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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

aibu or is shop girl

64 replies

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 11:43

I have opened a business that is in a complex of shops like a small arcade, there is a beauty business upstairs and a clothes shop, the clothes shop previously occupied the space we have rented, when we took out the lease the shop upstairs was given permission from the land lord to place a large sign for her shop on my window.

I said this would be fine for a few days and I then returned it too her as I was painting facias etc. The sign reappeared no more than five or six times after, even after I has asked another member of staff to keep it, this came to a head last Saturday when my hubby returned it and told her in a firm manner (not shouting I was there) not to place it back. Then she told us we where the reason she was quiet as while we have been doing the shop fit, she the moved the sign which kept falling off so I asked for more fixings so it would keep up. She scowled and stomped around while she put it back up.

Since then she moaned to the land lord who seems to think that we should appologise etc (so theres no tension), making us look bad. She has given us attitude all week too.

Tbh I dont need the stress, would you applogise even when you feel you dont have too just to keep the peace, or ignore her as I dont need To deal with her day to day.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:03

No its a temporary thing made from card and photos.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:04

Not in competition, we dont sell the same things.

OP posts:

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:05

The sign is still visable, it across from my window now. Where she has other signage and stock on show downstairs too.

OP posts:

Scrounger · 01/03/2014 12:06

It sounds as though the LL has given permission for something to be put in your shop window when you have already signed the lease. Having a sign for another shop was not in the lease so you do not need to have it in the your shop. The LL is the one in the wrong and you have actually been nice in letting it stay up whilst you get your shop ready.

If the shop upstairs is quiet the shop owner needs to talk to the LL about getting signs put up (but not in your shop window). YANBU it is your shop. However it may be a good idea in the interests of harmony in talking to her, sorry if we got off on the wrong front etc but I don't think that you have anything to apologise for. The LL should be sorting it out not dumping the problem on you.

LEMmingaround · 01/03/2014 12:08

This is going to be one of those threads isn't it?

OP: Aibu?
Mnet: Yes
OP: Well i don't think i am

ad nauseum

Scrounger · 01/03/2014 12:08

Oops that should read foot not front.

Funnyfoot · 01/03/2014 12:12

It is not your responsibility to advertise her shop in your window.
The LL has leased the shop including windows to you therefore you can do as you please (inside of the law) with it.
I would suggest to her that she invest in an A board if there is space/permission to put it on the street to advertise that her business is upstairs. Don't get involved in the stroppiness it is her job to advertise her business not yours.

Cobain · 01/03/2014 12:13

You have not even opened and there is bad feeling. The rights and wrongs do not matter the business does. There is now bad feeling between yourself and another shop and bad feeling between yourself and the LL.

LEMmingaround · 01/03/2014 12:18

Now of course, LEGALLY you are absolutely right - if that makes you feel better.

You are new to business so maybe you have a few lessons to learn, but it doens't matter WHAT your business is, in comparison to hers, you need to be nice to your fellow business people. If you get a reputation among the other businesses as being up your own arse (and this is how you are coming across on here) they will be less likely to recommend you, they may even put people off.

Its about being in it together - you scratch my back and all that. Let her have her sign, i should imagine moving upstairs may well have affected footfall, people may not realise she is still there. Seriously, what harm is it going to do?

StealthPolarBear · 01/03/2014 12:21

Why does she think she has a right to have a sign in your window?
If it's because the LL told her then it's up to the LL to sort out
How does the actual owner of the other shop feel about all this?

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:22

As I said she has moved the sign she already has street advertising. My space is only small and her sign was very large.

OP posts:

MissMalonex2 · 01/03/2014 12:23

If you have a lease over the shop, unless it is a condition of the lease that the upstairs premises have this right, then the sign should not be there. seems unlikely this is the case as it was agreed by LL after you signed the lease. Your lease trumps her permission from LL to allow her to put the sign up. LL has effectively given up right to give that kind of permission if you have a proper lease.

the landlord needs to step up and apologise I think for causing this. If the sign is as scrappy as it sounds, I wouldn't want it on the face of my shop window which should be a display for you to advertise your opening / business.

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:23

Owner doesn't know I expect, or does, I dont know.

Never met them.

OP posts:

nennypops · 01/03/2014 12:23

It really is a good idea to try to get on with people in the other shops in your vicinity - there are all sorts of circumstances when you might need them to do you a favour.

Funnyfoot · 01/03/2014 12:24

If she already has advertising then she is just being greedy. Stuff her.

Scrounger · 01/03/2014 12:24

The OP is legally right and she should feel good about that.

If the other shop has moved upstairs are there is less footfall there they are probably paying less rent. Rent for units in a building / centre will vary based on size and location. That shop owner has made a business to do so and they should have taken the footfall into account when doing so and considered how they would continue to get people into their shop. I wouldn't want a temporary unprofessional sign for another business in my shop window preventing my customers from seeing the items that I have to sell. A shop window is there to persuade people into the store.

kungfupannda · 01/03/2014 12:29

YANBU

Why would anyone lease a business premises and then allow an unrelated business to obscure part of the window with a makeshift sign?

If you lease premises, you're entitled to use all parts of those premises for your business, including the window. The landlord had no business agreeing to it being there without consulting you, and you would be entitled to say no. If you agreed to it being there temporarily, then that was a nice thing to do, and both the landlord and the other business have nothing to get the arse about.

ilovesooty · 01/03/2014 12:29

Whether you're in the right or not you don't sound very cooperative and you've got off on the wrong foot with fellow businesses. I think I'd be concentrating on addressing that otherwise word will get around and the trade and success of your business will be affected.

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:29

The space im in was only on loan to the shop upstairs from last August, they have always been upstairs, its bigger and better suited to their needs.

Because im at the front I get more foot fall.

I feel like if they wanted the space that badly they should have rented it themselves.

OP posts:

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 01/03/2014 12:31

Op is in the right. However, with a new business it is important to get on with your neighbours. How about a quick - sorry we got off on the wrong foot - I'm happy to have an A4 sign in my window saying where you are.

Of course, she is very silly - there will be people going into Op's shop asking where the other shop is - if she annoys the Op then the Op could say "Susie's dress shop - ummmm not sure - sorry!"

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:31

I get on with everyone else in there, the cafe is awesome, I plan to use the beauty place too. Some lovely gifts. No issue but this silly sign.

OP posts:

mrscumberbatch · 01/03/2014 12:32

I used to have a shop in an arcade and I shared the window with the other vendors... Figured we were more likely to catch someone's eye with a nice display of everything that the arcade provides.

It was a nightmare trying to keep it tasteful though.

thinking101 · 01/03/2014 12:32

Why on earth would hte OP want another businesses signage in her window whe she is trying to promote herself as a new business?

I think the Landlord agreed to the sign being in the OP's shop window until they moved in and finished fittings etc to tell existing customers or passers by the shop had moved upstairs.

I think if I paid to rent a space (private or commercial) I get to decided how to use that space (within reason of course) and to not be responsible for another business. Which btw think may have moved upstairs for cheaper rent?? maybe they are struggling - but that is not OP's responsiblility.

Will the pendants get over themselves and just answer the main aim of the post - it really is sad.

BusinessUnusual · 01/03/2014 12:33

OP, I think you are right but it's mostly the landlord who has caused this problem and then not bothered dealing with it.

Original poster

MrsBucketxx · 01/03/2014 12:33

No mistaking where they have moved too.

Big sign moved off window to wall directly oposire where she has stock on show.

Ill appologise then keep myself to myself.

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