March ‘98 Volume 1.4
Casket Retailing
The Newsletter of the National Casket Retailers Association, Inc. www.casketstores.com
1998 Officers Executive Director Maynard Cheris Gurnee, IL. (847) 662-4664 Asst. Exec. Director David Cook Salt Lake City, UT. Secretary Joey Floyd Gurnee, IL. Treasurer Laura Wend Southgate, MI. Board Members John Iwaniec Washington D.C. De’Lores Arline Longview, TX. Laura Wend Southgate, MI. Robert Karlin LA, CA. Canadian Assoc. Director Blair Meecham Toronto, Ont. Canada |
About Face In November 1997 "Mortuary Management/Funeral Monitor" held a seminar promoting the "Package Discount" Scenario. As an astute observer of which way the wind blows the Monitor has cautiously changed horses and stopped promoting the "Package Discount" in the March 2nd issue of the "Funeral Monitor". The Monitor admitted to several problems, or as they say "Gray areas" described in the National Casket Retailers Association complaint to the Federal Trade Commission. They point out that the National Casket Retailers Association complaints could influence the 1999 review of the Funeral Rule. The Monitor calls the issue of discount packages and their restricted availability to those buying a casket from the funeral home "problematical".
Class Action Suit A few funeral homes see what the Monitor sees. There is a down side to the "sham package discount". They could be liable for casket store lost sales and consumer lost savings. They have abandoned the " Package Discount" to mitigate their exposure. The rest of the "sham packagers" march blindly into battle, ignoring all warnings, desperate to put casket stores out of business. One casket retailer, Impressive Casket, feels that the anti-competitive and unlawful acts of some funeral homes and their organizations have interfered with casket store business and consumer choice. The lost sales and lost consumer savings are a measure of damages. Impressive Casket believes that there is a likelihood of substantial recovery in the courts. Impressive Casket is considering a suit seeking Injunctive relief and punitive damages for the willful acts of offending funeral homes and their organizations in a class action lawsuit. If you feel that you have been damaged by the "sham package discount" Impressive Casket welcomes you to participate. The class action suit will be in addition to complaints already on file with governmental agencies.
David Cook, Appointed The National Casket Retailers Association board has appointed David Cook, Casket Outlet, Salt Lake City, Utah as the Assistant Executive Director of the National Casket Retailers Association. David is the most active member of the association. We believe David will be an asset to the Associations board. |
| Unfriendly Welcome
De’Lores Arline, National Casket Retailers Association Board Member in Longview, Texas was shocked when she read a local funeral homes ad in the "Longview News Journal" last month. The Raider funeral home ad went something like this: "A Funeral Is More Than A Casket…Much More. We understand people’s desire to plan their funeral in advance. In fact, we at Raider funeral home recommend it. Our concern is for the unsuspecting person who---with very good intentions----purchases a casket from someone other than a licensed funeral home because it was marked down or presented as factory direct. Only later does the family discover that the casket is only part of the funeral service and what was thought to be a bargain was not. These are deceptive trade practices, which tarnish the funeral profession and cheat the public. How can you protect yourself and your family from being taken in? visit a reputable, licensed funeral home" De’Lores immediately complained to the Raider Funeral Home and the Longview News Journal, demanding a retraction. On Feb, 26th De’Lores received a letter from Charley Raider. "For your information, we placed this advertisement in an effort to combat Lakeview Funeral Home and Cemetery. We received word that their cemetery sales people were attempting to sell property owners caskets. We were told that when they contacted a property owner and they said they planned to use Raider’s, the sales person said something to the effect of "that’s ok, you can still go ahead and buy your casket now". We understand that some people did this. On October 24,1997, when this advertisement was in the paper we had never heard of your plans to open a casket store… I plan no other advertising concerning this subject". De’Lores says the response given is just an excuse, because the Lakeview Funeral Home and Cemetery is a licensed funeral provider. The advertisement refers to "someone other than a licensed funeral home" and as of today I’m the only one selling caskets from a store within 100 miles. Disparagement is Disparagement, If he will try it against another funeral home, he will try it against a casket store. I’m deciding whether I will pursue this matter. |
National Casket Retailers Association Bulletin Board The National Casket Retailers Association now has its own online Bulletin Board on the world wide web at www.casketstores.com/ncrabb.htmThe purpose of this online Bulletin Board is for Consumers, Casket Stores, and Funeral Directors to post messages, ask questions, voice opinions and receive feedback from others. From The Board 1. The board has appointed: Blair Meecham as Executive Director, Canadian National Casket Retailers Association David Cook as Assistant Executive Director of the National Casket Retailers Association.2. The board approved the 1998 budget. 3. The board voted to discontinue any advertising in the newsletter. 4. The board is currently discussing a national convention. (If you have any impute please post it to our internet bulletin board) The Canadian National Casket Retailers Association Blair Meecham has been appointed as Executive Director of the Canadian branch of the National Casket Retailers Association. The Canadian casket stores will lobby to change and or improve Funeral related laws. More details to follow in our next issue Complaint Forms If you did not receive your complaint kit let us know and we will send you one. The kit provides casket storeowners with complaint forms addressed to the appropriate governmental agency, for almost every anti-competitive funeral home tactic. This is your opportunity to fight back and be heard. Be sure to send us a copy of your complaint so that we may post it on our WebPages for all to see. www.casketstores.com/complaints.html |
National Casket Retailers Association Membership Application Company Name:____________________________ Contact Name:____________________________ Address:____________________________ City, State, Zip:____________________________ Phone:____________________________ Fax/Email:_____________________________ q $95 enclosed for 1998 DuesMail to: National Casket Retailers Association 1101 N. Estes Ave, Gurnee, IL. 60031
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Casket Retailer Subscription Form Company Name:____________________________ Contact Name:____________________________ Address:____________________________ City, State, Zip:____________________________ Phone:____________________________ Fax/Email:____________________________ q $65 enclosed for one year subscriptionMail to: National Casket Retailers Association 1101 N. Estes Ave, Gurnee, IL. 60031
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