Friday, July 25, 2008
Robert Allen Price Increase
Robert Allen has notified us of another price increase, effective immediately. Although they had an unexpected, mid season increase this spring, this one is actually the increase that would come in the form of a new price book, so this is the USUAL summer increase. They do not expect there to be any further changes in 2008. In order to save costs and for ecological reasons, they will not be printing huge piles of price books. They are trying to move all of us toward checking pricing online. This is going to be the case with all the fabric companies in the near future. So, folks, start getting familiar with those websites! The bright side is that you can also check stock, and get lots of other things done online.
Fabricut and Duralee National Sales Meetings
Camille and I recently attended the National Sales Meetings of Duralee and Fabricut. Both companies feel that in a slow economy the best move is to grow and get ready for better days ahead. As a result, we saw beautiful things, including lots of "GREEN" product. Our very favorite addition is from Vervain...a glorious new country french line from acclaimed designer Charles Faudree. You will love this--beautiful colors and textures, toiles, buffalo checks etc. Just what we needed. Charles himself is adorable...small, elderly, with a bow tie, and the author of 4 books on French Country style. He has been published in many magazines and won many design awards. We hope to have him as a speaker sometime in the next few months. Look for some kind of promotion at CDT featuring his latest book, which will show some of his new Vervain fabrics. You will LOVE it and it's the perfect compliment to our new French Heritage furniture.
Maxton, Invoices, Color Copies, Hunter Douglas, Sarreid, Clients, Charleston Forge, Fauld
Maxton Foliage has gone out of business, so we have introduced a wonderful new collection from Atrium Foliage. You will love their updated styles, shown in a beautiful CATALOG!!!
Many of you are having a hard time paying bills on time, because your clients are not paying you. Consider taking a deposit large enough to cover your ENTIRE COST. This protects you, and helps you stay current with your vendors.
Remember that, instead of printing tons of color copies at CDT, you can go online to our website, link to a vendor and get a larger, more professional photo, right there in your office. Much better for presentations.
We had a lengthy meeting today with the folks from Hunter Douglas Northeast, the fabricator that purchased Acme. We were VERY impressed, and expect to be able to offer you even better service and quality.
Sarreid has just sent us a new price list. While they have not indicated an across the board increase, some items have gone up. CDT will honor any existing quotes for 5 business days--July 24. Double check to see if there is a change in your items.
We at CDT are happy to welcome your clients. However, if they are going to come in without you, please call first, and let us know that they are coming, and how you want us to handle them. Remember...it's always better to come with them.
Charleston Forge has notified us of a 10% across the board increase effective NOW. CDT will honor existing quotes for 5 business days---July 24
Check out our new 18th Century furniture from FAULD.
Beautiful, classic, and not TOO formal. Perfect for today's customer and for our area.
Many of you are having a hard time paying bills on time, because your clients are not paying you. Consider taking a deposit large enough to cover your ENTIRE COST. This protects you, and helps you stay current with your vendors.
Remember that, instead of printing tons of color copies at CDT, you can go online to our website, link to a vendor and get a larger, more professional photo, right there in your office. Much better for presentations.
We had a lengthy meeting today with the folks from Hunter Douglas Northeast, the fabricator that purchased Acme. We were VERY impressed, and expect to be able to offer you even better service and quality.
Sarreid has just sent us a new price list. While they have not indicated an across the board increase, some items have gone up. CDT will honor any existing quotes for 5 business days--July 24. Double check to see if there is a change in your items.
We at CDT are happy to welcome your clients. However, if they are going to come in without you, please call first, and let us know that they are coming, and how you want us to handle them. Remember...it's always better to come with them.
Charleston Forge has notified us of a 10% across the board increase effective NOW. CDT will honor existing quotes for 5 business days---July 24
Check out our new 18th Century furniture from FAULD.
Beautiful, classic, and not TOO formal. Perfect for today's customer and for our area.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Owner's Select & New Duralee Fabric Pricing
New Duralee Pricers effective July 1. Toss those old pricelists.
Today we had a mini-training with Joe Flynn of French Heritage. This is a beautiful collection with really unique pieces at a wide range of prices. Not all of them look like what you would describe as "French", so be sure to look at this catalog when you come in next. They have one catalog called the "Feature Series". These are the best selling pieces, in their best selling fininshes. They are typically available for immediate shipment!!!
