I first bought into the assumption that this owner was honest because he does watch battery replacements for $5.  This is merely a loss leader to get you into his store (which I have no problem with).  However, I had substantial amounts of gold, good and scrap I decided to sell to this retailer at 15% less than what I have been quoted elsewhere (I would not have sold here, but the \"appraisal\" work had already been done and I was not too worried so long as I could establish rapport with an \"honest\" business owner (and support local business on WATER STREET).  It turns out, the owner MAY not be honest and he is CERTAINLY unethical and a poor businessman.  One of the pieces I sold was an 18K broach with 24K nugget melted on, the size of my thumb and a 1/2 karat pear diamond (ugly, but valuable).  He gave me 70% of 18K spot, which I was not real happy about because of the large, pure nugget--his explanation was that because it was mixed 18 with 24 he could only pay 18...whatever!  I let it go, but the shiny rock in the middle, I would not.  He then told me that he just could not pay anything for diamonds because, in his words, \"after a while, I just have so many of these, I can't do anything with and they just get put into a bucket and sit there\".  So, we both agreed I would be traveling home with the \"worthless\" stone, though precious to ME!!  After cutting a check, fast (a few G's all said and done), I waited and waited as he helped customer after customer. Finally he told me to just come back when they were not so busy (yes they were very busy) \"you'll be back, anyways for the watch\", he said.  Yes, that was my mistake, I LEFT!!!  Upon my return a few days later, it was explained to me that they needed to \"get into the safe\" which would take some time but they would have it for me the next time I returned (now working with his assistants).  Upon returning a few days later, I was turned away, again to helping other customers' pressing pawn needs.  I could not become unruly, one, because it does no good and two, police, I'm sure respond quickly to precious metals stores.  \n\nNow, over a month later, the owner is telling me that he could not just turn the store inside out to find my stone and that had it been a few days after the incident \"I maybe could do something for you\".  I asked if we could look inside his so called \"bucket of extra diamonds\" or if there was anything he could do for me (pretty big loss) and when in his words he said: \"now why would I want to do that?\" I knew I had lost.  So, here I am, 2 AM, telling my story.  I give the old man two stars for his Coca Cola collection on display; as a former collector, I give props for a pretty cool collection; doing business with this outfit, however, I would recommend you take your pocketbook elsewhere--time and money can corrupt the soul, I guess and from this man, at least, I am just another victim.