CHRISTMAS BONUS & YEAR END BONUSs  14DEC2008

WELCOME, glad you could visit us, OUR TOPIC: "CHRISTMAS GIFTS & YEAR END BONUSs" THIS CHAT WILL PROBABLY BE COPIED TO www.funeralserviceprofessional.com FOR ANYONE TO ENJOY LATER. Just a few rules for everyone: 1. USE ONLY PLAIN BLACK TEXT 2 DO NOT USE COMPANY NAMES 3 DISCRIMINATION IS NOT ALLOWED. If you would like chat reminders please send to: LOWELLMA@AOL.COM
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Host_John: Hello Jim
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Host_John: hello TheStarClass
thestarclass: Hi John
Host_John: Karen?
thestarclass: Mery Christmas! oops, is that allowed? Happy Holidays.
thestarclass: yes it's me
Host_John: I like christmas
thestarclass: me too
Host_John: how have you been
thestarclass: Great! Just married off our last daughter.
Host_John: christians invented it
Host_John: nice.
thestarclass: We have been empty nesters for a while now, but now they're all married
JimT: hello John.
Host_John: how is your weather
Host_John: Hello Jim
hrbeckham has joined.
Host_John: we had terrible ice storm still many with no power
Host_John: hello howard
thestarclass: We just had our annual Christmas Service of Remembrance yeasterday
thestarclass: Ice and snow coming here too
hrbeckham: good evening all
thestarclass: Hi hrb
hrbeckham: hello
Host_John: now we have 35 degrees and sunshine today so repairs went well for this region
hrbeckham: we had ours the first Sunday after Thanks giving
thestarclass: I can only stay for a few minutes. I may be able to join you all a little later. How late are you here, John?
Host_John: NH is in very bad shape too
hrbeckham: that darn global warming...
thestarclass: There's no sign og global warming here in Minnesota
hrbeckham: burrr
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hrbeckham: we had our office Christmas party last night......no bonuses
hrbeckham: darn casket prices
thestarclass: I'll be back
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Host_John: OK
Host_John: do they usually have bonuses?
CSTR: stellar crowd tonight
hrbeckham: every year until now
Host_John: yikes
Host_John: are sales down?
hrbeckham: cremation up
hrbeckham: more directs
Host_John: the economy is very bad
hrbeckham: we did alot of landscaping this spring too
Host_John: so many have no income
Host_John: we all have improovements in our budgets
Host_John: better for no bonus and no layoffs
hrbeckham: calls down too...not just with us judging from the obits
hrbeckham: amen
JimT: does it look time to scale back operations? like going back to the old days of smaller funeral homes?
Host_John: they will be back up next year
Host_John: I think many wanted to wait until Pres Election
Host_John: I think deaths will pick up after inaguration
Host_John: bad spelling
hrbeckham: give it a quarter or two
Host_John: Feb we will all be busy is my prediction
Host_John: how about gifts that the firm gives?
Host_John: we give to cem guys, some local gov offices, as well as clergy
hrbeckham: we give gift cards to police & sheriff traffic officers who serve as funeral escorts throught the year
Host_John: nice idea
Host_John: the cops help us all the time but never the same guys
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Host_John: the city clerk office and board of health office work with us on most of our funerals
hrbeckham: our police have special div that helps out...we call chief and ask how many officers in the div and send them all cards
Host_John: nifty
Host_John: Hey Tom sent me some white gloves, they are perfect
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Host_John: I was looking for excelent white gloves and he sent me a box
Host_John: they are great!
Host_John: Christmas is a Thursday this year
Host_John: it will be a busy friday for most of us
Host_John: up this way most respect Christmas and postpone visitations and funerals around Christmas and Thanksgiving, New Years is just another holiday, we have visitaions on new years eve
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Host_John: OPEN FORUM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL THE TOP OF THE HOUR
SHOULSON: We Were Told That We Are Getting Nothing This Year
Host_John: sorry to learn that Shoulson
JimT: John, you still haven't replied to me.
SHOULSON: I'll survive
JimT: Shoulson, why?
Host_John: we lost power here for a few seconds in the Ice storm, however much of this area still has no power
Host_John: greatful we have power
SHOULSON: Business is way down.
SHOULSON: They laid off 2 guys also
JimT: shoulson, is this a small funeral home?
Host_John: where R U shoulsson
SHOULSON: New York
Host_John: I think business will improove after the inauguration
SHOULSON: Not small -Not big
Host_John: many told me the same since election season started this year
JimT: John are you ignoring me?
