An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

I’ve time and again told you that this town is extremely funny !  you see they even have bylaws for signs – that means you need to get permission to put up a sign and no flashing signs too.  Yes – apparently – flashing signs can cause accidents?  Mannn!! this people haven’t been to Las Vegas or Japan eh – muahahah!!  anyhow – we were out looking for door chime from the local hardware store when we heard a conversation between 2 customers that the sign bylaws were gonna be changed but there is going to be a big debate about it.

The town planner fears that with this new bylaws or freedom for putting up signs without getting a permit could lead to more cost – because they might be asked to remove it. *sigh* – how ridiculous right?  businesses need a permit to put up signs!  how is a business gonna thrive if they need a red tape on everything they are doing?  Makes no sense to me !  is the concern of the town planner a real concern?  I really can’t tell – but this town sure looks pretty dull in my humble opinion – even India has some awesome signs in the city. So more debate i heard soon – we didn’t continue listening as we needed our door chime and head back to work.

This year the Seafest Marshall is my favorite businessman – why can’t everyone be like Jim?  Nice and unassuming always polite and non-confrontational and always giving a good word and encouragement.  Oh and honest!  It’s hard to come by someone with such good quality – truth be told – i’m also striving to be like him.  But so hard when you’ve got some crazy demands from certain customers.  Thank God !  we only get a few of those every month.

This year seafest was very colorful – I’ll have to say – they even got Clements Park’s float and a lot of clowns – of course – the RCMP is not to be missed as well.  So the local town dispatch moved to our side of the town – did we see less loitering?  Yes – around Tim’s – but they moved upwards – thank God – they didn’t move up to our store – HAHAHAHAH!!! but really – i’m sure they meant no harm.

The good youth of the town was in the parade too – i saw quite a few of our customers’ kids in this parade – all grown up.  Even one of the boss’s cousin was in the parade giving out ribbons for MADD.

Woohooo!! Miss Canada International!!

The Seafest Queens – all dressed up – and all looking really pretty.

And our new MLA – Zach Churchill – it’s good to see the new MLA mingling  with the locals but i’ve yet to see him at our store and I’m still watching his every move – afterall, we did vote for him.

Love the pipe pipers – who doesn’t right?  makes me think of that story of the pipe piper. I do have more pictures of the entire parade – but I just wanted to share a few – to let you see what it’s like in this small town.  This year – i’ll have to say was pretty impressive – but the prizes that went out to certain float – makes me wonder.  But what do i know right?

Seafest 2010 officially opens today – the children’s parade started at 1.10pm and the weather was really good too.  Despite the fact that it was raining yesterday – the kids’ spirit was really high as you can see here.  So what is Seafest – i hear people asked all the time – it’s a series of event for the town and its resident and hopefully the neigbouring county to come celebrate summer by the sea.

We used to sponsor some events some 10 years ago – and have our name printed on banners for the event we sponsored but lately they haven’t approached us – so that’s ok too.  I see this year a lot of big names were in their sponsorship – like Register.com – Pharmasave – Rudders – Eastlink Advertising – Canadian Tire – Boston Pizza – CBDC – City Drug Store – Coastal Financial Credit Union – Murray GM – Tim Hortons of course Warptech – all the big boys in this town.  I wonder why they didn’t approach Walmart eh?  Afterall, Walmart gets most of this town’s money in my humble opinion and put some outta business as well.  Oh did you see our new MLA ?  yes ! there he is!

As I sit and enjoy my patio furniture cushions that we had just bought – I took a look at some of the recent elected candidates for MLA for this town.  One was the ex-mayor of this town for the last 20 yrs  – someone whom I’ve walked by now and then on the streets but never once said hello to me – not that i’m a small woman either – that he could have missed me.  Most likely thinks i’m just poor immigrant from China – muahahhaa!

