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Showing posts from 2010

"Inside" the Sunday Package

On Thursday of each week the Washington Post sends us 2,500 pre -packs for the newspaper that Sunday. There are a number of names for the advance part of the paper such as "Comics", "Guts" or "Inserts. ________________________________________ Two of the main ingredients that come in the package are the Washington Post magazine and the weekly Television Guide. Others would argue that the Funny Papers and the sales ads are of equal importance but most go in search of the TV Book and the Magazine. ________________________________________ The inserts are put together each week in Springfield and then trucked to us. 99 times out of 100 they are complete but there is the rare occasion that one of the items comes up missing. We encourage to call our office (540)-743-4660 if you are missing either item and we will get one sent back out during our Monday morning delivery hours. ________________________________________ Once or twice a calender year the Post will h

Merry Christmas to All !

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL and safe travel for those who will be on the road over the Holidays.

Round #1 vs. Mother Nature (Friday 12/17/10)

One of the biggest fears in delivering newspapers back and forth across the mountain comes in the form of snow & ice. Last night/this morning was our first battle with serious elements and with a little help from Above we managed to complete our routes within the time restraints of 6:00 A.M.! ___________________________________ Kudos to the trucking company for bringing the newspapers on time and to the entire team for a solid effort of battling the back roads of both Page & Shenandoah Counties. We can only hope that it will warm up enough today to melt the snow and then stay warm enough to prevent it turning the slush in to ice. ___________________________________ Here is hoping that Round 2 is postponed until the start of 2011!

Today : The origin of the site

Back in the good ole days when the job only required roaming the streets of Luray at night I had set out to create a way to give back to the community. The idea I came up with was a site that promoted local high school athletes in a positive manner and a few adventures mixed in. Around The Valley in 60 Days was the name and there are nearly a thousand posts between the two sites. ________________________________________________ This site here was the original site and on the front page of this site is a link to the sister site we created. Sadly as the newspaper job became much more labor intense over the consolidations the time was no longer there to continue at the same pace. But we kept both sites up and running so that folks can still look back at the stories and pictures. ________________________________________________ The main goal of this site now is to allow me to try and communicate with a customer base that has us distributing 2,600 Sunday newspapers between Page

Today's Word - Billing from the Washington Post

One of the biggest changes that occurred during the past five years has come in the billing department. The split had been about 50/50 between the number of customers that paid their bills directly to the Post and the number that paid their distributor every four weeks. _________________________________ The change was made to take the billing 100% in house about 2 years ago. Every customer that receives the newspaper from the Post is expected to pay the Post directly now. The invoices are mailed back to Richmond, Virginia and processed there. While the Post has taken over complete control of the accounts and they generate the customer invoices they list my name and number on the top of the paperwork. _________________________________ The idea is to give the customer a local name and number to call if they have a question about their statement. Solid idea but it can lead to a bit of confusion when a call is placed to me with a concern because I was not the one to genera

Today's Question - Washington Post News Tubes

A large number of our customer bases receives their newspaper in a Washington Post tube. The purpose of the tube is to try and protect the paper from the elements as much as possible. For those of you that do not currently have a tube and would like one at your home here is a few things you should know. __________________________________ * There is no cost to the customer for the tube. * In most cases we can have a tube installed inside of a week. * If the tube becomes worn out or damaged we can replace it. *If there is a change in your subscription we can remove the tube per your request. ___________________________________ Hope everyone was able to enjoy their Thanksgiving !

The Thanksgiving Day Newspaper...The Inside Scoop

Each year the Washington Post publishes a Special Edition of the newspaper on Thanksgiving Day. The goal is to get everyone for Black Friday, especially the ones that are brave enough to hit the stores before the Sun rises. ___________________________________ The product is the largest Daily newspaper of the year and requires assembly that is a challenge for us and then comes the special delivery instructions. Step 1-Take the papers to the local stores with a retail price of $2.50 in the outer market. Step 2-Deliver a copy of the newspaper to all of the 7-Day customers that would be expecting their typical Thursday newspaper. There is no extra charge for the Home Delivery customers. Step 3- Take a free copy to each and everyone of the Sunday Only customers. Both the set that fall inside of the daily boundaries and the folks that reside in the far reaches of our beautiful Valley. ____________________________________ We have learned that some of the four previous Distributors had not be

Monday October 4TH - One more newspaper merger

On Monday October 4, 2010 the next addition to the growing list of products took place. In the final steps of eliminating the use of their own carrier force USA-Today made a deal with the Washington Post for Agency #8514 to become responsible for all three of their products in the majority of Shenandoah County. There is no current service for the products in Page County. ___________________________ USA-Today, Sports Weekly and the Sports Special magazine were added to the delivery lists from Mount Jackson up to Strasburg . You can check out some of the previous postings for more information on the availability of all three products. ___________________________ Each time that there is a tap on the shoulder and more work is issued there is a slight moan but only slight because the choice of taking on more work versus losing what you have is not that difficult when you stop and think about it!

