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Cowards:
Do
you know a coward? I know a few. This rant will focus on one in
particular, but feel free to use this information to better deal
with a coward in your life.
How
does a coward fight? Do they walk straight up to you, right to your
face; look you square in the eyes and get into stance? NOOOOOOO!!!
That would be fair. That would be someone with some class. No, a
coward will not face you. A coward will not fight you when things
are going your way. A coward will not fight you when you are prepared.
A coward will wait until your chips are down. When things are not
going your way. When you are the most vulnerable, that is when the
coward strikes. Recently, I have had some bad things happen in my
life, and it didn't take long for the coward to take advantage of
my misfortune.
My
advice to anyone who has to deal with a coward. (I learned this
the hard way). Don't let them drag you into the gutter with them.
Don't stoop to their level. Hold your head up, stand your ground.
You may lose a battle or two, especially if your chips are down.
People will take advantage of an opportunity, but know this; things
will get better. If you don't give up, if you don't give in. Get
back up and succeed. Triumph over the coward. That is the best way
to win.
Also,
know this; (this could be my advice for the coward), Things can
change from good to bad for you too. Cowards, don't think for one
minute that things will always go your way. You will be down too
at some point in your life. You may want to rethink the way you
treat others, because eventually what goes around, comes around.
That's just karma.
By
the way, the cowards will not read an article like this. If they
do, they won't understand the point anyway!
Mega-happyface-Mart:
Wow!
Talk about taking advantage of the little guy. This is not a rant,
but a true story. Actually happened this week. I have been looking
for a particular piece of software for my computer. The new edition
was recently released. The Mega-happyface-Mart in town was supposed
to have it in stock, according to their web site. (Of course, why
wouldn't they? They have everything, and at a better price, RIGHT?)
Well,
I drove over to the Mega-happyface-Mart and as my luck would have
it, they did not have the latest version of the software in stock.
They had last years edition, although at a much better price by
the way. So I debated, do I need this years edition or can I get
by with last years edition? As I debated, the clerk noticed that
the box was opened and it was store policy not to sell an opened
box of software. Good policy, but now, the Mega-happyface-Mart did
not even have last years edition of the software that I needed.
However, they might have a copy at another Mega-happyface-Mart 20
minutes to the north. So, a road trip to the north was made.
Now to the Bigger, Better, SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart, only a 20
minute drive. Get into the software section AND,,,No, they did not
have the latest version of the software. They did however have 2
of last years edition. Well, I drove all this way. I need the software.
I can use last years edition, that will be fine! But wait, what's
this? The price was $12.80 More than the first Mega-happyface-Mart.
This is a SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart, their prices should be better.
They are actually located in a smaller town. No, I was told. That
is the price. We don't match our other stores prices. What is the
reason? I inquired. Your other store is only 20 minutes away. I
was told that because the other store is in a bigger area, with
more competition, they priced items lower. HMMMMM!
Now, you mean to tell me that all those small Mom and Pop businesses
that used to be in town, (who were complaining all those years
about the unfair advantage SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart had) were
right? But wait, when those small Mom and Pop businesses used to
be in town, that was more competition and so therefore the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart
had the best prices on everything. Now, all of the Mom and Pops
went out of business and the prices are higher. Oh, I get it, I
get capitalizm. I really miss those Mom and Pops.
So here is what I did. I went home and bought the software on the
internet. Not from the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart stores web site
by the way. If they (the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart) is going to
run the Mom and Pop's out of business, then jack up their prices
in victory, because they can, I am going to the next level of shopping.
I am shopping online. I got the brand new edition of the software,
at a better price and it was delivered via UPS next day. I didn't
even have to drive anywhere.
Visit our Edge Online Shopping Mall Coming
Soon- Just in time for the Holidays HO!
TAKE
THAT Mega-happyface-Mart!
Loyalty:
Is
a word that seems to have lost it's meaning. I was recently negotiating
with a vendor,
the Vice President of this vendors sales division, (by the way,
I knew this guy when he was just a sales rep) anywho, This guy talked
down to me like I was a rookie. We have been doing
business with this vendor for over 7 years. Took most every product
that they pitched. When competing vendors called on us, we were
polite, we took their meetings, we listened, but in the end we were
loyal to our vendor. We were under the impression that our loyalty
would be returned.We were wrong.
