A Letter From A Very Small Business

[ThomWV]

Let me get in the smallest amount of advertising for a very small company that makes a very good product and then quote you from a letter we just got from them.

There is this penetrating oil I was introduced to years ago when I was finding out I wasn't much fit for mechanic's work. The stuff is made by a company in Nashville and it plain works. It doesn't cost much, about $10, and a spray can of it lasts for years. Company is called Kano Laboratories and the stuff is called AeroKroil. Get you a can of it, you'll never be sorry you did. Its so nice when you call to get a can too, its like calling your grandmother for a receipt. So much for the shameless advertising.

The letter they sent flies in the face of everything Bush tells us about our economy. Indeed, things are not so good. Here is what Kano had to say:

"Dear Customer:

For the last year we have waited, watched and hoped that oil, solvent, corrugated and steel prices would decline after their steep increases in 2005. Instead, exactly the opposite has happened, and prices for commodity chemicals due to limited refining capacity, strong economic growth (sic), and an unstable geopolitical situation have reached unprecedented heights (as anyone who purchases gasoline or home heating oil is well aware).

Kano had done its best to navigate its way through this difficult environment. Yet, despite our best efforts with supply chain management, and despite improved purchasing programs, raw material costs have again increased and are 50% - 200% higher than they were a year or two ago. Thus, due to these market conditions plus increased health care, insurance, transportation (and transportation surcharges) and utility costs (also driven higher by higher fuel costs) we have no choice but to raise prices effective October 1, 2006."

The letter goes on with their regrets. To me the price is immaterial, the family-business atmosphere when I've called and the superiority of their product is all I need to continue my patronage. I just wanted to share the letter with you because it so vividly points out so many of the problems facing every small business in the country.

As you consider Bush's description of our glowing economy reflect on how it has effected this one small business and its customers

[TomInTib]

1. Thanks for that post

I wonder how many thousands of times that same scenario is being played out today.

This little company (Kano) is indeed fortunate to have a loyal customer base who will stick with them thru rough times and price increases because of their superior product and down-home customer service.

Could you PM their contact info so I can order a case on Oct 2?

I am serious.

But, I trust, you already know that.

Thanks.

Tom