do you pay beggars ? ......because I am now begging !

[Ralf*]

It is now with the most embarrasing head held low, that I am making this posting.

essentially I am now reverting to begging !
:beaten::beaten::argh:

Try as I may, I just cannot get the business to turn over enough to cover the basic costs of remaining in business, and have been going down the drain this whole year, probably around R20K per month, even though I have had some BMWFanatics support, it still seems to be around a 1% success rate of enquiries (PM's etc) vs actual trade done

and now the creditors are starting to force legal action, our stock levels are at an absolute low due to blocked accounts.
Business Rescue practitioners have quoted me in the region of R2000 per hour to work on the business when they place it in Business Rescue........how am I supposed to afford these sort of fees ? :thumbdo:

I fear that my staff will have a gloomy Festive season

Essentially I am now a plain old beggar, but if I don't ask, I will never know

I have set up a PayPal account for those who wish to use this format via an "online begging" website

http://www.cyberbeg.com/m.php?id=37941

or alternativelly our banking details are

TOWFAB cc
ABSA Cheque account
Central Ave Kempton Park
40 8089 5685
branch code 632 005

once again, to the FANATICS that have supported the shop over the last year or two, a massive THANK YOU, without you the doors would probably have closed around 6 months ago, but the bit of trade I have done with fellow BMW fanatics, has made a small contribution in keeping the business alive. :ty::ty:

right...now I am going to go and hide under the office desk with my head held low in SHAME !

 

[samman325]

Sorry to hear Ralf... its not a nice situation to be in at any time of the year let alone just before Christmas.

I will have to be honest and say that i am one of those who have made enquiries and never turned up... not because i had the work done else where but purely because of other pressures and priorities.

I would definitely like to bring my car in for some work (now long overdue) before the end of this month. Please PM your number so i can coordinate it with you.

Good luck and best wishes

 

[Badboy4life]

Hey bud

Sorry to hear that!!!

The motor industry really has taken a knock. We are also feeling it. Business is not the same as it used to be!!!

 

[Mo63]

This is really sad to hear Uncle Ralf :sorry:

The entire economy is kak at the moment and business is just not what it was 2 years ago but the man above always has a plan for us ,keep you head high things will improve

I pray that things will start to get better as we reach the festive season stay strong bud.

I hope with the help of fellow Fanatics Speedway can be saved.

 

[Divio]

So Sorry to hear this Sir Ralf

Hope everything will be ok, sending good wishes your way.

 

[GoCart]

Sorry to hear Ralf,

Seems everything in our SA is taking a dive...

I don't need a set of new tires, but might buy a set to help your business. Let me think about it for a little bit.

 

[[email protected]]

So sad the state of our economy of late. Well Im just waiting for Sean to have my order of the Powerflex bushes and will head straight to you for fitment. In some little way I hope it helps.
:=)::=):

 

[Arbee]

Ralf,

Sorry bud, im sure this must be a stressful time for you and your staff. Good luck with the donations...

Is there anything TheFanatics Events coordinators can do? Maybe a meet and greet, get together at Speedway? Late November, Early December?

I remember earlier we had setup something similar and we did not have a great response, maybe cos it was impromptu. This time we make it official?

Lets discuss?

My proposal is a group Alignment? This way, you use no spares and all you need to do is pay for your staff's time. And you just need one guy? You can even charge us your normal rate?

good idea?

Thanks
Arbee

 

[Arbee]

Ralf,

Sorry bud, im sure this must be a stressful time for you and your staff. Good luck with the donations...

Is there anything TheFanatics Events coordinators can do? Maybe a meet and greet, get together at Speedway? Late November, Early December?

I remember earlier we had setup something similar and we did not have a great response, maybe cos it was impromptu. This time we make it official?

Lets discuss?

My proposal is a group Alignment? This way, you use no spares and all you need to do is pay for your staff's time. And you just need one guy? You can even charge us your normal rate?

good idea?

Thanks
Arbee

If the weather is good as well, people attending can bring a braai, camping chairs, gazebos?

 

[rodga]

Great idea Arbee
:coolShake:

 

[Teezy_F30]

Agree on the idea .. would be a good meet for us all to get to know eachother and help out a fellow fanatic aswell!
understand fully how Ralf feels here .. we recently sold off a company bakkie and cutting down on all expenses as much as we can .. it is tough time ahead ...
Will be seeing you soon though Ralf .. :ty:
Hang in there man

 

[sash]

Sorry to hear , Nothing I say can help, but as discussed via PM i will be seeing you soon. With lectures on weekends it doesnt give me much time for everything else.

