I read your observations with interest. While I have been in some ABS where they no longer care and are just trying to get as much money out of the place as they can before closing, I have been in others where management takes pride in providing a quality atmosphere for clientele.
As with most businesses, ABS have been impacted by the economy, a first in the business. Everybody is trying to cut costs. Before, the Clerk minded the store and waited on customers and there was a separate cleaning crew. Staff has been one of the first cuts in belt tightening. The Clerk needs to keep the booths clean, stock shelves and bathroom supplies, keep an eye out for shoplifting, and tend the counter.
Profit margins have been squeezed by the rise of cheap, not always dependable, on-line retailers and the availability of free porn on the net. Local community "do-gooders" smell the red ink on many ABS finances and are working harder to force them out of business. Legal actions seeking closure of ABS are on the rise. ABS owners have tried to mute criticism by eliminating glory holes and tougher policing of the parking lot, two common complaints of community activists.
Couple that with the rise of "me"-ism in this country. Customers don't care any more as long as they get what they want. We put paper towels in the booth area for customer convenience. It is sicking how many will take the whole roll, use a few and throw the unused towels on the dirty floor. They got what they wanted, who cares if others could use it, "me" is the only one that counts. The guys who will spread potential HIV by not testing themselves or not giving a care if the strangers they fuck are safe, as long as "me" gets his rocks off. The guys who buy explicit material and throw it in the parking lot for underage kids to pick up and take home. "Me" does not care if the ABS gets angry parents and local government pressure for allowing trash into youngsters' hands, after all it's not like "me" is going to get in trouble. My favorite is the guy who sits in the parking lot at night trying to snag the potential customers before they go in the store. They either score with some in their car (adding police pressure on the ABS) to deprive the ABS of possible sales revenue, or scare away the straights to again cut into the ABS revenue. If the ABS tries to run them off to save their business, there will be postings on CFS.COM or Craig's List that the store is anti-gay.
Truthfully, I have people who come into the store to look over the merchandise (every magazine, every DVD, every toy has to be handled) and try to sneak into the booth area without paying the minimum if the clerk looks away. Not once or twice, but repeatedly. I have "regulars" who have been coming in here for 15 years, AND HAVE NEVER SPENT ONE PENNY! I'm stuck at the counter babysitting them as the booths get dirty, stock doesn't get put out, and the parking lot fills with trash and riff raff. Many times I have to stay after hours and do all the things I could not get done during the day.
The ABS owner might want to provide a clean store with abundant stock and friendly staff; be is becoming increasingly harder to contend with the decline in business and the rise of the "me".
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