hardlines Digest Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:01:31 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27452 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27451' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Feb 1997 17:54:21 -0500 From: Tony Brinkmann Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27451 Thanks to those who commented on non-pricing via scanner hook labels - it's all usefull fodder for ruminating about my computer system and my store's automation. Thanks specially to John III for being the gracious host and lead techie. I enjoyed Bill Round's comments and agree with him that the best investment for maximizing productivity is the soon to arrive Triad IST with radio frequency capability. We're looking forward to having it simplify the entire process of maintaining location, price and our cool. Tony Brinkmann Brinkmann True Value Hardware Sayville, LI, NY brink@li.net ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27452 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 02 Mar 1997 00:01:57 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27453 Today's topics: 'Cotter Retail Accounting' 'Re: Cotter Retail Accounting' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27450' 'Sierra POS stations' 'Re: Cotter Retail Accounting' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 12:19:48 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: Cotter Retail Accounting Has anyone on the list had experience using any or all of Cotter's Retail Accounting services? Our bookkeeper is finally nearing retirement (after 58 years), and it seems like a good time to evaluate our options in terms of how to handle our back office functions. We've been using the same accounting firm for all those years, but they've gotten a little pricey and have suggested a few times that we have our general ledger work done elsewhere. I'm also looking at various computer packages... probably PC based. Are there folks using programs like QuickBooks in conjunction with their store systems? We own the Triad AP and GL packages, so I'm going to take a look at those, especially since they've improved a lot of the pass-off routines in the past few years. Thanks! John PS - February Hardlines Digest is now available on the web page. Also soon to be available is an automated method to change your hardlines digest options, and post messages to the list. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 12:40:43 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Cotter Retail Accounting crap (cotter retail accounting program) uses the same safeguard package i 'sold' when i worked in public accounting back in the 70's. you put everything on 'one-write' forms and send it to cotter and they send it to safeguard and safeguard keypunches it and sends back the output. (waste of money in today's age of computers!) i suggest you check out great plains software. they ain't cheap, but it's a whale of a lot better gl/ap/pr value than the triad inventory system you're so happy with. anyone with a 'little' computer and accounting sense can handle it with ease. At 12:19 PM EST 3/1/97 -0500, you wrote: >Has anyone on the list had experience using any or all of Cotter's Retail >Accounting services? Our bookkeeper is finally nearing retirement (after >58 years), and it seems like a good time to evaluate our options in terms >of how to handle our back office functions. We've been using the same >accounting firm for all those years, but they've gotten a little pricey and >have suggested a few times that we have our general ledger work done >elsewhere. > >I'm also looking at various computer packages... probably PC based. Are >there folks using programs like QuickBooks in conjunction with their store >systems? We own the Triad AP and GL packages, so I'm going to take a look >at those, especially since they've improved a lot of the pass-off routines >in the past few years. > >Thanks! > >John > >PS - February Hardlines Digest is now available on the web page. Also soon >to be available is an automated method to change your hardlines digest >options, and post messages to the list. > >*************************************************************** > Hardlines Mailing List is an unmoderated Internet mailing list > for hardware and building materials industry members. Back > issues are available at > > http://www.cornells.com/hardlines/ > > To remove your name from the mailing list, send email to > listserv@cornells.com with the following line in your message: > > unsubscribe hardlines firstname lastname > > For any other questions, send email to postmaster@cornells.com >*************************************************************** > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 1 Mar 1997 13:07:38 -0500 (EST) From: Rlbeard@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27450 In a message dated 97-02-27 00:07:35 EST, you write: << Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27449 I have a quick classified ... anyone out there know of a used Sierra POS station for sale? It seems our remote store has seen Pari, and the Triad salesman is hot on my trail. Is it worth $4,000 for a PC with software?? Jay Farr 541-267-2137 jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us >> Hello Jay, No, I don't think it's worth it - $$$ wise, that is. Overpriced. But definately worth it in the long run regarding line outages, etc, when you want to capture the sales data for later uploading to you main Triad box. I was working to try and build a Sierra unit just recently. I had the P.C. already in house, and called up Triad to get prices on the Cash Drawer (w/ Pack-Board installed, of course), Receipt printer, and software (the Intelligent P.O.S. software). The total I came up with was $3,050. They were running a special at the time for a new Sierra for $3,600 or thereabouts. My $3,050 was with NO P.C. cost at all!!! Can you believe it? But this is a classic case of Triad protecting itself with propriety hardware and software that you can only buy from them. :-( They locked me in, yet again. So, what did I do? I broke down and ordered what I needed from them, the complete Sierra unit. that is. Sorry I don't have a used one for you. If I run across one, I'll let you know. --Roger ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 13:37:02 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: Sierra POS stations I doubt that you'll have much luck finding a used Sierra. They basically never die, as we've got two 386SX units running here, off monthly support, and probably about three years old (or older). About the only way to get a good deal would be to see if you can get any older CPU units from Triad as the faster processors won't give you much benefit. I've found that the primary use for our Sierra's is for software upgrades. Our power from Con Edison is among the most reliable in the nation (and possibly the most expensive!), and the Eagle system has been very reliable. Running Sierras in conjunction with a UPS can get you up to 1/2 hour of run time during a power failure, but not much more. Generators are a tricky issue... most will trash the PC electronics. So, for one software upgrade a year, which could be done at night, it might not pay to invest in a Sierra. Since we tend to be involved in a lot of software testing here, the offline helps quite a bit. We might get a tape a week during some testing cycles, and the cashiers would quit if they had to use VDT off-line (ugh!). However, if you have frequent power problems that cause the Eagle to shut-down, and/or frequent down time (maybe your FE needs to show up and correct the problems), then a Sierra is a wise investment. Sure, it costs a lot, but it works, it's automated, it's accurate and pretty bulletproof, and it will keep your POS