Is this normal behaviour for Teignmouth?

Hi Teignmouth residents.

 I have just visited Teignmouth & had a bizarre experience & wanted to get locals perspective on this.

Firstly let me start by saying I LOVE TEIGNMOUTH & SHALDON!, my grandparents, mum, aunties & uncles all lived in both & I spent all my summer holidays there. So when my father-in-law recently passed away I decided to take my understandably grieving wife there for the weekend to treat her explaining that it is beautiful countryside & the people are really friendly.

  We visited the Triangle which my Grandad used to take me too & stumbled on “Shopdeadgorgeous” we found a mug saying “Teignmouth my happy place” perfect for my mum mother’s day. My wife spotted a lamp which she loved but it was quite expensive (circa £170.00) so I inquired if I bought the lamp could they possibly throw in the mug? (circa 10% discount @ retail).

The young man text his boss who turned down the offer which is fine so I left my card explaining that I was in town all day so if he changed his mind please call & I would pop back.

  About an hour later I received a call from the shop owner (Mr Barry Hemmings I believe) stating that he thought my behaviour was disgusting & he was insulted that I should have the temerity to make such an offer. Whilst I found the phone call unnecessary & bizarre I reiterated that it was absolutely his decision to accept or decline the offer & explained that I work in retail & have people make offers all the time. Sadly Mr Hemmings then proceeded to give a tirade of abuse before hanging up. THE END

Or so I thought

At about 12:15 am after a nice meal I was awoken by my phone ringing from an unrecognized number, on answering a lady said “Hi baby it’s me!” & who are you I inquired? “it’s your girlfriend” obviously being a happily married man this came as a bit of a shock so asked for clarification “it’s your girlfriend” she reiterated before hanging up.

The next day I googled the number which presented itself as the number for “Arthur & Martha” shop a couple of doors down from “Shopdeadgorgeous” & with some investigation it would appear that both shops are owned by Mr Barry Hemmings – coincidence?

I fully accept that me asking for a 10% discount may have been, at the very worst,  “a little cheeky” but speaking personally 10% of something is better than 100% of nothing but (finally my question) does trying to split up a marriage seem like a proportionate response when, in my opinion, a simple no thank you would have sufficed.

I look forward to the Devonshire perspective

Disappointed of Essex