Ten minutes ago I remembered I had to pick up something at the local hardware store. I do my damndest to stay out of the wallyworlds and the homo-cheapos, and give the local stores my money... except that at two minutes past five in the afternoon, the local place is closed.
This is my biggest bitch about retail. Small independents whine and cry about how walmart and Hode-po underprice them... but they make no effort to give local customers a couple of hours, after work, to shop on the way home. All the local retailers around here pull this shyt. I want to buy fish at the local market, not the A&P - but to do that means making a special trip in the middle of the day. I want to be able to support my local hardware store, the drugstore, etc. - but if they don't want my money after five o'clock, my only choice is to go to a national chain.
The only way these local shops are going to survive in the modern world is through customer service, which the sure as hell can't deliver when the doors are locked and the lights are out. They are just shooting themselves in the foot, and ****ing off the customers they need.
Now I'm sentenced to drive ten miles, to a place I hate, to wait in line with the mouth-breathers and mongoloids, to spend money with a business whose philosophy and practices I loathe, for no reason other than I need something NOW, and they're the only place open. I don't expect 24 hour service, but I don't think its unreasonable to ask a business to give it's working customers a little time in the early evening. Or they can lock up ant five and go home, and keep whining about walmart until they lock it up for good.
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
Get 'em, Cam!
I went into a local business the other day to get some paint mixed. Kind of a last minute thing.
It was Saturday and it was 15 minutes to 3:00. I walked in and asked if I could get some paint mixed and the guy said, kind of whining..."Well, we close at 3:00, I don't know..."
I asked if it was 3:00 now and was he saying he couldn't mix some paint for me and then close???
He whined some more and I told him to just forget it and politely walked out.
I know I wouldn't do that to a customer. There are many times I will stay late to meet someone about a job or go to their place after hours. Whatever it takes.
What if I had looked around and bought more stuff while waiting on the paint? His loss.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Cam:
Sounds like a great call to arms at the local Chamber of Commerce - or perhaps an "open letter" to small business in the local papers.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
At the risk of sounding like a real snot.... maybe if you both would have done your shopping earlier in the day instead of waiting till the last minute, this would not have happened.
I know what it's like to be busy, and I try to frequent the small guy-type businesses myself. But a lack of planning on your parts do not necessarily make those businesses the bad guy.
Love..."Miss Know-it-all"
Posted by Chuck Gallagher (Member # 69) on :
Totally agree! Doesn't take to many beans to figure it out, but they do the same thing here. As a signshop on main street I stayed open an hour later and all day on Saturday just for that reason.....oh and don't get sick at noon either. You won't find the clinic open 'till 1:00.
Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
What about the Banks?? The hours are for their convenience not yours. But you put up with it.
There is a Nextel phone company store in a strip mall nearby that has never yet been open when I was at the mall.... how do they get business?
Come to think of it, we get business nights and weekends because we are the only shop in the area that will answer the phone outside of regular hours.
ernie
[ August 12, 2004, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: E. Balch ]
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Same thing here. The main street shops bitch & moan about being driven out by the chains, but drive down mainstreet at 5:15 and the only businesses not totally deserted are the bars. And they're packed.
Sometimes I do manage to get in town during the day, but it isn't common. Think about how many people out there work 9-5 (or hours close to those). Basically these businesses are saying "go to walmart, we don't want your business"
Ernie, my bank has me spoiled. Open til 7 all week & 2 on Saturdays.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
but what takes the cake...is the fukn post office...4 people and they all have to take lunch at the same time??? wtf is that shyt??? they actually close for 45mins at lunch time...ya know when other working folks need to get their mail or mail something priority...they suck.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I know how frustrating it is to not be able to buy what you need when you need it. Fortunately, in our local small town (pop. 3500) the local businesses have taken the bull by the horns and stay open 7 days a week. 8am to 9pm Mon to Friday and 9 or 10 till 6 on the weekend. No need to head to the big city for stuff!!! And those who ARE staying open ARE thriving!
In these days of 7 day a week booze sales, ATM's, internet banking, online purchasing and instant gratification, you HAVE to conform to the norm or perish.
Just my Canadian point of view.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
The registry of motor vehicles wins top honors for being not only inconvienient, but overly time consuming as well....second to none.