lines moving while you try and untangle the wires at the back of the Eagle. Our frequent down time to drop new software tapes has made our cashiers quite adept at off-line, which in itself is a nice plus. Since off-line means there is probably some crisis (system down, power failure, etc.), it's comforting to know that I won't have to stay at the POS station to help the cashiers out with off-line. John ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 1 Mar 1997 15:02:50 -0600 From: "True Value" Subject: Re: Cotter Retail Accounting ---------- You wrote: > From: John Fix 3rd > To: Multiple recipients of list hardlines > Subject: Cotter Retail Accounting > Date: Saturday, March 01, 1997 11:19 AM > > Has anyone on the list had experience using any or all of Cotter's Retail > Accounting services? Our bookkeeper is finally nearing retirement (after > 58 years), and it seems like a good time to evaluate our options in terms > of how to handle our back office functions. We've been using the same > accounting firm for all those years, but they've gotten a little pricey and > have suggested a few times that we have our general ledger work done > elsewhere. > John, We have used Triad's general ledger and accounts payable for (a long time) 10+ years. It is an antique compared with the new PC stuff, but it works and does get the job done. It is a little combersome to set up, but we do all our own books and just have an accountant go over it at the end of every year. I'd be happy to send you a sample of our books and answer what questions you may have. David Casaletto True Value Home Center Pittsburg, KS 316-231-0900 ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27453 ********************************** hardlines Digest Mon, 03 Mar 1997 00:03:36 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27454 Today's topics: 'Accounting Systems' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27453' 'PC General Ledger system' 'True Value Paint Shop' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 01 Mar 1997 23:28:49 -0600 From: Wayne B Youngblood Subject: Accounting Systems DON't EVEN THINK about using the Triad G/L package if you are not already using it. It's an antique and it was horrible when it was sold to us in 1986. There are so many edit runs and posting functions that you can't even find out what your bank balance is without investing a couple of hours. In fact, that is it's only advantage because neither your bookkeeper nor your nosey computer hacker in paint will have any idea of how much money you're making! We do like the passoff from RDJ to GL and from AP to GL, but you can easily set up a memorized transaction for he RDJ and you'll get a fully integrated AP and GL package in QUICKBOOKS (or any other system), so you won't need the later. Only Triad considers AP and GL separate packages -- maybe because it's another monthly SSA? I use QUICKBOOKS at home and love it. I would switch at the store but just dread setting up a new system and converting. Wayne Youngblood Youngblood's True Value youngblood@apex.net ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 09:11:08 -0500 From: "Wade Doss" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27453 John, On the Triad accounting software-- we have been using the Triad a/p g/l package for about 5 years with good results. The previous comments about setup and basic are true--- it would not have the power of Quickbooks. I have been satisfied with the Triad g/l but I am always looking for improvements. I have used the financial summary in request to export out the financial data from g/l into other accounting packages and spreadsheets. F/S is a nice feature that was added a while back but not much is ever said about it. The inventory pass-off to a/p is one of the best features added to the accounting software. It has saved us a number of times in catching billing errors. Theres always a check and balances thing going on between inventory and our a/p people. Wade Doss batesace@acehardware.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Mar 1997 15:20:12 -0800 From: Bernard Rielley Subject: PC General Ledger system John, We use a shareware package called Net Books 2.5 on our Mac. We have used it, and its predessor Peachtree Accounting for the MAC for about 4 years. While it has fulling integrated general ledger with A/P, A/R, Inventory, Job cost, etc., all we use is the General ledger and the Payables system. I think the cost is about $69. I tried the Peachtree Tree 2.5 upgrade on our Mac, but it is just a ported version of their PC software, very difficult to use. If you don't have a MAC, pick up a used IICX of FX for about $500. It will do a great job for you. You can find it on the WEB, do a search on NETBOOKS. Bernie Rielley Oakbrook True Value Tacoma, WA ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Mar 1997 22:00:25 -0600 (CST) From: Dana Whitton Subject: True Value Paint Shop Just a note of praise, we finished resetting our paint dept last week. After a rocky start on Sunday we really got on the move and had a beautiful new PAINT SHOP by Tuesday at noon. The training for our paint shop manager went well, but the info on how to advertise and plan a grand opening was confusing. If anyone has had a successful grand opening I could use some pointers in planning. Thanks to Rick Renaudo, Don Clark and team, and Randy Langford. ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27454 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 05 Mar 1997 00:01:33 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27455 Today's topics: 'John III's accounting dilemma' 'Re: Tracking 'untaggable' items' 'Triad IST vs. Cole portable laptop' 'TruServe product already shipping' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 3 Mar 1997 22:31:06 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: John III's accounting dilemma I ditto Dave Casaletto's comments. We use the full Triad accounting package. The A/R is best because POS does the updating, but the rest of the package is nice because it's there on the same machine as all the other Triad stuff. The software's junky, and it's exasperating to pay month after month software support when there has not been a single update in 10 years, but what can we say? We do our own books with a local accountant doing the Fed and State returns from our figures. Our current 'bookkeeper' is not formally trained, but is very detail oriented and has done a good job in picking up the necessary techniques for keeping us out of trouble (she's also my cousin). Most of all, I think it's critical that you have 100% trust in your book keeper. It doesn't hurt to have a bit of accounting background yourself, but who of us could survive long without that? Good luck in replacing your 'keeper, John. Any help I can give, just ask. Jay Farr ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 09:24:45 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Tracking 'untaggable' items At 09:35 PM EST 2/25/97 -0800, you wrote: > I posed the question about Hillman, hoping someone would have >come up with workable way to track the bulk stuff. Guess not. We have >been selling the stuff by department, and using the opening stock order >as the inventory valuation, since it is refilled to approximately the >opening stock levels every two weeks. > but the trick is to balance your inventory based on sales rather than the salesman's need for a commission or his laziness... without a sales history, you will be overstocked on the slow movers and understocked on the fast movers. > EDI might have been a partial solution to the receiving process, >if every item had a Cotter number. But, many of the Hillman items are >not in the warehouse, so no Cotter number. Our TruTrac system assigned >numbers unique to us when we loaded the Hillmin