I thought for awhile yesterday, that my smug "I'm all right, Jack," post of yesterday was going to be punished.
It turned out all right, but it was still a warning to me.
It seems like it's the smallest of bills that can trip me up.
I've taken to waiting until my medical bills have made the full circuit through the system before I pay them. My regular yearly check up is partially covered by my insurance, so I wait until I'm sure they've seen it first. In the past I've been caught paying a bill too early, and then needing a refund.
Anyway, I planned to pay the bill in mid-November, but it slipped between the cracks. Then it got paid on December 31, along with every other bill I had. Late, but no harm.
Or so I thought.
My wife came in yesterday morning and handed me a notice of my bill going to a collection agency. I was to pay within 14 days. There was no date on the bill.
"When did you get this?"
"I'm not sure...."
When I was going to Gilbert Lee's office, my bills were being sent to my wife's name. Even though I had tried to clear that up, more than once, it appears that it was still happening with the files transferred to a new doctor.
Sending it to my wife is not the best way for me to know where I stand. My wife has her bills, I have mine.
As some of you may know, Dr. Lee's office went through a bit of a disruption, so it's understandable.
So....by pushing it a little too long. (My bad -- I certainly had the money.))
By it being sent to the wrong person, during the Holiday season.
By not having a date on the bill.
It was possible that my credit rating might get a rap.
Turns out I'd already sent my payment off before the bill was even sent. But it shows how fragile my personal credit can be. One late or mislaid bill, and I might be liable for god knows how many charges. I spent a couple of nervous hours yesterday wondering if all my careful planning and paying off of credit cards and what not would be subverted.
I'm also very aware that a car breakdown or a health problem could easily wipe out my little bit of velvet. So...I'm knocking wood.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Another fine dining restaurant gone....?
Was told by a little birdie that Guido and Vito's restaurant (Old Redmond Hotel?) quietly closed down last weekend...
These guys were very successful in Seaside, I understand.
Anyone heard anything? Confirmation?
These guys were very successful in Seaside, I understand.
Anyone heard anything? Confirmation?
The coma patient has stirred....
Normally, I don't comment on the likes of the article below.
On the face of it, they're ridiculous. But this one was more ridiculous than most. It was posted on Bend Economy Bulletin board without attribution.
First paragraph. "...existing homes rebounded..."
Just like a cat off the concrete from a seven story building. Hey look, he's moving!
"...buyers snapped up..." More like scrapped up off the concrete. That cat was awfully cheap; he'll make a good stew.
"....may indicate a bottom is forming...." Just as long as you don't read the very next sentence, I guess, which says "...prices are likely to keep falling through 2009...."
Methinks they don't understand the word "bottom."
"The National Association of Realtors said..." Aw. Everything is explained.
Nevermind.
And they best they save for last: "After the stock market crashed last fall, sales of existing homes plunged in October and November, but recovered in December...."
Recovered? RECOVERED?
I think the coma patient stirred enough to mutter a few words.
If you call that a recovery....
WASHINGTON – An index that tracks signed contracts to purchase existing homes rebounded in December, as buyers snapped up properties at deep discounts, especially in the South and Midwest.
It was the second positive sign in the past two weeks for the troubled U.S. housing market, and may indicate that a bottom is forming — at least for home sales. Analysts, however, caution that prices are likely to keep falling through 2009, and say the outlook for home sales is highly uncertain, especially as layoffs mount.
The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for previously owned homes for December rose 6.3 percent to 87.7 from an upwardly revised November reading of 82.5, which was lowest month on record. That's better than the 82.3 reading economists expected, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.
The reading also was up 2.1 percent from December 2007.
Typically there is a one- to two-month lag between a contract and a done deal. Home sales that were pending in December are likely to be completed in the coming weeks.
After the stock market crashed last fall, sales of existing homes plunged in October and November, but recovered in December. Tuesday's pending home sales report indicates January sales data, to be released later this month, may look good too.
On the face of it, they're ridiculous. But this one was more ridiculous than most. It was posted on Bend Economy Bulletin board without attribution.
