To Shop Or Not To Shop
Analysis: Shopping local makes cents, especially as gas prices rise
Tell Ojai merchants why you shop here, why you don’t
By Earl Bates
To shop local or not to shop local, that is a question for Ojai Valley residents. Is it noble to shop out of town for products and services that should be available in Ojai?
“There are many reasons why people should shop locally,” said Scott Eicher, Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO. “If residents take their service patterns out of town, we will not have a vibrant, healthy local economy. If we have no businesses we will not have a community.”
“A vibrant economy is certainly in the best interest of everyone, including the city,” said Mayor Sue Horgan. “I think it’s important that we have a balance, that our merchants serve both residents and visitors and that we maintain that balance. I’m real passionate about this. I think if the merchants are supported they will be here for us, if we don’t patronize these people, how can we expect them to be here when we need them?”
Shopping locally can help the Ojai community in many ways; it helps support the local economy, it helps support local employment, it helps ensure that local businesses can continue to provide the community with needed products and services, and through sales tax it helps fund city services.
Local shopping can help residents save time, money and natural resources; and it contributes to the well-being of the community.
“On the self-serving level, people should be shopping locally to keep their gas bill down, and to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Eicher. “At $5 a gallon, driving to Ventura means you have to save an awful lot to make the trip worth the cost.”
The cost of an out-of-town shopping trip is becoming a bigger factor. One cruise around the county can roll 30 to 60 or more miles onto the odometer. The cost of gasoline is only part of the equation, there’s mileage on the vehicle and a person’s time to factor in, valuable time that could have been spent at work, at home or at recreation.
For a single trip from Ojai into the Ventura area, the value of a person’s time and the vehicle’s mileage costs can easily add up to $100, more or less, depending on specifics. One way to estimate the value of a person’s time is to multiply the hours spent on the trip by the amount the person would have been paid for working an hour. This puts a typical value of $25 to $100 for a person’s time for a three-hour trip. Mileage expenses are much more than the cost of gasoline, they should include the amortization of the purchase price of the vehicle, maintenance, insurance and registration. A typical personal vehicle has mileage expenses of about $1 per mile, gasoline’s part of that is about 25 cents.
For the trip to result in a net savings, all of these costs would have to be more than made up by the difference in prices between Ojai businesses and the out-of-town shopping destinations. Many Ojai residents seem to think they are saving by shopping elsewhere, but after all expenses are considered, how much saving actually happens?
What about Ojai’s movement to go green? How’s that carbon footprint? A shopping trip around Ojai, even by car, can make a common out-of-town shopping trip look extravagant in many ways. A trip around town by trolley, by bicycle or on foot can be remarkably inexpensive and enjoyable. “I would rather bicycle over to Rains for clothes or kitchen gadgets than drive to any mall in the world!” said former Ojai Mayor Suza Francina. “There is no question that shopping locally benefits not only the business owners but the whole community.”
In addition to basic economic and environmental concerns, staying local can help create social and cultural networking benefits that can enrich individual residents and the Ojai community collectively.
Can’t find it in Ojai?
“The town formerly devoted a larger portion of its mercantile activity to servicing local needs,” said longtime Ojai resident Jim Churchill, co-owner of Churchill Brenneis Orchard, an organic grower of Ojai Pixie tangerines and avocados.
“Within living memory Rains was a hardware store; it seems to me that they’ve been extremely agile in adapting their product mix to what people with money will buy, but there isn’t very much there for me anymore.” Ojai used to have four welding shops, four nurseries, and a farm supply store. But those services went away because of changes in the town, the nation and the economy. I don’t know how you repopulate the merchant community with a different mix of providers. There are not many merchants that stay around as long as Rains has and adapt successfully to changing circumstances. So we get into this chicken and egg situation, merchants won’t stock products unless they think there’s a customer base and customers won’t shop here if it’s worth it to them, for whatever reason, to shop elsewhere.
“I think the price of oil is going to be a game-changer,” continued Churchill. “All kinds of things are going to shift around and people will need to drive less. But they aren’t going to shop locally if the things they want or need aren’t available locally.”
