AJ
Andrew Johnson
May 1, 2026
Dear Johnny(owner),
We had a very unpleasant experience at your business today. We were shocked today and really disappointed. We are a recently engaged and excited couple that were out shopping for a men’s wedding band for our wedding. I have purchased products from you in the past, many years ago, while in college. Today, I was totally embarrassed and taken off guard with our experience while visiting your establishment for the second time in two weeks. We saw a wedding ring that we liked, and we asked for better pricing. You(owner) gave us better pricing. We then asked for a lower price because we noticed that the jewelry item did not have any supporting authentication documents or jeweler trademark(i.e. 10kt, 14kt,18kt gold quality). Negotiation in the jewelry business is widely accepted across the ENTIRE globe. You(owner)said that you have “over 40 years experience in the business and you stand behind what you sell.” My finance politely asked for you to test the gold and the diamond of the ring, so that we could make sure that we are making a wise investment of several THOUSAND dollars.
You(Johnny) became very belligerent and raised your voice at me as well as my fiancée (while other customers were in the store) to “Take it or leave it, and that you are not breaking down your equipment to test any thing!!” We were very shocked and upset with your behavior. I stood there for a minute thinking that you would have some human decency to apologize for speaking in that manner. You did not.
Nonetheless, We politely said “thank you” and walked out of your establishment. We are not going to spend $ .01 with your business ever again.
WE, as consumers, DID NOTHING WRONG. When you(pawn shop owner) purchase items from customers, you don’t take their “word”concerning the quality. You(pawn shop owner) test every piece of jewelry that you acquire to ensure authenticity. Even IF the item is $100 that you are investing in. You as a business owner, make sure that you are taking due diligence. Is that not correct?
I and my fiancée both, were nice and gracious to your staff. If you don’t have respect for us as clients, you don’t deserve for us to spend money(thousands of dollars) with your establishment. We have NEVER been spoken to in that manner at any jeweler or Pawn Broker.
Sir, human respect is the only respect. Period. Your customers keep you in business. We are children of God, most importantly, and we should be treated with kindness and respect. Your staff members(aside from you Johnny) were very excellent, kind, and helpful. I thought hard and long before writing this review. Wrong is wrong just wrong. Even after you being in business for 40 years, there are things that still need to be learned. OUR customers make us successful. The citizens of Columbia and surrounding areas work hard for our money. We are not robbing your stores and committing crime. We have been raised by two great families. We were taught ethics and morals. We pay our taxes, state, local, and federal. We support our local economy and businesses. We can shop anywhere in the world or just simply order what we want online. We choose to patronize our local businesses. What more do you want from us Sir?
I’m sure in your world, we would just get yelled at by you , insulted , embarrassed, and then turn around and spend several thousands of dollars with your business. What is that exactly?
Is that what you get or expect when you and your spouse patronize your local businesses and spend thousands of dollars?
We will still support our local businesses that deserve our money and business. We deserve better Sir.
CS
Candid Surry-Phillips
Apr 12, 2026
A few weeks ago we found this shop while looking for a place to have brunch. We had no intentions on purchasing anything, but their selection, prices, and customer service were AWESOME. Husband purchased me a ring, I purchased him a Bulova watch 😊. The few times I’ve stopped at pawn shops, their products have been displayed just as the sellers bring them in…dirty. Not this place. All their items, tools, tvs, instruments, not just the jewelry, were CLEAN. We will return . 🙂