I’m a privacy freak myself. To the phone number question, “unlisted.”
Depending on how much I wanted the item or service versus how much they insisted, I’ve stood firm til they gave in, walked away w/out handing over my money, or gave Dominos Pizza (sorry fellas) or some other number where nobody else would be sleeping during business hours. What, they’re gonna call to check for lying?
But age to buy a sling - no, I wouldn’t go back either. Too many other outdoor sports retailers both locally and online. You’d think a brick-and-mortar would be falling all over itself to enhance interactions with costomers.
...a disconnected number from work, or
...weather central (local weather forecast)
...or dial-a-prayer (every locale has at least just one!)
I got to checking around and found dial-a-sermon.
Other possibilities: the local police force. Or the store's own central office. The possibilities are endliess!
It wasn’t that long ago that you could honestly say, “I don’t have a telephone.”