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Ace is definitely a cut above the big box stores for service and
selection (stores are much nicer too). But, prices are higher.
They're they only place around here to get Stihl equipment.<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On 6/23/2024 2:32 PM, Leonard Hartnett
wrote:<br>
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cite="mid:E4D714E630724D71BC62A5BF4A43479D@MargaretPC">
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<div><font size="2" face="Arial">Bob" Once upon a time, there was
a family owned hardware store in the city where we lived for
40+ years. </font><font size="2" face="Arial"> 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<font size="2"
face="Arial"> part of the history of the city. </font>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. </font></div>
<div> </div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"> The Other Len<br>
1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8<br>
HBJ8L39031</font></div>
<div><font size="2" face="Arial"> 224,925 miles</font></div>
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<div style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><b>From:</b>
<a title="bspidell@comcast.net"
href="mailto:bspidell@comcast.net" moz-do-not-send="true">Bob
Spidell</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>To:</b> <a
title="healeys@autox.team.net"
href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">healeys@autox.team.net</a> </div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 23, 2024
11:48 AM</div>
<div style="FONT: 10pt arial"><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Moss
Motors merger</div>
<div><br>
</div>
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?<br>
<br>
OTOH, this is a small, specialty business, and it may be the
only way some of them can survive at all. Time will tell.<br>
<br>
Bob<br>
<br>
<br>
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