Looks like I get to drive up to Madison, NH tomorrow evening to pick up a new drink cooler. Why you ask? Because big companies like to stomp on local business. We switched from Pepsi to a large independent distributor this year, and have regretted it ever since. They had a great variety and reasonable pricing, but our orders were always incorrect, our products were often damaged in transit, and we were never outfitted correctly to begin with, hence the ridiculous undersized cooler in our dining room. We supplimented this with a second cooler that sits behind the first where we can keep extra drinks to restock during lunch. It was a stupid system all things considered, but life goes on. Rather suddenly, our salesman told us theyd be taking back that second cooler theyd loaned us, making it thereby impossible to sell cold drinks effectively during lunch. After calling the district manager, I was told that we could keep the equipment if we were to buy, not more drinks, but...potato chips. Turns out they were mad that we buy potato chips from Snackaisle, a two person business much like our own, based out of Derry. The owner, Chris, is easily the nicest and most professional person we deal with in our line of work. A guy that thanks us every time for doing business with him and means it. The large independent company wanted us to cut ties with Chris, someone weve done business with, without issue, for a year, and buy from them instead. We told them to go kick rocks. If we cant support our own, then who will support us? Were a small local business, just like Snackaisle, and we survive because people drive past all the Paneras, Subways, Chipotles and Five Guys to come to our doors. You prefer genuine gratitude and food made with heart, just like we prefer our vendors to be hard-working locals that put money back into our respective communities. The new cooler is money out of pocket, but its purchasing peace of mind. Well own the cooler outright and can cut ties with one more large-scale entity looking to sell to guys like us by squashing out other small guys looking to scrap by. So, thanks for shopping local and supporting small business, and we promise to keep doing the same as well.
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 23:58:44 +0000
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