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HoofPrints Newsletter
February 18, 2014
Rob shoeing Rocky
ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THIS NEWSLETTER
Farriers Greeting Cards was started by Gina Keesling in 1986 (in a very small way) to provide helpful promotional materials for farrier husband Rob. Along the way the company became HoofPrints.com, too, adding a selection of fun horse and dog products geared toward women of a certain age. This newsletter is emailed to subscribers a few times a month, depending on how often I have something to share. Watch for special sales, interesting stories, uplifting quotes and more.
Time to Retire Mule thumbnail
Well, this is embarrassing
Here's what happened: 
Last week, I finally announced HoofPrints annual Customer Appreciation Sale. (If you missed it, there are details at the bottom of this page)

Things were going grandly - folks were shopping, getting extra-good deals on CLOSEOUT ITEMS, HALF PRICE ITEMS, HALF PRICE PRINTS, HALF PRICE JEWELRY and HALF PRICE BOOKS / MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES - using the TY20 coupon code and getting an ADDITIONAL 20% OFF the already super cheap prices. AND the ones who'd shopped in December for everyone else's gifts - were getting a little something for themselves, which I always think is cool when there's a note in the section that asks if they want a gift card that says it's something for themselves that they'd been coveting for a while and seeing it on sale made them finally decide to treat themselves.

I was on Facebook crowing about the sale - I even reduced the price on some additional items that have NEVER been marked down before. Then, at about 11:00 am Saturday the online orders stopped coming. I put a call in to my ISP's tech support and they told me they were doing some server maintenance - and that service would resume shortly. After 12 hours of hand-wringing on my part, FINALLY service resumed (whew!) However, in the process, a whole day's orders were purged. This is not a security breach - actually somewhat the opposite in that the security mechanism became so obsessive that NO one could get through. It's a multi-layered encryption process that uses the latest technology administered by competent folks who have it all under control (except for that one 12 hour span)...

At any rate, if you placed an order online on Saturday February 15, please read: Orders placed between 11:00 am and 11:00 pm may have been affected. Shopper ID #s 85864 through 86519 may have been affected. If you think this applies to you, send me an email [email protected] - or call 765-724-7004 and I will check the status of your order.

Frozen fish for dinner
This is not the first time I've shared my embarrassment. 
In fact, it's happened on a fairly regular basis.

There was the time I spanked a puppy for biting my son - and in the process made her AFRAID of a treat that she dearly loved. Had I not seen this with my own eyes, I would have NEVER considered that one swift correction could have such far-reaching negative ramifications. The rest of that story is here. (please keep in mind as you step back in time with these old newsletters that some of the links may not work properly and sales/special pricing may have expired)

Allie with rope Then, there was the time that I set about "desensitizing" my horse to get her over a fright involving a rope. That lead to a multi-part saga that I am still learning from this very day.
That one took several newsletters to get the story told.
Part 1 is here
Part 2 (with scary pictures) is here
Part 3 (a follow-up that answers the obvious questions) is here
Part 4 saw another "expert" added to the equation, with somewhat disastrous results here


After that, I bragged about my successes using positive training methods to cure my horses from behaving badly when exiting their stalls here. Then I was embarrassed that I'd revealed that I had difficulties managing something so simple as exiting stalls in the first place. So in an effort to redeem myself, I posted my picture with a bunch of horse show awards sporting a Dorothy Hamill haircut here. (Am I the only one who reminisced of those days while watching Meryl Davis and Charlie White skate in the Olympics?)

Hairball under chair
Not to confine my embarrassing moments to dog and horse training blunders, I branched out to house keeping transgressions
here, at the same time advising folks that they can make themselves happy by simply cleaning something.



And finally, one of my favorite stories that recounts an extremely embarrassing mistake made processing an order
- and probably NOT something I should be sharing to inspire consumer confidence in the company:

Mistakes... - by HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling 

We made our share this fall... and more than once I found my math-impaired self continually going over the actual statistics: that 99.9% of orders were shipped completely and correctly. Nonetheless it's hard not to be upset/embarrassed over the ones that went wrong. 

