If you checked in yesterday you'd have seen the email below that I received from Chaco USA. Back in February I applied for their pro deal program in order to get some Chacos on the cheap. I didn't hear from them until yesterday when my request was denied.
So, I mounted a mini campaign to let other Peace Corps know about the result of my request. To their credit Chaco USA responded within a few hours saying the email was a mistake and inaccurate. So, I'm now in touch with their Consumer Relations Manager and it looks like we're on the right track.
Thanks Chacos for staying true in your commitment to Peace Corps volunteers! I'll definitely be getting a pair now. I'll let you all know when they get in.
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Their recent letter to me four months after asking for a pro deal discount, which is still possible on their website:
Dear Matthew Lyttle, Thank you for your interest in the Chaco Pro Deal program. Unfortunately we cannot extend special pricing to you at this time. Retailers are our livelihood, so we limit the program to select outdoor industry professionals and employees of Chaco retailers. A list of retail partners can be found on http://www.chaco.com/.
Thank you for your understanding. We wish you the best with your outdoor endeavors.
Yours truly,
The Chaco Team
And, my response:
Dear Chaco Team,
Thank you for responding to my request, albeit 4 months later. I am disappointed to hear Chaco no longer feels that Peace Corps volunteers are a valued group of customers and, more importantly, promoters. The 8000+ Peace Corps volunteers wear your products all over the world and offer invaluable exposure in otherwise impenetrable markets. In fact, the main reason I am looking to purchase a pair of Chaco sandals is the ardent praise I hear from my fellow volunteers.
Many of your outdoor gear competitors including Marmot, The North Face, Keen, Merrell, and Teva recognize the value of Peace Corps Volunteers' product support and offer significant discounts as a sign of that recognition. Please note that I will now be purchasing from one of these companies as opposed to Chaco.
I hope your team finds the time to update the various websites that promote a Peace Corps discount when purchasing Chaco footwear. For your reference, those sites include http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Volunteer_discounts, http://www.43things.com/entries/view/1930455, trip,buttermouth.com, and even your own http://www.chacoprodeal.com/. That particular site still includes Peace Corps as a "User Type." I have already updated my networks to this change.
Thank you for your attention and please note that Peace Corps volunteers in dozens of countries around the world will readily welcome Chaco's renewed support.
Sincerely,
Matt Lyttle
Monday, June 28, 2010
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