Breakaway News Volume No. 18 Issue No. 2 February 2013

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Valentine’s Day

February is that funny month. It’s cold as hell, it’s a few days shorter than the other months, and it’s for lovers. If it hadn’t been for lovers, they wouldn’t have put St. Valentine’s Day in it. Make sure you buy that special someone that extra-special romantic goody, or you’re in big trouble, buster! Better rush those twelve long-stem roses over by Breakaway. What can we say, we’re romantics!

One Flu Over 

An emergency struck the editorial staff of the humble Newsletter when our main copywriter and editor was struck down with the flu. Without anything else to do, he watched a lot of cable news, where he learned that the flu was being used as an excuse for all matter of nefarious doings: missing work, dodging boy and/or girlfriends, cutting school. None of our couriers would do that however. They love riding their bicycles too much. Moreover, none of them have a nefarious bone in their bodies.

Bulk Mania 

It’s become a very popular service. No, not our Belgian fries experiment. That didn’t go so well. No, we’re talking about our bulk delivery service. Get started now; just visit http://breakawaycourier.com/bulk-deliveries/.

Wi Fi Fly

Another calamity that overtook our editor was that his computer died. Not crashed, not froze. Flat out died. Wouldn’t turn on. Gave up the ghost. That meant that we at Breakaway had to scramble to get him up and running. That meant a cheap new laptop. That meant wifi, which meant a trip to Radio Shack. That meant driving our tech department crazy. Isn’t modern tech grand?

Fame at Last

Our messenger C551, Errol Collins, has made us proud! He was recently featured in a photo essay in the New York Times online. This proves once again that Breakaway’s couriers are photogenic and fit to print!

Commute Group

The Times also reports that commuting into the city from the ‘burbs by bicycle is growing more popular, as evidenced in part by NJ’s legendary Ridgewood Commuter Group founded by our president Rob Kotch. The Parks Department is helping out by converting rails to trails. Commuting by bicycle has never been easier. Get out there!

Stump the Band

Last month we asked what “hair of the dog” was. Originally, it literally meant some hair from off of the dog that bit you, to stave off rabies. From that beginning, it has now come to mean treating an ailment with what caused the ailment.

T-Shirt Question

Who created the first true modern computer, and why?  The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

Breakaway News Volume No. 18 Issue No. 1 January 2013

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The Hangover

By the time all of our valued customers receive this newsletter, the confetti will have settled, the last refrain of Auld Lang Syne will have been sung, and the last bottle of bubbly will have been drunk, meaning only one thing: monster hangover! Fortunately, our dedicated crew of teetotalers will still be in a condition to deliver you hair of the dog. Happy New Year!!

In Thru the In Door

We were watching the Kennedy Center Honors the other night, when we were struck by a considerably weighty moment of cognitive dissonance: Led Zeppelin being honored at the Kennedy. A band that exemplified bad-boy behavior dressed in tuxes and behaving… well…well alongside the President was just too much for our grey matter. Stairway to decorum?   

Re: Re -

Now that Santa has come and gone, it’s now the season for “re.” You know, as in re-gifting, re-turning, and re-nouncing whatever re-volting gift you re-ceived and could definitely live without. Have no fear; we will bring it back for a re-fund with discretion and aplomb. In other words, re-turns are us.

Bulking Up

Over the holidays, many of you out there in readershipville availed yourselves of our new bulk ordering function on the website. We just wanted to remind you all that the service is up and running the other 364 days of the year. All we need is a spreadsheet with the relevant info. Visit breakawaycourier.com/bulk-deliveries to get started.

Thank You

A huge thank you to all of our customers for having made the Christmas and Holiday season a memorable one. Everyone was generous to a fault, and we’re all at least ten pounds heavier to prove it.

Hey…Still Here?

Something happened recently. Actually, something failed to happen recently: the end of the world as predicted by the Mayan calendar. Wasn’t there supposed to be some all- encompassing cataclysmic earth-devouring mega-tsunami cosmic storm type disaster? Not wanting to brag or anything but, you know, this is the fifth end of the world we’ve survived.  Then again, maybe a big shift did happen. After all, Led Zeppelin was at the Kennedy Center Honors.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know what the original flavor of the crème filling of the Twinkie was, and why it changed. Answer: The original flavor was banana, but during WW II, bananas were rationed so the flavor was changed. The rest is history.

