Beginnings: The story of how Bob Wagner started his business

Some of you may know Bob Wagner's story. Some of you have read his book, Fuzzy Side Up.  I'd like to share one of the stories, written by Bob Wagner himself, detailing the origins of his business -long before it became the premiere floor (and window) covering business in Chester County.

     

    By the end of 1974, Advanced Schools (where Bob was currently employed) was rumored to be going bankrupt.  Time for another job. I thought about looking for a job in insurance but I knew I could not pass their test.  So I decided to start my own business.  I went to the phone book yellow pages and read them A to Z.  I always liked the letter C; it reminded me of Mom’s canary, Arnold that was eaten by my cat, Henry.  What took up the most space in C was carpet.  It was a no-brainer –fuzzy side up.

     In our town there were five carpet dealers.  I visited each one as a customer for one reason or another.  I left each one with the feeling that it could have been a much better experience.  So the competition was weak.  That was good; who wants to compete with genius?  My first thought was to work for a future competitor.  I called all of them and told them my plan.  I said I was willing to work twenty-four hours a week for six months, doing whatever they needed done, for nothing.  The rest of the time, I had to make some money to live on. Believe it or not, no one took me up on this.  I remember sitting there thinking, This is not rocket science or brain surgery, so just go for it. That’s what I did.

     We didn’t have more than $1000 saved, so Di went to work as a bookkeeper at Downingtown Senior High School to make the $150 a month we needed for the mortgage and food.  I went to Philadelphia to visit carpet distributors.  They brought from the mills and sold mostly to Mom and Pop-type stores.  I bought $300 worth of deck boards; they were about three feet square with a large carpet sample on the front and little swatches underneath.  I called my business Chester County Floor Covering Company and had cards and flyers made up.  I said goodbye to my XKE and bought a Chevy Suburban.

     Now I’m ready, I thought.  I have a product, a supplier, work ethic, common sense, and thousands of people who need carpet.  The only things I didn’t have were a store or money for advertising.  No problem.  I went door to door and handed out my flyers to every house in Downingtown.  I still remember how cold it was that February.

     Two weeks later, someone finally called to ask about carpet.  Great!  Her name was Franny Eachus.  I went out with samples and a tape measure.  She wanted kitchen carpet.  Her choice wasn’t all that difficult since I only had three samples.  She asked me how much it would cost.  Her kitchen was 13’ x 15’, and the carpet came 12 feet wide.

     This possibility had never occurred to me.  I hesitated for a second, and said, “Mrs. Eachus, now that I have your selection and the measurements of your kitchen, I will go back and figure it out and call you tomorrow.  Is that okay?”

“Sure,” she said with a smile. 

     I think she knew I was new to this.  I tried as hard as I could, but I couldn’t figure out how I could put a 12-foot wide carpet in a 13’ x 15’ space.  I couldn’t call a competitor, so I called a store far away.  I found one in Delaware County, called Factory Rug.  I called and asked if they would help me.  It was a miracle; they said they would.  The next morning I went down, and they showed me how to figure it out.

     As it turned out, Fanny needed a 12’ x 20’ which came out to 26.67 square yards.  I didn’t quite understand how they did it, but I did understand that the carpet was going to cost me $4.00 a square yard.

     I went back to Fanny that afternoon, and she agreed to purchase the carpet.  I said, “I’ll order your carpet today and call you tomorrow to let you know when it will be in.”  I called my distributor Seymour Waldman and ordered her carpet.  Since I was new, I didn’t have any credit established with them, and was told that they would accept a certified check.  The next day, certified check in hand, I went to Philadelphia and picked up the rug.  I called Fanny and told her that her rug was in.

“Great,!” she said.  “When will you install it?”

     Problem.  I can’t install carpet.  After a short silence, I told her I would call her back with a date.  I called Nancy at Factory Rug and explained to them that I needed someone to install the carpet.

“When would you like it installed?” she asked.

“As soon as possible,” I told her.

“How’s tomorrow?” Great. 

     I told her how many yards were to be installed.  She told me it would cost $4.00 per square yard and $.25 per yard to glue down.

“How much metal reducer will you need?” she asked.  I didn’t know. 

“We’ll bring 12 feet at fifty cents a foot,” she said. 

     I put all the figures on paper.   They calculated as follows:

     Glad it wasn’t a big Job.  It was a lesson well learned.  I guess sometimes stupidity is bliss.  Thank you, Fanny, wherever you are.

To view this and more great stories about the origins of Bob Wagner's on our newly designed website.  CLICK HERE 

Pets for Patriots event success

In November, each of our locations hosted a  Pets For Patriots pics with pets day.  Supporters came out with their pets and had them photographed.  The best part, all proceeds go directly to Pets for Patriots.

 The events were a big success and fun for all.  Below are some notable pictures from the event.  View all the event photos on our Pinterest board.

From our West Chester location:

 

From our Downingtown Location:

From our Middletown Location:

 

Check out this time-lapse video of the Downingtown event

  

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported this great cause.

