Hello Everyone,

August 2019

It's been over 3 years since I have posted any material.

Today I begin with a trilogy based off a challenge someone gave me.

Enjoy the read

~g

July 30, 2012

AndMore/I learned a few things... Theft or getting over? Isn't it the same?

Sooooo......  I chat with a friend on the phone and I'll just assume she forgot I hate shopping.  Because I would hate to think she just out right didn't care.  The call was over an hour long and it went something like this.



Friend - So XYZ and I went to LMONOP department store.  I had a stack of coupons and one in particular that would give me the highest return was expired.  XYZ noticed and said 'Too bad maybe you will get another one'.  But I already knew it was expired, I just was too lazy to go before the date.  I know how the 'system' works.  Just get loud, get mad and you get what you want.

She then continued in detail to tell me how she berated the clerk, demanded for the presence of the manager and eventually got the discount.

Her justification?  (Yup, I asked) They get that money back! They rob us blind.  Any way they will do ANYTHING to make sure they don't lose a customer.


I worked in retail for many years.  It was a loss prevention guy that explained a lot to me one day and it wasn't until this call that I realized, I paid attention.


Friend, let me throw something at you and see what you think. (She said Ok)

The coupon you mentioned was from the brand, so that means the manufacturer of the over priced clothing YOU chose to shop for was receiving a discount from them.  They make up that difference to the store.  BUT, because there are 'scammers' the store must do the following:



Take inventory
Report customer complaint courtesy credit (because that is what it is, a courtesy)
Once a tally is done of 'losses' (because you rant caused just that a LOSS), they must make it up
If there are many 'customers' like you, the loss is high
That loss as well as theft, sales and clearance is eventually made up in price hikes

So.... essentially YOU are the reason they are 'robbing you blind'. It's a vicious cycle that begins with you.



I have a job that requires cutting corners, getting the best prices for cell phones for the company/university.  I work hard and long hours doing so without 'scamming'.  Because if I thought like you and became 'that' customer, I would scam carriers out of business.  Perhaps not me alone, but imagine many of me with that train of thought?  I can argue with the rest and say 'they are robbing us blind' but the reality is two wrongs don't make a right.



I personally think it's theft.  Knowingly scamming someone or a business is theft.  I am sure many corporation heads that are in jail thought they were 'getting one over' on someone too.



Friend - You know Gracey, it's just getting to a point where I can't even have a conversation with you.



I learned a few things
I lost a friend (shit this year has been rough keeping any)
My friend is a thief (just threw that in, cause I could)
It doesn't feel good defending the big companies.  It only feels good trying to make a right out of a wrong.
I really do hate shopping
Thanks to this friend (ooops, ex-friend) I really fucking hate shopping
People actually use coupons in high priced department stores (SMH)
People in this economy still shop in high priced department stores (Man, I gotta make money)
From now on I will only speak about movies, weather and music with my remaining friends

Last but not least... I really hate shopping!

July 07, 2012

I learned a few things... Bright side with a little armor

I usually write AndMore stories and end it with a list of things I learned.  I shall try something new and start with the things I learned....



I learned that.....
  • No matter how hot it is and how tired you are you still have to get home
  • Even when people don't wish you the best, you can still wish it for yourself
  • Prayers are said for you even from a stranger
  • It is when in pain and exhausted that you must smile and show strength

I walked the 10 NYC blocks to the train station only to find once I got there that I left my train tickets at work.  It was hot as hell, temperature in the 90s, I was exhausted since early morning and work had let us out a little early to beat holiday traffic.  I walked back and that 20 block walk took what was left of my energy.  The weeks of dizziness was nothing compared to the spinning world as I marched back.  I drank 2 bottles of water once I got back to work and walked back to the train station.  30 blocks later I was on my first of 3 trains and I just wanted to lay down and die.  I kept saying to myself 'you have to get home'.  I finally did even through mad holiday travelers since I was now in the midst of peak hour.

I got home and stood in a cold shower until I was no longer numb and now feeling massive pain.  Sleep would do me well.  No matter how hot it is and how tired you are you still have to get home.


Some serious changes need to occur in my life.  For the greatest reason of all, survival.  It is amazing how few would wish you well and how many would out right wish you anything but.  It is disheartening to say the least.  I learned long ago to even wish well to those that don't even deserve it.  I am diligent in wishing and praying for those I believe that do.  Not that I need well wishing, it is just nice to hear and know.  Even when people don't wish you the best, you can still wish it for yourself.

I mentioned to someone that I had set a major goal for myself, knowing they are a fervent person of prayer, I asked them to add me in their thoughts.  They instead immediately called their church which have a band of prayers (people that take turns to pray around the clock for 30 days for other people).  Imagine that!  They fervently pray for strangers.  Yes, prayers are said for you even from a stranger.


It doesn't end... a fall during a snow storm has left my knee in despair.  I am still paying for the medical cost not covered from 2 years ago, so the operation to help must wait.  A route canal that required surgery, the cost of what was not covered added to the pile, the crown must wait and the prayer that the tooth won't crack begins.  Oh and lets not forget accidentally poisoning myself.  A dizziness that is relentless, at times so strong is makes me physically sick and just the thought of adding to that not covered pile makes me just live with it.  Not to mention the racing heart.  Mother nature being the cruel psycho she can be added a touch of dehydration which apparently is even harder to recover from while it is still sweltering out.  Gotta love her energy.  It is when in pain and exhausted that you must smile and show strength.


Yes, through struggle, realization, sickness, pain and dismay I learned that one must just believe it will all turn around.  One must make the energy to focus on making those things turn around and may even need to flip some the bird while doing so.  In the end it's all about how you prepare for battle... head held high (helmet), laughter in place (armor) and positive (sword).