Funky Dave

My name id Dave and I am funky. When it comes to infotainment, I am a junkie…

Hey! There have been a couple of issues raised in these pages that as far as I know, have gotten no replies. In our November 9, 1992 issue, appropriately titled "Tammy’s GH", the following passage appeared amongst a sea of literary pearls: "Of course, as far as the customer is concerned, price is not such a big deal compared to perception. This is what might really hurt us if we discontinue the MPR discount. Right now with the MPR discount, customers pay $14.47 for a frontline PGD CD, after the 70% discount, with tax. If we didn’t offer the discount and charged $14.99, that would be $15.96 total with tax. The difference between the two prices is a virtually insurmountable obstacle as far as customer perception is concerned…" As documented in last week’s issue (and this one too), customer perception of the new policy has been a problem. What was the thought process behind the decision to discontinue the discount? Was the problem of perception discussed and if so what was determined about how we would handle that problem?

In January 11, 1993’s "AKA Graffiti Man", Steve Danuse wrote an eloquent and pointed article on our store’s policy of remaining open until midnight 365 days of the year. The article raised several valid (or at least I thought so) questions about the company’s "Thriving on Chaos" philosophy versus the stepping on of family values, devaluing the employee. What is the reconciliation between the two? Is there one? Why can’t we, as the author of the article suggested, close early on the major holidays?

Whatever happened to our feature featuring quotes from classical CD booklets? Whatever happened to our promised original weekly cartoon?

Also we have been told there is a person within the organization who holds a journalism degree (who is it? Who is it?). What better way to utilize those skills than by contribution (oh say, once in a while) to the newsletter? Isn’t it time to demonstrate the four years (or so) you labored in college weren’t all for naught? Besides believe me, there is a slight sense of satisfaction to be a printed writer again no matter how small the endeavor…

"Is it ok to try and pick up a customer for a date?" Being an expert on human relations, I am if nothing a "people" person, I would say such effort goes beyond the expected customer service we are trying to provide. If you must, you better show the person one hell of a time or else we stand to lose a customer.

"If a customer looks like someone famous do you tell them?" No, no, no. What an annoying thing for any person to hear. Don’t you think if you think they look like a celebrity, someone else and a lot of other someone elses, hasn’t told them the same thing? I’ve been told I look like Bruce Lee, George Takei and Pat Morita. Why do you think that is?

P.S. Jason you look like that guy in the Cruzados.

"The Master said, a man may be able to recite the three hundred songs; but, if when given a post in the government, he cannot turn his merits to account, or when sent on a mission to far parts he cannot answer particular questions, however extensive his knowledge may be, of what use is it to him?"