Are there any other small business owners on here? - Page 4

PQ · 03-22-2009, 08:41 PM

Gotta care what people think when you're a small business if it could effect sales. If at that time you take the attitude that you will be yourself and who cares what they think then the consequences will be all yours. Sad but true.

However, I would say that if you provide better service or pricing and a more pleasant experience for customer or clientel then they should be just fine. However I have known some to 'cut off their nose to spite their face' and go get worse service or higher cost 'Just Because'

My new Camaro · 03-22-2009, 09:15 PM

you know the problem with selling a business in a small area is that.people think you are selling because its going broke or something is wrong,not because its profitable or you want to do something else. thats also why they are in such a mind to be mad at you for buying a nice car or house or whatever.in small towns people are way to concerned about what everyone else is doing but we all came from a small town at some point in time.

sandrr · 03-23-2009, 08:37 AM

My wife and l owned and operated mobile home parks and r.v. parks, we would work our asses off to rehab these parks and hopefully turn them over for a profit. l bought a 72 chevy pickup for the tenants to see. Not because we had to but it made for less static from the tenants. We started with very little and retired a few years ago after about 40 yrs of work. We were pleased to notice people who were sucessful lt gave us incentive to work harder. l also bought several cars yrs ago that at the time were resonably priced and have done quite well increasing in value. Shelby cobra, several old corvettes and others. lf ordering a new cheverolet has become shameful l feel sorry for this great country of ours and those of u young enough to live here for the next several decades. living in Gods waiting room s.w. fl. l intend to drive my cars in the face of "watermellons" green on outside red on inside. for as long as l am able.

rmyers · 03-23-2009, 09:04 AM

I own 2 small businesses, only one of which is visible for the most part by customers. Its a retail tropical fish store but I am hardly ever there. My primary business does not require much personal interaction with customers as most of my customers are in other states and are large corporations. I must admit that there are times when I don't want to drive Z to store and park it in front because there is always that thought in the back of my mind as to the customer's perceptions.

What you are asking about is unfortunately a sign of where we have come as a society. For years we have been subjected to class warfare, pitting one class against another class. Instead of congratulating the success of others some of us are more willing to envy them because they make more money or have acheived a higher level of success. The solution to this problems is to call it out when you see it, regardless of the outcome.

If you can afford the car, then you should buy it. You are the only one that can make that decision. To me, if you have a small country store, I would suspect, assuming there is no competition in a equal distance, your business will return to normal, since we are all creatures of habit and if a customer makes a remark, call them on it. You can do so without insulting them. Some may be jealous and thats OK, they just need to be educated.

Good Luck!

dbotsfordtat · 03-23-2009, 09:42 AM

I've had my own business for about 16 years now and have heard about everything people have been writing here. I think its easiest just to let them think your struggling to afford whatever toy you've gotten, let them believe your worried about paying for it and they will be OK. I think most folks are worried about financial issues even in good times and they think I don't have those problems anymore. I don't take it personally, they're just stressed out.

Hylton · 03-23-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbotsfordtat

I've had my own business for about 16 years now and have heard about everything people have been writing here. I think its easiest just to let them think your struggling to afford whatever toy you've gotten, let them believe your worried about paying for it and they will be OK. I think most folks are worried about financial issues even in good times and they think I don't have those problems anymore. I don't take it personally, they're are just stressed out.

I'm a small business owner as well and I can say that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Nobody sees the stress you go through financially so they automatically assume you have no money issues whatsoever.

Booger · 03-23-2009, 10:35 AM

My husband and I own a backhoe service and I also work full time as an outside sales builder rep. selling lights and appliances, we both do fairly well so we own new vehicles and have boats and 4 wheelers etc., but we don't live in an extravigant house we would rather spend our money on toys. Everyone at work and some couples we know make comments all the time about what we have and that we must make more than them etc. I used to let it bother me but you know life is way to short and you can't take your money with you, so you might as well have fun while your here!! My son can have our life insurance and our land and he will have lots of toys to play with!!!

dbotsfordtat · 03-23-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hylton

I'm a small business owner as well and I can say that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Nobody sees the stress you go through financially so they automatically assume you have no money issues whatsoever.

