Idahoelkinstructor,

I hear ya loud and clear. I think what you done was the right thing. A year ago my 14 yo was in the market for a prairie dog gun. We went to a gun show so he could look for a left handed 223 bolt gun. We found a booth that had a couple of savages on the rack. I let my son do the dealing while I looked at the rest of the guns on the counter. That particular dealer treated my son very fairly and even discounted the gun because it was the last day of the show, he hadn't sold much, and it was a lefty which is hard to move.My boy bought a savage 223 heavy barreled rifle with a 6-20 nikon scope for $450.So that dealer was a stand up guy. There are a few still around. So don't lose all hope.

OBTW You ever drop knifes? My grandpa was the best at it. He would carry a good case and purposely use it so the other dead peckers could see it. Then he'd put it back in his pocket, and later ask if anyone wanted to drop knifes. Only thin was, he had another old junker in his pocket that he would pull out to drop.