In the late 1990's, before we were connected to the Internet and email, the sound of the fax purring at 4am was a semi-regular occurrence. The operative word here is WAS. I prefer IS, but some things are not meant to be.
My first ever international enquiry was from New York City. Anna Barton. She was a take charge woman from the beginning.
“How quickly can you despatch a cover to upper Manhattan?” she faxed.
I was so startled by her request, I read it and reread it several times before it sank in that she actually wanted to buy!! From us!!!
“Today!” I faxed back.
That was brave of me. Up until then, I had never sent a parcel overseas, other than presents to my family in southern Virginia, USA.
24 hours later, at 4am, another fax. “How much?” she asks.
Wanting to know how much is serious, I say to myself.
A phone call to the post office tells me how much postage will be in incremental weights of 250 grams. So I sit down, and with my Excel Spreadsheet open, work out how much each item weighs and how much it will cost, in postage, if she chooses item A only, A+B, A+B+C, B+D. Tedious, but necessary to work out.
I really can’t afford to make a mistake, so it takes a few hours before I can fax a reply with all her options.
Seriously, how long can it take to calculate a few items? Not long.
But this was a big deal to me at the time and I think I went over each calculation at least a thousand times. That’s what lack of experience does to you, as well as being rattled at the thought of losing my first international order.
24 hours later, at 4am, she faxes me an order for one Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover and Superior Felt Underlay. Including her credit card details.
It’s in the post that day, before she can change her mind. I fax back her confirmation of posting. And ask her how she found out about us.
From her mother. In Perth, Western Australia. She was given a cover as a present. And this order is for a co-worker.
Where does she work? She’s a senior executive at NBC. I was star struck!
Shortly after her parcel arrived, so did another fax. At 4am. Another order. For another co-worker.
Then faxes at 4am for people in her apartment building.
Then faxes at 4am for orders for a little boutique shop in Soho that she frequents.
For about 6 months, the purr of the fax machine at 4am was both soothing and exciting. Suddenly, we were exporters. Just like BHP.
Then nothing.
Dead silence.
Not wanting to be pushy, but wanting to know why the orders stopped, I send a friendly fax asking how she is.
Only to hear a recording saying, “Sorry, this number could not be connected. Please check your number and try again”.
Maybe she's changing fax numbers, I thought. Optimistically.
A few weeks pass and still no 4am faxes. As I had her home telephone number, I decide to ring. This is a really big decision for me, because in the 1990’s, overseas calls from rural Australia were $1 A MINUTE.
Only to hear a recording saying, “Sorry, this number could not be connected. Please check your number and try again”.
Anna disappeared.
Never to be heard from again. Just like those ‘Life’s Little Mysteries’ you read about in Column 8 in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The little boutique shop in Soho? Lost as well. We had no contact details for it. Everything was done through Anna.
We grieved over our lost opportunity.
We were no longer exporters.
Until Februry 2001, when we were finally connected to the internet and could establish a website.
Although we are an accidental business, there are now more than 90,000 Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Covers in use around the world. All thanks to our very supportive customers.
And growing daily.
Since 1994, our covers have been made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They love what they do and it shows in the quality of our product. They’re our heroes. I’m not exaggerating when I say that your purchase gives back to these men and women a strong sense of self worth.
To learn more about The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover, visit our website at www.interfaceaustralia.com/flag.htm.
To read what our customers say about us, visit www.interfaceaustralia.com/finerpoints.htm.
And there are more stories to come!
'From A Throw Away Comment An Event Is Born'
'Should I or Shouldn’t I?'
It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Share your stories and comments with me.
Take care,
CAROL
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