Canada’s federal debt is expected to hit $585.4-billion, yes! that was what I read a minute ago while I know that back home we have a reserve of like $13 billion if I am not wrong. 1 billion is already a lot of money – to owe $585 billion – now that can only mean one thing – that the country is going down.
13 years in business and not much has changed in town – the infrastructure – the look of the town and almost everything seems the same. Sure, the kids are having a new high school, they also put some fountain at Lake Milo, Christmas lights in Frost parks during Christmas, a new car dealer coming into town and some big boys along the shopping strip. But on the whole, I don’t really see any changes – plus we lost the ferry, the airport look really non-function able and a lot of small business closed its door and a lot more residents left town in search of work.
Politics we are not into, the town had asked why don’t the people who are so concerned do something but we are not paid to take care of the town. We worked 12 hours a day both at the store and online, plus raising a kid – and most people who are working are doing the same thing – they don’t have spare time for politics. Are we not paying taxes, so that in return we have a better living – a better place to raise our kids?
Don’t get me wrong, we are not in anyway doing bad in business nor personally but when I stand on Main Street – on a cold winter day – like today – it’s pretty grey and grim looking for a lot of people. As for us, we better keep our mouth shut and truck on and work really hard.
The new year just started and 2012 began for us with much business and I’m thankful for it and our customers. But the boss is buying way too much at this point of them and yes – I can understand that if we don’t buy we won’t have anything to sell but careful investment is the way to go and not letting our money sit too long in the store is my philosophy. So while the boss is a big spender – which should be the other way round – I on the other hand will hold on tightly and pull back the purse string and remind him constantly about careful investment. That’s why I tell the boss – I play a very important part in the store – and he doesn’t even realised it – nor appreciate it sometimes.
No ! we are not getting into the pawn license silly but we are watching the show religiously not only because it’s fun to see what people sell and what they are worth but because we get to learn a thing or two from these guys on how they do business. And from them we learned to tell people – ” it’s not because we don’t trust you – we just don’t trust anyone” and that should be the way to go when it comes to doing business. But unfortunately, the boss is sometimes too lenient – and still goes out of the way to help people. As for me – I’ve learned my lesson and never to trust anyone. 2 regulars that I had trusted and told the boss too – didn’t come back and pay us – one was like 10 years ago and the other was like 2 yrs ago. Yes! Losers! so whenever I trust anyone – around this town – I always get slapped for trusting them – so I trust no one in this town no more.
For the last one year – the entire town has been in debate – some more actively than others and some care more than others – some couldn’t care less but some pretend to care for their own gain. *shrug* but I can’t really blame them can I? Most people would say – to each his own – we take care of our own first. Is that your assumption too? Is that your stand too?
I think the boss must think I’m mad sometimes – for being so passionate about what’s going on in this town – after all – truthfully I’m really not from here. So why you asked am I sometimes so pissed off? especially when we are doing a lot better than when we had the ferry and tourists. Some may think that I’m crazy and spending too much time in trying to make things better but I’m thinking not for myself only but for the rest of the people in town and the kids and the future of this town. What has this town gotta offer the younger generation?
Christmas is tomorrow – and as I reflect on the many hours I spend reading up the forum and FB pages – I think next year – I’m going to give it a rest and concentrate on what matters most first. My kid and the store – and the rest is going to have to wait till I’m free. So for now – debate or not – the above cartoon tells you how I feel about the situation in this town but not at our business or life. We are doing pretty well – despite everything. I think the town had ignore the signs for far too long – so this is where we ended up.
The government or rather the provincial government here never fails to amaze me – while I know that the local hotel here needs money – so do all of us here – the small businesses. If the government is giving $1 million to the hotel – surely they can spare some change to the small business owners – like the golf store that is closing down and a few others as well. We are all struggling to stay afloat – so why is the hotel the only one getting any money? I guess since the hotels have other hotels in the province – the government need to keep their own boys happy right? don’t worry about the small flies around – they can die and rot for all the government care.
