Dan and Diane DeJohn, owners of Buk’s Feeds & More in Goodrich, put special emphasis on excelling at two things at their store: customer service and providing premium pet products.
The store offers a unique and welcoming atmosphere to visitors. A cat named Cheyenne wanders the store greeting customers with a gentle nudge of her soft black head. The DeJohns three daughters, Felicia, 18, Desirae,17 and Amber,9, each lend a hand at the store, impressing customers with their knowledge of different products.
Goodrich seniors Mark Hawkins and Ashley Jung are also helpful members of the sales team who, along with co-worker Jason Hill, are more than happy to answer any questions customers might have.
‘We try to educate the customer,? said Dan.
An example Dan gave of the knowledge he tries to impart on his shoppers is his explanation of the different qualities of horse feed.
‘If your horse feed reads like this: ‘other 14 percent pelleted horse feed, processed grain by-products, grain products, forage products, molasses products, plant protein products…? this is called ‘least cost formulated?. That means ingredients will change depending on grain prices at the time they make a batch of feed,? Dan explained.
He explained that higher quality horse feed will be specific about what products are in the food , called fixed formula, like Buckeye 14 percent Pelleted horse feed reads like wheat middlings, ground corn, heat processed soybeans, Dehydrated alfalfa meal.
Despite advertising campaigns waged by competitors focusing on bottom-line profit margins, the good-for-your-pet feed that Buk’s sells is affordable, say the DeJohns.
‘What you spend on a trip to McDonald’s is the difference between feeding your pet a premium food for a month,? said Dan.
Available new brands include: Solid Gold, Innova, Karma Organic, California Natural and Healthwise.
In addition to being able to explain the difference in feeds, Buk’s Feeds & More offers many ‘frequent buyer programs.? These programs reward customers who repeatedly buy certain feeds. Frequent buyer programs are available for dog food, cat food, caged bird food and wild bird food.
Dan said he had rewarded frequent buyers with more than 300 bags of dog food alone last year.
He also offers breeder and kennel programs, rewarding customers who buy in bulk with a buy 10, get three free offer.
Additionally, for every $50 spent, customers receive one entry into a raffle held each Monday with a prize of a $25 in-store gift certificate.
In the past year, Buk’s Feeds and more has expanded their retail floor and their selection of premium feed.
Buk’s also introduced exotic reptiles into their inventory, including a beautiful bearded dragon.
The DeJohns are elated at how local animal-lovers have welcomed them.
‘We have surpassed our expectations,? said Dan.
Diane agreed.
‘We love this area,? she said, ‘the people are great.?