The Street Vendor Strikes

I was coming into the Real Estate office this afternoon and I passed by the guy selling fruit in front of Walgreen’s. I had seen him earlier but I had to get in for floor time, so I couldn’t hang out. This afternoon I had a couple of minutes so I checked him out.

The grapes weren’t in the best shape and I had just finished off a box of grapes I got from Costco earlier in the month.

I still had some apples left, so I didn’t need those.

I came to the plums – nice looking, very juicy plums and I was about to get some…

“They’re 2 for 5….”

Foolishly I think he means two pounds for $5 and I was about to take the bait. As I asked to be sure what I was getting into (my parents didn’t raise an idiot) - he clarifies
“They’re 5 plums for $2”

Now, I’m not really as cheap as I sound, but why would I spend 40 cents for a plum when I can get a bushel of them at Costco – no, you know I don’t shop at that other store – ever!

I could get a better deal at Aldi – my aunt just introduced me to Aldi and I get a bag of fruit from there when I go to work, if I can’t make it to Meijer’s – my other hang out.

Brother, you just lost a customer. I have a bushel of apples at my place that I bought for $7. I got a box of green grapes for the same amount, and some oranges that I devoured in no time for slightly more.

Are we so hard up for food that we are paying these exorbitant prices???? Did he just think I would give him that because I wanted to support him? I do want to support him, but let’s keep it real – I can’t go broke doing it…..

Sears Has Everything

I haven't always seen eye to eye with Sears, but I will admit one thing-if you go there, you're going to find something you can take home and they will stand behind their product.

The last VCR I bought was from Sears, and it was years ago. It was before the age of DVD recorders and Blu Ray players. I found one that was perfect for me, but as it happened, it wasn't perfect for my TV.

I have produced cable television shows, so you can't tell me that I don't know how to hook up a VCR. I can do that in my sleep and get a splitter to spread the feed. You all don't know nothing about that...

I called the store about the problem I was having, and the manager got so flustered from my declaration that I was returning the VCR, he immediately dispatched a tech person to install my VCR properly. The young man he sent was even more perplexed than I was. He couldn't understand the VCR, my TV, the wiring, the cable box - it was a mess.

But you know what, that young man prevailed and he was successful in getting the box together. After spending what amounted to half his shift at my house, picking up a pizza on the end of the block from the Connie's pizza man, he had to ask me - what did you say to make my store manager send me over here in a cab - he didn't even give me bus fare....

I'll reveal my secret only here - I reminded him that I could be his best friend or his worst enemy, because I've been shopping at Sears for a long time. I remember when my grandparents would take me to the Sears on 79th Street and get me a toy and a box of popcorn while they shopped to keep me occupied.

When you've got a customer that loyal, you'd be a fool to let it go!