Cogs and Sprockets

[jcf]

I used to get all sorts of funky things like skulls and wings from the charm-bracelet bowls in the jewellery craft shop in Affleck's Palace in Manchester. Sadly, it didn't make it through COVID and it's a Japanese-style bubble tea shop now. Not got the slightest interest in bubble tea, although the waitresses are worth more than a glance or two...

Bubble-tea originated in Taiwan.
😉

[Weaver]

I used to get all sorts of funky things like skulls and wings from the charm-bracelet bowls in the jewellery craft shop in Affleck's Palace in Manchester. Sadly, it didn't make it through COVID and it's a Japanese-style bubble tea shop now. Not got the slightest interest in bubble tea, although the waitresses are worth more than a glance or two...

Bubble-tea originated in Taiwan.
😉

Indeed it did, but the "maid cafe" style of shop they're selling it in is distinctly Japanese.

[Weaver]

Some shops get funny if one person cleans out all of their stock of one item.  But as my boss says "you can only sell it once".

The other thing is that if you know you have regular customers who buy the item in question, then if one person clears you out, those regulars are going to be dissatisfied until more stock comes in.

They're on order,  we'll ring you when they come in.  But have you considered buying in bulk so this doesn't happen again?  You'll also get a bulk discount...

"But I walked all the way down here with my bad hip and all, and I only want one envelope but I want it now to send my nephew his birthday present in time! I don't want twenty next Wednesday! Think I'll try the other shop, mumble, mutter, grumble...."

Try what other shop? AusPost offices are not that close together & she won't get a single envelope from a newsagent, she'll have to buy a pack of 10 or 20 (+/-), & she'll still have to pay AusPost for the postage.

Really? How very uncivilized. Many newsagents here will sell you a single padded envelope.

[Rick Lowe]

Some shops get funny if one person cleans out all of their stock of one item.  But as my boss says "you can only sell it once".

The other thing is that if you know you have regular customers who buy the item in question, then if one person clears you out, those regulars are going to be dissatisfied until more stock comes in.

They're on order,  we'll ring you when they come in.  But have you considered buying in bulk so this doesn't happen again?  You'll also get a bulk discount...

"But I walked all the way down here with my bad hip and all, and I only want one envelope but I want it now to send my nephew his birthday present in time! I don't want twenty next Wednesday! Think I'll try the other shop, mumble, mutter, grumble...."

Try what other shop? AusPost offices are not that close together & she won't get a single envelope from a newsagent, she'll have to buy a pack of 10 or 20 (+/-), & she'll still have to pay AusPost for the postage.

Really? How very uncivilized. Many newsagents here will sell you a single padded envelope.

That's the Numbers Game speaking... you think Oz has it bad like that? Try living here, where because of various factors (lack of population being the main one) we get what we get and are expected to be thankful for it.
"Things could always be made worse, you know..."
Grumpy Friday Mode - had you guessed?

[zenrat]

Actually, the newsagent directly across the road from where I work in WILL sell you a single envelope (and one of a fairly reasonable range of modelling magazines).  They will also do it cheerfully, with a smile, and you will leave happier than when you went in.
Unlike the other newsagent in town which is run by someone who every piece of feedback left online says how angry he was.  You don't leave there smiling.

[NARSES2]

Unlike the other newsagent in town which is run by someone who every piece of feedback left online says how angry he was.  You don't leave there smiling.

Ah but back in the day the local corner shop's "Grumpy old codger's" curmudgeonlyness was often part of the deliberate "brand"