“I think we always have to remember that we are not just a visitor town,” said Horgan. “We are a real town, we have real people and they have needs and wants. Hopefully, it’s going to be in everyone’s best interest if our local merchants can provide for those needs.
“Obviously there are some things we cannot get here,” said Horgan, “but to the extent that local merchants don’t have some of the things that we need, I think it is incumbent upon the residents here to make that known to the merchants. Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what the community goes out of town for?”
Many local merchants are happy to help find things the customer is looking for by searching what’s available from their suppliers. Special items can be ordered individually and merchants could consider stocking products that have consistent requests.
“There is a collaborative effort going on right now between the chamber and the city and some specific merchants and hoteliers,” Horgan continued. “We are trying to get our arms around this whole issue of how can we maintain a vibrant local economy. It’s all about knowing who the customers are, what do our residents want and need, and what do the visitors want and need? It’s a big issue and such an important one.”
does anybody know the real TRUE answer to the question– why can’t we get a remodeled top notch Vons??? what is the problem??? they are a high volume (profitable) store. What is the impediment. That store needs remodeling — should be torn apart and redone TOTALLY its really grubby and we deserve better. Who is blocking this city Vons or Landlord. Please somebody give us the answers as this community wants a NEW state of the art Nice clean stocked slick excellent NEW grocery store with good prices!!!!! Come on elected officials!!!! figure it out and make it happen!!!!
Here’s an interesting take:http://evidentlyeverywhere.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/should-shopping-be-a-patriotic-duty/
Everyone should call the Health Department and complain they will investigate but not unless we call them.
I was home from work sick for a day after eating “fresh” fish Ipurchased in Ojai Von’s the nightbefore. Thank you Von’s, not onlydid I pay more for the fish,(I should have gone to Sea Fresh where the fish really is “fresh”)but I also lost a day’s pay. In myopinion Von’s should be shut downby the board of health, it’s dirty,smelly, and the food is not fresh.
I just returned from Von’s whereI was able to buy everything on mylist plus a few items I had not seen in Von’s before. The shelveswere stocked, the inventory wasplentiful, the store was clean andsmelled fresh and the employees were pleasant and helpful. Oh, didI forget to mention that it was inVentura Von’s. Ojai Von’s is a disgrace to our community, Ojairesidents deserve much better.
Von’s also is false advertising about the Double Coupon – The maximum amount now is $1.00. They sure didn’t advertise this change. They can keep their green meat.
No signs of intelligent life here Scotty, beam me up
You don’t believe there is a future for anyone in Ojai unless they are over 70 years old? This is a wild statement , did you just throw that number out? I know many people that work here and like or liked their bosses including me. Ojai is home sweet home for lots of us. I especially love the stores that sell fantastic items because even if I can’t always afford them I still like to look. Funny, I never get tired of it. When I go out to dinner at our fabulous restaurants its always fun and the food is almost always perfect. I am not in the upper eschelon either . I worked min. wage and got raises every year. I love the sunsets, the pink moment the orchards the people I meet everyday. I LOVE OJAI! I appreciate the great service provided at places like Noahs Apothacary and Wachters Hay and Grain and Starr Market. Ojai is the best place to live in California , we have it all and should be grateful.~Kathy Avakian~
Are you sure this isn’t a case of someone’s aunt being biased about their niece who is “a responsible girl, a great employee…and extremely smart?”
I showed this blog to a friend and she said “Well, that pretty much cures me from wanting to live in a small town, it’s just as much BS…if not more than the city I live in”. She lives in Thousand Oaks, and hasn’t really experienced any of the problems that seem so common here.I have a niece that has worked at both spas, and was treated badly in both cases. She is a responsible girl, a great employee (she has worked for me too), and extremely smart. The types of things that went on were being shorted on her check(s), harassed for taking sick leave when she had a serious illness, bullied by employees who steal from the business (alcohol by the case), managers that were more interested in playing online solitaire than dealing with guest issues. It is common knowledge that most Ojai employers treat their employees terribly.I am saying MOST, not ALL. Pretending it isn’t happening is exactly how things have become the way they are now. I don’t believe there is a future for anyone in Ojai unless they are over 70 yr. old and retired. I have lived here long enough, have 3 kids that went to Nordoff. No young person in their right mind would stay here because of the work environment.This is very sad. this is an extremely preventable problem. And for those employers (you know who you are) who have treated people in this town like dirt, you ought to be ashamed of yourselves. The point is, I don’t think you’re capable of feeling any remorse, and that IS A PROBLEM. That is why I don’t shop your stores. That’s why I tell everyone within earshot how you treat people. This isn’t a faceless city like LA. Get a clue!
