How Not To Be in Business

Recently in another thread somebody was griping about a local business not
discounting year end rods.

Everybody is welcome to buy where ever they want, but remember that the
local tackle shop is the best source of information about local conditions.
Especially if they remember that you buy stuff from them.

There is a local shop here in Yuma called The Sportsman's Hideaway. It is
pretty well stocked shop for the local conditions and Lannie, the owner, is
always in the top ten for the local fishing club tournaments. He knows the
local water better than anybody.

I was talking with him a couple days ago. We were talking about price and
business practices among other things.

I reminded him that the best person to run a small business is the owner,
and that same person is the best salesperson for the business. His grandson
has been running the store. Danny is a good guy, but he has no real passion
for fishing. He shares what knowledge he has freely. Unfortunately he just
doesn't have the information to share only being out on the water a couple
times a year.

Getting back to the point. A small shop simply can't sell at the same
prices as a big shop. What they can do is provide good information to their
customers. The flip side of that is there isn't anything you can buy at the
local shops you can't buy cheaper on-line or at the big box stores, but when
was the last time Walmart told you about a honey hole in the back lake
behind a back lake? When was the last time Bass Pro Shops called you at
home and asked you to go fishing? Has any of those companies let you post a
fishing partner wanted or boat for sale notice in their shop?

I understand. For most of my life price was an issue for everything, but
remember there are many intangible benefits to supporting the local dealer.
I won't pay double for anything, but when you consider how much you stand to
gain (or lose) and how much you already spend on fishing, a dollar extra for
a bag of worms or an extra ten dollars for a two hundred dollar fishing pole
isn't worth going elsewhere.


--
Bob La Londe
Yuma, Az
http://www.YumaBassMan.com
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