How should I handle telling my workers about buying a 165,000 car when I also tell them business is slow?

Question

I own a small business with 25 workers, last year was slow and we cut some hours no overtime. I purchased a 165,000.00 Ford GT with my own money. I have not told anyone at the company because I am worried about the shop talking. Things like times are tough and the boss buys that car ect. How should I handle it? the word will get out, one of my workers is a friend and I hid the car when he came out, cause I know he would spread the word in the shop. I know it's my money and I would't care if someone bought one, I would be happy for them, Today my General manager came in my office and saw my GT screen saver and said you should buy one of those. I almost told him but couldn't Looking for the best advise

Answer 1

Better to just discuss is casually. Dont act as thought you've done something wrong if you havent. Tell your closer workers and friends about how you've been wanting it and have been saving for quite some time and how happy you are to finally have it.

Answer 2

There is a reason you feel like such a jerk after hiding the car. It is your conscious telling you something. You laid off people telling them that business was slow, which means no money coming in. Then you turn around and buy a $156,000 car. What were you thinking? That was one big contradiction. It was not the smartest time to do that. And saying you paid with your own money just means your trying to justify your actions. You got that money from your business. Some might think that is why you cut their hours. All I'm trying to say is that it looked really bad.

Answer 3

Well my friend you have a couple of options. Tell your co-workers that you bought a Mustang that was worth 165,000 dollars, or give the car back, all depends if you care what people might say about you. If you don't care then don't say anything to anyone and let them find out on there own, if you do, tell them you spent the money you received on an expensive new car, up to you really.

Answer 4

That's a toughy to be honest...you own the business and you cut people's hours so you affected their livelihood but then you have an extravagant car to flaunt in their faces...you could be a victim of getting your car keyed for something like that...I suggest driving a Hyundai to work and keeping your expensive ride at home...to do otherwise would be crazy!!!

Answer 5

You cut your workers hours, yet you can afford an expensive car, Sounds like you care more about possessions than people.

Answer 6

sucks being buddies with your employees.. personally if my boss got one i wouldn't care...i'd wanna take a ride it. if they get that disgruntled over you buying a car with the money you got from your own business then thats a problem for them imo.

by the way how is it? i saw some videos of that..pretty awesome

Answer 7

Don't tell them if you can. Be like Jay Leno. He sometimes drives a beat up pick up truck to work. My father in law ran into him a few times and couldn't believe it. You wouldn't even know that he has a few bugattis in his garage.
And once they do find out, just take it in stride. There is nothing you can do to stop people from talking. When they ask, say, "yes, i used my life savings to get the car. I decided that before I die, I would go out in style and get one thing to please myself." And leave it at that.

Answer 8

It's your company so do what you want. You probably worked really hard to get there so why shouldn't you have nice things. If business is slow maybe they got their hours cut, but yours probably went up. They are not going to quit over it. Remember, they are your employees, not your best friends.

Answer 9

Ask yourself how you would feel if you were them.

Honestly - If I were your employee, I would think you were a lousy business man to make such a purchase when the company was struggling.

Answer 10

personally, i wouldn't make it known unless someone says something to you. there's really no good reason to bring that up in conversation; it's just not something that people talk about especially around those who can't afford nice things. i would just recommend not driving it to work. but it's not something that you should have to hide from your friend. if he's that good a friend, consider asking him not to tell anyone if he notices it at your house.