Are ice cream vans run by the mafia and other urban myths?
Discussion
As well as the Ice Cream Wars causing violence ice cream vans can be a major earner if you have a good picket. For example i have heard of large sums of money changing hands for prime position outside the entrance to a festival/tourist attraction, as well as unfortunate incidents meaning people who hadn't paid couldn't continue working. This also applies to some burger vans, if you have a good patch it can be worth a serious amount of money.
But from what my BiB mates have said taxis are now the more common delivery agents in the local area.
Although there was a kebab/indian takeaway local to me in 2004 that did amazing food for hardly any cost, i never understood how they made any money until a kebab got delivered to me one day with a baggie holding a couple of wraps, i called the shop and explained that my order had probably got mixed up with someone elses and that i was fine if they wanted to collect it, oh and i expected not to pay for any takeaways again. I managed to eat free from there for about 6 months before the BiB shut it down at 5am on a Monday morning.
But from what my BiB mates have said taxis are now the more common delivery agents in the local area.
Although there was a kebab/indian takeaway local to me in 2004 that did amazing food for hardly any cost, i never understood how they made any money until a kebab got delivered to me one day with a baggie holding a couple of wraps, i called the shop and explained that my order had probably got mixed up with someone elses and that i was fine if they wanted to collect it, oh and i expected not to pay for any takeaways again. I managed to eat free from there for about 6 months before the BiB shut it down at 5am on a Monday morning.
Chinese herbal medicine shops? 
Ever been in one? Know anyone who's ever been in one? So how come there is one on virtually every high street now?
Hmmm.... lets see now.... your stock is basically twigs and who knows (especially the bib or the customs)how many people might pay for acupuncture or consultations and pay for them in cash.... which means that you have a business where no one can prove the value of your stock and lots of people could pay in cash....
hmmmm......
You know, the same might apply to some tanning salons too.
Ever been in one? Know anyone who's ever been in one? So how come there is one on virtually every high street now?
Hmmm.... lets see now.... your stock is basically twigs and who knows (especially the bib or the customs)how many people might pay for acupuncture or consultations and pay for them in cash.... which means that you have a business where no one can prove the value of your stock and lots of people could pay in cash....
hmmmm......
You know, the same might apply to some tanning salons too.
Edited by The Hypno-Toad on Tuesday 31st August 07:40
A Chinese Medicine shop's income largely comes from the "massage" side of it's business, even more so if it includes a happy ending as 90% of those in London seem to.
Before anyone asks, no, I'm not a regular but I do know of quite a large discussion forum where folks start a thread with the nam/address of the shop and others comment on whether it is "legit" or one can expect any action.
Seems in the majority of places to be the latter - quite an eye-opener.
ds from what I hear.OzzyR1 said:
A Chinese Medicine shop's income largely comes from the "massage" side of it's business, even more so if it includes a happy ending as 90% of those in London seem to.
Before anyone asks, no, I'm not a regular but I do know of quite a large discussion forum where folks start a thread with the nam/address of the shop and others comment on whether it is "legit" or one can expect any action.
Seems in the majority of places to be the latter - quite an eye-opener.
yeah, yer japseye! Before anyone asks, no, I'm not a regular but I do know of quite a large discussion forum where folks start a thread with the nam/address of the shop and others comment on whether it is "legit" or one can expect any action.
Seems in the majority of places to be the latter - quite an eye-opener.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I was told anything selling a "service" for cash. I was told coin operated laundrettes and video game arcades are used a lot.The trick is to not get greedy, and allow the extra to drip in not flow.
I'm waiting to see how long the new Indian Takeaway near us lasts before getting an early morning visit...
There are a number of such stories relating to Rossi in Southend (set up by Francis Rossi out of Status Quo's grandfather) in the 50s and 60s. I think these days it's a little more 'agreeable'.
The other dodgy industry was waste management. The largest waste management company in the world is in America, called (somewhat unimaginably) Waste Management Inc, They grew in the northern states during the 60s and 70s when the FBI clamped down on Mafia gangs leaving cities without waste collection services previously provided by the local mob.
The other dodgy industry was waste management. The largest waste management company in the world is in America, called (somewhat unimaginably) Waste Management Inc, They grew in the northern states during the 60s and 70s when the FBI clamped down on Mafia gangs leaving cities without waste collection services previously provided by the local mob.
OzzyR1 said:
A Chinese Medicine shop's income largely comes from the "massage" side of it's business, even more so if it includes a happy ending as 90% of those in London seem to.
.
One 'town center' which is basically an indoor 'mall' had 2 of those places in what is in fact quite a small place. .
not once did I ever see anybody in them I often wondered how they could keep in business and thought perhaps it must be some kind of laundering operation purley idle speculation on my part. How can two empty places survive in one small place?
was there a massage parlour in the back I should have known about
Edited by Pesty on Tuesday 31st August 12:51
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I did a six sigma project on such an operation recently Shirt you would be amazed. Do you think your local neighbourhood small drug dealer goes to his customers ? nope they go to them. they have stock in when the fireworks go off
anything from corner shop to ice cream van will have been used at some time or another .
ah, you meant for the re-up, dawg.
in my experience, the ones avoiding jail time (10yrs + with no collar felt) are taxi style dial-a-dealers operating in student areas with cheap, non descript cars and regularly changed mobiles.
middle class casual users don't need the hassle of going out to score, much better for it to arrive on your doorstep discreetly.
in my experience, the ones avoiding jail time (10yrs + with no collar felt) are taxi style dial-a-dealers operating in student areas with cheap, non descript cars and regularly changed mobiles.
middle class casual users don't need the hassle of going out to score, much better for it to arrive on your doorstep discreetly.
Edited by shirt on Tuesday 31st August 12:48
I'm concerned about one near me. I live on a small cul-de-sac and this van comes down at least once a day, usually twice EVERY DAY throughout the year. Never have I seen anyone buy anything from him, but he sits with his awful music going for ages.
He did looked shocked when my OH and I went up to him, not to buy anything but to tell him to turn the blasted music off!!! I haven't been murdered so far so maybe he's not maffia!!
He did looked shocked when my OH and I went up to him, not to buy anything but to tell him to turn the blasted music off!!! I haven't been murdered so far so maybe he's not maffia!!
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