Supporting Small Businesses

[lappir]

link did not work. maybe this one will https://www.facebook.com/atchuup/videos/1456047227995347/?pnref=story

 

I don't know if the above link will work, but hopefully it will lead you to a video about Yellowstone and the reintroduction to wolves into the National Park. I first saw it a couple years ago and thought it was interesting. it came back around this morning and really hit a mark with me.

 

Over the past couple years I have really noticed that there is little resistance to the formation of HUGE corporations, and I do not understand why. It used to be against common sense and policy for one person (or corporation) to have control of the entirety of the food chain of a particular business. A company could not control a product from it's inception to the final user material in it's entirety without some significant scrutiny. I am seeing no such scrutiny these days. In Iowa this summer I learned that a company from another country has purchased what appears to me the entire pork production enterprise in SE Iowa. They have farms with employees who produce the pork and are required to use the feed also owned by the company and then the processing plant for the finished product. How is this right?

 

Our country was founded on the diversity of people. It grew on the competition of one person against another to provide the best product. But then the " middleman" came into being. They had no part in the inception or production, but decided they could control pricing by agreeing to purchase large quantities at a set price and then increase the sale price (to make a profit) and resell the product to the end user. I grew up hearing about the "middle men" and wondering what they were and how they survived. It seems that we have decided that being a middle man is the best job to have, so everyone want's to be a middle man. What has that done? It has diminished then numbers of craftsmen, the competition among them and the abilities to provide a better product. It has caused us to stagnate and become complacent .

 

Anyway on a short motorcycle trip today I came across a small gas station in the upper portion of Florida. It had an old mechanical gas pump, the type I had in a service station many years ago. Sure the gas price per gallon was a bit higher than what I could have gotten in the big city, but this place provides a service tor it's community. The locals are not required (so far) to drive into Tallahassee to get fuel or a gallon of milk or other random food supply. If we do not support these locations then all we will have are the large corporate locations that only care about the bottom line and the ability to make money for a very small group of people. I don't think I wish to support the large corporations any more. I'd like to support the small business person. One who spends his or her money in the community that supports him or her.

 

I am asking the HDT group to search out and share the locations of small businesses you have visited. The more we support them the more likely they are going to be there the next time we are in the area. I'm sure each of us have our preferences on what is important to us. I like gas/fuel stations and hometown grocery stores. What do you like?

 

 

Rod

[SuiteSuccess]

I like any business that keeps its word. Too many get your money and "forget" the promises they made. One that comes to mind that I consider a good small business is TST (Truck System Technology). Never had an issue with their customer service or promptly doing what they said they would do.

[billr]

This also applies to Campgrounds. Support your local private campgrounds to be sure they will be there for your use in the future.

[billr]

RV Water Filter Store. Great small business owned and run by an RVer for RVers. Supper service and great products. Beats CW hands down.

[Refuzn-To-Grow-Up]

Good Idea. I will drive out of my way for better service, even if the price is higher.

 

This group has an entire thread (with a wonderful map) for campgrounds. Perhaps we could start one for HDT mechanics, HDT parts, places to eat, while on the road. I have a rule that I never eat at a restaurant off the highway. That rule was started years ago, when the DW and I ate at a well known chain restaurant. Two hours later we were in competition for the only commode in the RV. Funny now, but not then.

 

Below is a family run HDT repair shop that was referred to me. So far, they have done good by me. I have taken my Volvo to them twice now for repair.

 

AMC Disel Truck Repair

648 W. Cowles St

Long Beach CA

562 436 8200

[Dollytrolley]

I nominate Revere's 24 Hr. Tire , 650 Hyw 95 South Beatty, Nevada (775) 553-9001.

 

DW was unable to avoid a chunk of angle iron in the road due to oncoming traffic and shred a tire on the cargo trailer 25 miles North of Beatty Friday afternoon. I tossed on the spare and we drove into Beatty and called Revere's and 30 minutes later we were back on the road with a new spare (balanced & wheel washed AND ALL tires pressure checked).

 

 

I was AMAZED...REAL service and a real craftsman that knew his craft well....here is the funny thing the tire was priced at the market price and there was a $60 call out fee ....but....this guy was a pleasure to see in action and got us on our way ASAP....worth every penny....

 

Now consider just how long and how much it would cost to have a big name tire chain dispatch a service truck +100 miles North to Beatty....and it would take many hours and a fat credit card......

 

Wonder if the HDT resource guide might have a listing section for good service providers......sorta Angie's List for HDT's

 

Drive on......(Real service is a.....joy)

[rpsinc]

To compliment the OP on going down this road would be understated. You deserve ALOT of credit. There are few things in this country that can still provide us with the satisfaction and reward for putting your SOUL into an enterprise but small businesses are one of those. You can express yourself and your personality through hard work, determination, quality, integrity, commitment and lastly some fun, while getting back some reward, whatever that might be to you.

