It seems everybody is writing a book these days, and catalogers are no exception. Home decor cataloger/retailer Pottery Barn has come out with three books: “Pottery Barn Living Room,” “Pottery Barn Bedrooms,” and “Pottery Barn Bathrooms.” The books, according to the catalog’s copy, promise to “help you find your own personal blend of comfort and style” with photographs, step-by-step guides, and advice. The tomes, which are scheduled to ship mid-August, cost $24.95 each, or $60 for a boxed set of the three.
And in a bid to help other businesses, Ann Arbor, MI-based gourmet foods cataloger Zingerman’s is now selling “Zingerman’s Guide to Giving Great Service.” The new book claims to reveal how Zingerman’s treats its customers like royalty, “from going the service extra mile to valuable tips on hiring service-oriented staff.” The 20-year-old cataloger/retailer is no stranger to sharing its customer service secrets with others—for a price. Zingerman’s nine-year-old ZingTrain training division offers two-day “Art of Giving Great Service” seminars for $850. Note: The new book will set you back a mere $12.