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[Splinter]

For numerous reasons.
The three year rental agreement/contract is up for renewal in Feb and the indications are a 20% increase, with a further 20% PA built in for the following years.
This is apparently normal practice here, mainly due to inflation, which unofficially is running at around 30%, so the landlord 'has to protect his interests'.
Personally, I consider that argument to be bollocks, but que sera, sera.
Also, during my TB episode, I was away from the shop for 2 months due to the risk of infection and then I went to UK, so consequently the business has taken a severe downturn.
Adri and I share the space ie she has the upper floor and me the shop below. Trouble is that the overheads far outweigh the income.
Bad sign, full stop.
Most of my work is repair stuff (I would say 75%) and most bring their PC's to me physically. I also sell recon PC's on our equivalent of ebay, which works very well.
I would lose a shop front, which is an important factor, along with the passing trade.
But it has to be a pay off and if I can't afford it, the writing is already on the wall.
I don't fancy working from home again.
Yes, I've done it before and it can be done. It just requires much, much more discipline.
The garage, I can use as a workshop. I have the tools and resources.
I think I may have answered my own question...duuhhh!


 

[Thermalsig]

Everyone has to pull back and regroup every once in a while. Hell, it might provide opportunities that you hadn't thought of. What ever happens, I wish you the best of luck.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk

[Wooster]

Aye it sounds sensible to me, good luck with it. 

[Centurion]

Now you have the Stabilizers off the bike what about home repair

[KingDazza]

Sorry to hear that Splint - I'm sure it will work itself out

[Splinter]

Thanks all!
Long chat about this last night and it seems the increase in rent won't be as much as we thought.
If I close the shop, Adri and her partner, employees and God knows what have to go too and find somewhere else.
Futhermore, Adri pointed out something important about me working from home.
I drink and that could be the major problem.
Going somewhere in the morning to work and then coming back is an important factor.
I know that from experience.
We'll just have to make it work and invest as much time and money into the business as we can.
I'm very lucky to have a woman who understands, particularly my drinking problem.

[Wooster]

That's a hell of a good point..

[Splinter]

After much thought and a little bit of luck, we have finally decided to close the shop at the end of Feb.
Not an easy decision at all, but the maths has to speak for itself.
I know I have problems with the drink, but I will simply have to handle it.
We've decided that the closure is only temporary, until I can find a much smaller place in a couple of months. That is a great carrot to have and to look forward to.
Adri will be paying less than 1/4 of what she and I pay now for the shop, by sharing with a colleague.
The agent offered us a reasonable discount, but it still doesn't cut the new deal we have found.
They don't like empty shops.

[Wooster]

Sorry to hear it mate, but you know what you're doing.
Best of luck with the next one. 

[keasy]

Aye, good luck!

[Splinter]

Thanks lads!
The new place will come, just a question of time.

[Patch]

Get off the drink. For fucks sake.

[Splinter]

Patch, thanks for your sage advice. And I mean that.
Managed 9 months dry, not so long ago, but I'm not ready just yet.
Looks like we'll be moving and not closing down, which is a huge relief!
Found a small shop in a galeria (small shopping mall) at a quarter of the price. Also it's only about 15 blocks from where we are now and cycling distance from home.
With a bit of luck and a following wind, we can dovetail it without losing momentum and more importantly, the confidence of my customers.
Adri is defo moving and for her it will be a massive saving of $$ too. I don't mind working in a different place to her at all; in fact it's probably healthier.
Just have to nail down the agent to an agreable price.