j-far wrote:
Tony, that sounds rough man, why did you stop working at your shop anyways? I'd guess BMW and Merc servicing must be pretty profitable in the OC.
Actually Jay Jay not at all. We were extremely busy and we were doing really well. We held a very good reputation with our customers, B.A.R and BBB. We were known all over the BMW Mini and M.B.Z forums and every write-up all over the internet had very good reviews about us. You can even check it yourself since you know my name and last name. Google it.
We got screwed by our landlord and the tenant next to us.
See we had the best location on our steert. We had street exposure. The guy next to us had his eye on our buisness since he got there and the he kissed our landlords arse. For 18 years we never had options on our lease. Nobody in our building did.
There are seven units in our building and we were the first two units (Unit A and B) that was locted right on the main street. The guy next to us had the next two units (Unit C and D) and then the transmission shop (Unit E) Unit F and G had been vacant for over 4 years. Since it was in the back of the building right next to dumpster a railroad track and the deadend. The landlord was a prick and he wanted a lot of money for those two units even in this jacked up economy. So the guy next to us went and told the landlord that he wanted to expand and that he would offer more money for our units if the landlord gave him our units, and on top of it he told the landlord that my father wanted to retire since he was 69 years old and I didnt want to go to a dealeship.
The landlord sent us a letter on Jan 3rd of this year and told us this and he told us that if and when we decided to stay here that our only option was to move to the end of the unit that has been available for four years and that our rent would increase as well.
He saw a money making opportunity. He knew my father didnt want to retire (which he doesnt) he knew we had a great rep which we did, he knew we were busy and he knew that with the city zoning for automotive and how limited Laguna Niguel was for automotive. He thought that we would put our tail between our arse and relocate to a unit that is 300 sq ft smaller and we would pay more money just so we can stay in Laguna Niguel since we didnt have financial problems and we could afford paying for it, BUT THE M.F WAS WRONG.
We have our pride, ethics, respect and we have balls. We have never allowed anyone to push us around or tell us what to do in the past and we dam sure arent going to let that happen now.
He sent us this letter on the 3rd of Jan and our lease came to an end on April 30th. Me and pops sat down and we talked everything over. I thought my dad would retire and I can move on to other things which I have, but my dad is a very strong man. He loves what he does and he wont allow anybody to push him around and tell him when and how to live his life. Mercedes Benz is his passion and all he has known most of his life. He is still strong and healthy and he still wants to continue what he loves to do, and I will be there for him no matter what he decides.
It was *****ed up what happened but you know what I have faith in God and myself. I blieve God closes one door but he opens up others. Im glad we moved out of there. I would rather go through what we did than let some piece of **** tell me where to go and what to do.
Ya I will post some pics of my wedding if I can.
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