April 19, 2010 - New Product - The Capitol Business Magazine

04/19/2010 - The Washington Post produced the initial copy of its weekly business magazine today with high hopes of success. Capitol Business will be printed each and every Monday and made available in all 7-Day service areas to home delivery customers. ____________________________________________ .

The change date for WP Agency #8511 - 2/15/10

Mr. Fred Haddad provided a high level of service for the Washington Post in northern Shenandoah County for well over two decades. That incredibly successful run ended with the Sunday Post delivery back on February 14TH, 2010. ______________________________ In a continued effort to cost costs in the outer market the Post dissolved Fred's agency on that day and moved the folks in Strasburg , Woodstock, Toms Brook and surrounding communities over to Agency #8514 which is based out of Luray , Virginia. ______________________________ There was very little fanfare on the date of the change as most of the Shenandoah Valley was trying to dig out of one of the worst winters in recent history. Both Fred and his lovely wife Theresa stayed on to help out with the Sunday product each week as they continue to provide wonderful service to their former customers. ______________________________ The removal of Agency #8511 was followed by a smaller move in October which the USA-T

The change date for WP Agency #8515 - December 22,2008

The customers in southern Shenandoah County (New Market, Mount Jackson, Quicksburg , Edinburg and Bayse received their Washington Post from Robert Ward and his family for as long as most folks can remember. It takes a special type of individual to give over 40 years of their live to a job and that is exactly what Mr.Ward did along with a number of his family members. __________________________________ Even following the passing of Mr.Ward the agency continued forward under the guidance of his wife Mrs. Debbie Ward with some assistance from his daughter Tammy and son-in-law Scott and family friend Dennis. But this changed back on Sunday December 21,2008 when the Washington Post made a cost cutting move and eliminated Agency #8515. __________________________________ The Post moved the customer base over to Agency #8514 in Luray , Virginia and the entire delivery crew was able to stay on board in the beginning but over the following months only Deb remained on board with

In the beginning - Agency #8514 & #8514-SXO (August 7, 2006)

Both Mr.Gary and Mrs.Ann Ward roamed the streets of Page County every day for over 30 years while providing service to the Washington Post customers here. Gary was the Agent responsible for Luray and Ann was contracted for the outer/Sunday area in Stanley and Shenandoah. ___________________________ My son Christopher and I were blessed to be the ones out running some of the fringe products in Page County on the morning that Gary realized that 32 years was long enough of the 7 Day grind that has WP delivery people out there 365 days a year. Both of the Wards were overly kind during the 30 day window we spent together in training and on the morning of August 7, 2006 we became the folks responsible for Agency 8514. ____________________________ The first of a series of mergers occurred on that same day when the 8514- SXO agency that belonged to Ann was eliminated and the two agencies became one. Sadly for us on the same day the Washington Post raised the pric

Sports Specials now available @ 9 Locals

The latest edition (NCAA Basketball Preview) hit the streets in early October! Stop by either Sheetz, any of the four 7-11 stores, Handy Mart 8 & 10 or the Wilco Hess Truck Stop to purchase your copy today. Duke University senior duo of Lance Thomas & Kyle Singler grace the cover. The cost of the magazine is $4.95.

USA TODAY's SPORTS WEEKLY LOCATIONS :

Every Wednesday you can pick up a copy of the Sports magazine at the following stores- Mount Jackson - 7-11 Store & Sheetz Woodstock - Sheetz, 7-11 Store, M & R & Handy Mart #8 Toms Brook - The Brook Store Strasburg - Both 7-11's

Fall of 2010 Brings Even More Products on Board

Monday October 4TH marked the beginning of Single Copy service for USA Today, Sports Weekly (formerly Baseball Weekly) and Sports Specials in Northern Shenandoah County. You can purchase the USA Today Monday-Friday (except major holidays) at the following locations... _________________________________________________________________ Mount Jackson - Sheetz, 7-11 Store & Liberty Truck Stop (Rack) _________________________________________________________________ Woodstock - Cracker Barrell (Rack), Cook's Country Exxon, 7-11 Store, Handy Mart #8 & Sheetz _________________________________________________________________ Toms Brook - Love's Truck Stop (Rack), Wilco-Hess Truck Stop (Rack) & The Brook Store __________________________________________________________________ Strasburg - Exxon, 7-11 Store North, 7-11 Store, Family Dollar (Rack)& Handy Mart #10 __________________________________________________________________ Guets staying at the following Hotels can find

