Avoid "The Upsell Boogie"

You see it all over the place -- "But wait!  There's more!!"  You sign up to buy something cheap, and then the salesman hits you, over and over again, with all the other merch he's got to sell, until your ears start to bleed and you try to staunch the flow with your checkbook.  That song they're playing in the background?  It's the "Upsell Boogie."

Even in carry permit training?  Well, yeah.

In the Twin Cities Carry class, I keep it pretty simple:  I offer a full class, complete with the book, for what I  think is a fair price.  No hidden "facilitiee fees" or "contributions" or "donations" or "certification fees" or anything of the sort; I don't play the "Upsell boogie."  The schedule is here. I'm Joel Rosenberg, the man who -- literally -- wrote the book on carrying a handgun in Minnesota, the same book used by other instructors all over the state, and the book is included. No upsell boogie there.

If you want recommendations for things you'll really need -- holsters, ammo, firearms -- just ask, and you'll get some.  For holsters, I'll send you to Mika and srigs and Kevin, to Dave Workman and Lane Raab.  These are folks I've bought stuff from -- at published prices; no payola asked or offered -- for years, and have been sending folks to for years.  They're good folks, who make good stuff. 

Ammo?  I've got some recommendations, too, based on both published data and reliable anecdotes. I don't have a dealership for (and I'm not making this up, you know) Extreme Shock Fangface Antiterrorist Ammo, and not only because I don't think you're going to run into a lot of orthodontia-needing terrorists. 

Although I think that if you're worried about that, you got bigger problems than some high-priced, clumsily marketed ammo can solve.

Nope.  No upsell boogie on holsters, or ammo.

For guns?  Let's talk, and let's not talk about whatever DVD some manufacturer sent me to help them peddle their wares; it went into the trash, not into the class.  If you want to watch some guy shoot up a watermelon, don't pay for it -- Youtube is your friend.

Nope.  No upsell boogie here.

I Don't Make This Stuff Up, You Know

And when there's another Swine Flu panic, I'm not going to rush out and buy some facemasks and wipes, and peddle them to you as "H1N1 Prevention Gear."  Want to buy carbon credits?  Hey, whatever works for you is fine, but I'm not going to invite you to give me $250 to plant a tree in my yard.  I'll let somebody else do that sort of thing. Yucko.

And if I told you that that sort of thing, including that bizarre ammo was "... the same stuff we use in our everyday hunting, fishing and outdoor experiences. We would not offer it to you if we did not use the same products ourselves...." I'm pretty sure I couldn't keep a straight face, what with "The Upsell Boogie" blaring in the background, and all.  I'll let somebody else do that sort of thing.

And besides, that guy can do what he wants, but if I was walking through the woods wearing a 3M face mask, wiping myself down with "antiviral wipes" on the way to plant some trees in my property that I got some fool to pay $250 to do (Ghu knows why, but there is one born every day, and two to take advantage of him), I'd be worried about looking like some guy from a slasher film . . . even if I did all that (and I wouldn't. Would you?*) I wouldn't have any Tiger-striped AK rifles slung over my shoulder, and be playing "The Upsell Boogie" through my Ipod. Please.  Let's be serious.

Nah.  The Twin Cities Carry Course.  We like lots of music, but we don't play "The Upsell Boogie."

Take the Twin Cities Carry Course

The cheapest class? Nah. Not even close.

Another variation on "The Upsell Boogie"? Never.

The best? You get to decide that for yourself.

See you in class; click here.


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* I didn't think so. Sheesh, some people . . .

• Location: West Metro
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests