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8.12.2009 First Blog Its very nearly a year since the highways department told us to get out of the old shop. They gave us 14 days to comply but Dave managed to negotiate an extra two weeks! You try finding a new place of business in four weeks over the Christmas period, getting the lease read by a solicitor, (in fact finding a solicitor not on the seventh vacation of the year in the Alps), preparing the new premiss and moving van after van load of stock through the basement back doors (organised by the wonderful Betty) because we had no right to the front door keys before the lease was signed. All of this whilst trying desperately to keep our customers satisfied during the Christmas period... the most fractious time of year. Yet we did it. I wondered at the time if I had done something terribly wrong and was suffering retribution from on high. I still think it was a test. Lots of people worked very hard indeed to help us through that terrible, awful, evil time and it was greatly appreciated. Many of them are owed an awful debt which we would be happy to pay... yet.... Nearly a year on and still no compensation. We would like to thank all of those loyal customers who have helped keep us going during this difficult year 2009. We could not, and still cannot, afford to advertise and are proud that our reputation has been enough for people to actively seek us out in our new premises. Its been a hard year for others too... some falling by the wayside. As the year speeds to an end I look forward to doing great business with customers new and old. And getting some compensation so we can pay some debts! Thanks again! Further blogs will be funny. 9.12.2009 A more recent problem has been one of our fitters contracting gammon flu. He had swine flu first but was cured. OK. I lied about funny. 10.12.2012 Lego recently called a die a dice. On national, probably international, tv in an advert. I wrote and they replied, very quickly and politely, that it was because the inaccuracy was "widespread". I have written back asking them to ponder the thought that their use will compound this inaccuracy. Like "from whence" in, amongst other broadcasts, Lord of the Rings. I believe that organisations capable of reaching, and therefore influencing, many people have a responsibility to get their use of language right. Bowing to "widespread" accepted inaccuracy is merely a weak cop out. I think that if Lego used the correct word die in their ad it would actually attract attention to their product. Am waiting for reply. 2.1.2010 A very Happy New Year to all. Had a wonderful break and its quiet in the shop whilst everybody changes their Christmas presents. Taking the opportunity to alter the shop a little. Extending the basement remnant showroom, taking a vinyl stock rack downstairs and making a better vinyl display area at the rear of the ground floor. Seems to be going ok so far. 9.1.2010 My old friend Pete Mathew's blog at http://petersblog.myfrenchhome.info/#home though he makes absolutely no mention of vacuum cleaners ... an omission for which I barely forgive him. As a manager, then owner, of carpet shops for a huge amount of time spanning two centuries I have had personal experience of around twenty vacuum cleaners from, I think, six different manufacturers. . They have had to cope with far more fluff and dirt than any domestic situation. Awards... Worst ever (three different machines)... Dyson. Difficult to maintain, expensive parts and too many requisite filters, overly prone to blockage and awkward to unblock without an extra arm to hold the blooming thing still, uncaring arrogant and un-listening help. Best ever (one only lasting three years so far). ... Morphy Richards, Pets. Exactly the opposite of the above. (Though I can't comment on the help line... never needed them). Love it. 12.1.2010 OUTRAGEOUS As you know we do whipping here. Customers can bring their scraps of carpet in and we make them into rugs. Sometimes they bring carpet left over from materials supplied by our competitors. I am often amazed to hear what they paid. One such just a few minutes ago... customer bought an 80/20 twist from a Derby store and was told it was half price at £25 a meter. Its one (of many) we do at £20.00 a meter. She seemed happy with the "bargain" though. OUTRAGEOUS. 29.7.2010 And just yesterday a customer sent back the samples she had borrowed with a message saying thank you very much but she had found something else elsewhere. Well, we do it too and its 10% less! |