Redwood deck contest i ncreases traffic, sales

II'OMEOWNERS like to show off rheir homes and Ilexpertise in do-it-yourself projects. Using this philosophy, a Colorado home center chain makes the California Redwood Association's national redwood deck contest pay off for them.

"Here in Colorado, homeowners love redwood decks," says Bill Bieker, regional lumber merchandise manager of the l7-store Hugh M. WoodVPayless Cashways home center chain. "So when the state economy began picking up last year, we lnew there would be pent-up demand for new decks. The 1992-93 CRNHonu Meclanix contest gave us the perfect vehicle to tap into that demand."

April through the end of the summer and generated increased store traffic and strong incremental redwood sales in all l7 stores. As a result CRA received an unprecedented 46 contest entries from Colorado. Bieker believes this year will be even better.

"We'll start eadier and use the contest to promote our new computerized design system," he says. "We're committed to building redwood deck sales, and we have some accomplished do-it-yourselfers in Colorado, so watch outwe just may enter ttre winning design in 1993."

Redwood dealers can participate in the 1993-94 California Redwood AssociationlHone Mechanix deck contest by displaying banners and countertop entry blank displays through the spring and summer months.

With 1.1 million readers, Home Mechanix will feature 1992 winners in the July/August issue with 1993 information and entry blanks. If dealers sponsor a local deck contest, CRA will coordinate entries, entering them in the national contest.

Bieker organized a chain-wide effort that made cont€st planning easy for the store managers. He ordered the contest materials - entry blanks and banners - and urged the store managers to highlight complimentary Hugh M. Woods services.

"All of our stores have deck blueprint take-offs, for instance," he says. "We have them approved by architects to meet local code requirements. With a design foundation like that, a lot of customers suddenly get the confidence to enter the contesl"

The Hugh M. Woods contest promotion ran from late

CRA and Home Mechanix will judge entries. open to d-iyers and professionals, the contest offers prizes from $2,000 to $750 as well as the chance to be featured in a national publication. Entries close Sept. 15.

Regardless of the direction you take, you will find creating excitement creates sales.

Story at a Glance

Ways to boost redwood sales ideas for coordinating store services with annual GRA deck contest how a Colorado dealer tied-in.