hardlines Digest Sun, 02 Nov 1997 00:02:13 -0500 V01 #27630 Today's topics: 'RE: hardlines Digest - V01 #27626' 'Triad IMU screen S search feature' 'Web selling by manufacturers' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 19:14:34 -0800 From: Jon Hearron Subject: RE: hardlines Digest - V01 #27626 What is scarier? How about an "affiliate" program by a co op? The reason B&D can sell directly to the consumer cheaper than TS is because the consumer does not constantly hound them for national advertising money, kick backs and circular funding. The direct sale to the consumer is clean and they pay upfront and do not insist on extra dating terms. I would recommend offsetting the price with rebate and payment terms, but you get neither. -----Original Message----- From: hardlines-request@cornells.com [SMTP:hardlines-request@cornells.com] Sent: Monday, October 27, 1997 9:03 PM To: Hardlines Subject: hardlines Digest - V01 #27626 hardlines Digest Tue, 28 Oct 1997 00:02:56 -0500 V01 #27626 Today's topics: 'Manufacturers selling direct to consumer' 'Movers (Shakers?)' 'New movers update' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27624' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 13:18:25 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Manufacturers selling direct to consumer What's scarier than Home Depot or Wal-Mart selling products to your customer at prices lower than you can buy the same item? How about a manufacturer selling directly to the consumer, at a lower price than you can buy the same item? Black and Decker is now selling VersaPack flashlights and battery chargers directly to the consumer via their web site. A flashlight that costs me $20.65 direct ($21.35 from Truserv warehouse) is available for $19.99 from B&D. This is a current item (VP230T), not some discontinued closeout or "dog" product. There are only about five or six items available (all selling below retail, at or near our cost), so this is possibly an experiment on B&D's part, but it does show that manufacturers are looking at ways to bypass ALL retail channels. I'm sure Black & Decker is not the only manufacturer selling direct on the web, they're just the first one I've found. John ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:05:33 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Movers (Shakers?) essage-ID: <971025075703_863753307@emout04.mail.aol.com> To: hardlines@cornells.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27625 In a message dated 97-10-25 00:12:37 EDT, you write: << Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 11:24:28 -0400 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: New Movers program >> Hi: Yup, seen it, done it, and stopped the New Mover Program (Welcome Wagon..), too. We, too had customers coming in laughing and/or crying. The cryers were from the deceased! We did not renew the contract. We tried 2 programs with this kind of failures. One claimed they get the info from the Post Office --> Maybe that explains the poor data and poor results. Regarding: Date: Fri, 24 Oct 1997 19:46:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Richard Filion Subject: Intro and Misc. Good welcome. Rich did present one good question -- What is our "Goal"? Network or ............ Also, he presented the problem of the "Address" --> do you think one of TruServe's many Communications could do a write up on the "Network" this group has created with the address???????? Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value ------ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:19:14 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: New movers update Truserv actually is changing providers of the "New Movers" mailers from Metromail to Chicago Tribune Direct (the folks who do the flyer direct mail addresses). I'd guess that results will be better, but I can't say for sure. I'll probably try a few months and see if any more old customers come in complaining about their "new" status. John ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 22:45:36 -0600 From: Chuck Hank Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27624 Rick Paul, As I read your "Sams Train" I could not help but recall an observation I made the other day while out eating lunch. I had noticed a window washer cleaning the windows at this resturant as I entered and when he was finished he moved on to his next job. A few moments later a young man came in and told the cashier/manager that the previous window washer had been in business 4 years and that he himself also had a window washing business and had been in business 8 plus years and would wash the windows for half price of what the original person had charged. She told him that she would pass on his card on to the owner and he left. Then she turned to two other customers eating there for lunch and said "can you believe the nerve of that guy. So and so has always done a good job and now this guy wants to crowd his way in and cut his price in half. My boss will NEVER see this business card!" As I sat there I wanted to say "excuse me but haven't you told me you shop at Wal-Mart and boast about their so-called great prices. Now what made you angry with this window washer competitor is the same thing you do to the local merchants when you shop at Wal-Mart." But I did not say anything because I knew how that would seem and how maybe my view might be a little biased. Take care, Chuck Hank Hank Bros. True Value Hardware ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27626 ********************************** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 1 Nov 1997 17:09:12 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Filion Subject: Triad IMU screen S search feature I am new to the Eagle update, so the rest of you may know about this, but at the end of a long day, thinking I was still at a POS, I accidentally entered a manuf. number at the sku of IMU screen S and then pressed query. I realized that I was at the wrong terminal just as the very information I was looking for miraculously appeared on the screen. How long has Triad had a Manuf. number search feature available on this screen? Is this new to the Eagle? Is it documented somewhere? As per returns and claims: Servistar is fairly prompt about those. Many are on automatic, and others get processed fairly quickly. The policy is put in the claim and return the item with the paperwork. Have had very few problems. Hopefully that is one process TruServ will copy company wide. Richard Filion ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 01 Nov 1997 17:15:05 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Web selling by manufacturers At 07:14 PM 10/30/97 -0800, Jon Hearron wrote: >What is scarier? How about an "affiliate" program by a co op? The reason >B&D can sell directly to the consumer cheaper than TS is because the >consumer does not constantly hound them for national advertising money, >kick backs and circular funding. The direct sale to the consumer is clean >and they pay upfront and do not insist on extra dating terms. I would >recommend offsetting the price with rebate and payment terms, but you get >neither. Actually, the reason B&D is cheaper is because they're discontinuing the item. They just didn't tell anyone, including retailers, wholesalers, and others. Nobody but Black & Decker can sell that flashlight at $19.99 and make money. It ends up the flashlight was offered at the Truserv market at a real hot price, as B&D is stocked to the gills. However, they're also selling the charger/battery pack for $24.99, while most folks retail it for $29.99. It has little to do with ad money, and a lot to do with B&D experimenting a little in direct sales. You can bet they'll track whatever business they get off the web promotion, and keep a record for future plans. I'd much rather have seen them promote the item to the wholesalers and retailers, and use the web promotion to drive the consumer to the store. Most likely the consumer will come into the store anyway, so how dumb will we (as in all independent retailers) when a consumer shops and finds us $5 to $10 higher than on the web? Ad money, circular funding, etc is another whole topic. Nothing is free... I can make more money if I can buy it cheaper, but if nobody comes in my store then I'm out of business. The 5% I save on pricing doesn't hit my bottom line until the customer decides to shop at my store and puts the money on the counter. How they make their decision is up for debate, but advertising has something to do with it. In my opinion, advertising costs AND pays. John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27630 ********************************** hardlines Digest Mon, 03 Nov 1997 00:03:22 -0500 V01 #27631 Today's topics: 'B&D and Welcome wagon' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 16:48:51 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: B&D and Welcome wagon We use a welcome wagon system that works OK and is cheap. Our Chamber of Commerce puts baskets together with free goods and coupons from Chamber Members. The baskets are hand delivered to new homebuyers in our trading area by volunteer Chamber Members. We pay a couple bucks per basket and we provide a coupon and a box of drywall screws printed with our company name and address on the label. Maybe you can suggest this at your next Chamber meeting. About B&D, maybe eventually we can organize a month long moratorium on B&D product purchases. If we can convince Truserve not to order any B&D products for one month and we members take the stuff of the shelf for a month??? We could also get RGA's from B&D for as much merchandise as we can, plus find all the defective policy A's as possible. If 1000 dealers out of the 10,000 total, did this, maybe B&D would get the hint. It's easy for me to say because we sell almost no B&D products, but believe me I wouldn't mind not selling snake lights and making the big 80 cents on each one. Currently we have less than 5 products with a B&D label on it on the shelves. Alan Talman Karps TV E. Northport NY ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27631 ********************************** hardlines Digest Tue, 04 Nov 1997 00:04:36 -0500 V01 #27632 Today's topics: 'black & decker' 'Black & Dirty' 'B&D' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 01:12:19 -0500 From: Tony Brinkmann Subject: black & decker hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Mon, 03 Nov 1997 00:03:22 -0500 V01 #27631 > > Today's topics: > 'B&D and Welcome wagon' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 16:48:51 -0500 (EST) > From: AlannnnT@aol.com > Subject: B&D and Welcome wagon > > We use a welcome wagon system that works OK and is cheap. Our Chamber of > Commerce puts baskets together with free goods and coupons from Chamber > Members. The baskets are hand delivered to new homebuyers in our trading area > by volunteer Chamber Members. We pay a couple bucks per basket and we provide > a coupon and a box of drywall screws printed with our company name and > address on the label. Maybe you can suggest this at your next Chamber > meeting. > > About B&D, maybe eventually we can organize a month long moratorium on B&D > product purchases. If we can convince Truserve not to order any B&D products > for one month and we members take the stuff of the shelf for a month??? > We could also get RGA's from B&D for as much merchandise as we can, plus find > all the defective policy A's as possible. If 1000 dealers out of the 10,000 > total, did this, maybe B&D would get the hint. > > It's easy for me to say because we sell almost no B&D products, but believe > me I wouldn't mind not selling snake lights and making the big 80 cents on > each one. Currently we have less than 5 products with a B&D label on it on > the shelves. > > Alan Talman > Karps TV > E. Northport NY > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27631 > ********************************** black and decker realizes its in a global market which is changing fast and that it needs to change with it in order to stay competitive. it's seeking out new opportunities to stay alive and to grow. it's experimenting for survival. i don't consider myself a seller of black and decker or anything else. i think of myself as a seller of what customers need and want to buy - an entrepeneur and a salesman. i also need to experiment for survival. there will always be opportunities for selling because people can't supply all their own needs. if they stop buying power tools which have become commodities - how about selling all those accessories. the more power tools b&d and home depot put out there the more drill bits, screw tips, extension cords, and replacement chuck keys i'll sell. i don't worry about the lost sales of the makita drills, b&d snakelights etc. buggy whip and oat bag dealers probably bemoaned the loss of their sales too as they saw more and more chevies and fords on the the road. but many switched to selling tires, gas, roadmaps and hamburgers and made out well. there's more being sold today by small business entrepeneurs then ever before. fifteen years ago i didn't have a computer. thanks to dealers like bill round and john fix who pioneered for me i have one today to help me compete. eight years ago at the market a dealer recommended sathers candy to me. we now sell thousands of bags a year from just two square feet. i added propane sales and sander rentals at the suggestion of others - and just in time to see my sales of housewares and small appliances lost to a bigger supermarket across the street. we just need to constantly seek out the new opportunities and encourage truserv to implement them for the benefit of us all. tony brinkmann brinkmann true value long island, new york ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 23:18:41 -0800 From: "Ralph M. Witkin" Subject: Black & Dirty > hardlines Digest Mon, 03 Nov 1997 00:03:22 -0500 V01 #27631 > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Date: