I will write a general round up of NRAAM soon, but I feel the need to get something off my chest first.
If you’ve already listened to this past week’s Gun Blogger Variety Cast, you’d already know that Erin Palette had a “less than favorable” interaction with a certain Taurus representative. I would like to say that I was with her at that time, and I was the friend that was still standing there when she felt the need to walk away.
For those of you that haven’t listened, shortly after we walked up to the Taurus booth, one of their representatives wearing a suit (which usually denotes being higher up in the food chain than the normal guys in polo shirts) started talking to us. I believe his name was Kim Kyle and was the Florida sales rep. I’m pretty sure that he quickly figured out that we were both bloggers, since we were both wearing our respective versions of “I R SRS GUNBLGGR” T-shirts, had media badges, and had our respective websites printed on our badges.
He almost instantly started on a 5-10 minute rant about how evil and mean gun bloggers were, and how we only spew lies. I tried to give him a couple outs, since I know that there are many out there that bash Taurus because that’s what all the cool kids do, and not because they’ve had bad experiences/done research/etc. They’re not the only company that has that issue. Some deserve it, and some don’t, and I have been giving them the benefit of the doubt. He failed to act like I might be different. Thanks to Taurus’ sales rep, I have learned that they do not wish to have the benefit of the doubt, nor would they like my good will, business, or recommendations to others.
Oh, and I very much was considering buying one of their products in the near future (the PT-22), but it looks like I will be spending about $100 more on a Beretta Bobcat instead because I’m not a fan of giving money to companies whose representative talk shit about me to my face. I will also no longer even consider telling people to consider buying a Taurus… something that I’m asked on a regular basis.
Taurus, you can thank your Florida sales rep for the loss of my business, and the business of those that trust my opinion.
Why would you want to insult your customers? TO the customers. Regardless of how he actually feels, it’s his JOB to act nice and sell guns.
I can’t say I’ve ever been in a huge hurry to buy a Taurus (except maybe a Judge, and that’s just for the giggles), but I think this sealed the deal on that particular company.
And, after all, the Governor carries another round and can fire another caliber, to boot.
Maybe they’re upset about the panning that the Curve has been getting? I like my Taurii, but I’ve made a point to buy mine used, and generally from friends. If this is how they’re going to treat folks, I certainly won’t be buying any more of them new. (FWIW, my 740 works reliably, and my 445 is freakishly accurate for a snubnose. As in I can get all five shots touching at 7 yards shooting slow single-action.)
I had (notice the past tense) a PT-22 that I liked a lot. I could knock over, 8″ plates at 25 yds-3 shots rapid for each plate. I gave up on it after the firing pin broke for the THIRD TIME. Truth hurts Taurus.
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Wow, I’m glad I stumbled across this! I never realized gun bloggers were such whiny bitches before, now I know. If this is in any way true, thanks for letting this punk have it Kim!
It gives me a little more respect for Taurus, cut the bullshit and tell it like it is. But I can’t let that be the deciding factor in my purchases. I’m just not as emotional as some oddballs 🙂
The funny/ironic part is by writing this into your dear diary, you kinda proved Kim’s point.
Dustin
Salem, Oregon