Can't be bothered !

Sometimes people just never fail to amaze me! Most of us are well aware of the current economic climate in Greece. Businesses are either closing or complaining about the down turn of trade and lack of disposable income in society owing to the austerity measures the government are having to introduce. 

So the actions of the owner / manager at a local car dealership in Kalamata just amazed me.

I decided I needed to replace one of my vehicles and opted to buy a new MPV. Off I went viewed such a vehicle in the sales room, sat and discussed prices and trade in deals and was prepared to "do the deal".  As I had never driven this make of vehicle I asked for a test drive.  Out of the question, there were no demonstrators available, but he would try and obtain one the following day. Yes I was happy with that, and left my address and phone numbers. The following day the dealer called and stated he was unable to obtain a test car; no problem I'm in no rush, call me when you get one.

THAT WAS THREE WEEKS AGO

I have heard nothing since! 

One has to ask the question, do they really want business?  Having spent my working life in retail sales I find it amazing that businesses will take this approach, no wonder Greece is in a mess.  Easily he could have phoned one of his last customers who purchased a car and offered a small incentive for them to bring the car in and let me drive it........or am I asking too much to test drive a car before spending thousands of euros ?????????

On a similar front a friend of mine wanted a rather large satellite dish, no problem I thought as I had bought one after being recommended by another associate of mine to a dealer in Messini around a year previously. 

When I made my purchase the dealer sent to Athens for the dish and I paid the courier charge.  So off I went to the same guy to arrange the purchase for my friend.  Yet again I stood back in amazement when the shop assistant, who phoned the owner told me that it could not be done and I should go to Practiker (the giant German DIY store) and get it there.......... 

Once Greeks were business leaders in world shipping, I now think the 
ship has sailed without them!

News reports & Greece

I have no doubt that if you were to visit Athens the main square in front of the Parliament would not currently be a place to visit. However I recall, some years back being in Australia when the T.V. news agencies were showing footage of riots in the UK and it could be imagined the country was about to enter total civil uprising!  The capital and some main cities in Greece are suffering demonstrations, mostly peaceful but unfortunately some have hard core trouble makers that turn such demonstrations into anarchy. These are the scenes that make TV news......

In the majority of Greek towns and villages the sun rises and sets as normal and day to day life goes on.  Of course money is tight and people are really feeling the pinch. Yet the Greek people are no strangers to hardship and villagers help one another. The topic in the kafeneio will have changed from the normal agricultural chat to that of the government and taxes, but there are few counties in the western world that will cope with what ever is ahead like Greece will.

If you have had holidays in Greece in the past and are a lover of this country now is the time to support it, book that holiday, enjoy the sun your money is more welcome now than ever!