This is Franklin Outdoors located in Rocky Mount Va. This establishment has been in existence since 2007. The owners are Sean and Tricia and Jeff helps them run the store along with their indentured servants (Children) Brittney and Steve. I had met Sean and Tricia right after they had bought the store (Nee Franklin Rod and Gun) and at that point did not have their Federal Firearms License yet. At that point just from the conversation my instincts told me these people were alright and here 7 years later I am still going there.
We have a few arms dealers and big box stores in the area and I like to go inside and browse because I am always looking for that special gun. However I just do not get the same experience when I go into them as I do when I go into Franklin outdoors. A few examples are as follows:
If someone is at Franklin outdoors they will make a sale. Normally they are closed on Tuesdays which I do forget periodically and have gone there and found the door locked and after a few words that I should not be using I realize that it is Tuesday. Other times I needed stuff was in the area Sean was waiting for deliveries from UPS and FedEx and he took care of me. We had another place here where you never knew if they were going to be there or not. An example was after eating lunch I and a few guys were walking from the BBQ Joint on the corner to the Arms Dealer and she was locking up. There was myself and a group of 4 behind me, and she told us she had to get to the bank. That place closed.
Usually If I am looking for a specific firearm I can go see Sean and say hey man I need a Government style 45. Sean then looks it up and tells me the prices which are 99% of the time really good he then orders and in a few days he has it and I fill out the paper work and Im walking out the store with a brand new Government .45. Also once miraculously I didn't see a pistol I wanted in his case. Started looking on line came back a few days later he had a slightly used one and actually saved me $300. Or if he can't get it he will handle an internet/ Shotgun magazine sale.
If you go in there and have a question there is always somebody in there willing to help you out. One of my pet peeves with businesses is the phone. I hate waiting for service when the rep is on the phone and I am standing there with cash in my hand. It has happened to me (Cough Blackwater Cough) at another local Arms dealer and I got mad and walked out. I have never had that problem at Franklin Outdoors and in fact many times Sean has stopped his conversation on the phone and asked me what I needed when he has been there alone.
Also everything in the store is for sale (Unless deposit taken etc) He almost sold me Tricias rifle one time. I just hate when you go into a store and see something you like on the rack and you get Its not for sale what about that not for sale.
The best part of the store is the conversation. From Tricia detailing the gruesome story of someone getting shot through their man land and making me squirm (You should have seen the look in her eyes and her expression) to Guns to politics. It is always interesting at Franklin Outdoors. The customers are what makes this place so great.
I just feel if you are going to give your money to someone it might as well be someone you like.