load diskette. Hillman >has no idea what our six digit number is,(although National knows our >unique stock numbers, since they keep our unique numbers in their >customer file), and any invoice they produce (manual, automated, or EDI) >will not have the number we need to automatically receive the stuff. > someone mentioned using the "MAP" function on a triad and there might be something similar on a tru-trac, but we decided in the case of our 'non-standard' vendors to use the vendor stock number (preceeded by an alpha character if the vendor uses a 6-digit sku). that way we can receive using their invoice/packing slip/acknowledgement... you would have to go through their entire product list changing your sku's, but the alternative is to be screwed up for the rest of your business life... > Even if we could come up with a slick way to receive the stuff, >it still leaves the other end open, how to sell it by IBM number. > we decided that on the small stuff we would sell it to ourselves each time we opened a box and return it as department "H" so the sales slip came out to zero. this obviously screws up our gross margin, but so does owning a triad .. we decided that having a precise gross margin was too expensive in terms of labor cost to handle each minor item (claims, policy a reimbursement at less than average cost, policy b the same, ad nauseum) precisely. therefore, at the end of the month we adjust general ledger inventory to the triad calculation and save a lot of expensive nickle/dime/penny adjustments during the month. the normal adjustment is about 0.2% of inventory value and i refuse to spend any time trimming that because it won't put cash in the bank. what we do work assiduously on is keeping unit sales data accurate. that will put cash in the bank by having a lean inventory without ever telling a customer we are 'temporarily out'. on the large stuff, we discovered that we were putting cotter-supplied price tickets (remember, michigan is an item-pricing state) on items with a 0.50 retail.... so we decided to have the cashiers write the sku on this merchandise in their spare time (busy work with a return on investment)... this way we can track the larger items in eaches. >Maybe we just need smart customers. > one of our competitors tried forcing his customers to write the sku of each item on a bag. note that i said 'forcing'.... miserable failure! i've even been known to tell customers with less than 0.50 worth of 'handful' "no charge - it costs more than that to ring up the sale..". and if they don't remember the price of 'those two screws' we guess at 0.03 or 0.05 depending on the size rather than hold them (and the rest of the line) up for even a minute for one of those awful "price checks".. our alternative is to perform regular cycle counts of the nut and bolt area (more often than the rest of the store). that 'forces' us to pay extra attention to the neatness of the area and re-sort the merchandise into the correct bins. we catch errors in the previous counts and adjust for any shoplifting before the errors put us in a low-stock condition. > So, I guess we just go on the way we are for the time being... > at least you didn't say "forever"... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 13:04:29 -0800 From: Samuel Allred Subject: Triad IST vs. Cole portable laptop I'm new on hardlines and a little late at responding to the message about the Triad IST. I don't know much about the IST, how much it costs, what it does, etc, but we have been using a portable laptop, WIS (Wireless Inventory Station), from Cole Computer Products for about two years now and we love what it does for us. It has a radio transmitter and receiver that connect directly to a Triad terminal jack, which allows us to operate just like it was a Triad terminal. We also purchased a marine cell battery which allows us to run the computer for three or four days without charging the batteries, instead of about three or four hours. The whole system sits on a 2' x 3' rolling cart, that is easily moved to any location you want. I'm not sure what the IST costs, but the laptop was $3,100. I don't know what the cost is for Triad's PC Access to connect up a PC to the Triad, but WIS uses Cole's EZ Workstation software to connect the PC to the Triad. It cost us about $1,100-$1,200, as I remember, for the connection software, label program, sign program, database, and a few more goodies. The great thing about this software is that you can use it on as many PCs in your business that you need. With PC Access, you have to purchase the whole program for each of the computers you want it on. Our main use for the WIS is doing Inventory. We go into the database, set up the pertinant fields, sku#, quantity on hand, description, and location codes. Then we go to one location, type in the sku, or scan the UPC, and it pulls up all the data needed from the Triad. Then, fix the quantity on hand if it is wrong, fix the location code if it is wrong, and go on to the next item. If your inventory is accurate already, it only takes a few seconds on each item. Once the location is done, we download the database info through QPIP, and finalize an RPI. We use to print out the RPI reports and manually go check the inventory and make the changes on the papers, then have to go in and type it all back in to QPIP. With the WIS, it saves us many, many, many, hours as well as making it almost fun, (if inventory can be fun since it has to be done anyway.) In between inventories, it can be used in many other ways. We go through a location, check the prices and margins in IMU, then print up stickers for any changes in price or price descrepencies. We also download our price changes from Cotter, make any changes we want to in IPC, finalize the report with RPC, and download the RPC report into the database, and then the program prints bin stickers for any items that had a retail price change. The process is very simple. Their bin stickers have a very nice format. They have the description, location and Manufacture's part number in a regular print, the sku # is slightly larger print and bolded, and then the price is about three times the size as the sku and bolded which makes it a very nice looking label that is easily read by the customers. Each page has 30 stickers, and we get a pack of 100 pages for $54.95. We also have a sign maker, that can print out a sign from the same database on either 3x5 cards or 5x8 cards. Well, I hope I didn't bore you with too much detail, but I hope this information may help someone out there. If anyone is interested in the WIS or any other Triad supplies, computers, etc. you can call Ron Ligouri at 1-800-222-0039. Samual Allred CMC Builders Supply TV Colorado City, AZ 520-875-2887 sallred@color-country.net ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Mar 1997 16:10:22 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: TruServe product already shipping Well, the proxies are still in the mail, on desks, in the trash can, etc. At last report about 1.5% of returned proxies to Cotter were "No" votes, about .5% abstain, and the remainder "yes" with about 25% of members voting thus far. In our Ali Industries sandpaper shipment that arrived today, we had a mix of True Value sandpaper, Ali Industries sandpaper, and Master Mechanic sandpaper. The MM paper was labeled in the back as manufactured for TruServ of Chicago Illinois. Apparently, Ali is in the midst of eliminating the brand new True Value paper, and has some product labeled Ali, and some really new stuff that already has the TruServ label. I guess if the proxy voting was closer (a lot closer) and there was a possibility of the merger being voted down, this new packaging could become a collectible. :-) In the meantime, does this mean that ServiStar is already receiving