Monday, 30 April 2007

Shipping Break For Two Days!

Kindly be informed that shipping will be suspended on Tuesday (1st May) and Wednesday (2nd May) due to Labour Day and Wesak Day respectively.

Last week, we had a day off from the holiday to celebrate the installation of the new King of Malaysia. This week, we have two days break and Saturday off as well for being the first Saturday of the week.

Naturally, all these breaks aren't good for business but what options do I have? There are Buyers who are waiting for their packages *sigh*

Cyberpartygal's WebStore will still open, though, as usual!!! Do come and shop! Thank you!

Video On Demand Thanks To LePlayer

I am connected to the internet almost the whole day and I stream a lot of videos to kill boredom. There are times when I do want to keep the videos that are streamed but my video player would not let me save the video and I had no idea how to do it.

I was complaining to my friend about my lack of technology know-how when he recommended LePlayer to me. He said that with LePlayer, which is a free
streaming video player, enables me to watch video on demand from anywhere around the world while surfing the internet.

Moreover, there is a huge database of videos from over a thousand categories from news to sports to entertainment and many more where I can easily search, watch and save my favorite videos to my computer, mobile phone or any other media device.

With the player's capability to float, I will be multi-tasking at my best; watching videos on the side while working! I can’t wait to download the player. It is free after all!

Video Marketing Through Leads By Video

If you have been following my blog closely, you would have known that it is now the rage to go into video marketing. Text advertisement can no longer grab that attention that videos can.

The launched Leads By Video later this year allows on to create and upload a 30-second video to market his product or service and be on the Leads By Video play lists for free forever after watching 90 seconds of video.

Actually, people who can make great videos can showcase their creativity on Leads By Video so that merchants can view these demo videos and perhaps hire the producers to create their own video advertisement or informercial at a lower cost.

The content of videos that will be screened on Leads By Video will be slightly different than those that are on other video sharing sites.

Here, people not only look out for videos with entertainment value but also videos that carry a message that actually make people remember what is being shown in the video. Since video marketing is a new medium, many people are very excited to see what direction it would head to in the near future and how it can bring leads to the advertiser.

Launch of North Shore Auto Auction Website

Since I am always on the look out for great auction deals and marketplaces, a reader asked me if I have heard of the new website of North Shore Auto Auction. Since I have a pal in Chicago, I checked out the website in case there is a good deal that my pal could benefit from.

North Shore Auto Auction regularly holds Chicago public auto auctions so this website is not an auction marketplace but it is set up to showcase cheap used cars for sale or auction.

People who are interested in attending one of the public auctions held by North Shore Auto Auction can surf the website to check out what vehicles are available first and if they have questions, they can chat online with staff of North Shore Auto Auction or leave a message which will be attended to shortly.

If you have ever wondered where to find cheap
used cars for sale in Chicago, then this is the place to be.

Get all the facts right first and then go to a North Shore Public Auto Auction at the venue, date and time stated on the homepage and then get the advantage over other bidders. Other companies would only be sending out lists of cars available for auctions but North Shore Auto Auction has gone one up by setting up an interactive website to facilitate their auctions.

Nurofen Plus For Strong Pain Relief

Do you know that there is a strong pain reliever by the name of Nurofen Plus? I just came across this product this morning. It is actually a combination of ibuprofen and codeine and is the answer to people who are seeking a powerful temporary relieve to strong pain and inflammation.

The ibuprofen works on the inflammation while codeine sends a signal to the brain so that the brain's perception of pain is drastically reduced.

I am sure there are times when we suffer from one kind of pain or another and just wish to be rid of the pain. Nurofen Plus has been proven to be effective for dental pain, menstrual pain, migraine, arthritic pain ad muscular pain, just to name a few.

Having said this, one must be cautious when self-medicating with Nurofen Plus. If you are allergic to certain medications or suffering from an ailment, then you should not self-medicate.

If you have taken Nurofen Plus without an improvement after three days, you are advised to consult a medical practitioner. Bear in mind that Nurofen Plus is a strong pain reliever and should be taken with care.

Meeting Our Goji Needs In One Place

I have in the past blogged about the goodness and health benefits that I derived from Goji Berries. Actually to accommodate my busy lifestyle, I prefer to take Goji Juice because it is easier when I am on the move. When I am at home, though, I like to munch on goji berries while working at the computer.

Although goji berries have been so popular, a friend has just recently heard of it. He asked me where I bought my goji products. He has seen some places selling at exorbitant prices and he has been put off from trying goji berries or juice because he could hardly afford it.

I told him about the competitive prices at Gojiberries.us. My friends know that I am a careful shopper and am always on the look out for the best deals. Moreover, Gojiberries.us offers such a wide variety of goji products that my friend can have all his goji needs met here in one place.

Get Paid To Blog Through Smorty

It's no secret that I blog for money. What some of you may not know is that it has been six months already. During this period of time, I have seen the growth of the blog advertising marketplace and it becomes increasingly interesting for both bloggers and advertisers alike.

Smorty is a new set up which allows bloggers to get paid to blog. I love it that I can get paid for blogging on things that I normally already blog on. A little compensation helps to keep me motivated in up keeping my blog.

Smorty facilitates advertisers to advertise on blogs. As you know, blog advertising is now all the rage. If you are have a product or service that you would like to advertise, you can, through Smorty, pay bloggers to write opinion posts on your product or service with back links to your website, exposing your website to people from all walks of life from across the globe as well as increasing the Page Rank of your website thanks to the play on keywords that are assigned to the bloggers.

I have used quite a number of similar marketplaces that lets me blog for money and I must say, Smorty is one of the top marketplaces with its features and user-friendliness.

If you would like to get paid for blogging, like me, join me on Smorty. There is no harm in trying!

Digital Photo Frame For The Photographer

My good friend's birthday is coming up next month and I spent some time thinking what to get for him. He is a photographer and that makes it easy in my gift selection. I have previously come across Digitalframez.com, an online electronic store that specializes in digital photo LCD screens, or what is more popularly known as digital frames.

Since my friend takes a lot of digital photographs in the course of his work, for pleasure during his travels and when testing out the latest camera models, I figured a digital photo frame is the perfect gift for him.

The
digital picture frame with a nine and ten inch frame that is sold on DigitalFramez.com comes with a free 128MB memory card.

I am sure my friend would love one of these digital frames as he doesn't need to print out his photos since they can be viewed on the digital photo frame even without a computer.

The largest digital picture frame with a ten inch screen with the free memory card at only $199 is really a steal. What a small price to pay for such an advanced electronic gadget!

Accountant Comparison Site

My friend asked me where he could find an accountant that is honest, reliable an trustworthy. I do not know but I helped him to find online. While searching, I stumbled upon an accountant comparison website in the United Kingdom. While it is not suitable for my friend who needs an accountant in Malaysia, it did not stop me from checking the website out because I think it is a novel idea to compare professionals!

I have previously seen websites that compare prices of products, insurance, mortgages and even building contractors so this is a first. Websites like this provide great value to the shopper as we always want the best products and services at a more competitive price.

I feel that JustAccountants a website that is beneficial to both accountants and individual or companies seeking accountant services. The fact that staff of JustAccountants personally matches client’s enquiries with the right accountants means that only the most suitable accountants who can meet the client's needs will be matched, no matter if the client is an individual or a corporation.

