Last time I wore a tie in Mark's was probably in 1997 when I bought my M700 KS 338 Winchester magnum and ties were required at my office. I went in and leaned on the gun counter and Mark asked me what I wanted.

So difficult...

The secret to shopping at Marks or really any store is,,, Quickly identify who the prick employees are , and there are a few. And go talk to one of the other 10 guys that work there that are nice and very helpful. Overall a pretty good store

Ive been going to Marks since i was 10 and im 48. The group of people that say you have to have a suit on to get help in there are simply insecure and of the buthurt group think community. Everyone in MArks has always been willing to help ANYONE ive seen it for DECADES. They have people specifically trained in different areas. Bow guys, gun smiths, fishing guys, kinfe guys, clothing guys all employees are experts in their specfic fields and happy and willing to help. They are busy at times so if you dont have the stones to ask for help and speak up thats on you not them not because you dont have scrubs on! In fact I cant think of any other store that has friendly er employees and their prices are really competitive those who say they have bas customer service are karens and too sensitive and probably done need to be in there in the first place and most likely the ones who go in there to let them sight in their guns for them LOLOLOL!

Mark was awesome! I may just run up there today and see how horrible it is. Last time I was there I wore shorts and a t shirt and only about 10 staff members patted me on the back or shook my hand or waved from across the store.

Y'all be sure to let each other know when they put their Scent Blocker Tampons on sale.

It sounds like there is a bunch of Dixie Chicks fans on here.

I’ve been going to Marks for a long time and besides them being busy at times I’ve never had an issue. Granted, prices can be high but that can be said for any outdoor store. If you know what you’re looking for and it’s cheaper online they will match it. I’ve never not had them match it for a gun or scope. That is about the only thing I’ll research before I go in looking. Couple extra dollars for a bore snake or cleaning supplies etc, who cares.

Why would you want a Scent Blocker Tampon? The stanky one's bring the big bucks in fast!

I don't know Mark or anybody that works there. But I'm guessing since they sell guns, that the owner and it's employees vote and think a lot like me. These are the places were I'm spending my money.

Mark Whitlock passed away several years ago after a tough battle with cancer. His widow Dana was a big part of the success of the store and still runs it. Mark Whitlock Jr is also running the store and is always nice to deal with.

I've been going to Marks since I was a child. Out of all the years and the hundreds of times I walked through the door I had one bad experience with the archery guy because he was too busy selling bows to change the string on mine. Wanted me to leave it and he would get to it within three weeks. Keep in mind this was the second day of bow season. After protesting he raised his voice at me and he and I started yelling. Marks daughter was working the register and came back there and asked me what was going on. Within a minute of hearing what I had to say she told the guy to change my string.

Mark Whitlock was a good man and would bend over backwards to help you even if he had to go out of his way to do so. He is missed in my book.

I like all of the sporting goods stores myself.never a bad experience at marks I was just mentioning the pursona that seemed to follow them in 80's ,90's and 2000's seems like a different place now though.
I like all of the folks there throughout the years myself.im a Simmons regular customer but marks employees seem a little more personable except ray and Jeff at Simmons they have always been great and the go to people.. to bad ray finally retired for good it seems after twelve times!

I just can't deal with the traffic to go to marks anymore.to busy around there

Then woods and water Tuscaloosa we used to call it woods and wallet cause everything was over priced.about like bass pro great big store and no one buying much it seems .surprised either of those are still open but I go and buy crap those places also

Any of y'all remember beny.guy probably has worked at every single gun store and sporting goods store in greater Birmingham area

Yeah the clientele that he had back in those days were business men, lawyers, etc that had a love for the outdoors...I mean it is Vestavia after all. Those types these days are more into...well, different hobbies and past times so drawing a little different crowd. I knew I could go in there most week day afternoons when I was in high school and see my buddy's dad big John Ennis who was a Bham lawyer sitting behind the counter shooting the chit with everyone, his tie halfway undone telling some story. One of the biggest outdoorsmen I knew in those years. Those types were way more down to earth back then than they are now. I didn't have $1 to spend in there but spent plenty of time acting like I was someone special sitting there talking to him and Mark. Times are different now.

Yeah your right.just cause folks have money doesn't mean they aren't great outdoorsman.
Doesn't necessarily mean they are high fence hunters.
I grew up hunting public land it was badly over crowded back then and very if it's brown it's down mentality and had to hunt really hard to be successful.luckily that's even changed being managed much better
We always gave people heck for paying big money to shoot deer but I will say I've gotten spoiled hunting in a few good clubs and it's tough going back to public land or a crappy hunting club.lol

big John would be sitting there I can see him now!