First Full Week

Man, what a relief, the store is finally open! But not without some drama.

All I have to say is, you have a choice in your shipping provider -- do not go with DHL. We ordered a credit card machine but it took exceptionally long to arrive due to DHL. The first attempt at delivery was 12-27-07 at 8:45am. A delivery slip was left, but no tracking number or route number, so there was no way we could track the package. We expected a return attempt the next day, but nothing. In the meantime, we called DHL a number of times, but the phone would just ring and ring and ring. Finally on NYE, Wayne called and was placed on hold. After him staying on hold for 10 minutes, I decided to give it a try. Oddly enough, I got right to someone, we'll call him Charlie. I explained to Charlie that we had not received a second delivery attempt, tracking number, etc. and needed to know where our credit card machine was. He indicated it was returned for a bad address. Returned for a bad address?!?! The driver obviously found the store if he was able to leave a delivery slip! Next, I spoke with a gal, we'll call her Sharon. She agreed it did not make sense they could make the delivery attempt at the right location and then return for a bad address, but there was nothing she could do, but she would see where the package was presently, something Charlie was apparently unable to do. Next, we spoke with another gal, we'll call her Linda. Well, the package was in Ohio, but again this wasn't anything they could do.

I find it extemely hard to believer there was nothing they could do. Maybe call the DHL the box was sitting at and have it sent back out?!?! How's that for a novel idea. Anyhow, we finally have the credit card machine, but the moral of the story -- Don't ship via DHL!

After that drama, things have gone pretty smoothly. We all are having our ups and downs learning the cash register. It is a pretty basic model, so that is good. It is a bit of trial and error to some degree, so hopefully the register adds up at the end of the month.

Our inventory is looking pretty good. The cases are getting filled, but not quite quick enough for everyone's liking. It is certainly a lot of work to get everything priced. But Dan is doing a lot during the days to help out with this task.

Wayne and I worked today from 10am to 4pm, and got the mail orders completed, some more signs made, a mailing list set up, and the best part, opened some boxes -- I've had itchy fingers for a while.

Hopefully next week will go a bit more smoothly, less drama and more customers!