Gospel Lighthouse Bible Book Center

'0' stars is most appropriate. I came upon Gospel Lighthouse quite by chance while seeking a particular piece of music online. I found the music available on an LP, so I ordered it, but was sent the song book instead.
I called the store & heard the phone ring - & ring - & ring, with no answer. When I did get an answer - 3 tries later - the person who answered offered me his 'apology' & said he would either refund my money or send me the album - my choice - but the song book was mine to keep – no charge. I told him my goal was to acquire the album. He said he would look into it and call me back. Several days passed with no response from this guy. I called the store again & spoke to someone else. Again the same promises were made and went unfulfilled. My 3rd call to the store resulted in a very sharp, tart response from the person who answered. I still have yet to receive my refund.

Unfortunately, ZERO stars isn't an option...I visited Gospel Lighthouse on Navy Blvd. ten years ago & left angry, insulted and concerned for any non-believer who might accidentally darken their door. I have never returned - until today.



I needed a commentary on Luke and since GL was on my way, I thought I'd drop in for another visit rather than visiting one of the big chains or shopping online. Big mistake. Once again I left angry & insulted.



The woman behind the counter certainly heard me walk in, but didn't bother to turn around to greet me until she had finished digging around in a pile of papers (I was the ONLY customer in the store). I wasn't impressed but was ready to overlook the slight. The overall atmosphere was a bit unsettling, messy, over-crowded and disconcerting with both gospel music from a cd player & audio from a video (reading scripture) playing at full volume only a few feet from each other.



I wasn't too enthusiastic about trying to navigate the haphazard layout of the store so I asked where to look for commentaries. She led me to 3 possible locations in the store to find a commentary. I expressed my gratitude. I found several possibilities & settled in to read the reviews & back covers of each but couldn't concentrate due to the cacophony assaulting my ears. I tried plugging my ears with my fingers, but then remembered that I was the only customer in the store.



I found the woman and politely asked her if she could lower the video volume so I could concentrate on what I was reading. She told me NO, that I needed to go sit in a chair in the corner to read. What??



I replied that I did not WANT to go sit in a chair in the corner. I wanted to stand at the shelf where all the commentaries were so I could compare them without leaving the aisle. I asked again for her to lower the volume. She told me NO, that I needed the MUSIC in the other room turned down instead. Again, I said No, it wasn't the MUSIC that was distracting me. I told her I needed the VIDEO turned down, that the spoken audio was too loud for me to be able to focus.



Once again she told me NO, that I needed the MUSIC turned down. This exchange repeated itself two more times. I finally came to my senses & remembered that there are other stores that would appreciate my business. I dumped the books that I was considering purchasing on the pile of detritus by the door & stormed out.



I will never shop there again! Ten years in between visits & same end result! So much for trying to support small business.