 

More than once, however, the kindness and understanding of customers went above and beyond what I ever could have hoped for.

 

One evening, I answered a call from a gal who sounded very perplexed. She informed me that she'd received a package from HoofPrints, addressed to her, but that she'd never ordered. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that someone ELSE had called in an order from her town - and mistakenly we had pulled up the wrong customer in the computer and assigned the order to them. It's one of those doozie mistakes that happen when we try to high-speed multi-task (which is pretty much all of Oct - Nov - Dec)

 

So then we were left with the awkward task of rectifying the mistake and explaining to TWO customers how it happened (in a way that didn't make us sound like bumbling idiots) I planned the logistics of getting the incorrect package back from the wrong person - and the correct package to the RIGHT person... Then the dreaded call was made. The husband of the gal who received the package in error answered the phone, and I was prepared for him to be angry at the inconvenience we'd caused them...

 

Astonishingly, he explained that it was a small town, and he offered to locate the intended recipient of the order, and TAKE IT TO THEM!!! Within an hour the package was at the home of it's rightful recipient. Even though this happened a few years ago, I still marvel at the kindness and understanding of a total stranger who covered our butts for us when we really didn't deserve it.

 

That man's act of kindness and servitude made a lasting impression on me - and since then I have tried to follow his example; to display the same graciousness to others I encounter who may need help rectifying their mistakes...

 

Quotes on mistakes;
"Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." -Franklin P. Jones

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing."
-George Bernard Shaw

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep."
-Scott Adams

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one."
-Elbert Hubbard


This unique and rustic cut out steel sign is MADE IN USA It measures 15" wide x 6" tall. It does NOT have hangers on the back, so plan for that - but the open design allows for a variety of nail placement, or a clever person could fasten some twine as a hanger for an even more country look. Use the TY20 discount and it's ONLY $15.96! To see this, and our other Christian gifts, click here 

Horse Lovers Bible Horse Lovers Bible
Some of you may remember our Cowboy Bible from years ago. It was very popular, and I was really bummed when the publisher was unable to have any more made. For years, I searched for a replacement, continuing to come up empty handed. Along the way, I found a blog heckling the idea that a Horse Bible should even exist! (This poor guy has no idea...)

Ultimately, I DID find one. This is a very nice little Bible - leather bound, embossed with a horse head, detailed stitching, etc. It's the NIV version (words of Christ in red). In the center, it features 12 color pages of horse photos accompanied by inspirational thoughts and scripture verses, and a presentation page in the front for gift giving. Pages are edged in gold, and has a built-in ivory bookmark ribbon. Comes gift boxed, includes our Riders' Prayer bookmark  - and with the TY20 discount it's UNDER $20!- Consider adding a Bible Pocket Partner. Details below.
Bible Pocket Partners
Goes great with the Horse Lovers Bible - Cowboy or Cowgirl Pocket Partner
 
Saddle-Up for Jesus Bible Pocket Partners include a clear plastic front/back protective cover page, 31 days of meaningful devotional pages, and several sheets of note paper bound with the devotional pages. It is the perfect small devotional for cowgirls of all ages, pastors, cowboy churches, bible study, etc. They measure 3" wide x 5" tall. The devotional pages are thick, glossy paper that's durable enough to stand up to daily use. There are 10 extra pages of note paper bound into the back, for jotting down important thoughts and notes. Only $4.00 each. To see these and our other Christian horse books click here.
In This Issue
Embarrassing stuff
PRAY FIRST, THEN RIDE
Horse Lover's Bible
Here's what we talked about last time
What Did I Miss? graphic
Last newsletter is here   
ALL newsletters are here
ORDER FARRIER GLOVES AND...
Farrier Gloves
Get a FREE EMBROIDERED BEANIE CAP

DETAILS HERE
Scary Story for farriers

Everybody involved with this horse did the right thing, and he still went lame. An interesting account with links to a LOT more info is here
FREEBIE!
Ironclad Beanie Cap with every pair of
TUFF CHIX GLOVES

"Best. Gloves. Ever!" ~HoofPrints customer testimonial. More info here
3rd in the Series!