First paragraph. "...existing homes rebounded..."
Just like a cat off the concrete from a seven story building. Hey look, he's moving!
"...buyers snapped up..." More like scrapped up off the concrete. That cat was awfully cheap; he'll make a good stew.
"....may indicate a bottom is forming...." Just as long as you don't read the very next sentence, I guess, which says "...prices are likely to keep falling through 2009...."
Methinks they don't understand the word "bottom."
"The National Association of Realtors said..." Aw. Everything is explained.
Nevermind.
And they best they save for last: "After the stock market crashed last fall, sales of existing homes plunged in October and November, but recovered in December...."
Recovered? RECOVERED?
I think the coma patient stirred enough to mutter a few words.
If you call that a recovery....
WASHINGTON – An index that tracks signed contracts to purchase existing homes rebounded in December, as buyers snapped up properties at deep discounts, especially in the South and Midwest.
It was the second positive sign in the past two weeks for the troubled U.S. housing market, and may indicate that a bottom is forming — at least for home sales. Analysts, however, caution that prices are likely to keep falling through 2009, and say the outlook for home sales is highly uncertain, especially as layoffs mount.
The National Association of Realtors said Tuesday its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales for previously owned homes for December rose 6.3 percent to 87.7 from an upwardly revised November reading of 82.5, which was lowest month on record. That's better than the 82.3 reading economists expected, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.
The reading also was up 2.1 percent from December 2007.
Typically there is a one- to two-month lag between a contract and a done deal. Home sales that were pending in December are likely to be completed in the coming weeks.
After the stock market crashed last fall, sales of existing homes plunged in October and November, but recovered in December. Tuesday's pending home sales report indicates January sales data, to be released later this month, may look good too.
Opposite direction.
DAMN, I'M CONTRARY!
I really do seem to go in the opposite direction as everyone else. I'm really feeling like Pegasus is in a very good place right now. I'm trying not to be smug.
When sales dropped so drastically in Sept.-Dec. '08, I was sort of expecting it. My budget handled it, but I wasn't able to much more than that as long as I had a full-time employee.
Still, when I looked at this January, I thought it possible we would drop even more, and started to prepare.
So imagine my surprise when I ended up the month with more cash profits than normal.
As it turned out, my sales matched those Sept., Oct., Nov. numbers, but since I planned for worse, it felt like there was a very comfortable margin.
WHY IS THAT, EXACTLY?
So why does this always seem to happen?
I think it's because I'm always planning for this kind of economic atmosphere -- not because I'm naturally pessimistic, but because I've had my sales fall off the table -- dropping a third or more -- about 8 times in my career; which is probably about 8 times more often than any other business I know of.
THE BUBBLES OF MY LIFE.
Usually, it only takes one incident to put a business down permanently. But after the biggest and most painful drop (sports cards), I got pretty good at survival mechanisms. Comics were almost as bad, but I managed that, too, barely.
Then, I basically broke even on magic, non-sports.
The last three times it happened (pogs, beanie babies and Pokemon) I wasn't hurt in the slightest. But I was still paying off the huge debts from the previous bubbles (card and comic bubbles), so I didn't exactly prosper, either.
DEALING WITH SUCCESS.
The first growth period, I was mostly just trying to catch up (starting with a very low level) and then I capped it by expanding and opening 3 more stores. Huge mistake. The second growth period I was just trying to dig my way out of the hole.
But this third growth period was all about fully stocking the store, paying off debt, and trying to get a bit of cash in the bank.
PLAN FOR THE WORSE, NOT THE BEST.
Here's what I think happens, which makes me feel like I'm doing well in bad times, and makes me feel stressed and threatened in good times.
In good times I'm constantly experimenting, trying new products, moving the merchandise around, changing policies. I'm usually attempting to diversify, or bringing in a new line of inventory, and seeing what works. I'm constantly making bad decisions, or ordering mistakes, in the attempt to identify new things. I make a conscious effort to support the slower lines of products with the profits from the hot products.
After all, if I'm going to take damage, it makes sense to take it when sales are good and mistakes can be covered.
