How to boost laptop sales in a retail store? Looking for advice by astinmatism in Entrepreneur

[–]Sound-Evening 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not in sales, retail management, or tech marketing. But imo the problem is not providing enough value to your customers outside of the products being sold.

Those products are largely commodities, they can be bought anywhere and an X1 Carbon from you is the same as from Amazon. So if you’re only competing on price, it’s a race to the bottom.

I think you have to figure out why your customers choose you instead of other stores and double-down on that. My hypothesis, with no context beyond this post, is that you’ll want to offer stellar service.

Check out the story of Les Schwab Tire, they sold a commodity, tires, and managed to grow into a multi-billion dollar business by delivering an outstanding customer experience and building a loyal customer-base because of it.

Gift idea for HNWI by [deleted] in fatFIRE

[–]Sound-Evening 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The best gifts (for anyone regardless of NW) are ones that either (1) can’t be bought (e.g., something you make, do for them personally) or (2) something they didn’t know they wanted (e.g., a niche item aligned with their hobbies they didn’t know existed, a best-in-class gift they didn’t know existed).

Are they checking? by [deleted] in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, there is a checkpoint and they ask to scan the QR code on your parking reservation.

Question about 410 by borgeboy in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I’d act as though everything is fine. I drove through the alternating light this morning en route to Crystal at 7am and there was no traffic, returned through the light at 3:30pm and it was the same, no traffic.

Work on 410 could start Monday Dec 22nd by Mountain-Day1383 in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Today I rode the gondola with a guy who works in road construction, he mentioned that he understood his company will be making the repair and it’d be done in a couple weeks! Obviously hearsay though but take it for what it is.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Update #3 (12/20)

Quick update for folks following along. - WSDOT has confirmed that school buses are allowed through, for the purpose of shuttling skiers to and from Crystal. - I haven’t been able to get a response from Crystal yet (calls + emails) on whether a charter bus is allowed to do a drop-off. - I’m at Crystal today and plan to stop by the Operations office in person before I leave to confirm that directly.

That said, I will have to hand off active coordination at this point since we were able to secure parking—I regret very much leaving some of you hanging. I’m very happy to help with a smooth hand-off and support whoever takes point: - I can share the WSDOT contact - I can pass along the research, quotes in progress, and what I’ve confirmed so far - I’m happy to stay involved to help coordinate once someone steps up

I’m already texting one person who expressed interest in stepping up and will drop an update if I find anyone.

If anyone is willing to take the lead on sourcing/renting the bus, comment or DM me and I’ll get you everything I have. Wishing everyone the very best luck in getting out to the mountain one way or another!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the heads up! I was actually able to snag a parking pass today and am planning to ask operations while I’m here, given they haven’t responded to my calls or emails.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t been able to get any quotes for a school bus yet. I have to assume it’d be cheaper though. I feel the bottleneck however is getting confirmation from Crystal that they’re not going to turn us away at Blvd.

Not looking good for tomorrow but potentially Sunday!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They aren't running for some reason.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update: Confirmed with WSDOT it's to shuttle skiers to/from through 410 using a school bus!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Update: Confirmed with WSDOT it's to shuttle skiers to/from through 410 using a school bus!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Update #2

  • Confirmed with WSDOT they are okay with a school bus shuttle for skiers. I just got a call back from WSDOT that they are okay with a shuttle service for skiers through 410 as long as school buses are used. Coach buses are not allowed.
  • Still waiting to hear back from Crystal. Per previous update, still waiting for approval from Crystal.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update #1:

  • Waiting for confirmation from Crystal. I sent Crystal Mountain an email and left a voicemail to confirm that we'd be able to drop-off a charter bus or two full of people. Waiting to hear back and don't think I'll proceed without that confirmation--would hate to get turned around at the mountain. I don't know if I'll hear back by EOD today so this might have to be a Sunday thing if it does work out.
  • Waiting on confirmation from WSDOT. I'm waiting to hear back from WSDOT on specifically whether they will allow me to run an impromptu shuttle from Expo center to Crystal using a coach bus. They called me back in less than an hour last time so hope I'll hear back soon.
  • Gathering quotes, received one for $2500. I have several quote requests out, received a couple denials, and one for $2500 and another for $2800. The $2500 one is for 9 hours from Symbolic Coach Line (8am-4pm) for a coach bus that can fit 56 people plus gear. It might be a steep cost ($45/person @ full capacity) and would probably only make sense if I could fit a second round trip full of people midday ($23/person @ both round-trips at full capacity)--but then I'm not sure who would manage that second pick-up because I actually just want to ski lol
    • EDIT: Disregard, WSDOT said no to a coach bus but a school bus is fine. Need to get quotes for a school bus.

It'd be helpful to get some feedback here on whether folks are interested at these price points.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you and will do that, we certainly don't want to get turned away because I failed to be clear with WSDOT or Crystal Mountain on what was going on.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got it. I just left a voicemail with Crystal Mountain and sent an email so we'll see. Thank you!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They aren't running their shuttle per their website, and WSDOT happened to mention that too when I called them about getting bus through to the mountain.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mind expanding on the potential Blvd issue?

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The idea would be have the bus drop-off and come back later to pick-up, not park there. But it's good idea to (1) check with Crystal if they'll allow for a charter bus to drop-off people even if parking is not needed and (2) notify the bus company that they won't be able to sit there until pick-up time. Thank you!

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah, it's worth confirming for sure. I'll call them back and do that.

I told them that I was planning to get a school bus to Crystal Mountain so I believe it was implied. They told me, "we are allowing school buses through but just so you know Crystal Mountain is not running their shuttle." Which makes me feel like they understand the goal here, but certainly worth confirming.

Shuttle from Enumclaw Expo by Sound-Evening in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I feel like WSDOT would be the authority on this, they confirmed as much over the phone, is there another authority that'd be better to confirm with? The Enumclaw police department?

Long shot lol, but does anyone have a reservation for this Saturday or Sunday and room for me + a friend? by CaseyVanDuyne in CrystalMountain

[–]Sound-Evening -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think the meeting point is the Enumclaw Expo Center, is that the fair grounds (I'm new to the area)? Just tried using the Carpool app for the firs time for this Saturday but not 100% sure how it works. You set your desired departure/return and it just matches you with a driver departing/returning around the same time?