T-Shirt Question

What did “hair of the dog” originally refer to? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 12 December 2012

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Happy Holidays from Everyone at Breakaway!
Holiday Cheer

By the time everyone reads this, you all will have survived the food-fest that is Thanksgiving, and may have shopped till you dropped on Black Friday. Of course, this heralds the beginning of the holiday season, not to mention a shopping frenzy. Breakaway wishes all our customers a happy, healthy, and safe holiday season. We also want you all to know that we stand ready to deliver for all your holiday needs, large and small.

Post-Election High

Aside from the presidency, a lot of other ancillary issues were decided upon by voters in the various states. We’re predicting that after a year or so, Washington and Colorado will be the only states without a budget deficit. However, there will be a major run on Doritos chips.  

Sugar Crash

Panic in the streets. Wails of anguish. Near brawls and price gouging. Is it another storm? No, only the demise of Hostess, maker of Twinkies, Devil Dogs, and other childhood favorites. With the announcement that Hostess was closing shop, snackers across the country suddenly were gripped with an existential fear usually reserved for the zombie apocalypse. There is a ray of hope; Hostess was told to enter arbitration, rather than liquefy.

Sneaking In

According to a recent talk on TED, all communication is a matter of translation, and that communicating something with humor is more likely to get the other person to think about it, rather than stating it outright. Sort of like a verbal Trojan horse, slipping the idea past your rationalism. Heck, we could have told them that. You’re reading this newsletter, aren’t you?

Holy Sheet!

Breakaway’s updated computer system is now able to import spreadsheets directly; no more faxing or typing in individual names and addresses. As long as the document has columns, and the delivery info is correct, we can now import bulk deliveries directly into our new system. Excel, Access, and other standards are all supported, so long as they are in .csv or .xls format. Call us to get started.

Ganging Up On You

After serious consideration, we have decided that all deliveries will be done Gangnam Style. We are currently sending couriers to South Korea’s Gangnam district a few at a time to learn directly from Psy himself. After the retraining process, you’ll be able to order a Gangnam rush.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know which marathoner said, “Damn! This is better than winning an Emmy!”? The answer: Oprah Winfrey.

T-Shirt Question

What was the original flavor of the crème filling of the Twinkie, and why was it changed? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

Important message on avoiding delays during the holiday season:  

As Christmas approaches, our delivery volume will spike dramatically. During peak periods, you may experience delays because many large orders will arrive simultaneously. Here are some tips to avoid service delays during the holiday season: 

1) For faster service, place your large orders in the early morning. It is extremely helpful to have orders placed before 9:00 AM. We open at 7:00 AM. Our peak periods are from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. If we are extremely busy, pickup times can slow down. Trucking deliveries are generally slower because of traffic delays and security checks.

2) If you are planning a large batch of gift deliveries, it helps to have one-day advance notice. You can also fax a copy of your deliveries to us or place your order on our website: www.breakawaycourier.com

3) Label your packages completely.  Packages that are not completely labeled languish in the company mailroom.  Always include the recipient's full name, company name, room number, address and phone number. With post-9/11 security, many office buildings will not accept packages without complete information on delivery labels. Also include your return address on the package.

 4) Call ahead to the delivery point to make sure someone is there to receive your package. If you order an evening delivery, make sure the receiving party is open past 5:00 PM. It might make more sense to schedule the delivery for the following morning.

5) Do not procrastinate! Please do not wait until the last minute for a large batch of deliveries. It is advisable to place large gift deliveries by Friday, December 18th.

6) Please circulate this flyer to all employees who are planning to send large batches of deliveries this holiday season.

7) Enjoy the holidays!

 

 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 11 November 2012

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Storm Season

Hurricane Sandy battered the tri-state area last month, with unprecedented damage to property and businesses. The clean-up promises to be long and costly, as well. We want our customers to know that we’re ready to help in any way we can. If you need a messenger-on-demand, trucking, supplies shipped, logistics, or any kind of help in the five boroughs and/or beyond, call us and ask how we can help.

