--===============0570471350220190776==
--0000000000009bf526061ba37b7e
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Moss's acquisition of Rimmer Bros. and the phenomenon of Ma & Pa hardware
stores' becoming part of the Ace brand are both examples of the
acquisition/consolidation trend that now dominates business and
professional organizations, including physicians, dentists, veterinarians,
CPA. attorneys, hospitals, funeral homes, pharmacies, specialty retail
stores, restaurants, etc. etc.--you name it and and you don't have to look
very hard to find an example of where an individual proprietorship is now
owned by or affiliated with some larger conglomeration. The former owner
has moved to Florida and oftentimes his place has been taken by someone who
was flipping burgers last week.
In almost all cases the promise of better prices resulting from "economy of
scale" never materializes and personal relationships and quality of service
suffer because of sales quotas that must be achieved or due to limitations
placed upon time that can be spent with a customer, client or patient. My
local Ace now has about 25% of its square footage devoted to either
its "outdoor department" or what I call a home store. Many of the retail
sales personnel know a lot less than I do about what they are selling. Big
Box "hardware" stores are even worse with employees who receive little
training and little or no experience. Plus you can only buy fasteners in
prepacked quantities to defeat shoplifters and in plastic enclosures that
defy opening without a box cutter or the like.
True story: I once went into a national hardware chain store in need of a
nail set. When I was unable to find one I asked a young sales clerk for
help and he told me they only sold nails by the box.
Best--Michael Oritt
On Mon, Jun 24, 2024 at 9:11=E2=80=AFAM Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net> =
wrote:
> Ace is definitely a cut above the big box stores for service and selectio=
n
> (stores are much nicer too). But, prices are higher. They're they only
> place around here to get Stihl equipment.
>
>
> On 6/23/2024 2:32 PM, Leonard Hartnett wrote:
>
> =EF=BB=BF
> Bob" Once upon a time, there was a family owned hardware store in the
> city where we lived for 40+ years. Then Home Depot, Walmart, etc. moved
> in. I cannot attest to any facts but I believe that that competition wit=
h
> its buying power was what made them become an ACE hardware store.
> Thankfully, I have not seen any major changes in service or product.
> Several times, when unable to find what I am looking for at the major cha=
in
> store, the salesperson will recommend that I go to that local store, stil=
l
> referring to it by its original name, not an Ace store. It is still
> part of the history of the city. I was able to buy two (2) wood screws
> that I needed, not a pack of 6 or more. I now refer to it as a museum.
>
> The Other Len
> 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8
> HBJ8L39031
> 224,925 miles
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net>
> *To:* healeys@autox.team.net
> *Sent:* Sunday, June 23, 2024 11:48 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] Moss Motors merger
>
> I'm generally not in favor of private money snarfing up independent
> businesses, larding them up with debt--dunno if that's the case here, but
> these guys like to use OPM--laying off staff, taking a big cut then pawni=
ng
> the remains off to 'the greater fool(s)' (see: rural hospital systems). I
> have a personal experience: I went to the same optometrist for over 30
> years, then he sold out to one of these; a relatively small one, like thi=
s
> appears to be. He was a 'car guy,' into VW vans, and we'd trade articles
> off-hours and he always seemed to give me a little extra attention (at
> times, his staff would have to pull him out of our conversations). After =
he
> was acquired, he seemed harried and I felt the staff was really trying to
> expedite all appointments; I suspect--but don't know for a fact--he was o=
n
> a some sort of quota or mandatory revenue system. I've heard lots of
> similar stories and I can't think of any where a product or service has
> been improved after the money boys took over. Anybody?
>
> OTOH, this is a small, specialty business, and it may be the only way som=
e
> of them can survive at all. Time will tell.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
> [image: AVG logo] <https://www.avg.com/internet-security>
>
> This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
> www.avg.com <https://www.avg.com/internet-security>
>
> <#m_-3333072200707433328_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.75
>
> Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys
> http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys
>
> Healeys@autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
>
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/michael.oritt@gmail.com
>
>
--0000000000009bf526061ba37b7e
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"color:#3333ff">Moss&=
#39;s=C2=A0acquisition of Rimmer Bros. and the phenomenon of Ma & Pa ha=
rdware stores' becoming part of the Ace brand are both examples of the =
acquisition/consolidation trend that now dominates business and professiona=
l organizations, including physicians, dentists, veterinarians, CPA. attorn=
eys, hospitals, funeral homes, pharmacies, specialty retail stores, restaur=
ants, etc. etc.--you name it and and you don't have to look very hard t=
o find an example of where an individual proprietorship is now owned by or =
affiliated with some larger conglomeration.=C2=A0 =C2=A0The former owner ha=
s moved to Florida and oftentimes his place has been taken by someone who w=
as flipping burgers last week.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"c=
olor:#3333ff"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"color:#3333ff=
">In almost all cases the promise of better prices resulting from "eco=
nomy of scale" never materializes and personal relationships and quali=
ty of service suffer because of sales quotas that must be achieved or due t=
o limitations placed=C2=A0upon time that can be spent with a customer, clie=
nt or patient.=C2=A0 My local Ace now has about 25% of its square footage d=
evoted to either its=C2=A0"outdoor department" or what I call a h=
ome store. Many of the retail sales personnel=C2=A0know a lot less than I d=
o about what they are selling. Big Box "hardware" stores are even=
worse with employees who receive little training and little or no experien=
ce.=C2=A0 Plus you can only=C2=A0buy fasteners in prepacked=C2=A0quantities=
to defeat shoplifters and in plastic enclosures that defy opening without =
a box cutter or the like.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"color:=
#3333ff"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"color:#3333ff">Tru=
e story:=C2=A0 I once went into a national hardware chain store in need of =
a nail set.=C2=A0 When I was unable to find one I asked a young sales clerk=
for help and he told me they only sold nails by the box.</div><div class=
=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"color:#3333ff"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_de=
fault" style=3D"color:#3333ff">Best--Michael Oritt</div></div><br><div clas=
s=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Jun 24, 202=
4 at 9:11=E2=80=AFAM Bob Spidell <<a href=3D"mailto:bspidell@comcast.net=
">bspidell@comcast.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_q=
uote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,2=
04);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
=20
=20
=20
<div>
Ace is definitely a cut above the big box stores for service and
selection (stores are much nicer too). But, prices are higher.