Host_John: I hope I am right
Host_John: not at all
SHOULSON: Business will pick up when the death rate catches up.
Host_John: way too many windows open here
JimT: ok.
JimT: look for the one i opened to talk to you on.
SHOULSON: I think we are four years away from numbers starting to turn around
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SHOULSON: People in their 90's now have to start leaving
Host_John: not heard anything about he amero
Host_John: we wont' see it here
Host_John: too many politicians have shoe boxes full of US dollars
JimT: because the mainsteam media won't tell you. so the keep you in the dark.
JimT: i mean they...
cnmmnc: Good evening gentlemen. :-) Let's see...i usually get $100 in a card. Oh yes and a box of candy lol
Host_John: that is why the US government does not let money expire after 10 years
JimT: just wait and see next year......
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JimT: hello cnmmnc....
Host_John: Ok Ill be here
cnmmnc: howdy
JimT: long time no talk. i haven't been in here for awhile.....
JimT: too busy throwing a few websites together.
Host_John: looks like many went Christmas Shopping tonight
JimT: and making a load a dough....
cnmmnc: the Christmas bonuses here are, were, will be always stinkeroo
JimT: ugh.
Host_John: glad to hear you are doing so well Jim
JimT: ya.
JimT: i make money by advertising.
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Host_John: nifty
cnmmnc: I actually have had more families send me cards, and gift cards for Christams worth more than my bosses
Host_John: what are your feelings on US gov bailing out Auto Makers?
JimT: sounds like your families love you?
JimT: Not a good idea..
Host_John: wow Cnmmm
Host_John: good for you
cnmmnc: yeah, i have one on the desk from a lady who wanted to give me money and when I declined she sent a card
cnmmnc: just this week
Host_John: very nice
JimT: how would you feel if the companies that made chassis for the hearses went out of business?
Host_John: congratulations
JimT: nice to here cnmmnc
Host_John: the US hearse is lousy
JimT: i mean hear.
cnmmnc: I think theyre wonderful, most of my families are my employers though....
Host_John: I don't have an opinion on the issue
JimT: You should look at a hearse built in the U.k. I like the ones with the windows all over....
Host_John: I have seen them Jim they are lovely
Host_John: we have an all window hears
Host_John: hears
Host_John: hearse
Host_John: my eeeeeeee is slow
JimT: the Ford Fairlane based Cardinal Hearse by Coleman Milne is a good one.
JimT: i like the tall roof line, flower racks, no curtains, etc.
cnmmnc: never saw that one
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JimT: cnmmnc, want the link if John doesn't object?
cnmmnc: sure, but I luv wierd things
Host_John: http://www.mcdonoughfuneralhome.com/Aboutus.htm
Host_John: if you scroll down a bit you can see the S & S all window hearse
cnmmnc: yeah, John has roof racks
Host_John: yes send the link Jim
JimT: i cannot post the link at all.
Host_John: sure you can
JimT: i can't...
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Host_John: drag it!
cnmmnc: lol
hrbeckham: sorry lost the web connection
Host_John: welcome back Howard
hrbeckham:
JimT: go to http://www.coleman-milne.co.uk/colemanmilne/index.cfm?action=detail&id=1
JimT: it will bring the hearse picture up.
Host_John: nice
Host_John: Italy has a nice one too
Host_John: I don't have a link to that one
Host_John: the foreign hearses won't pass the clean air standards in the US is what I am told
JimT: and http://www.coleman-milne.co.uk/colemanmilne/index.cfm?action=detail&id=6
JimT: if the hearses were modified for that. the Ford can be used in the U.s. as it can be converted to left hand drive.
Host_John: in the Mercedes you can see how high the coffin is
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JimT: the the reason for the high roof line is because of the american caskets.
Host_John: I was told it was for shipping by Air
Host_John: often made of wood and much bigger than the casket
cnmmnc: plenty of room, for sure
JimT: well, the british funeral homes now have american caskets in their casket selection rooms.
JimT: even Bbc host Jill Dando was buried in one a few years ago.
Host_John: Yes they do but most British FH's make their own caskets
JimT: the british fh's are now using mass manufactured caskets....
hrbeckham: no chinese american style caskets in uk?
JimT: maybe. i don't know.
Host_John: from what I hear the Chinese caskets are faultering because of shipping costs
Host_John: Back on topic now, Christmas Gifts and Year end Bonus
hrbeckham: we are so use to Cady, Lincoln and the odd Chrysler coach here in the states...we may have to look at other manufactures in the future
JimT: yup.
hrbeckham: Toyota
JimT: ok, back to chat about christmas gifts and year end bonuses...
