June 21, 2014

►    Customer Feedback:   A Seasonal Specialty Stores Report Card was received from Beth & Jim J. from Brookline, NH, rating their general shopping experience as “excellent”.  They stated that “We purchased the pool through Seth. We asked him lots of questions. His knowledge helped us to ‘take on’ first time pool ownership.”  When asked if any of our team members did an unusually bad job, they replied “No.”  As far as our sales help: “Really appreciated getting help during that first two months of owning a pool. The startup phase was overwhelming.”  Operations were excellent: “Polite, efficient, knowledgeable”. Communications were rated excellent – “Your pool package of lit was great.”  They rated our product performance as excellent and commented, “Pool water clean and clear – Feels safe for the children.” Pool School, In-store advice, and Free water testing were all given 10/Excellent ratings. As far as improving anything, they stated “Can’t think of anything. I am impressed with your business and am so glad that we bought our pool from you.”  He remarked on what we do exceptionally well – “Having a free Pool School is terrific. Being able to get help and advice quickly is greatly appreciated.”

►    All promotions, sales, and sale prices continue from last week: Super Summer Savings. This month’s color is purple.

►    Current Summer Events:

         June 21:  Meet Matt Young from Bioguard Chemicals in our store today.

         June 29:  Grill Demonstration: Saber R50CC & Saffire 18” smoker:  11AM – 2PM

         July 1-3:  FREE Independence Day Gifts while supplies last.

         July 1:  Summer store hours start:  Mon – Fri 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sat 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Sun 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

         July 4:  CLOSED ~ Happy Independence Day.

         July 5:  Kenny’s Birthday:  FREE birthday cake in the coffee shop while supplies last.

►    Lunch on Saturday, June 21st, will be courtesy of Matt Young, our new Bioguard rep: Chicken ‘N Chips. They raised their prices so the tip jar will add a little too. Matt is expected to be here that day. We will also have some coupons available just while he is here for selected Bioguard products.

►    Lunch on Saturday 6/28 will be provided by Accucare; makers of Target Super Shock and Pool Clear Liquid Chlorine.

►    Remember, July hours start Tuesday, July 1st. We return to closing at 8pm weekdays. So PLEASE do not lose a customer for us by telling someone we are open until 9 unless you also say it’s just for a few more days.

►    Safety Reward Party on Saturday, August 16. Unlimited buckets of balls on the driving range.

►    Weekly Fire Alarm Tip: Acting assistant managers should, if safe, go to the break room and get (1) the schedule for roll call, (2) a walkie-talkie for communications with the manager, and (3) the MSDS books for the fire department.

Fire alarm procedures are tested once a quarter.  Your score on this test plays a part in the amount of your quarterly bonus.  A complete answer key is returned with each graded test.  If you would like another copy, please ask Jen!!

►    When Mark Coleman was here last week, he brought some comparisons of gas vs heat pump heating costs. We created a label from them, and we are adding it to the back cover of the heat pump literature.

►    It’s iced coffee time, so don’t dump out the coffee at 3:00 or 9:00- put it in the iced coffee pitcher in the water lab refrigerator.

►    The ceiling fans drive the hot air down from the ceiling to the floor, which is nice in the winter, but not in the summer. So don’t turn them on until winter- leave the air conditioning where we can feel it.

►    From John W.:  When taking stock from the Seasonal Truck, please be sure to fill out the paperwork in Patrick’s office so the items are deducted from inventory, and the stock is correct.  Many times employees take items out of the truck, and don’t tell anyone, then the truck is missing needed parts.

►    The breakroom refrigerator was not working right.  The freezer section was cool instead of freezing cold. We had it repaired on Friday morning, but it spent at all day Thursday warmer than normal.  We suggest you toss any food you left in the freezer.

►    We now have samples of the solar-powered lights for Oceanic Top rails in the building. They have been placed all year on the above ground price list. Special order until we see people actually ordering. I expect that we will eventually have one sample on the 8’ display pool and one outdoors on one of the Oceanics.

►    Old Jokes: Small boy on telephone, as teen-age sister rushes to grab it: “You must have the wrong number. I don’t have a beautiful sister.”

►    The voice on the phone said I had the wrong number.

“Are you sure?” I insisted.

The stranger replied quickly. “Have I ever lied to you before?”