[JollyElm]

"You could take a picture of his vintage counters, and two years later be assured they are still there."

This statement says it all to me. A card shop is a business, so they have to move inventory to garner revenue. Problem is, many (most?) of these proprietors treat their inventory the way we collectors do. They see such a far reaching perceived value in their cards and not what is a reasonable, true value...and therefore the cards sit there way overpriced, forlorn and forgotten.

And when it comes to how these folks treat their customers, you nailed it. If someone treats me rudely in any way, it's see ya later, never to return. Yesterday I was in a shop with a terrifically nice, engaging owner who was a ray of sunshine, asking my girlfriend about her Mini Cooper and just being exceptionally friendly. Unfortunately, he didn't have but a small box of vintage cards (nothing that I could use), but his attitude made it perfectly clear. If I want to buy newer cards, undoubtedly I'll make tracks for his place.