Joe also showed us Fauld, a collection of lovely, traditional English furniture. While this is traditional, it is NOT as formal as some 18th century lines, so it is very usable by todays customers. Many items available quickly as shown, but full customization is offered on most of the line.
Have you checked out "Owners Select"? This is an old, family owned company that was recently purchased by Duralee, and is made in the same plant as Duralee Fine Furniture. Similar pricing and quality. Owner Select is more traditional in scale and style, while Duralee is more oversized and transitional.
One of the things we like about Owner Select is the great, hand rendered line drawings. This helps your client visualize without a fabric to confuse them. A creative way to use these drawings is to either color them with Photo Shop or to use colored pencils or markers to personalize them for your customer. Attach swatches of her fabric choices, and you have a lovely, very personal sales tool. We have examples for you to see in the catalog.
Today we had a mini-training with Joe Flynn of French Heritage. This is a beautiful collection with really unique pieces at a wide range of prices. Not all of them look like what you would describe as "French", so be sure to look at this catalog when you come in next. They have one catalog called the "Feature Series". These are the best selling pieces, in their best selling fininshes. They are typically available for immediate shipment!!!
Joe also showed us Fauld, a collection of lovely, traditional English furniture. While this is traditional, it is NOT as formal as some 18th century lines, so it is very usable by todays customers. Many items available quickly as shown, but full customization is offered on most of the line.
Have you checked out "Owners Select"? This is an old, family owned company that was recently purchased by Duralee, and is made in the same plant as Duralee Fine Furniture. Similar pricing and quality. Owner Select is more traditional in scale and style, while Duralee is more oversized and transitional.
One of the things we like about Owner Select is the great, hand rendered line drawings. This helps your client visualize without a fabric to confuse them. A creative way to use these drawings is to either color them with Photo Shop or to use colored pencils or markers to personalize them for your customer. Attach swatches of her fabric choices, and you have a lovely, very personal sales tool. We have examples for you to see in the catalog.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Accessorize with Eve
We had a cool thing happen here that we thought we would share with all of you. Perhaps it might inspire you to try something similar.
A designer, one of our regulars was in one day last week. She does some accessorizing, but not on a real regular basis. While waiting for her memos, she got talking to Eve, our accessory magician, and the designer mentioned that the client was having a party...maybe she should take some accessories--just for the heck of it.
They walked the showroom, and Eve made all kinds of suggestions. The designer took over $2200 in accessories. Only one item came back!!! Talk about easy money--$880 in profit! Talk about great customer service. Think about how long and how much work it would be for the customer, to do that on her own. Or for the designer to shop around!
At CDT we try to carry accessories that are reasonably priced, and that could work well in a variety of rooms.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating...if you are not accessorizing your clients homes, you are doing both of you a disservice. If you are unsure of this aspect of our business, Eve would be thrilled to help you, as would the rest of our staff. Try taking out a carload...sooner or later, you'll get the sale!
A designer, one of our regulars was in one day last week. She does some accessorizing, but not on a real regular basis. While waiting for her memos, she got talking to Eve, our accessory magician, and the designer mentioned that the client was having a party...maybe she should take some accessories--just for the heck of it.
They walked the showroom, and Eve made all kinds of suggestions. The designer took over $2200 in accessories. Only one item came back!!! Talk about easy money--$880 in profit! Talk about great customer service. Think about how long and how much work it would be for the customer, to do that on her own. Or for the designer to shop around!
At CDT we try to carry accessories that are reasonably priced, and that could work well in a variety of rooms.
We've said it before, but it bears repeating...if you are not accessorizing your clients homes, you are doing both of you a disservice. If you are unsure of this aspect of our business, Eve would be thrilled to help you, as would the rest of our staff. Try taking out a carload...sooner or later, you'll get the sale!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Audra - Miss Florida results
To all you wonderful friends...
I have to tell you that I am just overwhelmed at the good wishes and lovely comments regarding my daughter Audra's Miss Florida adventure. I feel so privileged to work with so many caring supportive people.
