Piggy back off Tom Joyner Morning Show Discussion!

What's up BAF family!

I was listening as usual to the TJMS on my way to work this am. They were talking about black patrons of black owned businesses. Basically asking the question why most of us are always looking for THE HOOK UP when we go to these businesses but will not expect or even ask for the same thing when we go to non-black owned businesses! I believe Roland Martin was intimating that this was one of the things hampering the success of some black businesses. I don't know if I buy that....but I am curious about other folks perception. 

So my questions for you all:

1.) Have you ever asked for a "Hook Up" at a black OR non-black owned business? 

If no, why not!

If yes, what was their response and the BEST "hook up" that you can ever recall receiving?

2.) As a preop, did you ever try to get "Hook Ups" on food from friends or strangers?

If yes, did your fat azz leave....huddling your extra fries or whatever...as if you had hit the freakin mega mega powerball lottery!!!! LOL...I know I did!!!


My answers:


1.) Have you ever asked for a "Hook Up" at a black OR non-black owned business? 

Yes, I don't discriminate and will ask if they have any "specials"...don't use the work hook up cuz I know that turns folks off and makes you look all ghetto...but I will use the word "special" in a New York minute.  Here lately, I purchased 2 used violins for $80.  The owner of the non black owned business (Baltimore Pawn Shop) gave me $50 off for purchasing both. This saved me a few hundred dollars. New violins come when I know they are serious and they are both using full size violins.

The person that owned the black owned business....just looked me all upside my head...when I asked for any specials...this is why I am not buying Roland's argument. I don't think too many folks are getting hook ups in these hard economic times.   

2.) As a preop, did you ever try to get "Hook Ups" on food from friends or strangers?

LOL! I was always very subtle with asking for hook ups on food BUT I did have this LOOK...you know...the " I know you didn't just give me this little azz  HEAPING of food" LOOK... that worked pretty good.

 

1 - nope.  It's a business, period.  Skin color doesn't equal a coupon.  That's why Black business go OUT of business. 

2 - yep!  still do - when I go get fried chicken at the store, sometimes the dude tries to holla at me and puts a couple extra pieces in the box.... ummm - the 4 I was buying was too much!  LOL  I also used to get extra portions at the soul food place when I was big, cause it 'takes more to feed all that'......

Whats up MM!

See I am thinking that the business owner should know if its wise to give a discount or special or not. Again, I personally would  be not asking them to do anything unreasonable. I figure if the item does not fall within my budget....I am doing myself an disservice by NOT asking for the unadvertised special.  Hell...if I don't get it someone else will. If the price is too steep....I can move on or bit the bullet and pay full price.  In the case when the black business owner did not have a special..,..I went ahead and paid full price BUT I thought I would be cheating myself for not asking....and again...I don't discriminate and only ask that question at BB.

So what you are saying is that if its not advertised....you don't even ask...right?   

I will be back....going to a meeting. 

Nope - I'm not a haggler. 

Now I DO get the hookup on my protein and whatnot - I've been shopping at the store for over 3 years, know the manager and he's aware of my whole story - seen me lose, maintain, have plastics, all that.  So I get his price - just at cost.  he's the bomb!!!  I went there one time and the new guy mis rung my purchase, gave me two cases for free - I went back the next week to speak to my homie and let him know, and insisted I pay for the case I did, indeed, receive.  He wouldn't hear of it - but I didn't want to take away from his profits - I NEED him to stay in business!  lol

I've never been one to negotiate price on day to day - I will on a car, house, or other big purchase.  But I'm not broke, so I buy what I can pay for according to the price that's posted.    that's just me.

Sweet....short meeting.

OK...I gotcha! Just two different ways of looking at things.  While I am not broke now....I have been and am alway looking at things with a frugal mindset. Now...I don't haggle on everything...day to day....gosh...that would get exhausting...but if I think something is overpriced I will... I only want to pay what "I" think something is worth...LOL!  Take those dusty azz violins for instance...that man knew dayum good and well that he should take my $80 cause not too many folks are coming through there looking for violins.

I  think most stuff out there is priced  adequately...competition... tends to help in this area. My point was that I just don't think that asking for a discount and perhaps getting it....is going to BREAK a business unless they are mismanaging in other ways.

I think the more salient issue with Black owned businesses is that "WE" really don't patronize them enough... 

Hummmmmmm...which might be directly correlated to the fact that people are not getting "hook ups"...LOL!....I don't know.

As they said on TJMS...it brings up good discussion.    

1.  I have never asked for a hook-up at a black business because I know dam well they are not going to give me one.  I also have never asked Asians either,  I have however, tried to negoiate prices on things at white owned stores.

2.  Never as a preop got hooked up on food.  But Becca and I make our rounds at Costco for the samples, as well as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. 

I owned my own business for 7 years and I got so sick of people wanting hook ups, when I was an engineer I completely stopped all business with friends or family because they didn't respect my worth and always wanted free tech support or a website built for free or something.

@ But Becca and I make our rounds at Costco for the samples, as well as Whole Foods and Trader Joes. 

Gurl.....those sample "be gooder" than a mugg...don't they. Hey...I still love my samples at Sams Club. 


I completely stopped all business with friends or family because they didn't respect my worth and always wanted free tech support or a website built for free or something.

Yeah...now that can be an issue. Some will even try to take advatage of your time and resources even more when you are not in business.....thats the reasons..I am saying....heyl...I need to be PAID for what I am doing now for free....another reason I am starting my business.    

1) I believe in getting deals no matter where I am, I do not discriminate. I haggle at Macy's!

2) I love getting freebies...food, shoes, anything! It all leaves me smiling in a semi-******ic stupor.

@ I haggle at Macy's!


OMG! Thats funny to me...because Macy's is my store! I could just see you in there now...talking about...."using my Macy's card today will give me 10% off...and since I am not coming in tomorrow....can I use that 10% off today too!!! LMAooooo! 

1. NOPE

2. I still do that now.  Heck i go and flirt with the manager but only if it's a male (works like a charm everytime). I get a lot a free stuff.