Guy comes in looking for the newest Beckett (sports card price guide.) Can't figure out why he can't find one. So I inform him that Beckett has changed the format, and I guide him to the right spot. Inside baseball knowledge, so to speak. Something that would've probably taken him a long, long time to figure out on his own.
So I say to him, like I often do, "Hey, buy a box from us sometime."
"Oh, no. You are overpriced."
"Oh?"
"Yes, your Fleer basketball is four dollars more than Shopko." (39.99 vs. 36.00)
So there you go. A four dollar difference in price, and world of difference in perspective.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
So THAT's what happens!
So this is what Free Comic Book Day is supposed to feel like!
We've been doing it for several years, but this the first time we've had a real response. Nothing like being covered in the local paper, I guess. Of course, wouldn't you know it, this was the year I cut back on how many I ordered,. Fortunately, I had plenty of good stuff left from previous years.
Patrick tells me it was getting a bit skimpy toward the end of the day, but people were O.K. even then, commenting, "We should have come in earlier..."
That's what impressed me the most: the positive vibes. Everyone seemed happy, even with the long lines. A couple of times I tried to get people to move along, but really it was better to just let the pressure of the crowd do the job. No complaints, lots of smiles. There was just something in the air.
Next year I'll be tripling or quadruplicating my orders; it's always nice to have a few left that I can put under the counter to give to kids throughout the year.
And our customers rewarded us with good sales. Not a record day, perhaps, but it may well have been a record day for May.
It's so rare when a promotion works so well. Free comics, no strings attached, is just the right kind of thing to do. Felt good.
Haven't seen the Iron Man movie yet. Probably tomorrow. I have to see these movies in self-defense. This is the usual conversation:
"Have you seen Iron Man yet?"
"No."
"Oh, it's really cool...." and they they proceed to tell me all about it. They feel compelled to tell me all about it, even when I tell them not to. "Oh, I'm not giving away anything, but...." Argggh.
On the other hand, if I say, "Yes, I really liked it," the conversation ends with smiles....
We've been doing it for several years, but this the first time we've had a real response. Nothing like being covered in the local paper, I guess. Of course, wouldn't you know it, this was the year I cut back on how many I ordered,. Fortunately, I had plenty of good stuff left from previous years.
Patrick tells me it was getting a bit skimpy toward the end of the day, but people were O.K. even then, commenting, "We should have come in earlier..."
That's what impressed me the most: the positive vibes. Everyone seemed happy, even with the long lines. A couple of times I tried to get people to move along, but really it was better to just let the pressure of the crowd do the job. No complaints, lots of smiles. There was just something in the air.
Next year I'll be tripling or quadruplicating my orders; it's always nice to have a few left that I can put under the counter to give to kids throughout the year.
And our customers rewarded us with good sales. Not a record day, perhaps, but it may well have been a record day for May.
It's so rare when a promotion works so well. Free comics, no strings attached, is just the right kind of thing to do. Felt good.
Haven't seen the Iron Man movie yet. Probably tomorrow. I have to see these movies in self-defense. This is the usual conversation:
"Have you seen Iron Man yet?"
"No."
"Oh, it's really cool...." and they they proceed to tell me all about it. They feel compelled to tell me all about it, even when I tell them not to. "Oh, I'm not giving away anything, but...." Argggh.
On the other hand, if I say, "Yes, I really liked it," the conversation ends with smiles....
Saturday, May 3, 2008
FCBD rampage.
I may have to eat crow....but in a good way. Tasty, well-seasoned crow.
Most people in my store ever. Sales at 1/3rd above average Saturday, just 2 hours into the day.
Happy people.
Old, familiar faces.
Excited kids.
I was 3 comics per customer until 1:00, and have decided to go down to 2 comics per customer from here out. Years past, I might have had maybe 30 - 50 people for the whole day, and I think we were getting that many per half hour. Very cool.
Nothing like being in the Sunday entertainment section in the Bulletin! Thanks, Dave!
Most people in my store ever. Sales at 1/3rd above average Saturday, just 2 hours into the day.
Happy people.
Old, familiar faces.
Excited kids.
I was 3 comics per customer until 1:00, and have decided to go down to 2 comics per customer from here out. Years past, I might have had maybe 30 - 50 people for the whole day, and I think we were getting that many per half hour. Very cool.
Nothing like being in the Sunday entertainment section in the Bulletin! Thanks, Dave!
Nau no more.
