Things That Make You Wonder.

Now if you are in the business, you might find this interesting, otherwise skip this story and wait pensively for Mikey's musings sure to come, on the Toyofigus bone discovery he made a few years ago.
Moving on...
Had the strangest thing happen yesterday from a business point of view. Heck, everything businesswise has been strange lately, but this one just might take the cake.
Here's what happened...
It seems that Spectrum is coming out with a new kiln paper. They cutely call it Papyros (check it out- a company where those in Promotion actually do some promoting, go figure). In any case, this Papyros paper sounds like a great product- apparently it is supposed to last several firings making it more cost effective than the other alternative.
But we really don't know that as we've never tested it.
Now how do we find out about this new product?
We know this because Our One and Only Canadian Stained Glass Supplier called us today to tell us, and that if we wanted this product, it was essential for us to tell them by tomorrow. Ever eager, but equally prudent, Mikey reminds them that perhaps we'd want to first do a test firing to satisfy ourselves, we point out. This meant that if we held to their rush scheduling to place an order we'd have less than half a day to do the test. And if we were to test to see if the paper actually survived several firings as Spectrum claims, we would of course need more than one day. Mikey can't burn toast in that length of time never mind do a kiln firing, but let's keep an open mind and see. They graciously offered to get a sample out to us, but they wanted to have lunch first...
Now, in the more than half a decade under the present ownership, our OOCSGS has only darkened our door once.
And that was several years ago.
Not even a phonecall has come before or since.
Now, Mikey doesn't expect wine and roses. He 'ain't no prima donna'. He's a big boy even if he does wear pyjamas with My Little Ponies on them. But having been in business for thirty years, he does know that perhaps this is not the best way to encourage and promote a sound business relationship.
So, imagine the excitement and extra bounce in his step when Mikey learnt that Ms. X from OOCSGS was going to grace our humble little establishment and drop off a sheet of kilnpaper for us to test (after lunch tho'). He got the staff vacuuming, dusting shelves, heck he even cleaned off his desk and combed whatever little hair he had all in anticipation of a visit. Nicholas Picholas was even sent out for some Pop Shoppe Creme Soda (who doesn't like Creme Soda Mikey thought, eager to play the gracious host as he anticipated a sit down to discuss business matters between two of the biggest players in the business?). He was sure to score some nice warm and fuzzies as he looked forward to showing off his store and sharing his thoughts and ideas.
Mikey continued to straighten shelves as he waited anxiously.
Ms. X arrived as expected (after lunch), coming in the rear entrance venturing perhaps 6' into the store.
First time ever in.
We spoke for about 2 minutes and without so much as a glance at the store, turned around and left.
Strange way to run/ earn business...