Each year following Woofstock (our annual Open House and Client Appreciation event) there are three things that continue to need improvement:
- The chilly warehouse
- Sloooowww checkout process
- Scheduling conflicts that keep some from attending
This year, all three are being addressed with an entirely new approach!
We’re going virtual!
This year there’s no need to make the trek to a cold warehouse in the middle of your busy holiday season. You can enjoy Woofstock savings from the comfort of your own home anytime during an extended 48 hour period.
From 12:01am on Saturday, November 30 through 11:59pm Sunday December 1, you’ll enjoy no sales tax for any orders placed online. You’ll also have your choice of 21 specially selected Woofstock promotional items offered at additional savings. Why 21? It’s our 21st Anniversary!
Closeouts, new items and a chance to chat
The close out section of Woofstock has become quite popular over the years. This will also be available online.
This year’s virtual Woofstock will also include a “Special request” section. Here you’ll have the opportunity to see a selection of new items which can be ordered and at your door within just a week or two.
And finally, for those of you who don’t mind the cold, do not have a scheduling conflict, and would like to drop by for an informal chat with or without your dog, you can do that as well. Craig will be at the warehouse from noon until 2pm on Saturday, Nov. 30. You won’t find vendors or festive displays, but your favorite 60’s music will be playing, the coffee will be on and a relaxing chat or quick shopping trip awaits if you so choose.
November 30 is also Small Business Saturday, so if you’ve registered your American Express card you may qualify to receive a credit back for any purchase made with the card. We’ll pass more details along about Small Business Saturday as it become available.
So what’s behind the changes this year?
There’s not much we can do about scheduling conflicts during this busy time of the year. Everyone has far too much on their plates already. With a virtual event, there’s no pressure to arrive at a location within specific hours, fight for parking or confine your browsing to a single session.
Since a heating system for the warehouse is beyond our budget, now there’s no need to shiver while walking through the warehouse. You get to rely on your own comfortable climate controlled environment to enjoy this year’s virtual event. Whether you choose to participate from your home, with a friend, in a coffee shop or from another country, it’s all at your fingertips without the need for mittens.
Our low tech checkout system has been the source of much frustration at past events. This is never an issue in the course of normal operations during the rest of the year, since the process is transparent (and you don’t have to wait!) With this year’s virtual event, you’ll spend far less time creating an account online than you would spend waiting in line. And if you’ve already created an account or placed an order using our Shopping Cart, you’re that much further ahead.
Is the the end of Woofstock as we’ve know it?
Of course not! Woofstock has changed each year and this year is no exception. We’ll learn what works well and what does not with this year’s experiment.
On a personal level, I’ll miss seeing your smiling faces and wagging tails. Shopping from a screen may be more convenient that shopping in person, but is a very different experience. Time will tell whether that experience is enjoyed more, or less, than what’s been done previously.
As we get closer to the end of November, you’ll be receiving additional details of some promotional items. Just remember that your Woofstock orders must be placed in the 48 hours between Nov. 30- December 1 to save on sales tax and receive any other promotions offered.
We’re excited about this new way to Woofstock and look forward to thoughts and comments before, during and after the virtual event!
Click here for more Woofstock Weekend information.
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