I do as much local shopping as possible and it takes a bit of snooping and investigation to find out what Ojai really has to offer. Here are some of my favorites:Ojai Creates offers the lowest prices and biggest selection of printer ink cartridges and papers including photo papers. They also have most all office supplies. They are cheaper than Ventura and people come from TO and SB just to get art supplies. They also have a huge selection of CD’s and rent DVD’s and can order any for you. Great kids stuff as well, I get all my grandkids activities there. Ojai surplus is great for all kinds of things from jewerly to hats to clothes and toys and camping stuff. If you haven’t been you need to go and the inventory keeps changing. They have more upbeat clothing than Rains and some of the same styles at a fraction of the price. I personally love to shop second hand so when I buy clothes at Ojai Surplus, it is a treat!Hardware and paint stuff is a toss up between four places, Ace, True Value, Oak View and Ojai Lumber. But heck, you are not driving that far even if you go to each one. I tried Trader Joes once and I can’t figure out what people are so excited about. I found better items at Westridge and Rainbow. I prefer to market at Starr. I did make a trip to Rite Aid at the end of the Ave in Ventura as that store is superior to ours. I then went next door to Vons, I never shop Vons here. The Ventura Vons had all of these sales and buy one get one free. I spent sixty dollars and had a truck load of food. Come to find out our Von’s here is independent and they don’t have to have the sales the other Von’s do. That is about as far into Ventura as I go and I usually hit the SPAN thrift store behind the main street Rite Aid. All the workers there are Ojai people and all the money goes to the animals. It is amazing what that organization does. You can’t get any better ice cream than Ojai Ice Cream, sorry, I am an addict and that is the best. Our favorite night out is Farmer and the Cook on Sunday evening. Our famers market supplies all the fresh stuff. Who can beat the price of flowers from Marta at $5 for a huge bouquet. She is walking around town on Wednesdays. The corner market has excellent meat. Rains used to have really awesome cleaning supplies inexpensive but I guess they are narrowing that section down. The greatest thing missing in Ojai is baby and children staples at resonable prices. Serendipty is awesome for toys but your best bet for shoes and socks is Ojai Surplus. We have two stores for kids for clothing. I still favor the thrift stores. I go to the tamale factory and buy a couple dozen and put them in the freezer. I do like subway in miramonte for fast food as you get a foot long for five dollars and it is two meals for us. I wish the trolley would expand to Oak View where I live, I would use it totally and hopefully they sell a discount monthly ticket. If you go to Ventura, take the bus. The medicine shop is where I go and they have ordered special requests for me several times. I shop online allot for larger items like computer printer, kids bed, special new books. I spend hours at Bart’s for used books or shop Amazon used. I love coffee but prefer Circle K or Chevron as it tastes good, they have all the goodies and it is $1.49. They both have Hewbrew National hot dogs for that craving. Most of the young people with kids I know go to Target. For diapers and formula the Rite Aid Ventura has sales, ours in Mira Monte is horrible and I avoid it. Dexters has great camera stuff. If I were to buy clothes for myself or my husband, I shop online. As I said, I usually hit the thrift stores for recycled stuff. Not sure where I would go in Ventura for clothes.The key to finding what you need in Ojai is to analyze what it is you really need. We are a society of needing or shall I say Wanting, too much stuff. If you keep it simple, you can find almost everything within walking distance or online. And if you get yourself a shopping cart on wheels you can take the bus to Ventura.So, my very favorites are Ojai Creates and surplus store. All the trader joe people need to check out Westridge as it looks like a trader joes to me. And Starr is clean. And the meat at Corner Market is excellent and anything can be ordered and they prepare for parties as well.Signing off and trying to stay in the valley…..
I meant merchants pay a lot of money to advertise in the phone book and have coupons for customers in the back of the directory.