I had never heard of this company until this mornings Oregonian. But a couple of things really stand out.
First, the idea that you are going reinvent retail. The idea of selling stuff has probably been around as long as mankind. Stores have been around for thousand, tens of thousands of years. Changing people habits isn't an easy thing to do, and take a whole bunch of money. This is gambling money. Amazon money.
Secondly, if you really want to know what happened, the answer is in the following sentence:
"The closure will eventually put 60 people at Nau's headquarters in the Pearl District out of work. It also employs 35 in its five stores, which include one opened less than two weeks ago in Los Angeles."
I always have to explain to my employees that the nexus of customer and clerk is the most important job they have. Sure, it's great if they have organizational skills, or they clean the store, but that sale at the counter is what keeps us in business.
I don't care that the company is new. That's just too many chefs and not enough waiters.
First, the idea that you are going reinvent retail. The idea of selling stuff has probably been around as long as mankind. Stores have been around for thousand, tens of thousands of years. Changing people habits isn't an easy thing to do, and take a whole bunch of money. This is gambling money. Amazon money.
Secondly, if you really want to know what happened, the answer is in the following sentence:
"The closure will eventually put 60 people at Nau's headquarters in the Pearl District out of work. It also employs 35 in its five stores, which include one opened less than two weeks ago in Los Angeles."
I always have to explain to my employees that the nexus of customer and clerk is the most important job they have. Sure, it's great if they have organizational skills, or they clean the store, but that sale at the counter is what keeps us in business.
I don't care that the company is new. That's just too many chefs and not enough waiters.
Portland-based retailer Nau closes after 14 months
The sustainable apparel company cites tight credit markets; experts fault business model
Saturday, May 03, 2008
BRENT HUNSBERGER
The Oregonian Staff Nau Inc. announced Friday it was shutting down, just 14 months after launching with goals of shattering retail business practices, changing consumer shopping habits and promoting sustainable living.
Shortly before noon, the Portland company posted on its Web site a statement, "Goodbye for Nau," indicating it was ceasing operations. In near indignant language, company officials blamed its failure not on its ambitious business plan but on tight U.S. credit markets
"At this time, investors are loath to invest in anything; especially, it appears, a company like Nau that has the audacity to challenge conventional paradigms of what a business should be," the statement said.
Industry experts and local venture capitalists said the company also suffered from a flawed business model and possibly missteps along the way. Nau's plans, mostly rooted in the name of environmental stewardship, ate through lots of cash, required an ambitious rollout of stores and relied on consumers to change their shopping habits, critics said.Its closure casts a pall on Portland's drive to be a leader in sustainable business practices, something Nau had come to symbolize nationally.
"It's not a good day for Oregon, actually," said Mike Edwards, former CEO of Portland-based apparel retailer Lucy Activewear. "Portland is the activewear apparel capital globally. A lot of new companies are moving in to take advantage of that labor pool. We don't need to scare them."
In an interview, Nau vice president for marketing Ian Yolles declined to say how much Nau fell short of its fundraising goals. The closure will eventually put 60 people at Nau's headquarters in the Pearl District out of work. It also employs 35 in its five stores, which include one opened less than two weeks ago in Los Angeles.
"It doesn't mean the ideas we're associated with are unattainable and it doesn't mean they aren't important," Yolles said. "There's an urgency for businesses to operate in a way that demonstrates leadership to a sustainable future. But it is a very sad day."
Yolles declined requests to allow a photographer at its headquarters or Tualatin store.
Nau was founded in 2005 with an all-star management team and board who'd cut their teeth at such established brands as Marmot Mountain, Nike, Patagonia Inc. and Adidas. The company aimed to design and sell clothing made from renewable materials, such as recycled polyester and merino wool, for use both actively outdoors and fashionably out at night.
Free Comic Book Day!
Are we to be crushed under the masses of comic yearning people?
I'm actually starting to worry that I might run out of comics, which is pretty much impossible. But when I ordered this year, I didn't know the Bulletin would cover it.
I'm going to allow 3 comics per, instead of 4, just to be totally safe.
Don't worry, I've got plenty.
I wonder if I'll have to direct traffic flow.
Crowds are not my favorite thing, but I'll try to keep a smile in my face.
See ya!
Dunc
I'm actually starting to worry that I might run out of comics, which is pretty much impossible. But when I ordered this year, I didn't know the Bulletin would cover it.
I'm going to allow 3 comics per, instead of 4, just to be totally safe.
