Another true story. I went to the local Pep Boys store years ago to get some
30 wt non-detergent oil for my tranny and was told by the clerk that it was
stopped manufactured years ago. This was confirmed by the "manager" I then
went to an Advance auto parts and bought a quart. Back to Pep Boys, showed them
the oil and was told that it was a discontinued item and should not by used.
Idiots. I put another 5,000 miles on my Healey. They lost a customer for life.
John Sims
www.healey6.com
Matawan, NJ
-----Original Message-----
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces@autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Michael Oritt
Sent: Monday, June 24, 2024 10:20 AM
To: Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net>
Cc: healeys@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Moss Motors merger
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 9:11â?¯AM Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net
<mailto:bspidell@comcast.net> > wrote:
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.
On 6/23/2024 2:32 PM, Leonard Hartnett wrote:

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
with 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 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. 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 <mailto:bspidell@comcast.net>
To: healeys@autox.team.net
<mailto: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
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?
OTOH, this is a small, specialty business, and it may
be the only way some of them can survive at all. Time will tell.
Bob
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