Call Us Definitely

We’re not sure if it was the remnants of Sandy or some Halloween goblins, but the telephones here at Breakaway have been playing tricks on us.  You can now reach us at 212-279-5024. You can also fax an order to 212-947-3335 or, easiest of all, visit our website at www.breakawaycourier.com to place an order online and get all the latest information. 

Thank You!

 It’s coming. Can you feel it? It’s the quiet thunder of that yearly calorie-fest known as Thanksgiving. Turkeys and casseroles and candied yams and beer and potatoes and beer and cranberry sauce and beer. Did we mention beer? It’s a feast fit for a king. Luckily, as monarch of your house, you can order Breakaway to deliver all your Thanksgiving needs to your door. Except live turkeys. You’re on your own for that one.

 Do It!

That most important of all times in the USA is coming up, the right to exercise your franchise and vote. Breakaway urges all our friends and customers, from all ends of the political spectrum, to peaceably assemble at the nearest voting booth and cast your ballot. You can short-sheet your opponent’s bed afterward.  

Blah Blah Blasé

As we look around, especially in suburbia, it seems that there’s a sameness to everything. Target, Best Buy, Whole Foods…Target, Best Buy, Whole Foods. Where’s the variety? Does everything have to look the same?

Quote of the Day

“Innovation is pretending to be innovative.” For all you literati out there. 

The Extra Mile

Actually, that should be “last mile.” What exactly does this mean? It means that if you are a retailer, and have items that you want to deliver to someone, Breakaway can be your “last mile” deliverer, making sure the item gets to the customer. We already provide this service for Patagonia. If you’re interested, call our sales department for details. All the cool kids are doing it.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know what Nikola Tesla invention was crucial for automobiles. Answer: The humble spark-plug.

T-Shirt Question

Which marathoner said, “Damn! This is better than winning an Emmy!”? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

 

 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 10 October 2012

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Boooo-reakawaayy!

The refreshing bite of autumn has blown in, heralding pumpkin ale, sweaters and flannels, and, best of all, Halloween parties! Yes, the time to dress up as a Twilight cast reject or toilet paper mummy is here again. Planning a big All-Hallows bash? Give us a call, and don’t be caught short of jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treat treats, or corn syrup fake blood.

Order! Order!

The modern economy is made up of orders; for food, clothes, stocks, books, etc. What do they all have in common? You can do them all online. You can order runs from Breakaway online also; just visit www.breakawacourier.com, and let your mouse do the walking.  

Idle Hands

The MTA in NYC takes a lot of unnecessary flack, but not in this instance. News outlets have reported that fares may rise again, but at the same time, they’re hemorrhaging $800K a year. The culprit? Idling vehicles. Inspectors found that MTA employees let vehicles idle more than 20,000 hours a year, wasting 21,000 gallons of gas. Yet another reason to pedal to work.

Trust Your Instincts

He looked like he really didn’t need the job, arriving in a three-piece suit but we took him on as a driver anyway. We should listen to those little voices in our heads, because he became the bane of our existence. We were forced to downsize him as he insisted on driving around with the deliveries strapped to the roof of his impeccably appointed van.

Elevator Talk

“Yeah, well, I told him that already. What will saying that again fix?”

Yet another scintillating conversation overheard by our couriers.

Miss Me Kate

In the modern age, journalism can be pretty gritty, and sometimes ugly. Proudly, we at Breakaway can say that we don’t stoop to sensationalism. Although the photographer begged and pleaded with us, we refused to publish the Kate Middleton pics that several other news outlets have. Hey, we have standards here.

Not All Quicksilver

We know that our “Triple Rush” show and now the “Premium Rush” movie make it look like the messenger biz is all about being hip and riding single-gear, cool bikes, but we also do a fair amount of truck work. We’ve got everything from vans to 24-foot lift-gate trucks. So, if you have a load that would squash a hipster and his bike, call our trucking department.

