Jan and John Maggs Antiques
Newsletter -- August 11, 2008
Volume 5, number 7
MASSACHUSETTS TAX-FREE WEEKEND SALE
August 16 - 17
WHY SETTLE FOR A MERE 5%?
Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17 has been declared Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday Weekend by the Massachusetts legislature. With the goal of stimulating business in the state, any item valued at $2500 or less purchased during the weekend will be exempt from sales tax. We feel that our business wouldn't be harmed by a little stimulation, so-o-o-o-o . . . . . .
We're going to sweeten the pot a bit by offering a 20% discount on EVERYTHING in our stock - including items on our website as well as things in the shop, AND, as an added bonus, we'll be offering reductions of up to 50% on several pieces that have been in the shop for long enough to make us think of them as "old friends". These special reductions will be posted on our website at 6:00 p.m. on Friday the 15th and will only be available during the weekend.
CLICK HERE after Friday at 6:00 to view specially reduced stock.
We'll be open all weekend - from 10:00 until 5:00 on both days - with sweets and snacks. If you'd rather shop online, we'll be happy to accept VISA/MasterCard charges throughout the weekend and hold purchases until you can come and pick them up (or let us ship to you, if that's more convenient), but payment must be made on either the 16th and 17th to be eligible for tax-free status.
If you've been thinking about something you've seen in a newsletter, on our website, at a show, or in our shop, take advantage of Mass. Tax Holiday Weekend!
Since last month's newsletter . . . .
Let's start with last month's newsletter. At 3:21 on July 16, John sent a test copy of our newsletter from his computer to Jan's, something we always do to ensure that our links are functioning. Jan received the newsletter, clicked on the link, and was taken to the July newsletter. Two minutes later, at 3:23, the first batch of newsletters was sent; one of these e-mails was addressed to John. When it arrived at his computer, at 3:24, John checked the link and received a message saying that the URL could not be found, computer-speak for "can't find the newsletter." When the link to the newsletter failed, we tried to access our website. This failed, as well. We then placed a call to our Internet Service Provider - Speakeasy - a very reputable and usually reliable firm located in Seattle. Twenty minutes later we reached a live person, who informed us that Speakeasy was "experiencing problems."
If we had ever doubted that anyone reads the newsletter, our doubts were removed by the deluge of e-mails and phone calls that came within the next thirty minutes. Meanwhile, we were on and off of the phone, trying to speak with a live person in Seattle. By the time we got someone to return our call, the website and newsletter were back on line, and the problem was resolved. If you were among those frustrated by the problem, we apologize and will do our best to ensure that it won't happen again.
We've had two good shows since last month: Rhinebeck and Little Compton. The Little Compton show was truncated by a severe thunderstorm that closed the show early. Read this month's Tale of the Trade for details.
Although daily reports on the U.S. and world economies continue to be less than optimistic, we're managing to keep merchandise flowing. Yes, these days are a far cry from five years ago, but our sales in the shop, at shows, and on the Internet continue to allow us to acquire new stock and pay our monthly bills. We'll continue to work hard to stay in your thoughts and earn your trust.
SHOP HOURS
Our shop is open on most weekends of the year, but because we exhibit at a number of antiques shows, we are sometimes away. Click here to see our schedule for the next few weeks. If you would prefer to visit during the week, we will happily open our doors at any time. In either instance, a call ahead is advised.
UPCOMING SHOWS
August 23 & 24
Vermont Antiques Dealers' Show
Manchester, VT
* * * * * * * * * *
September 13
Salisbury, CT
* * * * * * * * * *
September 27
Golden Ball Tavern Antiques Show
Weston, MA
Click here for our complete show schedule for 2008.
Because of our upcoming sale, we're listing no new inventory this month.
Visit our website after 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 15th for a listing of pieces to be offered at special reductions.
Browse our current stock by clicking on any of these thumbnails.
This Month's Feature
More pictures from our recent visit to Montreal.
Tales of the Trade
The Little Compton Antiques Show and Squall
Pippin's Page
Our snow leopard achieves new heights.
The Back Page
Reflection on the tree that fell outside our bedroom window on a quiet night in June.
Click to visit the Jan and John Maggs Antiques website.
Links
Click for directions to our shop.
Click for links to all past issues of this Newsletter.
For additional links to businesses and places of interest, visit our Links Page.
Thanks for taking the time to read our little monthly. As always, we encourage you to e-mail any comments that might make the newsletter more useful to you. Just click the mailbox, or write to jmaggs@jmaggs.com.
And we thank you for being a customer.
John and Jan