"Differential Diagnosis"

[Part 1 of this story]

[Part 2 of this story]

[Part 3 of this story]

Many of you have asked if my parents knew about my activities. Yes, my parents were fully aware of my candy sales business, and would support me in any way. My father, being a business major and the descendant of a general store dynasty of the old west, was extremely pleased to see me follow in my grandfather & great grandfather’s footsteps, even in such a limited fashion.? My mother, the daughter of a shoe store owner, was excited I had started my own business, and she provided the tactical support I needed, aka driving me to the store.

Having learned of the extremely high demand for those? spicy lollipops at the school bake sale, my mother and I compared prices at Wal-Mart, H-E-B, and K-Mart. The price per unit came out to roughly just what the school’s bake sale was selling them for, meaning they were making very little profit from each sale…unacceptable!? I convinced my mother to take me across the border to procure some for myself at a hopefully lower price. I placed my wad of cash in my pocket and we were off!

Crossing into Mexico via a land route was pretty simple in the pre-9/11 days. We drove down to the international bridge, waited in line for a bit, I paid the toll, and we drove thru.? Upon reaching the halfway point on the bridge, we had officially entered Mexico.? At the far end of the bridge a Mexican Government inspection booth awaited us.? The passageway through the booth weighed any vehicle currently within and performed all sorts of scans before displaying one of two answers, “Pase,” or “Revision.”

Based on the displayed results from the scan, cars either passed right through without being questioned, or if the screen flashed “Revision” with that menacing alarm sound, the car would be pulled over and searched for contraband, drugs, and weapons.? My mother and I received the green light, “Pase,” and continued on our way.

Once inside the city’s largest candy store, my jaw dropped in awe.? For years I had been enjoying all sorts of delicious Mexican treats collected at birthday parties, Halloween, or other special occasions, but never had I seen soo much of them gathered in one place!? They had stuff I had never even heard of or seen before!? Not just that, but these candies were sold in bulk, meaning I was standing inside the Cosco of Mexican candy!

I knew exactly what I was looking for, those delicious “Vero Mango” I had seen at the bake sale. Upon acquiring my target? package, I continued to browse and picked up a few other selections I thought my customer’s would enjoy.? I paid for my goods and we were off once again.

Upon approaching the bridge to cross back into the US, we paid another toll, and waited in line as US Customs did their job. While waiting, I popped open the bags of candy I just bought and my mother and I took a sample of my new stock, savoring the spice and commenting on the flavor.? These were definitely going to be a hit with my customers.

We approached the US Customs inspection booth where we were greeted by a tall, stiff man taking his job way too seriously. “US Citizens,” my mother and I both replied as we flashed our IDs.? “What are you bringing back from Mexico today?” He asked.? “Just some Mexican candy,” my mother replied.? The customs official typed into his computer and waved us through.

Once home, I took careful note of how many individual pieces of candy each bag contained and figured out my true cost for each piece of candy.? Afterwards, my mother and I discussed pricing. The exchange rate of the US Dollar vs. the Mexican Peso provided a significant advantage on my part, allowing me to sell my imported candy an entire quarter ($0.25) cheaper than the school’s bake sale, while still making a significant profit on each unit sold!? This would guarantee I would outsell my competition!

I packed them into my bag and was now ready for school on Monday.? I was a candy salesman first and foremost, but now I was also in the international import business, not bad for a 7th grader.

@unbreakable Thanks, a booming business is a happy business.

1. unbreakable says:

   June 24, 2009 at 10:33 am

   tactical support I needed, aka driving me to the store.lol thats funny.

   Well i see your not only a sales man at all also an importer. you were thinking way advance for a seven grader. good business skill dude.

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2. ChinkyGirLMeL says:

   June 25, 2009 at 9:41 am

   I’m with unbreakable. Lols @ “tactical support i needed, aka driving me to the store” hehehehehehe…
   Gosh, at such a young age you were sooo business minded. And that place being “COSCO of Mexico” was hilarious! hehehe

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3. andhari says:

   June 29, 2009 at 7:30 am

   Ah my little entrepeneur boy. I’ve never tried mexican candies, hook a girl up, JJ!

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