An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

Register.com is currently the only place in town that pays a lot of money – well – more than most businesses in this town to the people who work for them. I don’t know which online printing services they used – but I had seen one of their brochures not too long ago advertising their services.

Register.com’s head office is in New York and had opened an call center in this town – for many years.  At first, the people that they had hired were really well qualified ones but these days – just about anyone can be hired on – some who even cannot get their spelling correct nor can write good english.  But looks like they are now bought out by Web.com and the Canadian operation will be maintained.  Is it really good news for the people of this town?  I don’t really know yet – i hope it is and i hope they stay – coz’ this town cannot take another blow.

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 a buddy sent a email informing me that a restaurant that we had been planning on going to has closed shop – due to political reasons.  I went like huh? what do you mean..??  Well, in fact the reason was because they were unable to obtain a liquor license and the taxes were too high for them to make it without one.  Now that made more sense to me now.

Now for the life of me – i cannot understand this town – why wouldn’t they give them a liqor license – this is like a family restaurant – owned by people who are trying to make a living.  Would this town rather they go on welfare – ???? mannnn!!!  i can’t get over how stupid this town can get at times – and i seriously think the owners should fight for it – it just makes me mad – that the town or whoever who holds the license – doesn’t have some common sense here.  I don’t know the full story – but i can see that the people enjoyed the food there – and i’m sure these good people must have put in lots of money and time to take over this business – it is just beyond me – why they cannot get a license for liquor – i was so infuriated i couldn’t sleep but to get  over the counter sleeping pill because this is not the first time – the town is making it hard for honest ppl to try and make it in life – they rather people be bums.

So we received an email from Telus regarding our credit card machine that we had to comply and pay $700 a year to ensure that our customer’s credit card transaction will be saved.  And if we refused to comply – we may get fined or even have our credit card services canceled.  So it’s like telling us that we need to buy diet pills for men even though our husbands don’t need it?

I can understand if we are like the big boys in town – like Walmart or Staples ringing in like millions of dollars every month – but ours is a small business – so if you want $700 on top of the transaction fees that you are already charging us – what else will you come up with next?  Taxes are going up – so are our rent – and water and sewage – what else is next?  no one can make a living here can we?   So was that email a scam or for real?  I will let you know once i find out.

A month and a half ago, i had written about this ex-customer renting 3 movies and not bringing them back.  After leaving a message on a voice mail for him at his parents – about collections – he came in to scream at us in vulgarities – but still not returning our movies.  Yes ! the nerve of some people – he then told the boss he was gonna bring it back the next day – and pay up his late fees.

But guess what?  another month later – today – he came in with the movies – but walked right out without paying his lates either.  2 months and 3 movies later – paid only $3 bucks for renting it each – this person has not even an inch of integrity in him – for people like that – he will never rent from us again – and the next time – he comes in and wants to rent – i would give him the  best acne treatment i can find and tell him to take it with him free – for he is nothing but a pain.  People like that don’t know that they are hurting not only our business but others – because we are planning not to even rent movies soon – all because of people like him and his g/f.  Both owes us money – $100 each.   You see his g/f ripped us off – a few months ago – and now the b/f – so birds of the feathers do flock together eh.

Looks like we are not getting the ferry this summer at all.  The NS government refused to budge even though the town and 3 municipalities are coming up with half the money for the CAT to run this year.  But our dear Premier Dexter said he doesn’t have the money – but on the same day – they gave Irving close to $20 million..??  I don’t know what kind of summer Yarmouth will have – but I can see a very bleak one this year and what will happen next year..??  politics can be really deary – we just hope for the best – and do the best we can eh.

Getting some free insurance quotes for next year, one cannot helped.. but reflect on the past year.. and wonder where they time had gone.  It sure passed us fast this year.. but we say that every year.. and we asked ourselves if we could have done things better.. and differently.. ?

Looking back at the business part, one cannot complain lah..!  we could have done worst.. but we did alright.. i’ll have to say.  I wished i didn’t take the customers personally ..  and treat this like any other jobs.  But having said that.. how can i not take it personally as this is our life.. this is our savings.. and this is us.. all that we sell .. lost.. and get ripped off is ours.

How do i feel about not having a part time employee..??  there are its pros and cons.. but we knew we made the right decision.. because really we cannot afford the drama.  Of course, it means we don’t get much time to do grocery shopping together.. and the store needs to be shut for 30mins – an hour .. when the boss needs to send the kid back.. but the little inconvenience is nothing compared to the things we have had gone thru’ – i’m sure those who had followed my blog.. would know where i’m coming from.  But we wished nothing but the best for our ex-employees.. and hope that one day they would own their own businesses and get employees like themselves in their store.  Happy New Year everyone!

