How many of you buy and support the black business and if the service is good would turn around and fling the owner an extra change? I have notice that White people are more likley to give a tip for serives rendered than that of black of even asian buyers. I have notice that white people are more likle to be loyal as customers than black or asian... I have notice that black people are quick to slander black business's as oppose to white owned business's and are still not prepared to pay the going rate.... What is that all about..

Menzer, I for one try to do whatI can for black businesses - give my support etc. Yes there is always this rush of negativity when a black business is set up by black peopleand then if the businesseswere to stay around for longer then what the negative people antcipated theywould be the same ones who wouldcomplain that they are not doing enough for black people!!!!

Howeverthere had beentimes i have made the deliberate choice to go into a black business for example as opposed to a white one, and the vibes I getare so so so sobad that i would NEVER want to go there again!!!! The would not acknowledge you as you come into the shop, they would not even talk to you and one has to press hard to get even an answer to a perfectly legitamate question. It gets to a point whereyou wonder why they set up a business in the first place!confused3

Do you know how much i would love to be able to say that most black businesss are well run and cater for the customer in a professional fashion? But all i see the COMPLETE opposite of that. EVEN BLACKNET DID NOT START OFF WELL IN MY OPINION!

Why can't black businesses get ther act together BEFORE starting up??!!!!!confused3

Hi All,

Just logged on to this site.

I am saddened toread that black businness' are still suffering from such a poor image within the community due, in my opinion to poor customer relations.

I own and run a very well regarded Jewellry business retailing, making and designing fine jewellry in gold and sliver from a high street location.

My customers are very important to me and because of excellent customer relations return again and again.

I would however love to seemore brother and sisters, throughmy door, so that they can experiencemy brand of customer relations.I and other black businness' need the support of our community for continued growth.

Please do not be put off by a minority, who seemingly take for granted the support of thier community.

I make a point of supporting black businesses. I will even pay more and if the customer service isn't the best I will still patronize the business.

I have been in white establishments where I've been followed around in the store and have the salespeople assume that I can't afford a particular item base on the color of my skin. Many people will have similar experiences and still patronize these establishments but will talk bad and stop supporting a black establishment because of lesser infractions.

Many of the minority businesses don't do better because they don't know better. I try to become a regular at some black businesses and will make a point to get the know the owners and sales people. By establishing these relationships it gives me the opportunity to freely express concerns I may have about their business. Many times we will complain and tell everyone else about a bad experience instead of telling the most important person, the business owner.

A lot of times black businesses have a hard time because some of their customers think they are entitled to a "hook up" or discount just because they are black.

Many black business owner have not been trained to run a business. Just because you bake the best cakes doesn't qualify you to open a bakery.

I work with an organization that helps provide skills and training for minority businesses. It's hard convincing some people that they need training but we are able to help a lot of people.

Hi Fine things. I enjoyed reading your response as well.

Many minority businesses start off at a disadvantage because most of the businesses are first generation businesses and we don't always have those role models in our families. In my family, and in many others, the emphasis was on getting a good job with benefits. Being an entrepreneur is a totally different mindset and it could be an hinderance if we don't have that frame of reference in our life.

One example of how establishing a relationship helped a business happend some years ago. This wasn't a criticism but a suggestion. I went to a local, minority owned video store. I was a regular customer and frequently talked to the owner. I was looking for the video Daughters of the Dust. He wasn't familiar with it so he looked it up and ordered it for the store. When it came in the store I rented it. A few months later he thanked me for the suggestion because that video was one of the most rented in the store. The movie has a lot of twists so it helps to watch it a couple of times. Those extra renewals of the video made it more profitable than some of the new releases.

He appreciated it and I was glad I could help. He never did give me a hook up either. I still had to pay the late fees if my rentals were overdue but I didn't mind.

Hi athaba,

I don't mean to suggest that we should continue to accept bad service and quality just because they are a minority business. I apologize if I gave that impression.

I do feel that it is better for me, as a customer, to tell the business owner about problems as opposed to going out and spreading it around town. At least give him an opportunity to correct it. No, it's not our fault that they don't know how to run their business better but if I can help I won't hesitate. I can't help it.

I do agree wholeheartedly that it's about manners. That's one thing that really bothers me about society as a whole, we've forgotten our manners. Having attitudes and being mean is fast becoming the norm. It's not just black businesses. I've had bad experiences at white stores also. I don't like being profiled and followed by security because they think I'm going to steal something. I don't like being told that a particular item "is very expensive" when the salesperson has no idea what's in my bank account.Or a salesperson who won't wait on me but will wiat on the white customers who come in after me. Thesetypes of experiences happen quite often to blacks in white establishments but we continue to patronize them. I have rarely seen a backlash to this type of treatment.

If I recommend to the owner some cheap options for accounting software that would free up his time and help him have better control of his business I feel that's the least I can do.

Well spotted blackmatta!

I wonder is it black businesses where the problem lies or is British black businesses. Maybe an american can clarify this.??

Why do i make this point. Well its not just black businesses that suffer from poor service. I feel that British customer sevice and Britsh management on the wholeis an absoulote joke.

Ever been to Homebase or Wickes,national institutions, and tried asking someone for techanicl advice on a decorating method or how to to use one of their products. If not i urge you to.

Listen to this example then. I went to PC World once and there were about 10 people waiting on one guy at THE CUSTOMER SERVICES DESK. After standing for some time i addressed the guy and said "look mate cant you get some help here im get fed up with waiting. His response was " sorry mate its only me here and im the manager and you'll have to wait" Now the fact that thisstupid comapny couldnt grasp the principle that by making your customers stand around too long is bad for businesswasnt the worst part of their amazing actions.

A few minutes later a sandwich man walked in as they do regulary to sell lunch to the staff. Suddenly it was like bees around honey. All these assistants flew out from no-where, cued up around the sandwich man to buy their lunch. I couldnt believe what i was witnessing.

Ever been to a restuarant and felt like theemphasis was placed on themdoing you a favour. In the states you get your own private waiter.

Im just skimming the surface here cos the list goes on and on and on. Im sure some of you have your own examples as well.

Everywhere i have ever worked in this country has been full of shit incompetant tossers in good positons. Is almost likes its a requirement for the management role. The FTSE 100Britains top elite comapnies is littered with foreign CEOs- why? cos this country doesnt have a clue about management. Look at the football clubs they realised it long ago.

First off, meant to say black businesses( High street), not people

Second


I believe in the black businesss I had frequented up until that point, Hair shops, food shops, music shops, their is a general 'laissez-faire' who cares mentality. When I'm waitng to be served and your on your phone .I'm not gonna come on blackchat and praise you

Now, Im positively certain that black accounting firm, law frims, interior designers, tailors, consultancy would be different but as of present my expereinces of black business( High Street)on a whole are a bit beow satisfactory.

I patronise businesses as well. I buy my mixtapes from a stall in Liverpool street because I went there one time and was very impressed with their service. Trsut me, hopping to liverpool street when I know of at least 5 ohter cd shops that are closer and same price is not a fun process, but as I learned a couple of weeks ago. It has to be done

That example Athaba gave about CD shops just happened to me two weks ago. Went to get some mixtapes in Peckham and when I got there , guy is ther jamming, talking with his girl. He could see me but made no attempt to stop talking, his girl had to tell him. Then when he got round to serving me, his general demeanour ''sucked''. I ask to test the CD's, looks at me funny. Sorry but copied CD's shoudl be tested as standard, withiut question. Like a dick, I still gave him 15 worth of service but he wnt ever get a single penny from me ever again

Also wish to make somethi