Welcome to the G&S Online Newsletter!

The newsletter was last updated:  October 15 – 3:30 p.m.

The entire newsletter can be seen at www.gspacking.com

Welcome to G&S Packing Company’s 55^th shipping season!!!

After fifty-five years of shipping, the G&S Family is proud to continue to be dedicated to our customers needs.  We are pleased to welcome you back for another exciting season.  The rush of the season will soon be upon us and we would like to take a minute to inform you of some important information.

Correction to Price Schedule

Gift pack number 1042, The Ultimate Medley, contains an incorrect retail price on your current price schedule.  The correct price is $49.98, which includes shipping and handling. 

New Catalog Items

We are excited to notify you that nine (9) new items have been added to our product line for the 2009-2010 season.  They are:

       #7          Four Times Delicious

                                  Four varieties of Florida Citrus.

       #10D       The Top Ten

                                 Four citrus varieties and two orchard fruits, plus four tasty gourmet treats.        

       #1025D     Deluxe Bonus Box

       #1042      The Ultimate Medley

                     Four individual boxes of fruit; two citrus, two grove fresh.

       #1141      Bundt Cake Collection (Available in five flavors.)

                                 Key Lime, Honeybell Zest, Chocolate Chip, Island Rum, Double Chocolate.

       #4026      Jelly Candy Oval

                                 Citrus jelly candies and pecan nougat slices.

       #4028      Tail Gating Candy Tray

                                 Fudge squares, pecan nougat slices, citrus jelly candies and a chocolate gator     

       #CP32      Chocolate Dipped Coconut Patties

                                 32 oz. of delicious coconut patties.

       #70         Sampler Plan

                     Nine varieties or our sampler size in a calendar collection.

Citrus License / Customer Information Sheet

It is imperative that you obtain your 2009-2010 citrus license immediately if you haven’t already done so.  You may contact Alice Wiggins with the Florida Department of Citrus directly at 863-499-2519 and she will assist you with this process.  Her fax number is 863-284-4315.  Please note that it is a violation for G&S to ship packages under your retail business name without a valid license on file. 

Please also remember to complete and return your 2009-2010 Customer Information sheet as soon as possible.   Feel free to contact our Customer Service department at 800-949-9074 if you have any questions regarding this form. 

Accounting Department Policies

The Accounting Department is in the process of mailing an information packet to all of our customers detailing updated policies. We have finally moved into the 21^st century and are pleased to now offer auto payments either by credit card or ACH debit.   Please keep an eye out for this extremely informative packet.

Seasonal Needs

If you still need display or brochure materials, please contact Priscilla Stagmer at 352-821-2251 or 800-949-9074, extension 5045.

Our Customer Service Department is currently available to take your calls Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Ask for Penny Hollis or Rita Diane Carroll.

Shipping Schedule for November

November 17^th

November 18^th

November 23rd

All Thanksgiving orders must be received in our office by 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 15^th. 

Available Varieties

Tangerines

Navel Oranges

Red Navel Oranges

Ruby Red Grapefruit

White Marsh Grapefruit

Customer Appreciation Day

A big “thank you” to all who attended our Customer Appreciation Day on September 10^th.    The feedback has been very positive and we are all excited about the new items and directions discussed.  For those who were unable to attend, one point addressed was the new Customer Survey form.  We are pleased that so many of you participated in this project.  Here is a brief recap of the results: 

WERE YOU PLEASED WITH THE FOLLOWING?

Cartons/Packing

•      Redesign of shipping cartons                        Y (93%)       N (6%)          

•      Utilization of recycle materials in                 Y (100%)      N (0)               

           cartons

•      Use of foam in all apple/pear                        Y (100%)      N (0)            

          packs & Gift 70

All new packs offered:

•      Lonestar Citrus                                            Y (87%)       N (12%)      

•      Gift 19, 19D (Grove Crate)                           Y (93%)       N (6%)        

•      Gift 1156 (5 Tier Choc Tower)                      Y (87%)       N (12%)      

Fruit

•      Overall quality and size of fruit                    Y (100%)      N (0)            

•      Number of replacements in                            Y (93%)      N (6%)          

           comparison to prior years 

Shipping

•      Shipping schedules (FGFSA vs                      Y (82%)       N (17%)        

          consolidators

•      Timely delivery of Christmas                        Y (90%)       N (10%)                

packs in comparison to prior years

•      Package tracking program                             Y (84%)       N (15%)      

•      Reintroduction of Summer Pgm                      Y (90%)       N (10%)      

Customer Incentives

•      Restructured price schedules                       Y (83%)       N (16%)                      

•      Catalog revision to include                           Y (92%)       N (7%)          

          personalized order forms

•      Additional catalog mailings                           Y (100%)      N (0)            

•      Advertising rebate program                         Y (75%)       N (25%)        

•      Updated website                                          Y (85%)       N (15%)      

          (www.gspacking.com)

We wish you all the best during the 2009-2010 shipping season!!

The G&S Family