I am very disappointed to read this review as it is not a fully informed nor accurate account of what happened. Pottery is delicate and must handled delicately. I do believe that most places have a policy of "you break it, you buy it". Thank for for including the photos of the piece in your review so I can explain the reason this particular piece was priced as it was. It is a called a metate and is a very traditional piece. This particular one was a double process, black & white etched replica of a piece in the Museum Of Costa Rican art. Your mom picked it up by the thin neck/head of the piece - with the entire weight (approximately 10" x 6" of ceramic) being unsupported, which is which is why it broke. It was clearly not a handle nor did she pick up securely as you claim or it would not have broken at the neck. It was not for sale - it was for display - which is why there was no price on it. And the gluing you saw was from a break that incurred during firing. No one is trying to deceive any tourists. Tourists are my livelihood and the reason I have been blessed enough to have my studio for over 15 years now! I do charge for my work and charge more for unique pieces and pieces that take more artistic time to create. Double process, uniquely shaped pieces -- if you had looked throughly around the shop -- are in price range from $75 up to $500. There was/is one other metate for sale in the shop which did not have any of the design etch work of the one that was broken and the price was $100. I'm sorry you did not see that one. It's an unfortunate oversight and I feel badly that this left such a bad impression of my character and work ethic. And to say that this was one of only a few that had no prices on it and was somehow set there as a trap for someone, is really not very truthful. However, the piece was mishandled and subsequently broken. The policy is - break it/buy it. Re the credit card machine. I'm surprised you did not include that the credit card was run in the shop next door -- my wife's jewelry store -- not in my store. Please check your receipt it is for Urban Eclectic Jewelry - and not in my shop. No, I do not accept credit cards. However, I also cannot have pieces handled neglectfully and not charge the person for them. So the piece was charged on my wife's machine. Again, I am very sorry for the impression this left your family with. However, in the future, do be very careful with fragile handmade items as they represent many hours of work for the maker.