- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 2,388
As you all know, I am a small business owner. I recently had to let an employee go because of economic reasons. I really considered this guy a friend. Actually, I only hired him because we were friends, and I needed some time off from the grind (I was getting burned out). We really got along good, hung out together, laughed and joked around alot. Even when things got tight, I tried to hold onto him as long as possible, because I didn't want to put him out, and I knew he needed the work.
Now that he is gone, I have discovered that he was stealing from me. I'm not talking $10 from the register every now and then, either. That I could live with. As an employer, you actually expect a little bit of employee theft...it's just human nature, unfortunately.
This "friend" was lifting merchandise off the shelves and going the next town over and selling it to another business. I am sort of friends with this other business owner and talked to him today and he informed me that my good buddy was bringing in "stacks" of DVDs and videogames and selling them. I don't blame this business owner because my "friend" ran him a line of bullshit about how he had all this store credit and was just trading off his personal collection.
I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it! I am also mad at myself for not seeing it. It seems very obvious now, of course, but I really feel betrayed. While my family and I made sacrifices and worked long days, trying to keep our business afloat, this ass was leaning back, all grinning and fucking two-faced lying, leeching off us and our good will! What's wrong with people?! I was always honest and good to him, never paid him a day late or a dollar short, and my wife was always making lunch for us and sending food and treats home for his kids, and all the while he was sucking us dry!
All the signs were there, which is what makes me so furious. He was good, though. I'll give him that. He was really good at fixing the register and always with a quick explanation if I noticed inventory missing or the register not balancing out just right.
He got me for thousands in inventory, probably. Now it's going to take me at least a couple months to dig out of the hole. What's worse is the fact that this is the third time. We have been stolen from, robbed and burglarized three times in as many years, and it is just so frustrating, because every time we get built up and business is good and things are going great, someone either throws a block through one of the windows and helps themselves to as much as they can run off with before the police arrive, or they are stealing money from the till or swiping inventory. No wonder small businesses go under every day. You have to fucking beat the thieves off with a stick!
He told me once, when I questioned him about some discrepencies in inventory and sales, that he would never steal from me, that he would never do something like that to a friend! Ha! Jokes on me, I guess.
There's nothing worse than a friend who stabs you in the back! Nothing!
If anyone here on MOS is thinking about opening their own business, let me tell you this -- and it is from very bitter experience -- NEVER TRUST ANYONE! EVER! I think I have finally learned that lesson. I will never make that mistake again.
Now that he is gone, I have discovered that he was stealing from me. I'm not talking $10 from the register every now and then, either. That I could live with. As an employer, you actually expect a little bit of employee theft...it's just human nature, unfortunately.
This "friend" was lifting merchandise off the shelves and going the next town over and selling it to another business. I am sort of friends with this other business owner and talked to him today and he informed me that my good buddy was bringing in "stacks" of DVDs and videogames and selling them. I don't blame this business owner because my "friend" ran him a line of bullshit about how he had all this store credit and was just trading off his personal collection.
I feel sick to my stomach every time I think about it! I am also mad at myself for not seeing it. It seems very obvious now, of course, but I really feel betrayed. While my family and I made sacrifices and worked long days, trying to keep our business afloat, this ass was leaning back, all grinning and fucking two-faced lying, leeching off us and our good will! What's wrong with people?! I was always honest and good to him, never paid him a day late or a dollar short, and my wife was always making lunch for us and sending food and treats home for his kids, and all the while he was sucking us dry!
All the signs were there, which is what makes me so furious. He was good, though. I'll give him that. He was really good at fixing the register and always with a quick explanation if I noticed inventory missing or the register not balancing out just right.
He got me for thousands in inventory, probably. Now it's going to take me at least a couple months to dig out of the hole. What's worse is the fact that this is the third time. We have been stolen from, robbed and burglarized three times in as many years, and it is just so frustrating, because every time we get built up and business is good and things are going great, someone either throws a block through one of the windows and helps themselves to as much as they can run off with before the police arrive, or they are stealing money from the till or swiping inventory. No wonder small businesses go under every day. You have to fucking beat the thieves off with a stick!
He told me once, when I questioned him about some discrepencies in inventory and sales, that he would never steal from me, that he would never do something like that to a friend! Ha! Jokes on me, I guess.
There's nothing worse than a friend who stabs you in the back! Nothing!
If anyone here on MOS is thinking about opening their own business, let me tell you this -- and it is from very bitter experience -- NEVER TRUST ANYONE! EVER! I think I have finally learned that lesson. I will never make that mistake again.