Sailing the Mediterranean Coast to the Italian and French Riviera

Dalton— Beaulieu of America is once again ready to treat select dealers to a “once-in-a-lifetime” experience with its 2007 Dealer Elite Italian/French Riviera Cruise Program.

The company, which has built a reputation for rewarding retailers with luxury experiences such as trips to Tahiti and The Amalfi Coast, will take dealers on a seven-day journey sailing the Mediterranean Coast to the Italian and French Riviera.

Pete Ciganovich, executive vice president of sales and marketing, said Beaulieu has contracted with The Yachts of Seabourn, “one of the world’s finest private, all suites, luxury yachts. These trips allow dealers to relax, meet with other successful retailers and enjoy impeccable service in an intimate, exotic atmosphere.”

He noted the intimate excursion is all-inclusive including roundtrip air fare, round-trip transportation between airport and pier, all meals aboard the ship, port fees and taxes.

“This is another one of those journeys qualifying retailers will talk about for years to come,” Ciganovich said.

To qualify for the cruise, dealers need to accrue 60,000 points based on sales of select Beaulieu carpets. The accrual period began April 1 and runs through March 31, 2007. Dealers must sign up for the program through their Beaulieu territory manager before points can be earned.

Eligible products are from five popular collections, Ciganovich noted, including the new Hollytex Fashion Essentials, Hollytex Ultimate Performance, Hollytex Luxury Collection, Carefee Living and Coronet Classics.

Beaulieu has also unveiled a new Service Guarantee program on one of the mill’s best selling collections —Hollytex Ultimate Performance.

Ciganovich said the program began May 1. What this means is, Beaulieu guarantees that Ultimate Performance products will be in stock or the company will reimburse the retail sales professional for commission lost if the order is canceled.

“This bold new program will allow salespeople to sell these popular styles with complete confidence,” he said. “If Beaulieu cannot ship one of these products within five working days of order receipt we will pay the sales professional the lost commission, up to $100 per incident, if the order is canceled for non-delivery.

To file a claim, the dealer has to provide a copy of the sales ticket indicating the amount of lost commission and the mill reference number or the cancellation number given by the Beaulieu customer service department at the time the order was canceled. Forms can be obtained from territory managers.

Ciganovich said “the worst thing that can happen is an order the salesperson expended a great deal of time and energy on, gets canceled because the mill cannot ship the product within an acceptable time frame. The salesperson should not be penalized for non-performance on our account.

“This new service policy is being instituted to show the dealer base Beaulieu not only makes the best quality products but backs them up with shelf stock for immediate delivery,” he concluded.

For more information about the cruise incentive or the service guarantee, contact your local Beaulieu territory manager.