FOREWARNED IS PREPARED.
Then, when business slows down, I'm pretty aware of what is working and what isn't working, and I start flowing in the other direction. Supporting the product lines that have proven out, letting the slower lines fade a bit. Being much more efficient and effective, making fewer product mistakes, watching the budget.
And strangely, I'm finding myself with enough cash to actually start to support the lower selling product.
In other words, when everyone else is retreating, I think it's the moment to show your strength, to really make the store seem strong and well stocked.
VELVET, BABY.
You know what? I don't believe I'm being smug at all. I'm certainly aware that things could get worse -- I'm knocking wood between paragraphs as I write this -- but I still have a bit of margin to give, I still have some of that 'velvet.'
I think it's more a matter of personality. While I may not have enjoyed the cash and comfort of a growth business on the way up, I've very purposely traded that for a more secure feeling in a down market. In other words, that feeling of hopelessly drowning when times are bad is much worse to me than that little glow I get when things are good.
I really do seem to go in the opposite direction as everyone else. I'm really feeling like Pegasus is in a very good place right now. I'm trying not to be smug.
When sales dropped so drastically in Sept.-Dec. '08, I was sort of expecting it. My budget handled it, but I wasn't able to much more than that as long as I had a full-time employee.
Still, when I looked at this January, I thought it possible we would drop even more, and started to prepare.
So imagine my surprise when I ended up the month with more cash profits than normal.
As it turned out, my sales matched those Sept., Oct., Nov. numbers, but since I planned for worse, it felt like there was a very comfortable margin.
WHY IS THAT, EXACTLY?
So why does this always seem to happen?
I think it's because I'm always planning for this kind of economic atmosphere -- not because I'm naturally pessimistic, but because I've had my sales fall off the table -- dropping a third or more -- about 8 times in my career; which is probably about 8 times more often than any other business I know of.
THE BUBBLES OF MY LIFE.
Usually, it only takes one incident to put a business down permanently. But after the biggest and most painful drop (sports cards), I got pretty good at survival mechanisms. Comics were almost as bad, but I managed that, too, barely.
Then, I basically broke even on magic, non-sports.
The last three times it happened (pogs, beanie babies and Pokemon) I wasn't hurt in the slightest. But I was still paying off the huge debts from the previous bubbles (card and comic bubbles), so I didn't exactly prosper, either.
DEALING WITH SUCCESS.
The first growth period, I was mostly just trying to catch up (starting with a very low level) and then I capped it by expanding and opening 3 more stores. Huge mistake. The second growth period I was just trying to dig my way out of the hole.
But this third growth period was all about fully stocking the store, paying off debt, and trying to get a bit of cash in the bank.
PLAN FOR THE WORSE, NOT THE BEST.
Here's what I think happens, which makes me feel like I'm doing well in bad times, and makes me feel stressed and threatened in good times.
In good times I'm constantly experimenting, trying new products, moving the merchandise around, changing policies. I'm usually attempting to diversify, or bringing in a new line of inventory, and seeing what works. I'm constantly making bad decisions, or ordering mistakes, in the attempt to identify new things. I make a conscious effort to support the slower lines of products with the profits from the hot products.
After all, if I'm going to take damage, it makes sense to take it when sales are good and mistakes can be covered.
FOREWARNED IS PREPARED.
Then, when business slows down, I'm pretty aware of what is working and what isn't working, and I start flowing in the other direction. Supporting the product lines that have proven out, letting the slower lines fade a bit. Being much more efficient and effective, making fewer product mistakes, watching the budget.
And strangely, I'm finding myself with enough cash to actually start to support the lower selling product.
In other words, when everyone else is retreating, I think it's the moment to show your strength, to really make the store seem strong and well stocked.
VELVET, BABY.
You know what? I don't believe I'm being smug at all. I'm certainly aware that things could get worse -- I'm knocking wood between paragraphs as I write this -- but I still have a bit of margin to give, I still have some of that 'velvet.'
