February 7, 2015
► Another new Marquis Financing Sale starts Monday, February 9th (no, not Sunday – Monday!). Details will be on the back of the sale sheet. It’s not any more “free” than our other Wells Fargo financing – it’s still a trade for the delivery rebate. It is just like the six-month promotion, but it’s twelve months. Ends March 28, and tub must be taken by April 15th. Note: Does not include Celebrity hot tubs.
► Customer Feedback: A Seasonal Specialty Stores Report Card was received from customer Mike McN., of Londonderry, NH. Sales help, operations, communication, and product performance were all rated Excellent. “Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.” Did any of our team members do an unusually good job? “Patrick & Mia are always excellent. Took extra time to answer questions and made excellent equipment recommendations.” Pool School, in-store advice, and free water testing were all rated Excellent. Would you recommend us to a friend? “Love your business model, unlike many retail outlets, you “get” the customer service aspect of business really well.” What do we do really well? “Continuity of staff. Been using your team, buying products for 5 yrs. Always great to work with experienced people who remember you.”
► Advertising, specials, and promotions continue from last week: “Relax at Home”
► There were 19 One-of-These Awards last month; two for customer service. Finalists were Jen, Patrick, Joe, and Mia. Owner’s Choice was Patrick, and the Drawing Winner was also Patrick. Congratulations to all.
► From Mia: Can we all help solve this problem? The TV in the spa department has been forgotten-about much too often over the winter. If you are turning on lights or TVs in the morning, please remember to turn on the spa TV as well. If you are unsure how to do that – see me and I will be happy to show you how! Thank you in advance for your help!
► I am not a financial expert, but it seems to me that the Anthem data breech is more serious than the typical credit card breech (Target, Sears, fill in any big retailer) because credit card numbers alone are difficult to turn into identity theft. Here, they have social security numbers, where you work, and your real name. So if you have Anthem insurance, I would at least take the free credit monitoring. If you buy it on the individual market (where they bill you) they may have lost your income amount too! We never gave that out for a company plan, because they bill us, not you. At least you have 80 million people whose information competes with yours, for identity theft, so you have low odds of a thief choosing you.
Note: If you have had Anthem or Blue Cross in the past, your information could also included in this breech. Some information is attached from the Federal Trade Commission and Experian regarding putting a Credit Freeze and Fraud Alert on your accounts.
► News of the Weird from the Hippo: Questionable Judgments: After a Feb. 11 explosion at a natural gas well in Greene County, PA, killed one worker, burned for four days and caused massive traffic jams and other inconveniences, the public relations response of well-owner Chevron was merely to give away vouchers for pizza and soda at local hangout Bobtown Pizza. Environmentalists were outraged at Chevron’s “let them eat cake/pizza” attitude, but CBS News found quite a few locals who supported Chevron’s response. (For one thing, Bobtown’s pizza is apparently highly regarded.)
► Internet Humor: What’s your name? A very strict officer was talking to some new soldiers whom he had to train. He had never seen them before, so he began. My name is Stone, and I’m even harder than stone, so do what I tell you or there’ll be trouble. Don’t try any tricks with me, and then we’ll get on well together. Then he went to each soldier, one after another, and asked him his name. Speak loudly so that everyone can hear you clearly, he said, and don’t forget to call me sir. Each soldier told him his name, until he came to the last one. This man remained silent, and so Captain Stone shouted at him, When I asked you a question, answer it! I’ll ask you again, What’s your name soldier? The soldier was very unhappy, but at last he replied. My name is Stone-breaker, sir, he said nervously.