One the other hand, this site creates Leads for accountants, payroll and bookkeepers as well because they can join the site and generate more clients for themselves.

Sunday, 29 April 2007

The eCommerce Software I Have In Mind

A couple of days ago, I received an email through my contact form of my online store. This person had made a fake order on my store and then contacted me to sell me his shopping cart software. He said that the shopping cart of my store is not good. Well, he knows because he just placed a bogus order.

I did not take too kindly to that, of course. Firstly, he placed an order with the sole intention of testing my ecommerce software and secondly, he contacted me to sell me something unsolicited and I consider that as spam mail.

I do not have any reason to change my current ecommerce software and if I were to change it, I would have used one that comes highly recommended by fellow etraders, like Ashop Commerce shopping cart software.

According to my colleagues, Ashop Commerce would be just right for me because it is web-based and does not require installation or technical know-how. Oh, how I struggled with my current ecommerce software! It took me two full weeks working on it to go live.

I have been told that I can start selling straight away with Ashop and it has a fully customisable design. My friends stressed that Ashop is the best ecommerce software for me because it is very affordable and yet comes with gold standard features. They know that I am a discerning shopper and will never pay premium price for something that is priced at a more competitive price without compromising on quality and features.

I did reply to my spammer, telling him that I already have Ashop Commerce shopping cart software in mind and that he should try it too!

Rodeo Drive Breast Augmentation

A colleague of mine has been complaining that her past boyfriends have dumped her because she is not well-endowed. I don't know how true that is but she claims that their new girlfriends always have better shape than her. She is adamant to get a breast augmentation procedure done and is frantically saving money. She only wants to do it at the best breast augmentation clinic, Rodeo Drive.

I am not sure if this will help her in holding on to her boyfriend, when she has a new one. Maybe it's all in her head. Maybe it is her character that has turned her ex-boyfriends off and not her body? I don't know. However, as her colleague, if she feels that breast augmentation would improve the quality of life and provides her with self-confidence, which she obviously lacks, then I will surely support her!

Moreover, since she is opting for Rodeo Drive Breast Augmentation, It gives me peace of mind that she will be having the best surgeons take care of her.

Should I Get A College Degree?

I am thinking of getting a college degree online and have done some research of online universities that offers either business or marketing. These are courses that interest me.

A friend recommended me Capella University, an online university that offers a wide range of courses, including business and marketing.

Moreover, he said that a faculty member from the School of Business and Technology, has just co-authored a book along with two ladies, titled ‘Appreciative Coaching: A Positive Process for Change’. Recent research suggests that people will flourish better when they focus on human ideals and achievements. This book uses positive questions and tools to acknowledge the strengths of people to effect this change.

This is a very interesting theory and I bet that studying in Capella University would be a challenge.

This blog post was based on information provided by Blogitive.
For more information, please visit Blogitive.com.

Management, Financial or Otherwise

I previously wrote a post that it does not matter how much a person earns but proper financial management will make the difference in whether one is well off or not.

My friend, though, is of the opinion that one mustn't slave for money. He said that it is useless if one has the ability to earn a lot of money if he is not able to enjoy it. I do agree with him but I also stand by my own opinion.

I got to know of a business owner who is a very visionary man. His ideas are brilliant and are always ahead of time. However, the way he works, one has the impression that he does not know the value of money.

He was, in my opinion, overpaying his employees and these employees, seeing that he was so loose with his money, were always trying to dip their fingers in the till. If he had shown that he is always in top of things, no employee would dare to do such a thing.

Because of his management, employees took advantage of him, and they resign before getting caught. This caused the high turnover of staff and the company was very disorganised.

One needs to have proper management of a company in order for it to flourish and being over generous with money is not one of the ways.

Expanding Social Network With Just Say Hi!

I was talking to a friend just now, spending long hours counselling him, actually. He was feeling self-pity as he just broke off with his long time girlfriend. He said that after being with this girl for so long, his social circle among the opposite gender has shrunk considerably.

I suggested that he should join free dating services that are in abundance online. Joining one does not mean that one is desperate in seeking a partner but one it is a good way to expand his social network.

A couple of my colleagues have been successful with Just Say Hi. It is a totally free site so there is nothing to lose. They don't even require our credit card number, so it IS really free.

I hope that my friend will come out of his self-pity and start enjoying life once again!

Saturday, 28 April 2007

Pushing Yourself Forward

As an eSeller, I think it is imperative to push ourselves forward. The internet is ever changing and internet users are all very web savvy so we have to be one step ahead of the buying population to bring them the latest products and at a competitive price too.

One disadvantage about selling online is that your buyer has most probably browsed a hundred and one online stores that are selling a similar item before making a buy decision.

Therefore, the Seller with an edge over its competitor will most probably clinch this sale.

In this sense, I think business is more challenging for eSellers than for traditional brick and mortar retailers since in traditional business, your competitors are confined to businesses in the same building or the same city, but on the internet, every online store that sells similar items is a competitor no matter which country it is from.

Check City Continues To Grow

Check City, the company that provides hassle-free online payday advance continues to grow with their loans now made available to residents of California and Alaska, serving them alongside residents from across the nation.

Payday loans are great for people who are in need of fast cash as a short term loan to be repaid when they receive their next pay check. People can have piece of mind when they know they have this safety net in case of emergency.

Getting a payday advance is way better than getting loans from friends. Did you know that if you are unable to meet the repayment, you can request for an extension on your loan?

Starting A Business

It is easy to start a business but it is not easy to build it up, sustain it and maintain a flawless reputation. I have seen many people whose enthusiasm wears off pretty quickly and they start to neglect it. On the other hand, there are some people who grab all the opportunities that come without building a strong foundation for the company, hence not allowing room for it to grow first before branching off. In the end, it becomes a bridge too far and everything falls apart.

In business, one must have the acumen even if he has the vision. I have seen a very brilliant man whose idea was financially backed by one of the local tycoons but the venture still failed because his management sucked.

He did not build a solid foundation for his company before starting new departments, taking over companies at inflated prices, and in the end, failed to follow through with the sale, hence the Seller take back the company by default due to failure of the Buyer to meet his payment schedule.

For someone like him, it is a real pity when he could be someone big but he ran too fast even before learning to walk that he tripped over himself. To venture into business, one has to be sure-footed. The man I cited above lost tens of millions of Ringgit. No doubt, I am sure he has gained a wealth of experience but is it not better to gain the experience while coming out on top rather than the bottom?

Turning Browsers into Buyers

It is easier said than done when it comes to turning browsers into buyers. Most people would surf around a site and take long minutes to ponder if he should make a purchase. Sometimes even if he has placed an order, he may back out of paying for it.

Ease of payment is very important. From my own experience as a shopper, if I find it difficult to make payment, I sometimes feel like calling the deal off. However, I am a Seller myself, so I know that once I have placed an order, I am going to see it through. But how many people have this sense of responsibility?

Also, I find that some people, especially people who have funds in Paypal but are unable or have difficulty inc ashing the funds out, are more prone to not think twice in making purchases. People like these are good for our business. So if we can just give them a little nudge, we will have a sale.

For a more professional explanation on how to turn browsers into buyers, download Michelle Howe's free chapter of her ebook "Turn Browsers into Buyers" from
Internet Word Magic.