I think it's more a matter of personality. While I may not have enjoyed the cash and comfort of a growth business on the way up, I've very purposely traded that for a more secure feeling in a down market. In other words, that feeling of hopelessly drowning when times are bad is much worse to me than that little glow I get when things are good.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Pegasus Books January, '09 results.
PERSPECTIVE.
First of all, to put the following into perspective, January, '08 was a benchmark low month. Almost an anomaly. It was considerably lower than any other month until Sept. rolled around (and the drop off really set in.)
SCENARIOS.
Given last year's horrible January, my best case scenario of 'matching' last years totals was actually pretty modest.
My middle case scenario was a 15% drop, which I thought likely.
My low case scenario was a full 30% drop, which is what I budgeted for.
Halfway through the month, I clearly wasn't going to have a 30% drop, so I more or less spent the difference.
The end results were down a little less than 10%. I came out ahead in profits above estimates by about 2000.00, which I immediately spent on February bills. (Mostly books.)
Results and payments don't exactly correlate, clearly. Much of the sales in late January were the results of spending for February, just as much of the results for late February, the bills will come due in March.
As long as it's consistent.
OVERHEAD.
I had several unexpected bills: SAIF, which wouldn't allow me to cut if I expected to have an employee anytime this year. And I had the last employee tax bills due.
February overhead bills will be 25% less than January, because I no longer have any payments related to having an employee.
OVERALL RESULTS.
So, 10% down. Normally wouldn't be something to celebrate, but looking outside my window, and reading the news, that ain't bad. I spent most of December with minimal reorders, and the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January without any reorders, so the results are actually pretty good.
CATEGORIES:
Books were two and half times higher than last year.
Comics and graphic novels seem to have stabilized, down a little less than 10% after falling for several months.
Games were up slightly.
Card games were down slightly.
Sports cards were down slightly. Card box buyers come, card box buyers go.
Toys were way down, but it's dangerous to read too much into one month. This could be an anomaly, or a sign that the general public is cutting out playful things.
DVD's continue their slide into oblivion.
THE RIGHT INVESTMENT.
Clearly I made a good choice to invest in board games and new books. Even the massive order I made in Mid-January was justified, I believe, by the results. I'm going to defer a third of that order into March, because most of it was 'evergreen' material and basic inventory. Investment, if you will.
Board games have been really interesting. I could easily have sold way more Settlers of Catan, but I had shipping problems (being shorted several times) which kept me from really taking advantage.) Frustrating, but not a darn thing I can do about it.
FUTURE PREDICTIONS.
If I can match January sales in February, I'll be very fortunate. I went ahead and budgeted that much, because I can see that the worst isn't happening and because there are several events that should influence sales (the new Magic release, the Watchmen movie) and because the store is much better stocked now than at the beginning of January.
But matching January is a full 25% drop. I sort of expect it. And -- well, I took the first day off, and it's a short month, so even matching January might be difficult. The only reason I think I can do it, is that the I'm on top of the store right now and letting few opportunities go by.
First of all, to put the following into perspective, January, '08 was a benchmark low month. Almost an anomaly. It was considerably lower than any other month until Sept. rolled around (and the drop off really set in.)
SCENARIOS.
Given last year's horrible January, my best case scenario of 'matching' last years totals was actually pretty modest.
My middle case scenario was a 15% drop, which I thought likely.
My low case scenario was a full 30% drop, which is what I budgeted for.
Halfway through the month, I clearly wasn't going to have a 30% drop, so I more or less spent the difference.
The end results were down a little less than 10%. I came out ahead in profits above estimates by about 2000.00, which I immediately spent on February bills. (Mostly books.)
Results and payments don't exactly correlate, clearly. Much of the sales in late January were the results of spending for February, just as much of the results for late February, the bills will come due in March.
As long as it's consistent.
OVERHEAD.
I had several unexpected bills: SAIF, which wouldn't allow me to cut if I expected to have an employee anytime this year. And I had the last employee tax bills due.
February overhead bills will be 25% less than January, because I no longer have any payments related to having an employee.
OVERALL RESULTS.
