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Trespassed at RC Willey

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
Ran into a third OC-Unfriendly business today (US Bank and Reel Movie Theaters were the first two).

While buying a 55" TV for our restaurant I was informed by an RC Willey employee that it is against their corporate policy to allow guns in their stores. The individual who informed me appeared to be a warehouse or delivery guy (wearing a blue uniform shirt with a patch on it rather than plain clothes). Since I had my octogenarian parents with me I turned towards the little refreshment alcove where they were sitting to tell them we were leaving. He immediately informed me that what I was doing was illegal. I informed him that I understood property rights and being trespassed but my parents could not be left in the store. We were escorted out and watched until we departed. During this time he was reporting frequently on a little radio he was carrying as to our progress in departing.

I still needed a TV set so continued shopping and bought a great TV with the same spec for $50 less along with the wall mount over at Best Buy in Nampa without any issues.

I'll be contacting their corporate office tomorrow and verifying their "corporate policy" then following up with an appropriate letter. In the meantime, I urge like-minded individuals to avoid shopping there.
 

carracer

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2008
Messages
1,108
Location
Nampa, Idaho, USA
Will never step foot in there again. Did they actually tell you not to come back? I would photocopy the Best Buy reciept and mail it to the store or Coorporate. will await their response.
 

thebigsd

Founder's Club Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
3,535
Location
Quarryville, PA
Will never step foot in there again. Did they actually tell you not to come back? I would photocopy the Best Buy reciept and mail it to the store or Coorporate. will await their response.

I agree with sending a photocopy of te reciept. I would also say that it was a business purchase. 1. They see how much money they lost. 2. They realize they lost both a business and personal customer. Kudos to you for leaving the TV right there and walking out.
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
Will never step foot in there again. Did they actually tell you not to come back? I would photocopy the Best Buy receipt and mail it to the store or Corporate. will await their response.

I was told I would "have to leave". Nothing was said about coming back.

I won't be goign to RCW again, ever. I had seen a sale flyer for them earlier that day and thought I would check them out before going to Best Buy (where they appear to have no problems with OC) and the price seemed okay for the one we were interested in. In hindsight I should have gone to Best Buy first but was hoping to avoid a longer drive. Now I know better.

For furniture there is actually a better place behind them on Franklin where we bought a couple of tables and chairs a few months ago.

Regardless, I'll try to organize my response today.
 

Venator

Anti-Saldana Freedom Fighter
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Messages
6,462
Location
Lansing area, Michigan, USA
I was told I would "have to leave". Nothing was said about coming back.

I won't be goign to RCW again, ever. I had seen a sale flyer for them earlier that day and thought I would check them out before going to Best Buy (where they appear to have no problems with OC) and the price seemed okay for the one we were interested in. In hindsight I should have gone to Best Buy first but was hoping to avoid a longer drive. Now I know better.

For furniture there is actually a better place behind them on Franklin where we bought a couple of tables and chairs a few months ago.

Regardless, I'll try to organize my response today.

And they allow guns.

BEST BUY's POLICY

from Customer Contact <CustomerContact@bestbuy.com>
to XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
date Sat, Apr 11, 2009 at 7:31 PM
subject Best Buy Gun policy - XXXXXXXX
mailed-by bestbuy.com

Best Buy strives to comply with all applicable law and statues. Best Buy also strives to provide a safe and comfortable shopping environment for all our customers. Best Buy does not ban guns at our retail locations. As a general rule, Best Buy does not post no guns allowed signs in our stores and we are not aware of any individual stores that might have posted such a sign.
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
A call to corporate brought forth the information that there is NO CORPORATE POLICY on customers wearing firearms in the store. I did give them a verbal complaint and let them know I had no trouble buying an equivalent unit at Best Buy

The local manager, when contacted by phone, agreed that there is no corporate policy and apologized for the way we were treated. The down side was that he stated a couple of times that he was "sure" I understood that other people would be nervous and that since I was near the sales registers it was only normal that they be concerned. I assured him I did NOT understand it, was in Wells Fargo Bank at least once a day wearing the same clothing and carrying a gun and that the behavior of his employees was unsettling. He went on to say that he was going to address this issue with training and would hope to avoid these situations in the future.

This strikes me as a wonderful time for a few people to call in and ask for the General Manager's office then inquiring as to their view of customers legally carrying firearms in the store and how they feel about shopping there in the future.

I won't be returning due to the employees' behavior and the lack of toleration of an on-duty manager who is apparently scared silly by a customer with a gun even at the expense of a sale from said gun-carrying customer.
 
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DocWalker

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2008
Messages
1,922
Location
Mountain Home, Idaho, USA
I will call RC Willys and inquire about their policy. I need to know so we can inform all the military out at the base if it is a place the military would like to shop. If they don't believe in the 2A then they don't believe in the US Constitution. If they don't believe in the US Constitution then they certainly wouldn't want anyone’s money that defends it.