Gift Basket Ideas From MyGiftBasketIdeas.com

It Mother's Day soon and it is the time of the year for gift-giving. I came across MyGiftBasketIdeas.com, an online store that specializes in Gift Baskets for all occasions, from baby showers to housewarming to real estate closing or get well soon!

There are various types of gift baskets offered by MyGiftBasketIdeas.com that suit any budget. Moreover, when you sign up for the newsletter, you will be eligible to receive a 12% discount off your first purchase. When you purchase above $75, you will receive free shipping across Continental America.

I think that MyGiftBasketIdeas.com has unique gift baskets that will surprise your recipient, and with the discount and free shipping, it is a steal shopping with them!

Giving Mass Mailing Another Shot

I mentioned that I did not manage to get a sale at all in February and a fellow e-trader was shocked. Well, the thing is, I have been busy and do not have time to search for Business Sales Leads. Isn't it unfortunate?

This friend told me that he has been using the mailing lists from Martin Worldwide with success. He said that since sending out email to mailing lists provided by Martin Worldwide, he was seen a significant jump in his sales. He even showed me his recent sales chart and I am impressed to say the list.

I have actually done this before and did not have the desired results so I am rather hesitant to send out unsolicited mail but my friend said that if I were to purchase my list from Martin Worldwide, I would have a ready audience because these are the people who have been looking for my product or service and they would definitely welcome what I have to offer.

If he put it that way, I am of course ready to give it another shot.

Delivering On The Promise

I recently had to deal with a computer shop. I bought an item from them which caused a conflict on my computer. So I took everything to the computer shop where they tried to troubleshoot to find out the problem. They took a couple of hours just to find out what was wrong, all without charge.

Subsequently, they said that I will have to format my computer which I will have to pay for it since my computer was not purchased from them but if after the format, I still could not make my gadget work, they will buy back my item from me.

After formatting my PC, which I was charged, but at a discount, the item still could not work. It was not that the item is faulty or does the fault lie with my computer. Both are working fine as they are but they just are not compatible. I feel that I should not be penalized for this.

In the end, the shop did buy the item back from me, at a price that we are both satisfied with. Their policy is only to buy back items that have not been opened before, or registered for warranty, which I did both. My logic is that if I do not open the item, how will I ever know that it is not compatible with my computer?

Anyway, they did buy back, they charged me less for formatting my computer and most of all the delivered what they promise. Although I was stressed out with the incompatible purchase, I do not hold it against the shop and I was happy with the treatment I received.

A shop like this is surely worthy of my recommendation.

AIMPromote's User-friendly CRM Software

As my customer base grows, I am finding it increasingly difficult to maintain a good customer relationship. I have heard of customer relationship management but I never paid much attention to it until a friend has told me that his company is using the CRM software by AIMPromote.

He said that he has actually used quite a few and have found them complex and difficult to use until he found AIMPromote. The CRM software by AIMPromote, as a comparison, is easy to implement and user-friendly. He said there is not technical issues involved and anyone could use it.

He is fully satisfied with the features and performance of AIMPromote's CRM software and highly recommends it to me.

Friday, 27 April 2007

A Seller's Responsibility

There was a debate on whose responsibility it is if an item that was delivered is broken or cracked.

I think that no matter what shipping mode a Buyer has selected, it is the Seller's responsibility to make sure that the package is well-packed with adequate buffering and tightly wrapped. If an item is fragile, all the more the Seller has to ensure that the item will reach the Buyer in one piece.

It really does not matter if the Buyer has opted for Registered Mail, Pos Ekspres or Poslaju, I would apply the same packaging to my outgoing packages.

On the other hand, if the item is lost during transit then the Seller has to assist the Buyer in making a claim from the post office or shipping company. However, if there is no insurance coverage, then the does not lie on the Seller. Insurance is to be bought by the Buyer but Seller must remember to give this option to the Buyer.

Save On Green Golfing Online Store

I came across this golfing online store that is updated with golf deals and offers on a daily basis. Apparently, there are many deals here that cannot be found on other similar shopping sites because Save On Green has the connection! Retailers will inform Save On Green as soon as they have a special deal and this good news will be posted on Save On Green as soon as possible.

Shopping at Save On Green, you can be sure that you will be buying at the lowest possible price and there is never the worry of getting something and then discovering that some other sites is selling it cheaper.

To me, the best thing about Save On Green is that you can request for a deal on a particular item and the people at Save On Green will scour the internet FOR YOU. Isn't it amazing?

Standing By Your Word

It is very important to stand by your word in business. If you have misquoted a price, I feel that it is important to stand by it, even if it causes you to lose money. If you go back on your word, your customer may go through with this transaction, but this is not the way to build his trust and you can be sure that is the last time you will see him.

Therefore, think carefully before you reply an email with a quotation if you are unsure.

I have come across people who will write something in an email and before you have the chance to reply, they will shoot you another email with an amended price. I feel that this reflects badly on your business acumen and will only tarnish your reputation.

If you have made a mistake on your pricing, let it be. It may cost you money ONCE but the reputation is LIFETIME.

Earning Customer Trust Online

I recently read an article on internet marketing that says that to earn and build customer trust online, we need a combination of three components; good branding, good design, and good content.

Websites with all three components will create a seemingly safe shopping experience for the shopper, well at least people will feel safer and will have no qualms about disclosing credit card details or delivery information.

This is what we want to create, otherwise, no one will dare to disclose this information and we will not achieve any sales, right?

It is important to reassure our customers that we will NEVER give out or sell their information to third parties, and we have to write this in huge font and place it near the the email sign up option.

For my own
webstore, I have a page dedicated to my Privacy policy. But are there people reading or not? If you are shopping online, make sure you read the privacy policy first. I am sure you don't want any surprises, do you?

Personal Computer or Laptop?

I have been using personal computers all these while and am thinking of buying a laptop. My friend says that I never go anywhere and a laptop would be a waste. So shall I buy a personal computer yet again?

My cousin just bought a HP desktop computer and I gave it a test run and I really love the system. But I am thinking of having a change and go for a laptop. Even though I may not have the chance to go anywhere, I would love to surf the internet from bed for once!

I have heard of great deals from HP for notebook computers and have talked to a few friends who are die-hard HP users. So which shall I buy??? Help me to decide, ok?

Soliciting Business On The Boards

Previously, I mentioned that a couple of local eBayers have been misusing the community group mailing list to announce their own businesses. I look at this as an abuse of position and power.

This past couple of days when I had some free time on my hands, I surfed the forums and community Boards and to my horror, saw these two same people asking people openly to view their auction listings for more info. I think this is a breach of the Terms of Service.

Normally, even when we have a link to our listing on eBay in our signature, we would be warned, but nowadays it's so common to see people with links that point not only to their listings but to a third party external online store or commercial blog.

Judging from the many times they mentioned their listings publicly on the Boards, these two aren't even getting a warning. Perhaps they are "somebody"?

To be frank, it is sickening that there is double standards on the Boards.

Seek With MasterSeek

Many people have wondered to me where they can find a reliable supplier. These people would like to start venturing into business and want to be their own bosses. Many think that going into business, especially ecommerce, is very easy. Well, the first step is of course to search for a product or a service that you can buy and resell.

One of the sites that I search on in is the Masterseek search engine. This is a search engine where you find companies and businesses exclusively from around the world. What I like about this search engine is that I am able to search for information in all countries or in a specific country. Besides, I can have the search results rendered in my local language too.

