ShipStore.com Beacon: Post-Christmas Blues & New Years 2007
Issue 102, December 28, 2006
http://www.ShipStore.com
Floating your boat since 1982 TM


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IN THIS ISSUE:
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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Post-Christmas Blues & New Years 2007
~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: It's time for New Year's Resolutions!
~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: "New Year's Resolutions" Specials
~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree" Drawing

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~ WELCOME ABOARD: Post-Christmas Blues & New Years 2007
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Post-Christmas Blues got you down? So much anticipation, so many weeks of preparation, gift buying, card writing, wrapping, cooking, traveling, wishing, wish-fulfilling, and then -- all of the sudden -- it's Christmas morning! Ah, and what a morning. Bliss. Mostly, at least. And then the bid meal, the overstuffed-slightly-sleepy feeling, the songs, and the sleep. All good, right?

And then it's the day after. And deep down in the pit of your belly you feel like something's missing. A little, nagging void. You keep the smile on your face, prolong the celebratory mood. At least on the exterior. But inside you're suffering from Christmas hang over. It's not just the end of the anticipation getting to you. It's not the daunting task of writing all those thank you notes or finishing up the Christmas cards you'll be sending out late again this year. No, it's simpler, like the inevitable crash after a protracted sugar high. But fret not. The New Year is just around the corner and that means time to celebrate all over again!

Now that 2006 is drawing to a close, I'd like to share some ShipStore.com reflections and resolutions. But first, I want to THANK YOU! This has been another big year for all of us at ShipStore.com, and we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for choosing us to fulfill all of your marine supply needs. Thanks for spreading the word to your boating friends. Thanks for your feedback which has helped us figure out what we're doing well and what we need to keep working on. Thanks for everything! We promise to keep working hard in 2007 to continue earning your loyalty.

Reflecting on the past year, several notable accomplishments come to mind. One that you've probably been aware of is the "new look" of our search results. When you search for on item on the website, results include image thumbnails, current prices and fast buy buttons (without needing to go to the individual listing page). In addition, search results are broken down by category, and are filterable by description, part number, manufacturer, category and price. We hope that the improvements are making it much easier to find what you're looking for.

You may also noted that we added TONS of new inventory to the website. In fact, we expanded about 25% to over 100,000 items! If you haven't visited us in while, check out some of our new products like Bennett marine videos and DVDs:

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/BNNT/00-INDEX-BNNT.html

Bennett offers the most complete collection of instructional videos on boating, sailing, fishing, SCUBA diving and watersports. Choose from over 300 titles! Another exciting new product line is Weems & Plath:

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/WEEM/00-INDEX-WEEM.html

Since 1928, Weems & Plath has been building and supplying the world with the finest navigation tools available while maintaining the highest quality possible. Weems & Plath produces a full spectrum of precision marine instruments for sailors, boating enthusiasts, commercial vessels, cruisers, serious yacht racers and the military. Weems & Plath's loyal customers depend on the reliability of their brass nautical clocks and barometers, navigation tools, yacht lamps and more.

In an ongoing effort to improve customer relations, we developed an order tracking interface so that our customers can keep an eye of the fulfillment process after ordering from ShipStore.com. If you haven't used it yet, remember to use it the next time you order. Look for the Order Status link at the top of the website, or you can access the page here:

http://www.shipstore.com/SS/HTML/INFO/INFOcontactshipstore.html

Other highlights of the past year include improvement on our integrated shipping calculator; eBay PowerSeller status for our online auctions (you can find us at http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=sevyloroutlet if you're looking for great bargains); even bigger and better "Clear the Deck" Sales; and an ever-soaring Beacon newsletter mailing list.

As you can see, it's been an exciting year, and we're planning on performing even better in the coming year. Looking forward our 2007 New Year's resolutions include further simplifying our site search and shopping cart, streamlining our fulfillment process, and improving our customer relations. Please email me your suggestions, and I'll be sure to pass them along to the right people. Thank you for helping us grow into your favorite marine supply website!

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S TIP: It's time for New Year's Resolutions!
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It's time to set some goals, hopefully goals that I'll actually reach over the next twelve months. Ambitious goals are good, but I try to be realistic when making my resolutions too to avoid disappointment. So it's a balancing act, optimism on the one hand and realism on the other.

What's on my list for 2007? I'm hoping to write more (actually FINISH that manuscript I've been tinkering with for over a decade); complete restoration of a circa 1823 Federal home in Essex, New York (the next town north from Westport on Lake Champlain) that my wife and I purchased last summer; exercise more frequently (that seems too make it onto the list year after year); and unveil a really cool immersion travel website (Hint: "New Media" peer-to-peer travel community) that's been in the works for over six months.

Of course, one of my biggest resolutions is to do more boating next summer. I never seem to make it out on the water quite as much as I'd like to, and this time of year it seems even more apparent. You know that feeling? So next summer I resolve to soak up as many good boating days as possible. And one great way to make that goal into a reality is to tackle some of my boating projects this winter rather than waiting until next spring. No more waiting until launch day to tackle the tasks I could easily check off the list before then. Check out my New Year's Resolutions Specials below for great deals on products that'll help your boat get through the winter and/or be ready for early launching come springtime.