I recently was talking to another business owner who said that the $ isnt the greatest reward that continues to motivate after working his business for years. SATISFACTION, esp customer satisfaction is the greatest reward. Knowing that he has provided the best service he could, though not necessarily perfect, but best he could. He talked about being willing to go home after a challenging project and being satisfied with enjoying a sandwich and a beer instead of an expensive steak dinner, because the project took many hours longer than expected but the customer wasnt charged for ALL the time, so he worked for free on alot of those hours. The satisfaction came from knowing that he accomplished what the customer asked for, and not having the $ to get that steak dinner, the sandwich is just fine, esp when matched with that satisfaction that he provided the best he could.

Big box stores dont operate that way, and maybe they did when they started out, but that got lost along the way. Getting a replacement for an item or a service is great, but being recognized and validated because you feel that you matter as a customer, that is so much more important.

After 30 years of being self-employed as a self-performing contractor, I appreciate the spirit it takes to maintain that integrity. Heck, I'm in construction and my wife enjoys coming to make sure that the housekeeping is done the best we can before we turn jobs over to our customers. We can make alot more $ but I doubt that there would be any more greater satisfaction from leaving it the way we do now.

 

So thank you, OP, for giving small business an At-A-Boy. You didnt talk about MY business, but I appreciate it just the same, because you cared enough to say it.

 

Marcel

[rickeieio]

It's this mind set that keeps me from over-nighting at Wal-Mart.........

 

I refuse to support Wal-Mart and many other big operations that hurt small businesses. Therefore, trying to play fair, I cannot utilize a Wal-Mart parking lot for my own convenience while traveling. Fair is fair. This sometimes means I have to stay in a place where I'd rather not, but hey, I made this rule, so I'm sticking to it.

 

Just today, I made a run to the local hardware store for masking tape, couple of small cans of propane, and 30 gallons of RV anti-freeze. I likely could have gotten all that at Home Depot for less, but I like the family that runs the hardware store, and they treat me well.

[MrSeas]

They must like you a lot if they are stocking 30 gals of RV antifreeze for ya!

[Star Dreamer]

I am glad our RV only needs 1 gallon of Antifreeze per year although I usually by 2.

 

We try to support small businesses but since the wife works for Walmart it is one of our frequent places to shop. The extra 10% employee discount helps. When we are traveling with the HDT it makes more sence to stop at a large chain as the small mom & pop places usually cannot accommodate us.

 

1Rod, would you stop with your HDT to get fuel at that station if you were not on your motorcycle? Wonder if they made high speed pumps back in the day. Probably could have had both lunch and dinner waiting to fill the HDT tanks!

 

Dave

[lappir]

I am glad our RV only needs 1 gallon of Antifreeze per year although I usually by 2.

 

We try to support small businesses but since the wife works for Walmart it is one of our frequent places to shop. The extra 10% employee discount helps. When we are traveling with the HDT it makes more sence to stop at a large chain as the small mom & pop places usually cannot accommodate us.

 

1Rod, would you stop with your HDT to get fuel at that station if you were not on your motorcycle? Wonder if they made high speed pumps back in the day. Probably could have had both lunch and dinner waiting to fill the HDT tanks!

 

Dave

Dave, if they sold diesel I sure would. While in Iowa I use the local Farm Service for almost all of my fuel. The Walmart in town can have a bit lower price, but it's not for me. I have used some of the lower speed pumps for my truck and it does take a little longer but not all that much. Worst part is having to turn around to fill the other side.

 

One of the things that really bothers me is what the Love's, Flying J and Pilot have done to their "Truck Stops" None of them serve real meals anymore it seems. It's a McDonalds, Arby's or some other fast food. Is that really what the drivers need?

 

 

Thank you to all those who have shared their small business locations. Having a map of them would be great, but it would be a big job and not something I have the abilities at this time to do.

 

Thanks again for the comments and replies.

 

 

Rod

[Refuzn-To-Grow-Up]

 

One of the things that really bothers me is what the Love's, Flying J and Pilot have done to their "Truck Stops" None of them serve real meals anymore it seems. It's a McDonalds, Arby's or some other fast food. Is that really what the drivers need?

 

 

 

Rod

 

Rod: You are spot on about the corporate food chains taking over the truck stops. I have traveled (business and pleasure) across this beautiful country for the past 40+ years and one of the things that I could depend on was good cooking at a crowded truck stop. Now the truck stops all serve fast phood korporate krapola, where the chicken tastes like the burger, tastes like the fish, taste like the sausage, taste like the ribs. And, the fries are all the same size. Do they grow special potatoes?