Ain't that the truth! But I would rather be self-employed than working for someone else. At least I'll know ahead of time if I'm going to get laid off.

dbotsfordtat · 03-23-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booger

My husband and I own a backhoe service and I also work full time as an outside sales builder rep. selling lights and appliances, we both do fairly well so we own new vehicles and have boats and 4 wheelers etc., but we don't live in an extravigant house we would rather spend our money on toys. Everyone at work and some couples we know make comments all the time about what we have and that we must make more than them etc. I used to let it bother me but you know life is way to short and you can't take your money with you, so you might as well have fun while your here!! My son can have our life insurance and our land and he will have lots of toys to play with!!!

I totally agree with what you've said, I tell everybody my greatest fear is dying with money in the Bank.

Love your state, I go Arkansas every year for the bike rally in Fayetteville, beautiful country.

Booger · 03-23-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbotsfordtat

I totally agree with what you've said, I tell everybody my greatest fear is dying with money in the Bank.

Love your state, I go Arkansas every year for the bike rally in Fayetteville, beautiful country.

I have gone to the bike rally several times it is pretty. I live about 60 miles South of there close to Fort Smith.

ZYAL8R · 04-21-2009, 01:02 PM

Have owned my own small business for 10 years, and after reading most of the posts here, I have to agree with the vast majority of them. And that bothers me.

It shouldn't have to be this way....when someone is successful, they SHOULD be able to treat themselves to a nice thing or two or three. This is what the American Dream is all about. Working hard, playing hard, and staying happy are just some of the finer points to that dream.

Successful people are for the most part, hard workers. But so many times, people who start these ridiculous comments whenever they see us driving a different truck like "No wonder you have to charge this much", or "I guess we know how you are paying for this/that", those folks absolutely have NO CLUE what it takes to run and keep up a good business.

It takes alot of hard work and devotion to run a business. It's not just a job where you sit around and wait for the dollars to roll IN. And when you do get paid for a job, you've had to wait on it for 30 days or more, meanwhile, taxes and insurance, payroll, supplies, etc.etc.etc. have to be paid OUT.

Most people that have had something to say to you or me over the purchase of this/that, CAN hurt your business. Even though you know "they don't know" what it's like to have all the extra stress, responsibilites in their life or the constant worry of my business's survival. Around my neck of the woods, some people can see that side of it, BUT still choose to say negative things about my TOYS.

I'll never forget a close older friend of mine and what he said the day I drove over to his shop (In 2003) to show him my new Crew Cab (Before which I drove a reg cab truck that was 13 years old). He told me "You better be careful, people won't use you if they see you've got a big fancy new truck". It pissed me off!

I worked my ass off for that truck. I would expect a little at on the back and an atta-boy from my old friend, but I got the jealousy and envy bit. BUT the sad part is............he was right. People did play that game. IMO, those people just don't want anyone to be happy, and If they can't have it....you shouldn't either.

I may gripe about the way some folks will view me/or my business, BUT I love running a business and I like watching employees improve and grow and get things they want. As long as I can do it, I'll continue to work hard for myself and my employees. And that is something I will be PROUD OF.

Seeing someone with something better than what I have just makes me work that much harder. It's w/o a doubt an incentive for me to do better and to make my business better. I wish I could say the same for the folks who are going to be jealous and say what they want when they see my new Camaro. But they are going to say something negative about this or that too.

Life's too short to worry about that. Life is for the living and I'm riding this ride 'til they cut the power.!

vm1971 · 04-21-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cam2fst4u

I assume that it is ok to post this here since it is a general forum. If not I appologize...

I was just wondering if anyone else here is a small business owner. I own a small country store in a very small town. We were doing pretty well until the economy crapped out which is why I have not yet ordered my camaro. Any time I had bought a new car in the past the business would always drop for a while but it would always come back. Reason being people for whatever reason are jealous... i know it sounds stupid but thats just how it is here unfortunately. I am considering maybe not getting the camaro because of this because this would be one car I would be jealous of if someone else got. sorry if this is a rant not really how I meant it to come off being but just wanted to see if anyone else that is a business owner has experienced the same thing...

i work 9 -5 AND i also have my design / printing business as a registered LLC. even with both jobs, i cant afford the new CAMARO .... YET. but my clients wouldnt mind... if anything, they applaud it. i do a lot of meetings/visits/job drop-offs to my local clients and they always love seeing the shiny monte SS. its like a treat to some. so im sure WHEN i roll up with MY new camaro (just gotta be patient) they'll be super happy for me.

and yeah -
to hell with them anyway - you only live once and enjoy as much as you can while you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

stangvert · 04-21-2009, 01:29 PM

Trust me on this, when the mustang first came out I bought a new convertible. All 4 of my neighbors were very jealous. They expected me to give their kids ride. B.S. I am the neighborhood taxi. When they were buying new cars or trucks I never said anything nor did I get jealous. I had no idea that people get jealous. My neighbors are not even poor. For god sake its only a mustang its not even exotic like a ferrari or lamborghini. When I drive past idling along one of the neighbor kid who is a teenager he would look the other way. It was insane about the jealousy. Watch out when you buy the camaro you will find the same problem. Guarantee.

