A FREE bi-monthly home decorating ezine!
published by KatieDid Design
January 2001
brought to you by:
KatieDid Design
www.katiediddesign.com
mailto:contact@katiediddesign.com
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December 23rd, 2000 - January issue
Hello Dear Readers!
Merry Christmas a couple days early! I'm getting this out ahead of the holidays so that I can take the week off from business (other than checking e-mail... that's never-ending!)
I've got a Christmas / New Year's gift for you all... an extra-big discount with an extra-long expiration date. See the subscriber special section for details. And thank you all for your patronage, support, encouragement, and referrals this past year. I look forward to getting to know more of you next year!
I'm sorry to say that we don't have a winner this month. I haven't been able to get anyone to respond! I guess you all are so busy that you haven't had time to check e-mail! :-) Don't worry, I'm still doing the drawing, however... just CHECK YOUR EMAIL! The winner has only 10 business days to reply and claim their prize.
This month's prize will be a free set of two small crochet boxes! These pretty little accents are perfect for the dresser top, bathroom counter, or living room end table. The winner will get to choose the colors and general type of flowers that will be used to decorate the top! So forward this to your friends, or send them by the site to subscribe so they get their chance to win! All those subscribed at the end of the month are automatically entered. For more information on the drawing, see my drawing page.
Also, if you want to win the drawing, please make sure that you check your e-mail soon after the first of the month! The winner has only 10 business days to reply and claim their prize.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. THIS MONTH'S SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL
- Christmas / New Year's Discount
2. TIPS & TRICKS
- Negotiating for the Best Furniture Deal
3. FEATURE ARTICLE
- Inviting Ways for Guestrooms
4. CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH
- New Year's Resolutions
1. THIS MONTH'S SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL
- Christmas / New Year's Discount
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Each of you gets ONE order totaling $70 or more, consisting of absolutely anything you want, at 15% off. And this offer is good through the 25th of FEBRUARY -- two months to think it over and decide what you need and want and save! I look forward to hearing from you.
KatieDid Design:
http://www.katiediddesign.com
And don't forget... there's still a few days left to take advantage of the December special on candle rings. All candle rings are all sale 10% off through December 31st. This discount applies to both regular floral candle rings and Christmas candle rings. Prices for three standard sizes are listed on the site -- but since everything's custom, I can design other sizes and shapes if you'd like!
These offers are available to anyone who is already a subscriber, or who subscribes when they place their order. Just tell me what you'd like and mention that you're a subscriber! If you have something in mind right now, drop me a line and ask!
mailto:katie@katiediddesign.com
2. TIPS & TRICKS -
- Negotiating for the Best Furniture Deal
The process of buying home furnishings involves many stages. When you've done your due diligence and you’re ready to purchase that perfect piece of furniture, you have arrived at the “negotiating” stage. After 24 years in the retail furniture business, I can tell you that there are plenty of people who have no negotiating abilities whatsoever. (For those that feel that they need more intensive help, there are many fine books on the subject at your local library or bookstore.)
If you buy your home furnishings over the Internet or over the telephone from an 800# retailer, you probably won't get much opportunity to negotiate. Pricing and service tend to be fairly rigid in those circumstances. Even many old line furniture retailers, and some new ones, are endeavoring to institute an “everyday low price” strategy designed to eliminate the negotiating process.
No matter what situation you are facing, always remember to ask for a better price. Even if the current selling price seems reasonable. I know some folks are just too timid to “dicker”, but believe me, there’s almost always a little room for the retailer to adjust his asking price.
Having said that, let’s very briefly cover some of the basic “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of successful negotiating.
“Do’s”
Dress nicely. Your first step in the negotiating process begins before you leave the house. Remember the old adage about first impressions.
Ask for a better price. “Betty, you've been so helpful. Can you help me a little on the price if I buy all of this today?” A simple question. Ask it in your own words. (And don't say “Betty” if the salesperson’s name is “Bill”.)
Wait until AFTER the price is fully negotiated before divulging what method of payment you intend to use.
Find out what services are included in the final price. Price is not the only negotiating point. Service is also something that can be negotiated.
Always thank the salesperson when given a better price.
"Don’ts”
Never Take “No” for an answer. The first lesson you learn in selling is to never pay attention to a customer’s first couple of “no’s”. This is also good advice for you to observe when negotiating on a purchase.
Never talk about how much you know about the mark-up in home furnishings. Customers who brag that they know what my mark-up is just display how little they know about most everything.
Never negotiate with an “attitude”. By “attitude” I mean a posture that is openly unfriendly, ungrateful and insulting. Keep in mind that your whole purpose in negotiating is to obtain the most for the least. It is not a contest to see who is the smartest or most intimidating.
Never mention prices that you have been quoted at other retailers. There is simply no advantage to trying to leverage one retailer against another. Usually all you will get is the offer by the retailer to “match” any other prices that you have been quoted. If that is all you hope to accomplish, then why not just go back to the retailer who quoted you the lowest price in the first place.
In short...Be friendly. Be knowledgeable. Be appreciative. Be aggressive. Have fun!
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About the Author
Michael Fugate is the author/publisher of the book “Furniture Buying for the Confused”. You won't want to buy any home furnishings until you've discovered the secrets revealed by this furniture industry "insider". For more info and to participate in his online discussion forum, visit http://www.furnitureadvice.com
©1999-2000 FurnitureAdvice P.O. Box 424 Auxvasse, MO 65231 All rights reserved.
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Do you have a tip or trick that you'd like to share with us? Write! We'd love to hear!
E-mail:
mailto:contact@katiediddesign.com?subject=share_tip
3. FEATURE ARTICLE
- Inviting Ways for Guestrooms
Do you have guests coming in the next few days? No matter who they are, or what your 'guestroom' is, this article has some valuable tips for helping them - and therefore you also - to feel comfortable. You'll have to click on the link and go online to About.com's site, since that's the only way I have permission to use it, but it'll be worth the small extra time! Enjoy!
Inviting Ways for Guestrooms:
http://interiordec.about.com/homegarden/interiordec/library/weekly/aa112000a.htm
AOL users:
Click Here
4. CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH
- New Year's Resolutions
Well, this is the time of year that we all like to make New Year's Resolutions. My challenge this month to you all is twofold.
First, keep in mind what's really important in life when you're making those resolutions. Many of us want to loose weight; others of us want to keep the house cleaner, or be more organized. All those goals are good, and can have fundamental reasons for being priorities... just make sure that they really belong at the top of your list before you put them there. Perhaps spending more quality time with your husband or kids really belongs up there at the top. Or maybe simplifying your life and getting more rest should be up there. Remember that taking care of more important things often makes less important things fall into place.
And second, be realistic! Don't set resolutions that will be so difficult to keep that you'll only start the new year off getting frustrated and overwhelmed. Keep in mind what is actually realistic for YOU, make sure that you'll have time and money to accomplish it, and make a plan with steps to get you there. Give yourself a chance! God bless!
Remember, if your decorating isn't fun, it isn't worth it! So enjoy it!
-Katie <><
KatieDid Design
www.katiediddesign.com
e-mail: katie@katiediddesign.com
Custom Home Decor Design and Giftware
PO Box 381235
Murdock, FL 33938-1235
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