Exciting Times!

Hello again


We have just got back from China, absolutely Cream Crackered I must be getting to old for this job if you have a nice steady job don’t try and nick mine. The prices are going through the roof. The shipping is getting expensive the hotels are getting very expensive (they double the hotel rates & exhibition times) if you want western food you have pay, we are up for breakfast at 7am have breakfast catch the boat just after 8am start work at 9am and walk, walk and walk talking looking for new ideas you find products then find they are not suitable for UK market.


You might negotiate for a hours and then find thy have made a mistake with the price that is why I pay for my kids to learn Mandarin most of the Chinese are nice vulnerable people but they do you no favours in business. We catch boat home to the hotel about 6pm have Shower go out to restaurant (very casual)then we meet fellow traders from all over the world socialise(no favours) we are very lucky Michele our agent has been going to china over 30 years and looks after our interest when we are not there , can
you believe( a cockney bubble and squeak) looking after us it was good to come back to busy store Fred has made our garden club so busy he really is a star(famous Fred) if you come to our garden club slip him a tip because he need a new suit for Chelsea Flower Show where he is showing his new gold leaf Clematis 9what a star) the Queen, Alan Tichmarsh, Peter Seabrook might as will stay at home that all for now see you soon. 


I must tell you we have a Lady called Luscious-Lucy who is in 70-s has semi retired jus does 3 mornings a week she has been with us 16 years we rescued her she was the pole dancer but she did not like the heights she just drive her husband “boot leg George” mad rest in peace as a special privilege we still let her keep her dirty books under the till.


Bob

The Story Continues

Hi there, back again. Hope you enjoyed the first introduction. It was good to see so many people at our last gargeners club day!

I haven’t seen the store so busy since we opened twenty years ago, we were mobbed! The car park was full to capacity, we had so many compliments and even Ozzie in the restaurant was smiling, which he doesn’t do very often.

Don’t forget our gardening club every Thursday 5.30 - 8.00pm. ‘Green Fingered Fred the Gardening Guru’ and his team of helpers and celebrities are on hand to give help and advice. Our next “open Day’ is on 11th June so make sure you put it in your diary.

Our Craft Club day went exceptionally well. By popular demand we have classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10.30am - 12.30pm. We also have a ‘Card Feast Day’ call Gaynor for details on 01323 435537. Gaynor will be demonstrating all our new products every Bank Holiday Weekend so don’t miss them. All those years ago when I was selling Christmas paper on street corners, all I used to worry about was getting my collar felt and getting moved on by “old bill’. How times have changed.

Off to China soon to try to source new lines and bargains for you all. When I first started travelling to China 20 years ago the food consisted of chicken claws, beetles and locusts. We couldn’t get western food on the street, although we managed to find a McDonalds. I ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. By the time I returned to England I thought I could never face another Big Mac ever again!

My general manager, Dave, has been going to China with me for the last 15 years. He’s 6ft 5ins and really stands out from the crowd, the locals are amazed at his height. I never lose him in a crowd - his shiny bald head stands out like a beacon.

We now have a brilliant carwash and valleting service at the Eastbourne store which will leave your car sparkling, clean and tidy. Best in the area!

I look forward to seeing lots of new faces. Please come and ask to speak to Bob - I’m never too busy for a friendly chat. Good luck to all my dear friends.

Bob.