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On a rainy day, WMC scores with umbrella give-away
A strange sight greeted me last week in Las Vegas as I peered into the distance from my seat in a shuttle bus. Up ahead, the hulking World Market Center complex was wreathed in dark rain clouds.
As most of you know, Las Vegas is located in the Nevada desert, where sunshine fills the valley day after day. Rain is a rarity in Las Vegas. But, as my shuttle bus skirted the edge of downtown Las Vegas and headed toward the market, a steady rain fell.
It was raining on the Las Vegas Market’s parade, you could say.
On one level the rain was welcome, as it promised cooler temperatures and a welcome respite from the sizzling summer heat. But on another level, the rain was bad news for those market-goers, like me, who had no umbrellas at the ready.
Our bus pulled up to the transportation terminal, and we stepped out into the rain. Then we quickly huddled under the tent and contemplated our walk to the WMC complex. My usual strategy, when caught in the rain, is to run to my destination.
But then salvation arrived. WMC officials quickly brought boxes of umbrellas to the transportation tent, and handed them out – free of charge. It was a thoughtful touch.
The market-goers with me were delighted with the unexpected gift. And I heard several positive comments later that day about the free umbrellas. The WMC’s customer service got rave reviews.
I have to wonder if there is not a lesson in that giveaway. The industry is struggling with a tough retail climate; it is raining on our parade, too. Maybe we should be giving our customers more of what they need to stay dry: Exciting goods that can spark sales, and customer service that wins kudos.
Undetermined commented:
They ensure that you get only authentic stuff and have adequate variety to choose from and spare a little time to search for an exclusive furniture store.
Undetermined commented:
It ensure that you get only authentic stuff and have adequate variety to choose from,and spare a little time to search for an exclusive furniture store.
Undetermined commented:
Welcome to this Tale of Two Furniture Executives. The first busy executive that takes a week of vacation at the beach. It happens to check in with this boss and learn that the “vacationing” executive is dispatching 100 emails a day. It does not know if this boss picked that number because it is a nice round one, or if the poor guy really is cranking out 100 emails. But you get the idea.However you were able to know the best ideas out of it.
Undetermined commented:
I’ve been observing the PR programs of a wide variety of home furnishings companies for many years and continue wondering the how to avoid the mistakes of a company in those aspects of the furnitures.
Undetermined commented:
i do have to agree with chris. The bus routes were all mixed up.There was no communication. they had 2 buses waiting in one hotel while there were none at another. and seemed like the world market routes were always delayed.
Undetermined commented:
i was impressed also! I look forward to going to the Las vegas mart more and more each year. Keep up the good work!
Undetermined commented:
DAve, so they bought umbrellas. I stood in line for over 2 hours at the MOnte Carlo waiting for a bus to pick up several hundred people. Even called the market, they were unresponsive. Had a great time in Vegas though. Won some money, saw some customers and only paid $80 fot a room on the strip. In Oct. I will be paying $150 for a dumpy Comfor Suites.
Undetermined commented:
Well, someone at WMC certainly deserves a lot of credit..Not just for quick thinking, but for the fact that they got the idea in motion, and quick. I''''''''''''''''m sitting here thinking "where the heck did they get the umbrellas, and so quick"...I guess someone had some foresight, and prepared for the worse. As for the industry letting the buyers know that they do have their interests on their minds - The umbrellas at WMC, the afternoon food and refreshments at High Point - They are nice touches. And, yes - What you mention about service and products would indeed take it much further.
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