OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop

I am a business major at Oregon State University, and visited the Folk Thrift Shop on my 24th birthday. My Mom came all the way from Portland to visit. Unfortunately we did not have a good experience. My mom found 2 matching (very cool) old red vases. She was carrying them for a bit and decided I should go pay for them. As I am waiting in line a volunteer employee approaches me and says that she needs to check something on the vase. I figured they were a little cheap, and she had to adjust the price. 5 min later the volunteer returns with nothing in hand. Dumbfounded I ask her if there is a problem? She tells me the vases were supposed to be put on hold and she had been looking for them. She said they were not for sale. I was very taken back by this. Did she just take my items from me? It turns out another employee had been looking for these vases and she took them out of my hand to hold them for the other volunteer. When my mom and I talked to the gal in charge, she apologized and said she knew the situation and had already "made the decision." After I tried reasoning with her, and explaining how ridiculous that managerial decision is, she shook her head and said "life is hard." (As if she knows my life) An overall frustrating experience to have on your birthday. Will not return until they adjust their policies. Keep a watchful eye on the items you wish to purchase.

What's the deal ?? I tried to get this business on the phone for over 1 hour and the line was continually busy ?? Plus, no hours of service are listed. How badly do they want business ???????