Investing in our future by helping create the leaders of tomorrow

Bob Wagner's is proud to announce its sponsorship program with ATA Martial Arts of West Chester.

What does ATA stand for?

The American Taekwondo Association 

From the ATA website:

ATA is the premier North American organization dedicated to the martial arts discipline of Taekwondo, and is the founding organization of other international affiliates that include the World Traditional Taekwondo Union (WTTU) and the Songahm Taekwondo Federation (STF). Counting both the U.S. and worldwide, the three organizations have over 1,500 licensed schools and clubs worldwide.

Why did we choose to sponsor ATA?

Not only does ATA teach taekwondo, which builds self-confidence, increases attention span, improves grades, and so much more, ATA has a bully prevention program where they teach their students both how to avoid being bullied as well as how to stand up for others who are being bullied.

Along with their standard taekwondo program, which is far from standard, ATA offers a leadership program for its students.

The leadership patch says, "Creating Tomorrow's Leaders One Black Belt At A Time".  Having seen this program first hand, I can tell you that is precisely what they are doing. Using grad-school level leadership concepts, ATA has created a truly unique program that students are proud to become a part of.

Leadership students learn the importance of leading by example and supporting their communities. Required to step up their physical and mental training, students are rewarded with unique opportunities and advanced curriculum designed to bring out their best.

Finally, ATA gets its students involved in countless community service projects. Giving back to the community is part of being an ATA member.

Through our sponsorship, ATA will continue build tomorrow's leaders.

Check out a great time-lapse video of two ATA classes HERE 

See what's happening with ATA on Facebook and Twitter

 

Upcoming events: photo contest, Pets for Patriots fundraiser

Yes!  

We have two big events on the horizon.

First is the Bob Wagner's Creepy Flooring Photo Contest where you can win $500 toward a new floor.
The contest will run from October 1st to October 31st

Details can be found HERE

Second is the Bob Wagner's Pets for Patriots fundraiser.  We will be hosting a photo shoot at each of our locations for you and your pets.  All proceeds benefit Pets for Patriots, an amazing organization helping match at risk shelter pets with local military personnel.

Store Locations/Dates Middletown: 11/17 (Sunday) West Chester: 11/23 (Saturday) Downingtown: 11/24 (Sunday) 
12:00-2:00 each day


More details on the Pets for Patriots photo shoot can be found HERE




Check out the awesome event flyers below!

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Bob Wagner's Creepy Flooring Photo Contest $1500.00 in prizes

The time of ghosts, ghouls and goblins draws nigh!  Horror, terror and dread will be the norm as the month of October rolls through.  New episodes of The Walking Dead and scarier still, a new Justin Beiber music video will haunt the airwaves.

What better time could there be to replace your nasty old floor?  In the spirit of the season, Bob Wagner's is hosting a Creepy Flooring Photo Contest.  

The details:

The winner will receive a $500 gift card to our store.  

We are issuing one winning prize per location (Downingtown, Middletown and West Chester) for a total of $1500 in prizes.

How: 

Take a photo of your creepiest looking floor -something so dreadful, so ugly, so awful that it is just begging to be replaced and email it to Media@bobwagner.com.  Included must be your name, address (so we can confirm you are in our service area) and email address.

Once we receive your photo and confirm your house is in our service area, it will be uploaded to our Creepy Flooring Photo Contest Pinterest board.  Once your picture is uploaded anyone will be able to 'Like' it.  Each like will get you closer to being selected for the final round.  The five pictures representing each location with the highest number of likes (a total of fifteen entries) will move on to the final round so be sure to tell your friends to stop in and like your picture.

Final Judging:

The final judging will be performed by a hand-selected trio of industry professionals who've seen some of the most horrifying floors around.  There will be three seasoned flooring installers making the final votes.  If your floor is selected, you win!

When:

We will accept submissions beginning October 1st through October 31st
Winners will be selected on November 7th and notified within 5 business days of the selection

Our service areas:

 Questions about whether you reside in our service area?  Visit our website or call the store closest to you.

Middletown, DE

938 Middletown Warwick Road

Middletown, DE 19709

(302) 451-9733 

West Chester, PA

1330 West Chester Pike

West Chester, PA 19382

(484) 319-4976 

Downingtown, PA

4531 West Lincoln Highway

Downingtown, PA 19335

(484) 653-5285 

Scroll down for official contest rules

Legal mumbo-jumbo

Contest Rules

 

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

 

 1.        Eligibility

            Bob Wagner's Creepy Flooring Photo Contest (the Contest) is open to legal residents currently residing within the service area of participating locations who are at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry. Employees of Bob Wagner's Flooring America and other companies associated with the promotion of the Contest, and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and advertising and promotion agencies as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee are not eligible. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

 

 2.        Sponsor

            The Sweepstakes is sponsored by Bob Wagner's Flooring America, located at 4531 W. Lincoln Hwy, Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335.

 

 3.        Agreement to Official Rules

            Participation in the Sweepstakes constitutes entrants full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon being compliant with these Official Rules and fulfilling all other requirements set forth herein.

