I went to gun show and checked out what Keith's Sporting Goods had on their tables. I got excited about a S&W Model 19. It was pretty beat up, with worn blue finish. It seemed to be in fair shape mechanically though. I like guns with scratches on them so I don't have to live in fear of putting the first dent in them- also they're cheaper.
The gun was listed for 435 with a 25 dollar ""special discount"", so 410. My brother helped me check the prices online and this seemed to be high for a gun in it's condition.
I asked Keith (know he was Keith because an employee told me he was the owner) if he would take 325 for it. He got mad at, told me I didn't know ""the value of guns"" (I guess that makes two of us). And just turned his back to me and walked away, as if I had personally insulted him. The funny thing is that I would have been willing to bargain up in price quite a bit.
People go to gun shows to haggle, and I was willing to go above my first offer, had Keith made me a counter offer. Or he could have just said ""no"". I can respect that too.
Instead he lectured me and turned his back to me. I have never been treated this rudely at any gun show, or place of business in general.
Obviously I didn't end up buying anything from this merchant and I'm glad that I didn't. I got to experience Keith's treatment of customers right off the bat, preventing me from making the mistake of buying from him. I would warn anyone thinking of doing business with Keith's.
Considering how poorly I was treated trying to buy a gun, can you imagine how bad it would be if you were trying to get him to honor a return on a problematic gun?
Every other merchant at the show was amazingly nice and polite- I suggest you buy from one of them.
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