Master Mechanic packaging? John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27455 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 06 Mar 1997 00:02:19 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27456 Today's topics: 'RE: hardlines Digest - V01 #27455' 'Bookkeeping' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 05 Mar 1997 08:15:49 -0500 From: hardware (by way of John Fix 3rd ) Subject: RE: hardlines Digest - V01 #27455 As a lowly Coast to Coast Store owner I thought I'd let you know that we are not getting any new item shipments yet...But I would like to know how the True Value Buying Staff is looking these days. It appears as though the Servistar/Coast to Coast buying staff has all been released of their duties. A little pre-mature I would say, but maybe this is a good thing, as we all know buyers are...wlll hard to get along with... None the less, it is hard to do business without them, can I have the phone numbers for the TrueValue guys, maybe they can help? As for the proability of Merger Failure.... having lost our President, Ray Griffith, a few years back to Pence's under handed board games, only to be followed by a landslide merger vote to create Servistar/Coast to Coast, you can rest assured that most Servistar and Coast members will vote in favor of the merger for two reasons, well if you count apathy, maybe three. One is we fought the servistar merger and lost so there is no way we would assume to have the ability to stop the biggest news in hardware history since PVC, and two is, Cotter has to be more trustworthy than Pence. We have nothing to loose and everything to gain! It is obvious that merging is the right thing for everyone's to survival against the box stores and I would rather have my competition buying the same product at the same price as I am, so I see no problem with shared markets. I am concerned with the lack of comitment to "no new shared markets" on the TrueServe side. I would hate to see someone with more financial backin In the mean time, I have said too much, but I'll start looking for those TrueServe products...they should be ready for shipment the day the votes are due...when was that again? Linda hardware@lawrence.ks.us ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 14:38:56 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Bookkeeping John: The talk so far has been mostly A/R, A/P, and Ledger -->which I use TRIAD. I do agree that the A/P and Ledger needs a major overhaul, but it works and one can get easy support. My nightmare was trying to use MAS90 -- the support caused the system to fail. However, Bill with much support $$ expense is using that program. However, I firmly believe Payroll should be done by an "Good" Outside Firm. The laws and codes are changing rapidly and the requirements needs expertise support which TRIAD cannot give. I use Paychex for the PC program and flexibilty. I have been audited 2 times on Payroll with a clean bill - the auditors both commented that they have more problems with in-house programs then out-house services. Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27456 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 09 Mar 1997 00:01:43 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27457 Today's topics: 'Discontinued Cotter SKU's' 'Re: Discontinued Cotter SKU's' 'Discontinued SKU's' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 8 Mar 1997 08:24:58 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Discontinued Cotter SKU's Hi: Cotter does it again -- they discontinued the July 1996 BOM 8PK Bounty SKU and reinvented it again for July 1997 BOM! That is not the question -- but how does one determine when that so-called deleted Cotter SKU should be removed from one's own computer system. I have declared a 1 Year Moratorium on all deletions -- is this "good"????? after finding the old SKU gone from the system! Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 08 Mar 1997 09:20:31 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Discontinued Cotter SKU's the 'old' rule was that 2 years after the ibm number had been removed from cotter's mainframe, cotter would allow it to be re-assigned to another product at random. i'm not sure what the current rule is or even if there is one. we run a report every weekend listing the skus in our system that cis no longer shows. then, if we are out of stock, we zap them from the triad and append "/del" to the 'sku-id' in our 'real' inventory system. that way we save the sales history in case cotter adds the item back to stock no matter what ibm number is used. it's a definate advantage that a cheap ($100) pc database has over the mainframe and legacy-code triads - lots of horsepower and storage. if you're not running into a storage problem on your pos/inventory system, you should probably keep cotter-deleted items (if there's sales history) in your system about 20 months unless you can change the 'sku-id' (ibm number, probably) to something else so that you don't end up in the same fix we did -- we ordered ibm #123456 thinking we were getting a 3/8" socket and got a loop-a-loom. At 08:24 AM EST 3/8/97 -0500, you wrote: >Hi: > >Cotter does it again -- they discontinued the July 1996 BOM 8PK Bounty SKU >and reinvented it again for July 1997 BOM! That is not the question -- but >how does one determine when that so-called deleted Cotter SKU should be >removed from one's own computer system. I have declared a 1 Year >Moratorium on all deletions -- is this "good"????? after finding the old > SKU gone from the system! > >Have fun > >Rick Schwartz > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 08 Mar 1997 09:23:20 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: Discontinued SKU's The crazy thing about the Bounty SKU number is there is essentially no change in the product. The UPC, weight, etc. are all the same. There is probably some problem in the Cotter system with re-activating discontinued SKU's. I'd say that once the item is flagged as "to be discontinued" it's a goner. Even if the buyer changes his mind a week later, a new SKU needs to be assigned as accounting has already written off the old sku. At least in this situation it's an clear case of merely changing the item number. It would be more of a disaster if the new item was a 6pk or 10pk, which would make an RCIN improper. On another note, thanks for the various tips and suggestions regarding accounting. I'm looking at a few PC based packages, notably QuickBooks, as well as using the Triad to export data to the PC. A lot depends on how soon my bookkeeper actually wants to retire... I have a feeling it will be about a week after I park a terminal or PC on her desk. :-) John ************************************************************************* John Fix 3rd http://www.cornells.com/john.htm John3@cornells.com (914) 961-2400 Cornell's True Value Hardware Manager/Cashier/Webmaster ************************************************************************* ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27457 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 19 Mar 1997 00:01:58 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27458 Today's topics: 'Candy' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 06:47:38 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Candy Hi: Just got a rude awakening from MASSACHUSETTTTTTTS --> one needs a food license to sell candy!!! Any comments???? Where is the next Tea Party? Question: Is anybody else getting ? on their screen from the where the input cursor was?? Thanks Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27458 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 20 Mar 1997 00:03:28 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27459 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 23:31:47 -0600 