Sam's Classic Antiques LLC — Local services in Sylvan Lake

Aggressive owner, Sam, wants his customers to look up the price of any items they want to purchase from him online... He expects you to show him price comparisons before he will price anything in the shop for you, and he will not give you a price otherwise. Sam doesn’t know the value of his own inventory and tries to pull the wool over your eyes if he thinks he can get away with it. He will yell at you and tell you you’re “trying to get something for nothing” after you offered to pay an average - not outrageous - price for something you found in his store. After my visit to Sam’s store, I’ve read one review after another accusing Sam of the same type of behavior I was met with today.

If you’re wondering what was so outrageous about my experience with Sam, then let me lay it out for you… Ultimately, Sam’s price was $200 - $300 for a previously owned (definitely NOT like-new condition) early 2000s Lands End Faux Sherpa jacket made out of polyester. 😑😅

Let’s back up… When I first asked Sam the price of the coat I was interested in, he told me, “that’s the real McCoy!”, insinuating that the coat was made of real suede / shearling (which TBH would make a price of $200 - $300 totally fair)… However, I had already looked at the label of the item, as I always do when thrifting and antiquing, so I knew it was polyester and not “real”. He then asked me to look up online price comparisons for the item. I conversationally agreed with him that NEW Lands End coats were $200 - $300 in-store, but since this one was pre-owned and not in “new” condition, I was unsure what he wanted for it. I even said that I didn’t want to insult him with a price he didn’t agree with. Yet he insisted, so I offered him $50 and was chased out of the store with Sam hollering after me. Literally.

Since leaving, I haven’t been able to find ANY Vintage Lands End Sherpa jackets for more than $70 online (which I only looked up at his insistence) and most are listed for $25-$35 +shipping. As it turns out, I was in fact being 100% fair with what I offered and Sam was the scammer.

After this experience, it really appears to me that Sam needs to be looking into retirement, because it looks as if this behavior is becoming a habit for him… Or maybe his business license should be revoked? Is that a thing?? After all, you should really check out the reports about Sam physically assaulting another customer back in August outside his store. They are all over the internet… 😳😳😳

Now, I just can’t wait for his inevitable response where Sam yells at me more in all caps and tells me I was trying to cheat him and “get something for nothing.” 🙄 Not the case, at all.

0/10. DO...

Normally I don’t like to leave negative reviews of places based on one experience, but I really feel the need to express some concerns here. And I hope the owner reads this and considers it in future business practices.

If you have items in your store for sale, it might be a good idea to put a price on them.

If you don’t have a price on an item, don’t try to sheister a customer by throwing an unreasonable price at them. Don’t forget the internet exists, we can check prices at any time. We’re not stupid.

When a customer says “no thanks” to a deal, don’t desperately try to push them into a corner to buy.

Should they decide to buy, having an option to use a credit card is crucial. This is 2019, cash is not the only method of payment anymore.

When following up on a hold, if the customer asks you to remove a hold, it may be best to not call them back and tell them that they aren’t trustworthy and being disrespectful to you. We’re all fighting battles you know nothing about. Consider that your customer had a good reason to opt out of a buy.

This review is coming from somebody who also runs their own business, I would never consider treating a customer in the above ways. Please remember this and refrain from these practices...

I went to Sam’s today and was very disappointed. I found a China cabinet that I really liked and it had a price sticker on it of $145, when Sam saw us looking at the cabinet he said oh that price is not correct it’s supposed to be $195, he said he has a high school girl who helps him and she put the wrong price on it, 145 was too low. He followed us through the entire store and made me feel like I wasn’t being trusted while I was in the store, it was very uncomfortable, he also talked and talked the whole time we were there, my daughter and I couldn’t even talk to each other. Whether you are a small independent store owner or a large chain store items are supposed to be sold for the price that is marked on them, you don’t just stand there and peel the price off while you’re speaking to the customer telling them that the price is wrong, I’m sure the attorney generals office would agree with me that you don’t change prices that are clearly posted. Instead of selling it to me for the $145 that it was clearly marked it will just sit in his store I’m sure for months if not...