February 27, 2015

►    All new advertising, promotions, and specials start Sunday, Feb. 28:  “Patty O’Furniture Sale”.  This includes our best patio furniture sale all year.  This month’s color is Ivory, except that patio furniture uses dark pink.

►    Legacy will be discontinuing the Megan in 44BC and the 9’ Ella in 44BC, so we have changed the price to end in a seven.  We and they will probably have those tables available for several months.

►    The Namco above ground pool program is changing this year.  They have new pool names that seem to indicate a quality and a material.  S = all steel, AP = aluminum wall saver panel, AW = aluminum wall (on a steel frame).  Three accessory packages are called Bronze, Silver, and Gold.  New pool warranties are following the new Wilbar program that make every pool “Lifetime” but there are very different details; from 1 year 100%/25% lifetime, 2 years 100%/30% lifetime,  and 3 years 100%/35% lifetime, but an aluminum wall swap-out guarantee (we’re trying to find out what that means).  Prices seem to be just as high as they were last year.  The have also added resin top rails and 54 inch pools.  Notes are in the lunchroom and in the Competitor Shopping book.  Details to follow.

►    Customer Feedback:  Customer Irene C., from Billerica stated that her general shopping experience with us was Excellent.  “Salespersons extremely knowledgeable and helpful.”  Did any of our team members do an unusually good job?  “Cliff Cook was extremely helpful and patient explaining all details for our patio set purchase.”  Sales help, operations, communication, and product performance were all rated Excellent.  “Cannot say anything but how great salespeople are.  Very prompt, detailed, precise.  Extremely helpful and careful loading merchandise for us.  Love getting info and flyers.  Have had merchandise for years and always helpful if needed parts.”  She would recommend us to a friend.  “Great service, great sales people and very knowledgeable.”  What can we do to improve?  “Can’t think of a thing.”  What do we do really well?  “Again, great advice, service, and sales people.  They do a great job and is a friendly place to shop.  Thank you!”

►    News of the Weird from the Hippo:

The continuing crisis. National Pride:  Factory worker Thanakorn Siripaiboon was arrested in December in a Bangkok suburb after he wrote a “sarcastic” comment on social media about the dog that belongs to Thailand’s king.  For the crime of “insulting the monarch,” Thanakorn faces 37 years in prison.

►    Humor in Uniform from the Reader’s Digest:

My gunnery sergeant and I were inspecting a Marine training exercise when we spotted a second lieutenant ambling about.  “Where is your foxhole, Lieutenant?”  I asked.  He snapped off a salute and responded, “I don’t know, sir!”  Turning to the sergeant, he asked, “Gunny, where is my foxhole?”  “You’re standing in it, sir,” said the sergeant.  “All you have to do is remove the dirt.”