• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

AK Retiree Club

usedto said:
My warehouse/business was 50' from our house, and I dealt mainly with farmers, selling tools, hardware, and making hydraulic hoses. During harvest season, farmers work around the clock 24/7, which meant I did, too, since they all knew I lived next door.

Early one morning (3:00 AM), one of my regular customers got me up to make a hydraulic hose. The whole assembly was less than $10. As he was leaving after trying to get me to charge him extra (which I wouldn't do), he said that there was a $250,000.00 harvester sitting dead in the field, plus the 20 or so workers, truck drivers, etc., all stopped because of this tiny hose. I just thanked him, and went back to the house. He remained one of my best customers.

When my kids got into high school sports, I told my customers that I was going to attend their sporting events. If they needed something, they could leave a message on my answering machine and I would call them when I got home. They all respected that.

I did that for most of my good customers, and they kept me in business for 30+ years.
Click to expand...
My clients were referrals. When they moved onto a new job or company, they brought everyone else with them. The clients became my friends.
 
onepixel said:
My clients were referrals. When they moved onto a new job or company, they brought everyone else with them. The clients became my friends.
Click to expand...
People don't seem to think word of mouth matters anymore, but it's not true.

I worked for a company that offered average service, not bad but not great. Left, went to a place where they were happy to let me do it my way.

It meant hard work and long hours, but since we were the only company in the sector offering that level of service customers flocked to us, and as you say, they told everyone else. We took all the business that was worth having. We had to upgrade the systems to cope with the volume.

Sadly it all came to an end when our main competitor, in desperation, decided that the solution was not to raise their own standards, but to just buy us out for a ridiculous amount of money. So that was that.
 
Mart Mccall said:
People don't seem to think word of mouth matters anymore, but it's not true.

I worked for a company that offered average service, not bad but not great. Left, went to a place where they were happy to let me do it my way.

It meant hard work and long hours, but since we were the only company in the sector offering that level of service customers flocked to us, and as you say, they told everyone else. We took all the business that was worth having. We had to upgrade the systems to cope with the volume.

Sadly it all came to an end when our main competitor, in desperation, decided that the solution was not to raise their own standards, but to just buy us out for a ridiculous amount of money. So that was that.
Click to expand...
Where I work I’ve always been given a lot space to give good customer service and make any wrongs right and it’s been very successful . Built up a huge and loyal customer base in a field where people our just hoping not to get ripped off it’s amazing what good customer service and honesty can do ! Treat strangers like friends and friends like family !
 
onepixel said:
Scored 700+ used, great albums on CDs in the past year. 10CDs for a $1! Now trying to figure out what to do with 50+ years of music.
Click to expand...
A friend sent me over 900 CDs. I had 160 plus 115 from separate CL finds and I had to find out if I liked em. Decided to just put a 5-pack in the changer each day and keep track of them (most were new to me music) on Discogs. With the upgraded chip in the Sony it sounds as good as my Rega and I found a pile, hundred or more CDs I’ll grab to put on because that is what I want to hear. Added these to my 400 disc collection and now that I know how to plow through them might get more while they are nearly free.

So just load a changer and press play! With volume on the remote, you are all set.
 
Blue Shadow said:
A friend sent me over 900 CDs. I had 160 plus 115 from separate CL finds and I had to find out if I liked em. Decided to just put a 5-pack in the changer each day and keep track of them (most were new to me music) on Discogs. With the upgraded chip in the Sony it sounds as good as my Rega and I found a pile, hundred or more CDs I’ll grab to put on because that is what I want to hear. Added these to my 400 disc collection and now that I know how to plow through them might get more while they are nearly free.

So just load a changer and press play! With volume on the remote, you are all set.
Click to expand...

Today, I was looking for one song. Came home with 52 CDs.
Two different shops.
30 CDs for $3
24 CDs for $12
Ended buying the one song from iTunes for $1.29.

30 CDs $3-24 CDS $12.jpg

EDIT: I found the one song, "Volare", stashed in my own pile. Completely different vibe from Dean Martin's 1963 version.

Gipsy Kings - ¡Volare!_ The Very Best Of The Gipsy Kings [Disc 1].jpg
 
Last edited:
October 1st will be four years since my wife and I closed our business and retired.

I have to say that it is by far the best part of life. (assuming you are still healthy) It is like being a teenager again, but better. No work. No responsibilities. But with a nice car, money to travel, and free to drink beer, smoke pot, and listen to music any time you want. (just have to avoid some of the crazy stuff because old bodies don't heal as fast as they used to)

I give it five out of five stars.
 
Just curious how @ETLS is doing with his chunk of MSTY?

Did you ever get 100% of your investment back?

My underlying value was eroding faster than the dividend was paying out, so I had to sell all but a few shares for a slight loss.
That was last week, and it looks like it's still going down.
 
parman said:
I'm retiring this week and know that I seen lots of members posting who are retired so I thought about giving this a shot. I thought we could talk about what we're doing with our time and share a few ideas with each other. I'd like to hear about favorite travel destinations, your life since you left the daily grind, activities and hobbies besides audio. Maybe tip each other off on how you make a few bucks on the side ;)
I just turned 65, I'll be getting SS and a pension + I have a 401 so things should be pretty good. The wife wants to work a little longer so I said HAVE AT IT BABE! LOL. I hope to start having a little more fun by not just having weekends for leasure. I'll be leaving for a beach vacation shortly and plan on starting a new life!
Anyone else new to retiring? How about some long timers perspective :beerchug:
Click to expand...
Congrats on your retirement ! I’ve got a few yrs to go yet , but looking forward to it ! When I take a few random days off “ I call it pratice retirement days !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom