I hate when "small business" translates to "I'm just lazy."
Now, I like helping out the little guy and shopping at an independently owned store whenever I can. But I'm starting to get a little pissed off at how I'm treated there. My sister and I have both worked at "family-owned businesses" and both of us got treated the same way. We were stuck working every day, all day because the owners didn't want to work. My boss even complained at having to "work 40 hours during the holidays."
Today, we went shopping at the vintage clothing stores downtown. One place did customized 80's t-shirts and I bought one, only to get a spiel from the salesgirl about how she couldn't make it because of "a huge backlog." Now, the whole time I had been trying on shirts, she was trailing around and flirting with guys--not working the transfer machine. She tells me to come back at 5:30 and pick it up. I go home, call:
"I'm sending my dad to pick it up?"
"*loud sigh* Will he be here by 5:30?"
"Yes."
"Because, I'm only open till 5. I only was staying open until 5:30 so you could get your shirt. I would REALLY prefer going home early. Couldn't you just pick it up tomarrow?"
"He'll be there at 5:30," I said and hung up.
I really hate that. She didn't even discount the shirt. And these small owners wonder why we end up shopping at corporate chains--because we're usually guaranteed fast and decent service!!