When Watching TV Pays Off 
Every year at Holiday time I am amazed at what you find on the TV Shopping channels.  I first noticed a couple of years ago that the very same products I was buying in Dallas and Atlanta were being sold on Home Shopping.  Pre-lit trees, wreaths, and 9′ sections of garland were right there on the screen.  Now I wouldn’t have been concerned except that they were being touted as "professional grade products that are used by holiday display professionals".  Yep, there they were, the same products we buy, and at prices that were just a tad over what we pay suppliers. 

Each year  I watched as the  TV offerings kept up with the merchandise we buy.  Each year the newest innovations we found, they found as well.  The other night I noticed that the pre-lit material is now touted as "LED".  If you doubt it, check it out.

However, Sometimes it Works to our Advantage  
Now, you’ve got to hand it to the buyers at these shopping channels.  They have lots of people buying, lots of dollars, and the ability to find the right stuff. At first I thought this was  terrible.   Not just competition but if anyone caught on that this stuff is the same that we use then maybe they might question our pricing.  Horrors.  But then I thought, their customer is not our customer and our customer wants the professional design, installation and storage.  QVC hasn’t figured out how to do that….yet.  And sometimes we find stuff we need instead.

For Example, What’s the One Objection Your Client’s Have to Artificial Trees?   
"They don’t smell like Pine".  Yep, its not the look they object to, its the lack of fresh cut greens scent.  In years past we tried sprays, we cut greens into little pieces and put them in a large plastic bag with holes in it, and still, not enough scent and long enough lasting. 

Well, now you can fulfill the client’s wishes. Advertised on QVC yesterday (www.qvc.com) or (800) 345-1515, were two options to correct the problem.  The first was item M-15889, an Aroma Fan with three scented oils (one is Pine),.  The fan runs on 2 AA batteries (not included) and sells for $22.78 plus 4.97 shipping. 

The second fragrance source was a set of 2 candles.  These are fake and have an LED bulb that flickers in an either green or gold pillar container.  They smell of Pine as well and give off frangrance.  Since they have no flame, they are perfectly safe to put under, around and even on a tree. 

Check it out and Happy Holidays.