De-griefing a long time headache thru effective numbering system

A PROBLEM area for most dealers in A ""l1inn hardwares and housewares has been 1o find an underground sprin' kling system to sell that the do-it-yourself customer can actually install.

Too many times, systems were sold that proved unworkable for the customer. In turn, the dealer had to listen to his sad story and worse, probably lose a customer beside. A man with bruised knuckles, a dug up lawn and an irate wife is a tough man to talk to.

What seems to be a goo{ proof system to do the job and fill the big market demand for underground sprinkling systems has been put on the market by Armstrong. the lawn, turf and garden specialists.

What makes the line so easy to take is the development of one of the most com' prehensive set of instructions ever written for do-it-yourselfers. The dealer does not have to get involved in a cram course on underground sprinkler systems. Everything from the shopper-stopper packaging to the well-written instructions has been designed with the do-it-yoursel{er in mind.

In creating t}is program, Armstrong developed a numbering system which is actually a break-through for this type of product. All that is needed are valve sprinkling components and a coil of z/*" polyethylene sprinkling pipe from regular dealer stock. The only tools required are a knife to cut the pipe and a screwdriver to tighten the clamps.

One of their packages is called the sprinkler control valve kit. This unit may be attached in minutes to any t/r" or

Sfory sI a Glqnce

Manufacturer opens up a number of possibilities by marketing what appears to be a goof proof way for even the clumsiest handyman to play plumber and install an underground watering system.

3/*'t hotse water supply. Each of these kits supplies the correct volume of water to one circuit of sprinklers. Kits may be joined together, one at a time, as needed. Another kit is the sprinkler system center. It is a full color 20" x 40" display board featuring sprinkler heads, risers and fittings, in individual poly bags. Everything is numbered. Each operation is performed by the numbers.

The do-it-yourself starter kit is a packaged sprinkler system that hits the jackpot for simplicity.

The customer takes one stalter unit home and following simple, by-the-number instructions. installs it in one 8001000 sq. ft. section of his yald. For additional 800-1000 sq. ft. lawn areas, he adds another kit to the sprinkler control valve assembly included in each kit. Installations may be made for lawn watering or for bubbling up under shrubbery.

This entire line is backed by expert packaging with outstanding dealer aids and free instruction charts for stocking dealers.

According to dealer records, tlle self service board together with the starter kits turn over at least 4 times a year, grossing around $4,000 annually.