It is free to view basic company profile including information on management, products and website address. With more than 45 million companies listed in 75 countries, I would say there WILL be at least a company that one could do business with.

Auction With A Difference

Here's something exciting that I am sure readers would be interested in. It is a reverse auction on bid4prizes. I have often wondered what is a reverse auction and never understood how the game works. However, with having come across Bid4Prizes, I finally know how to play it. It is explained so simply and yes, it is easy to play and anyone who has entered the lowest unique bid will win one of the many cool prizes on auction.

I would really love to win an Apple iPhone. Aside from the fact that it is the hottest phone in own right now, I am desperately in need of a new phone. Although my current phone is still functioning, it is old. If I were to win it, I would be using it, of course! It's time for a new phone, anyway!

Check out Bid4Prizes and why not try your luck too?

Adopting The Blue Door Service

I came across the term "Blue Door Service" in one of the websites I randomly visited but I have forgotten its address. What I remember is that this term means to provide service that exceeds the expected.

I think this is what every business entity should adopt. Although my business is only a small entity, I do my best to go beyond what is expected of me. Most people are appreciative but some think that no matter what you do, it is the norm and what they have paid for. So they EXPECT that.

I do concede that it is not easy to please everyone all the time. We can only please some people some of the time but at least we TRY.

Thursday, 26 April 2007

Business Broadband For Cost Effective Communication

One of the first items on Paul's list of to-do things when he set up his branch office in London was to get an internet broadband line. This is very important as he has to communicate easily with staff from both the head office in New York City and in London. With business broadband access, he could voice chat online and even video conference. This cuts down the overhead of his company.

Many of his associates use the conventional telephone to make calls between offices and run up a huge bill but Paul knows that it is more worthwhile to have a broadband package right from the start.

Mother's Day Chocolate Covered Strawberries

One of my buyers wanted to know what gift to get for his mother this Mother's Day, besides the usual fancy dinner. I suggested that he get some Mothers Day chocolate covered strawberries because these are not the normal chocolate covered strawberries but they are very special handcrafted that is individually selected, hand dipped and packed with much care and love.

Mothers Day chocolate gifts are well-loved by most mothers and they make one of the best gifts. I believe that no matter what age a woman is, one can never go wrong with chocolate gifts!

I told him that Mothers Day chocolate covered strawberries actually come in three different packages and I am sure he will find the one that best suits his budget. One dozen packages are only $59.99 while two-dozen packs are reasonably priced at $69.99.

Moreover, he can make a special request for sugar-free gifts for his mother and Chocolate Covered Company may be able to accommodate his request.

Making An International Move

My friend was very excited that her husband finally clinched the position that he has always dreamed of. The bad news is that he has to be based overseas and he would like his family to be with him too.

My friend told me that this is where the headache begins. She doesn't even know how to go about moving some of her family's furniture and personal effects. Relocating within the country is hassle enough, what more an international move.

I told her not to worry and recommended Service Network to her. I believe that she will be matched with a
cheap moving company that will be able to accommodate her needs and budget. Service Network has assisted more than 50,000 customers make a smooth move over the past year and it will not be any different for my friend.

Development on Phishing Mails

We were told that phishing mails will not have our names but we will be addressed as "Dear member" but with the new phishing mails, they do have our names there. We have to be extra vigilant and never click on links in emails from security sensitive websites.

It has been reported that people have received phishing mails purportedly from eBay and Paypal addressing them in their real names. This is scary, one can't be too careful nowadays, you know?

I guess even scammers and fraudsters have to keep moving a step ahead in technology to beat the system so let's not fall into their trap. Spread the message too, if you have the chance.

Mailbox Over Quota

I recently had a winner for an item that I have put on auction. When the auction ended, as usual, I contacted him with payment details. Unfortunately, his mailbox was over quota. I spent the next few days trying and trying to send the mail out to him.

I think that if someone wants to bid on a item, it is his responsibility to make sure that he is contactable. Why bother to bid on and item and then not clear out his mailbox, making it so difficult for people to send an invoice.

Really, the excuse of being without a computer or internet access is no excuse at all. If I know that I have a chance of winning an item and my computer or internet access is down, I would at least try my best to get online from the cyber cafe, for example, and email my Seller. Isn't that the proper way to go about it? But I guess, once again, I can't expect everyone to be like me, can I?

Finally, my message went through but till today, I haven't receive his acknowledgement, let alone payment. I guess this is another deal down the drain.

Meeting Investment Goals With PowerOptions

A blog reader told me that investing in precious metals is a little too out of reach for him. He would like my opinion on what is his next bets investment plan. I told him about investing into stock options. Of course, I have to tell him that in any investment plan, there will always be risk but this risk can be minimized if he has all the hard facts presented to him.

By using the suite of tools from PowerOptions, he will be provided with all the essential data, thanks to these useful tools which he will not find anywhere else. He can search, compare, analyze, sort and filter all available stock options which can help him to get the highest returns on his investment.

PowerOptions provides him with a competitive edge to help him achieve his investment goals whether it is for the short or long term.

Planet Label For All Your Labeling Needs

I stumbled upon an online store that specializes in labels. No matter what is your purpose of labeling, you are sure to find it on PlanetLabel.com.

Planet Label carries the full range of labels including hard to find labels like waterproof labels, kraft labels and even promotional products custom printed just for you.

What I like about the online store is its layout. Products are prominently displayed on the landing page and all items are neatly categorized. It is very simple to navigate the site and one can search for a product using a keyword quick search or an advanced search where more details are required.

Check out Planet Label. You just might be surprised with what you will find.

eBay's Revenue From Auctions

I read that eBay has been facing a downtrend in total revenue from auctions. This has been caused by eBay's increasing fees that are borne by Sellers. eBay is a one-way street market place where all fees incurred are borne by Sellers only. With the rising cost of listing and selling on eBay, many big time Sellers have moved the bulk of their inventory to other free-list auction places.

From reports, many Sellers felt that they have been short-changed, not only in the numerous rises in fees but also in sudden suspension of accounts on eBay as well as Paypal, a sister company of eBay.

A suspended will not only affect a Seller's revenue but also put a black dot on his reputation when existing and potential Buyers will be able to see the suspended status and wondered what fraud the Seller has committed. This mars a Seller's reputation.

Moreover, some people claims that after an investigation, their accounts were released without so much as an apology or at least an explanation. I think it is unfair to treat Sellers this way.

eBay does offer protection to Buyers but without Sellers, who will be paying the fees and the money to run a site like eBay? Just think about it.

Wednesday, 25 April 2007

Mortgage Information in the UK

My cousin and her boyfriend are contemplating buying a house in London. Everyone knows that property in London do not come cheap but the rumour that interest rates may rise, affecting house prices, is a worry to both my cousin and her boyfriend. They wondered that if now is not the right time to buy, then when is?

They spent long hours using the Mortgage Calculator to see the mortgage loan that they qualify for. A mortgage is a long term commitment and they would like to check out all the available mortgages first before making a commitment.

I told them about the website, 1mortgagesuk.co.uk where they will be able to obtain more information, especially since they will be first time house buyers. From that site, they will also be able to fill out a simple online mortgages form to try to determine the type of mortgage that best suit them.

My cousin was very thankful for the help. She definitely had her doubts cleared thanks to 1mortgagesuk.co.uk!

