tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post1147542566671833661..comments2023-07-27T10:45:22.531-05:00Comments on Walkin' With the Wild Woman: NWTF Convention, The Outdoor Sisterhood and a Social ExperimentGretchen Steelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10536860716461787275noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-77493546806422659802012-02-29T15:11:29.298-06:002012-02-29T15:11:29.298-06:00I just received an email from Ruger about your exp...I just received an email from Ruger about your experience. I feel like they basically blew it off... <br />Response: I am sorry that you were upset after reading this article. I spoke with several of our representatives at the SHOT show and they assure me that they do their best to speakto everyone who approaches the table and they never would ignore questions from any customer. Unfortunately, these shows are very crowded and it is not always easy to make eye contact and to address everyones questions. We appreciate our customers and always make our best effort to help. Customers can also call our customer service and speak to someone about a particular gun and we will spend as much time with them as they need.As a woman shooter myself, I do appreciate you letting us know your concerns and for sending us this article.Robin Friskhttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=692174669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-50411095245308748772012-02-26T22:34:13.397-06:002012-02-26T22:34:13.397-06:00Carrie, I finally found your article. The link d...Carrie, I finally found your article. The link didn't work so I went to your blog looking for it. Wow, that's some great stuff. My intention was to just look for the article you were referring to, but I kept getting lost in the entertainment of your posts. Great site! And yes, it seems like our experiences were too familiar. <br />http://carriezylka.wordpress.com/page/23/Jane Kolmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-63603000434696101502012-02-25T12:49:50.923-06:002012-02-25T12:49:50.923-06:00This is ridiciulous. I hate bad service, I can...This is ridiciulous. I hate bad service, I can't imagine dealing with THAT much bad customer service. Trust me, all these manufacturers (at their corporate offices) are very in tune with the fact that women are buying a good # of guns these days. Apparently nobody bothered to tell the field staff. :(River Mudnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-11347860016285460132012-02-24T22:03:57.339-06:002012-02-24T22:03:57.339-06:00I'm very disheartened to read your story, unfo...I'm very disheartened to read your story, unfortunately it's not just the firearms industry either, I had a similar experience at the Archery Trade Association Convention last year (http://carriezylka.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/yeah-i-am-most-definitely-a-woman-but-that-doesn%E2%80%99t-mean-i-want-a-pink-bow%E2%80%A6/)<br /><br />It's ridiculous to be treated this way in this day and age and I'm very glad you called them out on it.<br /><br />The really sad part is that half the time the people in the booths that treat you this way are volunteers or "pro-staffers" and don't necessarily represent the sentiments of the company.<br /><br />It's a tough situation all the way around and I'm glad you handled it in a professional manner.Carrie Zylkanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-6551315820713076982012-02-24T12:38:03.848-06:002012-02-24T12:38:03.848-06:00Ruger mentioned you in a comment.Ruger wrote: &quo...Ruger mentioned you in a comment.Ruger wrote: "Robin Frisk:<br /> I'm very disappointed to read this article as well. Shows are always <br />busy and it's difficult to find time to talk with everyone, but this <br />woman's experience was unfortunate. Women are not ignored by Ruger, we <br />value and respect their choice to be gun owners. We know that women are <br />intelligent, competent firearms enthusiasts - perhaps that's why they <br />let me, a woman, run this Facebook page. This story has been shared with<br /> our sales department and management team and will be a learning <br />experience for us all. Thank you for bringing this to our attention, and<br /> we sincerely apologize for the author's poor experience."Robin Friskhttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=692174669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-54719669683244007922012-02-24T09:18:37.743-06:002012-02-24T09:18:37.743-06:00 Quit picking on me, or I'm gonna start crying... Quit picking on me, or I'm gonna start crying..Jane Kolmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-69451130090912395942012-02-24T09:17:47.132-06:002012-02-24T09:17:47.132-06:00Next time I will wear sunglasses to eliminate that...Next time I will wear sunglasses to eliminate that as a variable in my experimentation.Jane Kolmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-4584377773759063242012-02-24T09:16:34.012-06:002012-02-24T09:16:34.012-06:00 With a business like yours http://www.hercamoshop... With a business like yours http://www.hercamoshop.com I would hope not - lol! Great meeting you too. Looking forward to seeing you again.Jane Kolmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-50903693338736556582012-02-24T09:08:40.124-06:002012-02-24T09:08:40.124-06:00