From: "Cyndi Martini" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458 Hello, You also need a food permit in Texas to sell candy, and a permit to sell live plants, and a permit to sell paints/chemicals, and a permit to have.....well you get the picture. To top it off we have been in business for over 50 yrs and have just been informed that we need an Occupancy Permit.......needless to say we are having fun bringing things up to code prior to the inspection for the permit........anything found after the inspection will have to be done by licensed contractors, plumbers, electricians, etc. and permits pulled for all work. Ahhhh.....the joys of owning a business in today's world. On to another subject. We use Cole Computer product's EZ software on our PC to connect to our Triad.....lately I have been working to set up our Payroll in the Training files to train a new payroll person but whenever I try to work on it from home I get a msg saying store mismatch....rechecking.....then it disconnects. Triad can't figure it out cause when they dial in and boot the terminal in Train it works fine and Cole isn't sure why it is doing it either. Any suggestions from anyone else who may have encountered this?? Well back to work. Cyndi Martini Martini Hardware Houston, TX ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 09:23:25 -0600 From: "Del Porter" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458 Rick, Yes, we experience ? every once in awhile (only on PC's running emulation software). In most every case we have been able to trace the problem back to another terminal located on the same spice board. Usually this "other" terminal has been shut off and thus it's I/O wire was picking up "noise". Powering on the terminal and then doing a QUITCRT on the affected terminal usually restores the terminal to it's normal state. Hope this helps !! Del ---------- > From: hardlines-request@cornells.com > To: Hardlines > Subject: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458 > Date: Tuesday, March 18, 1997 6:01 PM > > hardlines Digest Wed, 19 Mar 1997 00:01:58 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27458 > > Today's topics: > 'Candy' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 06:47:38 -0500 (EST) > From: RICKSS1@aol.com > Subject: Candy > > > Hi: > > Just got a rude awakening from MASSACHUSETTTTTTTS --> one needs a food > license to sell candy!!! Any comments???? > > Where is the next Tea Party? > > > Question: Is anybody else getting ? on their screen from the where > the input cursor was?? > > Thanks > Have fun > > Rick Schwartz > > ------------------------------ > > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27458 > ********************************** ------------------------------ Date: From: ahanson@maine.maine.edu (Tom Hanson) Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458 Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27458 Rick: I've been getting ???? for years. I've traced it to powerline noise from a refrigerator. When the motor starts up a VDT on the same circuit gets multiple ?'s even though the VDT and the refrigerator are on surge suppressors. My field engineer, Saint David, tells me it is usually question marks that appear because the question mark is the character you get when you fill the binary code with all 1's ? I am serious in putting my field engineer up for sainthood. I could elaborate if anyone wants details. Keep the comments coming, Tom ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27459 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 21 Mar 1997 00:00:04 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27460 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' 'Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 01:03:46 -0500 (EST) From: ROTENRAND@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 Dear Anybody, I own a 5,000 sq ft hardware in a small town. pop.1,200 sales peaked in 94. In 95 wall mart and sams club moved in 15 miles away. In 96 lowes built a super store same distance. Sales droped 10% in 95 and 2% in 96 so far this year sales are 2% behind 96. My customer count has stayed farely steady but my average sale has droped from $11.02 in 94 to $8.95 in 96 The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have any ideas? for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! Randy Whetstone Nelsons True Value ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 00:01:36 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 Are you multistore? It sounds like a authorization check that Fred has the software do to make sure it isn't pirated? Have Ron at Cole ask Fred for verification, but in the meantime you might make sure you have your home terminal set up in the right store. Hope this helps. Jay Farr 541-267-2137 jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 19:15:46 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 At 01:03 AM 3/20/97 -0500, Randy wrote: > >The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New >growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have >any ideas? >for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! > > Find a niche market that no one is filling... in our case we have a horse riding supply shop and a home beer making (home brew) supply shop. Both started as aisles in the store, but one has grown to a standalone storefront and the other is about to expand into our basement. I can't say that either of those would work in your market, but try and think of an unusual business that you can add that would bring in new customers and possibly appeal to present customers. We're also doing UPS Shipping and AT&T Lease Service... both have generated additional customer traffic (AT&T brings lots of new folks in) as well as takes very little square footage and no inventory. John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27460 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sat, 22 Mar 1997 00:01:38 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27461 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460' 'Mix' 'EDI' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 00:01:58 -0800 From: Fred Nichandros Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Fri, 21 Mar 1997 00:00:04 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27460 > > Today's topics: > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > 'Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 01:03:46 -0500 (EST) > From: ROTENRAND@aol.com > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > Dear Anybody, > > I own a 5,000 sq ft hardware in a small town. pop.1,200 sales peaked in 94. > In 95 wall mart and sams club moved in 15 miles away. In 96 lowes built a > super store same distance. Sales droped 10% in 95 and 2% in 96 so far this > year sales are 2% behind 96. My customer count has stayed farely steady but > my average sale has droped from $11.02 in 94 to $8.95 in 96 > > The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New > growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have > any ideas? > for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! > > Randy Whetstone > Nelsons True Value > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 00:01:36 -0800 > From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" > Subject: Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > Are you multistore? It sounds like a authorization check that Fred has the > software do to make sure it isn't pirated? Have Ron at Cole ask Fred for > verification, but in the meantime you might make sure you have your home > terminal set up in the right store. > > Hope this helps. > > Jay Farr 541-267-2137 jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 19:15:46 -0500 > From: John Fix 3rd > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > At 