Live and Learn

Anyone who has read this blog knows that I am a small business owner.  I like to think that I went into it with my eyes wide open.  I thought that I was prepared for any of the hurdles that could come my way, or at the very least, I could figure them out.  I had researched my area and the market, I had found a location that would work for me, I thought.  I have found wholesalers who are reasonable, honest, and that stand behind their products.  I looked into what it would take to make a profit, and how much I would have to mark things up in order to be able to pay for the things I sold.  I have a great business plan(she said modestly) and I was prepared for the long haul.  Live and learn.  I am moving the location of my store at the end of this month, to a smaller spot about 100 yards away.  I am more excited about that move then I am when I actually opened my store.  One reason is because I know what I am getting in to, and more importantly, I know what I am getting away from.
 I made the stupid mistake of taking someone at their word.  I know, I know, you would think that I would have learned by now.  The owners of my current building did not have a lease for me when I opened.  I asked them about it time and again, only to be told that they would get it to me, no rush.  I told them about the leak in the ceiling.  They said that they would get it fixed really soon.  And then part of the ceiling fell on me, and I ended up with a couple of concussions.
Man o man, did the lease get ready in a snap!  Oddly enough, it specifically made them irresponsible for any accidents that occurred on the property. Huh.  It also listed them as not responsible for any break ins, and problems with the building, or any maintenance to the property. Huh. It's almost as if they looked at everything they had done wrong and tried to indemnify themselves from it.
Another problem that I have had is taking checks from the people that I rent from.  You would think that it would be safe, yes?  Silly rabbit.  I sold a GPS system to one of the people that I rent from.  A week later, I got a letter from my bank, telling me that I had a service charge for a bad check.  I paid for the fees from my bank, and then I paid the fees that my bank paid for the bad check.  I only got half of the bank fees from the check bouncer back.  I am still waiting on the rest of them.  I also sold this woman four other items.  She returned them all.   The GPS that she returned because she didn't like it had one trip in the memory that she forgot to wipe out .  The backup camera probably made the trip on the GPS a little easier.  The television was cancelled after I had already committed to paying for it.  I should name my restocking fee after this person, shouldn't I?
 So I decided that instead of dealing with these "men" I would move my building to a better location.  That is what I am doing this week.  I will be open for business on a limited basis this week as I move my store, and fully open next week.  I will still carry a small amount of consignment, just not any large appliances any more.  Come on over to 406 W 9th Street in Auburn.  I will make a great deal on whatever it is you are looking for, if I don't have it, I'll find it for you.  As I like to tell people, you never know what you'll find.  Stop by, you'll thank me later.