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Did you ever publish an article and then get responses from your readers? Didn’t you want other readers to see the responses you were getting (for or against your position)? And didn’t someone suggest publishing them on your Website, and didn’t you think, acknowledging your reader’s responses . . . What Genius Came Up With That?

Reader Feedback

Subject: Ads Before Movies

Hi Terry,

I was poking around on the web for other people that are annoyed by pre-movie ads and I found your article on the Retail Spot:

www.theretailspot.com/post.asp?articleID=58

I *hate* ads before movies that I rent! And even though you didn't mention movie theaters specifically, I thought you might be interested in the following net campaign. :-) If you know of any movie theaters in your area that don't show pre-movie ads, please let me know so I can add it to the growing list on the site!

You pay $8 for a ticket, then stand in a long line for the privilege

of spending ten more dollars on fake-buttered popcorn and over-iced soda. You finally settle into your seat, anticipating the thrills and chills of Friday the 13th Part XVII. The lights dim, and...what's this? A commercial! You paid almost twenty dollars to watch a commercial?

And it's not just one commercial. Sometimes you have to sit through as many as 6 commercials before the trailers!

So if you're as annoyed as I am by these pre-movie ads, this site lists some easy things you can do:

www.shinybluegrasshopper.com/nomovieads/

For example:

* Email your complaints to each movie theater chain. (email links and example complaints on site)

* See movies at movie theaters that don't show ads before the movies. (list of such theaters on site; please submit more!)

* Say "no commercials" out loud each time a pre-movie ad is shown in a

theater. (But feel free to ad lib your own protest!)

* More ideas are coming soon on the site, such as a small "No Pre-Movie Ads" flyer you can leave on your theater seat after each movie you see with ads before it.

* Forward this email to anyone you know who might feel similarly about

pre-movie ads.

Please do one or more of these. Chain movie theater executives haven't

Heard from many people on this issue (and in certain articles, they've said there's no negative feedback on the matter!)

If you think speaking up is pointless, here's a tidbit for you:

"Filmed ads are not allowed before any films distributed by Disney Studio Entertainment films, a ban that went into effect in the early 1990's after the company received angry letters and phone calls from parents."

Help us stop these pre-movie ads before it's too late!

Shiny Blue Grasshopper, Austin, Texas

Subject: Court Cases

Hi, Terry , hope you're fine.

I read your list of court cases in the latest Where-its-at newsletter. I laughed so much I wet my trousers. You may expect to hear from my lawyers, Sir. Should be around $4m for distress and suffering.

Best regards

Dan M , London, England

Subject: What genius etc

Terry

I read your article on the bombing in "where it's @" and realized that we are of similar ages and backgrounds. Born in the UK, over 40 years in retailing and now living away from the country of our birth. I was there for Hitler's bombing of London but don't remember it too well.

I remember more vividly the IRA bombs in London in the Seventies when they were placing bombs on subway trains and in department stores. Londoners had to decide if they were going to stop going to work every day or whether they were going to let the bombers win.

Luckily, the same attitude prevailed as your father's and life very quickly got back to normal - but with more common sense and caution.

I am advising all my friends in the US that this is the way it must be now. Stop traveling and Osama Bin Liner and his gang win. We cannot be held hostage in our own homes (or countries)

I enjoy your items very much and look forward to reading them. This edition of "where it's @" was particularly good for me as it also had the excellent "Brain Drain" article which I found very appropriate as I have just been "let go" after 20 years with a local retailer.

Best regards

Richard W., Southampton SN 02, Bermuda

Subject: KPMG Article September 26

I had to take this opportunity to comment on your article from KPMG, September 26. I fear self-fulfilling prophecies and I fear that we see it happening through the news reports. Your article says it best and I must agree fully. I teach business and my wife manages a small antique shop that we own. Business has been better than ever since the September 11 tragedy.

One almost feels guilty to admit this, but we do want normalcy; however, we will never forget.

I wrote a cousin, "should I cut store hours and inventory to prepare for a recession?" Our discussion involved self-fulfilling prophecy. We have no intention to cut back unless the necessity arrives.

Thanks for your article!

Dave W., Mt. Carmel, IL

Terry, your article on gas prices Where it's @, September 6th, could not have hit home more aptly, but I as a person who lives abroad and returns back to the states occasionally, see a bigger picture than the one you painted. Living in Japan for the past year and a half I am in tuned with the economic situation of this country, and all the fear mongers that discuss recession or depression. The thing is that I do not believe that the price of Japanese gasoline has increased more than ten yen ($.08) in the last year. Japan imports almost all of its oil, to produce gasoline.

I believe that when I left the US and gasoline prices were $1.28 and all of sudden there were oil shortages, at opportune times, prices went way up to $1.80, then went down to $1.45. This yo-yo effect but always going higher is a built in profit margin for the few remaining competitive oil companies. I would be interesting to know whether other countries outside the US are suffering the same rising price situations. Just a thought.

thank you

Russ L., District Visual Merchandising Manager, Japan District

I receive the Where It's At e-mail and always enjoy your "What Genius Came Up With That?" article. A couple of weeks ago your article addressed a particularly bad experience in what we call one of our "in stores" at Bank of America. I planned to share the article with one of our in store executives but accidentally deleted it. Would you be kind enough to send it to me?

I hope to make future customer experiences more pleasant.

Thanks for your wisdom!

Deborah M. W.

Subject: Drive Thru Groceries in North Carolina

Hey Terry:

I read your article with much interest over the web in the news section of Boxcar Systems.

Thought you might be interested to learn that we have been successful in working with two major food chains in this area on drive thru grocery food pick up of orders. We are over 30 stores strong and growing everyday so YES you are correct in your assumptions that drive thru will and is working as we draft off this e-mail to you.

I would welcome any comments you or she might have in regard to this growing opportunity.

Best regards,

Tom Sawyer
Instacomm International Inc.
E:tom@instacomm.com
t:919-575-4762
f:919-575-0551

Read your great article on redoing retail stores. It made allot of sense

And I completely agree with your ideas. What about a way to not only switch graphics but to change the look of the store (wall dividers and product presentations) in a matter of minutes. A fresh look done very quickly. If you send me your address I'll send you a 7 minute video on our Slimline system showing you how it can be done. My e-mail is dbrereto@danndee.com

Dermot Brereton

e-mail: telton@kc.rr.com

Terry's articles are carried on the following links:

www.where-its-at.com

www.kpmg.com

www.magiconline.com

Many people play Golf or Tennis to unwind, not Terry, he has an avocation that dovetails with his merchandising skills. Check it out at the link below.

www.themagicofterryelton.com

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