Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

On Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:39:20 -0400, "Eisboch"
wrote:


"jps" wrote in message
.. .


I sell introductory systems as a means to growing my business with a
customer who's not ready to take the plunge. There are lots of ways
to create demand for your goods or services; smart folks can read the
customer and tailor a solution appropriate to their requirements.

Obviously, introductory offers are used all the time. I never cared for
them.

I find it annoying sometimes to get offers for special deals on cable or
Internet services that I am already subscribed to, only to find out they are
available to "new" customers only. Those who have been paying the full
price don't qualify and continue to pay full price.

Wouldn't you be impressed to get an unsolicited notice from your cable
company thanking you for your loyal and continued business and rewarding you
with 3 months of discounted invoices? Maybe cable service is a bad example
because it's regulated and non-competitive, but it might keep you from
switching to Direct TV or Dish.

In my former business that involved custom engineered, big ticket items
orders for additional systems were discounted because most of the
engineering and design costs were non-recurring.

Eisboch



Cable companies, at least here, have the flexibility to lower rates. I
called and whined/complained about my rate, and they knocked off 12%
for a year. Not much, but worth the whining!
--

John H

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

"Scott Dickson" wrote in message
...

except this one is a family that run a pawn shop.

Kinda like running a Used Guitar Shop......

-------------------------------------------------------

No question. In some ways it is. I am fully sensitive to kids trying to
hock guitars or amps for drug money or for receiving stolen equipment and
have taken certain precautions to avoid this. First, I won't buy anything
from a minor, meaning under the age of 18. I always ask the seller
questions about the guitar and it's history. If I get suspicious of the
story or if they are willing to sell a decent guitar for half of it's value,
I don't buy it. I've already been contacted by two people aware of the
shop who have asked me to keep my eye open for guitars that were stolen from
them.

But that's where the similarity ends. Most of the current inventory was not
acquired in this manner. They are researched and purchased from legitimate,
higher end and vintage guitar outlets that I've made arrangements with.

Due to the help of some professional level musicians, the shop has quickly
become known in the area as a small "boutique" type music shop that has a
small inventory of higher quality and different equipment. It caters to
serious players, both hobbyists and pros who are looking for a different
sound or a quality instrument. There are other music shops in the area that
geared towards beginners and kids making a transition from Guitar Hero to
future rock stars.

When I first opened I acquired a bunch of less expensive, beginner type
guitars, not knowing for sure what direction the shop would take. I'll be
donating most of them to a local organization that works with mentally
challenged kids who have contacted me requesting any donations I can make.
The Fender Squire type electric's and inexpensive acoustic guitars are
exactly what they need.

The excellent condition, quality guitars in the $1000 to $3000 range are
selling. $80 dollar Squires are not.

Eisboch

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

Eisboch wrote:
"Scott Dickson" wrote in message
...

except this one is a family that run a pawn shop.

Kinda like running a Used Guitar Shop......

-------------------------------------------------------

No question. In some ways it is. I am fully sensitive to kids trying to
hock guitars or amps for drug money or for receiving stolen equipment and
have taken certain precautions to avoid this. First, I won't buy anything
from a minor, meaning under the age of 18. I always ask the seller
questions about the guitar and it's history. If I get suspicious of the
story or if they are willing to sell a decent guitar for half of it's value,
I don't buy it. I've already been contacted by two people aware of the
shop who have asked me to keep my eye open for guitars that were stolen from
them.

But that's where the similarity ends. Most of the current inventory was not
acquired in this manner. They are researched and purchased from legitimate,
higher end and vintage guitar outlets that I've made arrangements with.

Due to the help of some professional level musicians, the shop has quickly
become known in the area as a small "boutique" type music shop that has a
small inventory of higher quality and different equipment. It caters to
serious players, both hobbyists and pros who are looking for a different
sound or a quality instrument. There are other music shops in the area that
geared towards beginners and kids making a transition from Guitar Hero to
future rock stars.