This
particular vendor caved to the pressure from one of our competitors.
A competitor who wants the products this particular vendor supplies.
Up until last year, they were "EXCLUSIVE" to us. Then
something changed. Our competitor, who is larger, decided to throw
their weight around a bit, our vendor gave in, and some of our exclusive
products became "Shared". One of our products went away
entirely. Of course we understand how business works, you know,
dog eat dog and all that, we are not fools. But for what it is worth,
one would think that there would be some loyalty shown back our
way.
My
take on all of this is simple. The former Sales Rep became the Vice
President perhaps by not showing loyalty to his former boss, the
former Vice President. Now this little sh*t is a "Big Shot",
and he is going to show the world how big he is. He's gonna show
everyone, and he's not gonna take any crap from anyone. Loyalty
is only a word in a dictionary to this guy. I hope he realizes that
there is a Sales Rep somewhere in his organization who is planning
to become the Vice President. And so it goes, this sick cycle carousel
of dis-loyal people.
I
for one will re-think who supplies our business. I think I'll start
by asking our new rep if he/she ever plans on becoming Vice President
and how
UPDATE:
Keep this in mind, there are always alternatives. If Vendor A
drops the ball, treats you poorly, doesn't live up to your expectations,
or threatens to supply your competition if you don't pay more money,
politely tell them to pound sand. Vendor B, C, D, E, & F are
waiting at
your door, and their service will be much better. Demand it!
The
Machine:
Have
you ever heard a store clerk or cashier say to someone
" I'm sorry but THE MACHINE won't let me process your
transaction "?
THE
MACHINE ? I must have been asleep for way too long. When did the
Machines take over the world? THEY said it would happen.
You know those people only known as THEY and THEM.
Not to be confused with THOSE people. THEY told us
some day the world would be ruled by machines. Did the prophecy
of Sci Fi writers finally come true? Do the machines rule the world?
Of course not. Perhaps our jobs, and day to day home life would
be a bit different and perhaps more difficult without the machines;
however, it is my opinion that THE MACHINE is not in charge,
and does not make the rules. The minimum wage, entry level store
clerk or
convenience store cashier is told WHAT to say by someone, a person.
And I'm sure that person doesn't have gears, wires and microchips
implanted under their chromium exterior. My point here is simple:
People somewhere have made decisions or are making decisions, or
not, that affect our daily lives. Perhaps these decisions inconvenience
or embarrass others.
In the case of the cashier who would not process the customers transaction,
because the machines told him not to, there most definitely
could have been a better way for the cashier to approach the situation.
Instead no other solutions or alternatives were offered. Except
that the customer could call this toll free number to speak to someone
two thousand miles away, probably a machine.
By the way, the only reason The Machine would not process the transaction:
THE MACHINE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY!
As luck would have it the next customer in line was unable to use
her credit card at the gas pump. Another customer was unable to
use their bank debit card. Of course this was long after the first
customer had left the store, probably never to return.
Companies are becoming bigger and bigger. Local stores are being
replaced by a nationwide or regional chain of Mega Marts, with Managers
who have no real authority, or stake in whether or not ONE customer
leaves the store dissatisfied never to return again. The attitude
and conduct of that Convenience Store Cashier, reflects the attitude
and conduct of the CEO of the Corporation they work for. As well
as the Board of Directors and top level Management of that corporation.
As THEY say, " Crap rolls down hill ". Some would suggest
that the customer should call that toll free number, or even write
a letter to the corporate office to express their dissatisfaction.
My suggestion is to stop doing business with companies like this.
Immediately! No second chances. The actions of the lowest person
directly reflect the actions of the top person. There are many other
choices, and many other businesses we can patronize. Bigger does
not always mean better. Find a smaller, local business, perhaps
one that is owned and operated by a local resident. I realize this
may require a bit of work on the part of the customer. You may have
to slightly change your shopping habits, but in the long run it
may be worth it. You may just find that a smaller, local company
may really be better.
My message to the top person:
Set a better example, have a better strategy, establish a better
policy,
and enable someone lower to make better decisions on their own.
WITHOUT THE MACHINES INPUT!
Copyright 2006 Radiowerks Broadcasting
Companies All Rights Reserved
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