I especially enjoy leaving work to spend 3 hours in line only to find out that there is some obscure reason that my purpose for being there will be thwarted by a robotic human with the charm and grace of a block of cheese.
Rapid
PS: My apologies to cheese for the analogy.
[ August 12, 2004, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Ray, I love cheese & I take offense to that comment!
This has been brought to you by CLUARR. (Cheese lovers united against Rabid Ray)
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
I guess I'm on the other side of the fence. I HATE it when people assume that because they work 9-5, monday to saturday, that I should enjoy a phone call about a sign right as I sit down to supper, or on Sunday afternoon. I also hate that wherever I go, people see me and say, "Oh, ya, I've been meaning to drop by and see you...how much would a sign be, and I'd like this and this and this on it" while I've got my arms full of groceries.
Do YOU guys stay open until 8:00 at night and work on Sundays for the conveniece of others??? If you do, you're a better (wo)man than me!
Suelynn
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Cam - don't you just love it when you are forced to visit that dreadful place, Wally World and you just have an item or two, then your stuck in line with the gem doing a weeks worth of grocery shopping. You have to wait because out of 30 registers, there's only one open!
Karyn - Our local post office used to pull that crap too. They recently just started staying open without closing for lunch. Gee, and they only staff the place with 4 people!
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Suelynn..I answer the phone in the evening and if it is a regular private individual customer that I have done work for before, I DO talk to them and take some notes. (Regular corporate customers NEVER call after 5, but if they did I REALLY enjoy hearing from them!! ).
I DO work on Saturdays and Sundays when necessary, and usually take the Monday, or whatever day is available, off when there is nothing else to do because I worked on the weekend.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I'm kinda on both sides of the fence on this one.
Yeah, it sucks that the local hardware and tool shops aren't open at all on weekends, and most of them are closed on Mondays.. then closed some unspecified time smack in the middle of the day .. but Hodepo here isn't much better either, only open til 8pm, higher prices (yeah, I can get stuff cheaper at the local shops) and usually out of stock of the particular item you need regardless of what it is, only after driving 15 minutes out of your way to get there..
On the other side of that is, usually when I realize I need something, it's the last minute so there's no time to plan for it.. which means if it's Friday and I need it NOW, I have no choice but to wait til Tuesday and by that time I'll forget what it was I needed.
The third side of that is, I really cannot expect other businesses to do things I don't do in my own business. There are times I just split in the middle of the day and hit the lake just cause I can, but any time someone needs to call and get ahold of me (Saturday, Sunday, evenings, etc) I'm there. Sure, I'd rather not get any phone calls past 8pm (cause I'm usually nice and relaxed by that time and so far out of work mode) but if someone's calling to place an order, I'll deal with it and gladly take their money any time they wish to call. Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
...my cousin Vinney was in Pawcatuck, Ct. trying to buy a sign the other day at 5 pm & the shop keeper was racing out the door for the hardware store in such a hurry he didn't even see my cousin!! wassup wit dat
..or just another way to say Suelynn beat me to my devils advocate point of view.
Big Orange & Lowes are both open until 10 here 6 days a week & 8 on Sunday. I do a lot of projects at home on the weekend & go gang busters all day getting the project to the next level where I can see far enough ahead finally to draw up another material list for the hardware store. I love to go down there weary & filthy, but mentally charged about finishing a project & get all my stuff the night before, so I can start in on further home improvements bright & early the next day w/o a dull trip to the store bringing me down.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Hahahaaa... I love4 all you high tech people!
Don't like biz calls at supper time, or in the evening? Ever heard of answering machines?
Mine says"Allen Signs, we're not in right now, so leave a message or FAX at the 'beep' and I'll get back to you!" Then I call them in the morning!
Werks fer me!
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
I agree with Jills post,
Even though I am the king of procrastination, forgetfullness and last minute trips.
We all like to go home on time and for supper, It's too bad we all don't have 135,000 emloyees workign for 2 bucks an hour and know squat just so we can keep the lights on and doors open, selling items made in 3rd world countries, by companies employing 7 year olds working for free.
They may be open but they still suck!
Posted by John Cordova (Member # 220) on :
Hey watch it!!! Some of my best friends are mouth-breathers and mongoloids!! (hee-hee!)
