nobody pays attention

Several years ago, there was a different RadioShack Dealer in town. His store was, in my opinion, a great Shack. He had several RS products in, as well as stuff from other vendors, PLUS he was a dealer for most popular two-way radio manufacturers. He was so well into the business that local government and emergency agencies would get their equipment, and have it serviced at his store, rather than making the drive to lexington.

Steve, the old Shack’s owner, closed up shop about eight years ago.

Here’s the story, as I have been told (not from him, but through other parties non-RS related):

Steve had a VERY old contract with RS, which gave him rights that RS didn’t want their franchised stores to have. They tried to buy him out. He didn’t do it. They threatened to sue. They couldn’t do it (would’ve been in violation of his contract). They decided to try to run him out by opening a store just a few hundred feet away.

That was in violation of his contract (he had exclusive rights to operate in our area). He sued. He won. He closed up shop shortly after they did. He decided to never mess with RS again.

Now, here’s where I can say that nobody pays attention. People call us up, walk in our store and ask us when we moved, and whether Steve is still the owner. The fact that people would think that Steve runs this place doesn’t bother me. In fact, I beleive it to be a tremendous compliment. Steve is a great guy. I loved it when my dad would go to Steve’s RS and take me along.

What bothers me is just the fact that no-one pays attention to the world around them. Another example:

This store has been here for five years. We still get people calling, or coming in, and asking us how long we’ve been here.

Five years, and there are still people who don’t know we exist.

Oh well.