I think he means use the phone book. Merchants pay a lot of money and offer coupons to people who use the phone book. Anyway it beats driving around from store to store asking if they carry something.
9:10, why don’t you give us your name and number and we certainly will!
WHy don’t you pick up the phone and call us?
The fact is the vast majority of people who earn money in Ojai do so by driving out of the valley most days of the week. I had to get pet food, and wanted to support a local business, but I never got around to going into town (we live in Meiners Oaks), and fond myself at 4:45 yesterday on the 101 and suddenly had to pull off and buy my dog’s food at a shop in Ventura). Everyone in retail has to get savvy if they’re going to be in the same business in 5 more years. I know that what will make the difference for me is not price, but convenience. My time is still too valuable to spend driving all over the county looking for a better price. I don’t even have time to drive all over Ojai and window shop like a tourist. I want to spend my money here but when I think of buying something, the first place I go is the internet. If the local merchants could create online stores, I would buy here. Imagine if there were a local daily delivery service (running in a hybrid car, of course). I could cruise through the office supply, the grocery, and the pet store, place my orders, and have it all delivered to me that afternoon. letting me know what they have. I’d like to see the local merchants step into the 21st century. Did you read what I wrote – I WANT TO GIVE YOU MY MONEY – BUT YOU HAVE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU SELL WITHOUT REQUIRING THAT I SPEND AN ETERNITY EXPLORING EVERY SINGLE STORE IN TOWN TO FIND OUT WHAT YOU CARRY. GET ONLINE ASAP!!!!
I like Starr Market for many reasons including some they are probably not too happy about. That is they are never too crowded and its more quiet and you can actually have a conversation with one of the many friendly checkers that have worked there forever as well as the new checkers who are also nice. I have lived in Ojai for over 27 years and my shopping is pretty simple. I go to Starr or sometimes Westridge (the old Locker) for great meat, Westridge also for its great wine selection and I shop at Vons for things like large jugs of dishwasher detergent, toilet paper and booze. I like that Mexican guys fruit stand on the way to SB and the farmers market also has nice treats for fresh bread eggs and veggies.. You know I could probably save money by going to Ventura but it has been so long I guess I am used to Ojai’s prices. I save a lot of money on clothes by repairing my old jeans and wearing my shoes to death so I don’t mind going to Rains or Hatties or any of the expensive clothing stores for an item or two to ramp up my closet, I have a Citron jumper I have worn for 15 years that I bought at Kindred Spirit, you probably would know me by my jumper. I love Ojai and even its little touristy stores. I love Hacienda and when I can afford it will buy an expensive old treasure or two. I love Otto Heino and Running Ridge or whatever is I mean Human Arts and buy local art whenever possible. I rarely buy necessities online because that would deprive me of meeting some of the real charactors who have set up shop in Ojai. I don’t think Vons as bad as some people make it out even though I don’t buy meat there for my own reasons. I only have one little beef and that is just a small one with Vons. Please don’t make a game out of trying to guess how to pronounce our last names. Just a simple Thank you is great!Sincerely , Kathy Avakian
When Matt and I did our Ojai Moment show on Radio Ojai on Friday, comments were in the mid-40′s, now they are at 65, wow! We talked about shopping, and, 12:52, we even touched on Ojai Surplus, where bargains abound. Here is a link to the 13-minute show:Radio Ojai
One way overlooked store in this valley is Ojai Surplus. The people are great. Joy herself is a joy, and she knows how to hire people with personality PLUS that little store is just packed with everyday stuff. Clothes for the whole family, shoes, reasonably priced jewelry that makes for great gifts, camping stuff,sporting goods, toys..incredible how much stuff is in that little place. GO IN THERE!
some people just have bad days.
Yes, many of the eateries in this town have bad service….not all, but alot. The one that sticks out in my mind is Cafe Emporium. Not even so much the wait staff, but the food itself. No consistency, not just from one day to the next, but two people at the same table can order the same thing and get two completely different looking disshes. Barbara, we miss you!
Speaking of bad service, and I really am saddened to have to say this as the owners are such great people, but yesterday and today I went into the coffee place at El Roblar and 33 and was treated very poorly by the young man behind the counter. I thought maybe I’d give him one bad day, as we all have them, but two in a row?? He did get a tip Friday, but no tip Saturday.