So that's a sneak peak at my New Year's resolutions. Sound ambitious? Yes! But hopefully realistic and attainable too. I'll keep you posted.

George Davis, Beacon Editor
editor@shipstore.com

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~ CAPTAIN'S SPECIALS: "New Year's Resolutions" Specials
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Did you let it slip last boating season? I'll do it later. I'll take care of it this winter. Well, now's the time. Don't wait until launch day! Check out these special rates on products that'll help your boat get through the winter and/or be ready for launching in a few months.

Heavy Duty Poly Boat Cover Tarps, Green and/or Blue
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/SALE/SALECOVERS.html

MDR Damp Away
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/MDR/MDR300.html

STARBRITE No Damp Dehumidifier
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/STA/STA85412.html

STARBRITE MILDU BAGS
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/STA/STA89900.html

TAYLOR MADE Cover Support System
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TAY/TAY55741.html

TAYLOR MADE Adjustable Boat Cover Pole
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TAY/TAY11991.html

TAYLOR MADE Fiberglass Bow, 72 inch
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TAY/TAY924.html

TAYLOR MADE Fiberglass Bow, 84 inch
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TAY/TAY925.html

TAYLOR MADE Fiberglass Bow, 96 inch
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/html/TAY/TAY926.html

PYRAMID Heavy Duty Black Poly Pro Float For De-Icer
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/PTI/PTI6226.html

HORN COMPACT TWIN 12V
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/AFI/AFI10001.html

COMPACT MINI HORN 12V
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/AFI/AFI10035.html

GIT ROT KIT 4 OZ.
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/BTL/BTL1063.html

DOCK BOX MAXI (CAN SHIP UPS)
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/BWP/BWP323.html

DOCK BOX LARGE
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/BWP/BWP426.html

DOCK BOX EXTRA LARGE
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/BWP/BWP625.html

Safety Goggles
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/MMM/MMMR1620ES.html

EPIRB PRECISION 406/GPS CAT II
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/PWX/PWX82514A.html

ULTRA6 PORTABLE FUEL TANK, 6 GALLON
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/TEM/TEM620049.html

JERRY JUG, 6.6 GALLON,#81062
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WED/WEDW620.html

BOARDING HANDLE
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/WIN/WINBH1.html

SUR MOOR BUOY W/ BLUE STRIPE 12"
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/TAY/TAY46370.html

SUR MOOR BUOY W/ BLUE STRIPE 15"
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/TAY/TAY46371.html

SUR MOOR BUOY W/ BLUE STRIPE 18"
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/TAY/TAY46372.html

SUR MOOR BUOY W/ BLUE STRIPE 24"
http://www.shipstore.com/ss/HTML/TAY/TAY46374.html

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~ CAPTAIN'S CONTEST: "Win a Shopping Spree!" Drawing
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Win a $100.00 credit at ShipStore.com. To be eligible for future "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawings all you have to do is subscribe to the Beacon. All current subscribers are eligible for the random drawing. If you're not already subscribed, then visit http://www.shipstore.com and scroll down the light blue column along the left hand side of the page until you see the link "Win a Shopping Spree!". Click on the link. A new window will open with an email addressed to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com and "Subscribe" written in the Subject Field. All you have to do is hit send.

You'll be sent a confirmation email which you must respond to in order to activate your subscription and be added to our mailing list. This double opt-in procedure enables us to prevent accidental subscriptions and spam. As soon as your confirmation is confirmed, you will be entered into the "Win a Shopping Spree!" drawing for a $100.00 free merchandise from ShipStore.com. Good luck.

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If you prefer not to receive to the ShipStore.com Beacon newsletter, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-on@list.shipstore.com with "Subscribe" (remove the quotation marks) in the Subject Field. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE, please send a BLANK e-mail to beacon-off@list.shipstore.com. If you have any questions or suggestions contact the editor by e-mail editor@shipstore.com. Please include a helpful subject like "Question for the Captain", "Suggestion for Article" or "Remove Duplicate Mailing" to help us sort through the e-mails more easily.

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COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
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COPYRIGHT 2005 ShipStore.com (tm) ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Permission is granted to electronically copy, print or forward this newsletter for use as a shopping, boating or travel resource as long as it is not altered in any way and sent in its entirety. Any other use of materials on this Web site--including reproduction for purposes other than those noted above, modification, distribution, or republication--without the prior written permission of Westport Marina, Inc. is strictly prohibited.

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CONTACT INFORMATION
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ShipStore.com
6039 Route 9N
Westport, NY 12993
Telephone: 518-962-2700
Toll Free: 877-SHIPSTORE (US and Canada)
Fax: 518-962-4582

E-Mail sales@shipstore.com with any questions.