While I miss pepperoni, for me, one of the most annoying aspects of orthodox Judaism is toiveling. Really hate having to beg someone for something. Especially when there's a good chance the guy will be an asshole about it.
Sunday, we went to Japan Day and Japan Block Fair. At the block fair, I bought a set of 10 rice/soup bowls. This morning, I decided to go with Nochum to toivel them.
I asked the owner of the store if I can toivel my stuff and he just snapped and went on a rant of how he will not throw me out today but that I should not come back there because the mikvah is for customers only. And on and on about how I should toivel it where I bought it or go to a public mikvah or toivel it where I bought and not use his mikvah and on and on.
Why didn't I tell him off and leave? Wanted to use the bowls for shabbat and didn't know if I'd have the opportunity to go to Happy Home or Buzz to toivel them there.
Is the guy pissed off about people not buying? Well, here's the difference between his place and Happy Home. Happy Home is expensive, but, they sell quality merchandise and the owner doesn't complain or look at you nasty if you ask if you can toivel something. This store, on the other hand, while also being expensive, sells the same crap as Amazing Saving but at twice the price and is, in addition, dirty and products are lying around haphazardly.
Mikvah for customers only? How about for mitzvah? It's not like I'm doing it for fun or have much of a choice. The end result? I will never buying anything from this store again. Also, on the way out, I saw a $50 hot water urn, which, after the guy's nasty behavior, I will buy somewhere else.
P.S. Even though I said thank you before, as I was leaving, the guy started yelling after me that I should say thank you.
I can't believe I'm posting this and let me be clear - while I'm NOT condoning this man's behavior, it never would have occurred to me to go into a store and ask to tovel something that I hadn't purchased there.
ReplyDeleteWhile it IS a mitzvah, the owner I'm sure incurs expenses in building and maintaining this mikvah and he does it as a service to his CUSTOMERS.
I tovel my purchases in a mikveh owned by a shul of which I am a member and pay dues (which go in part, to its upkeep).
If he'd have any business sense and considering his behavior and how the store looks both outside and inside, he doesn't, he'd have exotic and often bought items near the mikvah. That way, encourages non-customers to buy.
ReplyDeleteI bought stuff there before and was about to buy something then but because of his behavior, he lost that sale and any future ones.
As far as maintaining, other small stores have a tzedakah box next to the mikvah.
It's for customers only, duh
ReplyDeleteHe's an idiot. Like G6, I wouldn't go into a store to toivel products I didn't purchase their. But If i were a store owner I would ALLOW you in there (maybe i'd be pissed, depending on my mood) just so that I would have you as a customer. I certainly wouldn't kvetch or yell at you!
ReplyDeleteTerrible business sense!
purchase THERE**
ReplyDelete