Our Customers Think the Dawn of a New Millennium is Something to look Forward to.

Building material dealers using SPRUCE computer systems have nothing to fear when it comes to the Year 2000.

Happily, 920/o of orr customers can still use the original hardware they pwchased ftom SPRUCE when the clock stikes midnight on December 31, 1999.

And because we're not in the midst of the Year 2000 Upgrade Crisis, we can continue to provide the best support in the industry.

How can we be so sure we have the best support? Because we can make these claims:

A We've never lost a single customer.

A We answer and resolve support calls immediately.

A We offer unlimited free training at our corporate headquarters.

A Our support fees are virtually the same today as they were l0 years ago.

Can your software supplier say the same?

If you want a computer company with the foresight to save you money over the long haul-one that will know you by the sound of your voice when you call for support-call SPRUCE today. You'll be happy you did {especially when the year 2000 rolls around}.

What Makes Customers Loyal?

About Sl%o of home improvement store shoppers say they have been loyal to the same store for more than five years, reflecting consolidation in the industry, according to the American Express Retail Index on shopper loyalty.

The top reasons for remaining loyal to a particular store are that it offers a large variety/selection (cited by 8O7o) and convenient location (72Vo). Other desirous features are: a helpful, courteous staff; stocking desired brands/styles; a pleasant, fun environment, and ability to find or special-order hard-to-find items.

Conversely, factors prompting a change in store loyalty include: o prices tend to be high o merchandise is often out of stock o racks/shelves are disorganized o employees are not helpful o found a new store closer to home

The study grouped home improvement store shoppers into three categories:

Do-it-yourselfers (representing 36Vo of all home improvement store shoppers and 4lVo of total sales volume) generally seek ways to improve their homes, like to browse, and are handy. Completing home projects gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Informed shoppers (35Vo of all shoppers, 36Vo of sales volume) are in and out of the store quickly, price focused and value oriented, and only shop when they must.

Thrifty/all thumbs shoppers (29Vo of shoppers, 22Vo of sales volume) spend little time shopping, often buy sale items, are price focused and are not handy.

Deck The Halls With Routers

Power tools, by far, top the list of the most popular gifts purchased in hardware stores during the holiday season, according to a recent survey of Ace Hardware dealers.

Nearly half (48V0) of the 132 dealers surveyed selected power tools such as drills, sanders and saws as the most commonly purchased holiday gift. Hand tools and housewares were each named by about20Vo.

A few dealers named unusual items such as pet supplies, plumbing products and hunting apparel as commonly purchased presents. Automotive maintenance supplies and paint products didn't make any retailer's list.

NOFMA Sets New Standards

The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association has expanded its certification standards from solid wood to include qualified engineered, or laminated, wood flooring manufacturers.

Triangle Pacific Corp., Dallas, Tx., is the first company to apply for the new certification standards.

Kenneth C. Brosh, 84, chairman of the board, Crissey Fowler Lumber Co., Colorado Springs, Co., died Nov. 9 in Colorado Springs.