03/14/2024
I just want to vent:
The last two years in business have been excruciatingly difficult with LOTS of economic pressures. I’ve literally LOST $100,000’s over the same time trying to move product, keep staff employed and pay increased costs in taxes, utilities, fuel and insurance. However, I’ve survived… thank God!
Today I was literally selling a trailer -$138 under my cost. I told my sales guy that I’d rather win a customer than pay a lender more interest. So the guy showed up and is $45 short the total amount using $100 bills. He then says to my sales guy that we need to accept the additional loss or he’s walking.
I told my sales guy that we’re already under water on the deal and the guy’s likely got the money, but is just slapping at us so he can brag that he got an extra $45 off of a multi $1000 purchase, while he wears designer brand camo.
I let him walk. “So what’s another $45 loss in the grand scheme of things?,” you may be thinking. Well, ask the four employees who I had to let go because we couldn’t afford their positions. As well, ask any of my remaining three employees left if $45 matters as we seek to make payroll.
I’m vexed. How do people expect small businesses to survive, if everybody just wants to watch another man get further buried? Shopping local means more about understanding that we’re neighbors. We’re here together with employees who mean the world to us, trying to make an honest day’s pay for our efforts.
If you are a small business owner, I’m here with you in the trenches. If you’re one of any of our customers, THAAAANK YOU!! We couldn’t do what we’re doing without your patronage.
However, if you’re looking to hurt a small business in your hometown so you can beat your chest and tell your buddies how you were able to save an extra whatever on your purchase, I hope you understand you’re doing so while standing on the necks of every person who works at that business. Tuff times get tougher when we forget how we’re all in this together.