01:03 AM 3/20/97 -0500, Randy wrote: > > > >The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New > >growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have > >any ideas? > >for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! > > > > > > Find a niche market that no one is filling... in our case we have a horse > riding supply shop and a home beer making (home brew) supply shop. Both > started as aisles in the store, but one has grown to a standalone > storefront and the other is about to expand into our basement. I can't say > that either of those would work in your market, but try and think of an > unusual business that you can add that would bring in new customers and > possibly appeal to present customers. > > We're also doing UPS Shipping and AT&T Lease Service... both have generated > additional customer traffic (AT&T brings lots of new folks in) as well as > takes very little square footage and no inventory. > > John > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27460 > ********************************** Ron - see Jay Farr's answer to EZ problem - Fred ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 08:31:17 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Mix Hi: Thanks for the ? tips -- sounds like I may have run new power lines --> need a permit to do that too (legally). When we were setting up this present store, our mentor - Dick Dodson lectured us in NOT doing Payroll inhouse. Reason: The Laws change frequently and uphazardly. Also, inhouse can cause security problems. We have since used Newpay, then ATP and now Paychex. ATP and Paychex both have PC programs to report hourly data, but Paychex has a better program. We have been audited 2 times in the PayRoll dept and came out "clean". Just a thought and sorry TRIAD. Niche marketing, special services, and just helping customers will keep the BigBoxes in bay. Another weak point that the Big Guys have is small engine repair. I too have noticed average sales dropped, but that was due to loss of the low margin high ticket sale items. Debate???? Which is better --more high margin low price sales vs low margin high ticket sales? Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 17:27:03 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: EDI Hi: Has anybody figured out a method to work around the EDI TRIAD system? Finding out what is in the EDI file before receiving the file -- especially since PO do not always follow true to form? I am constantly have to call up Kim to reset the files because the Sales Dpt does not use the PO that I ask for! Oh well. Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27461 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 23 Mar 1997 00:03:12 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27462 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 22 Mar 1997 04:13:53 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460 Anyone else out there frustrated with trying to combine the 3 and sometimes 4 different vendor numbers together to make up a DS order for the market? I know that the different numbers may be important to Cotter, because of the different departments some vendors cross with their merchandise, but it doesn't make it "retail oriented" in my world. If someone from Cotter is listening ... Bob J? ... why can't we retailers have vendor numbers that are the UPC official numbers and Cotter can have their own 'wheel reinvented' numbers to solve their internal book keeping problems? If the vendor number were the UPC vendor number (the first group of numbers on the bar code, less the check digit), I could pick up any item in my store and know what number to use to get a RIS report by that vendor! Jay Farr 541-267-2137 ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27462 ********************************** hardlines Digest Mon, 24 Mar 1997 00:04:49 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27463 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462' 'Vendor numbers' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 23 Mar 1997 09:42:18 -0600 From: rod farrington Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Sun, 23 Mar 1997 00:03:12 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27462 > > Today's topics: > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Sat, 22 Mar 1997 04:13:53 -0800 > From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460 > > Anyone else out there frustrated with trying to combine the 3 and sometimes > 4 different vendor numbers together to make up a DS order for the market? > I know that the different numbers may be important to Cotter, because of > the different departments some vendors cross with their merchandise, but it > doesn't make it "retail oriented" in my world. > > If someone from Cotter is listening ... Bob J? ... why can't we retailers > have vendor numbers that are the UPC official numbers and Cotter can have > their own 'wheel reinvented' numbers to solve their internal book keeping > problems? If the vendor number were the UPC vendor number (the first group > of numbers on the bar code, less the check digit), I could pick up any item > in my store and know what number to use to get a RIS report by that vendor! > > Jay Farr > 541-267-2137 > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27462 > ********************************** JAY, AS A THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE PERSON OVER THE YEARS ITS BEEN INTERESTING READING ABOUT UNIQUE PROBLEMS OF TRIAD USERS. MOST SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE ONE I MARKET TO TRUE VALUE STORES ACCROSS THE COUNTRY DO USE THE FIRST FIVE GROUP OF VENDOR NUMBERS TO PULL VENDOR REPORTS BY. I SUGGEST YOU ASK TRIAD TO MAKE A PROGRESSIVE CHANGE TO THEIR SYSTEM INSTEAD OF COTTER. THANKS, ROD FARRINGTON Retail Operating Data Systems Inc. rfarring@prodigy.net ------------------------------ Date: 23 Mar 97 20:39:49 EST From: "WILLIAM H. ROUND" <102753.622@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Vendor numbers Dear Folks, I can only echo Jay Farr's cry in the wilderness for a uniform set of vendor numbers common to Cotter, the membership, and the outside world. The whole vendor information issue just branches of into a dozen different directions. We need file maintenance on vendors, more fields, links to Sales agency records (some manufacturers change sales rep's periodically), consumer contacts phone fields, repair center addresses and phone fields, and etc. It goes on and on. The UPC number makes sense, but may break down someway. Cotter's numbering system was never member friendly. I don't know what the other co-ops do, but they must have the same problems. In my store, I gathered in all the vendor numbers for the same vendor (vermont american, black and decker, etc.) under one vendor and used the sequence numbers to permit "chopping out" the range of skus if that were ever necessary. My rule is to have a separate vendor number if there is some compelling reason, such as the vendor will return a purchase order because it was for a separate division. I haven't had that happen in a while. Otherwise, all of the vermont american is under one number in the system. Also, the trend seems to be where the vendors have consoldidated their operations and will take a po for anything and process it. Then again, is it worth spending all this time doing massive DS orders anymore? The vendors who have good programs are certainly worth it, the specialty vendors are worth it, and the seasonal vendors are as well. I like to buy new lines at the market, for instance, just to get started. The rest of them... perhaps not. We have backed off DS ordering in massive quantities and have realized tremendous cash flow advantanges. Our store is older, the storage is on the second floor, and the efficiency of