In Business with a Bum

Tim soon met the man who had advertised for a jeweler with which to partner. Tim agreed to partner with him, but only if a 90-day opt-out probationary clause was included in the contract. The partner reluctantly agreed to the contract and they soon opened up shop on 12 th street near the Liberty Theater in downtown Astoria. It wasn’t long before Tim began to regret his decision to go into business with this man who had a poor work ethic and little integrity. He was always available to pick up money for sales made, but left the day to day business responsibilities and risks to Tim. His moral standards were also lacking. He once sold an incomplete watch set to a ninety-year-old blind lady.

Towards the end of the three months, Tim’s frustration level with the man’s lack of commitment to the partnership led him to the decision to end the arrangement. A few days before the 90-day probationary clause expired, Tim hauled the counters, which he had built, to his apartment along with his jewelry and tools. The next day, his deadbeat partner was shocked to see a store with four bare walls, a box of his watches, and a contract with the 90-day clause underlined. Tim decided to rent the space next door, which had recently become available. Fortunately, it had the exact same floor plan as the store for which the counters were built.