Last year October – that was in 2008, the local papers had gallantly reported that the new 200 foot megayacht installed at the water front was gonna bring in more visitors and income.  But this summer.. i saw only 2 mega yacht dock at our waterfront.  There may be more.. donch quote me.. but i saw only two.  So lets do some calculation here and really it doesn’t take Einstein to see that it is currently a flop. This piece of floating wood cost like $300K .. and how much did we make back so far..??  well.. you do the math.. and how many more years.. is it gonna take to make back the cost alone.. ?? let alone making money.

From what I’ve seen.. on the mega yacht were only a few ppl.. and i can’t see them.. spending tons of money on food and drinks either.  Did they even fuel up this summer..??  i have no idea.. but still it doesn’t justify.. that amount spent on building it in the first place.

The dockage fee for the megayacht dock is $4.50/foot per day. Whiting says they will be advertising in a publication that’s circulated in the yachting industry and that a Halifax booking agent for yachts is also informing vessels of the new dock.

Funding for the dock was provided by ACOA, the Department of Economic Development and the Town Waterfront Development Corporation, which each donated a third of the $324,000 required for the project.

When you own your own business, you can’t just barged into a store.. and shout out your discontent… as much as we would like to.  9 yrs in Canada.. and helping out with the spouse’s business also made me aware of the position i am in.. and that if i were to act wrongly, it may cause us our business as well.  Unlike when I was working for someone.. and my boss would do the mending of fences.. when i am being brutal .. and rude.

When i used to work for someone, my bosses would let me think that I’m always right.. for instant the farmhouse sinks that we had seen when traveling together.  I had argued that they weren’t for commercial uses .. but more personal .. while my big boss said otherwise – but he let me win. .. later to find out that he wasn’t wrong either.  Being my own boss and owning our own business .. made me wished i wasn’t so argumentative .. when i was working for someone.. and learn to appreciate.

We received a call from a parent who warned us that her kids .. or those of her friends would be down to our store .. trying to sell us some games and a console.  She told us not to buy it from them.. in which the man said “ok”.  Apparently, they were bought for them during Christmas by the parents.. and they didn’t want them to sell it..??  the story given were along those lines.  Had i answered the phone.. i would have told them to please control or stop your kids.. not us..!!! our doors are opened for business.. surely they donch expect us to tell them how to run their household right..??  Got meaning or not..?? yer tell me..!

The man had asked if we should move to Digby . . since we had been having good sales with the ppl coming from Digby.  Digby is about 45mins to an hour away from where we currently are.  I don’t mind Digby in the summer.. but I really won’t know what to do . .in the winter there…. well, besides running the store.  Not ideal of course .. during 6 months long winter.  If i were to move.. it had to be somewhere warmer.. and more vibrant.. the Outer Banks foreclosures are a good example, else i would suggest back home to Singapore.  But what about the business..?? the man asked.  Yah.. Singapore donch deal with pre-used games.. they do burnt games/pirate games.. and movies.  *sigh*  .. no win situation eh..?

We have been asked many a times if we buy or sell jewelry at our store.. but you and I know that Designer Jewelry are for the experts and not for just people who loves buying jewelry. And since I love quality jewelry so much, you bet i know where to get good ones at affordable prices.

I’m quite fussy when it comes to designer jewelry because I love buying them to give as gifts to friends and customer/s of our business.  And one really don’t want to be embarrassed by giving something that is less desirable nor something you, yourself wouldn’t wear or buy it. Holsted Jewellers not only offer free shipping but they offer one of a kind piece within  your budget.  Check it out eh.

When the big boys like Walmart and Staples came to town a few years ago, we really had a hard time trying to keep afloat.  Small businesses like ours cannot beat the prices of those big boys have to offer and if a customer can buy something for less than a few bucks, they go where they can save money on, and you really cannot blame them right? So yes, things were tough for us .. the first year they were in town… and with money not coming in and bills to be paid, we too wonder if our business can survive?

With not knowing what to do and how one can find help or advice to  avoid bankruptcy, we were quite stressed and totally lost.   If you are ever in such a situation where you have too much debt and you are looking for ways to solve your debt problems, a good site like ClearDebt has comprehensive information and advice for you.  With knowledge brings a clearer head and better planning for what to expect and what one can do.  Find out your other options, the advantages, the disadvantages and get all your questions answered online with absolutely no obligation and free.  No hassle, no embarrasment, doing it in the privacy of your home at a time convenient to you.

It’s unbelieveable how busy it is at the store for us. A lot more busier than we were last year… and the timing cannot come any better .. because our online job with a certain company didn’t come thru’ for us.  Sure we are still doing good with other advertising companies.. but this one whom we had great hopes for .. well.. lets just say.. we are disappointed lah..!

