An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

Yes ! ever since the competition closed its door for business about a month ago – we decided we should rent games again.  Firstly, it’s only logical to give good customers a wide variety of choice while there is no competition. Secondly, things are changed a wee bit – because as you can see – there are conditions to rent the game.

Refundable deposit for anything priced higher than $24.98 and that way – I don’t get so aggravated when anyone tries not to bring them back.  At this point of time – we have a group of very great customers – but if you are a long time customer/s – you don’t need to do the deposit thing.  So there – for new customers only – deposit required.

We celebrated our 11 yrs in business a few days ago – the no tax sale was a great success and many customers – old and new came by to congratulate us.  We even had a celebrity from out of town who came in to wish us many more years of success.  Can you guess who the celebrity is?

11 yrs in business is definitely no easy feat – we’ve learned a lot during the last 11 yrs and realized that it’s easy to open a business but to keep your customers coming back to you – now that’s the difficult part.  Along the way – we’ve seen many good people but we’ve also had our fair share of nonsense.  We look forward to another year of challenge and I have to say that this year – we’ve done fairly well for ourselves despite the fact that we’ve lost the boat and our link to the USA.  But having said that – we don’t do touristy business  – maybe that’s the reason why we are not affected.  We also foresee – that if we continue to not have tourist or the boat – it would be detrimental to this town and ultimately us.   So lets hope for a better year next year – not only for us but for the rest of the town as well.

We are celebrating our 11 years in business with a no tax sale on Friday and Saturday.   Yes!  no easy feat – 11 yrs – the stories i could tell you.  No tax sale is a huge thing in Canada – because that means – the customers don’t have to pay an extra 15% to the government – we absorb the tax.  So for the next two days – we would be making less profit but what better way then to give back to the customers right?  So come right in – everything in the store is tax free! woohoo!!  Love no tax sale – don’t you?

In a few days – the store will be celebrating its 11 yrs in business – I asked the boss how he feels about it?  his reply?  mildly successful since we are still open – muahahhahaha!!!   Yes! we’ve come a long, long way for a small business – we’ve been thru’ so many things – you couldn’t even begin to imagine but on our 10th anniversary last year – i think we kinda settle into this very good routine – no employees – and work ourselves.

Don’t get me wrong – we have had some very good employees and they know who they are – but for such a small store in order to keep our prices down and competitive – the only way to do it – is to do it on our own.

We are very grateful to our loyal customers – and they also knwo who they are – the store has evolved to where it is now – because of them – without them – we won’t be where we are.  We are far from being rich – but i’m happy to say – that we are comfortable with our store and happy with our clientele – everyone of them are decent people.  Thank you all – for making our store a success!

Online courses and upgrading are very popular in this area – every time a customer comes into our store – and we asked them what they are doing for work – they normally tell us they are preparing to go back to school or doing some online courses.  Upgrading is a huge part in this town – so it doesn’t come as a surprised to me when a long time customer whom we haven’t seen for a long time told us that he is doing his lsat prep online.

I wished that upgrading was as easy for us as it is now in this country.  Back home – when you failed your studies – you can’t go online and finish or upgrade as easily.  If your parents were well to do – you can go overseas and finish your studies – but if they are not – then you pretty much just can’t finish school.  Back then even a secretary – needs to go for a 2 yrs course – before you can get a job and a secretary needed her O’ levels equivalent to Grade 12 here.   So yes, folks from the West are very blessed because a customer – who is in his 50s had gone back to school to upgrade and it’s a program that the government  supports and when he finishes the upgrade he can apply online and do other courses to specialize in something.  I think it’s wonderful to be able to upgrade or finish one’s studies – especially when during your teens you don’t think it is important but only realizes how important it is when you are a lot older – a second chance – i called it.

So all competition for renting movies and games finally closed its door 2 days ago – except for a convenient store that just started up to rent again.  I believe it is the work of a major supplier in Canada – we’ve worked with them before and they just sux big time.  For they promised us heaven and earth 2.5 yrs ago – but guess what – they didn’t keep to their words.  They backed out when we needed them most and they thought they left us stranded – but guess what we stayed and did better without them – for now we once again – own our own movies and games and can do just about anything with it.