Sun, 2 Nov 1997 16:48:51 -0500 (EST) > From: AlannnnT@aol.com > Subject: B&D and Welcome wagon > About B&D, maybe eventually we can organize a month long moratorium on B&D product purchases. If we can convince Truserve not to order any B&D products for one month and we members take the stuff of the shelf for a month??? > We could also get RGA's from B&D for as much merchandise as we can, plus find all the defective policy A's as possible. If 1000 dealers out of the 10,000 total, did this, maybe B&D would get the hint. > Alan Talman > Karps TV > E. Northport NY > ------------------------------ Alan has the right idea. Maybe a little extreme, but we shouldn't "suffer silently". You have paid for merchandise that has yet to be sold. You've also given this merchandise "prime" location in your stores. You have made a commitment to B&D, where's their "loyalty"? If they're going to sell our customers, I'm certainly not interested in financing their operations. RALPH WITKIN Sherman Oaks, CA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 20:45:50 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: B&D To clarify my earlier post regarding B&D, we stock only a few items branded as B&D. Of course we have many more items from companies that are B&D owned such as Kwikset. I don't think we can completely avoid all the B&D companies even though we try. Alan Talman Karps TV ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27632 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 05 Nov 1997 00:00:58 -0500 V01 #27633 Today's topics: 'Credit/debit cards' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27631' 'Black & Decker' 'imu screen s, HWI' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 01:20:41 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: Credit/debit cards Can any of you comment on Tru Serv's card processing? A year or so ago I was ready to switch, until I heard horror stories about 'down time' and transaction errors. Have these snafus been fixed? I like TS's lower discounts on Visa and MC and especially on debit cards, but not if their system crashes on the day before Christmas. Jay Farr jwlfarr@mail.coos.or.us ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 07:32:08 -0500 (EST) From: IMPINE@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27631 GENTLEMEN: THE FOLLOWING IS A RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM BLACK AND DECKER REGARDING THE DIRECT SALES APPROACH. ALTHOUGH I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR RESPONSE, A DELUGE OF EMAIL TO THEM FROM SERVISTAR/TRUE VALUE/TRUSERV MEMBERS MIGHT FORTIFY OUR POSITION. MIKE BOCHNER HENDERSON LUMBER MILLS JERSEY CITY, NJ Subj: Direct Sales Date: 97-10-29 13:51:32 EST From: Cathy.McHugh@bdk.com To: IMPINE@AOL.com In response to your recent email, I wanted to share with you our website's main objective: First, it's a vehicle to provide information on our products to our consumer and second, to provide users with an understanding of where to find these products and what retailers carry them. The direct sale piece is not at all a main focus of our site nor is it an intention of ours for the future. We used the hot deals section to try and get rid of some excess and obsolete inventory on some of the now discontinued VersaPak flashlights. You'll notice the prices at which we offered them on the site were no 'hot deal' by any means since the consumer could buy them in stores like your own for dollars less. Internally we realize the potential consequences of selling direct to the consumer and are therefore opposed to doing so. We respect the relationships we have with accounts like your own and aren't about to jeopardize them. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience. Sincerly, Cathy McHugh Black & Decker Communications Manager ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- Return-Path: Received: from relay22.mail.aol.com (relay22.mail.aol.com [172.31.106.68]) by air07.mail.aol.com (v35) with SMTP; Wed, 29 Oct 1997 13:51:32 -0500 Received: from townotes4.bdk.com (townotes4.bdk.com [207.120.175.2]) by relay22.mail.aol.com (8.8.5/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with SMTP id MAA18732 for ; Wed, 29 Oct 1997 12:21:17 -0500 (EST) From: Cathy.McHugh@bdk.com Received: from ccMail by townotes4.bdk.com (IMA Internet Exchange 2.1 Enterprise) id 00052C24; Wed, 29 Oct 97 12:14:08 -0500 Mime-Version: 1.0 Date: Wed, 29 Oct 1997 11:53:20 -0500 Message-ID: <00052C24.3418@bdk.com> Subject: Direct Sales To: IMPINE@AOL.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: cc:Mail note part ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Nov 97 09:09:39 edt From: "Kip" Subject: Black & Decker Tony Brinkman has hit the nail on the head. I've been here at Hamilton Supply for almost 30 years now. I've seen the competition come and go and I've done some complaining myself. However, my complaining fell on deaf ears as it almost always does. If I have learned anything in those years, it is that no one is looking out to save your business over his. You have to be flexible and innovative while attempting to stay ahead of the curve. Our business has taken us in directions I didn't think possible 25 years ago and it is because of the competition taking business from us. So, we went a different way when those things happened. We changed to serve our customers better and they responded. When the boxes take your power tools away, they do it by giving the product away and they don't make any money on it. You won't either if you try to compete on their level. So, sell something else! Find out what your customers really want. After all, you are the independent, you can bob and weave easier than the big competition. You have less overhead than they do and most of you have no stockholder second guessing your decisions. If you question my thoughts here, you might ask other successful dealers who survive and prosper with Home Depot (and other big competition) next door. You might also ask the former managers of Rickel, Channel, Grossman's, Builders Emporium, and Models to name just a few. I think they will tell you that you can't survive on price alone and undercutting the competition who is selling the same identical product (a commodity). Find your niches and exploit them. Spend your energies there, not complaining or retaliating. Kip@Hamiltonsupply.com Hamilton Supply Co., Inc. Trenton, NJ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 18:44:45 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Filion Subject: imu screen s, HWI To answer my own question. IMU screen s query at sku for manufacturer's number is documented in the inventory manual. Also in the DX-10 to Eagle update manual. There is also an ability to query the upc number the same way by pressing shift print-upc. I guess I should take some time to reread all of those manuals. Why can not software developers be more consistent in the way they access hidden screens. The method of displaying extended history information - control discount is so obscure as to be absolutely ridiculous. And then there are three different methods at the pos posting screen - help, shift help and shift display (and only the one next to the space bar). Sometimes the logic of these people completely escapes me. Did everyone read Mike McClelland's comments in the Nov. 3 "National Home Center News"? Does he sound a little like Nikita Khrushchev at the United Nations, pounding his shoe on the podium, "Our No.2 goal is to surpass (Ace and TruServ) as we focus on making the best even better." Although I certainly wish Dan Cotter or Paul Pentz could claim to have a 1.35% overhead for TruServ or any of its component pieces. I for one would like to see TruServ take as a goal the lowering of its overhead to less than that of HWI. Richard Filion ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27633 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 06 Nov 1997 00:02:08 -0500 V01 #27634 Today's topics: 'Black & Dirty II' 'Hamilton, Brinkman' 'Re: overhead percent' 'Everyone's a Winner...' 'Dealing with the Big Boxes....' 'Credit Cards' 'Black & Decker ' 'Re: Credit Cards' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 00:07:58 -0800 From: "Ralph M. Witkin" Subject: Black & Dirty II I also agree with Tony Brinkman. I don't just subscribe to lying down or running away, but I do know that "the system" is bigger than any of us. Of course, that's where Cotter has a role (our combined horsepower is significant). I guess I'm trying to talk about "perception" and knowing when to march forward, or turn right Recently when I looked at the Forbes 400, I realized the bulk of the biggest fortunes have been made during the past 20 years or so. Many of the top dollar producers in our stores are items that didn't exist 20 years ago, and some of the best items from 25-30 years ago are no longer major dollar contributors. Look at Halogen lamps; Remote control garage openers; Surge protectors; Smoke detectors; Trash bags; Cordless items; PVC, Silicon & Teflon products; Latex paints; Water filters; Dimmer switches; Velcro; etc. -- none of these products existed when I started in the Hardware business, and today they are real important. Also, when I started, almost every Hardware store stocked a full Housewares (with small appliances) and Sporting Goods (including firearms) department. Corning Ware, Wiss, Farberware/Revere, Presto, Costco & Rubbermaid were very big, now how many of you stock them (in depth)? What about Shellac or Linseed oil? Auger bits, Yankee screwdrivers, etc? However, I'm not ready to lie down until I get a second doctor's opinion that I'm really dead. Together, the manufacturers NEED us. RALPH WITKIN Sherman Oaks, CA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 07:11:43 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: Hamilton, Brinkman About complaining versus changing with the market: My suggestion to react to B&D as an organized group unhappy with a supplier is exactly what you guys are doing on your own. I have already found other things to sell, so I don't rely on B&D products. I was suggesting a way to make B&D aware of their wholesale customers views. Using the power of the [wholesale] marketplace is not complaining, it is action. We do more buisness now that we did six years ago before Home Depot opened down the block. As well as a Price Club and a Sports authority etc. etc.. Just the fact that we are all here on this forum means we are all looking foward enough to steer our buisnesses into more profitable waters The complainers who took no action to improve their stores are already out of buisness. At least that's true in the NY metro market. And to Tony at Brinkmans, thanks for the candy idea, we will have to try that out. Alan Talman ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 07:20:09 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: overhead percent At 06:44 PM EST 11/4/97 -0500, Richard Filion wrote: >Although I certainly wish Dan Cotter or Paul Pentz could claim to have a >1.35% overhead for TruServ or any of its component pieces. I for one would >like to see TruServ take as a goal the lowering of its overhead to less than >that of HWI. > as an accountant, i see that there are several different calculation methods that are used to generate 'publishable results' so that one co-op can brag that they're better than the others. the 'overhead percent' one is the most interesting. look at the following examples: 1. lumber handling costs are included in cost of sales - not 'overhead'. 2. 'cost centers' are established to pass certain costs directly to members/dealers - and both the costs and revenues are included in 'overhead'. but the 'cost' centers make a 'profit'.... 3. increasing the warehouse margin increases the sales volume and (of course) the patronage refund, but also increases the divisor in the overhead percentage calculation so the percent becomes less. don't count on *any* of the co-ops to convert to 'honest' reporting - all the 'games' are 'proper accounting practices' and are easily justifiable by themselves. it's just that our accountants have been told by management that there are certain ratios that the members can be easily bamboozled by and that there are 'targets' for those ratios - so the accountants create 'the means' to achieve the goals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 07:26:58 -0500 From: "WILLIAM H. ROUND" <102753.622@compuserve.com> Subject: Everyone's a Winner... Dear Folks, Mr. Filion's comment about HWI's operating expense percent is well taken, and the challenge to TruServ is proper. The growning number of vice presidents at TruServ may hinder the effort. It is as though a contest was held and everyone was declared a winner and awarded prizes, to paraphase Louis Carroll. I've got to run... Regards, Bill Round Round's True Value ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 08:29:25 -0500 From: "David A. Durfee Ph.D." Subject: Dealing with the Big Boxes.... I'm getting very concerned regarding the reaction to Home Depot. I've heard TruServ representatives say that we shouldn't compete on price. I've heard others suggest becoming a "convenience" store. I've heard the word "service" so much I could scream. I don't deny that service isn't important. I don't deny that independents can "bob and weave" better than the big companies but I'm worried that sometimes implies "giving up". I agree that you need a niche and service. You need to differentiate yourself somehow since you'll never have a store that large. I think that is the tradeoff. But for customers to deal with small AND higher prices may be a problem. You can do all the focus groups you want. People will say that service is important but when it comes to them actually handing out their green, the story changes. With three Home Depots within a 20 mile radius, I don't think my family's store can bump its margin up too high. Actually, we do compete with Home Depot on price. Their stores killed the price on everything when they first moved in years ago. Now their prices have creeped up and our customers are starting to notice. (By the way, we've done some bobbing and weaving also.) The impression that the independents prices can be higher is what is damaging. If TruServ conveys that attitude to its members and its members to their employees then all is lost. Certainly the customers will be convinced of it too. When it comes full circle, TruServ may ignore price when they compare their operating methods with home depot since they believe their members do not compete on price. At that point TruServ could go the way of the earlier "big boxes" like Builders Square, Rickels, etc. