In today's society people are so quick to throw things in the garbage. Everyone's first instinct when they see a rip in a pair of pants or something that has all of a sudden stopped working is to throw it out. I hate to hear those words, "Oh, its garbage, just throw it out." There are other ways to deal with it and that is through your local small businesses. People have forgotten that there is a business for everything these days, you just have to find it. Instead of buying something brand new, fix it for a fraction of the cost. These are some small local businesses that people have forgotten about, probably because they are usually really small to begin with.
Dry Cleaner
Dry cleaner these days can clean almost anything. I've sent in a coat that was literally matted with cat hair. The lady at the desk laughed and shook her head saying that she may not be able to clean it. Four days later I came to pick it up and it was perfectly clean. My cost was 12 dollars. That is a bargain especially considering it was an expensive Pea Coat. Some dry cleaners are struggling for business so the prices are at an all time low. If you men out there have an old wrinkled suit, covered in dust and hair, missing a button, send it off to the cleaner. Most will even do minor alterations as well for a few dollars. Some even do the alterations for free if you get the garment cleaned with them.
Tailor/Seamstress
Tailors and seamstresses can perform miracles with clothes. Tears that are on a seem are no problem, They will fix them like it never happened. If you need that newly dry cleaned suit altered. Take it to a seamstress. Have them hemmed the pants, hem the wrists and replace a zipper. They will do it for very little and still do a great job. My local seamstress has been in business around 20 years and is very good. Replacing an entire zipper for a pair of pants cost me 5 dollars. They will even replace entire pockets. Compare that to buying a new pair of pants at around 50 dollars, the choice is clear.
Vacuum Cleaner Repairman
Unless the motor has burnt out on your vacuum cleaner than pretty much anything else can be fixed for a small amount. With the price of vacuum cleaners these day reaching into the hundreds of dollars you would be a fool to throw one out without first taking it to a repairman. Many times the most common reason for throwing out a vacuum cleaner is because of a broken belt. New belts cost, at most, 5 dollars. For a repairman to do the work might take him 10 minutes. This is the most common repair that they have to do and they can do it fast and cheap. Many times they will already have a part on hand that has been sitting in their store for a years gathering dust and are just happy to finally use it.
Jeweller
Many people are afraid of jewellery stores because prices can get very high for a simple object like a ring, necklace or watch. If you already have an expensive piece of jewellery then don't be afraid to go in and ask about prices for alterations. The most common request is to have something resized, could be a ring or watch or bracelet even, Most jewellers are very experienced and have resized a countless number of items. It will take them very little time and the results will be exactly what you want. Unless the jeweller has to order in special components repairing a watch will cost very little as well. If you have an expensive watch then its well worth the money. Adding gems to a ring could be a little pricier but these days small gems 1 carat and under are not worth very much unless its a diamond. The jeweller will most likely have some laying around and may give you a good deal to add them to a piece.
Final Words
Every town has these businesses and many are owner operated so they really need the customers. Pick one that you like and build up a rapport with them. They want repeat business, no matter how small. If they keep seeing your face they will start giving you deals but don't ask for them. You should be supporting your local small businesses anyway.
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