Kittery Trading Post — Local services in Kittery

I stopped in with a friend; both of us frequent Kittery Trading Post often, conducting most of our business with them until now. I will never return and here’s why: We stopped in on a Wednesday; my friend was purchasing a new firearm and I was purchasing flintlock, air gun and firearms accessories. We knew the firearm takes the longest, so we set out to find that first. They didn’t have the one on the shelf he found on their website, so he asked an associate. The associate Ryan responded with “I don’t know anything about guns, I’m just the money guy” then stood up and proceeded to walk away. We then asked another associate who asked if we checked the floor first. The smart side of me wanted to respond with the same attitude she asked but I didn’t, where she wasn’t nearly as rude as Ryan. She did end up coming out and trying to help us; but she too advised that she doesn’t know firearms and gave up. A substitute firearm was located and my friend began the purchase process; I set off to locate flintlock items. I had a question on the powder they had in stock; my internet/phone service wasn’t that good inside the store so I could research this powder I was not familiar with. I decided to ask an associate behind the counter; surprisingly it was STRIKE 3! Another rude response; I was told where I could find the powder, even though I advised I had a question about the powder; they clearly weren’t listening to me. My friend purchased the gun and we learned about the new 3 day wait. My friend advised we were passing by Sunday and asked if that would be an issue; they stated it would not. In fact they said it only has to go 3 days and when he returned, he would get a ticket and he would be able to pick up the firearm without any issues. Needless to say upon our return after waiting approximately 30-40 minutes, we had to wait an additional 10-15 minutes for the firearm to be brought to our location. Then to top it off, my friend was then told he would need to reduce his paperwork, apparently that expires at the end of the 3rd day. With the lack of knowledge, confusion and mix messages from the staff; my friend didn’t want to be involved with this so he requested his money back. That is when he was directed to the back of the line where we had to wait approximately 15 minutes more. Such unprofessional employees, lack of care, customer service and knowledge of product had turned this...

I'm a member of a wonderful group that stopped here every year on our annual bus trip. We come from Rhode Island and Connecticut to shop for our families and a family with a chronically ill child that we choose to sponsor. Until this year. My friend Wanda and I were looking at children's clothing and then jewelry for our sponsor family's Mom. We were suddenly told "No Soliciting" multiple times by someone who did not identify himself and did not have any identification that we could see. He told us we could not "solicit" and than included passing out candy canes that had information on supporting our sponsored family. We were not actively passing anything out when this person came up to us. We were only interacting with each other and no other customers at the time. We felt targeted because we were dressed the same as others in our group. What really unnerved both of us was being told we were not allowed to have our own bags in the store. This, despite knowing that we had been asked previously by cashiers if we wanted to use our own bag or pay 5¢ for a store bag. There are no signs stating "No Soliciting" and nothing to indicate we are not allowed to bring our own bags. The front door security did not indicate that we could not bring our own bags in. We were all very disappointed and upset by how we were treated. I opted to leave immediately. Others in our group returned items the they had already purchased for our sponsored family. An annual photo we always take on the staircase was abandoned. I personally felt targeted, attacked, and mortified. I am not a shoplifter or criminal. Yet this is how store staff made me feel. I will not enter this store again. Our group of 25 spends an average of $100 each at this store most years. We have decided we will not return. Sad to lose what has long term been our first stop on our annual shopping trip. We have never had negative interactions with other shoppers or staff. This was a horrible and heartbreaking experience for all of...

Tried to purchase a nice shotgun in the over $1200 range. But the systems were down (understandably they were busy and it took alittle longer than usual) i have no problem with that. My problem started at the background check stage they told me it would be about 30 mins. I waited and waited over an hour later i noticed no one was actually picking up the guns behind the booth. I finally asked when i could get someone's attention to find out the system was down and they did not know if it was going to be back up today....... why would they not tell all of us so we could go on with our day? I said what do we do now they said oh we will call you when it comes back up whenever it was. So i left not so happy had over a 2 hr one way journey on my way out i hear another person telling their friend that they put a deposit down so the gun would be reserved for them. I walked back over and asked if i had to do that knowing that i would not just be able to jump right over the day or time they called. They tell me yes you have to or they would not be able to hold it for me. How can you not tell a customer that before i almost left? So did the deposit and requested repeatedly to give me a call as soon as it goes back up to see if i was still in kittery and save me a 4+ hr trip again. I called back house later after shopping around before leaving the town and they tell me yes it is back up and ready to go. WHY DID YOU NOT CALL ME? You said you would. Over all not my first purchase there and i love the store but the help i recieved was way below quality there was only one helpful person there and i think it was a manager trying to fix the hold paperwork. They did not even give me the usual how to breakdown and clean and oil explanation which i...