Costly bargains hold no fascination for ISABEL MORTON
SO MUCH for feeling relaxed and refreshed after a long, hot summer. Even those who were lucky enough to escape abroad on holiday must at some stage, return to face reality. And it’s not a pretty picture. Nerves are frayed and, as there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, many are struggling to get from day to day without cracking up.
Recently I received a phone call from a man complaining about not having received payment for a job his company was doing for my client. He went on at length about how payment was due on completion of the job and wanted to know if he could call around immediately to collect the cheque.
He sounded annoyed and upset. It took several attempts to interrupt his flow before I could get a word in edgeways to explain that I didn’t owe him anything and, in fact, had long-since paid the 50 per cent deposit required.
I then had to remind him that the job in question had not yet been started – let alone completed. I had assumed that he was ringing to confirm when work would start.
There was a shocked silence for a few seconds as he registered this information. His voice cracked as he apologised and admitted that he was stressed-out and exhausted, and had made a mistake.
I briefly considered tearing him to shreds and cancelling my order but he sounded so genuinely distraught and apologetic, that I didn’t have the heart to add to his woes.
Half an hour later, I got off the phone having heard every detail of the unfortunate man’s situation. Apparently, one of his suppliers had gone bust and left him high and dry, and he was madly trying to improve his cash flow as he feared that he would be next to go “belly-up”.
“It’s inevitable. It’s only a matter of time. I am working flat out and it’s just getting worse. I not sleeping properly and I’m not thinking clearly,” he explained, and apologised yet again for his mistake.
Uncertainty and fear dominate every area of people’s lives these days. Another couple I know ordered and paid for a new carpet for their home, which is being renovated. Although the house was nowhere near ready for the carpet to be laid, the couple insisted that it be delivered so they could store it in their garage.
“We just can’t take the risk of leaving the carpet with the supplier as we’ve paid for it in full and the company could go bust by the time we need to have it laid,” they said.
Ordering anything these days can be wearisome for both the buyer and seller. A deposit is usually required when ordering and although buyers understand this, they hand over their money with a certain amount of trepidation.
In turn, suppliers are nervous about taking orders from people who may not make the final payment. This is particularly relevant these days, as retail prices have been cut to the bone, profit margins are tight and retailers can’t afford to carry stock.
Shops are disappearing every day and, although you might pick up a few bargains in their closing-down sales, they may be gone forever.
The lack of choice of retail outlets has been counteracted by the increase in choice in online shopping. Nothing beats being able to hold things in your hand, however, or to see them. Although online images and descriptions have improved, many people are disappointed when they eventually see their internet purchases.
However, non-standard items are far easier to track down online than by trekking from shop to shop or trying to describe something over the phone to a shop assistant who may have no notion of what you are talking about.
Our recent online purchases included a double corner sink for an awkward kitchen layout and an extra-large mailbox to be installed beside electric gates for someone who is away from home for lengthy periods but who regularly receives bulky catalogues and publications.
Apparently you can’t even buy a few lengths of skirting board these days, unless it’s of the standard variety, as builders’ suppliers can no longer afford to stock anything that might be considered to be a “special order” item.
Like in the pre-boom days, choice is limited once again, as shops are forced to close and buyers are forced to look farther afield. This, in turn, means less business for Irish retailers and so the vicious cycle continues.
Yet for those with cash to spend, there is great value to be had everywhere, but at what cost to our country?
Bargains exist only because costs have been cut to the bone and staff let go. We can’t have it every way. Something somewhere has to give. And these days, it appears to be our nerves. Ironically, what we all need now more than ever is a long relaxing holiday.
Isabel Morton is a property consultant