So this week – we put up an ad in hope to entice and educate more people in this town – to let them know that we are still the best deal in town.  Lets hope we see some returns from such an expensive ad.  We haven’t advertise for a long time now – so we are hoping that some advertising will go a long way.

For the longest time – we have been saving money on advertising on the papers or radio about our store  – but chose to give  personalized gifts during Christmases and the store’s anniversary.   But ever since the competitions closed its door – next week – we are playing a prominent ad on the local trading post – which will cost us a bit of money.  But i think it is time too – and for this year’s 11th year anniversary of the store  – we will continue to give out gifts to loyal customers and special ones.  As for the new customers – we have to think of something special to remind them about us.  For example – the ladies can get a tote with our logo on it and the men a baseball cap?  Worth thinking about something special this year since we are really the last rental place left in this town.  While there are convenience store still renting some movies – we are basically the ones – who will have all the newest and biggest selection.

We do like most of our customer/s – of course there are few whereby you know – you can never pleased them even if you gave them freebies to show them you are value their business.  But it never harm to try to get your customers to like you too – plus gifts like that are also for long – time customers.  But when you are a customer that never bought the computer or game or even consoles from us – do you really think you should come to us for tech support?

I can never fathom why people would buy something from another store and then come and ask us how to get it working or when they have trouble with it – how to reset a password.  Isn’t it common courtesy not to rub it in our face that you bought something from somewhere else instead of giving us the business?  Yes ! we like our customers and would buy Christmas gifts for special customers – but really – some folks really gotta give us a break too eh.

A few months ago – while we were up in Halifax – we visited another locally owned game store – and from what we saw – we came back with some ideas that we could use to revamp the store – with the little space we have.  From the beginning of opening the business – the boss had always done his own shelving – so when the other “Big” Movie Store decided to close its door – we bought some of their fixtures instead.  A lot cheaper than buying glass cabinets that we had originally planned.   Now some faux wood blinds for the back windows would be a perfect match for our new fixtures – if we could get the landlord to come up with the money for it.  But having dealt with the same landlord for the last 4.5 yrs – i think it would end up coming out from our own pocket.  They can’t even provide us with a spare piece of carpet.  I missed my old landlord – truth be told – if we could have turned the clock back – we would have done it differently – but for now – a small price to pay for the blinds that we want to pretty up our store.

If you are thinking of flying to Halifax from this town – then you are out of luck because the airline that pulled itself out because they used the federal funding meant to last for 5 yrs within 2 years.  Yes, there is an audit but when will the audit come to an end or will anything yield from it – i don’t know. Apparently, everything is still up in the air and although there had been mails sent out to previous passengers – we have yet to know if it is going to do anything good.

It was a lot of money invested into this airline link – the people of this town who brought them in – might as well have invested in shares with Amazon books as far as i am concern.  Afterall, Amazon books proved to be a lot more lucrative and everyone is using it – and it’s still in business.   How much more will it take to make the people of this town who runs this place and who holds the money come up with wiser decision?  Like i said – the next time they ask me for my opinion – my best bet is to invest in something feasible – like the online bookstore – everyone needs it – everyone buys from it.  What i meant was to be able to bring in something that everyone needs – and won’t cost them an arm or a leg  just to use them.  Cater to the needs of its people!!!  how hard is it to understand – to stay in business – you have to have a transport that everyone can use!

So we had more celebration in this town – for the summer – as usual – they are the same old thing – the festival of lights – the mackerel throw – the chowder cookout and lobster eating.  Yes! same old, same old – tis’ kinda boring after so many years and even with the fireworks – it didn’t really bring a lot of joy to me.  I don’t know about others in this town – maybe they liked the fireworks a lot – maybe they went to the drinking holes – but this summer – i know i didn’t see much tourists nor those who went to the waterfront drop in at our place to shop.   I’m just glad that our business is steady with our regular customers and of course more of the new ones who are renting movies from us.  Yes, the celebration will be over this weekend – for Seafest/summer  – but alas, the town seems to not get their act together yet.

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!

Has it really been a year already – since we re-joined CFIB?   Yes – it sure has – said the boss – and the year had treated us good in our business and therefore – when Tom came by this morning – we re – signed again for another year for membership with CFIB.  Said to be powered by entrepreneurs – like the boss – how can we not support them right?  Plus Tom is a good fella and very on the ball – and response immediately – when we have any questions or needed any clarification.   So even if i had to give up a little on the Lipofuze we still will continue to support Tom – oops !  i meant CFIB -  why?  it’s the people skill  – the genuine concern of Tom that really caught our attention.