Capitol Business - Available for Home Delivery Every Monday

The Washington Post continues to produce their own in house view on the comings and goings of the financial world. Every Monday morning you can have a copy of the Capitol Business delivered to your home or business! Please call the Post at 1-800-477-4679 to sign up for your copy.

Financial Times becomes latest product to be offered for delivery

The Washington Post has made the Financial Times available to the folks in both Page County & Shenandoah County effective immediately. You can add the FT by contacting them or by going through the Washington Post.

Year 5 is under way !

On August 8, 2010 we began our fifth year of service with the Washington Post. A number of things have changed in that time with the biggest being the continued expansion of our area with the Post. In the good ole days we (Crystal Clear Delivery) were responsible for Luray(22835) and parts of Page County. There were four managers that held the same posistion as myself back then but now there is just us. The towns of Stanley (22851), Shenandoah (22849), New Market (22844), Edinburg (22824) Mount Jackson (22842), Woodstock (22664), Bryce Mountain/Bayse (22810), Quicksburg(22847), Toms Brook (22660), Maurertown (22644), Fishers Hill (22626), Strasburg (22657 & 22641), Star Tannery (22654) Orkney Springs (22845) and Rileyville (22650) have all joined the family!

Today's Question - Credit Card Payments

The Washington Post has a toll free number 1-800-477-4679 for all customers that wish to pay for their subscription with a credit card. They can handle all types of transactions involving all major credit cards. The system is automated and your choices are as follows: Press 1 - To start a subscription Press 2 - For a missed or damaged newspaper Press 3 - For a Vacation Stop with a re-start date Press 4 - To Cancel your newspaper Press 5 - To ask a billing question Press 0 - To speak with an operator

Luray Wranglers capture another VBL Championship

Congrats go out to owner Bill Turner and Skipper Mike Bocock as the duo have once again teamed up to lead the Wranglers to a Championship. Luray closed out the best 2 of 3 series by defeating Front Royal 4-0 on Thursday night for a 2-0 sweep. Luray swept Covington 2-0 in the first round before winning a pair of elimination games versus Winchester. The number of VBL teams in our delivery area increases to four next summer when the Strasburg Express join Luray, Woodstock & New Market on the diamond.

Strasburg Single Copy Locations

The following stores carry both the Daily & the Sunday Washington Post in the town of Strasburg. Exxon / McDonalds - Exit 298 off I-81 Strasburg 7-11 - 225 N. Massanutten Street (540) - 465-3294 Strasburg Food Lion #550 - 794 Shopping Center Road (540)-465-5335 Strasburg Rite-Aid #1893 - 335 Crystal Lane (540)- 465-3725 Strasburg Handy Mart #10 - 314 West King Street -------------------------------- You can also pick-up the Sunday Post @ : Strasburg M & R Store - 361 West King Street (540) - 465-5044 New Star Market - 2936 John Marshall Highway (540) - 465-5735 __________________________________________________ Near By Stores: Lebanon Church,Va. Gradens Super Market & Guitar Shop - 6836 John Marshall Highway (540)-465-4447

Updates from 2010... CCD welcomes Northern Shenandoah County

Back on Monday February 15TH of this year the Washington Post made the decision to once again combine work areas in hopes of cutting costs here in their outer market area. The latest change included taking over in Strasburg, Toms Brook, Maurertown, Fishers Hill & Woodstock. ___________________________________________________________ The first piece of business is to acknowledge the amazing job that Mr. Fred Haddad and his wife Theresa did over the past two decades. We were very blessed to have both Fred & Theresa stay on board on Sunday mornings as we attempt to keep the level of service at the bar that was set. ___________________________________________________________ The biggest challenge in now trying to manage a territory that ranges from the top of Strasburg down the valley and across the New Market Gap over to the town of Shenandoah is trying to keep up the personal touch that all four of the previous distributors provided for their customers. ______________

Please enjoy the Pics & Stories from the Past 3 Years

As has been the case for the past three years, all photos found on this site are free of charge to anyone that would enjoy them! We hope that from time to time someone will look back and find a reason to smile once more time ! God Bless...