La Senza's Latest Shopping Discount Coupon Code

I once wrote about shopping with a La Senza coupon code which gave me a 15% discount, saving me a hefty sum and that post generated me quite a lot of traffic so I am sure this is going to be good news to many people.

La Senza Lingerie is once again having an online store wide sale where you will receive a 15% discount on any item purchased from their online store. Sale starts from now until 29th April, 2007, 11:59pm EST.

Please make sure to enter the discount code SHOPFF0424 when you check out. I repeat, it is SHOPFF0424.

If you are a prestige member of La Senza Lingerie, you will save an additional 10%. That means you will save a total of 25% off your total purchase.

Happy shopping! And stay tuned for more good news in the very near future!

Tuesday, 24 April 2007

Connecting Amateur Video Reviews To Products

A smart shopper will always compare prices from various sources before making a purchase. It s in fact easier to make price comparisons for online purchases than from brick-n-mortar stores because stores online are just a mouse click away.

The good news is now, SlingShop, a new Shopping Comparison Site Offers Video Reviews by connecting amateur video reviews to products listed on the website.

This will really captivate our attention and will definitely help us make a more informed purchase. If you are addicted to online shopping like me, better take advantage of the comprehensive price comparison offered by SlingShop now! What have you got to lose?

Hang Out With Patty On Second Life

If you have read my blog diligently, you would have read about AskPatty, the automotive website by women for women. And now, the good news is, AskPatty has gotten a Second Life! Second Life is a life in the virtual world where you can create your own city with residents and buildings and everything that can be found in the real world.

I stumbled upon
AskPatty's Second Life Page this morning and visited her on Pontiac's Motorati Island. It is simply awesome.

If you were ever curious about who Patty is, you can now hang out and have a cozy chat with her over coffee and relaxing to background music.

In Motorati Island, you can check out the $50,000 automotive shopping spree as well as get your hands on one of the coveted Ask Patty shirt and pin! If you have friends who are also Second Life members, why not tell them to also
Teleport to AskPatty in Second life? I tell you, it will be a very fun virtual outing for everyone!

Remember Maui Handmade Soap

I was looking for a unique gift for my friend's birthday when my mother suggested that I get some handmade soap. I have to agree that they are unique enough.

Handmade soaps from Remember Maui make great gifts because they are inexpensive yet not something that can be easily bought from shelves at the mall. These high quality bath products have some of the best fragrances that one can never forget. The refreshing feel can last almost the whole day. The fragrances come in a wide variety and each fragrance is just as delightful to the senses as the other.

They are all so good, right now my problem is to decide if I should get the fruit or floral soap fragrance!

Daulat Tuanku

Kindly be informed that there will be no shipping on Thursday, 26th April, 2007. The post office is closed in conjunction with the installation of the new DYMM SPB YD Agong of Malaysia.

Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, the Sultan of Terengganu, will officially ascend the throne as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Please visit

Cyberpartygal's WebStore is business as usual, we never close our doors throughout the year, you know? Meanwhile, I will be glued to my TV set watching the ceremony that is steeped in royal tradition. I always have liked the pomp and grandeur of royal traditions. This is a rare glimpse into the Malaysian royal household.

Zipping Data & Messages Securely

I came across one of the most wonderful software ever written and it is free for a limited time! SecureZip - The next generation of ZIP is what everyone should make use of. Like the name suggests, this ZIP program not only securely protects our email messages and attachments but also important data on our computer or any other portable media.

I stumbled upon SecureZip when I had to send my computer in for repairs and I did not know where to back up my data to. My private data on my online store is especially important and I had to tuck them somewhere safely and securely.

Like I mentioned, for a limited time we can obtain a free license for full individual users. It is very simple to grab this offer. Just typed in a valid email address at
http://www.securezip.com/ and you will be sent an email with download instructions.

With SecureZip, I am also able to exchange sensitive and highly confidential email messages by protecting the messages and attachments because SecureZip seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Outlook®, my primary email client.

I am so glad that this software not only caters t large organizations but also for private users like I. Grab this free offer now. Why not, when it is the easiest, hassle-free and most convenient way to protect files, stored or transmitted?

Inner Bra

How important is proof-reading? I would say it is very important when all you can do to present your products to the public is via text and images. What you write may not be the same meaning as what is read so you have to read and reread your description before publishing.

Today, I came across a sales flyer from a leading shopping mall. One of the items on sale is lingerie and a bra was described as "Inner bra". I find it musing because there is no outer bra, is there? Either it's just BRA or it's INNER WEAR. So there's no such item as INNER BRA.

For a leading retailer, this is a real BOO BOO. One would think they have the money, resources and manpower to get everything prim and proper. Shall I write to them pointing out the error? Maybe they will give me an inner bra?

Preventing Illegal Phone Bugging

Many people do not know that it is possible to have our mobile phone conversations tapped. It used to be easy to tap analogue signals but digital signal is not impossible too.

I told Paul that he should have a
secure phone system in place in his office since he is always bidding for high profile projects. Why take the risk of having a competitor hijack his tender due to illegal bugging of a phone call or eavesdropping? One never knows if there is an enemy within, you know?

Paul is always bidding for projects that run into millions of dollars and it is very crucial that private information is kept secret. Companies like Sigillu.com are the kind of companies that provide end-to-end encryption, protecting a phone conversation from being bugged, which is just what Paul need.

A REAL Reply, Finally

As you know, I received an invoice from eBay recently and I wrote in to eBay's Spoof centre only to receive an canned reply. Of course that did not answer my question specifically and I was dissatisfied. Upon the suggestion of a fellow eBay member, I wrote in to Customer Service and I received the following reply:

Hello,

Thank you for writing to eBay. I appreciate the chance to assist you with your recent notification.

We apologize for the email you have received it was sent to you in error, please take note that the balance does show as 0.00. Please disregard the notification and sorry for any confusion this has caused you.

I trust that this information has been useful to you. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Regards,

Alan C.
eBay Malaysia Customer Support


At least this is a real reply that answers my questions.

On the other hand, perhaps eBay was testing its new invoicing system and will be billing us soon, this time for real? Hope not though that is just something waiting to happen.

I am not sure how many eBay members from Malaysia received such an invoice notification but some members from the Philippines also received it.

Anyway, the problem is solved, FOR NOW.

Related posts:
eBay Invoice Notification
http://cyberpartygal.blogspot.com/2007/04/reply-from-spoofebaycom.html

Scam Investments

As you know, the Government has (finally?) decided to take action against HYIP companies and those who are involved in internet and phone/SMS scams.

The following is a list (a mighty long one, if I may say so) of scampanies that have been highlighted and blacklisted by the Securities Commission of Malaysia for their scam investment activities, promising high yields to investors, which are, if you just spend one more minute to think about, is too good to be true.

While this is a long list, I believe it is not comprehensive. There may be some more which are not yet unearth, so I will be updating this post as and when I am given more information. If you do have more detailed information, please do let m know.

If you have invested into any of these companies, my advice to you is to take good care of your investments. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.


Here they are:
Al-Arabic Fund
ABB Fund
Artemis Wealth Mgmt
Asia Wallet (ASW)
AM Global Mgmt

BHGe-investment
Bidvask Investment Ltd
Buyebarrel
Brentwood Trust
Belton Market

Cambridge Capital
Capital Enhancement
Capital Glory

Data Saham
Dragon Gold
Duit Wayang
Dana Futures
Dana Modal
Debenture Petal Trust

E-Suisse Fund
Euro America Index
E-Barrel

GC Group A. Mgmt
Good Credit A. Mgmt
Gold Quest Int.
Goldmill Wagner Ltd
Global Investment Net.

