The tool store

While most of my blog posts tend to be about positive things that are happening, I do not want to lead  my readers to believe that life in Togo or ministry is perfect. It can be very frustrating at times. That is why I would like to write about the tool store experience. 

I drove up to the tool store yesterday at about 2:20 p.m. to try to buy a list of about 5 items as follows: a kitchen sink, 4 lights, a box of light bulbs, two boxes of tile, and a water pump. The minute I drove up, there were three people that asked me what I was looking for. These are street vendors that try to find out what you are looking for, then attempt to sell you a comparable product, only it is rarely the same quality, color, or even same item. It takes them about 20 minutes to find the item, dust it off, buy it from someone else so they can sell it to you. (One example of their handiwork is they sell you paint that they have added paint thinner to. It makes it cheaper for them so there is more of a profit margin.)

Once I walked in the store I had to find people to help me with the items. The first few people I saw all told me to talk to someone else. Once I picked out the items I wanted, each department had to write an individual receipt. I carried the receipt book from sales person to sales person so that they could write down the item numbers. I asked the last person to give me a reduction on the price, so he took off about 20 percent. Had I not asked, he would not have bothered.

 From there I walked with my receipt book up to the counter to pay. The man took my money and stamped a "paid" stamp on the receipt. I then took the stamped receipt to another counter where they were to deliver my supplies. This man kindly gave me two of the items. I was told to go across the street for the tile and water pump. Once I arrived across the street, I was told they were in another depot, down by the beach somewhere. I want back to the main store where they told me they would give me the displayed porcelain kitchen sink, but it was not in a box. (the one in the depot was not in a box either) 

I asked a salesman to wrap the sink in cardboard and I would tip him. I then had a motorcycle taxi take my receipt down the road to find the two boxes of tile. Once I came back an hour later, the tile and sink were outside of the department store with the night guard. The store was closed, it was 6 p.m. and I finally had my 5 items. It took about 3 hours, but at least we accomplished the goal.

Please understand that I do have a smile on my face right now, so this incident has not ruined my life. And yes, I am sure I will be back to the tool store again soon....not because I miss it, but because there are only two in Lome and the other one is not any more efficient. I do have an overwhelming desire to help them to streamline the process and get rid of the bottlenecks. Ha. On that note, I will head to bed for the night.

JJ