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 12:25:41 -0600 From: Chuck Hank Subject: Credit Cards We had a situation come up at our store and thought I would pass on the information. As you may have read in your credit card agreement, if a credit card will not swipe and you manually enter the number even if you get a authorization you may be subject to a charge back unless you make an imprint of the card. This happened to us in that we could not get a card to swipe and then entered the number and got an authorization. About 2 weeks later we learned that the card had been stolen and since we had not imprinted the card to "prove" that we had the card in our posession we were charged a charge back for the amount and had no recourse. You may want to inform your cashiers of this and make sure they make imprints of any cards that will not swipe to protect yourself. Take care, Chuck Hank Hank Bros. True Value Hardware ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 13:59:44 -0500 From: "Mark Smith" Subject: Black & Decker I have read many different views on Black & Deckers website. and I think that everyone has brought up many good points. What I myself really feel is the issue, is that they are selling directly to the consumer. Yes we can find other products to sell and sell the accessories to go with it, But that is one less time a customer needs to walk through my doors. This is something we as retailers should be very concerned about. If Black and Decker continues to be able to do this, what stops every other manufacture in the world from doing the same. That will be alot less customers walking through my door. From anything I have read on the internet, consumers will be able to do a majority of there shopping through the internet in the near future, my question is where does that leave retailers.......especially if it is the manufacturers doing the selling. I have always thought that manufacturers should be there to help the retailers that RETAIL there products, not cut them out of the loop.............Also I am practicing what I preach....My next email goes to Black & Decker. Just my opinion folks, But I suggest you think about it. Mark A. Smith Smith's Farm Equipment & True Value Jasper, Ontario, Canada smitty@falls.igs.net ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Nov 1997 14:20:07 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Re: Credit Cards At 12:25 PM 11/5/97 -0600, Chuck Hank wrote: >We had a situation come up at our store and thought I would pass on the >information.=A0 As you may have read in your credit card agreement, if a >credit card will not swipe and you manually enter the number even if you >get a authorization you may be subject to a charge back unless you make >an imprint of the card.=A0 This happened to us in that we could not get a >card to swipe and then entered the number and got an authorization.=20 >About 2 weeks later we learned that the card had been stolen and since >we had not imprinted the card to "prove" that we had the card in our >posession we were charged a charge back for the amount and had no >recourse.=A0 You may want to inform your cashiers of this and make sure >they make imprints of any cards that will not swipe to protect yourself. > Chuck, We've been getting imprints for each non-swipeable card for quite some time. We also are real particular about signatures, which sometimes leads to customer complaints. We do not take unsigned cards, spouses cards, cards from "the boss" (presented by a worker or housekeeper), or any other card which does not comply 100% with our merchant agreements. We sometimes get folks complaining how "Everyone elses takes this card" and "You're the only store that won't accept this card", etc. etc. However, in all the years we have accepted credit cards (all four major cards), we've had one chargeback (about ten years ago). It costs us an occasional sale, but I feel it's important that your POS procedures are written in stone when it comes to payments, checks, house accounts, etc. Exceptions lead to problems. John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27634 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 07 Nov 1997 00:04:13 -0500 V01 #27635 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27634' 'Re: Credit card and Signage' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 06 Nov 1997 03:38:52 -0800 From: Fred Nichandros Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27634 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > We had a situation come up at our store and thought I would pass on the > information. As you may have read in your credit card agreement, if a > credit card will not swipe and you manually enter the number even if you > get a authorization you may be subject to a charge back unless you make > an imprint of the card. This happened to us in that we could not get a > card to swipe and then entered the number and got an authorization. > About 2 weeks later we learned that the card had been stolen and since > we had not imprinted the card to "prove" that we had the card in our > posession we were charged a charge back for the amount and had no > recourse. You may want to inform your cashiers of this and make sure > they make imprints of any cards that will not swipe to protect yourself. > Take care, > Chuck Hank > Hank Bros. True Value Hardware > > ------------------------------ Chuck - We had a chargeback like that as well. The customer apparently knew that they had a stolen credit card and charged a number of expensive items. The police are aware of this type of scam, but there is apparently nothing that they can do about it. If the store does not get an imprint of the card, then they will take the loss. -Fred ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 6 Nov 1997 07:46:09 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: Credit card and Signage In a message dated 97-11-05 20:33:50 EST, you write: << Date: Tue, 4 Nov 1997 01:20:41 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: Credit/debit cards Can any of you comment on Tru Serv's card processing? A year or so ago I was ready to switch, until I heard horror stories about 'down time' and transaction >> Jay -- hold your horses --> TS is up for another change -- >to Boatman's. I am so far not impress with the problems I am having just in signing the Contract!! I will post my comments when I actually see this NEW program work. On another note, I went through round 3 with TruServe vs BillBoard Signage -- is the program dead??? should it be dead??? or will it be revived? I just fixed my BillBoard on the comment that NEW signage will be coming (last year). Now there is almost NO signage. One of the comments given to me is that nobody is giving feedback to TruServe ---> HELP if you got a BillBoard please call TruServe and give your comment to Rich Brayer. Thanks. Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27635 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 09 Nov 1997 00:00:44 -0500 V01 #27636 Today's topics: 'Re: Change in employment' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27635' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 08 Nov 1997 08:01:10 -0600 From: mike jones Subject: Re: Change in employment Greetings Hardliners: Though I am reluctant to use Hardlines for a personal forum, I don't know of a better way to get news to the people most in the know. Thursday, Oct 30, my family was preparing to leave for Savannah, Ga, to attend my son's wedding and a week of vacation. At lunch, my boss told me that he had to replace me with his stepson, effective immediately. No severance pay was offered and he didn't have my final checks ready either. It was a little bit of a shock, however I must say I saw it coming. "Stepson" is 40, has worked as a laborer in a Union (although he is quite intelligent and capable of the manager job), but the real key is he needs a job and he is family - I'm not. So.....If anyone knows of a hardware operation who needs a good manager/salesman/computer operator or knows of a store for sale, please e-mail me at mjones@ccipost.net . I will be glad to discuss the situation that I just left or send a resume or talk with an owner who wishes to retire and would like to see his business continue with someone who likes hardware. I am looking at three different stores right now that are considering selling, but you hardliners may be aware of something even better. My family wants me to work for (shudder!!) Home Depot or (aarrgghh!) Lowe's but I am fighting that. HELP! Don't let them talk me into it! I will continue to monitor hardlines even though I won't have much to contribute and I look forward to the day I can get back on and offer my opinions on TruServ, Ace, Hwi, etc. I look forward to hearing from you. Mike Jones mjones@ccipost.net 217-268-3271 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 08 Nov 1997 22:38:30 -0600 From: Chuck Hank Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27635 A note about the new TruServ credit card processing with Boatman's. The initial paperwork is a little overwhelming and I guess necessary but some of the questions seem redundant. We have cut over at 2 locations and also upgraded our machines to the Hypercom In-One where the printer is incorporated in the card reader. The dialing and processing seems to be a lot faster (about 8-10 sec and printing) and the one merchant number and one 800 number really simplifies it for all credit cards. We also purchased a pin pad so we can accecpt debit cards since that may be a new trend but Im not sure my local banks are supported but I will keep you posted. Chuck Hank Hank Bros. True Value Hardware ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27636 ********************************** hardlines Digest Tue, 11 Nov 1997 00:01:12 -0500 V01 #27637 Today's topics: 'A Reply and AD Question' 'Statement close date' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 07:54:37 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: A Reply and AD Question In a message dated 97-11-09 00:56:36 EST, you write: << Date: Sat, 08 Nov 1997 08:01:10 -0600 From: mike jones Subject: Re: Change in employment >> Yup, it will be sad to see Mike leave the TruServe network (maybe) because of a business still being run as a "Family" instead of qualifications. Had a similiar situation many years ago, but qualifications was the determinating factor and not family. Mike --> have you checked with the TruServe and TRIAD Headquaters (??) they may be looking for talent more so then HD? Know several X TV workers working for TS and The Big T -->one is even listening as we speak. On another note, I am amused about the Black & Decker situation. However, I just watched an Ad from Home Depot regarding a screwdriver that gave out an #800 to order the product! Just like Sears. Will our TruServe System ever do this????? Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 13:22:58 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Statement close date Earlier this year (March to be exact) we changed our monthly statement close date to the 25th. I wanted to just post a note to the list again to suggest to anyone who is presently closing on the end of month that they move the date up to the 25th. Others had suggested the change to me on a few different occasions (big thanks to Rick Schwartz for being the first to mention this idea), and I'm thrilled each month to see how many checks we actually receive in the store even before the first of the month. The accounts that are slow continue to be slow, but there are lots of accounts that pay the day they receive the statement and that's all money sitting out there for five to seven days each month, waiting for you to ask. On an unrelated accounting note, we have started using the Triad A/P and G/L system (primarily A/P right now), and I've got a question for folks using Triad A/P. First, how do TruServ (and other co-op) folks handle adder entries for direct ships? I set up a D/S adder GL account, and made the Misc Charges default account in ATMU point to that GL acct number. Thanks! John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27637 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 12 Nov 1997 00:03:04 -0500 V01 #27638 Today's topics: 'Satement Closing Date(s)' '800 number for stores' 'AR Month end close date' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 00:08:08 -0800 From: "Ralph M. Witkin" Subject: Satement Closing Date(s) We had gone to the 25th many years ago (BC-before computers), at that time it took a few days just to close with several hundred accounts (peg-board posting system, trial balance by adding machine, stuffing invoice copies, etc), so the idea was to get the statements in the customer's mail box by the first. Some did pay when they rec'd the statement, since those days, we've had other business accounts tell us that they must receive the statement by the first in order to include it in their A/P closing cycle for that month. I even experiemented with two closing dates: the first half of the alphabet on the 15th, and the second half on the 25th. I loved it, much easier of staff logistics, and did help cash flow (slow accounts rec'd statements on both dates), but too much negative feedback from the customers, so we returned to the 25th . The early bird DOES get the worm. