[Healeys] Moss Motors merger

[Leonard Hartnett]

Bob"  Once upon a time, there was a family owned hardware store in the city where we lived for 40+ years.   Then Home Depot, Walmart, etc. moved in.  I cannot attest to any facts but I believe that that competition with its buying power was what made them become an ACE hardware store.  Thankfully, I have not seen any major changes in service or product.  Several times, when unable to find what I am looking for at the major chain store, the salesperson will recommend that I go to that local store, still referring to it by its original name, not an Ace store.   It is still part of the history of the city.  I was able to buy two (2) wood screws that I needed, not a pack of 6 or more.  I now refer to it as a museum. 

              The Other Len
1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8
                HBJ8L39031
              224,925  miles

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Spidell 
  To: healeys at autox.team.net 
  Sent: Sunday, June 23, 2024 11:48 AM
  Subject: Re: [Healeys] Moss Motors merger


  I'm generally not in favor of private money snarfing up independent businesses, larding them up with debt--dunno if that's the case here, but these guys like to use OPM--laying off staff, taking a big cut then pawning the remains off to 'the greater fool(s)' (see: rural hospital systems). I have a personal experience: I went to the same optometrist for over 30 years, then he sold out to one of these; a relatively small one, like this appears to be. He was a 'car guy,' into VW vans, and we'd trade articles off-hours and he always seemed to give me a little extra attention (at times, his staff would have to pull him out of our conversations). After he was acquired, he seemed harried and I felt the staff was really trying to expedite all appointments; I suspect--but don't know for a fact--he was on a some sort of quota or mandatory revenue system. I've heard lots of similar stories and I can't think of any where a product or service has been improved after the money boys took over. Anybody?

  OTOH, this is a small, specialty business, and it may be the only way some of them can survive at all. Time will tell.

  Bob




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