Sponsor (Jan-June 1956)

She changed her mind Mrs. Qiiimi felt she had got the bird. Not so said Texas station manager. Deft letter handling brought happiness and a back hall "Yoo Hoo" Success always has a string around it. In fact, it may involve a cuckoo. Alex Keese, general manager of WFAA, Dallas, is a man who can speak with authority on the latter point. Recently, the Star Import Company bought 55 quarter hours on WFAA to sell cuckoo clocks. Even in Texas, the results were slightly short of phenomenal with nearly $22,000 worth of clocks sold. One clock went to Mrs. James H. Quinn, Old Wire Road, Route 1, Fayetteville, Ark. To say that Mrs. Quinn had a problem would be an understatement even where cuckoo clocks are concerned. Her problem prompted correspondence with Mr. Keese, a problem solved quite nicely, thank you. Herewith is the correspondence concerning the clock, which, by the way, did not go "cuckoo" but uttered a "low rather musical tone as it merrily ticked away time." 1. MRS. QUINN TELLS KEESE 2. KEESE ANSWERS MRS. Q. 3. EVERYBODY'S HAPPY NOW December 8, 1955 Gentlemen : A short time ago our family heard a eulogy about a beautiful tho' practical cuckoo clock from the Black Woods in Germany, advertised over your station. The clock has arrived and to say that we are indignant would be putting it very mildly. Even discounting certain features and virtues this particular clock was advertised to possess, on the basis of sales oratory, we were not prepared for the cheap, unattractive, poorly finished piece of crude wood working ( ? ) which met our eyes. This is not only in the nature of a strong protest over having been "taken" but an inquiry into what the policy of a large and well known station, such as yours, might be in these circumstances. The Star Import Company cannot be anything other than a questionable organization if they can use the spirit of Christmas as a reasonable excuse for unloading inferior merchandise upon a trusting public. Perhaps you could induce your advertiser, in this instance, to return the money and we will be delighted to return the clock. Very truly yours, (sg/d) Mrs. James H. Quinn December 14, 1955 Dear Mrs. Quinn: We're so sorry that the clock, which you ordered as a result of advertising over WFAA, did not measure up to expectations. If you will return it to the station your money will be refunded promptly by the Star Import Company because the clock was sold on a money-back guarantee. The Star Import Company is a reputable firm, with substantial financial resources. Before accepting the advertising we checked into the merchandise and were advised by competent clock makers that it was a good value at $5.00. I have one in my breakfast room, exactly like the one which was sent to you, and my wife is delighted with it. It ticks away merrily and on the quarter hour the little cuckoo emits a low, rather musical tone. It doesn't say "cuckoo" like the old clocks we used to know — but I recently priced one of these at $60.00. Please return your clock promptly and your money will be mailed from Chicago the next day after we receive the clock. Keep listening to WFAA ! Cordially, Alex Keese Station managers take notice. Letter to Mrs. Quinn paid off handsomely. See the result in column at .right December 16, 1955 Dear Mr. Keese: Thank you for the prompt and cordial reply to my complaint. After reading your letter I took another look, wondering how your wife could be delighted with the clock. It still looked stark, and somehow unfinished. Oh, well, perhaps I do need glasses! When my geology professor husband arrived home, I showed him letter and clock. He began to put the "thing" together, hung it on a hook in the hall, took the weight out of its wrapping and added that to the little brass chain. (I still didn't like it.) But then he scrounged around in the box and pulled out another piece which I had missed entirely. You know the punch line! This missing link was the decorative trim without which the clock was a dark wooden box with — horrors! — two nail ends (very sharp) and a wire staple adorning its brow. First time my eyes had beheld said nails and cute white paint dabs at the top, I thought "what those workmen get away with nowadays!" Our son says he doesn't "dig" that bluejay "sending" wolf calls. I shall continue to be startled every 15 minutes by a "yoo hoo" from the back hall . . . but — my husband likes the clock. We keep it! Most apologetically, (sg/d) Doris K. Quinn 40 SPONSOR