Richard A. D.
Yelp
As a new resident of Georgia, Woodstock, specifically, I have enjoyed getting to know the area and finding all of the "treasures" of shops in, and around, the area. Recently, on a Sunday evening out for a bite to eat and a little window shopping, I found myself walking around the historic town square in Marietta. One shop in particular, "Sweet Melissa's", looked very interesting and, because it was closed at the time, warranted a short trip back to Marietta the following week. Walking into the shop I saw many things that were unique and interesting. Seeing a beautiful sword in a glass display case, I began to ask the proprietor a couple of questions about it. Reluctantly, he tore himself away from a personal conversation with a couple of his "buds" that were casually talking with him about dinner plans for later. This turned my enthusiasm for the shop down a couple of notches but it was late in the day and not too far from closing time. Who knows, maybe he had a long day that day and just couldn't be bothered to help me, as he must've made a snap assumption to the effect that I was only "tire - kicking". Of course, he had no way to know that I had just driven from Woodstock to inquire about that very item, as I was considering adding it to my collection (it was a longer version of one that I already own).
As I browsed, I noticed another item that I had not seen the Sunday before while window shopping; it was a "planing axe". A planing axe is a very unusual piece of blacksmithing and woodworking history and, as a collector of antique axes (as well as other tools), I have one in my collection that was made by a very notable blacksmith. As the owner again pulled himself away from his friends when I asked to see it, I began to share my excitement in finding this specimen and I started to describe the one that I already have. As he realized that I already owned one of these items, he literally stopped, mid-step, turned on his heel, returned to his "post" near the register (rejoining his position in the conversation with his friends) and "advised" me, and I qoute, "You need to go and do your homework on the one you have, as mine wouldn't be as nice as yours and it doesn't have a maker's mark on it."!!! What?!? Another off-base assumption that I was simply trying to bulk information out of him so that I could become more educated about my own item. Not so! I have researched my own to the "nth" degree and had no need to do any additional "homework"! Yes, I was VERY insulted and I would not return to that shop for ANY reason!
Bottom line...this man was arrogant, condescending, rude and very low on customer service etiquette, to say the least. I would not recommend this shop unless you find that it contains an item that you just can't live without and you don't mind a barrage of insults in your attempt to retrieve the item(s) for your respective collection, etc. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!