Truth be told I’m a little disappointed with how the Anniversary committee promoted the downtown shopping event. There is no buzz nor any excitement I had expected to generate from all that was said to be planned. Instead – this was what I had read a few days ago – that the coupon book that we had expected to see is in a business guide for 2012. We had expected it to come in a booklet for the Christmas shopping for downtown business – a totally different picture that we were lead to believe – or a miscommunication somewhere. Plus the tender for the printing went to someone out of town – so how can this be good for the downtown core? A lot of things don’t make sense to me – shouldn’t we keep the money here in this town? that’s the purpose of promoting downtown shopping not? and by the way, I’m not the only one wondering where those coupons are – my customers had asked me about it too.
PS : the above basket contains $2500 value worth of gift certificates from various stores from downtown and around the county.
About a week ago, a business associate from 2 doors away – invited us for a presentation – by our landlord – for a big announcement with regards to the revitalization of the town. The business associate asked us to be present if possible to show our support for the landlord but little did we know that the landlord`s agenda wasn`t exactly what we thought he was going to present. In fact, it had little to do with doing good for the small business owners but for one particular group. I was very pissed to hear what he had to say – when he announced that this was what the rest of the business owners wanted – to bring a certain tax back for the small business owners. WTH!! who in the right frame of mind would want more taxes? and even though he is our landlord – he definitely doesn’t speak for us. What gives him the right to manipulate all of us – into making time to go listen to his ridiculous suggestions? And whoever originally invited us thru’ this business associate who was also blind-sided – definitely is cunning to the max ! The nerve of this fellas!!! who do they think they are! GOD! or the MAFIA!
The other day – a customer came in to sell his ipod – at the same time – he also said to the boss – that he was in his last year of his computer course and is going to be just like him. I’m guessing he means as successful ? and own his own business? or making lots of money repairing them and selling them? Every now and then – far to often in my opinion – we have people coming in to say stuff like that. Little do they know that running a successful business is not as easy as they think. Many of these people don’t have no clue as to where to begin to do anything – because learning stuff from books – with no practical experience is like a nurse doing her internship.
If only it was so easy – but like everything in the many years in business – we just nod and wish them good luck. 4 years ago – a disgruntled ex-employer – whose boyfriend also went into a computer course – and of course – he said he was going to put us out of business after he finished his course. But guess what? we are still in business – muahahhaha!!
Today I received a phone call from a local but reputable funeral home – asking me if we had any laptop come in on Sunday. I replied that “i didn’t think so” since I was not in on Sunday but knowing that no one can buy the laptop when we are not around – I was pretty sure. But the caller insist that I become sure – and asked again – if I didn’t think so or I didn’t. For one, he was asking for help – and information – he had no right to question my answers – I was quite pissed – because I didn’t need to answer him at all. But I let it go – since the funeral man must think he is upper class than me? yes ignorant. And with ppl like that – let me tell you even if I do come across the laptop in the near future I won’t be helping you. Forget it! if you want something from someone/business – be nice – else you might find yourself without any help and someone who is going to shun you and talk bad about your business. Shocking how a funeral home guy can be so rude and ignorant – what rights do you have to question me?
Or we will have your car towed. We have given fair warning to the store beside us to stop parking at our spot – but nope – she just either don’t know how to read – or she is just ignoring us. So the boss called the landlord up – and asked him to speak with her instead. So now if she parks at our spot and inconvenient us – we will have her cars towed!
Some parents/grandparents need a good knocking on their head. Why the hell would you let your kid stand on someone’s shelving to look for games or even movies? you are not only destroying someone’s property – but the kid might hurt himself. How stupid can those ppl get – and I just saw one today – the grandmother carried the kid onto a shelf – just so he can look at some games *slap forehead*. I think it’s time to make some of the above sign and put them around the store – since ppl don’t have common sense.
Unfortunately, for most of customers – it is good to know that we don’t give a lifetime warranty for the things you buy in our store. I don’t know of any store that give a lifetime warranty either – so why get mad with us – when you buy something from us – and it break down after 3 months? We sell used stuff and we’ve always used – used stuff at home – be it a xbox 360 console or a PS3 – we never buy new consoles – and we never have as much trouble as we do – like some of our customers.
When we sell something at our store – we tested it and it works and we sell it with good faith that it will continue working for our customers – but if it breaks down – like most electronic things do – you cannot blame us for it. Plus if you already had it for 3 months and we only warranty used stuff for 30 days – moreso, you cannot call and complain about it.
