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'Tis the season to be cranky
By Nate Traylor
Monday, November 23, 2009 | No comments posted.
'Tis the season to be cranky
I used to work at Fred Meyer. I worked my fair share of Black Fridays. And friends, it isn’t fun.
I’ve never been to battle, but I’ve dealt with angry mobs of consumers who have worked themselves into a tizzy trying to get the DEAL OF THE YEAR, so I’m fairly confident I’d hold my own against a scrum of insurgents.
Holiday tradition holds that customers must be short-tempered, rude and willing to trample over someone to score that new iPod.
Retail clerks often take the brunt of consumer rage. People yell at them, call them names. They even threaten them if that new must-have whatchamacallit is out of stock, or can’t describe in minute detail what the warranty is on that flatscreen TV.
So, readers, keep your cool this holiday shopping season.
Can you afford to shop a lot?
• Black Friday is almost upon us and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Coos-Curry suggests that you think carefully before racking up more debt.
“Considering the volatility of the economy, consumers would be well-served to take a hard look at their personal financial situation and evaluate how to best approach the holiday season,” said Executive Director Debbie Pickering. “Self-inflicted financial pain that could have negative consequences for years to come is a gift to no one.”
The service can help you plan shopping on a limited budget. Call 267-7040 or (800) 248-7040 or visit www.cccscoos.org.
New store, old stuff
• Ladia Surma, formerly a maintenance worker at the Tioga building in downtown Coos Bay, opened a new store, Antique & Craft Bazaar. Surma previously owned a used DVD store on the ground floor of the Tioga. Now, he’s selling regional crafts, antiques and collectibles, as well as used DVDs two doors down at 235 N. Broadway. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (open later for holidays). For information, call 269-6555.
Oil acquisition
• Petroleum distributor Tyree Oil, which has a marine terminal in Coos Bay, acquired the heating oil and fleet fueling departments of Eugene-based Automatic Heat Company to expand its services in Lane County.
Umpqua expands
• Umpqua Investments Inc., a retail brokerage subsidiary owned by Umpqua Holdings Corporation (parent of Umpqua Bank), has added 27 financial advisers since January, according to a press release. Total assets have jumped from $1.2 billion to more than $2.4 billion in the same time frame. The company is planning on opening more offices in three to five years.
Got business news? Send it to news@theworldlink.com with “Bay Watch” in the subject head.
I used to work at Fred Meyer. I worked my fair share of Black Fridays. And friends, it isn’t fun.
I’ve never been to battle, but I’ve dealt with angry mobs of consumers who have worked themselves into a tizzy trying to get the DEAL OF THE YEAR, so I’m fairly confident I’d hold my own against a scrum of insurgents.
Holiday tradition holds that customers must be short-tempered, rude and willing to trample over someone to score that new iPod.
Retail clerks often take the brunt of consumer rage. People yell at them, call them names. They even threaten them if that new must-have whatchamacallit is out of stock, or can’t describe in minute detail what the warranty is on that flatscreen TV.
So, readers, keep your cool this holiday shopping season.
Can you afford to shop a lot?
• Black Friday is almost upon us and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Coos-Curry suggests that you think carefully before racking up more debt.
“Considering the volatility of the economy, consumers would be well-served to take a hard look at their personal financial situation and evaluate how to best approach the holiday season,” said Executive Director Debbie Pickering. “Self-inflicted financial pain that could have negative consequences for years to come is a gift to no one.”
The service can help you plan shopping on a limited budget. Call 267-7040 or (800) 248-7040 or visit www.cccscoos.org.
New store, old stuff
• Ladia Surma, formerly a maintenance worker at the Tioga building in downtown Coos Bay, opened a new store, Antique & Craft Bazaar. Surma previously owned a used DVD store on the ground floor of the Tioga. Now, he’s selling regional crafts, antiques and collectibles, as well as used DVDs two doors down at 235 N. Broadway. The store is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (open later for holidays). For information, call 269-6555.
Oil acquisition
• Petroleum distributor Tyree Oil, which has a marine terminal in Coos Bay, acquired the heating oil and fleet fueling departments of Eugene-based Automatic Heat Company to expand its services in Lane County.
Umpqua expands
• Umpqua Investments Inc., a retail brokerage subsidiary owned by Umpqua Holdings Corporation (parent of Umpqua Bank), has added 27 financial advisers since January, according to a press release. Total assets have jumped from $1.2 billion to more than $2.4 billion in the same time frame. The company is planning on opening more offices in three to five years.
Got business news? Send it to news@theworldlink.com with “Bay Watch” in the subject head.
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