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 10:34:09 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: 800 number for stores Rick mentioned the 1-800 number for the Depot. We are also a Ryder Truck dealer and this is what they do. Maybe Truserve could do something like what we have with Ryder. When a prospect calls the nationaly published 1-800 number, the phone in the nearest dealer to the caller rings with the call. The call is identified to the Ryder dealer by a very brief recording stating that the incoming call is a 1-800 call. So the dealer is on his "best phone behavior". The caller is always pleased to find out that he [she] is speaking to someone nearby to his home. The brief recording that tells the dealer he is getting a customer call puts a smile in the dealers voice. Anyone know someone at Truserve to suggest this to? It can't hurt. By the way, we just had our first new customer to say he found us on the True Value Website. Cool, yes? Alan Talman Karp's TV East Northport NY ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 19:47:37 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: AR Month end close date Just a follow-up to my posting about changing your end-of-month accounts receivable close date. Before making the change, consult both your Triad manual (or whatever system you might be using), as well as the advice line. There are several variations on a close date (and due date) change, and the AR manual has a nice chart detailing when and how to make the change. We did our change at the end of February (i.e. after close on 2/28 and before the first sale was rung on the 1st). John Via the Dell at Home John3@cornells.com http://www.cornells.com/john.htm Webmaster/Manager/Cashier ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27638 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 13 Nov 1997 00:00:57 -0500 V01 #27639 Today's topics: 'Re:EOM Closing' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27637' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 08:56:49 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re:EOM Closing In a message dated 97-11-12 00:11:06 EST, you write: << Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 19:47:37 -0500 From: John Fix 3rd Subject: AR Month end close date >> Another reason to close on the 25th -- it is one less thing to do on the EOM and eliminates the horrors of February! (TRIAD's) Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 21:06:22 -0500 From: Tony Brinkmann Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27637 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Tue, 11 Nov 1997 00:01:12 -0500 V01 #27637 > > Today's topics: > 'A Reply and AD Question' > 'Statement close date' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 07:54:37 -0500 (EST) > From: RICKSS1@aol.com > Subject: A Reply and AD Question > > In a message dated 97-11-09 00:56:36 EST, you write: > > << > Date: Sat, 08 Nov 1997 08:01:10 -0600 > From: mike jones > Subject: Re: Change in employment > > >> > > Yup, it will be sad to see Mike leave the TruServe network (maybe) because > of a business still being run as a "Family" instead of qualifications. Had a > similiar situation many years ago, but qualifications was the determinating > factor and not family. Mike --> have you checked with the TruServe and TRIAD > Headquaters (??) they may be looking for talent more so then HD? > > Know several X TV workers working for TS and The Big T -->one is even > listening as we speak. > > On another note, I am amused about the Black & Decker situation. However, I > just watched an Ad from Home Depot regarding a screwdriver that gave out an > #800 to order the product! Just like Sears. Will our TruServe System ever > do this????? > > Have fun > > Rick Schwartz > Schwartz True Value > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Mon, 10 Nov 1997 13:22:58 -0500 > From: "John Fix 3rd" > Subject: Statement close date > > Earlier this year (March to be exact) we changed our monthly statement > close date to the 25th. I wanted to just post a note to the list again to > suggest to anyone who is presently closing on the end of month that they > move the date up to the 25th. Others had suggested the change to me on a > few different occasions (big thanks to Rick Schwartz for being the first to > mention this idea), and I'm thrilled each month to see how many checks we > actually receive in the store even before the first of the month. The > accounts that are slow continue to be slow, but there are lots of accounts > that pay the day they receive the statement and that's all money sitting > out there for five to seven days each month, waiting for you to ask. > > On an unrelated accounting note, we have started using the Triad A/P and > G/L system (primarily A/P right now), and I've got a question for folks > using Triad A/P. First, how do TruServ (and other co-op) folks handle > adder entries for direct ships? I set up a D/S adder GL account, and made > the Misc Charges default account in ATMU point to that GL acct number. > > Thanks! > > John > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27637 > ********************************** regarding the statement close date of the 25th; reading your last posting convinced me to give it a try. my wife Pat who takes care of the billing has argued for that for years. she felt it would give us improved cash flow when we needed it most - that is for the first ten days of the month when most of our payables are due. i always felt it wasn't "neat and proper" but we're now going to give it a try. thanks for pushing me over. tony brinkmann brinkmann true value sayville, long island, ny p.s. isn't it nicer when someone who posts a message also includes their address at the end. whenever i read a message without an adress it's like i'm talking to someone with sunglasses on. ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27639 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 14 Nov 1997 00:00:34 -0500 V01 #27640 Today's topics: 'Rick Schwartz's trial of TS's credit card move to Boatmans' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639' 'casting stones' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Nov 1997 22:19:33 -0800 From: "Jay, Will and Linda Farr" Subject: Rick Schwartz's trial of TS's credit card move to Boatmans Thanks Rick for being my Ginny Pig. I'll anxiously await your report of your experience. Jay Farr ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 02:12:34 -0500 (EST) From: Colehard@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639 Hello all, With regards to the closing on the 25th issue: A few years back we moved to cycle billing where we actually close a different cycle every Monday (4 per month). It has done wonders at smoothing the cash flow. Those of you thinking of transitioning to the 25th, should think about cycle billing instead. Good luck! Rick Karp Cole Hardware San Francisco ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 06:09:47 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639 In a message dated 97-11-13 00:03:36 EST, you write: << p.s. isn't it nicer when someone who posts a message also includes their address at the end. whenever i read a message without an adress it's like i'm talking to someone with sunglasses on. >> Tony: Should that include city and state???? Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, MA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 13:04:41 -0500 (EST) From: Magnet1125@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27639 Re:closing the books on the 25th-We have always closed our books on the 25th (21 years worth) I have found that most accounts will wait for the first of the month to buy, but by closing the books on the 25th, they won't have to wait, and the difference is amazing. Of course, ther are those who will always wait for the first day of the billing period, no matter when . Try it if you haven't already. Bob Rosenberg North St. True Value Danbury, ct. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Nov 1997 18:38:33 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: casting stones Let thee who giveth lessons to the humble masses be learned. tony brinkman, sayville long island ny writes: "p.s. isn't it nicer when someone who posts a message also includes their address at the end. whenever i read a message without an adress it's like i'm talking to someone with sunglasses on." ------------------------------ Hey tony, use caps and a comma once in a while, yeh, and 'address' is not "adress". It's much easier to read e-mail when you know when to stop and start. Misteaks and all, Alan Talman East Northport, NY ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27640 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 19 Nov 1997 00:02:59 -0500 V01 #27641 Today's topics: 'Store Conversion' 'Extra Bin Tags' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 19:22:41 -0500 (EST) From: SFAY@aol.com Subject: Store Conversion Newcomer to this forum so please forgive any mistakes in format, etc. Has anyone out there gone through a Triad conversion when changing store affiliation? I have heard conflicting stories and wonder if it will be a nightmare. We are looking at a major change soon and would like some input as to what to expect. Although this is my first time writing to this forum, I have gotten a lot of useful information from it. Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!!! Please forgive me for not using my name and address. We don't need to let the interested (or non-interested as the case seems to be) parties know what's going on just yet. Thanks again! Sandie ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 21:34:52 -0600 From: hultgren@mediaone.net Subject: Extra Bin Tags Does anyone know how to get the Triad to print more than one bin label per SKU when using the price change file? This would be helpful for items stocked in more than one location and items with multiple hooks. Thanks Ken Hultgren Elmhurst Ace Hardware ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27641 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 20 Nov 1997 00:01:56 -0500 V01 #27642 Today's topics: 'Multiple bin tags' '(no subject)' 'direct sales via internet' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641' 'Commercial use of the web' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 07:29:45 -0500 From: "WILLIAM H. ROUND" <102753.622@compuserve.com> Subject: Multiple bin tags To: Mr. Ken Hultgren @ Elmhurst Ace Hardware RE: Multiple bin tags. Dear Mr. Hultgren, The only way I could ever see to print multiple bin tags for facings was to assign an expanded user code field to facing control. When I ran bin tags, I'd do multiple runs on that field for 2 and 3 tags per sku. I've sent Triad PCR's over the years for a new field which would be called "facings." This field would relate to another field I'd call "shelf capacity." These two fields would tie into the RSO and order points (ROP) to optimize the shelf stock. Bin labels would print based on the number of facings. The IST gun would have the facings and shelf capacity fields and allow them to be modified. This would be an additional function for that tool. A manager could walk the floor and set the facings after a merchandise reset. An RQ could be built to calculate which skus deserve a multiple facing. An added benefit is that once the shelf capacity is set, then a back room stock pulling report could be done. I'm crunching down my back room stock, and may even take a section of the warehouse and make a rental office out of it. We can't afford the payroll time necessary to effectively pull stock.... Isn't it nice when the help shows up in the morning.... Another option is EZsoftware (Fredware). Fred did have the DOS version of his laser label printing set up to do just what you wanted. The software gives you the option to assign an expanded user field for label counts. It will read a number from that field (1 to 9 labels) when you create a bin label report on the Triad. As a a year ago, this function worked quite well. I don't know if it is on his Windows label and sign package. I have never heard of this feature in any of the Triad label packages. If you are still printing labels off the Triad RBL report, it is indeed time for you to change. Regards, Bill Round Round's True Value Hardware Stoneham, Massachusetts. No Kennedy Family rapes to report this week, no sensational trials to divert customer attention, no political scandals to dwell upon... at the moment. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 08:00:41 -0500 From: Paul Costa Subject: (no subject) please unsubscribe ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 08:34:26 -0600 From: "David Casaletto" Subject: direct sales via internet This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01BCF4C5.F220C5E0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Group, Just got another entry into direct sales via internet. I got a direct = mail piece from Sentry (safes & fireproof boxes) directed to "Web = Users". "Simply log in at the special website address below, and receive = 20% off the purchases of any Sentry security product." It goes on to say = "this offer will not appear in retail outlets". We need to let Sentry know how we feel! Their web site is: www.sentry-grp.com See ya! David Casaletto True Value Home Center Pittsburg, KS ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01BCF4C5.F220C5E0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Hi Group,
 
Just got another entry into direct sales via = internet. I got a=20 direct mail piece from Sentry (safes & fireproof boxes) directed to=20 "Web Users". "Simply log in at the special website = address below,=20 and receive 20% off the purchases of any Sentry security product." = It goes=20 on to say "this offer will not appear in retail = outlets".