 

[netercol]

i am so sorry to hear.. i know your pain, i have to turn every penny to keep my own business afloat..

hang in there, holding thumbs that business picks up for you..

 

[zaleonardz]

I wish you luck Ralf,

I have been there, and I know this is NOT a pleasant place to be.

All I can say is that silly season should be upon you, and that should make life slightly more comfortable.

However January is going suck.

Sorry bud

Small donation made.

 

[prado]

Ralf, I thought I was the only one going through hard times!

My family and I are scraping through these few months. I am a teacher and our salaries are pathetic! All our money goes into our bond and utility bills. Thanks to my parents and family, we are able to get through the hard times. AND, I am 41 years old! I don't have a cent to spare.

My E39 stopped running a few months ago. No funds to repair it at the moment. I am using my old E34 to get us to work each day. It is a run down '89 model in auto that drinks fuel like a thirsty camel!

As a father, I cry all alone when I sleep at night. All that matters is that my two little children who go to school each day, knowing the fees are paid, they have a healthy lunch and we have a home to sleep in.

The reality? We are living in F....d up times! We are spending more than I can afford on security because of the F......g crime in SA and the high petrol price to get to work that we have to sacrifice basic needs.

Before I go off on a tangent of negativity, to be more positive, may things change for you soon! I cannot estimate how hard things are for you or anyone else for that matter.

May the powers that be have mercy on us!

I know that there are so many living in abundance. May that abundance reach all of us!

Apologies for ranting about how tough times are! May all of us who are having a hard time find a solution through these times and remember those in need when we have the resources to make a differences to others!

My prayer for you is simple! May the powers that be grant you prosperity! With the great BMW Fanatics members, you are in the right company!

You will have the support you deserve! Good luck!

 

[zaleonardz]

I know a multitude of retail owners, specifically in the motor industry.

The gent that bought Dent Doctor from me spent millions, and he has virtually no vehicles in the shop.

All I can say is hang in there folks, it has been tougher out there, and we have made it through it.

I too am struggling to find meaningful employment as well.

We are seeing marketing levels back to 2009 if not worse.

However if you can make it through these times, you will do exceedingly well when times change.

Keep strong....

 

[ChefDJ]

Ralf, this saddens me.

I don't want to be the party killer here, but if it were me I would save myself from even further debt and look for alternative business options. Get the business valued and sell, and maybe start something of your own? Maybe get into a consultation role with what you know best - aviation.

I know you need to think of your staff etc, but the longer you wait it out, the worse it will be for you. I know exactly what it takes to run a business of this sort and I know that it just doesn't get better when you're THAT deep, unless you get someone to buy shares somehow. I did it for 2 years, almost.

The motor industry is not what it used to be. Fed by bribes, corruption and cost-cutting. That's how maintenance companies get the contracts. This is the reason for all those unroadworthy trucks causing so many deaths on our roads. And the average Joe on the street can't afford to maintain their cars like a fanatic would, going for wheel alignment two or more times a year, etc.

I wish you a speedy solution, and all the best of luck forward.

I will gladly attend any event held at Speedway, be it for an ice cream or be it for tyres :thumbs:

 

[zaleonardz]

Problem is you folks don't understand the serious commitment,cash tied up in something like this.

Just to "shut shop" and cut losses, is really the last resort, cause even if you can get out of the lease, settle the staff, you still have suppliers, SARS, franchise obligations (in some cases)

It is flippen expensive, with 50k bills flying around like its R50...

 

[Hugo_za]

Also picking up some hydro bushes this morning and will need to have them fitted. Front lower control arms. Let me know the cost of labour.

 

[MaX]

Ralf, if you can maybe make a nice X-Mas special flyer I can post on a few forums to assist with getting some exposure out there?

I would also totally join the alignment day to assist.

---

Ralf, would your staff use those Xmas parcels you get from PnP? (The ones that you get in a big bucket that is filled with house hold stuffs and sweeties and goeters?) Im sure between the fanatics we can arrange 1 for each of them. Also, if they've got kiddies, we can maybe buy them each a XMas present?