Don't worry, I've got plenty.
I wonder if I'll have to direct traffic flow.
Crowds are not my favorite thing, but I'll try to keep a smile in my face.
See ya!
Dunc
Friday, May 2, 2008
Let Them Eat Cake?
I can't be reading that Bethlehem Inn story in the Bulletin yesterday correctly, can I?
I'm not going to put my own impressions here, just repeat what the story said.
"Less than a year after Deschutes county paid 2.25 million toward the purchase of a facility for a Bend homeless shelter, county commissioners heard Wednesday that the shelter has no immediate plans to pay back that money.
"The county also learned that the Bethlehem Inn board of directors thinks the former hotel purchased mostly with county funds in late July is inadequate for the shelter's long term needs. In a letter the County Commission received Wednesday, the boards' president wrote the Bethlehem Inn would prefer to buy vacant land and build a facility from scratch."
The above is word for word, the first two paragraphs of the Bulletin story.
That can't be right, can it? I mean, I must be missing something. It sound a lot like giving a car to a person, and having them say, "I don't want it. It isn't a Mercedes." Or like giving a house to someone, and them saying, "I don't want it. It doesn't have a hot tub." Or giving someone a T.V. and them saying, "I don't want it. It isn't a big screen T.V."
So I'm thinking, I must be misinterpreting somehow.
But it seems to just get worse.
"Given the Inn's increased operating cost at the facility, the change in funding priorities, and the prohibitive cost to purchase and remodel the facility into a homeless shelter, the Econo Lodge no longer appears to be a permanent solution for the Inn," board President Jonathan Basham wrote in the letter.
"The economic slowdown has increased demand at Bethlehem Inn on Third Street.
"It has also led to a decrease in donations from local businesses and individuals, said Executive Director Sandra Mears.
"The Bethlehim Inn in not meeting its operating budget and is having difficulty funding sponsors for its June 2 casino fund raiser."
Word for word on the next four paragraphs. Again, I'm confused. They want new land and new facilities but they can't even pay the operating costs of the one they have? I must be missing something....
And it gets worse and worse. So much so, that I'm still kind of in disbelief. It sounds, though, like the fund raising (which pays the directors and such) isn't going well. So they want to get more money for a different kind of program that the federal and state government is willing to fund.
But that makes it sound like they're more concerned about fund raising than they are in actually running a real live homeless shelter. That can't be right, can it?
It is a dangerous thing to cast aspersions on people who are volunteering to help people. But, a few questions should be raised, I'd think.
I had similar reaction when the Salvation Army closed their thrift store and now when the St. Vincent DePaul's is closing. The numbers don't make sense to me. The costs are too high, the income too low. Especially since they're getting their inventory for free.
I just don't get it.
But, well, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There must be something I'm missing.
And on a related matter; is it common knowledge you can stiff the county any time you feel like it? That there are no consequences? Just in my memory of the last decade of so, it seems like we've had the county fairgrounds, Royal Blend coffee, the senior center, Bethlehem Inn and our county sheriff pretty much take advantage of the county. Who's watching out? Who's drawing up these contracts?
No wonder Pronghorn feels like they can give Deschutes County the finger. When the commissioners seem to throw up their hands and say, "What can we do?"
I'm not going to put my own impressions here, just repeat what the story said.
"Less than a year after Deschutes county paid 2.25 million toward the purchase of a facility for a Bend homeless shelter, county commissioners heard Wednesday that the shelter has no immediate plans to pay back that money.
"The county also learned that the Bethlehem Inn board of directors thinks the former hotel purchased mostly with county funds in late July is inadequate for the shelter's long term needs. In a letter the County Commission received Wednesday, the boards' president wrote the Bethlehem Inn would prefer to buy vacant land and build a facility from scratch."
The above is word for word, the first two paragraphs of the Bulletin story.
That can't be right, can it? I mean, I must be missing something. It sound a lot like giving a car to a person, and having them say, "I don't want it. It isn't a Mercedes." Or like giving a house to someone, and them saying, "I don't want it. It doesn't have a hot tub." Or giving someone a T.V. and them saying, "I don't want it. It isn't a big screen T.V."
So I'm thinking, I must be misinterpreting somehow.
But it seems to just get worse.
"Given the Inn's increased operating cost at the facility, the change in funding priorities, and the prohibitive cost to purchase and remodel the facility into a homeless shelter, the Econo Lodge no longer appears to be a permanent solution for the Inn," board President Jonathan Basham wrote in the letter.