So, 10% down. Normally wouldn't be something to celebrate, but looking outside my window, and reading the news, that ain't bad. I spent most of December with minimal reorders, and the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January without any reorders, so the results are actually pretty good.
CATEGORIES:
Books were two and half times higher than last year.
Comics and graphic novels seem to have stabilized, down a little less than 10% after falling for several months.
Games were up slightly.
Card games were down slightly.
Sports cards were down slightly. Card box buyers come, card box buyers go.
Toys were way down, but it's dangerous to read too much into one month. This could be an anomaly, or a sign that the general public is cutting out playful things.
DVD's continue their slide into oblivion.
THE RIGHT INVESTMENT.
Clearly I made a good choice to invest in board games and new books. Even the massive order I made in Mid-January was justified, I believe, by the results. I'm going to defer a third of that order into March, because most of it was 'evergreen' material and basic inventory. Investment, if you will.
Board games have been really interesting. I could easily have sold way more Settlers of Catan, but I had shipping problems (being shorted several times) which kept me from really taking advantage.) Frustrating, but not a darn thing I can do about it.
FUTURE PREDICTIONS.
If I can match January sales in February, I'll be very fortunate. I went ahead and budgeted that much, because I can see that the worst isn't happening and because there are several events that should influence sales (the new Magic release, the Watchmen movie) and because the store is much better stocked now than at the beginning of January.
But matching January is a full 25% drop. I sort of expect it. And -- well, I took the first day off, and it's a short month, so even matching January might be difficult. The only reason I think I can do it, is that the I'm on top of the store right now and letting few opportunities go by.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Being a Writer.
I've always had the nagging thought that I should've kept trying to be a full-time writer.
It's been 20 years since I finished my seventh and final book. I liked it quite a lot, I was very fond of it. But I barely marketed the book, before I shelved it.
My first three books were published, and it's startling to google Duncan McGeary and find more than 200 listings -- not about Pegasus Books, or The Best Minimum Wage Job a Middle Aged Guy Ever Had or anything else I've done for the last 20 years-- but about STAR AXE, SNOWCASTLES, and ICETOWERS.
The books are still percolating, thanks to the internet; still selling, in places diverse as Australia, Sweden, and England. They've even been put online.
So I wonder.
I tend to be relentless in anything I set my mind to. This blog is an example of that. Daily postings for 27 months straight, often more than one a day. Pegasus is another example, getting close to the oldest survivor Downtown under the same ownership and in the same location. Married for 25 years. Living in only two places in the last 30 years. And so on.
So....I might have been able to make it work.
I thought of three reasons why I didn't continue.
1.) I was disgusted with the publishing process and the publishers. Long, long waiting times; editors who changed their minds; hot and cold agents; etc. etc. Whereas, when I bought the store, my creative decisions were immediately rewarded. I got instant feedback. (Much like this blog.)
2.) I could see that MOST writers made very minimal livings, if at all. It would have been a gamble, and I would have spent the requisite time living in the garret, living hand to mouth, pursuing my 'dream.' Again, the store immediately paid off for my efforts.
3.) Biggest reason: I got married, had an instant family, and bought a business.
Turns out, I wasn't one of those writers who could work on my writing in the off hours; a few hours in the morning or evening, while I worked a job, dealt with the family, etc.
Oh, I could write something. This blog is proof of that. But my mind had to be totally into the 'fictional dream' of what I was writing. I was ALWAYS thinking about my books when I was writing them. Daily life was a distraction from my real life of writing.
But age and wisdom has taught me a (4.) reason that I didn't become a writer, and I wasn't ever really tempted to go back.
It wouldn't have been personally good for me at all.
I tend to be an isolated person. A loner. Isolation breeds isolations. What would've happened is that I would've relied on Linda almost solely; every couple of weeks I would've gone to writer's group where I would've been so intense I would probably have scared people.
I would've had very high highs, such as when a book was published. And most of the time I would have been terrified and depressed by the slow progress. I would've had a hard time marketing myself, after spending hours and hours in my room every day.
I was still very phobic back then, and I probably never would've broken out of that.
