@bgriffin wrote:

Plus it's easier to pull in and out of the spot and your car is much less likely to get dinged!

We speak the same language!

I have to disagree with at least one of your statements. As a former general manager of a fast food restaurant. I know personally how much money was spent to serve every customer, because my monthly bonus depended on how tight a rein I kept in my store.

It cost my store to sell you a medium drink less than a small or a large. We are talking a difference of 5 cents either way. But it was more profitable to sell you a medium than a large or a small drink.. Breakfast was the money maker. Burgers were a loss leader. But everything was an add on. That slice of American cheese cost less than 1 packet of ketchup. In the early 90's it cost 3 cents for that packet of ketchup. And that is why you always need to ask for condiments, let alone extras. We charged the customer 25 cents for the privilege of adding a slice of cheese to any sandwich.

My profit margin was never affected by the price of anything supplied to the store. That contract was set in stone.

My profit margin was affected by employees. My little babies, who ranged from 14 to 18 were the best. That group always showed up. Their parents showed up to help me secure the store for hurricane Andrew. The older employees that couldn't find anything better were the ones who stole, showed up late, showed up hungover, didn't show for days and thought had a job. The older employees affected my profit margin. And not one of the older employees showed up to help me secure the store for the hurricane.

My profit margin was huge. I made big money as a FF GM with my monthly profit bonuses. I made 80K with profit bonuses and that was a bad year. It was also in the early 90's.

Why don't I do it anymore? Honestly, except for my little kids; the job was a huge PITA and required a solid 80 hours a week with all the paperwork, plus actually building the burgers. Usually my week was more like 150 hours; when I finally quit I was down to 82lbs. I'm only 5'3" tall,. I was a walking skeleton with a personality to match. Plus there is nothing you can shower with to get rid of the smell of burger in your skin on your only one and day off a week. LOL

Thanks for sharing your experience from the other side of the counter. Interesting flip on behavior of older vs. younger workers.

@risinghorizon wrote:

@indy101 wrote:

Yes and thank you. It is too bad that people are selling themselves so cheaply. Considering that some form of transportation besides bicycle riding or walking is needed on a lot of shops, I'd wager that people are losing money due to transportation costs.

Not me. I use public transportation (TTC) when doing most of my shops and your statement does not hold true for me.

Not true 4 me wither. Real job is at very busy interscetion w/4 shopping centers on each corner. there r shops at each 4 corners. I will grab them & walk over during lunch or right after work. No gas $ or public trans $ needed. some pay less than others but worth it 4 me or I wont do them.

I hope your water bug wrote you a detailed narrative, without enough detail to be discovered and a big huge yes...he'd be happy to recommend the location to friends and family.

@MA Smith wrote:

I hope your water bug wrote you a detailed narrative, without enough detail to be discovered and a big huge yes...he'd be happy to recommend the location to friends and family.

That darn water bug did recommend his family stay, with the low summer rates! Now everybody and his brother is staying at the roach motel.

I get it and I leave it for those desperate shoppers. I would NOT want to compete with them. I do NOT give charity to companies that can afford to pay more.
Shoppers sharpen your pencils Some people lose money unless they take a route of nickle and dime shops. 20 nickles is a dollar and 10 dimes is a dollar. go buy some mac and cheese. I would like to say something political but I would not dare.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/27/2016 11:31PM by Piled Hip Deep, PHD.

@sbobgal wrote:

Cheap shops? I let them sit on the boards. I will work for $10.00 to $50.00 per hour, but not for $1.00 per hour.

I hope that $10 is AFTER you figure your expenses.

Some seniors do the mall shops to have human contact and a free coffee and bakery product, an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure, sometime you get a free coffee and bakery product, sometime you don't, The IRS calls it a HOBBY

I can buy my own coffee and I am too busy to go to the mall or sit in a rocker on a porch. I would NEVER sit in a rocker on a porch. As soon as I get up someone will tell me I am off my rocker!

I've had sex in a rocker on a porch. Balance and flexibility are key. Who needs yoga?!

@Sybil2 wrote:

I've had sex in a rocker on a porch. Balance and flexibility are key. Who needs yoga?!

guilty, too, as charged.