imported post
I had a less than pleasant experience at a store I have been shopping at for years. As a matter of fact, my very first paycheck went to best buy in it's entirety if memory serves.
I walked into the Gastonia, NC location around 11:45 local time. The Greeter named Courtland welcomed me and I replied with a "Thank you." Once I got a few steps past I heard Courtland ask me that question open carriers receive oh so often. "Are you a Law Enforcement Officer?" I turned around, walked back towards him smiling explaining no I wasn't. I find the least I can do to put people's nerves at ease is to smile.
Courtland then began to explain how he was pretty sure I could not bring a firearm into the store because it scares people. I asked him if this was the company's policy to which he replied "Yes, I think it is."
"Well is there a manager I could speak to just to confirm?"
Thus began the waiting. The greeter began to call "Supervisors." Whilst waiting I looked around at the other customers, one being an elderly man standing right next to me. To no surprise, absolutley no one seemed scared. I carry myself in a proffessional manner, my clothes were clean and not at all the typical dress our local malefactors seem to wear. No doubt these factors more than likely attribute to why I have never experienced "scaring" another person because I wear a firearm on my hip. After 2 calls Courtland offered to allow me to shop while he tried to get a hold of someone. I declined the offer and expressed I'd be more comfortable knowing the store's policy before shopping.
Finally after about 5 mins (which is a lifetime considering all I wanted to do was glance at the prices of SLR cameras) I was met by Joe Marshall. Joe told me he "could not allow me to walk around with [a] firearm." I asked Joe if this was the corporate policy and he told me it was. I then asked Mr. Marshall if he was aware that "there is no posting on any of the doors.." I was interrupted at this point and was told,
"I can call the Police if you want. I'm not going to argue legal.." Quickly taking a page from Mr. Marshall's professionalism I interrupted him at this point.
"That's fine, I'm not arguing. I simply want to know if you yourself are aware that there is no posting." To which he replied he did and would "send that up." Not entirely sure what that meant but I decided to leave it at that. I asked for his name and title, shook his hand, thanked him for meeting with me and left.
One 12 minute call to Denise at customer relations was all it took. She confirmed for me that the policy is what I thought it was. They simply follow the law of the state. I told her my experience and she called Joe Marshall and quickly educated him of Best Buy's policy while I was on hold. She then told me if I were to shop at Best Buy again I would be allowed to open carry. Which is a bit strange to hear because I have open carried at that store 3 times this year alone, but I am glad we are all on the same page now.
Well I will try again to get a look at those cameras but will probably have to buy something just to make the trip worth the extra gas back and forth. Perhaps a Blu-Ray. I really like Best Buy and am glad I can continue shopping there.
I had a less than pleasant experience at a store I have been shopping at for years. As a matter of fact, my very first paycheck went to best buy in it's entirety if memory serves.
I walked into the Gastonia, NC location around 11:45 local time. The Greeter named Courtland welcomed me and I replied with a "Thank you." Once I got a few steps past I heard Courtland ask me that question open carriers receive oh so often. "Are you a Law Enforcement Officer?" I turned around, walked back towards him smiling explaining no I wasn't. I find the least I can do to put people's nerves at ease is to smile.
Courtland then began to explain how he was pretty sure I could not bring a firearm into the store because it scares people. I asked him if this was the company's policy to which he replied "Yes, I think it is."
"Well is there a manager I could speak to just to confirm?"
Thus began the waiting. The greeter began to call "Supervisors." Whilst waiting I looked around at the other customers, one being an elderly man standing right next to me. To no surprise, absolutley no one seemed scared. I carry myself in a proffessional manner, my clothes were clean and not at all the typical dress our local malefactors seem to wear. No doubt these factors more than likely attribute to why I have never experienced "scaring" another person because I wear a firearm on my hip. After 2 calls Courtland offered to allow me to shop while he tried to get a hold of someone. I declined the offer and expressed I'd be more comfortable knowing the store's policy before shopping.
Finally after about 5 mins (which is a lifetime considering all I wanted to do was glance at the prices of SLR cameras) I was met by Joe Marshall. Joe told me he "could not allow me to walk around with [a] firearm." I asked Joe if this was the corporate policy and he told me it was. I then asked Mr. Marshall if he was aware that "there is no posting on any of the doors.." I was interrupted at this point and was told,
"I can call the Police if you want. I'm not going to argue legal.." Quickly taking a page from Mr. Marshall's professionalism I interrupted him at this point.
"That's fine, I'm not arguing. I simply want to know if you yourself are aware that there is no posting." To which he replied he did and would "send that up." Not entirely sure what that meant but I decided to leave it at that. I asked for his name and title, shook his hand, thanked him for meeting with me and left.
One 12 minute call to Denise at customer relations was all it took. She confirmed for me that the policy is what I thought it was. They simply follow the law of the state. I told her my experience and she called Joe Marshall and quickly educated him of Best Buy's policy while I was on hold. She then told me if I were to shop at Best Buy again I would be allowed to open carry. Which is a bit strange to hear because I have open carried at that store 3 times this year alone, but I am glad we are all on the same page now.
Well I will try again to get a look at those cameras but will probably have to buy something just to make the trip worth the extra gas back and forth. Perhaps a Blu-Ray. I really like Best Buy and am glad I can continue shopping there.