 

 4.        Contest Period

            The Contest begins on October 01, 2013 at 12:01 EST and ends on October 31, 2013 at 11:59 EST (the Contest Period). Entries that are submitted before or after the Contest Period will be disqualified. Submissions will be accepted for the duration of the Contest using any of the following methods: Online .

 

 5.        How to Enter

Online: This method of entry will be available by visiting our website (http://fuzzysideupblog.blogspot.com/2013/09/bob-wagners-creepy-flooring-photo.html) and following the directions provided to fill out the entry information, and submit.

 

            Limit one (1) entry per person, per email address, and per household for the duration of the Sweepstakes Period, regardless of method of entry. Entries received from any person, e-mail address, or household in excess of the stated limitation will be void. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned.

 

 6.        Prize Drawing

            On or about November 07, 2013, the Sponsor will select potential winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received. The odds of being selected depend on the number of entries received. The Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential winner via telephone or email on or about November 07, 2013. If the potential winner cannot be contacted within five (5) days after the date of the first attempt to contact him/her, the Sponsor may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from the remaining non-winning, eligible entries.

 

 7.        Winner Notification

 

            The potential winners will be notified by email, mail or phone. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held, after which the prize will remain un-awarded. Prizes will be fulfilled approximately 1-2 weeks after the conclusion of the Sweepstakes.

 

 8.        Prizes

 

            $500.00 gift card to Bob Wagner's Flooring America Downingtown

            $500.00 gift card to Bob Wagner's Flooring America West Chester

            $500.00 gift card to Bob Wagner's Flooring America Middletown

 

9.         General Conditions

            In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, bug, worm, unauthorized human intervention or other technical problem, or in the event the Contest is unable to run as planned for any other reason, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Sweepstakes in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules or (b) terminate the Sweepstakes and, in the event of termination, award the prize at random from among the eligible, non-suspect entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages (including attorneys fees) and any other remedies from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by the Sponsor to enforce any provision of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

 

 10.      Release and Limitations of Liability

            By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Sponsor, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, other companies associated with the Sweepstakes, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, shareholders, representatives, and agents (the Released Parties) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto), including, but not limited to: (a) any technical errors associated with the Contest, including lost, interrupted or unavailable Internet Service Provider (ISP), network, server, wireless service provider, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone, cellular tower or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; (b) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (c) mechanical, network, electronic, computer, human, printing or typographical errors; (d)application downloads, (e) any other errors or problems in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors that may occur in the administration of the Contest, the announcement of the winner, the cancellation or postponement of the event and/or the flyover, if applicable, the incorrect downloading of the application the processing of entries application downloadsor in any Contest-related materials; or (f) injury, death, losses or damages of any kind, to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrants participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance, receipt or misuse of the prize (including any travel or activity related thereto). Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Released Parties liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the entrant be entitled to receive attorneys fees. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

 

 11.      Disputes

            Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in Pennsylvania. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrants rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsor in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than Pennsylvania.

 

 12.      Privacy

            Information collected from entrants is subject to sponsors privacy policy.

 

 13.      Winner List

            To request the name of the winner send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to 'Creepy Flooring Contest' C/O Bob Wagner's 4531 W. Lincoln Hwy. Downingtown PA 19335 Winner List requests will only be accepted after the promotion end date (listed above). For the Winner List, you can also send an email.

Pets for Patriots. A cause we stand behind.

Bob Wagner's Flooring America is proud to announce our partnership with Pets For Patriots.  

Pets for Patriots, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) charity that helps service and veteran members of the United States military honorably adopt adult and other at-risk shelter pets.

Within a few days, you will start seeing Pets For Patriots signs, brochures, donation sheets and goal posters at each of our locations.

Starting September 16th, Pets for Patriots supporters will be able to stop by Bob Wagner’s to make a donation to benefit the organization. The money raised will help the non-profit provide local military personnel with much-needed companionship. Donors will receive their name on the wall of Bob Wagner’s showroom, which will honor their contribution, and create a show of support for the organization.

From our press release:

“We’re very excited to participate in this outstanding cause,” says Matt Wagner, Owner of Bob Wagner’s. “Our veterans and military personnel do so much for our country and pets help to improve the quality of life for so many people, military members and civilians alike.”

 

Our goal is to collect $1,000 per location. Also, as a way to further show our support for this wonderful organization, Bob Wagner's will match, dollar-for-dollar, every donation.

In November each of our locations will host a Fall Photo Pets For Patriots day.  Supporters, veterans, pet lovers, anyone and everyone is welcome to bring in their pet and have them photographed in front of a fall themed backdrop.  The best part, all proceeds will go directly to Pets for Patriots.

Store Locations/Dates
Middletown: 11/17 (Sunday)
West Chester: 11/23 (Saturday)
Downingtown: 11/24 (Sunday) 

12:00-2:00 each day

Updates will follow regularly.

Please take a look at this heartwarming video about one veteran who was matched with a great dog, Kona.  

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