We were deeply touched by the outpouring of support show us in our hour of need this month. We're also aware of the fact that we're not alone in this business in things being really tight these days. With that in mind we'd like to announce our " Industry Visibility/ Customer Appreciation " giveaway. Aimed at getting a little exposure to other makers( as well as a little cash ) and giving something back to you guys, we're going to be doing drawings from amongst our customers for gift certificates from other craftsman as and when we can afford to.

We'd like to start off with the following. Anyone who has or does make a purchase with us in the month of September will automatically be entered for a drawing at the end of this month for a $150.00 Albion Swords gift certificate. http://www.merctailor.com/

If the gods smile we'll do one for a different maker next month. We'll list those who are in for the drawing and let you know who the winners is.

Great idea Allan and I think you should make sure to bump or update this Topic something like at least once every couple of weeks or so because otherwise many people who might be interested may have missed the topic and the offer.

I think that the makers here, who have posting privileges to post news about their product or other marketing news, should do so regularly as they do need to do some regular marketing to get to sell their wares: For those with more of an artistic or craftsman inclination being good business people is not always their strongest suit and they concentrate on the work and forget they have to always be finding new buyers as well as keeping their older clients for repeat business. ;)

If they neglect being " present " their potential clients may be forgetting about them !

In your case you do have a very strong customer service ethic that many should also imitate since a good reputation and word of mouth is priceless.

Anyway, sort of diverging from the main Topic and into generalities, but getting back to your offer it is very generous of you to also be thinking of this whole niche industry and other makers who are in a similar fragile situation.

It would be good if other makers pick up on the idea and I think it's a case of everyone helping in bailing water out of the bilge to keep the entire industry/craft/art afloat.

A company making " gambison " profits from having a good number of healthy armour makers. Scabbard makers profit from there being healthy sword making makers, ........ etc ...

Really great idea and if I win a gift certificate for an Albion it certainly makes it easier to decide to buy one sooner than later.

If everyone waits for later there may be no later. ;) :\ :(

Thanks again Allan for thinking of other companies also needing customers and orders and not just focusing on your own problems: I'm seriously impressed and it shows a great amount of generosity and honour. :cool:

Nice!

Yes I secondly agree on this. Great idea indeed

Here is who's in for the drawing on Thursday:

Ed Toton
Dustin Regan
Victor Runge
Joe Maccarone
Thomas Ryan
Mackenzie Cosens
Charles Boyd
Jim Steiner
Michael Bruhn
Josh MacNeil
Christian Borglum
Doug Crawford
Brian Ames
Alan Paulsen
Jean Thibodeau
Lloyd Clark
Mike Tyderek
Christopher Finneman
Joseph Ceranowski
Matt Zordan
Nathan Johnson
Ian LaSpina

I believe i've gotten everybody who's picked something up this month. If some how i've missed you please let me know. Still three days to go.

Adding Dan Sullivan to the list.

Great idea Allan and I ordered a spiked mace from A & A and brass mace heads from Kult of Athena to use as heads for walking sticks in DIY projects.

Also when one buy from one of the general vendors out there like KoA you are both supporting the vendor and indirectly the maker since KoA or the other vendors out there will buy more product from the makers.

Anyway, those of us who can still afford a " toy " budget should give the makers ( Often our friends ) some business even if we do have to " budget " more tightly than a few years ago.

Thanks again for your generous initiative as it would have been much easier to just worry about your own situation and it shows both generosity and " HONOUR " I have a great deal of respect and admiration for. :) :cool: ( Hope this doesn't make you blush too much or seem a bit over the top but I mean every word of it 100% ).

( Note: I see that I'm somewhat repeating myself reading one of my posts above but I still mean it as well and maybe one new idea. ;) :lol: ).

Adding Jesse Burton to the list.

Adding Till Kuendiger to the list.

Adding Allen Foster to the list.

Adding Scott Hrouda to the list.

We will be drawing the name from a hat for the winner at 7 PM EST tonight ( Thursday September 30, 2010 ).

Adding Hal Seigel.

And our winner is .............Chris Finneman. Congrats Chris and thanks to those who threw in.

We have our October vendor lined up and will announce it tommorow.

Congratulations Chris!

Whoa if this is actually me and not a joke this really really made my day!
And this is actually the firstt hing I ever won!

Embarassing that you heard my sqeel of delight from up here I tried to be quiet!
Lol yeah it just made my day