Thanks for all of the comments of support. I t... <br /><br />Thanks for all of the comments of support. I think it is important to point out that<br />while Ruger and Remmington were named specifically in my post, the results of<br />my experiment were across the board with EVERY gun manufacturer present. In trying to limit the length of my post, I<br />left out several of my attention seeking antics. There was the booth where I pulled down my<br />reading glasses and put my nose within 2 inches of a gun inspecting the finish<br />like a scientist looking under a microscope. <br />This endeavor lasted a good five minutes, (within a foot of an attendant<br />who was staring at me the entire time) without once being asked if I could be<br />helped. And there was the booth where I<br />said out loud “Wow this is nice, I wonder how much it costs” within a foot of<br />an attendant, also staring at me, etc.<br /> <br /><br /><br />I am aware that at any given time I could have said “HEY, a<br />little attention PLEASE!” with my best “I’m gonna kick your butt if you don’t<br />come over here look”. That would have undoubtedly<br />snapped even the most unobservant attendant out of their “haze of preconception”. But that really wasn’t the point. The point was the blatant difference in the<br />way men approaching the booth were prospected and the way I was not prospected –<br />at all.<br /><br /><br /><br />Here’s the deal. I<br />have owned my own business for over 20 years. <br />I am acutely aware of how important each and every one of my customers are. No customers= no business. Over the years I have learned never to<br />underestimate a potential client. One of<br />my best customers was a young man in his very early 20s that nobody else took<br />seriously. He ended up spending an<br />average of $25,000 a year with my company for nearly a decade. If I ever realized that a certain demographic<br />of customers was being excluded by my sales force, I would want to know. Then I would make sure I placed training in<br />force to fix it. If women are ignored by<br />gun manufacturers, they are ignoring a very significant market share. And<br />putting a girl in the booth to make them look “female friendly” or target<br />marketing with pink girly gear is just doesn’t cut it.<br /><br /><br /><br />While telling the attendant at the video sunglasses booth my<br />story, he said “Let’s face it, men are pigs!” and went on to tell me a story<br />about how the men’s room was a mess. I<br />think he missed the point. I don’t think<br />men are pigs. I love men, and I love being a woman. I don’t think their actions were to<br />intentionally exclude me. They just<br />weren’t thinking about me as a customer. <br />I don’t like being underestimated or ignored and I don’t think men like<br />that either.<br /><br /><br /><br />Knowledge is power. <br />With posts like this, your comments, and “sharing” on media outlets like<br />facebook, we can communicate that knowledge to the people who can make a<br />difference. So please, share away! And if I<br />hear from any of the manufacturers that were there, I will certainly let you<br />know.Jane Kolmernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-60487247028909827052012-02-24T07:46:30.429-06:002012-02-24T07:46:30.429-06:00UGH!!!! This does NOT make me feel good. I often w...UGH!!!! This does NOT make me feel good. I often wonder what it is that women have to do to shake some sense into these people. I have such hope for equality in our industry and then I hear a story like this and it just completely shatters any postitve images I may have previously conjured. I know that everyone is not like this but it seems to be the majority. I recently sold my turkey hunting shotgun and am in the process of purchasing a new one. I'll be interested to see how I am treated while gun shopping. <br /><br />Wake up people!! Women are in this industry too, and we are here to stay.Britney Starrnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-74875254995103104202012-02-24T07:14:59.139-06:002012-02-24T07:14:59.139-06:00Thank you Robin! We will be anxious to see how Rug...Thank you Robin! We will be anxious to see how Ruger responds!gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-23832087405289885252012-02-24T07:14:26.289-06:002012-02-24T07:14:26.289-06:00Deb I agree - and I too hope the manufacturers ta...Deb I agree - and I too hope the manufacturers take heedgretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-20038538441259489422012-02-24T07:13:24.110-06:002012-02-24T07:13:24.110-06:00Doesn't that just make you want to slap somebo...Doesn't that just make you want to slap somebody?! LOL At least grab them by the scruff of the neck and say "hey I am a consumer too!"gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-23030645122629432042012-02-24T07:12:16.211-06:002012-02-24T07:12:16.211-06:00Exactly - While I don't exactly care for any o...Exactly - While I don't exactly care for any of the pink or girly things - that's just me... but I celebrate the women who do :) We are all unique, and most importantly, we are all sportswomen first! I especially like how you referenced he fact that many of us were self sufficient at a much earlier age than our peers thanks to our outdoor mentors. We'll keep telling the outdoor industry that we have wallets, we control finances, and we will spend our dollars with the companies that best meet our needs! Hopefully some day they will listen :)gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-31375630736308749902012-02-24T07:08:25.841-06:002012-02-24T07:08:25.841-06:00How great that used your bad experience to form a...How great that used your bad experience to form a company! Great way to take a negative and make it a positive. Yay you! I think that's