After today, I can no longer support Black businesses

[CatWoman]

I try to support Black businesses as much as possible, but today was the straw that broke my back.

My truck needed a tune up.

I called this garage that had previously done work for me.

I was given an estimate of 100 dollars.

I show up today, at around 1. The co-owner, the man I had spoken to previously, gave me another estimate of 200 dollars.

This garage is a family-owned business. The guys who run it are brothers.

Five hours later, my truck is finally ready, and I'm presented with a bill for $300. For a fucking tune up.

The funny thing is, my alternator went out on Wednesday. I had called this garage for an estimate to fix that as well, and was given an estimate of over $300. Seems $300 is the magic number with these people. That figure included parts and labor.

A garage across the street from my office replaced the alternator for me for $60. I went to a parts store and bought the part for $130. This guy was Hispanic.

I wish the fuck I had him do the tune up as well.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. Just don't support that black business.

As far as mechanics. Most of them always try and scheme more money out of ya. I don't know why. It's hard finding an honest mechanic.

[Blue_Tires]

21. agreed...good advice n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

2. Report those turkeys to the BBB

They might not be members, but they will at least be on record as not being a reputable business.

[Brewman_Jax]

3. Please don't use the broad brush

don't make all suffer for the shortcomings of a few. Just stay away from those bad ones.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

4. I don't understand, there are lots of crooked white businesses too.

:shrug:

Why does your bad experience at this one business color your view of all black businesses? It makes no more sense than giving up on white businesses because of Enron.

[CatWoman]

7. Agreed

there are lots of crooked white businesses too."

but I haven't been the victim of any crooked white businesses -- only black ones.

I said this was the straw that broke my back, so obviously, I'm not basing my disgust over one or two isolated incidences.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

11. Ok, so the worst offenders in government are white. Will you ever support

a white candidate again?

[FrenchieCat]

5. Oh come on!

That's not fair to many other Black owned businesses.

I went to a white mechanic recently who diagnosed my car's overheating to needing a new thermostat and a new water pump; a $300 job.

I went for for a second opinion to a Black mechanic owned business down the street....and they said I needed a new thermostat only; a $20 job.

I'm not going to make conclusions about entire races of folks based on that! There are bad apples in every bunch.

Just my opinion, but you're hanging a lot of folks with too broad a brush.

[CatWoman]

6. let me make it bigger

[FrenchieCat]

13. You see....as the owner of a Black Business, this saddens me

very much.

I run, with my husband, a Financial and Tax Accounting and Consulting firm. We have been in business since 1984. The majority of our clients are not Black, but rather (in order of prominence) Italians, Hispanics, Arabics, Whites, Indians (from India)and Chinese. We do have a few Black clients as well, but they are well in the minority. The reasons why we serve mainly non-Black business is just circumstances over time, rather than by design....based on the area that we are in, and the referrals that we have gotten over the years. But know, that we would not ever hesitate in servicing a Black client now or in the future. However, it troubles me to think that a potential Black client might determine not to do business with us because of our ethnic identity, rather than our reputation, track record, professionalism, energy and our integrity.

I just think that utilizing race to determine who one does business with to be one of the most insideous and stereotypically institutional type of racism there is.

I'm really sorry that you chose to make this kind of pronouncement on this forum and doing so using such a broad brush. It's something that I would expect from a White Folk much more than any other.

That being said, I think that, at times, we are our worse enemy.

I hope that you think about the ramifications of your decision in terms of Emmanuel Kant's philosophy: Ask yourself if everyone did what you are doing, would it be a good thing. If the answer is No, then don't do it.

[Kerrytravelers]

8. If one man rapes... are all men rapists?

Don't let your anger over the dishonesty of one person cloud your reasonable judgement of all people. This is about that one particular business, not all business owners that happen to be of the same race. Under your theory, if you walked into a bakery who was owned by a black person, you would assume they were giving you a raw deal on doughnuts. That hardly seems reasonable, now does it?

[CatWoman]

9. 1. Apples and Oranges here. Why bring rape into this.