"The economic slowdown has increased demand at Bethlehem Inn on Third Street.
"It has also led to a decrease in donations from local businesses and individuals, said Executive Director Sandra Mears.
"The Bethlehim Inn in not meeting its operating budget and is having difficulty funding sponsors for its June 2 casino fund raiser."
Word for word on the next four paragraphs. Again, I'm confused. They want new land and new facilities but they can't even pay the operating costs of the one they have? I must be missing something....
And it gets worse and worse. So much so, that I'm still kind of in disbelief. It sounds, though, like the fund raising (which pays the directors and such) isn't going well. So they want to get more money for a different kind of program that the federal and state government is willing to fund.
But that makes it sound like they're more concerned about fund raising than they are in actually running a real live homeless shelter. That can't be right, can it?
It is a dangerous thing to cast aspersions on people who are volunteering to help people. But, a few questions should be raised, I'd think.
I had similar reaction when the Salvation Army closed their thrift store and now when the St. Vincent DePaul's is closing. The numbers don't make sense to me. The costs are too high, the income too low. Especially since they're getting their inventory for free.
I just don't get it.
But, well, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. There must be something I'm missing.
And on a related matter; is it common knowledge you can stiff the county any time you feel like it? That there are no consequences? Just in my memory of the last decade of so, it seems like we've had the county fairgrounds, Royal Blend coffee, the senior center, Bethlehem Inn and our county sheriff pretty much take advantage of the county. Who's watching out? Who's drawing up these contracts?
No wonder Pronghorn feels like they can give Deschutes County the finger. When the commissioners seem to throw up their hands and say, "What can we do?"
I love to Have a Beer with Duncan.
I have a new customer, Bill, who's a fifth grade teacher in town and an Aussie. And he told me about a song with the title, "I love to Have a Beer with Duncan."
How could I not know about this?
Though it does explain the odd person saying to me, "Love to have a beer with Duncan."
I just thought they were being over-friendly...
Duncan - Slim Dusty
I love to have a beer with Duncan
I love to have a beer with Dunc.
We drink in moderation
And we never ever ever get rollin' drunk
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Duncan
'Cause Duncan's me mate, yeah
I love to have a beer with Colin
I love to have a beer with Col.
We drink in moderation
And it doesn't really matter if he brings his doll
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Colin
'Cause Colin's me mate, mm-mm-mm
I love to have a beer with Kevin
Oh I love to have a beer with Kev.
We drink in moderation
And he drives me home in his big old Chev.
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Kevin
'Cause Kevin's me mate
I love to have a beer with Patrick
I love to have a beer with Pat
We drink in moderation
And it wouldn't really matter if the beer was flat
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Patrick
'Cause Patrick's me mate - Change key
I love to have a beer with Robert
I love to have a beer with Bob
We drink in moderation
Just one more and back on the job
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Robert
'Cause Robert's me mate
I love to have a beer with Duncan
Oh I love to have a beer with Dunc.
We drink in moderation
And we never ever ever get rollin' drunk
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Duncan
'Cause Duncan's me mate.
How could I not know about this?
Though it does explain the odd person saying to me, "Love to have a beer with Duncan."
I just thought they were being over-friendly...
Duncan - Slim Dusty
I love to have a beer with Duncan
I love to have a beer with Dunc.
We drink in moderation
And we never ever ever get rollin' drunk
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Duncan
'Cause Duncan's me mate, yeah
I love to have a beer with Colin
I love to have a beer with Col.
We drink in moderation
And it doesn't really matter if he brings his doll
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Colin
'Cause Colin's me mate, mm-mm-mm
I love to have a beer with Kevin
Oh I love to have a beer with Kev.
We drink in moderation
And he drives me home in his big old Chev.
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Kevin
'Cause Kevin's me mate
I love to have a beer with Patrick
I love to have a beer with Pat
We drink in moderation
And it wouldn't really matter if the beer was flat
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Patrick
'Cause Patrick's me mate - Change key
I love to have a beer with Robert
I love to have a beer with Bob
We drink in moderation
Just one more and back on the job
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Robert
'Cause Robert's me mate
I love to have a beer with Duncan
Oh I love to have a beer with Dunc.
We drink in moderation
And we never ever ever get rollin' drunk
We drink at the Town and Country
Where the atmosphere is great
I love to have a beer with Duncan
'Cause Duncan's me mate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