The store forced me to get out, everyday. Meet people. Talk to them. Tell stories, jokes, exchange experiences. While I may not be terribly socially smooth, I'm no where near the klutz I was 20 years ago.
In other words, my life has been much more enjoyable and entertaining and -- despite the years of debt and toil -- more stable and satisfying.
I've lived a real life, so to speak, instead of self-absorbed fantasy life.
That said, I do enjoy the creative process of this blog. It isn't a chore to write, and I'm happy to find that a few people actually read it once in a while.
It's been 20 years since I finished my seventh and final book. I liked it quite a lot, I was very fond of it. But I barely marketed the book, before I shelved it.
My first three books were published, and it's startling to google Duncan McGeary and find more than 200 listings -- not about Pegasus Books, or The Best Minimum Wage Job a Middle Aged Guy Ever Had or anything else I've done for the last 20 years-- but about STAR AXE, SNOWCASTLES, and ICETOWERS.
The books are still percolating, thanks to the internet; still selling, in places diverse as Australia, Sweden, and England. They've even been put online.
So I wonder.
I tend to be relentless in anything I set my mind to. This blog is an example of that. Daily postings for 27 months straight, often more than one a day. Pegasus is another example, getting close to the oldest survivor Downtown under the same ownership and in the same location. Married for 25 years. Living in only two places in the last 30 years. And so on.
So....I might have been able to make it work.
I thought of three reasons why I didn't continue.
1.) I was disgusted with the publishing process and the publishers. Long, long waiting times; editors who changed their minds; hot and cold agents; etc. etc. Whereas, when I bought the store, my creative decisions were immediately rewarded. I got instant feedback. (Much like this blog.)
2.) I could see that MOST writers made very minimal livings, if at all. It would have been a gamble, and I would have spent the requisite time living in the garret, living hand to mouth, pursuing my 'dream.' Again, the store immediately paid off for my efforts.
3.) Biggest reason: I got married, had an instant family, and bought a business.
Turns out, I wasn't one of those writers who could work on my writing in the off hours; a few hours in the morning or evening, while I worked a job, dealt with the family, etc.
Oh, I could write something. This blog is proof of that. But my mind had to be totally into the 'fictional dream' of what I was writing. I was ALWAYS thinking about my books when I was writing them. Daily life was a distraction from my real life of writing.
But age and wisdom has taught me a (4.) reason that I didn't become a writer, and I wasn't ever really tempted to go back.
It wouldn't have been personally good for me at all.
I tend to be an isolated person. A loner. Isolation breeds isolations. What would've happened is that I would've relied on Linda almost solely; every couple of weeks I would've gone to writer's group where I would've been so intense I would probably have scared people.
I would've had very high highs, such as when a book was published. And most of the time I would have been terrified and depressed by the slow progress. I would've had a hard time marketing myself, after spending hours and hours in my room every day.
I was still very phobic back then, and I probably never would've broken out of that.
The store forced me to get out, everyday. Meet people. Talk to them. Tell stories, jokes, exchange experiences. While I may not be terribly socially smooth, I'm no where near the klutz I was 20 years ago.
In other words, my life has been much more enjoyable and entertaining and -- despite the years of debt and toil -- more stable and satisfying.
I've lived a real life, so to speak, instead of self-absorbed fantasy life.
That said, I do enjoy the creative process of this blog. It isn't a chore to write, and I'm happy to find that a few people actually read it once in a while.
Bloggy talk.
I was saying something to my wife the other day, and it came out kind of funny. (I wish I could remember what I said, it might make a more interesting story.)
Linda looked at me kinda bemused, and repeated it.
"Oh, that's bloggy talk," I said. "I guess I'm talking like I blog now, and blogging like I talk."
I wake up in the morning with blogs already formed in my mind.
This is getting ridiculous.
**********
Looking at the Obamas' smoking picture that adorned the BB2 blog last week; I wonder if he gets the urge to smoke in the Oval Office? Does he sneak a puff, and burn incense to cover the smell? Does he sneak out onto the portico to have a full furtive lungfuls? Does he have his secret service guys fetching smokes? "Whatever you do, don't tell Michelle!"