Hibah Funds

IPC Shopping Services

Jai Network Sdn Bhd

Lempe Berger
Lexworth Prestige

Mercury Acquisition Assoc.
Montego Finance& Sec.
My Dinar
Matrix Cash
Mind-X Solutions
My Share

Oregon Invest
Ocean Balance Ltd

Pure Investor/PIPS
Prowealth Solution

Quest International
Quest

Remisier

Sunshine Empire
Swiss Mutual Fund
Sweden Fund
Solid Group
Solid Investment
Smartcash
Sime Securities
Starr-Bradley Assoc.

Tian Ping

United Capital Mgmt.
Universe Asset Mgmt.

Whitman Pearce & Partner
www.32505.com

3A Consulting Group

Adding Web Form To My Website

Here's good news to all webmasters which I would like to share. You know how I am always in trouble with my HTML programming? This one is done for me and it is free. I can easily add a web form on my website without cracking my head.

In addition to that, by paying only $19.95, I am able to obtain a formmail file which is used to process my forms through my own site, which is better than going through a third party software, which is more often than not, ad-based.

Now that I have discovered the secret to adding a web form on my site, I must say that my site looks more professional. At least it beats having to write my own HTML code.

Importance of Trade Show Displays

I have been to quite a number of trade fairs locally and internationally and each time, I come away with new insights into the sales and marketing aspect of a business. The latest that I went to was a trade show in China where businesses from all over China showcased their products to the world. It was a great learning experience for me.

To be frank, I did not expect much from Chinese businesses but they left a great impression on me when each company had their booth decorated very well that one could see that they are really serious about their business. Some companies had their
Trade Show Displays set up differently one day from another since it was a week long trade fair.

On the other hand, some companies had their displays in colorful themes and some were according to the season or an image of their latest range of products.

Personally, I think that companies that had the best trade show displays are toy manufacturers. They really let their imagination run free with their blend of colors and comic characters.

Some companies though, think it is a waste of good money to splurge on display booths, but I think that the more elaborate a booth is, the better it can capture the attention of visitors it will leave a deep impression on the minds of visitors and they will remember the name of the company for a long time to come.

For me, companies that take care in putting up a good display are companies that are serious in their business, meticulous in detail and I definitely would love to do business with companies like these, over those that couldn't care less.

I asked the opinion of another friend who is also a regular at trade shows. He too concur with me that he is more likely to trade with a company that has a captivating trade show display. So, if you are an exhibitor at trade shows, you may want to consider putting more time and effort into your display booth.

Monday, 23 April 2007

Losing MYR148,000 In "Internet Lucky Draws"

I read with sadness that there are still people as gullible as this college student. She is already twenty years old and yet, it only takes a phone call to convince her to transfer money to the fraudster.

The newspapers have always highlighted incidences where people were cheated of money in internet or phone scams and worse,
Nigerian 419 scams. Don't people read?

Granted, not everyone who lost money will make a police report so the actual number victims is of course much higher than our official statistics but there are still people who made public their story so that other people will not fall victim to a similar modus operandi.

The bottom line is to think a thousand times if you are informed of winning any contest or lucky draw. Do not be greedy and your money will be safe with you. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is.

News source:
The Star

Saturday, 21 April 2007

Manage Your Property Online

If you or your company owns various property units, did you know that you can better manage them if you are using a reliable web-based HOA Software that allows you to manage the properties no matter where you are in the world as long as you are connected to the internet?

Buildium, LLC has just this software for you no matter if you own just a handful of units or whole blocks that you can beat Donald Trump :-)

Buildium, LCC is currently offering a 15-day free full feature trial of its software, Association Edition. Take advantage of it to manage your property, residents, expenses and more!

Update: It's The Visa

A couple of days ago, I wrote that Public Bank's Visa Electron has gone offline and that people have not been able to pay for their purchases online.

Well, I have got news that it is actually not a Public Bank problem but it's VISA problem. The strange thing that how come Public Bank does not know and they have been keeping silent about it and not answering customers' enquiries in a timely manner?

One would think that if Public Bank is offering a service and if its vendor or provider is not able to meet the demand due to technical problems or whatever glitches, Public Bank would have known about it and given the customers a good explanation and to up this, give people an alternative as a temporary measure.

Public Bank is a large public listed corporation and I expect them to deal with problems like this in a better, acceptable way. I am sure that VISA or any other credit card provider may have faced a similar system crash before, or expected to face one so they should have prepared a back door to serve their millions of customers.

At this point of writing, I am uncertain if the system is back up, but I do know that I am not going to attempt to pay for anything online with my PB Visa Electron.


Related post:
PB Visa Electron Offline

Promoting With Neet Feet

I have always wondered if promotional tradeshow items could boost my sales. I wondered what items would be most loved by people who like freebies. Bags and t-shirts are so common nowadays. And then today, I came across Neet Feet, the leader in custom logo imprinted flip flops. These are the items that I am sure are eye catching and comfortable enough that people would want to wear them everyday, and at the same time doing promotion for me.

I am so excited to come across the website of Neet Feet. One can choose to have the logo imprinted on the soles of customized shoes and sandals as well. Can you imagine the marketing you will be making with every walk?

The Neet Feet website allows us to create and design our own virtual sandal and artwork and make an order based on our design. This is indeed a very exciting marketing tool for me. I may be getting something worked out. Stay tuned!

Affordable Comprehensive PHP Training Courses

My cousin was asking his mother to put him through a PHP training course. My aunt has no idea what sort of courses that are available and the fees and she asked me to speak to my cousin.

So I went online to do my research so as not to sound too dumb and voila! I actually found a PHP Training course that not only teaches PHP but incorporates MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle and relational databases.

Courses held by Open Technology Group are all taught by Zend certified instructors with over a decade of experience, using their own course guide on top of recognized standard materials.

The best news I have for my aunt is that courses offered by Open Technology Group are not only well-structured and developed but also at most competitive prices.

I am glad that I found the solution that will make both mother and son happy.

Cyberpartygal's WebStore - Planned Downtime

Cyberpartygal's WebStore will be taken offline on Saturday, April 21st, 2007 from 11am, Malaysian time (UTC + 8). This downtime is to facilitated the upgrade of database of our servers and is expected to last for two hours only.

If you have any questions and concerns, please feel free to contact Cyberpartygal and she will be glad to assist you in anyway possible.

Meanwhile, during this planned downtime, please feel free to read
my blog here and also She Rambles On. I am sure you will be entertained enough for that couple of hours before resuming your online shopping at Cybepartygal's WebStore.

Friday, 20 April 2007

Useful Marketing Tools

I came across a comprehensive directory of internet marketing tools and software with over a thousand premium tools that will be useful to internet marketers and webmasters alike and I thought I would share the information.

Marketing Mule is not only a website but it is also a blog that is updated almost daily with the latest news, reviews, opinion and insights into the development of the internet marketing industry.

A tool that I would really love to get my hands on is the Bulkmailer Professional. It would really help to lessen my work of sending out personalized email to my growing list of Buyers and people on my mailing lists who are seeking timely updates. I currently have to send each mail one by one just so that I can have the person's name in the email but it is now taking up too much time. Bulkmailer Professional is said to be able to do this without other people on the recipient's list knowing that it is in fact a mass mailing.

