From empty wagons

There are rules in business. Growing up in Crockett, Texas, Tom Rhoden with Rhoden Feed and Supply said, “You cannot sell from an empty wagon.”

It was obvious that he practiced this. Customers could find anything from livestock supplies to live chickens.

This principle has existed for thousands of years and is something businesses have forgotten. “You cannot sell from an empty wagon” applies to products and services. Wal-Mart and other stores ignore this. The computer orders when the last item is sold. It may be days or weeks before it is restocked.

I went to Wal-Mart for items and they were not in stock. I searched online and one of the five Wal-Mart stores 10 miles away had it. They are often out of something on my list. For groceries I shop at Kroger, which stays well-stocked. I do not intend to shop at one store and then drive to others to find what I need.

Consumers and employees also need to remember the Golden Rule of Business—the person with the gold makes the rules. If you do not like their rules and way of doing business, go somewhere else, and I do.

Teach your children and grandchildren, “You cannot sell from an empty wagon,” and that the person with the gold makes the rules. When they own a business, maybe they will sell from a full wagon and become the person with the gold.

JERRY WAYNE DAVIS

Hot Springs