The picture makes him look like an oh, so cool jazzman or something.
*********
Got a call from a Prineville landlord asking if I'd like to open a branch downtown.
I was a little surprised. "No, I did that already. 4 stores, one in Redmond and one in Sisters. I think Prineville might be a little small in any case, and this might be bad timing."
"But so many businesses have closed around here," he said. "A new store might do really well!"
Strangely, that actually seemed to make a weird sort of sense....
**********
Heard from someone that two years ago, the City of Bend was installing about 10 water meters a day.
Now it's something like one water meter a week.
Even if it's an exaggeration (and the person telling me this wasn't someone with access to 'official' figures), that's pretty startling. It means just dribs and drabs are being finished up.
He also said they have a list of 700 houses who have been turned off due to non-payment, and haven't been turned back on....
**********
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
Retail importance, that is.
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Super Bowl
New Year's Day
Labor Day
Valentine's Day
President's Day
Veteran's Day.
That's right.
Super Bowl Sunday is more impactful than New Years. The second worst day I ever had in my store was a Super Bowl Sunday.
I'm probably going to take this opportunity to take a day off, though I may show up for a couple of hours to finish up some work. Home by 2:00 with a bowl of chips and soda and maybe -- to be extra indulgent -- some donuts.
Such an exciting life I lead.
**********
Obama merchandise continues to sell. I missed the boat on this, mostly, because of bad timing. Didn't get initial orders in for a variety of reasons, then got too few, then didn't reorder the reprints soon enough, then got too few, and so it goes.
About the time I order a whole bunch, everyone will lose interest....
**********
I'm finding a silver lining in my working every day. First of all, I seemed to have found my groove. I was worried that first couple weeks, but it settled down in the third week, and the fourth went very smoothly. In fact, I had a couple of really good days the last two days of the month.
By being there everyday, I'm much more aware of what's selling and how fast it's selling, and can gauge reorders much more accurately. I can be much more responsive to the customer.
I've decided to bring back the Direct Ship Reorders, which means I can say to people, "I can get it in two days...." (or three or four...but never more than a week.)
I'll have a much longer entry on how I did for the month, tomorrow....
**********
One more thing I'm noticing about business. My diversification efforts have really paid off. Everyday I sell some things unusual, or off the beaten track.
Never has it been so true that "I don't sell a lot of anything, I sell a little bit of a lot."
Mixing my store up the way I did was neither obvious or easy.
So I'm going to pat myself on the back for it.
**********
Next week I'm getting the new wave of magic (CONFLUX). I'm getting more than I should, because I tried to order through my comic people for the first time, and it turns out I won't get the product from them until next week.
So I ordered through my usual channels. I have to have enough for the first weekend, so I actually ordered more than last time overall despite the fact that I have new competition.
The other game store is officially open, I guess. I think this may prove very beneficial in the long run, but I'll be interested to see if I take a hit on my magic sales in the short run.
***********
Speaking of competition. I'm still selling a bunch of Settlers of Catan (selling out way too often, because I haven't got a fix on it yet). I found myself becoming a little proprietorial the other day. This is MY PRODUCT, kind of feeling.
I need to detach myself from that feeling. It's a fine line between enjoying what you're doing, and feeling like you have the right to be the ONLY ONE doing it. A kind of competitive, protective, territorial urge starts to take over.
Which can only cause bad feelings in the long run.
No product stays proprietorial for long. Let it go. Go with the flow....
**********
Got my Watchmen toys in. I really liked the Rorschach character in the books. Very unusual hero, to say the least.
So I ordered extra Rorschach.
Opened the cases and found that the extra figures were.....Rorschach.
I gotta whole lotta Rorscachs.
Linda looked at me kinda bemused, and repeated it.
"Oh, that's bloggy talk," I said. "I guess I'm talking like I blog now, and blogging like I talk."
I wake up in the morning with blogs already formed in my mind.
This is getting ridiculous.
