What do you guys need so much help with in an outdoors store? Unless I'm getting a gun or something behind the counter, I go in, get what I need and go to the counter and pay for it. If I want a gun, I walk up to the counter and ask someone to show me what I'm interested in. I don't just shyly wander around waiting on someone to come to me, if I need help, I go ask for it. It works great.

Agree. I’ve never understood why people belly ache about not being spoken to. Leave me alone. I’ll ask you a question if I need assistance.

Their gun counter is the main issue. I agree you don't need help elsewhere.

I've posted this before, but I'll never turn down an opportunity to encourage folks to shop elsewhere...

I went in there several yrs ago. And since some of the Mark's apologists seem to think you deserve better service if you're dressed nicer, I was wearing a polo and khaki shorts...not exactly looking homeless. I walked in with every intention of buying a Benelli SBE2. I had cash in my pocket and planned on spending it that day. It took several minutes to get someone to help me but eventually I got one of the guys to hand me the shotgun I wanted to check out, and he was very clearly annoyed that I took him away from his non-work-related conversation with a coworker and a buddy that had stopped by. After a couple of seconds of me handling the gun, he sighed heavily and asked if I was done so he could get back to work. I looked at him in disbelief and gave him the gun back and said just forget it. I pulled out the 15 hundred dollar bills that were in my pocket, showed it to him and said I'd find another place that wanted my money since they obviously didn't and turned around and left. Nobody even attempted to stop me.

$1500 may not be a lot of money to a lot of folks, but it is to me and I'll be damned if I'm going to give my money to someone that clearly doesn't want me as a customer when there are plenty of other options

It is mildly annoying to walk in, as a customer, and there are 6 or 7 folks at the gun counter, with one person actually working, while the others are goofing off. I made the mistake of popping in the past two times during a Bama game while I was rolling through Bham. Most of the store was glued to the TV and displayed little to no interest in helping customers. Last time I was in, one worker behind the gun counter was glued to his phone, belched loudly and walked off, despite a line of folks waiting to see firearms.

Great store and I enjoy going in there, but they have a curious customer service model.

The people who run both Simmons and Mark's have been arseholes to me every time I go in there.

Frak em. I'll buy it from academy or facebook marketplace or I just won't have it.

Marks is the largest sales tax generator for the City of Vestavia. I know when Mark was alive his guys generally worked long hours. I believe they are paid well, otherwise they would leave. That store is very busy. Yes he does have a high end client list, and having that isn't an easy thing to achieve. Mark was ALWAYS willing to donate for any sort of cause too.

I never have a problem in there, but I am not far away, and in there at least once a month. Everything I have given their gunsmith has been repaired. It takes a minute, because they have a back log, but most places that offer a good product aren't slow. If you sign up for a gun search, they email you specials, which are nice. I got my G17 there on Glock days for a song. Then they ran a special one time where you could get glock nite sites for $50 installed, on the spot. Buy ammo and leave your gun, and they will sight it in for you. Their head gunsmith does all that. He was very helpful in tracking down issues with my 700 AAC-SD, and they helped me eventually send it back in to Remington.

Am I their typical client? Probably not. But I have never been treated poorly.

And I am not the kind of shopper that wants a sales staff to decend on my like a bunch of vultures. If I need help, I ask.

I like Simmons too, but its a drive for me. Wasn't bad when I worked in Fairfield, but since I work in Vestavia now, Marks is just simple and easy.

I agree. These haters are dumb, really dumb. Mad because “somebody didn’t talk to me…”

Y’all sound like a bunch of old women! 🤣 🤣 🤣

Truth is, your interactions with anyone in a retail situation are mainly set by YOUR attitude, YOUR communication, and YOUR knowledge level. Every once in a while, you could have a bad experience anywhere because we are all humans. A smaller probability exists that you will have the best experience ever and the shop will give you it all and more. Give a man who has the same mindset as you the benefit of the doubt and don’t be so weak and entitled.

PS- Randy at the knife counter is the coolest guy in Marks.

BOOM

Some folks will bich about anything my gracious bunch of grown men karens if you want help all you have to do is ask the they will be happy to help it’s really not that hard

Was in there today returning some sling parts. Bought some ammo from the extensive selection. Everyone I had contact with was very pleasant.

I went in there today as well. Everyone was nice. I had 2-3 guys ask if I needed help with anything. The younger bow guy seems very knowledgeable.

I guess I'll go ahead and contribute to the annual "I hate Marks" thread.

Over the years, I've spent thousands of dollars at Marks and well remember when Mark was working in the store along with his kids. After reading all the comments, I guess I'm lucky in that I never had a bad experience in fact, quite the opposite most times. One purchase I remember well because it was for a rod and reel and the kid behind the counter did a great job. I bought a Penn reel and Shimano Teramar inshore rod for some fishing down in Panama City. He told me they would fill the spool for free and when I told him I was taking it down to PCB he filled it up with $40 worth of braid at no additional charge. I still use that combo all the time. He didn't have to do that.

Seems like this thread pops up every couple years. I used to work in Bham and went to Mark often... they had a really great fishing department. They always helped me and where friendly. I like for folks to help me and ask me if I need anything quickly... but if they store is busy, which Marks always is.. I am ok asking a sales person to help me.

If you set your expectations low enough - they will always be met.

It’s hard to find good service now a days and if you do, tell the person and their manager. If you don’t - then don’t go back.

If I were the manager; I would appreciate critical feedback, as well.

Good for you. No need to reward bad service.

In all fairness, the only problem I had/have is their website. I don’t get to Birmingham much at all and was wanting to scout their sales before I got there. No Go. I didn’t have a bad experience in the store at all, just liked Simmons a little better. I think the more gun stores the better!

There website does have issues... I never look at it anymore. It was unreliable years ago so I just stopped messing with it.

What kind of footwear were you sporting? Makes a big difference.

Only the finest of Italian loafers