TrafficSwarm will also be useful to me. Since I started so many blogs, it is getting difficult to bring in the traffic. I believe that by participating in TrafficSwarm, I would be able to push up hits to my blogs and more importantly, my online store. I would love to try this out since it is free and I have nothing to lose. I may even find some gem sites from the list of websites that I am required to visit in exchange.

Also, I have been thinking of setting up a referral program where members will get commission for successful promotion of my online store and products. I did not have any idea how to go about it until I saw it on Marketing Mule. MyReferer is said to be a powerful referral management tool and most importantly, it is web-based and user-friendly. Surprisingly for someone who runs an online store, I can easily get lost in anything technical so this is great news for me.

Anyway, there are still so many tools that I would love to try out that are listed on Marketing Mule. These are meant to business easier to handle and I aim to utilize them fully. Do check out Marketing Mule, you will be surprised at the range of nifty tools that will help you in your internet marketing quest.

Groundbreaking AV Products from PowerLinx

Stockholders and investors of PowerLinx is eagerly anticipating the rise of share prices as PowerLinx Announces Groundbreaking New Audio and Video Products for 2007.

In the coming months, PowerLinx, a developer, manufacturer and seller of power line communication products, is expected to launch four groundbreaking products, namely Tune DogTM, IP Netcam, Audio EverywhereTM and The Rear Speaker Surround Sound Installation KitTM.

My cousin, who is the manager of a local Audio Visual Supplies company, is excited with the upcoming release of thee products and can't wait to try them out. He says that these products will change the current home theater scene.

What consumers are anticipating right now is the price of these products and if they are affordable, demand for the products will drive up profits for the company and hence the rise of share prices, since the company is publicly traded.

The buzz created by PowerLinx's news release is just awesome. Many people are now waiting for the products to be ready for the mass market.

Your Source For Bollywood Movies and More

It has been a long while since I have done a website review. Just so happens that a friend in the United States asked me where he could find the latest Indian Movies online, so I found it for him on LuckyKabutar.com.

LuckyKabutar.com carries the latest in Bollywood, Hindi and Punjabi movies in DVD format and music CDs. They deliver to the United States straight from India so my friend could shop for his movies and music easily. Original DVDs go for $12.99 only, which I think is a steal.

To really view the online store, though, one has to create an account otherwise the pages will come up blank so if you are serious in shopping for your Bollywood movies, do sign up with LuckyKabutar.com. It is free after all.

If you would like to be in the loop of the latest happenings, movie releases and reviews, you can read their blog. As a shopper, if you require assistance, or if there is a movie that you would like to buy but is not listed in the store, I believe you could call them up at the number provided at the top of the page and they would be more than happy to assist you.

Vision: Extending Life of POS Systems

Many small and medium sized enterprises are not up to date in their Point of Sale systems because they do not have the budget for it, without knowing that they can modernize their systems to provide accurate sales data, hence increasing profit and minimizing loss without forking out an obscene amount of money, thanks to Vision Point of Sale, the industry leader in point of sale systems and other POS products.

POS Product Selection is very important as enterprises require products that will need their needs and their budget too. To minimize cost, Vision provides refurbished POS equipment to companies and further extends the life of POS equipment by maintaining, servicing and repairing, as well as removing expired equipment in an environmentally-friendly manner.

With support from Vision POS, from finding the best products that serve the needs of a company to servicing and replacing POS equipment and other technical aspects, companies are able to extend their budget, be cost-effective and environmentally conscious.

Statistics from research show that sixty percent of shoppers prefer to shop at environmentally-friendly places hence, with a proper POS system in place, companies can expect increase in sales not only from accurate sales data but also consumer's shopping habits.

Apart from providing refurbished equipment, Vision POS will also buy surplus Point of Sale equipment from companies so it's a win-win formula for both parties.

Vision Point of Sales Reports Increased Environmental Awareness Through Extending Life of POS Systems

Chicago, IL: Over the past three decades, point of sale (POS) systems have modernized the retail industry by collecting accurate sales data for retailers. Integrating POS systems is valuable to retailers because they enjoy increased profits and reduced losses. Vision Point of Sale provides certified, pre-owned point of sale products to major corporations to help them reach their retail goals in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Frank Muscarello, President and CEO of Vision Point of Sales, states, "Our customers appreciate that not only do we provide top notch service on the products we sell, but we can extend their budget with refurbished equipment and remove expired equipment in a way that protects the environment. Today people want to shop at places that are environmentally responsible, and retailers can implement a green strategy with Vision POS, save money, and get better service all at the same time--it's a no-brainer. "

Environmental concerns are at the forefront for many retailers with POS systems, who are unsure of current electronic point of sale disposal regulations. The life of existing POS systems can be extended by serving them regularly and making immediate repairs. When certain components wear out, they can be replaced with refurbished ones to extend the life of an existing system. Mr. Muscarello says, "We assist retailers in finding the ideal POS product line for their type of business. Our company offers unbeatable service and the ability to replace failed gear to keep your investment working for you."

Vision Point of Sale respects the environment by recovering POS systems from chains liquidating or upgrading, thereby keeping potentially harmful electronics out of the landfills. Vision Point of Sale then refurbishes, recertifies and puts the POS systems back in service for far less than new equipment. Electronics recyclers sell their machines to Vision and large chains incorporate the refurbished components into their current installations, savings both the environment and money. Vision Point of Sale also purchases used POS assets from chains upgrading or going out of business. Refurbished POS systems are cost-effective and environmentally conscious, making them the preferred choice for over sixty percent of retailers.

Vision is proud to offer certified, used products POS from industry leaders such as NCR, Fujitsu, Dell, Symbol, Cherry, IBM, Epson, Axiohm and VeriFone, along with an unbeatable level of service. The value and productivity of owning pre-owned POS systems is evident from the success of major retailers using them. These major retailers also realize the economic efficiency of extending the life of their current POS systems and choosing refurbished gear. Visit visionpos.com today for additional details about POS equipment and what it can do to maximize the potential of retail business while minimizing its impact on the environment.

The Perfect Kauai Vacation Rental

My sister has a week off from work and she asked me for suggestions on holiday destinations. She wants to go somewhere with natural beauty for a change of scenery. Working in the city can be boring and she misses the beach.

I told her about the booming eco-tourism industry in Hawaii and what a good chance this is for her to visit Hawaii. Moreover, Hawaii is like paradise on earth and the weather of the islands will surely remind her of home. Besides, she would be able to go on a plane and yet stay within America.

Holidays like
Kauai vacation rentals would be ideal for my sister as she could easily customize her vacation to suit her budget, thanks to Hawaii Beach Rentals.

My sister was so happy with my suggestion, she wonder why she never thought of Hawaii herself.

PB Visa Electron Offline

I received information that the Public Bank Visa Electron has gone offline and users cannot pay for their online purchases and the staff at Customer Service have no idea what is wrong!

From my own experience, Customer Service is very swift in addressing email enquiries but this time, they aer not responding in a timely manner and people are left in the dark because they can't settle their invoices and their Sellers are fuming.

All these are eroding people's confidence in the card. I used to recommend the card to friends, especially for people seeking a debit card to verify their PayPal account with but now I am having second thoughts!