our warehouse is.... suspect. From the receiving room to the floor is the way stuff should go. Triad has had an interesting seminar or two which went into the stategies and statistics for making buying and margin decisions. It might be good to consider this whole DS buying frenzy which we have collectively engaged in over the past twenty years (or more!). Help! My wife is after me! I've got to go. Regards, Bill Round Round's True Value ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27463 ********************************** hardlines Digest Tue, 25 Mar 1997 00:03:34 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27464 Today's topics: 'MFG NUMBERS' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462' 'RPSJR Consulting & Design' 'hardlines Digest - V01 #27462 -Reply' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 01:52:20 -0600 From: Wayne B Youngblood Subject: MFG NUMBERS TRIAD & COTTER customers: Youngblood's True VAlue is presently using the old CPB (price book page for the vendor nubmer (we have been on TRIAD since 1986). However, the number is getting more difficult to find and I'm not sure they are assigning one on the new vendors. In any event, it is a now a meaningless number, and we must some day make a change. I took would like a good useful single number for every vendor, (and a utility for switching over!). Has anyone tried changing their data base to the new vendor nubmer from Cotter's CPB? I dread the thought of attempting it. Would take about 1000 RICUs. Wayne Youngblood youngblood@apex.net ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 13:49:02 -0600 From: "Del Porter" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462 Dear Jay, We "solved" this problem by downloading the data from the Triad into a database I put together. When we go to market we have almost all of our orders pre-printed (from the database) and ready to hand in to the vendors. I used to do this thru ReQuest, but have since dropped that avenue and moved on to the PC database method. It has taken a few years to get to the point we are at now, but our market working procedures are working very well for us now. A few years back when we started looking for higher efficency we had 5 retail stores and it took 40 to 50 people to write, process and place market orders. We are currently writing, processing and placing market orders for 6 retail hardware stores and 1 retail nursery store with 5 to 6 people - and in less time. Good luck, Del ---------- > From: hardlines-request@cornells.com > To: Hardlines > Subject: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462 > Date: Saturday, March 22, 1997 6:03 PM > > hardlines Digest Sun, 23 Mar 1997 00:03:12 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27462 > > Today's topics: > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Sat, 22 Mar 1997 04:13:53 -0800 > From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460 > > > Anyone else out there frustrated with trying to combine the 3 and sometimes > 4 different vendor numbers together to make up a DS order for the market? > I know that the different numbers may be important to Cotter, because of > the different departments some vendors cross with their merchandise, but it > doesn't make it "retail oriented" in my world. > > If someone from Cotter is listening ... Bob J? ... why can't we retailers > have vendor numbers that are the UPC official numbers and Cotter can have > their own 'wheel reinvented' numbers to solve their internal book keeping > problems? If the vendor number were the UPC vendor number (the first group > of numbers on the bar code, less the check digit), I could pick up any item > in my store and know what number to use to get a RIS report by that vendor! > > Jay Farr > 541-267-2137 > > ------------------------------ > > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27462 > ********************************** ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 15:21:19 -0500 From: "Roger P Shepard Jr" Subject: RPSJR Consulting & Design Hello, I would like to introduce myself to everyone on the Hardlines Mailing List. I am sure I have spoken with or met some of the recipients on the list. My name is Roger Shepard and I've recently started my own company: RPSJR Consulting & Design. I cater my Inventory Management & Information Systems services to the Lumber & Hardware industry. I've worked in those fields for over six years for two local companies and now I am consulting independently. If anyone is interested in my services, please visit my web site. Thank you for the opportunity to present myself. RPSJR Consulting & Design -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- rpsjr@rpsjr.com http://www.rpsjr.com -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Roger P Shepard Jr ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Mar 1997 12:58:22 -0700 From: BOB JOHNSON Subject: hardlines Digest - V01 #27462 -Reply Jay, we are working on a retail vendor view that will take the confusion out of the current system...BOB ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27464 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 27 Mar 1997 00:01:40 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27465 Today's topics: 'Used Triad Equipment' 'WPB' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 25 Mar 1997 23:15:42 -0600 From: Scott Ellenson Subject: Used Triad Equipment Ladies & Gentleman: We have additional used Triad equipment for sale. This a list of = available equipment: Quantity Description Price 8 H2563 VDT's $300.00 2 H3320 printers $300.00 1 H1220 DX-10 CPU (16 port $200.00 2 H3100 printers $300.00 3 H3040 Slip printers $200 3 cash drawer $300.00 (with pac boards) * All of the above equipment is still under Triad Support. Contact Sue @ MJ Murphy Lumber & Ace Hardware 408-659-2291 Thanks! Scott Ellenson Dimensions Computer Advisors sellenson@dimen.com All this discussion about work arounds for printing monthly sales = reports for multiple vendors and the issues of not being able to use the = Triad/MCBA accounting software is unfortunate. The multiple vendor = report is standard (actually we show 13 months of sales and 13 months of = purchases history by) on Dimensions and our accounting is as strong as = our POS. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Mar 1997 08:29:25 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: WPB Hi; Yup, I was told WPB is dead and out!!. If you are on CIS -- it is gone there now. The only place I can still find WPB is in the Cotter TRIAD Catalog. The problem is what data base code can we successfully use in the Sequence scheme of data output. The data updating can be done (more time wasted) via the PC and using EZ Software, but...... Some vendors have 8 to 10 ID codes (CIS data base) of which some are blank. More confusion. More spinning of the wheel. When will TRIAD (Level ?) allow us to transfer Catalog specific data into our data base? Have fun Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27465 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 28 Mar 1997 00:04:26 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27466 Today's topics: 'Data Integrety' 'Re: Data Integrety' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 07:42:21 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Data Integrety Hi: Has anybody else notice that Cotter has upped the pack quanities on Vermont American last week?? EX: 118-695 Taps are now pack 20?? 