 
We need to let Sentry know how we feel! Their web = site=20 is:
www.sentry-grp.com
 
 
See ya!
 
David Casaletto
True Value Home Center
Pittsburg, KS
------=_NextPart_000_0007_01BCF4C5.F220C5E0-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 14:10:17 -0800 From: Fred Nichandros Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > Has anyone out there gone through a Triad conversion when changing store > affiliation? I have heard conflicting stories and wonder if it will be a > nightmare. We are looking at a major change soon and would like some input > as to what to expect. > Sandie - I would suggest that you contact your prospective new vendor and see what type of assistance they will provide you. Sometimes they will send a person out to help you re-bin ticket your store, and sometimes they will put you in touch with Cole Computer Products to convert the SKUS on your Triad. If you would like to call Cole directly with any questions about this, their number is 800-222-0039. Ask for Ron Ligouri. -Fred ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 21:15:29 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Filion Subject: Commercial use of the web Because the members of our business association, a smaller less formal Chamber of Commerce, had the opportunity to create for themselves a web site, and because I had finally gotten access to a decent browser and internet provider, I recently did a tour of the commercial uses of the web for hardware sales, concentrating on the sites provided by major suppliers. I was fascinated by what I found, and documented my wanderings and observations in a report. Because the resulting report was a bit long for our "list", three pages, I was reluctant to post it. However, John has entered it onto the Cornell's site as an HTML file. Any one requesting to read it can download it at "http://www.cornells.com/hardlines/theweb.htm". John, who seems to insist on overdoing things as much as I do, entered it as an HTML file so that you could actually visit the sites I listed in the report by just clicking on their addresses. You can also print out the last page of the report and then just manually enter the sites. You can also E-mail me and I can return the report to you as an .RTF file - accessible by most word processor programs. I would greatly appreciate hearing your comments about it and what you see as the future of the web for retail hardware sales. I am begining to use my fax program to selectively offer specials on a fax queue to my primary contractor purchasers, most of whom have fax capability. My first offering, 25% off on all Stanley tools, hardware, and Bostitch fasteners, generated a fairly good response. But I am looking for other ways of incresing its potential. I am also trying to tie all local web sites together, school, town, business, health center, into a single location to maximize the visits to the site. Most of those sites are just now being funded. Hopefully I can get the town interested in conducting a survey which will determine how many households have computers and how many have internet access. Finally, I have become aware that I missed one major site, an omission which I hope to address in the near future. Watch for my report on www.cornells.com. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++ Richard Filion rhfil@nh.ultranet.com Filion Lumber 603-659-3361 Newmarket, N.H. ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27642 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 21 Nov 1997 00:04:49 -0500 V01 #27643 Today's topics: 'hardlines Digest - V01 #27641' 'Reply from sentry safes' 'Year 2000' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 16:48:14 -0500 From: Richard Patullo Subject: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 re conversion in response to to Sandie's question on converting to a different wholesaler, we did just that 1st quarter 1996, from ace to hwi. while it= took a lot of work but it was orderly. some factors that we started with. we use our wholesalers sku as our sku= =2E we do not scan. we have price tickets on the merchandise. the data in the= manufacturers field was not important to us. we set the sku # in the manufacturer part number field so an item with a old number on the packag= e could be found with the query key. a third party i think it was Cole was= going to sell us a program for this for $995 but we did it manually with = a macro in less than 20 hours using part timers at slow times. then the ite= m numbers were changed using rcin from a printout from the new supplier, a= nd later by looking things up. we never had to resticker any thing which was= our dread. this is a brief answer about a big job but i will be happy to expand on t= he process if any one is interested. by the way this is my first message to this list. i have been lurking for= a couple of months. we are a 3500 sq ft hardware store in a 5000 population town in western Ma. = Dick Patullo Hampden Hardware Hampden Ma. patullo@compuserve.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 17:26:34 -0600 From: "David Casaletto" Subject: Reply from sentry safes Hi group, Just thought I'd share the reply I received from Sentry about their web-site: -----Original Message----- From: DeFrank, Patti To: 'truevalue@pitton.com' Date: Thursday, November 20, 1997 3:33 PM Subject: RE: Web site feedback > > >> ---------- > Dear Mr Casaletto, > Thank you for your e-mail regarding our current direct mail >piece and website. Your comments are important to us and we would like >to explain our purpose behind both. > We have designed our web site with three primary purposes. > 1) to inform our consumers of all our products and where to >purchase them in their area. > 2) to provide 24 hour customer service > 3) sales of products that are unavailable in their area.(prices >on the web site are significantly higher than what would be found at the >retail level, we made a concerted effort not to undercut our retail >customers. To date our web site has sold an average of one safe a week.) > The direct mail piece was a test to gage consumer interest in >going to our web site. > Thank you again for your feedback. If you have any other >questions, please feel free to contact me again. > > Thank You, > > Patti DeFrank > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 22:07:45 -0500 From: Michael Orlando Subject: Year 2000 I've been out of the Triad sales loop lately (fixed at level 14 software). At what level is the software Y2K compliant? Haven't had a sales visit from a Triad rep since 1992.... Thanks...Mike Orlando mtorlando@comten.com ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27643 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sat, 22 Nov 1997 00:00:45 -0500 V01 #27644 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 Store conversion' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643' 'Year 2000' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641' 'Year 2000 continued' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 00:28:22 -0500 (EST) From: TRUEHDWE@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 Store conversion Sandie, If your converting to TruServ we have the ability to take a download tape of your inventory off Triad and cross reference to TruServ's sku numbers. This tape is then downloaded back to your computer maintaining all your information including margins.We have done this with both major co-op's very successfully as well as regional wholesalers. If your not moving to TruServ, well? Good luck in whatever decision you make, their never easy. Jim Mason Business Development Manager TruServ Corp. Portland, OR ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 05:06:28 -0800 From: Bob Whelan Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643 > From: Michael Orlando > Subject: Year 2000 > > I've been out of the Triad sales loop lately (fixed at level 14 > software). At what level is the software Y2K compliant? Haven't had a > sales visit from a Triad rep since 1992.... There is not a single piece of the the Triad COBOL code that is Y2K compliant. Level 18 (the current release) does not address it. Tick, tick, tick says time the avenger..... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 08:38:23 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Year 2000 Level 20 will be year 2000 compliant for Triad systems. This was announced at the Fall market, and there are already some sites testing Level 20. I believe the plan is to have all Triad customers up and running on Level 20 before the end of 1998, and I'm sure that goal will be easily reached considering that there are already several sites running the software. John ************************************************************************* John Fix 3rd http://www.cornells.com/john.htm John3@cornells.com (914) 961-2400 Cornell's True Value Hardware Manager/Cashier/Webmaster ************************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 08:43:01 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643 In a message dated 97-11-21 01:39:41 EST, you write: << I've been out of the Triad sales loop lately (fixed at level 14 software). At what level is the software Y2K compliant? Haven't had a sales visit from a Triad rep since 1992.... T >> Mike -- congratulations for not being "visited". At the TruServe Market in New Orleans we were told to see Y2K on Level 20 which will be fed to us supposedly next --missing Level 19 sometime in 1998 (sure!) On the EDCON schedule, they are even going to lecture us on Level 20. However, you might want to consider updating to Level 18 now --> you are missing a lot of little goodies Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, Ma ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 09:41:54 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Filion Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 At 12:02 AM 11/19/97 -0500, you wrote: >hardlines Digest Wed, 19 Nov 1997 00:02:59 -0500 V01 #27641 > >Today's topics: > 'Store Conversion' > 'Extra Bin Tags' > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 19:22:41 -0500 (EST) >From: SFAY@aol.com >Subject: Store Conversion > > >Newcomer to this forum so please forgive any mistakes in format, etc. > >Has anyone out there gone through a Triad conversion when changing store >affiliation? I have heard conflicting stories and wonder if it will be a >nightmare. We are looking at a major change soon and would like some input >as to what to expect. > >Although this is my first time writing to this forum, I have gotten a lot of >useful information from it. Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!!! > >Please forgive me for not using my name and address. We don't need to let >the interested (or non-interested as the case seems to be) parties know >what's going on just yet. > >Thanks again! > >Sandie > > I have given this some consideration for a number of times during the past ten years. My first idea was to use the MAP file and enter the new suppliers skus and then swap over when the new inventory came in. Thay way you would gradually change-over. But I am primarily a lumber yard ordering a very small percentage of my total inventory from a hardware supplier. And the task seemed daunting. I also, more recently, thought of purchasing some kind of conversion tape. The problem is that I do not know how accurate they are. I thought that with the advent of MUPC codes that the problem could be simplified, but if you have privately labeled items, the MUPC is unique to the item. And different vendors use different manufacturer's numbers. And then you have the issue of wholesalers using different vendors for some product lines. However I too would like to hear of anyone else's experiences with actually going through one. Good luck +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Richard Filion rhfil@nh.ultranet.com Filion Lumber 603-659-3361 Newmarket, N.H. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 10:11:30 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Year 2000 continued If you have the time to browse computer journals and magazines, and even some business magazines, you'll see that the growing concern among businesses is Year 2000 problems beyond their control. For example, there have been a few postings about Triad system Y2K compliance, but the bigger problem might be outside your store. The suppliers who bill you, deliver to you, pay you. What happens if your biggest contracting firms all use some old AP system, and for three or four months you don't get checks from them? How about some regional supplier of garden goods or paint sundries... are they Y2K compliant? In addition to checking your own internal systems (time clock? phone system? fax machine?) it might be a good idea to ask your vendors and customers if they are testing their own systems. The fear is that just a handful of small system failures in companies that are not directly involved in your business will still cause trickle down effects. We're not talking major system crashes, just a week or two delay here and there in payments, invoices, shipments, etc. that will snowball across the country and cause big headaches. There was an article this week about how the Social Security Agency suddenly discovered a whole section of code that they missed when estimating Y2K compliance timetables. The SSA has been working on Y2K since 1989, so if they are still discovering problems imagine how many other companies and govt agencies that will "discover" problems in the coming months and year. As Bob Johnson (of TruServ) said at a Triad users group meeting, "On January 1, 2000, I'd recommend you be at home". Of course, cable and power will probably go out, so make sure you have candles. I think they're Y2K compliant! :-) John ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27644 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 23 Nov 1997 00:04:57 -0500 V01 #27645 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27644' 'Open to all' 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 13:21:53 -0500 From: Bud Howe Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27644 hardlines-request@cornells.com wrote: > > hardlines Digest Sat, 22 Nov 1997 00:00:45 -0500 V01 #27644 > > Today's topics: > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 Store conversion' > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643' > 'Year 2000' > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643' > 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641' > 'Year 2000 continued' > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 00:28:22 -0500 (EST) > From: TRUEHDWE@aol.com > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 Store conversion > > Sandie, > > If your converting to TruServ we have the ability to take a download tape of > your inventory off Triad and cross reference to TruServ's sku numbers. This > tape is then downloaded back to your computer maintaining all your > information including margins.We have done this with both major co-op's very > successfully as well as regional wholesalers. If your not moving to TruServ, > well? Good luck in whatever decision you make, their never easy. > > Jim Mason > Business Development Manager > TruServ Corp. > Portland, OR > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 05:06:28 -0800 > From: Bob Whelan > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643 > > > From: Michael Orlando > > Subject: Year 2000 > > > > I've been out of the Triad sales loop lately (fixed at level 14 > > software). At what level is the software Y2K compliant? Haven't had a > > sales visit from a Triad rep since 1992.... > > There is not a single piece of the the Triad COBOL code that is Y2K > compliant. Level 18 (the current release) does not address it. Tick, > tick, tick says time the avenger..... > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 08:38:23 -0500 > From: "John Fix 3rd" > Subject: Year 2000 > > Level 20 will be year 2000 compliant for Triad systems. This was announced > at the Fall market, and there are already some sites testing Level 20. I > believe the plan is to have all Triad customers up and running on Level 20 > before the end of 1998, and I'm sure that goal will be easily reached > considering that there are already several sites running the software. > > John > > ************************************************************************* > John Fix 3rd http://www.cornells.com/john.htm > John3@cornells.com (914) 961-2400 > Cornell's True Value Hardware Manager/Cashier/Webmaster > ************************************************************************* > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 08:43:01 -0500 (EST) > From: RICKSS1@aol.com > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27643 > > In a message dated 97-11-21 01:39:41 EST, you write: > > << > I've been out of the Triad sales loop lately (fixed at level 14 > software). At what level is the software Y2K compliant? Haven't had a > sales visit from a Triad rep since 1992.... > > T >> > Mike -- congratulations for not being "visited". At the TruServe Market in > New Orleans we were told to see Y2K on Level 20 which will be fed to us > supposedly next --missing Level 19 sometime in 1998 (sure!) On the EDCON > schedule, they are even going to lecture us on Level 20. > > However, you might want to consider updating to Level 18 now --> you are > missing a lot of little goodies > > Have fun > > Rick Schwartz > Schwartz True Value > Fall River, Ma > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 09:41:54 -0500 (EST) > From: Richard Filion > Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 > > At 12:02 AM 11/19/97 -0500, you wrote: > >hardlines Digest Wed, 19 Nov 1997 00:02:59 -0500 V01 #27641 > > > >Today's topics: > > 'Store Conversion' > > 'Extra Bin Tags' > > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > > >Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 19:22:41 -0500 (EST) > >From: SFAY@aol.com > >Subject: Store Conversion > > > > > >Newcomer to this forum so please forgive any mistakes in format, etc. > > > >Has anyone out there gone through a Triad conversion when changing store > >affiliation? I have heard conflicting stories and wonder if it will be a > >nightmare. We are looking at a major change soon and would like some input > >as to what to expect. > > > >Although this is my first time writing to this forum, I have gotten a lot of > >useful information from it. Thanks to everyone for the great ideas!!! > > > >Please forgive me for not using my name and address. We don't need to let > >the interested (or non-interested as the case seems to be) parties know > >what's going on just yet. > > > >Thanks again! > > > >Sandie > > > > > I have given this some consideration for a number of times during > the past ten years. My first idea was to use the MAP file and enter the new > suppliers skus and then swap over when the new inventory came in. Thay way > you would gradually change-over. But I am primarily a lumber yard ordering > a very small percentage of my total inventory from a hardware supplier. And > the task seemed daunting. I also, more recently, thought of purchasing some > kind of conversion tape. The problem is that I do not know how accurate > they are. I thought that with the advent of MUPC codes that the problem > could be simplified, but if you have privately labeled items, the MUPC is > unique to the item. And different vendors use different manufacturer's > numbers. And then you have the issue of wholesalers using different vendors > for some product lines. However I too would like to hear of anyone else's > experiences with actually going through one. > Good luck > +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > Richard Filion rhfil@nh.ultranet.com > Filion Lumber 603-659-3361 > Newmarket, N.H. > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 10:11:30 -0500 > From: "John Fix 3rd" > Subject: Year 2000 continued > > If you have the time to browse computer journals and magazines, and even > some business magazines, you'll see that the growing concern among > businesses is Year 2000 problems beyond their control. For example, there > have been a few postings about Triad system Y2K compliance, but the bigger > problem might be outside your store. The suppliers who bill you, deliver > to you, pay you. What happens if your biggest contracting firms all use > some old AP system, and for three or four months you don't get checks from > them? How about some regional supplier of garden goods or paint > sundries... are they Y2K compliant? In addition to checking your own > internal systems (time clock? phone system? fax machine?) it might be a > good idea to ask your vendors and customers if they are testing their own > systems. > > The fear is that just a handful of small system failures in companies that > are not directly involved in your business will still cause trickle down > effects. We're not talking major system crashes, just a week or two delay > here and there in payments, invoices, shipments, etc. that will snowball > across the country and cause big headaches. There was an article this week > about how the Social Security Agency suddenly discovered a whole section of > code that they missed when estimating Y2K compliance timetables. The SSA > has been working on Y2K since 1989, so if they are still discovering > problems imagine how many other companies and govt agencies that will > "discover" problems in the coming months and year. As Bob Johnson (of > TruServ) said at a Triad users group meeting, "On January 1, 2000, I'd > recommend you be at home". Of course, cable and power will probably go > out, so make sure you have candles. I think they're Y2K compliant! :-) > > John > > ------------------------------ > > End of hardlines Digest V01 #27644 > ********************************** Question for any or all. Is this site open to all hardware dealers or just Truserve?????? I have some thoughts on "niche items" that work for us. I'm only interested in sharing with "cotter dealers" Thanks. Bud ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 13:29:31 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Open to all On 11/22/97 Bud Howe asked if the list is open to all... Not only is Hardlines accessible to all retailers, it's also accessible to all wholesalers, manufacturers, and consumers. It's pretty wide open, as it would be too much work for me to verify each subscriber. So, don't post anything that you consider "company confidential". John ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 23:25:22 -0500 (EST) From: Short54321@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27641 regarding SFAY converting a triad when changing affiliation. We just completed changing a large ACE store in Oregon to Tru Serv and it was painless for the member. If you are going with TRu Serv, your Retail Consultant needs to coordinate with Chicago, specifically Steve Plotnick at extension # 6374. If you are leaving Tru Serv or going with someone else, GOOD LUCK! Curt Short SHORT54321@aol.com and cornells obviously Retail Consultant Tru Serv Eugene Oregon ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27645 ********************************** hardlines Digest Tue, 25 Nov 1997 00:02:50 -0500 V01 #27646 Today's topics: 'Inventory' 'Re: Inventory' 'Rental Software' 'Re: Rental Software' 'Email tips for the mailing list' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 08:15:24 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Inventory Hi: Just had the company who did the physical inventory for my store retire. I have called several stores and gotten very interesting answers on how they do this yearly government task. One store still even closes for the week between Xmas and Near Year! I have called RGIS who will be coming in to quote. I am curious to hear if someone has a better suggestion? or a unique method. True, TRIAD can give us a report, but............... Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, MA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 08:55:15 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Inventory we have been using the triad counts and valuation for at least 8 years and find it emminently acceptable. BUT, we spend a lot of time cycle counting (quantity accuracy affects ordering, too) and are very serious about making sure that our average costs are accurate (i'm a CPA). the key to making the RIV work is to make sure that whatever you post to the triad is reflected in your general ledger inventory accounts. you must handle freight, tickets, and claims the same way at the same time in both systems. we balance 'both sets of books' monthly and correct any discrepancies. At 08:15 AM EST 11/24/97 -0500, Rick Schwartz wrote: >Just had the company who did the physical inventory for my store retire. I >have called several stores and gotten very interesting answers on how they do >this yearly government task. One store still even closes for the week >between Xmas and Near Year! I have called RGIS who will be coming in to >quote. > >I am curious to hear if someone has a better suggestion? or a unique method. >True, TRIAD can give us a report, but............... > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 11:29:10 -0500 From: "Wade Doss" Subject: Rental Software Looking to get some feedback on rental software. Has anyone had experience with the Solutions or Alert rental software packages? If so pros and cons. I know John has a rental workaround posted on the hardlines webpage and if anyone is using that procedure how do you like this workaround? Wade Doss batesace@acehardware.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 11:26:14 -0600 From: "David Casaletto" Subject: Re: Rental Software -----Original Message----- From: Wade Doss To: Multiple recipients of list hardlines Date: Monday, November 24, 1997 4:40 AM Subject: Rental Software Looking to get some feedback on rental software. Has anyone had experience with the Solutions or Alert rental software packages? If so pros and cons. I know John has a rental workaround posted on the hardlines webpage and if anyone is using that procedure how do you like this workaround? Wade Doss batesace@acehardware.com *************************************************************** Wade, I've used John's work around for a few years. It works great for POS. I never developed it for maintenace, but I think John has. I think solutiuons would be much easier to remind for maintenance, etc. (If you have enough ports on your Triad.) David Casaletto ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 16:30:04 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Email tips for the mailing list As many of us are new to Internet email lists, I decided to post two suggestions to make everyones reading more informative and enjoyable. 