Host_John: BRB
cnmmnc: or rebuilding your old models
hrbeckham: well Santa, I would like....
JimT: .....
JimT: i would love a new computer, a server to do my pet mortuary's client arrangements on it.
JimT: too broke right now.
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Host_John: not much interest in the topic
Host_John: I think because of the Economy
Host_John: bring back the good old days in Funeral Service
cnmmnc: lol aww John, I told you guys the ugly truth
Host_John: Advertisers are dropping rates
Host_John: what is that Cnmm
cnmmnc: $100 and a box of candy
Host_John: is that what you get CNMM
cnmmnc: yep
hrbeckham: Ad salesman used to make big bucks...crying the blues lately
Host_John: yeppers I agree Howard
cnmmnc: I'm tempted to give it back saying "you need this more than I do"
Host_John: it is better than nothing but it is also cheap
cnmmnc: extremly so
JimT: candy? yum yum.. but don't want holes in my teeth.
cnmmnc: I give the candy away to my friends
hrbeckham: any shortage of funeral directors where you all are at?
cnmmnc: yeah, I dont want the candy to rot mine either
JimT: i was about to have some teeth pulled as i have a sweet tooth.
Host_John: Oh I love the candy and all the treats this time of year
JimT: ouch.
JimT: i like the Turtles Chocolates..... chocolate chip cookies......
JimT: don't eat too much, it causes teeth rot and also diabetes.... ugh.
Host_John: those are yummy
Host_John: I like cashew clusters
JimT: heres a bag of virtual chocolate chip cookies... enjoy......
Host_John: this industry has not been good to it's employees
Host_John: ownership should be everyone's goal
JimT: is it ever going to happen?
Host_John: you have to negotiate with the owenr on day one
Host_John: a plan to own the place
JimT: aren't funeral homes and their buildings starting to lose value due to the real estate bubble that burst?
hrbeckham: well I hope everyone thaws out and gets their power restored
Host_John: funeral homes need employees
cnmmnc: I have the same plan john, I figured I'd better do it know before I get too old
Host_John: with not employees they have all the work to themselves
hrbeckham: is there a shortage where you are John?
Host_John: when you get a new job, get a buy sell cht started
Host_John: a shortage of what Howard
hrbeckham: funeral directors
Host_John: yes
Host_John: good ones
hrbeckham: there is always a shortgage of good ones
Host_John: competitors try to get my guys/gals and can't get them cause they are too cheap
hrbeckham: good pay good job conditions and you will have all you ever will need
cnmmnc: there's no shortage of prima donnas though... lol This is the wrong job if you dont like to work hard
Host_John: there is plenty of goof off time CN
hrbeckham: you said that
Host_John: a lot of time out of the building
JimT: more and more people are avoiding getting into funeral directing?
Host_John: when at work most don't ever break a sweat
JimT: and what is a prima donna?
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hrbeckham: if u ever met one u would know it
Host_John: A prima donna is one who tells you how much work they have done and probably didn't do half of what they said
cnmmnc: a 'first dame' they are the ones who wont go on removals cause its beneath them....you know they type
JimT: understood....
Host_John: I still go on removals
Host_John: love to get out of the building for a few minutes
JimT: removals that are backbreaking....
JimT: are you claustrophobic sometimes?
Host_John: Oh we don't do backbreaking removals, if the person is heavy you MUST get help or you get a talking to, you only have one back
cnmmnc: I got a 'smooth mover' and you know what, it really is easier
hrbeckham: do whatever needs to be done
Host_John: we as family at time of arrangement for weight of deceased
hrbeckham: rough day, I am zapped
hrbeckham: Good night all,, God bless
Host_John: Understood Howard
Host_John: God Bless U too
cnmmnc: i dont blame you john
hrbeckham: good night
Host_John: Night Howard
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cnmmnc: au revoir
JimT: John, does your funeral home have an elevator to move the caskets up from the basement?
Host_John: since we started asking it is much easier on us at the removal and for casket selection
cnmmnc: you have to ask during first call if a residence transfer
Host_John: no longer showing casket that are too small for deceased
Host_John: no we just go over with two people
JimT: hello john, my question to you?
Host_John: they call if they need more help
Host_John: we have a lift to move casket inbetween floors Jim
JimT: a trapdoor type lift?
Host_John: Kind of
Host_John: same idea
Host_John: but it comes up to a hidden door
JimT: i though those weren't used much in a funeral home anymore.
Host_John: OPEN FOURM FUNERAL CHATTER UNTIL NEXT TIME