They're they only place around here to get Stihl equipment.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div>On 6/23/2024 2:32 PM, Leonard Hartnett
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type=3D"cite">
=20
=EF=BB=BF
=20
=20
=20
<div><font size=3D"2" face=3D"Arial">Bob"=C2=A0 Once upon a time=
, there was
a family owned hardware store in the city where we lived=C2=A0for
40+ years.=C2=A0</font><font size=3D"2" face=3D"Arial">=C2=A0 The=
n Home
Depot, Walmart, etc. moved in.=C2=A0 I cannot attest to=C2=A0any =
facts
but I believe that that competition with its buying power was
what made them become an ACE hardware store.=C2=A0 Thankfully, I
have not seen any major changes in service or product.=C2=A0
Several times, when unable to find what I am looking for at
the major chain store, the salesperson will recommend that I
go to that local store, still referring to it by its original
name, not an Ace store.=C2=A0=C2=A0 It is still<font size=3D"2" f=
ace=3D"Arial"> part of the history of the city.=C2=A0 </font>I=C2=A0was
able to buy=C2=A0two (2) wood screws that I needed, not a pack of=
6
or more.=C2=A0=C2=A0I now refer to it as a museum.=C2=A0</font></=
div>
<div>=C2=A0</div>
<div><font size=3D"2" face=3D"Arial">=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 The Other Len<br>
1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8<br>
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=
=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 HBJ8L39031</font></div>
<div><font size=3D"2" face=3D"Arial">=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=
=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0=C2=A0 224,925=C2=A0 miles</font>=
</div>
<div>=C2=A0</div>
<blockquote style=3D"border-left:2px solid rgb(0,0,0);padding-left:5p=
x;padding-right:0px;margin-left:5px;margin-right:0px">
<div style=3D"font:10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style=3D"font:10pt arial;background:rgb(228,228,228)"><b>From:=
</b>
<a title=3D"bspidell@comcast.net" href=3D"mailto:bspidell@comcast=
.net" target=3D"_blank">Bob
Spidell</a> </div>
<div style=3D"font:10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a title=3D"healeys@autox=
.team.net" href=3D"mailto:healeys@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">healeys=
@autox.team.net</a> </div>
<div style=3D"font:10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 23, 2024
11:48 AM</div>
<div style=3D"font:10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Moss
Motors merger</div>
<div><br>
</div>
I'm generally not in favor of private money snarfing up
independent businesses, larding them up with debt--dunno if
that's the case here, but these guys like to use OPM--laying of=
f
staff, taking a big cut then pawning the remains off to 'the
greater fool(s)' (see: rural hospital systems). I have a
personal experience: I went to the same optometrist for over 30
years, then he sold out to one of these; a relatively small one,
like this appears to be. He was a 'car guy,' into VW vans, =
and
we'd trade articles off-hours and he always seemed to give me a
little extra attention (at times, his staff would have to pull
him out of our conversations). After he was acquired, he seemed
harried and I felt the staff was really trying to expedite all
appointments; I suspect--but don't know for a fact--he was on a
some sort of quota or mandatory revenue system. I've heard lots
of similar stories and I can't think of any where a product or
service has been improved after the money boys took over.
Anybody?<br>
<br>
OTOH, this is a small, specialty business, and it may be the
only way some of them can survive at all. Time will tell.<br>
<br>
Bob<br>
<br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<div id=3D"m_-3333072200707433328DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2=
">
<br>
<br>
<hr style=3D"border:none;color:rgb(144,144,144);background-color:rg=
b(176,176,176);height:1px;width:99%">
<table style=3D"border-collapse:collapse;border:none">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"border:none;padding:0px 15px 0px 8px"> <a href=
=3D"https://www.avg.com/internet-security"; target=3D"_blank"> <img src=3D"h=
ttps://static.avast.com/emails/avg-mail-stamp.png" alt=3D"AVG logo" border=
=3D"0"> </a> </td>
<td>
<p style=3D"color:rgb(61,77,90);font-family:Calibri,Verdana=
,Arial,Helvetica;font-size:12pt">
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG
antivirus software. <br>
<a href=3D"https://www.avg.com/internet-security"; target=
=3D"_blank">www.avg.com</a> </p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<a href=3D"#m_-3333072200707433328_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9=
FDF2" width=3D"1" height=3D"1"> </a></div>
</blockquote>
<br>
</div>
_______________________________________________<br>
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
<br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys"; rel=3D"noreferre=
r" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys</a> <a href=3D"h=
ttp://autox.team.net/archive/healeys" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">=
http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys</a><br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:Healeys@autox.team.net"; target=3D"_blank">Healeys@autox.t=
eam.net</a><br>
<a href=3D"http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys"; rel=3D"noreferre=
r" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys</a><br>
<br>
s/michael.oritt@gmail.com" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://auto=
x.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/michael.oritt@gmail.com</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>
--0000000000009bf526061ba37b7e--
--===============0570471350220190776==
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Disposition: inline
_______________________________________________
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/healeys
http://autox.team.net/archive/healeys
Healeys@autox.team.net
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
--===============0570471350220190776==--
|