We just want to thank all our good customers for all your support and believing in us, you know who you are.. .and we wish you a blessed Christmas and happy holidays.  Stay safe everyone.

2 months ago, a new tenant moved into our old store.  If you recall, we moved outta our old store.. because of how cold it gets .. in the winter.. because of the two huge display windows.. at the old store.. that wasn’t double paned.  We could literally feel cold air coming in.. and i’m not even talking about draft.. cold wind.. coming thru’ those display windows.  As our cashier counter was next to the display windows.. we needed a small heater on all the time.. on top of having to crank up the heat in that store.. and still the store wouldn’t warm up.

Well.. my wonderful landlord offered not only lower rent to the new tenant.. but changed the display windows.. as well.. as repainted the walls.. and also changed the carpets.  What an awesome landlord..!!! Yes.. royally pissed..?? yup. for sure..!!  Now why would he do that to us right..??  Maybe he thinks we are not doing that well.. to continue..?? oh well.. ! nevermind.. we are doing so much better in this new location..!! i like it here better..    donch feel so spooky.. like our last place.  Feng Shui just not good enough.  Here feng shui is fantastic.

Yes.. for any business, locality is very important.  But what businesses and things that surrounds your business is very important as well.  So there is currently a big debate here.. for the people who runs the Y’arc and the downtown.  We want it downtown.. while the people at the Y’arc wants it on a street away from town.. and not friendly located for the tourist.. or to help the downtown people.

Sure the people from the Y’arc is probably saying.. it’s none of my business.. whether.. it helps the downtown businesses or the people who owns properties around that area.  But if they are asking for money from the taxpayer to built that darn thing.. on that darn street.. well.. i’ll say THEY BETTER CARE..!!

This Y’arc i’m talking about is a art center..where plays are staged.. and this is in a location right now.. that is not getting maximum exposure at all. .and to spend a few million to put another new one up.. is ridiculous.. if it does not benefit anyone but themselves.. and those arty farty types.   And if they don’t come to town.. i’m gonna be mighty pissed..!!

We have been in business for 9 years and after much trial and error, we are always keen to learn new things to make our business more successful.  If you are like us and thinking of moving some inventory online, you have to check into osCommerce SEO.  Why? Because if you want your online business to be successful, first you have to rank as high as possible in search engines for when someone is searching for something that you are carrying.

I’m sure you are going to ask how would using this software benefit you or your online business right?  I would be wondering too but here are a few points to note with Magic SEO; firstly it is easy to use.  Secondly, it is user friendly and well structured and can improve your search engine rankings quickly.  For those who are not aware of this, ranking high on any search engine is the key to having a successful online business.  This program also includes various important features like preventing duplicate content, verifying and validating each URL because it is important to keep your visitors coming back instead of turning them away with an invalid page. It has multiple language modes or you can choose a single language mode, thus visitors using languages other than English can confidently use your services. And most importantly it lets search engines crawl your shopping cart effectively.  It all boils down to making your online business user-friendly and web friendly, and when you purchase this program and are not happy with it for any reason, you get your money back with no questions asked.  Awesome..!

As a game store in town.. everyone thinks that we make great money selling and buying used xbox 360 games and the rest of the console games.  Truth be told.. we don’t make as much as people would like to think.  Why..?? because even though there are some that we buy cheap.. what about those that never sell..??  folks of course do not see the big picture.. and think that someone else absorbed the loses.. but they are so wrong.  A long time ago, an ex-employee insisted that we need not pay for our car.. because it is company’s car  *slap forehead* !  Yup..!! the joy of owning your own business.

For regular readers of my blogs, I am sure you would have noticed some major problems we had with our previous host (which I shall not name) about a month ago.  Regularly they would come up with messages that “we had exceeded our CPU limits” and at other times, they just gives you an error about some bandwidth thing.  But last month it was the worst, for 2 whole days the server was down and we were rendered helpless.  And guess what? A quick chat with support would have sent me flying over the counter to smack his head if he was in front of me because he suggested that I pay for dedicated hosting, which was 10 times more than what I was currently paying for shared hosting.

Now don’t get me wrong, dedicated hosting is great and comes with many benefits, but really for a blogger who uses less than 10 gb of space and 20gb of bandwidth do i really need dedicated hosting?  I might not be a geek but look buddy, I’m not stupid either. Canadian Web Hosting promises 99.9% up time guarantee, fast and reliable web hosting services with offices based in Canada at affordable prices to suit the individual blogger like you and I. Of course they also provide dedicated hosting for people and companies who need the extra power.  With a 30 day money back guarantee, if you are in Canada like I am, you should check their very attractive packages starting from just $3.95/month.