When I first opened I acquired a bunch of less expensive, beginner type
guitars, not knowing for sure what direction the shop would take. I'll be
donating most of them to a local organization that works with mentally
challenged kids who have contacted me requesting any donations I can make.
The Fender Squire type electric's and inexpensive acoustic guitars are
exactly what they need.

The excellent condition, quality guitars in the $1000 to $3000 range are
selling. $80 dollar Squires are not.

Eisboch




You don't think the brie, wine and topless salesgirls are contributing
to your success?

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

"H the K" wrote in message
m...


Don and I simply have similar union/progressive underpinnings, and, while
I can't speak for him, I am sure he shares my belief that there are
achievements more important than screwing others so you can attain a
position in the social order higher than the poor.



To you anyone who invests the time effort and money to fire up a company
(creating jobs in the process) automatically screws the employees later.

Thank goodness not everyone thinks like you.

Eisboch

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...


Don and I simply have similar union/progressive underpinnings, and, while
I can't speak for him, I am sure he shares my belief that there are
achievements more important than screwing others so you can attain a
position in the social order higher than the poor.



To you anyone who invests the time effort and money to fire up a company
(creating jobs in the process) automatically screws the employees later.

Thank goodness not everyone thinks like you.

Eisboch



Sorry, you're wrong. I don't feel that way. But I am sure more and more
Americans are feeling that way, and with good reason.


--
A wise Latina makes better decisions than a dumb elephant.

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...


Don and I simply have similar union/progressive underpinnings, and, while
I can't speak for him, I am sure he shares my belief that there are
achievements more important than screwing others so you can attain a
position in the social order higher than the poor.



To you anyone who invests the time effort and money to fire up a company
(creating jobs in the process) automatically screws the employees later.

Who employs the working stiff? That's right it is a company in some form
or another. You can argue about the IRS classification of the company
all you want but in the end they are all companies.

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

"H the K" wrote in message
m...



You also need to run a records check and insist upon a urine test.


I wouldn't waste the time or money.

Eisboch

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...

You also need to run a records check and insist upon a urine test.


I wouldn't waste the time or money.

Eisboch




Sure...go ahead...hire someone with a criminal record who also abuses drugs.

:)



--
A wise Latina makes better decisions than a dumb elephant.

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

"H the K" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...

You also need to run a records check and insist upon a urine test.


I wouldn't waste the time or money.

Eisboch


Sure...go ahead...hire someone with a criminal record who also abuses
drugs.

:)


I've never done that. One thing nice about a small, privately held
business is that you can hire who you want and, if necessary, fire who you
want without going through an act of congress to do so.
In my experience, I've either directly hired or at least approved the hiring
of probably about 200 people between two companies. Of those, only 3 had
to be terminated later. One was a perpetual trouble maker on the shop floor
who constantly caused problems with others. One was caught seriously
fudging expense reports and bragging about it to others in the company.
The third was a thief.

That's not a bad track record.

Eisboch

Since this joint is still off-topic for the most part...
 

Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
...
Eisboch wrote:
"H the K" wrote in message
m...
You also need to run a records check and insist upon a urine test.

I wouldn't waste the time or money.

Eisboch

Sure...go ahead...hire someone with a criminal record who also abuses
drugs.

:)


I've never done that. One thing nice about a small, privately held
business is that you can hire who you want and, if necessary, fire who you
want without going through an act of congress to do so.
In my experience, I've either directly hired or at least approved the hiring
of probably about 200 people between two companies. Of those, only 3 had
to be terminated later. One was a perpetual trouble maker on the shop floor
who constantly caused problems with others. One was caught seriously
fudging expense reports and bragging about it to others in the company.
The third was a thief.

That's not a bad track record.

Eisboch



Actually, if you don't run tests and check backgrounds, you simply don't
know if you've hired a druggie or a thief, do you?


--
A wise Latina makes better decisions than a dumb elephant.