2. And as I have pointed out in another response, this was the most recent time I've been burned.

3. I chose not to go into a litany of my other experiences. As I stated quite clearly, this was the straw that broke my back. The straw doesn't break with one, two, three or four instances.

[angee_is_mad]

10. Self-fulfilling prophecy?

you said yourself that this is one incident in many. When you go into a black own business are you subconsciously expecting to be defrauded and when it does happen, BINgo?

Your post initially made me angry when I first saw it a couple of days ago. Now it just saddens me.

CatWoman it breaks my heart that in your life, the majority of the black business that you have patronized have treated you so unfairly.

I say "majority" even when you have not stated the fact, because what other reason would you stop patronizing ALL black businesses if it was only a case of 1,2, or even 20 bad experiences in your entire lifetime, I am sure that could not be the case. I am sure you are a more tolerate person than that, so it most be over 50% of the time this has happened to you.

That's is what saddens me the most. I can not imagine going through life and over 50% of the black businesses I patronize has robbed, cheated or lied to me. If this is your case don't patronize them.

Let's hope that you keep a tally of ALL demographics who have treated you so very badly. I would be curious what that percentage would be. That includes white, Asian,Latino, Jew, Muslim, Catholic, straight, gay, female, male, and any other group I have overlooked.

[SemperEadem]

12. I had the same experience as you

except the mechanic was white.

Not long ago, I had my car serviced by said white mechanic-- I'd been taking my car him to for years. The last time, my estimate went from $300 to $550, even after I told him to call me if he incurs something that would jack up the cost of the repair. He didn't do it. He did the repair first and then presented me with the inflated bill once I arrived to pick up my car. Thank God I had the extra $250, but that meant another bill didn't get paid. In fact, as his secretary was counting out the bills, she miscounted and was asking "where's the rest of it?" I asked her "the rest of what? Count the money--it's all there!" She was acting like she was stoned out of her mind on meth---4 one hundred dollar bills and 3 50's = $550--any second grader could count that out.

Does that mean I stay out of every single white owned business on the planet based upon him? No. It means I never take my car to him again and I make sure anyone asking about mechanics knows that this guy will pad the bill. I found another mechanic who was far more reasonable and integral in his work ethic.

[Logansquare]

14. If I avoided white-owned businesses with the same reasoning

I'd be fixing my own car, growing my own food, weaving my own clothing, etc...

Look, any time someone changes an estimate on you between the phone call and the arrival, and doesn't have a concrete reason for doing so, walk away!

[fortyfeetunder]

15. Have to deal with them as individuals

There are crooked people of all walks and creeds. If we isolated any one group because of the actions of on then we'd be isolated period from everyone.

[Robeson]

16. Your isolated incidences do not constitute a reason to...

...stereotype an entire segment of society. Perhaps it was bad luck. A fluke. Whatever.

I've been used, abused, and confused by every race known in America. I've also had many from each race treat me right.

If you feel the way you do, fine. But its a personal issue to you. It shouldn't be generalized.

[coolhandlulu]

17. I love DU!

I'm just posting this to say that I really do appreciate being amongst a group of people where someone can share an unpopular idea and not have everyone jumping down his or her throat. It just warms my heart. Although I do not agree with the original poster, I dont see any reason for people to flame and get snippy and defensive. I belong to another predominantly african american online site where this thread would have gotten totally out of hand real fast. Thank you all for being fine, intelligent people. I am proud to be a part of you!

[SemperEadem]

18. you'll find

that this folder here is the peaceful oasis of sanity in this whole site... where one can discuss many ideas and get much imput from others and nary a flame war will erupt.

[jeffrey_X]

19. That seems kind of hasty, doest't it?

Hi Catwoman,

Shouldn't you be condmening this particular establishment for their poor and dishonest service rather than black businesses as a whole?

Just a thought.

[Logansquare]

20. I took my car to a Black-owned Jiffy Lube

They did a great job, and also replaced my windshield wipers, something I didn't realize I could get done there. Should I only go to Black-owned businesses from now on?