1: Please limit the quotes you include when replying to a message. Most email programs default to including the entire original message when you hit the REPLY button. Take an extra moment and delete lines from the original Hardlines post which do not pertain to your reply. For example, a typical Hardlines issue might include notes about Promotions, Payroll, and Market Plans. If you want to post your thoughts on Payroll, delete out the lines covering Promotions and Market Plans. In fact, include only a few lines of the Payroll discussion, just enough to help refresh eveyone's memory. 2: Try and change the subject line of your message when you use REPLY. Since the digest includes a list of topics at the start of the message, it would be helpful if the list said: Payroll Market trips Promotions rather than Hardlines Digest 2323 Hardlines Digest 2232 Hardlines Digest 4342 Look near the top of this digest and you'll see what I mean. One line says 'Email tips for the mailing list'. This way it's easy to tell what topics are found in a particular Digest. Hope these two tips make reading and posting message to Hardlines Digest more productive and enjoyable. John List Manager ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27646 ********************************** hardlines Digest Wed, 26 Nov 1997 00:00:30 -0500 V01 #27647 Today's topics: 'Big Box Agent Orange' 'Re: Inventory and e-mail tips' 'Hi Tech Fans' 'Christmas Direct Mail' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 23:35:12 -0800 From: "Ralph M. Witkin" Subject: Big Box Agent Orange It may please some of you for me to share my recent findings concerning consumer's attitudes towards Home Depot and True Value. This past year or so, I've found many customers from homeowners (especially women) to professional handymen who will do most anything to avoid shopping at Home Depot. They are willing to pay a little extra, fight traffic and parking, shop during regular business hours, etc. just to deal with a "Real" hardware store (or as one refined woman said: "A sincere hardware store"). For the previous ten years the trend had been for the customers to move toward Home Depot, Home Base and Orchard Supply Hdwe; but this year they are comming back to the neighborhood hardware store. Every time I have this type of conversation with a customer I use it as an opportunity to remind them that several well established stores have closed during the past ten years, and that the customers vote with their purchasing dollars which stores will remain open. They now realize that they need us as well as us needing them = a relationship. Also, John: I waited on a woman today (for TruTest paint) who used to live in Scarsdale and moved to Los Angeles several months ago, her father had brought her into your store before she moved out West. RALPH WITKIN Sherman Oaks, CA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 11:49:16 -0700 From: "Randy Morris" Subject: Re: Inventory and e-mail tips We also depended on the counts in the Triad for our inventory figures and found them very acceptable. But like Jack stated you have to be religious on your cycle counts, ( we tried and for the most part succeeded to count the entire store by location every 45-60 days) and your posting to the GL and inventory files must be consistent and accurate. My father was a CPA and taught the me the drill. We also counted and corrected the QOH for every RSO. I also want to thank you John for the tips on e-mail replies. If everyone starts to follow them it will make these postings a lot easier and more enjoyable to read. Randy Phoenix, AZ. >Date: Mon, 24 Nov 1997 16:30:04 -0500 >From: "John Fix 3rd" >Subject: Email tips for the mailing list > > >1: Please limit the quotes you include when replying to a message. >2: Try and change the subject line of your message when you use REPLY. ------------------------------ Date: From: tomhanson@POBoxes.com (Tom Hanson) Subject: Hi Tech Fans I'm trying to find the company that bought the HiTech fan division of P&P Marketing in Springfield Mass. I have a couple of phone numbers that don't work any more. I would appreciate any info that anyone can send. Happy Thanksgiving. Tom Hanson Bangor, Maine ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 25 Nov 1997 22:47:37 -0600 From: Chuck Hank Subject: Christmas Direct Mail I have a question for the group concerning the direct mail pieces that come out in November and December. We currently use DM71 and DM72. The DM71 is scheduled to end in the later part of November and the DM72 which begins in late November, runs until mid December. We have in years past continued each of these sales until after Christmas which stimulates sales and helps with returns. But my question is how many people end the sales a week or two prior to Christmas. We are having a lively discussion at our store as to whether the customers are desperate or not in the last weeks before Christmas and I would appreciate different views. Thanks and have a good season, Chuck Hank Hank Bros. True Value Hardware ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27647 ********************************** hardlines Digest Thu, 27 Nov 1997 00:01:36 -0500 V01 #27648 Today's topics: 'Re: Christmas Direct Mail' 'Re: The End Of "Good" Sale' 'Christmas Business?' 'Re: Christmas Direct Mail' 'DM71&DM72, Sears' 'Re: Sears' 'True Value Mastercard' 'inventory and other repetitive procedures' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 08:19:06 +0000 From: DAVID PILGRIM Subject: Re: Christmas Direct Mail >I have a question for the group concerning the direct mail pieces that >come out in November and December. We currently use DM71 and DM72. The >DM71 is scheduled to end in the later part of November and the DM72 >which begins in late November, runs until mid December. We have in >years past continued each of these sales until after Christmas which >stimulates sales and helps with returns. But my question is how many >people end the sales a week or two prior to Christmas. We are having a >lively discussion at our store as to whether the customers are desperate >or not in the last weeks before Christmas and I would appreciate >different views. > We have in previous years, continued on all Christmas Decorations thru Christmas as well as selected "gift" items. This year, our regional group is running DM52 right after DM72 ends, so we will only keep the "gift" items that are in both circulars on sale. In any event, we figure that whatever we can get rid of in Christmas decorations before Christmas at a sale price would be better than after Christmas at 50 - 60% off. David Pilgrim Village True Value Maple Valley, WA Karrie Pilgrim ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 06:11:57 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: The End Of "Good" Sale In a message dated 97-11-26 00:40:53 EST, you write: << mulates sales and helps with returns. But my question is how many people end the sales a week or two prior to Christmas. We are having a lively discussion at our store as to whether the customers are desperate >> Chuck: DM72 sale dates allow you to end after XMAS. This was a lively discussion with the AD Group of Boston and finally decided to run til XMAS. I could never see running this particular circular with a short period because I have seen many consumers use this flyer as a gift guide. People would come in up til Xmas with the flyer marked out on "gift" stuff. How you would feel if you got a brochure beginning of December on "gifts" and find out the sale prices are not available when you "run" into that store on the 23rd? The mail order houses got us beat on this topic by starting in November. Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, MA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 07:34:32 -0500 From: "WILLIAM H. ROUND" <102753.622@compuserve.com> Subject: Christmas Business? Dear Folks, In response to Mr. Hanks' question about keeping the sale prices on until after xmas, I think that people in my market will not buy unless there is the perception of a markdown. Every single merchandise catagory suitable for Christmas promotion has been beaten down to the ground a dozen times over. The Boston market is filled with competitors who chop one another up, and I understand that Boston is rather tame in comparison with Chicago, NYC, or LA. Promotional price image is wall paper that's expected in the well-dressed store. Customers expect it to be there; if it's not, they say "how dull." I'm at times tempted to market the whole place up and spend most of my time creating "mark-downs" and "clearances." I don't know about you folks, but in the Boston metropolitan market we have lots of oriental rug places. They have institutionalized the "going out of business sale." There is not one of those shops without a clearance or liquidation sign in the front window. TruServ (and others) have always talked about generating "excitement in your stores." Do I want to do business with people who need to find excitement in hardware stores? Gosh, they're probably worse than "coupon creatures." If I want excitement, I can go to the local Home Depot and watch fist-fights in the parking lot or security chasing thieves out the side door. Keep the Xmas sale prices up. Do even more as early as you can. Most of the stuff they will (or might ) respond to you don't make any money on, anyway, and you might as well liberate the inventory $$. Ho Ho Ho, Got to run.... Regards, Bill Round Round's True Value Hardware Stoneham, MA 02180 "Massachusetts, where the tradition of the Congressional delegation is to make Christmas last all year long for as many constituants as possible." ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 09:34:11 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Christmas Direct Mail 'many' years ago we cut off DM72 on the 'officially approved date'. bad move! we could have closed the store and taken a 2-week vacation. there was even a year when customers were looking for closeout sales on toys and decorations the week before christmas. our population base is senior citizens and people on welfare and i sympathize with them, but sometimes they are downright CHEAP! we've experimented with ways to keep the DM71 toys on sale through DM72. it seems that many people buy toys after november 16th (duh - maybe they were waiting to cash in their christmas club?). we've had semi-decent success by buying DM90 and having it inserted into DM72 by the newspaper, but it's too expensive now that we have a wal-mart and shopko added to the k-mart. as a result, our toy department has shrunk to the point where we're considering dropping it. At 10:47 PM EST 11/25/97 -0600, Chuck Hank wrote: >I have a question for the group concerning the direct mail pieces that >come out in November and December. We currently use DM71 and DM72. The >DM71 is scheduled to end in the later part of November and the DM72 >which begins in late November, runs until mid December. We have in >years past continued each of these sales until after Christmas which >stimulates sales and helps with returns. But my question is how many >people end the sales a week or two prior to Christmas. We are having a >lively discussion at our store as to whether the customers are desperate >or not in the last weeks before Christmas and I would appreciate >different views. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 11:14:22 -0800 From: Fred Nichandros Subject: DM71&DM72, Sears In reply to Chuck Hank's question about when stores end DM71 and DM72, we run both ads right up to December 24th. I think that other stores are running ads right up to Christmas, so I do this to be competitive. On a different subject, I saw an ad in the back of National Home Center News that Sears is looking for people to own/operate franchises in areas with populations of 10,000 to 25,000. Does anyone have one of these stores near them ? What are they like ? Fred Nichandros Workbench True Value Hardware Castro Valley, CA ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 16:26:13 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Sears At 11:14 AM EST 11/26/97 -0800, Fred Nichandros wrote: >On a different subject, I saw an ad in the back of National Home Center >News that Sears is looking for people to own/operate franchises in areas >with populations of 10,000 to 25,000. Does anyone have one of these >stores near them ? What are they like ? > we just got one -- delightful little store -- glad i'm not in the appliance business! they have about 50% of the 5-8 thousand feet devoted to white goods and most of the rest to 'big things'. craftsman tools are represented on half of one short wall and i think they probably have accessories for the big tools. here they've picked a poor location out of most of the traffic patterns so they seldom have more than 6 cars in their 'lot'. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 19:29:59 -0500 From: Bud Howe Subject: True Value Mastercard This is a word of warning for all True Value dealers who are promoting this credit card in your store. I have had complaints about the rebate earned and checks not being mailed to card holders. To verify this i had my wife call about our rebate checks that we have not received. The excuses where many from glich in system, turning it over to a outside vender, maybe in a couple months, the checks were mailed, you don't have any money due, fax copy of statement to prove your case. My wife and i each have a card. I plan on discontinuing promoting this problem in my store. I hope i am a isolated case. Looking for some feed back. Bud-Super True Value ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 22:02:22 -0500 (EST) From: Richard Filion Subject: inventory and other repetitive procedures Even before arrival of our computer I had decided that end-of-year inventory procedures were very time consuming and largely prone to errors. Doing it inhouse without closing took up so much time that towards the end you were spending as much time adjusting inventory as taking it. Using outside people was expensive and unbelievably inaccurate. Often whole boxes of items were missed which were right there on the shelf. Along came the computer and solved that problem. We have RIV built into our monthly EOM queue. That way we have an inventory valuation for our quarterly financial report. By the way, I use queues for any report which I run more than twice a month. My ordering procedure is on a queue. It is not on a spool because of the number of times we have to order early due to holidays. I wish I could queue my order transmission. We maintain accuracy of inventory a number of ways. First, on the day before we generate our order for our primary hardware provider we run a queue which generates a test order with a sequence of last inventory date. For your information, I have started placing any shortages on the safety stock location of IMU screen S. We then inventory any item which has not been inventoried within the last six months. When our order arrives, we use the billing sheet which comes with our order to correlate cost and retail. And we also use the stickers shipped with the items to ensure that we have received all the items we have been charged for. Finally we receive only what we have actually stickered and claim the rest. I use about the same procedures for most of our other suppliers except that we make our own stickers for some and others we just count units. When you receive an entire truckload of lumber you just do not go out and count every single piece. In most cases, I have found that the amount of error on inventory at any particular time is fairly insignificant. Also occasionally we will run a report RIS with sequence on the last inventory day for a department and then inventory as many of the items at the beginning and decide whether to schedule those items for discontinuing or not. My out of stocks have begin to decrease, especially with the use of safety stock and minimum order points on the IMU S screen. Ideally I would like to be able to set my order point to the largest single sale during the previous years next three months, ie. the year ago month and the next two months. However, I think that this new procedure will work pretty accurately. I always keep in mind the story of the hardware store in upper Maine whose computer suddenly generated an order for hundreds of candles. The owner was at a loss to figure out why it would do that until he remembered that the year before a hurricane had gone through the area and candles had been in great demand as the only source of light until power had been restored. Sometimes the human element needs to take charge. I have a question for all the members: If you could design the ideal hardware store computer would you include the capability to generate your own price and bin stickers as a must have item? Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Richard Filion rhfil@nh.ultranet.com Filion Lumber 603-659-3361 Newmarket, N.H. ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27648 ********************************** hardlines Digest Fri, 28 Nov 1997 00:02:48 -0500 V01 #27649 Today's topics: 'the going out of business signs' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 09:48:50 -0500 (EST) From: AlannnnT@aol.com Subject: the going out of business signs Bill Round noticed -"They have institutionalized the "going out of business sale." There is not one of those shops without a clearance or liquidation sign in the front window. - Bill, here in New York things got so bad with phoney going out of business sales, that now you have to buy a permit to advertise a "going out of business sale" The number of the permit must appear in every ad and on every window sign. If you don't really "go out of business" by the date specified in the permit, the fines are enormous and will make you go out of business. I think it was the unscrupulous electronics and clothing stores in NYC that forced the state to act. Best Holiday selling to all, Alan Talman Karps TV ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27649 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sat, 29 Nov 1997 00:03:55 -0500 V01 #27650 Today's topics: 'Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27648' 'Paid Holidays' 'Re: Paid Holidays' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 08:13:50 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: hardlines Digest - V01 #27648 In a message dated 97-11-27 01:59:29 EST, you write: << Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 19:29:59 -0500 From: Bud Howe Subject: True Value Mastercard This is a word of warning for all True Value dealers who are promoting this credit card in your store. I have had complaints about the rebate earned and checks not being mailed to card holders. To verify this i had >> Bud: You are not the only store. From the start, we have heard good and bad comments about the card. My own experience with them, too has been a nightmare. They declined me on the first round!!!!!! I just had a "lost" payment with them ---> $25.00 late charge and 19.5% interest!!!!!! Strange -- all the other payments I made that day are not "lost". We even had one customer come in to cut up her card in front of us. The sad part of the card story is the fact that we do hear the "good" parts from the cardholders. Oh well. Have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, Taxachusetts. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 17:32:14 -0500 From: Tony Brinkmann Subject: Paid Holidays At our stores we have always paid our full-time employees for holidays if it fell on days when they normally would have worked. So if Xmas and New Years fall on a Tuesday and an employee was always scheduled to work Tuesdays then he would be paid for the holidays. This was to prevent them from losing pay. However, if an employee was scheduled to be off on Thursdays then he wouldn't be paid extra for Thanksgiving. Some employees seem to have trouble with this rule if it's a year when they don't get the holiday pay because they are normally scheduled to be off. I'ts easy to change my rule to satisfy the employee. But, since the pie is only so big I would have to reduce benefits where it didn't seem to matter as much. I wondered how other stores handled paid holidays and if I'm really being nit-picky about this. What's the consensus? Tony Brinkmann Brinkmann True Value Hardware Sayville, LI, NY PS: Since it is Thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to thank John at Cornells TV Hardware for this site - I enjoy reading it and check it regularly. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 22:27:55 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Paid Holidays it seems that the problem is one of fairness - some people getting paid for a day they didn't work and some not. we solved it by only paying people for the hours they actually work. if someone wants to work a 'full week' when we are closed on one of the days they would normally be scheduled, they are 'permitted' to make up the time on a day that that week which they would normally not work. they can also take vacation time for the 'closed' day. if you want to have 'paid holidays', then give a bonus equal to one day's pay every week there is a holiday and reduce they year-end bonus by that amount. At 05:32 PM EST 11/28/97 -0500, Tony Brinkmann wrote: >At our stores we have always paid our full-time employees for holidays >if it fell on days when they normally would have worked. > This was to prevent them from losing pay. > >However, if an employee was scheduled to be off >then he wouldn't be paid extra for Thanksgiving. > >Some employees seem to have trouble with this rule if it's a year when >they don't get the holiday pay because they are normally scheduled to be >off. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27650 ********************************** hardlines Digest Sun, 30 Nov 1997 00:04:18 -0500 V01 #27651 Today's topics: 'Re: Oops , Pay, Restocking' 'Re: Restocking' 'True Value Mastercard & Holidays' 'Re: True Value Mastercard & Holidays' 'Re: Restocking' 'another warning from bud' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 06:28:37 -0500 (EST) From: RICKSS1@aol.com Subject: Re: Oops , Pay, Restocking In a message dated 97-11-29 00:13:00 EST, you write: << The sad part of the card story is the fact that we do hear the "good" parts from the cardholders. Oh well. >> That should have been " we do not hear the...." Pay -- Holiday Pay if miss the work / if work day off (fulltime) due a day off (costly! but....) Can anybody explain to me why TruServe is having the restocking program to start and end in December???? Most of us do EOY in Dec and why restock before EOY? or am I just messing up Mass Tax Laws to Chicago's Wisedom??? Thanks and have fun Rick Schwartz Schwartz True Value Fall River, MA ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 09:49:42 -0500 From: jack swift Subject: Re: Restocking simple explanation - they want to get it out of *their* inventory and don't care what happens to us - sound familiar? At 06:28 AM EST 11/29/97 -0500, Rick Schwartz wrote: > >Can anybody explain to me why TruServe is having the restocking program to >start and end in December???? Most of us do EOY in Dec and why restock >before EOY? or am I just messing up Mass Tax Laws to Chicago's Wisedom??? > ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 11:52:22 -0600 From: Wayne B Youngblood Subject: True Value Mastercard & Holidays We are not seeing any negatives from the new True Value credit card. I have bought bought 3 computers with it myself and received two semi-annual rebates of over $50 each. Failed to pay on time once, but they reversed the late charge when I called them about it and grovveled! We are current paying full-time people for 8 hours straight time holiday pay whether they work or not. We pay for Jan 1 (O), Memorial Day (O), July 4 (O), Labor Day (O), Thanksgiving (C), Christmas (C). We pay for 6 holidays per year and we close the store on two of those. We have a 1 holiday deductible on new full-time employees. Wayne Youngblood Youngblood's True Value Mayfield, KY ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 13:03:08 -0500 From: "John Fix 3rd" Subject: Re: True Value Mastercard & Holidays At 11:52 AM 11/29/97 -0600, Wayne Youngblood wrote: >We are not seeing any negatives from the new True Value credit card. I have bought >bought 3 computers with it myself and received two semi-annual rebates of over $50 >each. Failed to pay on time once, but they reversed the late charge when I called >them about it and grovveled! > I've got some mixed feelings about it. Generally, it has been very good for our customers, and we've received some $$$ for completed applications. I once did a balance transfer in order to get a rebate, and they hit me with a large cash advance fee. After I called an complained, they took the charge off the bill. They do occasionally try some obnoxious telemarketing... I had someone call me at home last week to offer some special deal for True Value card holders, and when I politely said I wasn't interested I was hung up on. I wrote a letter to Associates, and will see what they say about their telemarketing manners. All these card companies are the same anyway.... they're looking for the add-on sales of card protection, finance charges, travel discount clubs, etc., so expect this kind of problem with the TV Mastercard as well. Even Amex and some of the "upscale" cards can step over the line sometimes, but a letter or call usually gets the problem solved. John ************************************************************************* John Fix 3rd http://www.cornells.com/john.htm John3@cornells.com (914) 961-2400 Cornell's True Value Hardware Manager/Cashier/Webmaster ************************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 12:45:56 -0600 From: "David Casaletto" Subject: Re: Restocking >>Can anybody explain to me why TruServe is having the restocking program to >>start and end in December???? Is this for sure? I have not received any information about restocking yet. How did you find out about it? David Casaletto True Value Home Center Pittsburg, Kansas ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 14:16:59 -0500 From: Bud Howe Subject: another warning from bud This may we Santa Claus but it is also time for the bad guys who love to write checks. I just got hit with $302.00 worth of bad checks. The cashier broke the rules set by our store. I feel its important at this time of year for managers and cashiers to get together and go over store policy on accepting checks. Look for the flags. Low number checks, p.o.box, self employeed. You can ask questions without offending the customer. The bad guys love this time of the year. N.S.F. checks don't pay the bills. Happy selling to all. Bud ------------------------------ End of hardlines Digest V01 #27651 **********************************