F DWES TO ES I

We take custom orders toofrom domes to homes, we can meet your needs. To feel secure you're getting the best - call Weyerhaeuser: o Anaheim o Los Angeles 710 East Cerritos Avenue 3557 South Hill Street (7t4) 772-5880 (213)'748-5451

. Fontrna o Sepulveda 17400 Slover Avenue 16714 Schoenborn Street

(714) 877-6100 (2r3) 894-4015

(213) 443-2421

(619) 231-2332 (San Diego) l0t/2" through l6Vz" l0%" through24" 12", 15", 16t1r", lg" and 24"

These Customer Service Centers are only four out of a larger Western network resdy to provide you with quality building products.

The Merchant

Publisher Emeritus A.D. Bell, Jr.

Editor-Publisher David Cutler

Associate Editor Juanita Lovret

Contributing Editors

Dwight Curran

Gage McKinney

William Lobdell

Al Kerper

Art Director Martha Emery

Staff Artist Nicola O'Fallon

Circulation Kelly Kendziorski

The Merchant Magazine (USPS 796-56000) is published monthly at 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 4t0, Newport Beach, Ca. 92.650, Phone (7f4) 549-E393, by The Merchant magazine, Inc. Second-class postage rates paid at NewPort Beach, Ca., and additional offices. Advertising rates upon request.

ADVERTISING OFFICES

FROM WASHINGTON STATE' IDAHO.NOR,THERN CALIFORNIA & oREGoN: contact Drvid Cutler, 4500 Campus Dr.. Suite 480. Newport Beactr.Ca. 92660.Phone(714) 549-8393.

FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: contact Carl Yann, 205 Oceano Dr., Los Anseles. Ca. 90049. Phone (213) 4723lB or (714) 549-8393.

FROM THE MIDWEST: contact Wryne Westlrnd, I109 Willow Lane, Mt. Prospect, Il. 60056. Call (312) 437 -7377

FROM THE SOUTHEAST: contact Don Bengard, Box 17216, Greenville, S.C. 29606. Call (803) 24-6580.

FROM ARKANSAS & OKLAHOMA: contact Timothy J. Nelson, Marketing Communications, Inc., 5l15 S. Vandalia, suite E, Tulsa, Ok. 74135. Call (9r8\ 496-8777.

Subscriptions

Change of Address-Send subscription orders and address changes to Circulation Dept., The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 480, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Include address label from recent issue if possible, plus new address and zip code.

Subscription RatesU.S. and Canada: $6-one year; $9-two years; $12-three years. Foreign: $14-one year; $20-two years.Single copies $1.25. Back copies $2.50 when available.

DAVID CUTLER editor-publisher

Clean up your act

NE OF the more satisfying aspects of being a purveyor of lumber, paint, hardware, tools and home improvements, is that you personally are involved in helping people to live better.

Yet, too many times we see people operating these businesses who haven't stopped for a little self-examination. Look around. Is your store a mess? Are the buildings and sheds, parking lot, signing and general appearance more reminiscent of a "before" photo than the "after" appearance a seller of home improvements should present? The same applies to wholesalers and distributors as well. Whether there is public contact or not, a messy, shabby workplace detracts from morale and the effective conduct of a firm. If you think this laxity doesn't communicate itself to customers and others, you're just kidding yourself.

Studies over the years have confirmed again and again that the investment in a proper store environment and pleasant working conditions pays for itself many times over.

For an occupation as meaningful as helping to supply the needs and wants of sheltering a nation, it is regretable indeed that we too often encounter the disheveled, dirty, depressing and even disgraceful in a business that should bejust the opposite. There is no good reason why every office and every store shouldn't be a model for the world to emulate. People should take one look at your store or offices and say, "nowthat's what I'd really like my place to look like."

Be honest with yourself. Look around with a fresh eye, an objective view' If your little corner of the world won't elicit that kind of a positive response you'd better ask yourself why not.