Stump the Band

Last month we wanted to know who was the first person to have been born to parents who both went into space. Answer: Elena Andrianova Nikolaeva-Tereshkova, daughter of cosmonauts Andrian Nikolaev and first woman in space Valentina Tereshkova.

T-Shirt Question

He’s best known for developing AC current, but what Nikola Tesla invention was crucial for automobiles? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt. 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 9 September 2012

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Weekend Labors

Don’t put that barbecue grill away just yet, because Labor Day Weekend is almost here! This year, Labor Day is Monday the 3rd, so we’ll be closed that day. Be sure to plan your deliveries accordingly and relax as much as possible so you hit the ground running when you come back to work.

Fashion Victims

September 5th is the start of Fashion Week here in New York City, which means if you’re lucky, you’ll see a fashion model or three. Then again, this is New York, so you might see them anyway. And if you want to be really stylish, just call for one of our fashion-forward messengers. They’re always ahead of the curve. 

Paper? How Quaint

As we mentioned last newsletter, we now have the ability to do paperless invoicing. This has proved to be a really big hit, and we’ve had a lot of inquiries about it. If you want to save some trees, and some postage, contact us about our new paperless invoicing by e-mailing to paperless@breakawaycourier.com. Birds also deserve a home!

Silver Screen

First, there was “Messenger.” Then, the bigger budget “Quicksilver.” Now, Hollywood is at it again with a new messenger movie, “Premium Rush.” Of course, we know why Tinsel Town keeps coming back for more. They are, no doubt, inspired by the critically acclaimed “Triple Rush” on the Travel Channel (now available on http://new.hulu.com/triple-rush)! Who wouldn’t want to be like our messengers?! On a related note, Breakaway Office Manager AY now has star power in his native Escanaba, MI because of Triple Rush. He always draws a crowd of at least three when he visits.

Synergism

A lot of kafuffle is made of the “global economy,” but we also have a pretty well articulated regional economy. How do we know? Because a lot of our customers do business both in NYC and Boston. If you’re like them, you’ll be glad to know that Breakaway has an office in Boston as well! Call us to find out how we can help you with your business needs between Gotham and Beantown.

Mobile Concierge

Guy Friday. Gal Friday. Gopher. Handyman. Roustabout. All ways of saying the same thing; someone who performs concierge services. From filing to running for coffee, our messengers can provide these services on the run. Just call and ask.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked: What was the longest bicycle sponsorship ever in the UK? Answer: The Milk Race, now known as the Tour of Britain, was sponsored by the Milk Marketing Board for 35 years.

T-Shirt Question

Two American legends passed recently: Sally Ride and Neil Armstrong. Who was the first child born to a mother and a father who had both traveled into space? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 8 August 2012

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Paperless Trail

On July 1st, Breakaway Courier switched courier software, moving from Courier Complete to Xcelerator.  Reviews among staff so far are positive, and it has one really cool feature: you can have your invoice e-mailed, rather than snail-mailed, to you. If you want to go paperless, contact us at paperless@breakawaycourier.com.

USA! USA!

A heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes representing the States, just for even making it to the big stage. You really showed them what you’ve got!

Tempus Fugit

It’s August, and you know what that means; it means that summer is almost over. For some, that means last minute beach flings and road trips, as we all try to squeeze the last bits of summer out of the year. Breakaway can help.  Call us if you need party supplies, surf boards, or coolers shipped.

Dry As a Bone

We’ve been getting plenty of rain here in the Northeast recently, but don’t complain. This past June saw the worst drought in the country since 1956, according to the National Climate Data Center, with about 55% of the nation in short-term severe drought conditions. Kind of makes you want to go singin’ in the rain.

Transcendental

It worked for George Harrison and Jim Morrison, so we think it’ll work for us also. All our couriers are now taking courses in transcendental meditation. Someday, we expect all our messengers to simply float above the everyday melee of traffic, and arrive serenely at their destination. For now, we’ll settle for less irritated.

Welcome Aboard

A warm welcome to the newest members of the Breakaway family. Breakaway Boston has just acquired Express-It Delivery, as well as their customers. We look forward to providing them with the same quality service and professionalism that has made Breakaway the premier courier company in New York and Boston.

