What do you think and what would you do?

simon ess

simon ess

Just call me Roxanne.
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Bit of an odd one this.

I went into a shop I was passing to inquire about getting a valuation on an item I own.

This was in a town centre and seemed to be a buyer, seller and repairer of a particular type of item.

I will not go into more detail because I could be, and probably am, entirely wrong about this.

Something felt wrong about this place.

From the locked front door which was opened by a guy who, shall we say, looked like he could take care of himself to the boss whose attitude stank.

His opening line was, "bring it in. If I want to buy it I will, if I don't I won't."

I politely offered some well chosen words and left.

I wonder if anyone else would come to the same conclusion as me. I won't say what that is, That would invalidate any result.
 
Odd attitude from them, but more difficult to assess from such ephemeral detail.
 
What kind of detail would help?

The kind of item is irrelevant. It's an item.

The location is irrelevant.

Other than that, I'll try to provide the detail you need.
 
There was at least one shop in a town near me that has always kept it's doors locked, buys and sells high value goods and
you had to ring a bell to get in, they would ask questions before even opening the door
Never put people off, they did quite well
 
Vague is vague.

If the item was a 9/16" UNF nut, then I'd not expect a locked door or security, because enough nuts to make a robbery worth while would need a "getaway" articulated lorry. If it was a diamond, then more attention to security and making clear to any vendor that there was no argument to be had is more understandable.

The kind of item is irrelevant, except when it isn't.
 
Interesting. I kind of see your point.

I wonder how the broad range of items that, first, people get valuations on and second, are bought, sold and repaired in high street premises, might be classified.

I'm fairly sure nuts and bolts wouldn't spring to mind.

But you never know.

:)
 
onomatopoeia said:
making clear to any vendor that there was no argument to be had is more understandable.
Click to expand...

Just to pick up on this.r

I outlined how the conversation went, but just to be clear;

Me: Hello, I was passing your shop and it occured to me that you might be able to give me a valuation. If I broadly describe it, could you tell me if it's worth bringing in for you to have a look at.

Chap: So you haven't got it with you then?

Me: No

Chap: Well that's no good to me. Bring it in and if I want to buy it I will. If I don't, I won't.

I pointed out that I had not offered it for sale, I was simply inquiring about a valuation.

Verbal aggression from chap ensued.

Now, call me old fashioned but I couldn't care less if he was a Saudi Prince and we were discussing the crown jewels.

With that attitude, he can go royally f*** himself.
 
I’m guessing watches.

Where I am it’s completely normal to have security at the door of watch and jewelry shops. It’s NOT normal to be made to feel uncomfortable. In my view you did the right thing getting out.
 
newbie1 said:
Where I am it’s completely normal to have security at the door of watch and jewelry shops.
Click to expand...

That's something I've learned. I've not seen it before.

newbie1 said:
It’s NOT normal to be made to feel uncomfortable. In my view you did the right thing getting out.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
Experts often charge for "proper" valuations. Did you want the item properly valued or are you just interested in what it might be worth?
 
I don't know why you are getting defensive about people asking for the context of this, it is entirely relevant.

If this was a local Jessops then I'd probably make a formal complaint to their HQ. If it was a second hand phone repair/sales shop I would be expecting to pull my own trousers down as I crossed the threshold.

What do you want to hear from us? Or do you want us to pat you on the back and say don't worry about the mean man?
 
Craigus said:
What do you want to hear from us? Or do you want us to pat you on the back and say don't worry about the mean man?
Click to expand...

I thought I'd made it clear.

What do you think and what would you do?

I forgot where I was though.

I should have added...

or throw around sneers and belittling [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER].

Never mind. I suppose you have given me what you think.

I appreciate all contributions.

:D
 
I was a bit bemused as what you describe is outside my experience in regard to selling kit in a secured access shop but FWIW

  1. There is a jewellers near me us that has this "secure door access" method that has lots of secondhand items and I have window shopped there at this time of year for any ideas

  2. Though never needed one I have also noticed that Pawn Shops also have such access

  3. Is this a country pursuits shop that serves the BASC folks where they would buy such 'controlled' kit.
Whichever category your shop falls into I would not have appreciated the owners attitude, though without casting aspersions about some parts of the UK do such shop owners have "attitude" depending on the demographic of the area of their location???

As for what I would do, like any shopping (and yes I see wanting sell kit in a retail situation as shopping) experience if I am unhappy with the service I do not do business and never return. I have been into a few shops over the years where the staff are as miserable as sin..........and its when you meet the owner/manager/senior person your realise why!!!
 
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It would have helped to have the conversation in the op.... and a brief description of the article ie. electronic, jewellery etc.

Does the shop actually offer valuations?
 
I used to work in a Loan and Pawn shop and we would never value an item that isn't there...
Why waste our time if you have got no intentions of bringing it down after we've spent 30 minutes researching an item?

Or the item you describe as "Mint" turns out to be a pile of crap and you expect the same money that is offered in the initial blind valuation.

We didn't have a locked door policy but it is very very common
 
When I still lived in London old bill set up a shop very similar sounding to this.
Used it as a front to recover loads of bent stuff and nick the offenders.

Your description sounds like a mobile phone business, seen a few like it around and about.
 
Security is normal.

The attitude could be down to getting rid of what they consider to be timewasters - people who want valuations but have no intention of parting with said goods.

The security and attitude could be because they only take high value goods from "known" sources, as well as goods which would attract attention from the "Bill".
 
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