12-06-2022, 04:15 PM
Waltzed into a local electrical supplier and asked about mains cable to run underground to new shed. 16mm is what I enquired about or something similar that I would run in conduit. Spoke to my Sparky neighbour about costs and was told “huge mark ups to non trade punters”. 16mm mains is between $16- $25 pm “trade price”. Young girl looks up on computer and tells me $223.97 pm. Asked what trade was but was told I need an account to find out. What really gets up my nose is the lack of acknowledgement towards the cash paying customers. I could get my Sparky family members to buy on account for me but I always like keeping ahead of my outgoings plus I ‘m of the opinion that cash in the coffers is far better than promissory notes or stock on the shelves. I was in business from 1974 till I quit many decades later. My best customers were the “pay up front” ones. This allowed me to pay my debtors and staff and buy new stock. A few worldwide financial crashes told me that the buggers who owed money on accounts and went under, got away with a lot of people’s money. NZ is and has always been too easy to give others credit with the expectation of being paid on time, and i’m betting that many on here know the stress involved trying to squeeze blood from stones. Anyway I’m miffed that businesses are so reticent to offer people who pay up front any discounts at all. After all surely my dosh up front is more valuable than the 3month promise to pay. I have bought huge amount of stock, I have built and renovated many places and repaired much in my time, meaning I have spent huge amounts and never had an account. I hate accounts because they always end in problems. Would you offer discounts for cash and if not why not? Thoughts?