I Make Horse Calls, More Horse Calls & Call Dr Tebow - She Makes Horse Calls (new) Books about living a dream with horses here
Mule & Donkey items
Donkey Charm
Check out this brass longear charm and more here
Blacksmith Calendar
2014 Blacksmith Calendar
2014 Blacksmith Calendar  back issues only $1.99 here
Stay Warm with a VEST

Read how/why here
Order here
This Hug's For You

Equine Sympathy Cards here
HoofPrints
BARN BLADE
Barn Blade Pink Knife
Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly
Order here
Message

I love hearing from customers. You can contact HoofPrints owner Gina Keesling via email at [email protected]
 
Find us on facebook
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Be sure to LIKE our facebook page - it's where we announce special sales, breaking news and everything else we find interesting. To see it go here
 
Quick Links

YOU ASKED FOR IT ...finally - a COUPON CODE for you to use!
All year we field calls and emails from customers asking how they can get a COUPON CODE that is requested online for special discounts/sales. The truth is, I don't do that very often. I pretty much need to sell items for full price in order to maintain the business. Click here to download a short, but very enlightening article about how consumer-driven discounting ultimately has become a vicious cycle that's undermined the stability of our economy, and has cost more than anyone could have ever imagined. Then, before you order, view this coupon code NOT AS A DISCOUNT, but as a GIFT OF APPRECIATION from HoofPrints to you.

With that said, in celebration of the successful completion of yet another year - I am offering this gift to all of you who've supported us along the way. Click here to get started.
Remember, you need to enter the coupon code TY20
in the special box at checkout time in order to get the discount. The coupon code also works on our CLOSEOUT ITEMS, HALF PRICE ITEMS, HALF PRICE PRINTS, HALF PRICE JEWELRY and HALF PRICE BOOKS / MAGAZINE BACK ISSUES - so you get even more savings on those already marked-down products!  The fine print: Offer ends 2/28/14, and canNOT be used on previously placed orders.

Shown here is our Framed Mule Print titled Stop for a Fix. This lovely picture by Larry Schultz depicts a farrier and mule who are NOT at odds - each a servant carrying a "load". We've paired it with the phrase "You can tell a lot about a man by whether he asks for a light load or a strong back." , double matted it, and framed it with horseshoe (mule shoe) frame stock. You can also add your own custom wording at no extra charge. Click here for details.   

Share our emails
Viral marketing... it sounds bad, doesn't it?
You can ask my husband - a frequent topic around here is that of forwarded emails - and the psychology behind them - just WHAT prompts people to decide; "I am going to send this to everyone I know!".


We receive a lot of them. Some are pretty good, and others are dumb. Dumb in a myriad of ways...  Alarmist email rumors that have been around forever - that folks keep sending "just in case it's true" Pictures of someone's butt (or worse) - don't even get me started about the firecracker butt - but at least that one was timely when it showed up around July 4. Christian messages that are uplifting - until you get to the end and you're threatened "if you're not ashamed that you love Jesus, forward this - if you are, then delete." Pictures of cute puppies and kittens (awww)

I enjoy writing these newsletters - and sharing all this stuff with you all. But the fact is, it's also a way to help us stay connected with customers and sell products during the time between catalog mailings (which is only once a year) So I really, really like it when someone new stumbles upon the newsletter and is excited to "discover" our company and the products we offer.

In all my efforts to make the newsletter interesting and forward-worthy - it never occurred to me to JUST ASK you all to send it! Duh. Sometimes the obvious is elusive, I guess. So here goes - my request to ask you to forward our email newsletter to your horsey friends.  All we ask is that you please be judicious and only send to folks who might be interested. Otherwise we are no better than the "firecracker butt". Click to get started. (please note - using this form does NOT subscribe anyone to our list - it is a one-time only forward)