I walked into my favorite pawn shop today and the counterman had two customers looking at guns. This weekend starts the squirrel season in Louisiana and the gun counter is a busy place. Yesterday, I took my .45-70 Handi Rifle off layaway and had seen something on another rack that piqued my interest.
One of those things in which I am always interested is gun cases. Soft sided, padded gun cases. I never have enough gun cases. I'd estimate that I've lost, destroyed or given away a hundred over the past twenty years. The pawn shop had three used cases hanging on a rack beside the main counter. I took them each down and inspected them. They'd been used, but the zippers worked and the interiors were clean and had no tears or other defects. Best of all, they were marked at $7.95 each. I took them to the counter and placed them on the glass. My counterman and a customer were quibbling over a Remington 870.
"What are you looking for today?" the counterman asked while the customer shouldered the shotgun.
"Gun cases. Make me a deal on these three."
"I'm busy trying to sell this fellow a shotgun. I may have to throw in a case to make the sale."
I laughed. "Now, you're for sure going to have to give him a case, and you've got a bunch of new ones. I'm interested in these old, nasty, used, worn out cases."
He snorted. "I ain't got time to play with you today. Give me twenty dollars and get out."
I laughed and dropped a twenty on the counter. As I was walking out, I heard the customer ask for "one of them forms."
That guy was rude SOB. He hasn't got time to take care of a customer?
ReplyDeleteNaah, he isn't rude. He and I pick at each other all the time. I've known him for years and I buy three or four guns a year from him. He's actually one of the more knowledgeable gun salesmen in the area and he knows my interests.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I didn't make myself clear. That's my fault, not his.
I used to have a gun dealer like that. I loved to go into his shop, it was a comfortable place where folks could rib each other while one of us was filling coffe cups or makeing a fresh pot. When the stories started the first liar didn't have a chance. I sorely miss him and his shop. I pray sometimes he's got a shop in heaven with a range out back. It'll be good to see him again.
ReplyDeleteGerry N.
"One of those things in which I am always interested is gun cases. Soft sided, padded gun cases. I never have enough gun cases. I'd estimate that I've lost, destroyed or given away a hundred over the past twenty years."
ReplyDeleteYou, too? I'm exactly the same way. I could buy 5 a year, and still seem to come out behind.
And you made yourself clear enough, to those of us who've worked over the same kind of local dealer. :)