exactly how many of our growing women owned outdoor business have started. Utter frustration- but boy, look how we are growing!gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-36999520280875946342012-02-24T07:06:50.793-06:002012-02-24T07:06:50.793-06:00Katherine I agree - if only some in the industry c...Katherine I agree - if only some in the industry could get their heads wrapped around the fact that the women are here, we're here to stay and we have wallets we will be talking with!gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-44878568781150628252012-02-24T07:05:46.294-06:002012-02-24T07:05:46.294-06:00Jeff you are certainly NOT one of those guys!Jeff you are certainly NOT one of those guys!gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-79788541813275562182012-02-24T07:05:14.202-06:002012-02-24T07:05:14.202-06:00You Stacey, you may be on to something....she does...You Stacey, you may be on to something....she does have that decidedly shifty squint...gretchensteelenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-32462694337696992752012-02-23T18:51:09.350-06:002012-02-23T18:51:09.350-06:00Why must we try to appear to be more "manly&q...Why must we try to appear to be more "manly" in order to get their attention! I AM WOMAN! I LIKE being a woman! I like pink and "girly" things and jewelry and designer purses. I have my nails done, my hair done and wear pretty clothes! And I like to hunt and fish and NO, I don't borrow my husband's gun, or bow, or rod. In fact..he doesn't even know how to fly fish! And I want the gun and bow that suits me! We are the daughters and nieces of avid outdoorsmen who raised us the same. We could hunt and hike and shoot and ride with confidence before most kids could walk around the block on their own. Why should I have to play down that I am a woman and I LIKE being a woman! I just happen also love the great outdoors and hunting and fishing. My dad made my first compound bow to fit me before any company ever considered fit. And no, I don't pull a light or childs bow. I pulled a 55-60 pound bow even as a teenager! Listen up salespeople and manufacturers...We also make the financial decisions in 60% of all American Households. I am all woman...but don't think that means I can't outshoot you!Ruthnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-46946787712357292172012-02-23T18:42:10.608-06:002012-02-23T18:42:10.608-06:00This is a lot of the motivation I had to get my FF...This is a lot of the motivation I had to get my FFL and become a gun dealer. I have my own gun business now and I am proud to sell firearms to women.Girliegundealernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-15924168707360267802012-02-23T15:04:45.917-06:002012-02-23T15:04:45.917-06:00I have sent a request to Ruger demanding that they...I have sent a request to Ruger demanding that they address this. Please let me know if they do ANYTHING to address your terrible experience!Robin Friskhttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=692174669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-36685724725249281992012-02-23T13:50:41.147-06:002012-02-23T13:50:41.147-06:00I'm a new shooter. I had pretty much the same ...I'm a new shooter. I had pretty much the same experience a couple of weeks ago at a gun show. I was clean, dressed outdoorsy, and had cash burning a hole in my pocket. I was in the market for my first handgun. At one table, I finally thought I had gotten the attendant's attention when he turned to a man next to me who'd arrived after me. At most tables, even if I was the only person there, I was ignored. Did my money need an injection of chlorophyll to make it green enough? I though to myself, "Fine, I'll just fondle your guns and move on." At two gun tables I got some service. Both were happy to show me their guns and talk about the differences and what I was looking for. I bought a handgun from one. Another vendor with cleaning supplies had two guys working the booth, one talking and the other digging around in a bag trying to look busy. The one doing nothing was apparently impaired, because picking up a bottle of CLP and waving it at him while saying I'd like to buy some wasn't enough to get his attention. However another man walking up to the table cured him. I bought cleaning supplies from a different fellow who was a delight to chat with. Good customer service will make for a repeat customer.Katherine Pagenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-3624429934943691612012-02-23T11:54:45.021-06:002012-02-23T11:54:45.021-06:00No matter how much we learn, accomplish, spend, th...No matter how much we learn, accomplish, spend, they just don't get it do they? Sorry for them. I hope all the manufacturers get to read this.Deb W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-32714338968658483452012-02-23T10:39:52.856-06:002012-02-23T10:39:52.856-06:00Great story Jane, I am so sorry for your experienc...Great story Jane, I am so sorry for your experience! Hope I didn't become a "statistic" like the other guys. It was great meeting you.Jeff Raynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775135926082486450.post-25533621282118435832012-02-23T10:07:16.748-06:002012-02-23T10:07:16.748-06:00WOW! My experience was about the same. I was loo...WOW! My experience was about the same. I was looking and learning and trying everything out, but was never "bothered" by anyone trying to sell me anything. The only time someone spoke to me was when my husband was behind me and said "Is that the one you were looking at?"Dee Loswreynoreply@blogger.com