Then we have  few others that I have never met or seen in my entire 10 yrs here – and then we have the above  – the youngest – and most promising one – only 26 years old.   I saw a video clip on his nomination speech this afternoon – and yes – he was full of zest, aspiration, hope, promises – boldness and personally, i do want to believe him but his speech was so overwhelming for me – why?  In the last few years – I’ve heard a lot similar pitches and in the last few years – I’ve been truly disappointed by our “leaders”

We are not into politics, we are business people as I had sat down and written to one of the candidates on his website, I had asked him the reason/s why I and my household of 5 should vote for him?  I’ve yet to hear back from him and it had been more than 24 hrs and the general consensus after speaking with several customer was – does it matters?  Does it matter who gets voted in?  Does it?

So I hear a lot of people sharing their dreams with us – many wants to open their own businesses – like 2 yrs ago – a lady customer came in to let us know that she just finished her business course at the local college and she is going to get all these fundings out there.   So we wished her good luck and 3 yrs later – she is still unemployed and living on welfare.

Don’t get me wrong – i’m sure many would be good businessmen/women but the kind of town we are in – it’s really hard for any zealous people to get a go at it – I wanna tell them not to loose any sleep over it – about the funding and for some closer customer/s, I want to recommend some  sleeping pills in advance – but I know they would take it the wrong way – so i nod and agree with them.   Why do I say that? or think that?  well, we’ve been down that road – and it sure wasn’t the easiest – in fact – if it weren’t for the extended family – i think we may not have stuck it out that long.   The fundings that are out there – are not for ordinary people like you and I – because they are so deep into themselves – the ones that holds the money – it’s never going to you or me.  The bank?  no way – you are not bankable unless you have assets but at 20 something – what asset would one have ? except for a beaten up old car and some comic books.

Today, someone was in pricing up what we charged for a computer part – because he was working from home.  He wants to be brave and start up – I told him good luck.  But deep down inside – i wanna share our experience with him – but bit my tongue.  I know most ppl will take it wrongly and with such a small town – people who sees you do good – wants a share of the pie as well.  We have been in business for 10.5 yrs and till today – there are some people who don’t know we exist – yes ! you heard me right.  Word of mouth can only go so far – when you are a new business – opening a business is easy – to keep the business going – well that’s another thing altogether – well, unless you have lots of money or strong back up.

So the music store is now a canine store which will be opened on Monday – about time!  I’ve seen them slowly renovating the store that we were at some 2.5 yrs ago.  I heard they needed  roadside assistance to help with their break down on their delivery van one day when they were half way transporting some of the animals that were from another store.

Yes! till today – there are still people asking about the Music Store and this town does need something but I’m guessing that the old music store expected much more than just mediocre business.  There used to be a toy store where this Canine store was – then we took over – after they couldn’t support the store – we moved after 2 yrs to a smaller store – not because we couldn’t afford it but because the landlord (assistant) – wouldn’t fix the draft at the display windows.  The place cost an arm and a leg to heat – then the music store took over for less than 2 years and now the Canine store -  i wish them luck!    because the fengshui for that store ain’t that good.

As you all know we are a computer/game store – but the questions that some people asked us when they walk into the store is amazing.  Sometimes, you don’t know whether to laugh or roll your eyes in disbelieved.  Today, we had a woman coming in to try and sell us her collection of CDs that she said she did not use anymore.  Fair enough, we explained to her that we don’t pay much for it.  In which she replied – so do you sell any CDs yourself *roll eyes*.  So what did she think we were gonnd do with the CDs that she was planning to sell us…??   This is not the funniest though – the other day – a customer who was a skinny as a pencil came into our store – all huffing and puffing asking if we sell weight loss pills – hahahha!!  the spouse look at me .. and i looked at him – and we both pointed at our sign above us – saying – computer sales and repairs.  hahahahaha!!