Watch out how they will ALSO turn it against you and say "you think you have a new car that you are above everyone else".

01pewterz28 · 04-21-2009, 01:38 PM

I own a small business I make custom car show display stands for show cars

I was out of work from Sept 08 until Feb 09 this is why I have not ordered a new Camaro yet. I have plans to just waiting for the right time

Sean

03-22-2009, 08:41 PM	#43
PQ Booooosted. Drives: 2010 Supercharged SS Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 36,717 View My Garage	Gotta care what people think when you're a small business if it could effect sales. If at that time you take the attitude that you will be yourself and who cares what they think then the consequences will be all yours. Sad but true. However, I would say that if you provide better service or pricing and a more pleasant experience for customer or clientel then they should be just fine. However I have known some to 'cut off their nose to spite their face' and go get worse service or higher cost 'Just Because' __________________

03-23-2009, 09:04 AM	#46
rmyers Drives: Both American Made Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 781	I own 2 small businesses, only one of which is visible for the most part by customers. Its a retail tropical fish store but I am hardly ever there. My primary business does not require much personal interaction with customers as most of my customers are in other states and are large corporations. I must admit that there are times when I don't want to drive Z to store and park it in front because there is always that thought in the back of my mind as to the customer's perceptions. What you are asking about is unfortunately a sign of where we have come as a society. For years we have been subjected to class warfare, pitting one class against another class. Instead of congratulating the success of others some of us are more willing to envy them because they make more money or have acheived a higher level of success. The solution to this problems is to call it out when you see it, regardless of the outcome. If you can afford the car, then you should buy it. You are the only one that can make that decision. To me, if you have a small country store, I would suspect, assuming there is no competition in a equal distance, your business will return to normal, since we are all creatures of habit and if a customer makes a remark, call them on it. You can do so without insulting them. Some may be jealous and thats OK, they just need to be educated. Good Luck! __________________ 2012 ZL1 #213 M6 Black on Black 2013 ZL1 #2638 Convertible Auto 2010 Chevrolet Suburban 2011 GMC Seirra HD Denali

03-23-2009, 09:42 AM	#47
dbotsfordtat Drives: 2016 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 499	I've had my own business for about 16 years now and have heard about everything people have been writing here. I think its easiest just to let them think your struggling to afford whatever toy you've gotten, let them believe your worried about paying for it and they will be OK. I think most folks are worried about financial issues even in good times and they think I don't have those problems anymore. I don't take it personally, they're just stressed out. Last edited by dbotsfordtat; 03-23-2009 at 11:20 AM. Reason: I don't know how to use spellcheck

03-23-2009, 10:35 AM	#49
Booger GIRLS LIKE COOL CARS TOO! Drives: 08F450,08F250,06Expd,2SSRSsoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 66	My husband and I own a backhoe service and I also work full time as an outside sales builder rep. selling lights and appliances, we both do fairly well so we own new vehicles and have boats and 4 wheelers etc., but we don't live in an extravigant house we would rather spend our money on toys. Everyone at work and some couples we know make comments all the time about what we have and that we must make more than them etc. I used to let it bother me but you know life is way to short and you can't take your money with you, so you might as well have fun while your here!! My son can have our life insurance and our land and he will have lots of toys to play with!!! __________________ Ordered 2SSRS Imperial Blue Metallic w/white rally stripes, polished alum wheels, black leather interior.ordered 12/28/08