Road Rash

Congratulations to Bradley “Wiggo” Wiggins, for being the first Briton to win the Tour de France in 89 editions of the elite bicycle race. Wiggins and his team, Team Sky, took the yellow jersey in the second week of the Tour, and defended it all the way to Paris. Crashes marked this year’s Tour; so many people hit the tarmac that some team buses looked more like ambulances. We have rash also, but ours is from not getting up from the couch the entire time.

Stump the Band

Last month we asked who won the very first Tour de France Feminin? Answer: Marianne Martin, of the United States.

T-Shirt Question

A Brit has won the Tour this year, but what was the longest bicycle sponsorship in the UK ever? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

Breakaway News Volume No. 17 Issue No. 7 July 2012

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Happy Fourth

Happy Birthday to us! Happy Birthday to us! And when we say “us,” we mean the U.S. of A, of course. Here’s wishing all of our customers a happy, healthy, and safe Fourth of July celebration. Remember, large or small, our fleet of cyclists and truckers can deliver everything you need to celebrate. Except cannons. If you want one of those delivered, you’re on your own.

On the Move

After many years ensconced in the West 30s, Breakaway is preparing to pull up stakes and move. Why? The 7 train extension is causing real estate speculation here to soar, and the landlord won’t renew the lease, as they’re looking to convert to condos. We’re looking for a new place to call home, so if anyone has a ‘dark space’ (i.e. space not officially on the real estate market) they know about, tell us.

Breakaway Labs

With drones the new favorite toy of the Pentagon, we were wondering if we could get some to use for moving packages. Strangely, everytime we asked to talk to someone about drones, we kept getting transferred to an apiary. That’s when it hit us; we could breed a new kind of messenger! We’re currently breeding killer bees to become messenger bees. The buzz is that it’s going quite smoothly, although they look somewhat like John Belushi. 

Photo Phobia

Our messengers and racers have had a busy pictorial season. Pictures of cyclists wearing Breakaway kit have appeared on Facebook, the Wall Street Journal, and other esteemed news outlets. So many, in fact, that we’ve decided that we can play our own courier version of “Where’s Waldo.” Fame at last!

Shout Out

All of our customers are awesome, discerning, and discriminating people, but every so often, one stands out. This month, we’d like to give a shout out to Katie at WP Carey for being very supportive of not just Breakaway, but of the individual couriers that risk it all on the streets everyday. Yay Katie!

Allez!

July is upon us, and that means that many of us cycling fans at Breakaway will be glued to the web, TV, and other assorted media outlets for news of the Tour de France. The Tour starts a day early this year, on June 30th, in Liege, Belgium (yes, we know; that’s not France). Also, six women from Team Réve will ride the same route as the racers, and try to complete it in roughly the same time. Go, ladies, go!

Stump the Band

Last month we asked where and when the first bicycle sharing program was launched. Answer: the 

White Bicycle Project, in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1965.

T-Shirt Question

Six women will ride the Tour route this year, but did you know that there was a Tour Feminin? Who was the Feminin’s very first winner? The first person to call Gil Ortiz with the correct answer will win a coveted Breakaway T-shirt.

 

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At Breakaway we are updating our online ordering software. This change will begin July 1st. the new website can be found at clients.breakawaycourier.com. 

Though it’s not a big change from an online ordering perspective, it will enable us to serve you more quickly and with greater accuracy.

YOUR USER ID is now a combination of your previous Web ID and your Account Number.  Your Password remains the same.

For example, on the previous system you would have entered this information:

ACCOUNT NUMBER:  1234

WEB ID:  Breakaway

PASSWORD: Courier

You’ll now enter the information as follows:

USER ID:  Breakaway1234

PASSWORD:  Courier

Be assured that we have transferred your address book to the new system.  Further, all information on transactions prior to July 1, 2012 can be found by clicking this link.

If you have any questions, please give us a call at 212-947-7777 or email website@breakawaycourier.com


As always, thank you for being a Breakaway customer.