I stand corrected in regards to which department is responsible for overseeing pay disputes between employer/employee.I certainly agree that the use of cell phones could, and should, be controlled by the employer. That certainly is reasonable. However, I don’t agree with the policy that employees are not allowed to have their cell phones on Inn property. It is my understanding that this is the case. This is what I have been told by an EE of the Inn.OK, so say you’re a parent with sick kid(s) at home. You’re at work because you can’t afford to take time off to be with them. If the no cell phone policy is accurate, then you are not able to check in on them during one of your to 2 mandatory 15 minute breaks, or while you are on your mandatory lunch break. That is your time, not the Inn’s.I’m not out on a limb with that scenario. My point is, life does not stop for employees just because they clock in at wherever they work. I do believe they must focus on the tasks at hand, but the reality is that there are, and always will be, influenses that can be distracting. A sick kid is only one of them.Our house was broken into this earlier this week, along with a few others in our neighborhood. A car was stolen from a neighbors house as well. Th police have acknowledged to me that there is a crime spree where we live. My partner is stressed with that fact. The police were trying to get a hold of my partner, and calling me on my cell phone. I called my partner and left a message to call the detective. It wasn’t until I got home that I found out my partner never got my message(s) because of the cell phone ban. True, it was not a life or deaath situation, but at the same time, it was a important message that my partner needed to get. I really fail to see why my partner is prevented from getting that sort of message during their break.I used to go into Rains frequently to see what they have to offer, and still occasionaly do. There were times that, had they my size, I would have purchased something. I have yet to see any clothing in my size. The staff is always friendly and very quick to greet me and offer assistance. I just have the misfortune of being a big and tall person.Last Christmas I walked along the Arcade when I got off work. At 5:00 in the evening, half the stores were closed. This is during the Christmas season. I went into one store that was open. There was nothing less than $100 in that clothing store. My Christmas shopping was completed by buying gift cards at Macy’s and Mervyn’s, although I did purchase a couple of stuffed animals at Serendipity(?)for the grandchildren to put the gift cards on.I still maintain that Ojai, for the most part, does not have the businesses that I find affordable. I don’t expect them to change the way they do business just for me. However, I will take my business to the stores that offer what I can afford and in my size.
I’ve let this thread run just to see what would be said without a retailer putting in her 2¢ worth. But now I would like to address a few points.Consumers cannot expect to find clothes or food at Walmart/Kmart or TJ’s prices or in their wide selection outside of those chains. Although for the same item Ojai businesses can often compare reasonably, small business MUST compete on service and quality. In that respect, SOME of us may need to brush up on our skills. Many merchants in this town provide excellent service and fair prices, its just too many citizens don’t even stop in to see because of the perception of “nothing I need or its too expensive”. Come down and walk around some day, you may be surprised at what you find! I make no pretense of speaking for other merchants and what mark-ups they use, but I’ll lay bear my industry. The pet industry standard for food is a 30% margin. Treats, collars or other non-food supplies are up to a 50% margin. Industry research has shown that without this basic margin, a store cannot stay afloat. If other independent pet supplies aren’t using this model, that is their decision. They may be making up the difference by offering grooming (usually rented stations like hair salons do for humans) or offering training as additional revenue streams. At my store, we offer huge amounts of health information, behaviour information and other perks such as free delivery, senior discounts, case discounts and Chamber member discounts. We are open seven days a week and until 7pm monday through friday. Our customers asked for these hours, and we obliged.We listen to our customers, but also must make decisions based on what is possible for our business. Customers want lots of things and one store cannot possibly be all things to all customers. We happily refer to other pet supplies when we can’t meet the need and even call to check if other stores have the food, etc. to save our customers the drive. I often tell customers what website to go to for an usual item that is not possible for me to stock.Other merchants in town do similar things for their customers – I know because the other pet supply in town calls me when they have a customer with a need they can’t fill!I hope my fellow merchants are following this blog. Even though the comments have sometimes been hard to read and perhaps a bit harsh, there is a lot to think about here. I know I’ve been looking for more areas where we can improve.Thanks to all who have commented. You can’t fix things if you don’t know what’s broken!B Dawson
To the person who said this thread has turned into a bashing of the local mployers…if the shoe fits, wear it. And to the person who seemed to have the inside scoop on complaints filed against the Inn, I know people who were involved in this situation and it is fact that this happened BUT it is not the State Board of Equalization that handles pay disputes. The SB of E is responsible for the collection of sales tax monies generated by sales. Pay disputes are handled by the Labor Board, whose office is in Santa Barbara.I think it is important for people who work at the places mentioned in this thread to respond with first hand confirmation of the practices mentioned. I, for one, do consider how the people who work in the places I shop are treated.