You see – we weren’t always doing so well – some 3 years ago – and we had to stop supporting CFIB for a year or two – i can’t remember now.  But Tom had always been steadfast – checking in all the time and giving a word of encouragement here and there – and never brushing us off – i appreciate that.  So yes! another year – another good year – we can all hope for eh.

So we have a new MLA as of today.  I tried to vote today – but was told i can’t vote – *shrug* oh well!  their lost – not mine!  good thing the person i wanna vote for – won! else i would prolly have put up a stink about it.   So lets us all look at the new MLA and see what we all can expect or not expect from him.

The new MLA for this town is a very young man.  Not inexperienced but i cannot say totally experienced -  originally from this town – moved to Ottawa because there was no job for him here.  But he wants to make this town a better place and for friends and family to come home.  I know he is a change and i’m hoping he is not some empty vessel – and now that he had won – will completely forget why he actually wanted to get elected.  I hope he will be for the people and not for the glamor and the title of this job.  I hope for the sake of this town, he will be a REAL voice in Ottawa and office.  This town certainly needs fresh blood and someone who is honest.  So in a year or so, we will revisit why we voted for the new MLA.

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.

There isn’t much happening downtown – not much irate customers – nor idiotic ones – so I’m currently concentrating on ways to reduce belly fat – yes – mine hahah! coz’ i sit too much.  Plus the spouse just told me the taxes had been filed – why he waits till the last minute – it beats me.  So when do you file your taxes?  when I was back home – i file it the minute i get all my stuff – yes ! it irks me that he would take his own sweet time – but we all know how men are.  Plus i was in the store yesterday – coz’ i wasn’t feeling the best.  But the store has been steady and we are happy – now if only we can get the new lease – so that we can make plans as to how much we need to put away every month.

So we closed the store for the first time – to head up to the city – because I had an eye doctor appointment and to look for  stainless steel drums.  I feel better closing up then to get in a part time employee to help for the day – because then you know that you don’t have to worry about anything. You have to make sure that the person you hire will not need  Cocaine Rehab, or have some other personal problems. After all when you have a good security system it is better to not chance it!
The store is secured with a new security company and we had put in more sensors even in the basement and on the windows in front and at the back of the store.

Of couse, I’m sure the spouse wasn’t really, really too keen on closing the store – but when you can’t find the right help – what can you do eh?  and the person we wanna hire – well, he just ain’t barging at all – hahah!!  you know who you are bugger     Anyhow – if i had it my way – i would stay another day – but this summer – with good rates from help from a customer – who works for Westin – we are staying longer – for sure.

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.

Yes ! i kid you not – i received a call from our regular customer asking me if he could bring back a game he bought from us a few days ago – because it was broken in his system – hahahahha!!!  *slap forehead*.  So i asked him – when you bought it was it broken..?? cracked..?? or scratched..??  because i know it wasn’t – of course.  He said no … and i told him.. sorry buddy – nothing i can do for you then.

Anyhow, he is a good kid of course – and today he was in the store .. and i cannot helped but laughed .. because it’s too funny that someone would even asked something like that.  hahahahha!!  but he was such  a good sport – and let me make fun of him.  And yes – it is days like that – that i do enjoy being an owner by association.

These are the only fireworks left from last year.  We used to do well with fireworks till another business across the street decided to join the band wagon as well.  Our wholesaler was a guy who would come in his van and loads of goods and sell us everything in cash.  Yes ! everything was in cash but taxes were expected to be paid of course – receipts were issued as well.

Anyhow, since the other business – who seems to do whatever we wanna do – we are wondering if we should continue carry fireworks this summer?  The profits are like 20% – and you tie up your money – plus you need to be very careful who you sell it to – because minors can’t buy them.  But you and i know how these kids are .. they get an irresponsible adult who would come and buy it for them and get us into trouble and i sure don’t like that.   So we are still contemplating – because i don’t want the stress – not like we are already doing a lot as it is.  So maybe – we will sit this one out this year – plus i love to give away those glow sticks to kids we know – so instead of making money .. we probably break even – hahah!! bad business woman.