And of course, we have those very smart customer – who insist they only bought it like a month ago – and it shouldn’t break down when in fact it’s almost 3 months. And then they would go on to say that it already started having problems the first week they got it home and they didn’t think of calling us and telling us about it ? till 3 months later? all these doesn’t make sense at all – if you get my drift.
So we offered to take a look at it – and you want it fix immediately on the same day *roll eyes* – yah! right! Okkkkk..! good luck buddy!
So last Sunday morning – we received a call from the security company informing us – that our security alarmed had gone off multiple times. I told her to go ahead and call the cops – but apparently – they did but the cops would not response because it was only a single zone alarm – *slapped forehead*. By the time we arrived – the burglar was long gone. Nothing was stolen – because the basement door was double barred. We haven’t had a break in – since we moved up to Main Street – so it was kinda surprising. But we were darn lucky – because the stupid burglar didn’t go any further than the back door. I guess it had to be the alarm going off that frightened him/her/them.
Someone sent me a picture of this conversation between and ex-employee and a customer at our store. We’ve done nothing to her except be kind to her – and no one would have hired her with all her tattoos and piercing but we gave her a chance. All the boss did was called her Ms Selfish – and that was all – and she hate us till this bad? God ! I feel sorry for this kid and her boyfriend – who must be just as stupid and so insecure till today. But after so many years – and still so stupid. Well, like they say stupidity has no cure. I definitely regret hiring her – she is by far the worst employee we’ve ever had.
PS : Sorry to disappoint you – Freak – we will never starve – in fact we are doing so much better after you left – no more drama – sicko!
Darn! darn! darn! shocking! i put on weight – i was at the doctor’s with my kid – for a rash – and since the family doctor had a new digital weighing machine – I had to try it out. And guess what! i put on weight – actually no surprises here – I knew i was putting on weight – because I had been eating junk ! So I’m going to be out there getting some weightloss pills and doing a lot of exercises! even the spouse is shocked that my weight went up – since he didn’t think i ate as much junk as he does – muahah! but truth be told I have been eating junk! well i better stop right now – this instant – else I’m going to be in a lot of trouble!
Last week I read on the news about the now defunct SWSDA – that the person who was supposedly responsible for all the thousands of dollars missing and owing to everyone around town – this said person was listed as a contingent creditor claiming a $268, 800. REALLY? What did this person put up to be owed this amount of money? didn’t they say he was solely responsible for all these mess that this town is currently in? A real joke that all these are going on – right under the noses of so many lawyers – so many councilors, the mayor – so many on the board. WTH!
So we happily wanted to visit the downtown stationary store to get some envelopes – only to be shocked that it is closed! a check with the other store owners – we were told – that they shut down because the head office called and said they were done! so shocking to me – another business closing down – so now we have no choice but to go to Staples? or Super Store ! or Walmart! darn! Not good at all!
So I finally broke down and bought a money tree for our store. Technically, it should be the landlord of the store -giving it away to their tenants – to wish them more business – so that they can pay their rent. I had told my landlord’s assistant – but of course, he didn’t do nothing at all for years now. Oh well, I figured – he thinks he was going to lose out – by giving me a $9.99 money tree - which actually isn’t because I had to give him a “ang pow” for it when he does present this to me on my Chinese New Year. So anyhow, I bought the money tree – in hope it will continue to bring more money to the store and less luck for the landlord and the assistant. Too bad for them lah! we took all their money and luck.
So we received our water bill for our home last nite and it was $30 more from last year during this time and our consumption was less than last year. Why? *sigh* – what can I say about our town and its town councils – not surprised I’m sure – the first thought was we were paying for the debt that the town councils had made with the now defunct SWSDA. But the story is even better now – apparently the increase on our water is for repairs that the Town had to do 9 years ago – but as it seems the town apparently did not do its job – therefore – we are now made to pay for these repairs. In my opinion – the previous town councils should be held responsible for all the mess that we are in – and there are some of these previous town councils still holding seat right now. This town is in a very sad state – even though one town council had said that we are not in debt “YET” because we have been ordered to pay for the SWSDA debt didn’t we a few days ago?
