Card, card, everywhere – a card! Bursting out my wallet! Breaking my mind! Spend this, spend that, can’t you use the card! (To the lyrics of “Signs”).
Ok, so I can be offbeat sometimes! But dang, is everyone else as fed up as I am about having to use a “store card” just to get a skimpy discount??? The grocery store, the pharmacy, the hardware store, the clothing store, the pet store, the office supply store, the liquor store, the bagel store, the Stewart’s milk card and the list goes on and on.
And then there’s the rebate deal! If it wasn’t enough to have to fill out all those forms, cut out the UPC code, mail it – now they don’t even send checks. I got a rebate debit card from my last Staples purchase. The letter said it can be used anywhere Visa is accepted. The hardware store wouldn’t take it, the clothing store wouldn’t take it, so I decided to use it for gas – we’ll see what happens. However, I think the clerks just don’t know how to ring it through. At any rate, it has been a pain-in-the-you-know-what!
When does this all END! Come on retailers and stop this card nonsense. It costs more money, time and aggrevation that it is worth. Just lower your prices and we’ll still come to your store. My wallet is weighing me down and unfortunately, not with money.
Ok, so what does this have to do with being a Virtual Assistant? Nothing and everything! Retailers always have a huge markup which lends itself to discounts. Some VAs give discounts, some don’t. However, think about this. Would you expect an employee to offer you a discount on their wages just for working 20-40 hours/week? I think not! An important part of hiring a VA should be about experience, quality of work, integrity, and a personality you can work with. A first look at what a VA charges versus an in-office employee may seem more expensive. However, when you take into consideration that a VA pays their overhead expenses including equipment, software, utilities, etc, and you only pay for time worked, it truly is a bargain. And look, no card!!!
Enjoy the rest of your summer. We’ll be here…