Although I am not facing this problem currently since I am not buying anything online, I do not feel good that this problem has dragged on for a week or more it seems, based on feedback by other users. This is bad and Public Bank has to buck up, really!

Thursday, 19 April 2007

The Roaring Replica Wholesale Sunglasses Business

Many people are afraid to venture into a new business although they may be unhappy with their current working environment. They do not know that being their own boss and working for their own company is so many times more fulfilling.

One advice I always give to people who are considering going into retail business is to find a really reliable supplier who will support you not only in low-priced stocks but in quality stocks too. We must never compromise on quality for the sake of profit.

Replica wholesale sunglasses business is one of the handful roaring businesses both online and offline. If you decide to sell these, you will find that they do sell like hot cakes.

CTS Wholesale has got to be the ultimate supplier of
replica wholesale sunglasses. From as low as $10 per dozen, you can stock up on your inventory and sell them at a good profit margin.

Besides, you will be able to source for many different designs as CTS Wholesale is an importer of replica sunglasses from all the major manufacturers.

All Inclusive Bahamas Vacation Giveaway

My friend Derek is going to hold a lucky draw for his staff during the annual dinner where the first prize will be an all inclusive Bahamas vacation. He asked me f it is a good idea and how he could book such a vacation at the cheapest rates n the market.

I told him about vacations.net, an industry leader in all-inclusive travel. They have a new website that is easier than ever to navigate with thorough information, compelling images and virtual tours of each resort so that a traveler will know exactly what to expect on the other side of the world.

Derek went to Vacations.net and was pleasantly surprised that he could save 50% of his package instantly. The price is really attractive to him now, confirming that his decision to give out such an attractive prize as an all inclusive vacation is a right decision.

The Successful Office Group Virtual Office

I previously wrote about getting a virtual office but from my search, most have a minimum charge per month for their services. Today, though, I came across Successful Office Group with a very good policy which allows the client to use their office address as their own or place the names of staff on the clients website making the company look like an established company. This is very useful for small businesses just starting out or for home business people like myself. We need administrative support to take away the image of a "fly-by-night" company.

Successful Office Group provides professional
answering service and also forwards our mail to our own address without extra charge except for postage. Most companies charge "handling fee" per mail but not Successful Office Group. I think that people who are working from home should consider such a back up. And why not if you are able to have such a great service at a low cost?

Ask Before Bidding

There are actually still people who bid on an item without knowing full well the condition of the item. The proper thing to do is to ask first if there is any doubt and then make a decision to bid or stay away.

This is usually committed by people who are new to the online auction scene. I was one such person too and bidding excitedly when the auction was about to end, thinking that when it ends, I will never have the chance to buy it. Little did I know that Sellers list and relist until there is a genuine Buyer.

Luckily for me, the Seller was generous enough to let me off the hook when I decided to back out of the deal after getting his reply about the actual condition of the item. It was a computer system.

I believe, my trading profile proved that I am a genuine Buyer since I had previously bought a similar priced computer system as well.

Anyway, the point is, to avoid all the hassle, misunderstanding and sour taste, the Buyer should pose all questions first before bidding.

Career Boost With Professional Mechanic Training

I was actually surfing the net looking for suitable courses that I could take online when I came across Mechanic-School-Directory.com I know a friend would be very interested in this. He is now working as an apprentice mechanic and it would do him good to at least get paper qualification from a recognized institute. He may be receiving mechanic training now, but if he continues without upgrading himself, I am afraid he will be stuck at that workshop forever.

I showed my friend the website, Mechanic-School-Directory.com, and although he is not that web savvy, he was able to navigate the site easily and find the information that he is looking for. He also agrees that he should enroll in a course now that he has some savings.

From the website, my friend was able to read up on what to expect from a career as a mechanic and the various specializations. He is excited with the job prospects and eager to start as soon as possible so that he could command a higher pay check.

I am happy that he is being proactive about it and hopefully, his career will receive a boost with this.

Project Responder Monster Truck

I have a friend who is with one of the rescue units on the country. His work is rather interesting although dangerous! He told me that they lack equipment and vehicles and sometimes their work is hindered due to this.

He came to know of a Custom Ford Superduty truck built by a former volunteer firefighter built from scratch in a project named Project Responder where the truck is fully equipped and functioning fire engine. Can you imagine if all the red fire engines in the country as we know them now are upgraded to Project Responders?

The creator of Project Responder sure knows what is lacking in a real fire engine, having been a firefighter himself, and he has incorporated everything that an ideal fire engine should have into Project Responder. It is a very popular idea and has a huge following in auto shows. There are even t-shirts of Project Responder for sale!

Project Responder is like a celebrity now, that you can have it make an appearance in your event and you have to pay it an "appearance fee"! This is one monster truck that many people would sure like to see so if you are looking to create a buzz at your event, you should consider contacting Project Responder's manager! It will come in handy in case of an emergency.

19th April - The Sultan's Birthday

Kindly be informed that 19th April, as usual, is a non-shipping day. If you are not aware, 19th April is the birthday of the Sultan of Perak. This is an annual State holiday.

Shipping will resume on Friday, 20th April, 2007 but will once again take a break on 22nd April, 2007 which is Sunday, a rest day. Shipping assumes regular pattern once the new week starts on 23rd April, 2007.

I apologise for the inconvenience caused and advise you to plan your purchases accordingly. I look forward to serve you better once again. Please feel free to write in to me if you have any comments or suggestions. Thank you.

Making A Difference With Fonts

I create a lot of flyers for advertising purposes that I have already run out of fonts. A fellow e-trader told me that I can spruce up my flyers and webstore with fonts and dingbats that can be downloaded from UrbanFonts. Since they are for commercial use, I will have to pay for them, but they are really reasonably priced. I will willingly pay for my fonts if they can help my store look better.

I believe that the right selection of fonts can actually make a difference between two websites assuming everything else is the same.

I browsed through UrbanFonts and am surprised that there are so many
free fonts and dingbats for download. They would be great for my little digital scrap booking project. UrbanFonts has so many refreshing fonts and dingbats, I can't wait to start downloading them!

Wednesday, 18 April 2007

Flippies Custom Flip Books

I wonder how many of us still remember the flip the book to get a story game. I have wonderful memories about this childhood game as my cousin is a great artist whose favorite past time was to draw cars crashing in any book that he laid his hands on.

Believe it or not, this has been a recent marketing phenomenon where advertisers are using this art to deliver the message of their products and services ranging from commercials, sporting events, product demos and even viral videos in print through Flippies Custom Flip Books.

Flipping it fast enough, it's like watching a full motion video and it sure will make people remember more of the product. I think this tool should be fully cannibalized on by serious marketers.

Avoiding Retaliatory Negative Feedback

I am sure many new Sellers are dying to leave negative feedback on their first joybidders. Well, do you know that we have a xx-day grace period to leave a feedback on our trading partner?

If you leave a negative feedback on your trading partner, be prepared to receive one from him too. It does not matter who is right or who is wrong. If a deal is not closed successfully, and you feel it justifies your negative feedback, then you can expect the same because nobody will admit his own mistakes, whether by accident or design.

Experienced Sellers, however, will send the necessary email to the administrators and file a non-paying-bid report and will always wait for the last minute to place a negative feedback to avoid a retaliation for the truant Buyer. Of course, the Seller has way before already blocked his Buyer from further bidding on his auction items.

That sure solves a lot of headache, doesn't it?