Newbury Street markup

So I’m getting a belt at Rick Walker’s (“Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Clothes since 1932″), and have the following conversation.

“Those are nice boots,” says a man who appears to be the owner.

I thank him for his kindness.

“Where’d you get them?” he asks.

I give him the name of a vintage store in my neighborhood.

“Do you mind if I ask how much their boots are?” he asks.

“I think from $20 to $50 or so — I got these for about $20,” I reply.

“Fuck… fuck,” he mutters, and jokes about doing them violence.

* * *

Later, as I’m checking out, he compliments me on my purple rodeo shirt. The sales girl I was talking to informs him that I got it at the same place.

“Really? And how much was it?”

“Also $20.” Rick Walker’s shirts are more in the $75 range.

“Fuck. Motherfuckers.”

“I don’t think a lot of people know about them,” I said as I left.