I'd walked past this shop, whose windows are enticing, for years. Tonight I decided to venture in despite the fact that a friend had told us he had gone in once to ask if they had any books by a poet he loved, only to be spoken to in a curt and condescending manner. The doors were locked so my husband and I rang the bell. A middle-aged man in glasses (owner we assumed) came to the door and let us in. We explained that we were interested in selling a rare book collection, and inquired if the store did appraisals, and if they had any interest in purchasing books. What happened next was hard to believe. We were bombarded with questions about the books, and he was not satisfied with any answers we offered, even when we explained type of book, author, first editions, author autographed, from the early 20th century, etc. -- none of this was good enough for him to stop interrogating us. His tone was extremely rude and condescending. I must have looked alarmed as he explained, ""Well, you have NO idea how many people come in here asking to sell books - I must get asked 50-60 times a day."" (Interesting, as I walk past the shop 4-5 times per day and have only rarely ever seen a single person in there.) Once the man learned that the books came from a family member who passed away, he actually became even more rude and offensive. He started to interrogate us as if we were potential thieves, that we had to show him proof that we owned the books, and even when we explained that we had full ownership from a death of over a decade earlier, he kept hammering at us. We finally couldn't take it anymore (I'm surprised we lasted as long as we did) and left the store. I will inform everyone I know to avoid this bookstore and the rude and condescending and pretentious man who works there (or owns it). Will never set foot in that shop again and will spread the word. There is no need to treat anybody the way this little book owner thinks he has the right to treat people.
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