Hi everyone,
Typically what happened to me today is something that Is a bit extreme to what I would normally post but considering how family friendly our beloved hobby is, I thought it best to share my horrible experience at my local Card shop so others can avoid it happening to them !
After meeting with the marriage celebrant today I was able to swing past Al's card shop in the city to see what was new.
Now before I continue with the story, there are a couple of things you should know first. I have always been a supporter of local business and in particular "Al's cards" and until today would buy supplies from him even though I can get every item cheaper online !
Another fact based on previous experiences with Len the shop owner. When I have asked about cards before or haggled on the price (which is necessary 90% of the time) once they give a price, they don't budge. Which is fair enough if that is how they do business !
The last time I went to Al's I picked out a few unpriced MJ's from the assorted folder and asked for a price for the lot. I nearly had a heart attack when I was told the price and based on previous experience I told him that I would have to pass on getting them at that price
If you went into any shop and spent over $1200 in a single day and much more over a decade, would you expect the following incident to occur.
Today while visiting Als cards in the city I asked how business was (normal for me) and Len replies "Steady" to which I reply "steady is always good" I then ask to look at some NBA singles. While I am looking through the NBA singles Len rudely shouts out across the shop, "If you dont intend on buying the cards I asked to look at to please not bother to ask !?" Shocked and confused and not sure if I heard him properly the first time I ask him to repeat what he said. I could not believe what I was hearing !!! How rude could he be , is this how any customer should be spoken too.
He continues on about how collectors give him the Sh*ts and how magic the gathering collectors annoy him, how they don't read signs BLAH BLAH BLAH (a bit of a strange attitude if you own a hobby shop), still in shock I start to leave the store in disgust and say "I am just wondering What MTG customers have to do with me and I am also guessing business has not been so good then" he replies "if you are going to be a F**king smart arse that I can leave " .... well no need for that as I am making my own way out of the shop and point out that I actually promote and tell other collectors how to find his shop , he cuts me off mid sentence and says that he does not give a sh*t !?
I continue to walk out and explain to him that he has a big mouth and he should be careful what he says to customers. His reply "do you think you can fill it"(i am guessing he meant his mouth) I continue out the door with Len (who had left the sanctuary of the counter) who is not far behind me and obviously keen to continue his attack. I am already on the footpath as he has follows me outside ! Due to his size and not knowing if he was going to have a go at me while my back is turned as I walk in the other direction, I turn back and take a step toward him which I think startled him because he quickly steps back to the shop door and continues to abuse me some more.
At this stage his comments started to get to me and I could not help but take it quite personal so I suggest that he stops abusing me and talking crap and if he wants to keep going and personally attack me that maybe he should step out on the footpath and to see what happens.
Surprise, surprise yet another typical Typical bully at well over 6 foot tall and when the little guy stands his ground your true colors come out and you run back inside. how weak and pathetic can a grown man be ?
Fair enough if I was rude to him for no reason but to get abused like that for everything he is angry about is a joke !
So remember, Dont ask him about a price if you are not going to buy it at the price he gives otherwise you too might get the same treatment !
end rant
Not only did he have a go at me today, last month his Brother does a trade with a local collector I know. Len then calls this collector to abuse him and call him a scammer ! saying he ripped the shop off. A bit strange considering that the collector only took the offer given to him by the guy running the shop... what a tool
Just wondering if anyone else has had a bad experience with Len and staff from Al's card shop ? feel free to share it here to warn others
I can picture 911, wheelchairs, medics, surgeons, priests, exorcists...and remarkable recovery
