Southern Casual Living formed as new patio umbrella supplier
Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 10/3/2011 9:32:15 AM
Ken Harbaugh, majority shareholder of Southern Sales & Marketing Group, headquartered in Atlanta, announced that the patio umbrella division of Southern Sales has been sold to Southern Casual Living, also located in Atlanta.
Harbaugh is pleased with the sale of the umbrella division and with the formation of the new company. "Southern Sales was in the umbrella business for 15 years, and we hold patents on some of the greatest innovations in the market. We see the umbrella market moving to more of a China 'factory direct' business model, so I sold this division. Some of the people moving over to the new company have been long-time associates with our company and I wish them all the best. They know that I am available to help them at any time."
Bill Browne, former VP of sales for Southern Sales & Marketing Group, has been named president of Southern Casual Living. Jason Bliss, former national account manager with Southern Sales, will serve as vice president. Several other employees of Southern Sales and Marketing are making the move as well. Jay Winkler has been appointed national account manager, Mary Mayberry has been appointed customer service manager and Ross Boone will serve as the senior designer.
"Southern Casual Living's main concentration will be patio umbrellas," said Browne. "Our immediate focus will be quality control, shipping on time and complete for the 2012 season, while at the same time focusing our team on design and new product development for the 2013 season. This will enable us to deliver our customers the best patio program in the North American marketplace."
In their joint announcement, Harbaugh and Browne stated that there is a firm transition plan in place for current customers. All umbrella orders currently placed with Southern Sales & Marketing Group will be transferred over to Southern Casual Living, and customers will receive those orders as previously scheduled.
I bought the 10ft umbrella with solar lights two years ago, the first time I had it up was already unstable. We re-read the instructions and made sure it was together right. The first good gust of wind that came blew it over and bent the pole in half. I called QVC for a replacement pole and they said I had to call the company directly. Never could find a number. Tried a few e-mails and got no where. QVC would even let me send it back because it was after 30 days that I purchased it. Normally QVC is great but I think they got burned with this company. I read the reviews after I bought it and I was not the only one that needed a new pole!
Shannon Patton - 2013-04-25 17:43:30 EDTI purchased a Southern Casual Living patio umbrella at Kroger last fall but didn't use it until today. I opened it to find that the piece which keeps it from falling over/closing is missing. The site on the tag is southerncasualliving.com and it's no longer active. Where can I get the piece?
Aly Sands - 2013-04-23 13:36:27 EDTI received my 10' solar crank & tilt umbrella with morphing lights yesterday, 9/18/12. The box had been opened and taped back together; there was no film over the solar panel as you stated; also, there is a small hole in the solar panel. Attempted to contact your company today at 1-855-880-7205 as you instructed but to no avail. I have left two messages and no-one has bothered to return my calls.
Joyce S Poarch - 2012-09-19 15:55:02 EDTI have tried to call and have not had calls returned.My
umbrella is about 45 days new...all the bolts and screws came apart will not stay together..they stress do not take back to retailer; but for what reason does not seem they will take care of complaints...
Gayle Whitford - 2012-06-12 15:32:21 EDT
I was just on the phone with QVC customer service regarding the solar lighted umbrella which i ordered back in March. Customer service is allowing return of the item. I was not sure b/c it was after the 30 days Needless to say .I was very impressed with QVC customer service. I explained that when we set the umbrella up only yesterday there were broken parts to the lighted solar umbrella. No questions asked she told me she would send me the invoice and packing label. I am supposed to call them when to have UPS pick up. I hope it all runs as smoothe as it sounds!!! Now have to take it all apart and repackage!!! Ugh......
Eileen - 2012-06-08 08:24:40 EDT-
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