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
I thought that people went to Wally Mart brcause it's cheap. On the inside walls of Wally Mart, I would like to see large pictures of the people would make the stuff they sell. And their living conditions as well.Maybe even a giant 4'x8' print of their take-home pay for one week. "Payable to Lou See Wok...$25.76 for 40 hours work.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
here in pensacola, we have 4 WALLYWORLD SUPERSTORES!!!!! 2 LOWES, 1 HOME DEPOT!!! and maybe couple more i dont go to!!! there are some small mom & pop hardware stores here...still. most of these stock obscure items, make screens, cut glass, etc etc. the only time i EVER ENTER a wallyworld is after 11 P.M.!!!!!! no joke. during the day you cant find a parking spot, you will stand in the checkout line for one item. all this in one of the LOWEST PAY AREAS of florida.....
Posted by Stephen Broughton (Member # 2237) on :
Ha Ha sounds like Mr Bortz was having a bad day, maybe he couldn't get out on his bike or had got LOST on his way to the store (he does have a habit of doing that you know) Imagine the poor shop keeper thinking "Hmmm well I've been here since 5.30 am stocktaking, now do I stay open an extra hour just in case a miserable looking signmaker comes in for a box of woodscrews and 3 yards of rope or do I go home to see my fameily that I have only had supper with twice in the last month?" I absolutely LOATHE the 24 hour society we have become, Cam how did your Granfather manage his life? without 24 hour service? do you think maybe he got his shyt together, organised his life and didn't complain like a spoiled child?
Hee Hee and if that don't send him off on another rant nothing will Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
First off, hats off to Rochan and Cam
Secondly, we are open five days a week. "with other hours available by appointment" as it says on my voice mail and on my studio door. So, in essence, you can do business with me anytime you want.
Our local hardware is much the same way here, except they are open til 5:30. Wal*Mart just upgraded to a Supercenter here, and the locals are calling them the "merchant of death" I say get off your duff and do something about it. Everytime a local merchant goes belly up, they blame Walmart. Lets face it, the "mouth breathers" need a place to shop too. Walmart has been in our area for about ten years, and many local business have come and gone. But, no more so than in towns without Walmart.
It's much like people blaming 911 for their business failure when in fact they were struggling with bankrupsy on 910 too. Walmart fills a need for modern society. If you don't like how they do business, don't shop there.
I personally don't care to shop there, I prefer to shop locally. But, if I NEED it, I'll go buy it. And, you would be amazed with how many "local merchants" I run into the few times I am there.
Regards,
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Ah, Stephen, ye know me all too well... actually I spent most of the day out put-putting around on the new (actually quite old) Norton Commando, so had to work a bit late to catch up. And having indulged myself with a rant and a couple of lagers, I went home, not Walmart. Just couldn't face it. What I needed, I got this morning at the local.
Grandpa didn't need a hardware store. When he needed a woodscrew, he dug ore from the pit, smelted some iron, and forged it himself. I used to do that until the government said I couldn't dig my own iron ore anymore, thus turning me into a spoiled child dependent on shopkeepers.
Posted by Rovelle W. Gratz (Member # 4404) on :
I like the convenience of everything in one place, but prefer the personal care you get at your local Mom & Pop stores.
All seriousness aside, Alicia, when did Lou See Wok get his raise?
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
I normally stay open until 6 every day and sometimes 7. I occasionally work saturdays doing trucks,but never on sunday. My shop is five miles from my home and in another phone area. People that call me at home, I tell them to call the shop number and leave a message and I will call them when I am back in. I actually had a guy come by the house on a sunday wanting me to go open the shop and cut him some boat numbers. Some you just cant educate. I do agree that some of the small shops in our towns are not fighting back, such as staying open a little longer, treating customers as important commodities, etc. Wally world has everything in one place. Thats a hard act to compete with. I buy all I can from the local merchants and usually will try to get everything I need before the shops close, But, there are times when I need something after hours and I am stuck in the same situation as Cam. It gets bothersome to have to stand in line when there are 20 registers but only two open. But,thats showbiz mom. Chuck Davis has a font called wal-mart people. You'll recognize some of them for sure.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I must be one of those "mongoloids" because I love Wal-Mart. I bet I shop there twice a week or more.
Here's why: Their prices are inexpensive, they usually have what I want, they're open 24 hours,they're clean and the help is usually friendly.