That should get a rise out of them.
 

DCR

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2008
Messages
162
Location
, ,
Yet another reason never to do business with RCWilley

I simply don't do business with stores that aren't open on Sunday, either.
 

Tyoung

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Messages
36
Location
Nampa, Idaho, USA
I understand a lot of people here carry openly because it's their right, but all of these issues wouldn't be there if you simply concealed your firearm. I have been into RC Willeys a lot with my pistol with no problems because it's out of sight. If you are carrying for self defense purposes it should be concealed, it draws less attention.

Flame me if you want, but it is a businesses right to not let you carry in their store. Do you really think that a handfull of local gun owners not shopping at the store is going to hurt their bottom line.
 

carracer

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2008
Messages
1,108
Location
Nampa, Idaho, USA
I understand a lot of people here carry openly because it's their right, but all of these issues wouldn't be there if you simply concealed your firearm. I have been into RC Willeys a lot with my pistol with no problems because it's out of sight. If you are carrying for self defense purposes it should be concealed, it draws less attention.

Flame me if you want, but it is a businesses right to not let you carry in their store. Do you really think that a handfull of local gun owners not shopping at the store is going to hurt their bottom line.

Just as we have the right to shop somewhere else. Gettting to be more and more of those handful of people in the U.S. Just ask Star Buck Corporate how their bottom line is compared to Peetes Coffee.

Some of us just choose not to hide. Welcome to OPEN CARRY DOT ORG!
 
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WalkingWolf

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
11,930
Location
North Carolina
I understand a lot of people here carry openly because it's their right, but all of these issues wouldn't be there if you simply concealed your firearm. I have been into RC Willeys a lot with my pistol with no problems because it's out of sight. If you are carrying for self defense purposes it should be concealed, it draws less attention.

Flame me if you want, but it is a businesses right to not let you carry in their store. Do you really think that a handfull of local gun owners not shopping at the store is going to hurt their bottom line.

You do understand that this is a open carry forum? Understand that carrying concealed is not what the constitution says even though that some would argue that. The 2A says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" Bear~transitive verb , or ,

to hold and take along; carry; transport
to hold in the mind: to bear a secret
to possess as a part, characteristic, attribute, etc.; have or show: the letter bore his signature
to give birth to: the passive past participle in this sense is born when by does not follow
to bring forth; produce or yield: fruit-bearing trees, coal-bearing strata
to support or hold up; sustain
to sustain the burden of; take on; take care of: to bear the cost
to undergo successfully; withstand; endure: her work won't bear scrutiny
to put up with; tolerate: she can't bear him
to call for; require: his actions bear watching
to carry or conduct (oneself)
to carry over or hold (a sentiment): to bear a grudge
to bring and tell (a message, tales, etc.)
to move or push as if carrying: the crowd bore us along
to give, offer, or supply: to bear witness

Nothing in the wording or the mindset of our founders at the time would hint that the right to bear arms was about concealment. In fact it was about protection of the people from tyranny by government. Open display of arms was and is a valid deterrent to government abuse. I personally find unless by police concealing arms shifty, I believe I have the right to know who is armed and who is not. Open carry was and should be considered the honorable way to exercise ones right.
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
No need to flame you.

No one denies that they have the right to set their own standards for their property. Likewise I and every other consumer can set standards for where we chose to spend our money.

Your assertion that "If you are carrying for self defense purposes it should be concealed, it draws less attention.", has no merit t anyone other than you and those who adhere to your belief as a personal opinion. The claim is a personal opinion, far from an accepted fact, and subject to dozens of counterclaims and personal preferences discussions/arguments. My "opinion" of your statement is that many concealed carriers (but certainly not all) are seeking to have a confrontation rather than avoid it in the first place. Concealing it is not proven to stop crime while open carrying is an obvious deterrent to crime being initiated in the first place. Further, under the laws of the state of Idaho, there are several locations and activities when open carry is your only option for having an option for a self defense firearm.

That said, it makes no difference to me whether you are legally OC'ing or CC'ing in any given situation. I serve both types of individuals, as well as those who do not chose to carry, in my place of business and have no prejudice against those who chose to CC. Again, in line with MY business decision, OC gets you another 5% off. However, that's your decision and the law gives you ample options for exercising your rights. Both are legal options and your opinion is as arbitrary as believing that only guns .40 caliber and above are useful as self-defense weapons or that people wearing baseball caps are not your desired customer.

As for whether they will have their bottom line "hurt", that answer is absolutely clear. They lost the sale of an $1100 TV set that evening and any future business from me. So, yes, it hurt their bottom line without any question. He might (or might not) sell that same TV to someone else but a competitor got that sale that was already being rung through that night. A salesman lost his commission, the store recorded one less sale and that amount on the evening's "bottom line" was reduced accordingly.
 
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Lthrnck

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2007
Messages
656
Location
Englewood, Ohio, USA
It can also help the bottom line....

