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How not to run a commercial enterprise

August is notoriously dead in France, unless of course you are one of the thousands of people who take off on holiday.   Just as the tourists pour in, restaurants close their shutters and take off en vacances.  I have tried to contact an estate agent this month.  I went to five in one very small  town and four had notices on their door saying closed until the end of August.  Some said from the 1st August to the 27th August.  A whole month when sellers are not getting any work done by the agent and anyone wanting to buy, including the many people from northern Europe, cannot even get information about a property.

I went on their websites.  No mention of the fact that the office is closed.  One said leave your details and we will contact you in 24 hours.  Fat chance, but I left my details anyway.  That was over 2 weeks ago.

Now we all  love France's laid back attitude to life, unless they are protesting against the government of course, but sometimes one  has to wonder how they make a living and if you question this frustrating way of running a business what do you get?  That's right, a Gallic shrug.  

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