A Memorable Packaging Story
September 14, 2011
In the late 1980s, Tom Riordan of Maple Ridge Farms, Larry Wise of Advertising Unlimited, and Tony Guerra, a multiline rep (now our National Sales Manager), travelled together by van to major cities in the Midwest, hosting Holiday Gift Seminars for distributors on how to generate greater holiday sales.
Part of their display included a Charlie Brown-like artificial Christmas tree belonging to Tony. “It was a pathetic tree,” recalls Tom. Tony set it up at every seminar.
Fast forward a few years. After a seminar in Columbus, OH, the trio packed up the van and headed for home. When Tony got home he discovered that his Christmas tree had been left behind. He teased Tom mercilessly about it. “You left my tree on purpose! How could you – it was a gift from my mother!”
A few days later, a box arrived on Tony’s doorstep. No card, but inside the box was an artificial tree. Tony figured out it was from Tom.
“Thanks, but this tree looks as bad as what we left behind,” Tony told Tom. “The box and tree look like they were driven over by a delivery truck.”
The company Tom ordered the tree from [who will remain nameless] used lousy packaging. As Tony explained, “The packaging materials weren’t designed to withstand the typical tossing around that occurs when boxes are shipped around the country.”
Proper packaging is one of Maple Ridge Farms’ strong points. We’re known for it. We go to great lengths to ensure our gifts arrive in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed and generate a “Wow!” from the recipients.
Part of their display included a Charlie Brown-like artificial Christmas tree belonging to Tony. “It was a pathetic tree,” recalls Tom. Tony set it up at every seminar.
Fast forward a few years. After a seminar in Columbus, OH, the trio packed up the van and headed for home. When Tony got home he discovered that his Christmas tree had been left behind. He teased Tom mercilessly about it. “You left my tree on purpose! How could you – it was a gift from my mother!”
A few days later, a box arrived on Tony’s doorstep. No card, but inside the box was an artificial tree. Tony figured out it was from Tom.
“Thanks, but this tree looks as bad as what we left behind,” Tony told Tom. “The box and tree look like they were driven over by a delivery truck.”
The company Tom ordered the tree from [who will remain nameless] used lousy packaging. As Tony explained, “The packaging materials weren’t designed to withstand the typical tossing around that occurs when boxes are shipped around the country.”
Proper packaging is one of Maple Ridge Farms’ strong points. We’re known for it. We go to great lengths to ensure our gifts arrive in perfect condition, ready to be enjoyed and generate a “Wow!” from the recipients.