I agree with ecocks on this...

His "Non-Purchase" did hurt their bottom line.... They missed out on a sale... period... and to show the opposite effect go to Ohioccw.org and go under the Concealed Carry forum.. look for the UDF thread.

UDF has gotten about $3500.00 in extra sales since 7/26/11 ... why.. because they took down their No Guns signs.

Now will this continue ... probably not.. but at least I can now consider UDF as a potential shopping place... where's as before ... I walked right by them because they were anti-gun.

If I do it.. and a hundred other OC'ers do it... it will effect their bottom line.

And OC isn't going away.. it's growing.
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
If they do not want me to be armed (OC) in their store, it is my privilage to not shop at the place, I will not "sneak" (CC) my weapon in the same place, I just will not go there.

To CC and sneak your weapon into that store is not being honest, especially when you have already been told they do not want you armed in their store. I have nothing to hide.
 

MKEgal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
I hope the OP follows up with a letter to corporate, a copy of the receipt, & gets both an apology and official statement that people who peacefully exercise their civil rights are welcome to shop there.
That might get them a few customers back.
Also, post your experience on www.friendorfoe.us

Tyoung said:
I understand a lot of people here carry openly because it's their right
This is an open carry site, you know. Check the URL.

these issues wouldn't be there if you simply concealed your firearm
Why should I hide something I'm not ashamed of?
The peaceful exercise of a protected civil right should be done proudly, whether it's voting or carrying or writing your elected representative or worshipping.
Would you tell someone to cover up a religious symbol they're wearing on a necklace just so nobody else takes offense?
That being said, once WI gets cc there will be a few places I will cc, for various reasons.
But most of the time I'll still carry openly.

I have been into RC Willeys a lot with my pistol with no problems because it's out of sight
So you're part of the problem.
That store doesn't know how many lawfully armed customers they had.

If you are carrying for self defense purposes it should be concealed, it draws less attention
Generally, the only people who notice are others who carry, police, & criminals.
The first I welcome - leads to some nice conversations.
The second can be OK, if they're being friendly. The ones who aren't can talk w/ my lawyer.
The third, if they have any sense of self-preservation, will leave me alone. That's exactly why I carry.

By concealing, I look just like the unarmed sheep, & am just as much of a target.
That increases my chances of having to fight back.
I don't want to be attacked, & I don't want to have to hurt anyone.
I'd rather they do like the waffle house robbery crew [Kennesaw, GA], & avoid me in the first place.

it is a businesses right to not let you carry in their store
They can turn away anyone for almost any reason.
Unfortunately, the peaceful exercise of civil rights is not a protected reason (except religion).
So if a store doesn't want my money, I'll go somewhere else.
And I'll tell my friends.

Do you really think that a handfull of local gun owners not shopping at the store is going to hurt their bottom line.
Shortly after our Governor signed the new cc law, there was a jewelry store here in Milwaukee (MKE) that got some free advertising by the owner being interviewed on the news saying that he was probably going to post "no guns" signs, then complaining when people objected.

In posting his complaints on the WI OCDO forum, he admitted that since he made the public announcement that his stores would turn away lawfully armed citizens, his revenue had dropped considerably (IIRC, something like 10%, but don't quote me on that) from the same time last year, & also dropped from the month before.

So it's not only OCers who will avoid spending money at that store, but anyone who values their 2A rights, and there are a lot of us. If I heard of a store (or went there & saw a sign) that prohibited a certain religious or ethnic group, I wouldn't shop there either, even if I wasn't a member of that group.

Sure, the store can turn people away. But I can also decide I don't like their policies & stay away on my own. And I can tell my friends about it.


hermannr said:
If they do not want me to be armed (OC) in their store, it is my privilage to not shop at the place, I will not "sneak" (CC) my weapon in the same place, I just will not go there.

To CC and sneak your weapon into that store is not being honest, especially when you have already been told they do not want you armed in their store. I have nothing to hide.
^^^^^^ This.
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
If they do not want me to be armed (OC) in their store, it is my privilage to not shop at the place, I will not "sneak" (CC) my weapon in the same place, I just will not go there.

To CC and sneak your weapon into that store is not being honest, especially when you have already been told they do not want you armed in their store. I have nothing to hide.

And therein lies another point. If the people in that store don't want firearms on their property that IS their right. To bring one in clandestinely (concealed) is dishonest (of you) and gives your business to a firm which does NOT agree with your beliefs.

Why would you want to go there and shop?

Is there really no other place to purchase comparable quantity and fairly-priced items? Personally, I went to Best Buy got a good deal and we hung the TV on the wall today.

If I told you that I do not allow firearms in my home and clearly told you that as I invited you over for dinner would I have to wonder that you might chose to hide one under your shirt and bring it in anyway, despite my beliefs?

What would that say about your respect for the beliefs of others in THEIR lives (not affecting you)?
 
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