June 14, 2014

►    Customer Feedback:   A Seasonal Specialty Stores Report Card was received from Roland R. from Merrimack, NH, rating his general shopping experience as “excellent”.  He stated that “Patrick M. and Joe C. were helpful in the installation of my safety cover. I learned a lot from both of them. They both should be rewarded.”  When asked if any of our team members did an unusually bad job, he replied “No.”  As far as our sales help: “Mia H. was very helpful in my purchase. Also very thoughtful and very knowledgeable.”  Communications were rated excellent – “well done”.  He rated our product performance as excellent and commented, “Whatever I got for products work very well all season in my pool.”  Would he recommend a friend:  “Yes, for all of the above mentioned.”  As far as improving anything, he stated “Maybe a couple of coupons now and then to help with the cost of products.”  He remarked on what we do exceptionally well –  “Everything that I have experienced so far have been done with excellent & respectful in all manner.”

Another customer, Jim McG. from Pepperell, MA, emailed saying “Thank you too to the girl working the parts desk Thursday when I was in. She got me hooked up with the right combination of fittings and hoses, and I’m up and running. Your team is the best around!”

►    All promotions, sales, and sale prices continue from last week. Advertising and weekly specials change Sunday, June 15 to Super Summer Savings. This month’s color is purple.

►    Current Summer Events:

June 14:  Stephen’s first Anniversary:  Have some anniversary cake in the coffee shop while supplies last.

June 15:  Father’s Day ~ FREE Gifts for fathers, future fathers, and fathers-at-heart, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

June 18:  Pool School 102 ~ Introduction to Pool Chemistry, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

June 21:  Happy Birthday Patrick and Rose:  FREE birthday cake in the coffee shop, while supplies last.

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.

►    Happy First Year Anniversary to Stephen on June 17th. We will have cake this weekend to celebrate.

►    Lunch is being provided on Saturday, June 14 by Larry Schwimmer, owner of Swimline (liners) and ILP (most of our toys, pool tools, and more).

►    Lunch on Sunday, June 15th will be courtesy of Al and Melanie Santosuosso from Pools By Us Plus.

►    Lunch on Saturday, June 21st, will be courtesy of our new Bioguard rep. – Matt Young. He expects to be visiting, but his wife is also about to have a baby, so who knows?

►    We now stock a new gazebo that is the World’s Best Screen House!  Seriously, it is exactly what customers have been requesting for years – it can stay up all winter. It closes with screening to keep out bugs, or a UV resistant  curtain to keep out bugs and prying eyes.  Or fold both against the corners and everything is open! We are supposed to put one in the patio furniture department, and they will probably sell great once we put one up, but first, someone is going to have to assemble it.

►    The Visscher Special Order Price List has item numbers for the two models that we have in stock.

►    Safety Reward Party on Saturday, August 16. Think two miniature golf courses.

►    Weekly Fire Alarm Tip: Acting assistant managers should make an intercom announcement for all to calmly evacuate the building at the closest exit. Customers should be instructed to leave product and meet at the gazebo. Verify that customers are leaving immediately and check the bathrooms for occupied lights. Check warehouse doors for closure. 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 we send the confirmation email to our Seasonal Reward$ customers, it is completely useless to just “click on it” despite what we are telling the customers.  They need to REPLY to it.  Otherwise, we have no idea if they got it.  And, then we waste their time and ours, continuing to send the same email, then mailing them a letter.  All they have to do is REPLY (which is all the email requests), and then we know it worked.

►    New Items coming in soon:

 Flo Light: replaces the eyeball in a Hayward-type (3 piece) return. The propeller in it uses the water flow to power LED lights.  Totally Green; no batteries!  Only $39.99

Flo Light Lens Cover Set: Turn the clear Flo Light red, green, or blue.  Only $10.99

Skimmer Arm: Attaches to most through wall skimmers. Sticks out into the pool to help guide debris into the skimmer, Only $19.99

►    The June Spectrum ad expires June 26 and requires an $80 minimum total purchase.

►    All liquid chlorine deposits were perfect last week. GREAT JOB! Two warranty items without names – an Intex Pump is still a pump! One cash refund ($34.99) without a name. Overall, an excellent job.  Thank you.

►    I have asked the contractor fixing our cement steps in the back of the building to give you access on Saturday and Sunday. He will try, but may not be able to confirm because of the weather. So, if the stairs are blocked, you should still park in the back but enter and leave in the front.

►    We had 13 people research us and our competitors on YELP, but only one continued to our website. Remember, only you can cure that by giving customers who you know really like us, the card you carry that tells them how to review us online.  Because with only two reviews on YELP, we don’t look all the reputable.

►    The Anchor Step Weights are not included in any liner protection package (we seem to have lost ten of them that way).

►    Old Jokes: I had stopped at the study of a Chicago clergyman to take him to lunch, and, just as we were leaving, the telephone rang. He listened courteously for about five minutes, then began to reply. In the middle of a sentence, however, he broke the connection with his finger and then hung up.  “When I simply have to get away,” he explained, “I always hang up on myself. The poor telephone company gets blamed – bores never think a man would cut off his own voice.”