“To Shop or Not to Shop” in Ojai is the question posed at the begining. Regardless of how it is answered, there are root causes for responses, good or bad, and both were sides are represented.I don’t shop in Ojai because it most stores are to expensive and don’t carry the selections I need. I don’t buy art and I make my own coffee. I live on a budget and $300 for sweaters, $100 for shirts does not fit.I do buy tires at Tireman, but that’s not very often and, besides, Fred’s in Oak View. I do visit Von’s for food, but for the most part, we get ours a Trader Joe’s.Most people in the Valley work outside of same and, by reading the thread, shop outside of it too because Ojai commerce is not tailored to the needs of it’s people. Some are, but how many coffee shops does Ojai need?The opportunities for fledgling businesses to survive here in Ojai is lacking. It’s too expensive and the customer base won’t really support it.That’s nor meant to be just criticism, it’s just reality. Businesses have to make money in order to survive and grow. With the on-line shopping available, and better discounts, how can new businesses be expected to survive? I love Mom and Pop places. But if Mom and Pop are charging and arm and a leg for something that I can get for much less, it doesn’t take a a whole lot of intelligience to determine where I’ll go with my dollars.Now, if I was extremely wealthy, that may be a different story. By the way, very few of the current wealthy became that way in Ojai. Yes, some have, but most brought their wealth with them. They may be able to afford the Ojai prices, and more power to ‘em. I have lived and worked here in the Ojai Valley for almost 20 years. I would love to see Ojai prosper. But it has to recognize it faults and take corrective action first in order to change the stagnating course it is currently on.When feedback is requested, the negative should be heard as much as the positive. It is sad, though, that there is more the former and not the latter. But who is responsible for that? The readers or the retailers?
I find it curious, if not depressing, that the majority of comments on this thread are negative – nothing more than vitriolic rants by people who seem to find more value in tearing something down than building things up. I would like to see this town improve, and I woul dlike to engage in a productive discussion of steps towards that end. But it seems like people here just want to make jabs and strike blows instead. Whats up with that?
I agree about the Starr. Kids just starting out in real work environment and learning much of what is not taught in school.There was a class action against the Inn a little while ago, filed by a couple of former EE’s, and they won. It had to do with the Inn short changing them on their time cards. It was something like where the Inn required EE’s to park in specific area, take the tram to where the time clocks were, then get to their respective work areas. The Inn lost their case and had to retroactively pay employees for that time.Most pay disputes are handled by the State Board of Equalizaton, if at all, and is a beauracractic nightmare for those seeking fair compensation.Not wanting to go off on another tangent, I know for a fact that during the renovations, the Inn was hiring many of the undocumented workers in the area to help complete the landscaping. I know many of these people. The three that were responsible for beating the crap of Wayno at Libbey Park about 2 months ago were among those who were hired. Now 2 of them are in jail and the other, to my knowledge, has left the area. I’ve been to the Inn on several occasions. I don’t ever remember seeing lots of water fountains, although I’m sure their in some places. My point is, when you have a crew of landscapers and ground crews out working in 90+ degree weather, they have to stay hydrated. They haven’t got time to stop, go find a drinking fountain that is really there for the guests and not the employees, then, find there way back to the work site. They have to take their own water, which at one time was provided for them.An example of work related injuries? Needing to be very careful here, I know of 2 people who were hurt on the job. I live with one of them and I see them bear through the pain everyday. The other person bites the bullet, too, and deals with the pain everyday. In these economic times, they believe that is the better choice.I agree fully that you can’t keep a 5 Diamond rating with bad people. That is my point. The Inn has EE’s that have been there long before Crowns took over. But many more have left because of the poor treatment.The Inn senior leadership relies on the personal integrity of the EE’s. The EE’s want to do a good job because it is a personal reflection of who they are. They work hard, do as they are told, and are good people. But they will only tolerate so much abuse and callous disregard by the employer and move on.It is a fact that companies with a culture that shows genuine concern for the employees has greater moral amongst the EE’s, and thereby increases productivity. Not only does it increase productivity, but it also reduces injuries, which does decrease costs.The culture of any company is created at the top. The Crowns are at the top, and all responsibility for the treatment of their employees, good or bad, lies solely in their laps.
