2nd this. You're in the rare instance where an employer feels the need (or is compelled) to explicitily acknowledge your value to the organization. In layman's terms, they're "sucking your dick" atm ... ... They don't read this, do they ... ???

Control? Ha ha ha... all I had to do to get "control" was to leave a low paying job I didn't like?

That's not control. It would have been control if I'd been able to negotiate to keep the job and do it on my terms, but leaving it is no level of control except over my own life.

Which is nice, but it only means I figure I have the capability to get another low-paying job.

Music store dude. I mean it!

Not an option mon frere. Here's the deal: independent music stores have all but disappeared, killed by the Internet. Guitar Center and Sam Ash survive by doing so much volume that they can compete, but in order to do so, their droids are paid fifty cents more than McDonald's closers. I'm shooting for more like $14/hour.

Teaching bass is an option, and I would be great at that, being the humble educator I would be. But that's more of a part-time thing. I could have like 4 part-time jobs... but I'm shooting for one full-time and one part-time.

George's in Spring City? Maybe you can work there AND give lessons. I went to the music store I bought my first guitar from for my initial instruction.

Hmm. Hmm. That could work

Put your best hat on and go talk to them.

The place I go to here in my town is a local place, and my son took lessons through a guy that pretty much "leases space" there.

Has anybody done "Down here at the prawn shop" ...?

Yeah, Sundae.

Sounds like a workable hybrid. I wonder if a music shop with an internet presence wouldn't be viable built along the lines of the pawn shop?

Dude comes in and is immediately very demanding. He wants to get a grinder, and he's antsy about it, barking at both Sammy and Alan. There are two grinders in the front window.

Dude: I want the DeWalt and I want to haggle on it.
Alan: How much are you looking to spend?
Dude: 50 dollars. And no more than that.
Alan (quietly, to Sammy who is fetching it): What's the price on it?
Sammy: 49 dollars.
Alan (to dude): Yeah, we'll take 50 for it.
Dude: Done deal.

that's not customer service. dude said he wanted to haggle. you should have started him at $75 and let him work it down. He'd have been better satisfied.

So was this overheard during your weekly eBay postings, or did they convince you to work up front again?

I'm eBaying one day a week.

~

Not more than two hours later.

Other Dude: I want that grinder in the window.
Alan: That's our last grinder.
Other Dude: Can I pay $50 for it?
Alan: It's marked at $70.
Other Dude: Can you help me out here? (long story I didn't overhear) Baby's going without milk this week.
Alan: Are you paying cash?
Other Dude: Yes.
Alan: Well I could give it to you for $60, and no sales tax.
Other Dude (fumbles in his pocket): I have $56 dollars.
Alan: Sorry, $60 is the best I can do.
Other Dude: (fumbles in his pocket, takes out all his change, takes a long time): $59.25. That's all I have.
Alan: $60 is our final offer.
Other Dude: That's all I got! You can't give it to me for that?
Alan: No, I've already come down in price!
Other Dude: Seventy-five cents? All I need is seventy-five cents!
Alan: No.
Other Dude: That's crazy, man... (rants for a while)
Alan: It's our last grinder. If you don't buy it somebody else will.

Other Dude leaves with some sort of plan, and in about a minute he is back with 75 more cents, and the deal takes place.