However: I try always to buy USA or "friendly" country manufactured products.....and avoid products made in China wherever I can, even if it means paying double. But admittedly, that is for personal and political reasons. It can be difficult to find certain things at WalMart (or anywhere) that aren't made in China.
I see WalMart as a good thing: They provide jobs to many people in rural areas that are disabled, slightly mentally impaired, or uneducated. This gives them an opportunity to make some money and feel proud of their achievments where they otherwise wouldn't have had that opportunity. Better this than collecting welfare. (hmmmmm....maybe I should apply?! )
And my favorite thing about WalMart??? They drove Kmart out of business. Before WalMart came in, Kmart was the only discount retailer in the area....and they never had what you needed, had rude employees, very few employees and checkout clerks, and had a very shabby appearance overall. Just my opinion.
[ August 13, 2004, 10:17 AM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Wow, I can't believe this.
For those who think a business should close at 5, I guess you only do work for huge 9-5 corporations. Fine, I'll still answer my phone at 7 pm when the truck owner/operators (who are on their last run at 5 pm) get home & get the crud washed off and can finally call or the people starting their new business while still working for someone else or the volunteer fire department calls because all the volunteers work real jobs.
As for hardware stores and other local stores that close at 5, would it really kill them to stagger their shifts so this week Joe comes in at 10 and works til 7, next week it's Steve's turn? I'm glad so many can shut down in the middle of the day to go shop there, but with the amount of people who work for others from 9 to 5 and will never see the place, they're being driven to shop at junk-mart & the box stores, which is helping to shut down the local stores.
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i remember years ago that in the state of maine all stores were closed on sunday...no mall even. i bet they lost a lot of revenue...that has changed in the last 25 years. i personally am a bytch...i don't feel i have to even think about answering my phone after 5pm or weekends...providing its a friend or someone i wish to speak with. i work enough without having to answer the phone after hours. but i must say there is always a truck or van in my driveway every weekend so i can accomodate a customer...and i also go on location after hours to letter...but i hate to answer the phone! i can't help it! but....thank god for caller id!
oh and i am a mongoloid...love walmart...and looking forward to home depot or lowes! i'm all for instant gratification....so i guess that makes me selfish...oh well i guess i'll burn in hell with all my friends. Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
quote:they usually have what I want, they're open 24 hours,they're clean and the help is usually friendly.
That's part of my issue with them here. If I have 5 things on my list - they probably don't have 3 or 4 of them. Our store is dingy, the merchandise is usually laying on the floor where some brat threw it. The employees are barely civil and very few of them speak english.
I'll gladly pay more for something at Target even though it also means driving 6 miles to go there rather than 1/2 mile to Wal-Mart. EVERY SINGLE TIME I give in and go to Wal-Mart I tell my husband I will never go in again. Once in a while the convenience of it being close wins out.
Oh and Todd don't even get me started on the Made in China thing. My 7 year old asked me the other day why everything says Made in China on it. I will gladly and proudly pay more for something Made in the USA. (or Canada )
Has anyone seen that John Ratzenburger show on the Travel Channel about products that are Made in the USA? I think that's the title too. It's a great show. He travels to the companies and does the tours. He's done places like Welch's, Harley-Davidson, Titileist, Zippo, John Deere, New Era. Catch it if you have a chance.
[ August 13, 2004, 05:07 PM: Message edited by: Kimberly Zanetti ]
Posted by Terry Baird (Member # 3495) on :
I'm sure this will torque a lot of people off, but I'm never open. I don't have regular hours and I don't let clients come to see me. I only see the clients that I want to see, and then, only by appointment. If they do anything to make my life miserable, they won't do business with me twice. My clients are very loyal and nice, because I treat them the same way.
If I sound like a spoiled child...yup! I decided last year that I was fed up with groveling and kissing butt. After 23 years, I took a second shift supervisor's position at a local printing company and I work 4- 10 hour days (2:30 to 1 am) I'm making great money and I get a three day weekend every week. I now only take the jobs that I want and I love it. Self-employment is not for me anymore. Golf anyone?
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
As much as I dislike the mega chains, I sometimes wish there was one colser than a hundred miles from here.
A couple nights ago I was doing some de-construction at home and found my chain saw ripping through a hidden copper pipe. I shut off the mail valve and watched as the water spray diminished to a drip.
So here I am, digging through cans of fittings and finding everything but a copper cap to sweat on. It was after five, so I'd be out of water all night. My daughter was lathered with shampoo in the shower when I cut the pipe. Between a neighbor's copper can and mine, we put together an assortment that got us back in business.
I would have gladly driven the ten miles to town and back for the right fitting.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
I know this is off topic...sorry...but here's a weird Made In China story that I couldn't resist posting.
Kimberly: You're cool. Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Lets face it.....You have to give it to WALMART...... the "marketing genius" award!
Posted by Jeff Poitevint (Member # 4740) on :
Everyone is correct here. If you have a successful shop, then your philosophy and business practices work. I make decisions on a case by case basis. Big money = a@@ kissing. Marginal customers that want me to sacrifice my time,(after my hours and theirs), they can get $*@#*$ or pay out the a$$!
Who has the same philosophy?
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Kimberly,
Glad to hear your on board with making China walk the plank....I thought I was one of the few.
You gotta come shopping at a WalMart in the good ol' midwest....maybe it's different here....they gleen their employees from a batch of rural country folks...down home country bumpkins at the one closest to me. And I almost always find what I need, but ours is a SUPERcenter WalMart....it has the full grocery store, auto service and even an Optometrist.
I think they even deliver babies and do emergency appendectomies.
And...it's open 24 hours....so if you get kicked out of the house you have somewhere warm to go...just put on a pair of slippers there, grab a sleeping bag frome the camping section, heat up a frozen dinner from the grocery section in a microwave from home appliances and watch a good DVD in the electronics dept. What more could a guy want?
[ August 13, 2004, 08:55 PM: Message edited by: Todd Gill ]
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
There are some of us that like to buy organic produce and cotton shirts and things that are to the benefit of the poor through co-op ventures. Purchases mean more ideologically than getting the cheapest price at the most convenient moment.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Yes Bob, your are correct, the sad part is it shows how Stupid the general public really is.
can you say Sheeple ? Baaaaaaaaaaa
Posted by Rovelle W. Gratz (Member # 4404) on :
Rick, call Wally World and Hodepo and tell them where you live...they probably don't know they don't have a store close to you. Ha Ha.
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
If you haven't had your personal taste of hell.... try making a visit to the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles! The Devil, took control way back when.
CrazyJack
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
quote:If you haven't had your personal taste of hell.... try making a visit to the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles!
Hahahahahaha! Try going to one down here! It's an experience for sure. I thought I'd stepped into another dimension. 3 hours I sat and waited to get my driver's license renewed. I'd rather have surgery done without anesthesia instead of ever doing that again.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
I guess there ARE advantages to living in rural Canada!!!!
Had to get both my drivers licence/w photo AND my Ontario Health card/w photo renewed in the same week recently.
In both cases I was in and out within 10 minutes AND the bonus was that I got to deal with people who spoke English as their first language!! It was wonderful.
NOW...I just hope my passport renewal goes as smoothly... Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
wow. we renew our DL's here via mail. Send them a check get a sticker .. your done
Ahhhh the pleasures of living in the South
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
We renew here by mail as well. We move so often that my address on my license was from 3 houses ago and they sent the renewal notice there. By the time I noticed that it was expired I had to go in person. Plus I was leaving for a trip the next day and was going to be driving over 1200 miles. Not a good time to have an expired license.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Ahhh..BUT Curtis...Waaay up here we need the photo ID on our cards. Kinda tough to take yer picture via mail. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
You have to renew your driver's licenses?!?!?
Not in good ol' AZ.. well, not until you turn 65, which for me is the year 2041. The sad part is, people here complain that driver's licenses cost $25. Gee... $25 for a virtually "lifetime" license, or $10 every 3rd year in MO.. hmmm.. I just wonder what's gonna happen when I'm 64 years old carrying a driver's license with a photo of someone that no longer even looks like me.
We also have no safety or emmissions checks so auto registration can be done by mail and even on Arizona's website. Trailer license plates are permanent here too. In fact, one of my plates was recently stolen right in front of my house (a common occurrance here because the plates are good for life) and in 5 minutes, $2, no red tape and no questions asked later, I was back in biz with a new plate.
Granted, I know it won't be this way forever because AZ is basically using California as its guidelines for everything.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
We have photos as well. They just keep putting the same photo on it when you renew by mail. They have it in their computer.
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
Geesh, we are getting ripped off here in New Hampshire by the sounds of it!
