BuyChimes will be closed next week. No shipping. No phones. No nothing.

As many of our customers who are also business owners know, it can be difficult to manage vacations and time away from the business. The summer is a wonderful time to take a break – but for us, it’s also a busy wind chime season! In the past, BuyChimes has often closed down for shipping, but the phones and support services remained open. This year, despite a successful summer selling season (or is it because of it?!), BuyChimes is simply closing for week. (And then a few extra days to catch up on things!)

As Jeff put it so well… “If we’re so focused on sales for a single week that BuyChimes can’t REST, we’re missing the bigger picture, Carolyn. Sales are good. Life is good.” Well-said. Rest and time away is important. And we know that you agree!

We promise – we’ll be back before you know it! August 11. Until then, we do hope that you also have a chance to rest this summer season. And if you think of it – tell us what you did! We’d love to hear your favorite summer 2011 moments!

- Carolyn
BuyChimes, LLC

And I wish we could give a Free Lunch too!

Earlier this summer we began offering Free Gift Wrap on any order. We knew some folks would appreciate this, but we have simply been astounded at the number of customers that are taking us up on this offer! We are, quite frankly, thrilled. And the best thing – we’re hearing back from recipients of these gifts – they are every bit as delighted as we are – both in the wind chime AND in the presentation of the gift.

You see, if we’re going to offer Gift Wrap to our customers, we’re going to take the time to do it right. We know that a gift reflects back on the giver, and as our customer, you deserve to have that reflection be appreciation and thankfulness (and hopefully, a bit of surprise and delight too!). We never want a recipient to get a box that’s been poorly wrapped or shipped. And so we make sure (and then check again) that there’s no pricing information with the gift, that the paper and card match the occasion for the gift, that the outer shipping box adequately protects the gift, and so on. And from customer feedback, it appears that we’re doing it right!

Not to worry – we’ll keep wrapping gifts for free for the rest of the summer. And remember, if you’re not quite sure which wind chime to select as a gift, just call! We’re happy to help you pick out just the right chime.

- Carolyn
BuyChimes, LLC

Many customers email and call us because they think BuyChimes makes the wind chimes that we sell. We do not. We wish we could be that creative and imaginative and BIG, but we’re simply not. We only sell U.S. chimes online. We do, however, readily point customers to the manufacturer, which is QMT Windchimes. They ARE that creative and imaginative and BIG!

And, as you might tell, we’re quite partial to their chimes. They’ve had a commitment to keeping the company U.S.-based for years, which we love. And they’ve produced beautiful chimes in lovely colors and designs, while consistently keeping the high-quality workmanship for which they’ve been known. They’re located about 15 miles west of BuyChimes, in Manassas Park, Virginia.

Here’s an excerpt from the “About Us” section of their website…. “QMT Windchimes originated in the Florida craft show circuit in the early 80’s. Mike Throne camped in the back of his van and traveled to craft shows selling different products, including windchimes from a local producer. When his source for chimes dried up, Mike began to fabricate his own windchimes, with an eye toward continually improving his designs. Working during the week in a 10’ x 20’ warehouse, he produced the chimes that would be sold on the weekend. Mike was determined to offer the buying public a chime that was as beautiful to see as it was to hear. And it worked; the demand for his windchimes soon overwhelmed his ability to manufacture chimes so he took a deep breath and became a young entrepreneur following the American dream. He hired his first employees, found our facility in Manassas Park and set down roots in the community to produce windchimes for wholesale trade shows.”

With such a fantastic American success story, BuyChimes has been delighted to promote their chimes for the past ten years – and from the sheer volume of sales we experience year after year, our customers are clearly delighted as well. It’s a winning combination!

- Carolyn

These days are tumultuous for our country – too many folks looking for work, gas prices going up (thankfully, coming down a bit just in time for July 4th), political leaders dashing rhetoric here and there. I don’t know about you, but too often, I find myself jaded by it all. But there’s no room or time for my cynicism! Here’s why…..

Americans like me and you all over the country have tremendous pride and certainty in our nation. I know – I talk to them (you) every single day. Folks like Wanda just outside Richmond, VA who was happy to find a wind chime made in the U.S. and even happier to learn they are made here in her native VA! Or a customer in California who clarified that she only buys American products – if there was any question as to the country of origin, she needed to cancel the order. There are many, many other customers just like this.

Our customers’ fortitude in all that is right about the U.S. (despite the gloomy times) – and their choice to buy U.S. – this is why there’s no place for my cynicism. You all inspire me to keep doing what we do here at BuyChimes – sell only U.S. made wind chimes. It’s tough competition, let me tell you. There are PLENTY of chimes made outside the U.S. that could boost our company profit. But that’s not who we are.

So on this July 4, 2011:

Laugh deeply with friends and family.
Marvel at the fireworks.
Dive for candy at the parade (it IS for the kids, right?!).
And most of all, celebrate the U.S.!

I know I will be.
- Carolyn

Ten years ago (technically, it’s just 9.5 years, but close enough!) BuyChimes started shipping chimes all over the country. Ten years ago, FedEx started delivering those chimes to folks like you. We couldn’t be more pleased at the quality and speed of service by FedEx. And judging from our customer comments, you’re pleased as well!