04-21-2009, 01:02 PM	#53
ZYAL8R Drives: 2010 SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: In my garage Posts: 905	Have owned my own small business for 10 years, and after reading most of the posts here, I have to agree with the vast majority of them. And that bothers me. It shouldn't have to be this way....when someone is successful, they SHOULD be able to treat themselves to a nice thing or two or three. This is what the American Dream is all about. Working hard, playing hard, and staying happy are just some of the finer points to that dream. Successful people are for the most part, hard workers. But so many times, people who start these ridiculous comments whenever they see us driving a different truck like "No wonder you have to charge this much", or "I guess we know how you are paying for this/that", those folks absolutely have NO CLUE what it takes to run and keep up a good business. It takes alot of hard work and devotion to run a business. It's not just a job where you sit around and wait for the dollars to roll IN. And when you do get paid for a job, you've had to wait on it for 30 days or more, meanwhile, taxes and insurance, payroll, supplies, etc.etc.etc. have to be paid OUT. Most people that have had something to say to you or me over the purchase of this/that, CAN hurt your business. Even though you know "they don't know" what it's like to have all the extra stress, responsibilites in their life or the constant worry of my business's survival. Around my neck of the woods, some people can see that side of it, BUT still choose to say negative things about my TOYS. I'll never forget a close older friend of mine and what he said the day I drove over to his shop (In 2003) to show him my new Crew Cab (Before which I drove a reg cab truck that was 13 years old). He told me "You better be careful, people won't use you if they see you've got a big fancy new truck". It pissed me off! I worked my ass off for that truck. I would expect a little at on the back and an atta-boy from my old friend, but I got the jealousy and envy bit. BUT the sad part is............he was right. People did play that game. IMO, those people just don't want anyone to be happy, and If they can't have it....you shouldn't either. I may gripe about the way some folks will view me/or my business, BUT I love running a business and I like watching employees improve and grow and get things they want. As long as I can do it, I'll continue to work hard for myself and my employees. And that is something I will be PROUD OF. Seeing someone with something better than what I have just makes me work that much harder. It's w/o a doubt an incentive for me to do better and to make my business better. I wish I could say the same for the folks who are going to be jealous and say what they want when they see my new Camaro. But they are going to say something negative about this or that too. Life's too short to worry about that. Life is for the living and I'm riding this ride 'til they cut the power.! __________________ 2010 Chevy Camaro Black on Black! 84' Chevy S-10 91' Chevy S-10 Ext. Cab 90' GMC Sierra Reg. Cab 350 V8 2003 GMC Sierra HD 4x4 Crew 6.0 2005 GMC Yukon 5.3 2008 GMC Ext. Cab 4x4 5.3 2008 GMC Yukon SLT 5.3 This truck man is about to go for something a little more sporty.

03-22-2009, 09:15 PM	#44
My new Camaro Drives: 2500 hd Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: AR Posts: 297	you know the problem with selling a business in a small area is that.people think you are selling because its going broke or something is wrong,not because its profitable or you want to do something else. thats also why they are in such a mind to be mad at you for buying a nice car or house or whatever.in small towns people are way to concerned about what everyone else is doing but we all came from a small town at some point in time.

03-23-2009, 08:37 AM	#45
sandrr Drives: rsss on order lotsa other cars Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: sw fl. Posts: 68	My wife and l owned and operated mobile home parks and r.v. parks, we would work our asses off to rehab these parks and hopefully turn them over for a profit. l bought a 72 chevy pickup for the tenants to see. Not because we had to but it made for less static from the tenants. We started with very little and retired a few years ago after about 40 yrs of work. We were pleased to notice people who were sucessful lt gave us incentive to work harder. l also bought several cars yrs ago that at the time were resonably priced and have done quite well increasing in value. Shelby cobra, several old corvettes and others. lf ordering a new cheverolet has become shameful l feel sorry for this great country of ours and those of u young enough to live here for the next several decades. living in Gods waiting room s.w. fl. l intend to drive my cars in the face of "watermellons" green on outside red on inside. for as long as l am able.

04-21-2009, 01:29 PM	#55
stangvert Drives: stang vert Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: cal Posts: 49	Trust me on this, when the mustang first came out I bought a new convertible. All 4 of my neighbors were very jealous. They expected me to give their kids ride. B.S. I am the neighborhood taxi. When they were buying new cars or trucks I never said anything nor did I get jealous. I had no idea that people get jealous. My neighbors are not even poor. For god sake its only a mustang its not even exotic like a ferrari or lamborghini. When I drive past idling along one of the neighbor kid who is a teenager he would look the other way. It was insane about the jealousy. Watch out when you buy the camaro you will find the same problem. Guarantee. Watch out how they will ALSO turn it against you and say "you think you have a new car that you are above everyone else". Last edited by stangvert; 04-21-2009 at 01:45 PM.

04-21-2009, 01:38 PM	#56
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,494 View My Garage	I own a small business I make custom car show display stands for show cars I was out of work from Sept 08 until Feb 09 this is why I have not ordered a new Camaro yet. I have plans to just waiting for the right time Sean __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

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