Living nearby I stopped in with my son (18) and daughter (21) accompanying me to use the range.
My first thought was at noon on a Friday the facility seemed very cold and sterile. We first stopped at the closest counter to the door and waited to be assisted. No one greeted us or even acknowledged us. After a couple of minutes we realized we were at the sales counter. There was one salesman working. He was engaged at the far end of the counter with a customer. But agin, not as much as a chin nod much less a smile was directed our way.
Realizing we were at the wrong counter we discovered the range check-in desk, hidden around a corner and out of sight from the front entrance. The attendant behind the desk curtly greeted us and informed us that before we could do anything we had to watch a six minute safety video. (None of the ranges own safety policies demonstrated in the video were performed by the range staff during our visit.) We also had to sign an electronic waiver before firing, once again missing any human interaction with the staff except for being pointed to the tablets with the video. By this time the poor girl checking us in had a line of three other people waiting and a ringing phone. No one on staff offered her any assistance. The rest of the Saddle River staff constantly passed by getting coffee and sodas at the cafe, where the person working the cafe had her young child hanging out. Still no hellos, welcomes or conversation from anyone.
Finally we got checked in, paid and were pointed to our range lane. So it looks like Saddle River has three individual ranges with there being six lanes in the range and lane we were assigned to. All were empty except for us. So why on earth was a total stranger, who came in a few minutes later, put on the lane right up next to us when there were no less than 15 other lanes he could have been assigned to? The range attendant, who only once left his control both to sweep up brass, also exchanged not one word with us.
So we fired our rounds, packed up and left. I was not surprised when no one thanked us for coming or said goodby.
For a new range, one that advertises memberships, I would have expected at least one person to offer a tour and proudly show off their facility. And for the price, I'd expect more than one target to be offered.
I wonder if Gander's range is up and running?
On the other hand, My daughter did return the next day for the LTC class and said the instructor was outstanding and range staff more engaging.
Me, I don't know if that's enough to bring me back. read more