 

And I sometimes wonder if they put a chemical in the food that causes addiction. I know people who get serious withdrawal pains if they do not get their daily dose of fast food and a "softdrink."

 

That's my Refuzn Rant for the morning.

[rickeieio]

My crop sprayer takes about 22-24 gallons to winterize, so I just bought 30 to be safe. The rv only takes a little over 1 gal.

 

I called ahead to make sure they had enough, and they said they had 300+ at that store.

[Hot Rod]

mmmmm.... flying J burritos....

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

mmmmm.... flying J burritos....

Usually gives the Flying J crapolla's

[jkennell]

Yeh--I wonder how many RV owners realize farmers use a lot of RV antifreeze in sprayers....

 

Problem in our rural area with supporting the small businesses is...there is so few. Local gas station...Caseys. Local place to get stuff....Dollar Value. Local?? I don't think so!

 

We still have one locally owned grocery, and one locally owned hardware store...which we do use. And I deal with a local insurance agent. WAY better service.

 

In an interesting "flip" of local/chain: after years of kids, our family has become quite familiar with the local owner & manager of the DQ franchise. He comes over to chat sometimes while we are eating our ice cream.

[Alie&Jim's Carrilite]

When all else fails, there is always Wal Mart, Lowes, Home Depot.

Here in North Dakota, we have enjoyed shopping in the smaller chains like Dans Supermarket or Cashwise. There is a bunch of local eateries here as well. I would say more local than national chain style. I try to shop the local hardware stores, Ace and True Value I believe to be locally owned franchises. Much better service, smaller selection, but usually have what I need..... and many things I didn't know I need......like locally made Bison Jerky.....

[rpsinc]

Hey, just because there are FEW businesses that you can solicite that SELL stuff, doesnt mean that there arent local small businesses that can be supported. Keep in mind local contractors, handymen, auto detailers, mobile repairs services, coffee shop, restaurants, etc.....

They too are a part of that small business community that needs to be supported and most often the best place to get local info is the eateries owned by local folks that are NOT a chain.

[Pete Kildow]

We have a local family owned lumber shed. They outsell Lowe's, and Lowe's can't stand it. If it were not for the people that want to buy a 2x4 at 9 pm. Lowe's here would not sell much lumber. Same on our Grocery's, buy from the local Piggly Wiggly. It cost more then Walmart. But I would rather have fresh cut meat. Than Walmarts vacuum packed from somewhere last month meat. Ground beef at Walmart $4.99 per pound. Piggly wiggly $3.99 fresh Ground.

[Refuzn-To-Grow-Up]

Good Idea. I will drive out of my way for better service, even if the price is higher.

 

This group has an entire thread (with a wonderful map) for campgrounds. Perhaps we could start one for HDT mechanics, HDT parts, places to eat, while on the road. I have a rule that I never eat at a restaurant off the highway. That rule was started years ago, when the DW and I ate at a well known chain restaurant. Two hours later we were in competition for the only commode in the RV. Funny now, but not then.

 

Below is a family run HDT repair shop that was referred to me. So far, they have done good by me. I have taken my Volvo to them twice now for repair.

 

AMC Disel Truck Repair

648 W. Cowles St

Long Beach CA

562 436 8200

 

I picked up the Volvo this week. Once again, this family run business gave me great service.

 

I put the Volvo into their shop because I thought (and I was wrong) that the batteries were going bad. The engine would barely turn over (lazy start), when I tried to start it. On our trip home from Arizona, I had to start the APU to get the engine started. From the day that I owned the Volvo, it always had, what I thought, was a lazy start. So, I thought a "slow crank" was normal for the big 16L engine. DAHHH! What do I know. I never owned one of these Big Boys!

 

Prior to putting it into the shop, I inspected the battery connections. I notice a HUGE cable (the size of my thumb) laying on top of the batteries and NOT connected to the batteries. What the heck! Apparently this cable has been disconnected from the day I took ownership. I asked the shop to check it out.

 

Regarding the Lazy Start: After they checked the batteries, cables and connections, they replaced the starter. WOW! The new starter REALLY spins the big engine up to starting speed. The 16L beast springs to life!

 

Regarding the Disconnected Cable: Auggie (one of the owners) emailed me the wiring schematics for the cable. When I picked up the Volvo, Auggie showed me where the cable went and told me why it needed to be connected to the battery. The cable went through a mega fuse to the chassis ground lug bolted to the frame rail. It is needed to protect the ECU.

 

Power Steering Reservoir: When I asked him where the power steering reservoir was, he showed me where it was and how to check the fluid level and told me what fluid (ATF) to use.

 

Prior to being referred to Auggie's family run business, I had my Volvo serviced at the local "corporate" Volvo dealer.