**********
Looking at the Obamas' smoking picture that adorned the BB2 blog last week; I wonder if he gets the urge to smoke in the Oval Office? Does he sneak a puff, and burn incense to cover the smell? Does he sneak out onto the portico to have a full furtive lungfuls? Does he have his secret service guys fetching smokes? "Whatever you do, don't tell Michelle!"
The picture makes him look like an oh, so cool jazzman or something.
*********
Got a call from a Prineville landlord asking if I'd like to open a branch downtown.
I was a little surprised. "No, I did that already. 4 stores, one in Redmond and one in Sisters. I think Prineville might be a little small in any case, and this might be bad timing."
"But so many businesses have closed around here," he said. "A new store might do really well!"
Strangely, that actually seemed to make a weird sort of sense....
**********
Heard from someone that two years ago, the City of Bend was installing about 10 water meters a day.
Now it's something like one water meter a week.
Even if it's an exaggeration (and the person telling me this wasn't someone with access to 'official' figures), that's pretty startling. It means just dribs and drabs are being finished up.
He also said they have a list of 700 houses who have been turned off due to non-payment, and haven't been turned back on....
**********
NATIONAL HOLIDAYS IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE.
Retail importance, that is.
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Super Bowl
New Year's Day
Labor Day
Valentine's Day
President's Day
Veteran's Day.
That's right.
Super Bowl Sunday is more impactful than New Years. The second worst day I ever had in my store was a Super Bowl Sunday.
I'm probably going to take this opportunity to take a day off, though I may show up for a couple of hours to finish up some work. Home by 2:00 with a bowl of chips and soda and maybe -- to be extra indulgent -- some donuts.
Such an exciting life I lead.
**********
Obama merchandise continues to sell. I missed the boat on this, mostly, because of bad timing. Didn't get initial orders in for a variety of reasons, then got too few, then didn't reorder the reprints soon enough, then got too few, and so it goes.
About the time I order a whole bunch, everyone will lose interest....
**********
I'm finding a silver lining in my working every day. First of all, I seemed to have found my groove. I was worried that first couple weeks, but it settled down in the third week, and the fourth went very smoothly. In fact, I had a couple of really good days the last two days of the month.
By being there everyday, I'm much more aware of what's selling and how fast it's selling, and can gauge reorders much more accurately. I can be much more responsive to the customer.
I've decided to bring back the Direct Ship Reorders, which means I can say to people, "I can get it in two days...." (or three or four...but never more than a week.)
I'll have a much longer entry on how I did for the month, tomorrow....
**********
One more thing I'm noticing about business. My diversification efforts have really paid off. Everyday I sell some things unusual, or off the beaten track.
Never has it been so true that "I don't sell a lot of anything, I sell a little bit of a lot."
Mixing my store up the way I did was neither obvious or easy.
So I'm going to pat myself on the back for it.
**********
Next week I'm getting the new wave of magic (CONFLUX). I'm getting more than I should, because I tried to order through my comic people for the first time, and it turns out I won't get the product from them until next week.
So I ordered through my usual channels. I have to have enough for the first weekend, so I actually ordered more than last time overall despite the fact that I have new competition.
The other game store is officially open, I guess. I think this may prove very beneficial in the long run, but I'll be interested to see if I take a hit on my magic sales in the short run.
***********
Speaking of competition. I'm still selling a bunch of Settlers of Catan (selling out way too often, because I haven't got a fix on it yet). I found myself becoming a little proprietorial the other day. This is MY PRODUCT, kind of feeling.
I need to detach myself from that feeling. It's a fine line between enjoying what you're doing, and feeling like you have the right to be the ONLY ONE doing it. A kind of competitive, protective, territorial urge starts to take over.
Which can only cause bad feelings in the long run.
No product stays proprietorial for long. Let it go. Go with the flow....
**********
Got my Watchmen toys in. I really liked the Rorschach character in the books. Very unusual hero, to say the least.
So I ordered extra Rorschach.
Opened the cases and found that the extra figures were.....Rorschach.
I gotta whole lotta Rorscachs.
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