123091 Screw Extractors pack 20 These are actually 5 to a box master pack 20 Has anybody else commented about this to the powers??? I misplaced the EFM report and looking for other SKU's with high pack qty's on that report. Thanks Rick Schwartz ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 08:23:32 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Data Integrety wait, rick... this is a 5-piece set.... and there's no broken pack charge.... there actually are very few screwups in the files, i check them each week (a definate advantage of having CIS!) and about all i find is a bad suggested retail multiplier.. At 07:42 AM EST 3/27/97 -0500, you wrote: >Has anybody else notice that Cotter has upped the pack quanities on Vermont >American last week?? EX: 118-695 Taps are now pack 20?? > 123091 Screw Extractors pack 20 > These are actually 5 to a box master pack 20 > >Has anybody else commented about this to the powers??? > >I misplaced the EFM report and looking for other SKU's with high pack qty's >on that report. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jack Swift jswift@up.net N8WAV@W8YY.#UPMI.MI.USA.NA 47.119N 88.572W Swift True Value Hardware 402 Shelden Ave. Houghton, MI 49931 906-482-0530, 0531, 7766 Alpha Phi Omega Epsilon Lambda Chapter Advisor Houghton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service Dereliction IS! Keweenaw Peninsula Chapter American Red Cross CIO/Treasurer Ham It Up! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 1997 20:37:20 -0800 From: Jon Hearron Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27460 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Fri, 21 Mar 1997 00:00:04 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27460 > > Today's topics: > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > 'Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 01:03:46 -0500 (EST) > From: ROTENRAND@aol.com > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > Dear Anybody, > > I own a 5,000 sq ft hardware in a small town. pop.1,200 sales peaked in 94. > In 95 wall mart and sams club moved in 15 miles away. In 96 lowes built a > super store same distance. Sales droped 10% in 95 and 2% in 96 so far this > year sales are 2% behind 96. My customer count has stayed farely steady but > my average sale has droped from $11.02 in 94 to $8.95 in 96 > > The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New > growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have > any ideas? > for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! > > Randy Whetstone > Nelsons True Value > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 00:01:36 -0800 > From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" > Subject: Cyndi Martini: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > Are you multistore? It sounds like a authorization check that Fred has the > software do to make sure it isn't pirated? Have Ron at Cole ask Fred for > verification, but in the meantime you might make sure you have your home > terminal set up in the right store. > > Hope this helps. > > Jay Farr 541-267-2137 jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 19:15:46 -0500 > From: John Fix 3rd > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27459 > > At 01:03 AM 3/20/97 -0500, Randy wrote: > > > >The sewer system in our town has been closed to new taps since 1990. New > >growth has been zero since then so growth has been hard. does anybody have > >any ideas? > >for example Sr. citizen discount, two for tuesday anything!!!! > > > > > > Find a niche market that no one is filling... in our case we have a horse > riding supply shop and a home beer making (home brew) supply shop. Both > started as aisles in the store, but one has grown to a standalone > storefront and the other is about to expand into our basement. I can't say > that either of those would work in your market, but try and think of an > unusual business that you can add that would bring in new customers and > possibly appeal to present customers. > > We're also doing UPS Shipping and AT&T Lease Service... both have generated > additional customer traffic (AT&T brings lots of new folks in) as well as > takes very little square footage and no inventory. > > John > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27460 > ********************************** Randy at Nelsons TV, the increased competition has had an impact on sales but how about margins? The new boxes have taken your high ticket,low margin sales. Focus on what you do best- hardware. Focus your efforts on core high margin depts like fasteners,plumbing,electrical. Have a complete mix and well trained employees. Next focus on cost reduction. Evaluate every aspect of your expences, advertising,freight,inventory levels etc. Eliminate every wasted dollar and maximize payment discounts 2% can make every difference. Good luck ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27466 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sat, 29 Mar 1997 00:03:42 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27467 Today's topics: 'EZ Software Store Mismatch' 'Re: EZ Software Store Mismatch' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 08:25:50 -0500 From: imp@li.com (Bob Whelan) Subject: EZ Software Store Mismatch Cyndi Martini wrote on March 18 regarding using the "TRAIN" login on the Eagle from EZ software. Won't work (at least today). Fred Nichandros - the author of EZ_Software - encrypts a company's store name into the copy of EZ he sells you (through Cole or whoever). The software checks the store name at the top of the screen after login. If it's not what's been encrypted, you get the store name mismatch error, and the program throws you out. This prevents illegal copies (good idea) but prevents use of the "TRAIN" login from EZ (bad idea). Solution - Allow EZ_Software to check for 2 store names, the legit one, and the TRAIN subsystem. If you call Ron Ligouri at Cole, he'll get this message to Fred. Fred will know what he's talking about. Best Bob Whelan ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 09:05:43 -0600 From: "True Value" Subject: Re: EZ Software Store Mismatch ---------- > From: Bob Whelan > To: Multiple recipients of list hardlines > Subject: EZ Software Store Mismatch > Date: Friday, March 28, 1997 7:25 AM > > Cyndi Martini wrote on March 18 regarding using the "TRAIN" login on the > Eagle from EZ software. Won't work (at least today). Fred Nichandros - the > author of EZ_Software - encrypts a company's store name into the copy of EZ > he sells you (through Cole or whoever). The software checks the store name > at the top of the screen after login. If it's not what's been > encrypted, you get the store name mismatch error, and the program throws you > out. This prevents illegal copies (good idea) but prevents use of the > "TRAIN" login from EZ (bad idea). Solution - Allow EZ_Software to check for > 2 store names, the legit one, and the TRAIN subsystem. > > If you call Ron Ligouri at Cole, he'll get this message to Fred. Fred will > know what he's talking about. > > Best > > Bob Whelan > > *************************************************************** Hi- You can e-mail Fred at frednich@earthlink.net with you request. I've been working with Fred on downloading a RQ report into EZ software and then using that report to print price stickers and bin labels on my laser printer. Good luck! David Casaletto True Value Home Center Pittsburg, KS ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27467 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 30 Mar 1997 00:00:25 Eastern Standard Time V01 #27468 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27467' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Mar 1997 23:20:01 -0600 From: "Cyndi Martini" Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27467 Just wanted to thank everyone for their help on the TRAIN login problems I was having. Fred with Cole has contacted me and we have corrected the problem. Thanks again for all your suggestions. Cyndi Martini Martini TV Hardware Houston, TX ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27468 **********************************