I have decided to cut my ties with the Gander Mountain in my area. I was an independent contractor. As you might know, they closed the east side division of GM in Madison, and opened a new super-store just across the municipal line to sell handguns. But that's not the issue.
The new mananger had people apply for their own jobs, fired existing department managers and cut wages. I had a brief meeting with him about my future, and it was clear that Gander also begrudged the monies I was making sharpening. While the new guy was clueless about the differing service I offered, he seemed comfortable with a cheaper guy who just ground edges on a mechanized system.
I don't sell junk, I don't cut corners, so I wrote him a terse letter and fired him.
That's correct, I fired him. I don't have to work anywhere. I had no non-compete clause, no formal contract, and the guy who originally invited me into the store had transfered to a new location several years ago.
BTW, if you like very sharp knives and you hunt in the south central Wisconsin area, my best wishes.