We get a lot of sales calls ..  from insurance company to web design companies and even those who wants to sell us the best diet supplement – I kid you not.   I can understand why a computer supplier or a movie supplier would call and do their sales pitch on us – but mannn….!!!  you get just about anything and everything these days.  Just the other day .. the RCMP called to ask if we wanted to support their some RCMP book but you and I know – that all these donation will come to nothing – because who really go look at those RCMP books or even the school year book.  Even Roger’s the telephone company would call and don’t get the hint about not wanting an extra phone.  So what do you do when you have one phone line for the store.. and there are customers in front of you waiting to pay up..?? usually i don’t get mad with them.. but the boss.. he hangs up on them.

Layaways are very popular here in the west – I’ve never heard of layaways till i came to Canada – well – that’s not true – i’ve seen it in the States when i was traveling for work and was quite amused with it – but never gave it a second thought – not like it was difficult to figure out but now that we have our own business – layaways are not feasible for us.Why?  because the people in this town is like an adult acne , they are adults and when they have something on layaway – they usually never comes back to get it or worst some wants to take it home with them after partial payment and then we never see them again.   In other words – troublesome – we want to trust everyone and think that everyone is like us .. but nope – after being in business for this long – no one can be trusted but ourselves.  Sorry – no offense.. this is the way to do business .. to protect ourselves.

We love what we are doing – 10 yrs is definitely no easy feat and like i say everytime – you think you’ve seen or heard it all but nope it’s not true.   Today – a guy came in and looked thru’ all the VHS movies that we had and in his hand had a few – it was a buck a piece and then he looked at the new DVDs and asked me – are they $3 and i replied yes !  On the sign it said – rental at $3 a nite – now this customer thought that the new released DVDs were at $3 a piece to buy .. muahahahha!!!  how can anyone think that a new released dvd can be at $3 when we just bought it for $30 …???  hahahhaha!!!  I bet the guys at  estatecarinsure must have more stories than us though afterall they had been in business a lot longer than us.

This is tax time for Canada and like anyone in this town – you see ppl splurging their extra money on just about anything and everything from  fitness equipment to electronics from our store.   We love the business – don’t get me wrong but if we did get a tax rebate – it wouldn’t be used for splurging because in times like that without the ferry this summer – one would think you will save every penny you have for the next winter right?  but nope most ppl in this town – just spend every last penny they have.   But having said that – if you didn’t have a family nor large expenses like ours for the business – you can afford it of course.  So if you think that going to business is such a wonderful thing – well, think again eh.

Usually in February every year – business had been really slow – because ppl are just recovering from Christmas bills and trying to catch up on the power bill for winter.   Therefore, business is usually slow at this time of the year.  This year – the weather haven’t been too, too bad – not any big big storms either – and business for Feb this year went pretty smoothly.  I wouldn’t say we are rich – but a lot more stealthier than most years.  *touch wood*

So we were opened on Boxing Day.. and then we headed out to a good frens house to visit.. and to let the kid play with her fren for abit.  Why open on Boxing day.. while the rest of the town is like a ghost town..?? well in just shortly 5 hrs.. we made more than we did on Christmas eve..  so that justify .. being open eh..??   Most small business owners would probably be celebrating with  Padron , unfortunately neither the boss nor i smoke.. so we’ll just have to settle for some donuts.

Yes..! yes..! you think we’ve seen it all.. but nope.. apparently, there are some things that just leaves you wondering where do these ppl come from.  Customer comes in with all sorts of trouble to our store.. from having a need to fix their Linksys router to taking out a disc supposedly got stuck in their PS3 machine. Customer swears he didn’t do anything.. and it just didn’t wanna spit it out.  So the boss told him to come back after supper .. and he will open up the machine.. and see what he can do.  The PS3 machine wasn’t so hard to open.. he had done it a few times.  But lo and behold.. guess what was in the PS3 machine..??  a PSP game.. and it was even taken out of it’s casing.. and it was in the PS3 machine.  Hahahahahah!!!

