~~~~~/|)~~~~~

# 10. Good Value. We've been working on this same business formula since before we were in business. We haven't changed it, because we believe it's the right thing to do. Manatee Max operates on a pretty slim profit margin. We balance high quality products and service while maintaining a fair price that keeps us in the black. Max competes for your business. You can easily find more expensive suppliers. You can also find cheaper ones, but Max hasn't figured out how they sell so low without sacrificing quality. There are better and there are worse. Max's goal is to make a small profit by making our customers happy to the best of our ability.

#  9. New, (Never refurbished) brand names. Max doesn't sell knock offs. You want the brands you know and trust and that's exactly what you get from Max. Max doesn't knowingly sell junk. With 20,000+/- products, Max can't personally rate each item. However, when it comes to our attention that a product doesn't meet our customers' standards, we drop it from our inventory. Max enjoys a reputation for high customer satisfaction. We're not going to taint that with products that don't perform well or are poorly made.

https://manateemax.com/brands/

#  8. Manatees are cool, friendly, honest and peaceful. Manatee Max emulates those attributes as best as he can.

#  7. Hassle free returns. Max deals fairly with his customers. We accept our mistakes graciously. If Max or the manufacturer messed up, We'll provide you with a Return Merchandise Authorization Number and paid shipping label as expeditiously as our manatee flippers can move. We want you to be happy with Max. We want you to come back and be able to honestly tell your friends that you had a positive experience with us.

https://manateemax.com/shipping-return-policies/

#  6. There is NO number 6.

#  5. You're supporting small, local business. How small is ManateeMax.com? Max is about 2.7 humans and a dog. My wife owns the business and does all the Wonder Woman duties -- the behind the scenes computer magic that makes it all work, and fixes it when it's broken. (She's my hero.) Then, there's me and our son, who process orders and shipping. Last, but not least, our head of security, Bruce "Night Fury" Danforth. I say local because every small business is local to somewhere. Buying from mom and pop eCommerce businesses pays for Junior's shoes and Becky's Sousaphone lessons, and on and on. We're all part of a big community trying to do our little parts. 

#  4. Social Responsibility. I don't think there's more social responsibility today than, say, 50 years ago. I believe folks are, for the most part, generous in nature. But, I have noticed a trend. Social responsibility has become a marketing tool. People like to know they're spending their money at businesses which are doing good things. Manatee Max would like to be in a financial situation one day to be able to donate and contribute to worthy causes. It's been part of our plan all along. Unfortunately, Manatee Max still doesn't quite put beans on the table. In fact, 2 out of our 2.7 humans still work full time 40+ hour a week jobs to keep us afloat. Max is less than four years old. Most new small businesses don't survive their first year, so, we feel blessed to still be alive and kicking. But, like many other small businesses, 2020 hasn't been smooth sailing. We're persistent. We're barely treading water, but still here and determined to survive. With our determination and a little love and luck, Manatee Max hopes to be in a position soon to support some good causes. (Max will probably do these things anonymously.)

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4, NKJV).

#  3. You like to know that the businesses you patronize aren't funding evil. It's become a divisive issue and potential customers will support or boycott businesses because of their political or social positions. Manatees are apolitical. We do not hate, and we don't support politics. (I'm sure someone will boycott us for that.) C'est La Vie. We can't please everyone. We're happy being peaceful, trying to do what we believe is right and making friends.

#  2. What does Max spend his money on? Like so many of us today, Max is paying for food, shelter, clothing, gas, insurance, dog food.... Our 19 year old son is also taking music lessons, (and flight lessons when we can afford them.) You can rest assured you're patronage is greatly appreciated and not squandered frivolously or used for nefarious porpoises like buying dolphins with lasers on their heads.

https://www.fletchermorton.com/

#  1. Making friends. Manatee Max has already garnered the friendship of many of his customers. It's got to be the best part of the job. Nothing against WalMart, but they've never called us to ask if we want to go fishing, or to get our opinions on rod holders or skeg protection. We cannot thank you folks enough.Times are tough sometimes, and it's easy to forget, but we are truly blessed. Thank you all.

"No man is a failure who has friends." ~ Clarence Oddbody AS1. (AS2 before he got his wings)

https://manateemax.com/