I personally have no problem with the Inn and their no cell phone rule. These people are not being paid to stand around and yack on the phone on company time. I wish my employer would make a similar rule. My co workers ignore the business line ringing while on what are obviously personal calls leaving me with the knowledge of more of their personal lives than I need/want to know. My personal calls STAY personal. My cp stays in my car!
Young people in an entry-level job, complaining about a boss? You don’t see THAT everyday…Actually, the staff at Starr, checkers, produce, deli/butcher, liquor, frozen, etc. are mature people who have been at the market for many years. Starr provides good service, good prices, and convenience. I have never seen any drama.btw, the Ojai Valley Inn has tap water available for workers, my work doesn’t provide bottled water. The ‘shorting’ paycheck charge is an accusation of criminal behavior…did the employees that left report this? Injuries on the job are far more expensive in the long run. What are some example? As for the ‘job fairs’, any hotel has high turnover, many of the jobs are kitchen, landscape, maid service; you can’t get and keep a 5-diamond rating with bad people, and good workers have alternatives.
I have overheard the young people at Starr being treated bad. The manager is a bully, as is the assistant manager. And the Inn has been treating their people like slaves for years. Nothing new there. Not supplying water seems pretty inhumane to me. There is also a private school in the valley who is pretty hard on their people too. A little investigating will turn up a ton of lawsuits filed against them.
Seems to me that in such a small town it would be poor business practice to treat hired help poorly. The people affected would probably not choose to shop there if they or their family member had been treated badly.I have not found the above to be necessarily to be the case with Starr Market. The baggers are usually high school kids that are only there for the summer or move on to something else. The checkers seem to stay longer. I have seen some there for many years.Regardless, it seems more and more that people don't care how others are treated, only how they are treated.It has been my observation that the worst employer here in the Ojai Valley is the Inn. Ever notice that they are constantly having job fairs? They have a huge turnover of employees.I know for a fact that people get hurt on the job because the Inn does not have all the necessary Personal Protection Equipment, tools and other equipment for the employees to work safely, let alone efficiently. The employees are afraid to speak out for fear of losing their jobs if, and especially when, they get hurt.After the renovations and the Inn received it's 5 Diamond rating, the who did the work that got them that rating were either demoted of let go. I live with one of them, so I know what I'm talking about.The accounting department has had a huge turnover, the people with a conscious left. The Inn expects them to short the employees of wages and earned vacation pay.The employees are expected to bring their own water. They used to supply it for the employees, but stopped that practice in order to cut costs.They employees aren't allowed to have their cell phones with them. If there is an emergency, you have to call the switchboard and they'll deliver the message, maybe. My experience was that they don't.The list goes on and on. I work with people who tell me that the Inn is a horrible place to work.But Ojai looks the other way at this. The importance of the money it brings in outweighs the moral and ethical issues that are so prevalent there. I think very few, if any, of the guests who visit the Inn would boycott the place if they knew of the shady treatment the OVI&S management engages in. They would rather be pampered and treated like royalty by those that are treated like dirt. But, by gosh, mistreat a dog and they'll screaming for your head.The Crowns are the perfect example that having wealth does not equate to having class.
I am not surprised to hear of the feeling of Starr treating their people poorly. I have noticed that there is usually always a “Help Wanted” sign on the door of the Starr Market for box clerks. It leads me to believe that there is heavy turnover for some reason. Seems to me that in such a small town it would be poor business practice to treat hired help poorly. The people affected would probably not choose to shop there if they or their family member had been treated badly.