Yes.. we started on the xmas decor for this year already.  Why so early..??  to join the window display contest of the town..?? nah.. NO WAY..!!!  from previous years of being accused by ex-employees for “making” them decorate the window.. we never wanna do another window display for any contest no more.  With employees like that … one don’t need to find out  how to lose belly fat coz’ it’s a natural way to lose all kinda fats.. just by listening to their ridiculous reasons to get unemployment.

We started this early.. to pace ourselves.. and give ourselves.. more time..to enjoy the christmas spirit.. plus it’s fun.. to do stuff by yourself.. because you will always do it the way you want.  When getting someone else to do it.. you kinda not want them to do too, too much.. coz’ you don’t want to stress them.  Many years ago, i had to stripped everything.. and do stuff all over again.  Ppl just don’t really take pride in what they do here.

The customer’s wife wants the best dip machine while he wants a tank notebook for his truck.  Fancy stuff..?? sure.. ! but he can afford it..  so why not right..??  Yes.. ! all you have to do .. is to let us know what you need.. and the model.. and we pretty much can hunt down anything for you.  This was found on ebay.. and if you’ve seen it.. you will know why i called it a tank notebook.  It’s like those used in a cop car. Fancy enough for any tough guy..  and it’s built and covered that you know .. you can’t break the darn machine.

Yes..! i kid you not..!  10 years ago, i wouldn’t think we can survive with the bare bone kinda staffing.  But 10 yrs later..  it really seems to work better for us.  No bullshit.. no stress.. and even though we hired our sitter as a part time employee for the last few years.. we still managed without her for the last 3 weeks.

I had thought that it was gonna be difficult.. but the sitter has mono .. although recovering.. we felt she should stay home and get rested – and we managed.. in fact much better than I thought.  The store was darn busy the last few days.. but nothing is impossible..  when you own your own business.  You have to do what you can.. and if you can’t .. then the customers have to be understanding.

Sometimes i feel the cops here needs some PR lessons.  You don’t go to a legitimate business owner.. and tell them that their name came up simultaneously with stolen goods and break and enter.  You see we buy, trade and sell used and new stuff.  For some reason .. when someone’s house gets broken into .. we are associated just because of our nature of business.

We try our very best.. never to touch stolen goods.. but if the crooks were in to con us.. you think .. we would know.  We do try our best.. take ID.. phone # and address of the seller.. but one cannot accuse or even suggest to your customer.. that they have stolen goods.. else .. that would be the end of your business.  So how are we associated .. i wonder.. ???  i didn’t like the attitude of the plain clothes corporal that was in today.  WE DON’T TAKE STOLEN GOODS.. PERIOD..!!!  cannot understand ka..??

This had been a standing joke .. ever since I arrived in Canada 10 yrs ago.  It never fail to amused me .. and turn me into a ranting mood .. when i see the above.  So what is wrong with the picture.. i hear you asking..??  afterall, there were some workers doing their work.  But a closer look .. and you will find that there was actually only one person in the hole working.. and the other 6 …. standing a yakking away.. happily.  Even the one who is on the tractor..  was also yakking away happily. So you see why our taxes are so high..?? and why some ppl who have landed jobs like these.. never leaves.. and those who don’t have work rather go on welfare.

A good customer turned friend just came back from their  All inclusive family vacations .. to hand me some food he had picked up for me.. in the city, since I can’t get any here. While chatting, he had explained that he killed many birds with one stone on his trips. And one of them were passport for himself and his daughter. The reason why he was doing so was because he said he was always on a look-out for good deals for a vacation. And as soon as one does appear with the local travel agency, he would be all set and leaving for Mexico.

Yes.. one can get great deals .. going to Mexico.. and not only can one get to stay in unique beach resorts, enjoy the sun and the sea, you also get an all inclusive vacation for the whole family without any stress of planning your next meal, for all meals are included. Lots of programs and activities to enjoy but most importantly, you get out of the cold. . and get some warm .. and some fresh air and relaxation. We should start planning too.