Traders and The Armory, and more good than bad at Bob's (only one frustrating conversation with a young employee who made up answers rather than give an honest "I don't know.") I was very pleased with Discretionary Firearms, and was greeted by a very enthusiastic and friendly staff at Battlefield Guns. None of these folks felt compelled to insult me because my preference in firearms differed from their own. Ron Hess is just rude, and there's no excuse for that.

[OakRidgeStars]

I've got to stop by and meet this guy one day. I've never heard this much bad stuff about someone that wasn't elected

[arkypete]

Wpoppert

I have no idea where the above mentioned gun shop is. If I mis read your posting I'm sorry.

Jim

[armory]

He's on Tidewater Dr. in Norfolk...........It is definitively worth a trip just to see him/his store......There used to be a guy that had a diner out in Arizona along Old Route 66 that acted exactly the same way as Ron does....made his livelihood insulting people and being crazy and mean.....People drove hundreds of miles for it........Maybe Ron just does those things to make a name for himself, I mean heck, we are all talking about him aren't we, and the last time I was in there he told me to look him up, said he was the "meanest man on the internet"....maybe he's not crazy, just "Crazy Like a Fox"......HMMMMM

[wpoppert]

Wpoppert

I have no idea where the above mentioned gun shop is. If I mis read your posting I'm sorry.

Jim

Jim,

No worries! I mentioned several shops. Tidewater Military Traders is on Harpers Rd near the main gate of NAS Oceana. They bill themselves as "the museum where you can buy the exhibits", and their selection is amazing. They have monthly auctions, and I have bought from them before and been very pleased. Battlefield Guns is on Battlefield Blvd in Chesapeake on the side of the shopping center where the CHKD thrift store is located, just north of the bridge. Discretionary Firearms is very near there, on the other side of the street, and nearly impossible to find. You actually have to enter through another business. A good supply of nice C&R guns there, though, and the owner was very helpful. Bob's is on Granby St near downtown Norfolk, just north of Brambleton. The Armory is near the intersection of Indian River and Kempsville. My favorite places in Tampa were Shooting Sports (off Dale Mabry Drive) and Mark Kubes, which I think was actually in Clearwater. Mark's shop actually looked a lot like Ron Hess's, but I spent a lot of time talking with Mark and his son, and felt very welcome in his shop.