Although Audra did not place (VERY tough competition, with literally 43 gorgeous, smart, talented and community service oriented young women...not to mention the bodies) she had the time of her life, learned a lot, won some small scholarships and got $200 Michael Kors sunglasses from the "Most Beautiful Eyes" people! She absolutely loved the girl who won, so if you have to lose, it helps to be happy for the winner. I was so proud of her graciousness in face of the disappointment (I was definately more disappointed than her. Mainly she wanted a cheeseburger and a beer. ) She is back in Orlando, going to summer school, waitressing and doing an internship at a local TV station. She is booked solid with appearances as Miss UCF and will graduate in December. So, she is happy, therefore, her dad and I are too.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you. Your e-mails brought tears to my eyes.
Vicki
I have to tell you that I am just overwhelmed at the good wishes and lovely comments regarding my daughter Audra's Miss Florida adventure. I feel so privileged to work with so many caring supportive people.
Although Audra did not place (VERY tough competition, with literally 43 gorgeous, smart, talented and community service oriented young women...not to mention the bodies) she had the time of her life, learned a lot, won some small scholarships and got $200 Michael Kors sunglasses from the "Most Beautiful Eyes" people! She absolutely loved the girl who won, so if you have to lose, it helps to be happy for the winner. I was so proud of her graciousness in face of the disappointment (I was definately more disappointed than her. Mainly she wanted a cheeseburger and a beer. ) She is back in Orlando, going to summer school, waitressing and doing an internship at a local TV station. She is booked solid with appearances as Miss UCF and will graduate in December. So, she is happy, therefore, her dad and I are too.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to all of you. Your e-mails brought tears to my eyes.
Vicki
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Temple Price Increase
Temple has increased their prices, effective 7-7-08. They have agreed to honor quotes until 7-11 Friday. Please close any orders you may be working on with old pricing before then. Orders must be placed by 3:30pm on Friday via phone, fax or email to CDT.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
CDT Alumni Party
Top Row Left to Right: Vicki Martin, Jody Timmer, Penny Homscheid, Terri Franke, Amy Chappel, Andrea Schuch, Camille Sullivan, Jackie Olivera, Charlene Curtis, Jessie Ridgway, Mindy WilsonBottom Row Left to Right: Kelley Alcaraz, MaryKay Romanchuk, Char Colton, Margarita Letcheva, Wendy Khalil
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Audra's Most Beautiful Eyes
Hello everyone!
There is no news from CDT...just a personal request, which I typically will not do. However, just this once...
As some of you know, my youngest daughter, Audra is competing in the Miss Florida Pageant this upcoming week, finals are July 5. One of the many scholarships that are awarded is from the Florida Eye Center. If you go to this website, you can cast your vote for the girl with "the most beautiful eyes" hopefully, you will vote for Audra, #41, Miss University of Central Florida (UCF). I am sure that everyone just votes for their kid, or their friends kid, because ALL of them have beautiful eyes!
However, between the out of state tuition, and the wardrobe...an extra scholarship would be great!!!
http://www.mostbeautifuleyes.com/
So, in true Chicago style, vote early, vote often!!! Bookmark the link and vote daily if you want. One third of the score is from online voting, and one third each from the pageant judges and the contestants (who no doubt vote for themselves!!!)
Send the link to anyone you think might cast a vote!
We head to Tampa tomorrow, where I will probably not sleep for 5 days! My stomach jumps just thinking about this, although her interview today went well! That was a relief. Anyway, my thanks from a crazy mother!!
Vicki
There is no news from CDT...just a personal request, which I typically will not do. However, just this once...
As some of you know, my youngest daughter, Audra is competing in the Miss Florida Pageant this upcoming week, finals are July 5. One of the many scholarships that are awarded is from the Florida Eye Center. If you go to this website, you can cast your vote for the girl with "the most beautiful eyes" hopefully, you will vote for Audra, #41, Miss University of Central Florida (UCF). I am sure that everyone just votes for their kid, or their friends kid, because ALL of them have beautiful eyes!
However, between the out of state tuition, and the wardrobe...an extra scholarship would be great!!!
http://www.mostbeautifuleyes.com/
So, in true Chicago style, vote early, vote often!!! Bookmark the link and vote daily if you want. One third of the score is from online voting, and one third each from the pageant judges and the contestants (who no doubt vote for themselves!!!)
Send the link to anyone you think might cast a vote!
We head to Tampa tomorrow, where I will probably not sleep for 5 days! My stomach jumps just thinking about this, although her interview today went well! That was a relief. Anyway, my thanks from a crazy mother!!
Vicki
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