Many customers call wondering just how long our free standard FedEx shipping will take. Most are under the impression that it will take at least 7-10 days. And if they’re on the West Coast, they assume it will be at least two weeks. So imagine their delight when we answer that with standard FedEx, anything shipped to the East Coast takes 1-3 days. In fact, most of the country takes less than 3 days from us here in Virginia. FedEx standard is just that fast!

Over the holidays last year, I was on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, that massive road which slices east-west through the state. I was simply shocked at the number of FedEx Ground trucks that dominated the road. They were everywhere! I wondered which customer’s order was on that truck – or that one – or that one.

So a big shout-out and thank you to FedEx for speeding our boxes to the right customer at the right place for 10 years strong!

(Hey FedEx, how ’bout four free Redskins tickets to FEDEX FIELD this fall?  Hmmmmm?!)

- Carolyn
www.buychimes.com

Memorial Day kicks off the summer season – the best time of year for relaxing in your garden or on your deck with friends, food and a gorgeous new wind chime. (I’ll bet you saw that one coming… I couldn’t NOT put it in there!)

As we focus on our country this holiday weekend, I simply want to remind you all out there of the #1 BuyChimes Guiding Principle: to offer the finest U.S. made wind chimes to the online marketplace. Period. As you might imagine, we regularly receive communication from overseas manufacturers to carry their product. We always say NO. Thank you for calling, but NO.

Customers are passionate about buying U.S. products these days – how wonderful! And we’re passionate about offering U.S. chimes. It’s who we are. It’s what we’ve done for ten years. By the grace of God, it’s what we’ll keep doing for another ten.

So this Memorial Day weekend, with all the festivities and remembrances going on, I thank you for taking this moment to consider how YOUR purchases of U.S. products can help our country continue with pride for generations to come.

In my community (Fairfax, VA), here’s what going on this weekend: The Ride of the Patriots. Not that you’ll find me out there, mind you! It’s simply a thrilling thing to see – from the sidewalk. What’s going on in your neck of the woods?

- Carolyn
www.buychimes.com

I don’t know about you, but impatiens are my favorite summer annual. They’re ferocious even when it doesn’t rain and I forget to water; they come in every color; and they’re some of the least expensive flats at Betty’s Azalea Ranch. I know they’re not that jazzy or unique, but I love them. So, imagine my dismay when I picked up the morning paper and found this article about how many other wonderful plants there are out there—plants that could bump my impatiens right out of their beds!

But as I read, I quickly realized that YES, there are other options than impatiens. So I picked up variegated coleus – and sure enough, it looks fantastic in this planter! It’s exotic and rich coupled with companion plants. And just right“with my new Ruby Splash Corinthian Bells chime! Here’s the proof…

Wind chimes are an easy, beautiful way to add a unique touch to your yard. They give ear and eye appeal to any garden for years! (Now if this coleus would just do the same…) All the chimes you’ll find at BuyChimes are hand-tuned and crafted for year-round outdoor use. With so many styles, colors and sizes to choose from, it’s easy to find one that’s just right for you!

And if you need advice, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

—Carolyn
www.buychimes.com

Have you seen this color yet?! Ruby Splash…it’s been in garden shops and gift stores across the country for about a year – but only now has the manufacturer released this color for online sales.

It’s a rich dark red, veined with a lighter red, almost orange. On the picture, it’s lovely – in your garden, it will be even lovelier! I’m envisioning hanging a small one from the White Pine in the back corner of the yard. It will brighten up any shade garden.

This color is only available in the Corinthian Bells 29, 36, 44 and 50-inch chimes (the 206, 306, 406 and 516 models). As always, call if you have any questions!

- Carolyn

Wind chimes singing low
Gentle the cool breezes blow
Ease your mind of stress

Congrats to Patsy McMahon for submitting the winning poem for our Spring Haiku contest! Can’t you just feel the stress slipping away as you read her haiku, imagining the perfect wind chime on your patio or deck?!

Remember, if you need advice on that perfect chime, please don’t hesitate to give us a shout! We’ve always got an opinion – on life, love, politics, and, of course, wind chimes.

- Carolyn

www.buychimes.com

Twice every year, we run a sale. This year, one happens to be during the el primo time of when you should be buying something for mom. You DID remember that Mother’s Day is approaching, didn’t you?! (It’s on May 8!). Our most popular chime lines are on sale, including Bells of Vienna, Corinthian Bells, Gentle Spirits. As an example of the savings you can have: The Bells of Vienna 44-inch chime (BV406), normally $105.98, is now $99.98.

This year for Mother’s Day…

we are offering a new take on an old gift—an engraved version of a popular, medium-sized chime: the Shenandoah Melodies 34-inch chime in plum. The wind sail says it all…

Happy Mother’s Day!

Included in the price is gift wrapping (pink & purple for the gals), our standard free shipping (to destinations in the contiguous 48 states), and, of course, our exceptional customer service. If you have any questions, special requests or instructions for your order, please contact us. We will be happy to help you.

—Jeff
www.BuyChimes.com