As you know, since we published our last Newsletter, more than 1 million people living in the Mexican Gulf Coast have been displaced from their homes and almost 300,000 have been left without jobs. This is the result of Hurricanes Katrina and more recently, and to a lesser extent, Rita. Not to mention the many thousands of pets that have been left homeless.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all affected.

These catastrophes and their impact on the gulf’s oil refineries have resulted in immediately increased fuel used for transportation as well as expected heating fuel increases for the upcoming cold-weather months. The President has asked the country’s citizens to limit unnecessary fuel consumption by cutting back on automobile trips. This, in addition to high energy prices is expected to have a further impact on consumer spending in the coming months -- the months where most toys are sold.

We join our customers and readership in hoping for the best. Rest assured that we will take every measure possible to continue to pass on more savings and to bring you the best value and service in the industry.

Acting quickly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, Mattel was reported to have contributed 10,000 toys to the children with most of the toys being ethnic Barbie dolls.

For every pallet order sold since Hurricane Katrina, we have contibuted $50 to the American Red Cross. We will continue to do so into the month of October.

For our customers, we are extending the $125 savings on our pallet of toys.

Several of you took advantage of our two week savings promotion in September; thank you.

In an effort to continue to provide ever greater values to our customers, we are extending the $125 savings promotion into the month of October – invest in a full (4’X4’X6’Tall) pallet of new, name brand toys with a retail value of $7,500.00, now just $1,750.

In addition to our previously negotiated discounts with transportation companies of up to 70%, we are now working with an internet based transportation broker that allows us to bring you better service in two ways:

1. Greater Savings - We now enjoy and pass on directly to our customers, the improved discounts, that they, with greater volumes than our own, have negotiated with many of the top, national trucking companies.

2. Better Service - We can now provide our customers with an immediate quotation while on the telephone or via e- mail.

Start saving on transportation with our new, improved service. Don’t procrastinate any longer thinking that trucking expense and current fuel costs make it impossible to buy your pallet of toys; contact us today.

Do the Churches/Religious groups and not-for-profits that you know that buy toys, a great service, tell them about our Free Reminder Service.

You would not believe the number of late communications we receive from organizations wanting to have our toys delivered within a few days. Every season, we are forced to send them away because we don’t want to risk our toys showing up late for these functions, especially when they will be given out to children.

So please, if you know of an organization that is even considering doing something with toys for the holidays, forward this e-mail to them (see easy link below) along with your note on suggesting that they use our Free Reminder Service.

That way, they'll be reminded to consider their purchase in time to receive the toys prior to the date of the event.

We all face an uncertain upcoming holiday shopping season. We will continue to strive to bring you the best values and service in the industry. As always, feel free let us know how we may help to increase your sales and profit.

That’s all for this issue; until next time.

Thank you for your attention and all the best!

We welcome your comments and suggestions for our Newsletter. Please write to admin@blueribbontoys.com.

P.S. Forward this e-mail to up to five of your friends because they will thank you. See the convenient Forward E-mail link below.