Actually, we have had decent response on that. I'm pretty pleased. A lot
of people have made the comment that they wouldn't be buying if not for
the check. ... There were some people that were out shopping [last
month] in anticipation of the check as well. … I don't know if it's the
severe spike that we were all hoping for, but I would say it has
definitely been a factor in our store.
Bill Klabunde, Manager
Furniture Deals and Steals—West Salem, Wis.
We obviously don't know yet if people are going to spend them on
vacation, other than the research that we've seen. We've read countless
stories or articles where people are asked, ‘How are you going to spend
this money?' And there's a percentage of people that are claiming it's
going to be fun money and they're going to maybe go on vacation, but I
don't know how it's going to really shake out. I'm hoping obviously that
they do spend on that, but every week, the price of gas goes up as well.
Our inquiries are very strong, as far as to our advertising.
Tom Nemacheck, Executive Director
U.P. Travel & Recreation Association—Iron Mountain, Mich.
I don't think we're seeing, personally, that it has any effect on our
business whatsoever. It's been steady, but I mean we're not seeing a
huge increase or anything like that due to it. Those [checks] just
started to come out. … But right now we're not seeing a direct
increase from it. … I just think it's too soon for us to tell.
Kim Morris, Marketing Director
First Gold Hotel and Casino—Deadwood, S.D.
We do have a tax stimulus offer out there, and a few people have taken
advantage of it. It was 10 percent additional on a Hugo's gift card to
what the check value was. … But business has been consistent pretty much
through April, and so far May has been consistent too. … People make
lots of adjustments to food buying, and I think we're seeing some of
those adjustments being made. … I think the price of gas is what's
really driving people to make more decisions on everything.
Doug Driscoll, Director of Operations
Hugo's Family Marketplace—Grand Forks, N.D.
I'm estimating probably about three out of 10 [clients] are
actually paying on accounts with that tax rebate. Actually, of
all the clients that have paid off their accounts, I would say 30
percent of those have been a direct result of that stimulus check.
Sharon Welborn, Branch Manager
Debt Reduction Services—Billings, Mont.
I have yet to hear somebody comment that they were spending their check,
but we certainly have seen a spike in business in about the last three
weeks. … Most of our customers are
higher-end customers, so I'm not surprised that nobody has said, 'Hey,
I'm spending my check,' but we have seen a little spurt
in business.
Bill Soderholm, Owner
Stereoland—Minneapolis, Minn.
