Movers & Shakers October 13, 2010
Yellowstone Watch, Watches by Gosh to share space
Yellowstone Watch and Watches by Gosh will share space at The Resort Plaza Shops.
Yellowstone Watch has moved from 1001 N. Spokane St., in Post Falls, said Kristi Kotoski, who owns the two businesses with her husband, Ken. Yellowstone Watch had been at that location for about a year.
The Kotoskis purchased Watches by Gosh from Don Bennett, who is retiring. Watches by Gosh specializes in the sale of watches, clocks and sunglasses.
The Kotoskis, Post Falls residents, operate the two businesses themselves with one part-time employee.
They wanted the two businesses in one location for efficiency, Kristi said.
Yellowstone Watch is a watch repair shop servicing all types of wrist and pocket watches.
Some of the available services include battery, band and crystal replacement, quartz movement repair, overhaul and repair of mechanical watches, resealing and pressure testing.
Auto service contract seller Credexx Corp. barred from Idaho
A California vehicle service contract seller is permanently banned from doing business in Idaho, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said Tuesday. Credexx Corp. of Irvine, Calif., and its owner, David Tabb, are permanently prohibited from telemarketing into Idaho or doing business with Idaho consumers.
From approximately 2005 to 2009, Credexx sold vehicle service contracts in Idaho under the name Auto One Warranty Specialists.
The settlement is the result of a consumer protection lawsuit the attorney general filed against Credexx earlier this year. The attorney general alleged that Credexx misrepresented the material terms and conditions of the vehicle service contracts it sold and that Credexx mailed postcards to Idaho consumers misrepresenting that consumers' vehicle warranties were expired or were about to expire.
Allegedly, Credexx telemarketed into Idaho without first registering with the attorney general and telephone solicited consumers whose telephone numbers were listed on the national do-not-call registry.
Consumers who attempted to obtain refunds from Credexx reported to the attorney general and to the Better Business Bureau that Credexx failed to refund consumers' payments promptly.
"Consumers must be wary of service contracts that purport to provide their cars with bumper-to-bumper coverage," Wasden said. "No service contract covers every car part or service and most contracts provide little, if any, coverage."
Credexx agreed to a judgment in the amount of $88,000, of which $10,000 constitutes consumer restitution, $75,000 constitutes civil penalties, and $3,000 constitutes attorney's fees and expenses.
Farmers market workshop scheduled in North Idaho
A workshop for North Idaho farmers market vendors and managers will be at the Holiday Inn in Ponderay from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. The workshop will provide training for markets in the areas of marketing, promotion and business planning.
The number of farmers markets in Idaho has grown from 24 in 2006, to 55 in 2010. With the number and size of markets growing and more customers visiting farmers markets every season, there is much potential to be captured.
"We are excited to offer this training opportunity for farmers market managers and vendors. The networking at these events is always invaluable, as is the information provided on the presentations," said Lacey Menasco, trade specialist at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
"By learning new ways to enhance their marketing and business planning skills, markets and vendors can increase sales and meet the growing consumer demand for local products," Menasco said.
Anyone involved in a farmers market in any capacity or considering becoming involved in the future, should plan to attend this valuable training.
The cost is $20 per person, which includes lunch and materials if registered by Oct. 27. The cost is $25 per person after that date.
The workshop is a cooperative effort between the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and University of Idaho Cooperative Extension.
Information: Lacey Menasco at the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, (208) 332-8538, or lacey.menasco@agri.idaho.gov.
If you have a new, relocated or expanded business, or announcement of events, promotions or awards, The Press wants to let our readers know. The service is free and items run Tuesday through Saturday. To get the word on the street on your movers and shakers, call city editor Bill Buley at 664-8176 Ext. 2016 or e-mail bbuley@cdapress.com.