by local traders who oppose his budget import operation.

For eighteen months, Mr. Bate has been supplying cut-price kitchen appliances, marine engines, tractors and furniture to locals.

He has even expanded into selling left-hand drive cars.

Mr. Robin Henagulph, of Washington Mall-based Bermuda Best Buys, is acting as Mr. Bate's local agent for Joshua B. Bate Trading.

Mr. Bate has arranged for a toll-free number so locals can place their orders at his base in Randolph, New Jersey free of charge.

So far, the business has grown by word of mouth, although Mr. Bates, who is on vacation in Bermuda until Friday, advertises on ZBM and has placed ads in local newspapers.

Last Christmas, Holmes, Williams and Purvey placed an advertisement that satirised Mr. Bate, insinuating he could not effectively service the goods he sells. Mr. John Bento, general manager of Holmes, Williams and Purvey, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

"I loved the ad as it acknowledged that I have Bermuda clients. There has been some bad sentiment about my business,'' said Mr. Bate. "This is mainly because I am not Bermudian and have an advantage as my overheads are lower and my supply lines are well established, but I am not doing anything illegal.

"Several traders in Bermuda have done what they could to oppose me, but I don't feel threatened. I tell my customers that if I had done anything wrong they would have heard about me earlier.

"No-one else is doing what I do, so I am not competing with anyone here. I can achieve savings of up to 40 percent on bulk purchases.

"Some local retailers are hiking their profits up and are not as lean as they could be. If everyone was being as competitive as they could there wouldn't be a market here for me. I treat people honestly and will tell them if they can get goods cheaper in Bermuda.'' Some local traders will not service goods purchased outside Bermuda. Mr. Bate said he offers one year warranties on all his goods and has contacts with local repairmen.

Mr. Joshua Bate.