There are car dealers who cannot tell the transmission from the transfer case. The world is replete with ignorant(and dishonest) salesmen of all flavors of goods. I agree it is helpful when a dealer, of anything, is knowledgeable and honest. But, we know there are many who do not fall into those two categories. So, it behooves us to have our own gauges, and to be knowledgeable enough not to be "snowed". Every gun we may become interested in should be approached with skepticism, regardless how nice it looks at first glance.
These gun dealers who are happy with being ignorant of the important things on a vintage shotgun aren't doing themselves any favor. And, when they have a restrictive return policy (ring any bells?) it should throw up red flags all around. It's always falls to the buyer to have wisdom, and keep emotions in check.
What it boils down to is maybe the most repeated line in commerce ............caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).
