Store Owner Raises Menu Prices Due to High Inflation
Customer: "I Always Leave Full and Satisfied"
Owner: "Grateful for the Note from the Customer"
A self-employed business owner who raised menu prices after struggling with soaring costs was instead comforted by a customer, a story that has been shared.
On the 15th, a post titled "It's okay, is there any phrase more encouraging than this?" was uploaded to the self-employed community 'Apeunikka Sajangida' (Because It's Hard, You're the Boss). The owner, Mr. A, who has been running a one-person shabu-shabu specialty restaurant for six years, revealed, "My business goal is 'affordable but high quality. Customers who dine in leave full.' However, after COVID-19, the endlessly rising prices have been a burden."
He continued, "I started at 8,900 won, raised the price by 1,000 won after two years, and maintained it until last fall when I reached the point where I had to raise it by another 1,000 won." Mr. A explained, "I kept the price until 2024 because I worried that charging over 10,000 won per serving might burden consumers. I hoped prices would stabilize, and even if I sold 100 more servings at 1,000 won each, that’s only 100,000 won, but it seemed like a burden for the elderly and students who visit."
However, Mr. A eventually raised the price by 1,000 won in April this year due to the high inflation, bringing the price per serving to 10,900 won. Feeling apologetic, he wrote his feelings about the price increase on a note placed next to the counter for customers to see. One day, while a customer was paying, they handed Mr. A a tissue saying, "Cheer up." Thinking the customer wanted him to throw away the tissue, Mr. A was surprised to find a note written on it.
The note read, "It's okay that the price went up. I always feel your sincerity. Every time I come, the portions are generous and delicious. I hope your business prospers and lasts a long time so I can keep coming."
Mr. A expressed his gratitude, saying, "Even if I do well nine times, one mistake can turn customers away, so that small note meant so much to me. It felt like the guilt I had inside was washed away."
In closing, Mr. A raised his voice of support for fellow self-employed people, saying, "These are truly tough times. What gives us strength is probably sales, but in the end, that is determined by the customers. The time we spend sincerely worrying and working passionately will be recognized by customers, and they will come back someday."
Netizens who read the story responded with various comments such as, "Seeing this gives me strength even while running a business. Fighting!", "The sincere hearts of owners running stores will surely be conveyed to customers," "Sometimes it’s these kinds of messages that give us strength to keep going," "This is a comforting story. Reading something like this would really lift your spirits," and "Thanks to one kind customer, it seems like he’s encouraged to keep running his business."
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