I just renewed my license, $85 bucks! That's for a CDL-A with hazardous materials, tank & motorcycle endorsements. And the bonus part, every 2 years I get to renew my hazardous materials endorsement via a written test for a mere $10.00 (pass or fail) My only complaint is the duration, every 2 years? Why not every time your license is renewed??? (the test has been the same the last 3 times I have taken it, so it's not like it changes)
But what a deal, it was good for 4 years, they just went to 5 years.
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that alot (NOT ALL) of the people calling late or on weekends are the "lack of planning" types? Not that I'm the model of efficiency, but I've got enough of my own problems to deal with, I don't need their's added.
I really agree with some of the comments made regarding origin of manufacture, but gee, say no more, that might be (GASP!) political. Posted by Stephen Broughton (Member # 2237) on :
quote:Originally posted by Cam Bortz: Ah, Stephen, ye know me all too well... actually I spent most of the day out put-putting around on the new (actually quite old) Norton Commando, so had to work a bit late to catch up. And having indulged myself with a rant and a couple of lagers, I went home, not Walmart. Just couldn't face it. What I needed, I got this morning at the local.
Grandpa didn't need a hardware store. When he needed a woodscrew, he dug ore from the pit, smelted some iron, and forged it himself. I used to do that until the government said I couldn't dig my own iron ore anymore, thus turning me into a spoiled child dependent on shopkeepers.
Aw c'mon mate that was a bit tame you understand the english sense of humour all too well thats the problem glad your feeling in a better mood, btw just bought a ten year old Trident 750 and am hooning around the country on it, hey heres a nice website for you Triumph Rat Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Mike,
quote: I just wonder what's gonna happen when I'm 64 years old carrying a driver's license with a photo of someone that no longer even looks like me.
As a part time bouncer, I can't even begin to tell you how ridiculous some of the drivers licenses are in that respect.
Vermont is now issuing non-photo licenses. My partner and I request their old photo license and check the numbers to verify they are legit.
Massachusetts is no longer notifying in advance when you have to renew your licenses. These days, they are issuing temporary ones, printed on paper that no one accepts as a valid identification. There are no state seals, watermarks, photos, or any descernable marks to validate them with. I've had several instances where a person who was issued their license at age 17 is now turning 21 comes in on their birthday and presents both this kind and their prior license. Here's the catch... The original license becomes invalid as identification the morning of their birthday, by law, not at the end of the day as most people assume. The temporary renewal license is not accepted by any of the bars in the area as they are very easily forgeable. I spend a few nights a year at the door with groups taking out a friend for a happy birthday and telling them "Sorry, you can't celebrate it here." as a result.
The Arizona licenses are not a problem...yet. But bouncers all agree that they are going to be in years to come.
Rapid
[ August 16, 2004, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
. . .Only had time to "sped-red" a few of these replies to your post Cam. If these ideas have already been touched on, consider it reiterating the thought.
As a person chock full of 'onions' I must give you my take on Wal-Mart (also known as "Wah-Mark" here in Lil' Africa by the natives and hill-billys)
Yes, I DO make purchases there for things I neede'nt pay too much for at McRea's and for things that are too cheesey at Dollar general.
But I really ABHOR Wal-Mart and resent having to walk the distance if a football feild to purchase different items that they have "strategically" placed around the perimeter of the store.
For this reason, I will got to some drug-store chain, or a conveinience store and pay $3-$5 MORE for something JUST to avoid Wal-Mart.
I feel that time is money and the time I would have wasted traversing the vast tundra, even if it WOULD be good exercise, is still wasted time. . . not to mention seeing and having to speak/chit-chat/visit all the people you know when you "run in" there. It's just not financially feasable for a freindly, popular person like myself, (lol) to take these kind of long term safaries.
When I find that I will HAVE TO go there, I go like about 3am. when no one I know will be there and if they are, they're thinkin' just like me, so we nod hello and quietly MOVE ON.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
). ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Imagine the poor shop keeper thinking "Hmmm well I've been here since 5.30 am stocktaking, now do I stay open an extra hour just in case a miserable looking signmaker comes in for a box of woodscrews and 3 yards of rope or do I go home to see my fameily that I have only had supper with twice in the last month?" ![[Applause]](graemlins/clap.gif)
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
)![[Cool]](cool.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)