Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Poundland and The Pound Shop eBay Sales
Sellers! Beware of using Paypal!
I am writing this guide to just try and make more sellers aware of just how dodgy Paypal is from my own personal experiences.
First of all let me say, like most sellers, i thought paypal was great, its a quick way of getting paid, you can send items quicker and easy to use, but after the amount of trouble i have had with paypal i am now getting ready to give up ebay and paypal altogether.
You see it all the time, "Paypal, great to use, secure be paid quick etc." - Now this is the biggest load of rubbish i have ever heard and i will tell you for why, 1 week ago (and not for the first time i may add) i sold some items on ebay, they totalled to around 400 in total, the person brought the items, paid for them with paypal, so i sent the items off to him, then i get positive feedback and he leaves me the same, however the very next day i get an email from paypal telling me that my funds have been put on hold and that the person who brought my items used a stolen account, so i go through the motions, telling them that the items were sent and that he left feedback and that i wouldnt be able to get them back, but did they care?!? did they hell! they couldnt seem to care less about my problems and just tell me that the money has been refunded to its rightful owner.
By now i was exceptionally angry, so i write paypal a email explaining my anger and frustration and asking if i could get my money back, now today i have recieve the email back from them basicly saying they are not to blame and that i am not covered and that basicly there is nothing i can do and they wont do anything to try to fix it.
And how do they end the email? by saying:
"I understand your frustration regarding this matter, and regret any inconvenience it might have caused you."
Quite frankly that was the biggest insult of them all! -INCONVIENCE!??!? i have just lost nearly 400! slightly more than an inconvience!!
They also go on to say that:
"Unfortunately I can see that the transaction was not eligible for SellerProtection Policy.To be eligible for the Seller Protection Policy, the following policyguidelines must be followed: Have a Verified Premier or Business account Post to the confirmed address on the Transaction Details page This confirmed address is displayed on the Transaction Detailspage and the payment is marked as eligible for the Seller Protection Timely postage Retain reasonable proof-of postage that can be tracked online Send tangible goods Only accept payments in full from single PayPal accounts Do not impose an additional charge on the buyer Timely response to all PayPal inquiries"
Now this is also a load of rubbish, because last year i sold a graphics card for 100, sent it abroad via royal mail airsuresigned for service that required a signiture and had a tracking number AND STILL THEY DID NOT CARE EVEN WHEN I TOLD THEM THIS!!! Even THOUGH i done every single thing that it says above to be covered and still they told me that i couldnt get my money back.
So i ask you? is Paypal worth the risk? quite frankly i think that the answer is no, it may be ok if you are selling lower price items because the fraudsters wont care about it, but when it comes to higher priced items Paypal is the biggest risk in the world, and it certainly isnt the most secure.
...So shall i be using Paypal again? No i shall not!Will i recommend it to my friends and family? Certainly not! i will tell them to stay well away!Do i think that it is the securest method of payment? Prehaps for buyers but cetainly not for sellers! i mean whats to stop me from buying an expensive item off ebay using a different ebay account, buy the item with my paypal and have it sent toa different address then claim the money back from paypal saying my account was hacked?!!?Am i going to let this stand? Noi am not quite frankly, i am considering opening a website telling people exactly what the problem is with paypal and put on a pertition that people can sign and try to actually change the way paypal thinks and treats its customers!
If you could say this guide is helpful, that would be great because it will then make it more visable to more people and they can also find out how bad it is, i would also appreciate any thoughts that you may have towards a almost anti-paypal website and if you think it would be a good idea.Also if you would like to email me with any of your experiences, they could also be put on the site.
Thank you for your time and reading my guide.
Jonathan
What can I sell on ebay? Selling tips and tricks
Like many others, I decided to have a go at selling on ebay but I was faced with that dreadful question. In order to make a profit, what shall I sell on Ebay? After hours and hours of research on the internet and some valuable advice from some very successful ebay sellers, I will pass my knowledge on to you.
What shall I sell?Well, pretty much every ebay seller I have spoken to has given me the same answer to that question, sell something that you know about or something your are passionate about. Example: If you are a Mechanic thenTools or used vehicle parts might be a good place to start. Or maybe you had a hobby or passion about something as a child, for instance, if you collected old coins or you had a passion about music. Any area or subject of which you have a good knowledge lies a potential product for you to sell.
What if I cant afford to buy items in bulk to sell on?It would be a big risk for a first time ebay seller to buy in bulk from a wholesale company because you might find out that the item you have chosen doesnt sell particularly well on ebay. For Ebayers new to selling a good starting point in my opinion, would be to search for things that you dont need anymore around your house, shed, garage, etc.. Once you have done this and you understand how to list items on ebay, you could ask your neighbours, family and friends if they have any old junk that they want selling on ebay, ( For a commision + ebay fees ) Once you have sold some stuff from around your house you could put the money towards buying a product to resell. *NOTE* You can often get a good idea of weather or notyour item is going to sell by researching it on ebay, seing how much success other ebay sellers are having and how much competition you are going to have. Also, dont forget to compare prices.
Ok, you have got your product(s) to sell.(Tips, tricks and good selling practice.)
*Be a Smart Seller*Lets face it, If your selling Lawn-mowers knowone is gonna be cutting thier grass in the snow! A smart seller learns to think about things a little differently, Learn to read the market! You need to knowWHATS HOT AND WHATSNOT? Take advantage of special ocasions like christmas and easter but order your stock well in advance. If you can keep up with the consumers fast changing requirements and demands, then your well on your way to becoming a successful ebay seller.
*Feedback*Feedback on ebay is very important. The higher your feedback score is thenmore potential buyers will know that you area trustworthy and compatent seller.You can maintain a good reputation bymaintaining 100% positive feedback ( or as close to 100% as possible )which is acheivedby providing a quality product which is quickly dispatched and by offering a return policy. It is also good practice to offer good after sales support.
*Increase your visibility*When listing items on ebay choose your item title very carefully, Remember that the ebay search box gets its results from the item titles. Consider signing up for an ebay shop, you get your own url and you can use this to drive more traffic to your shop by advertising elsewhere. You can also use promotional flyers and your customers can sign up for a monthly news letter.
*Ebay Fees*If your buying items to resell or if you are selling items in large quantities then you need to know the ebay fees like the back of your hand, ebay fees. Make sure that you are still making enough money on your chosen product.
*Postage and Packaging*Calculate your postage and packaging costs as accurately as possible, packaging suppliesare easily available on ebay. Always dispatch your items as quickly as possible to keep your customers happy.
*Ebay Tools*You can find some useful tools here at Seller Tools Finder. Consider using Turbolister forquicker listing of items, alsoconsider using seller manager Pro formore efficient selling. Alsovisit the ebayDiscussion Boardsfrom time to time as well as Reviews and GuidesThere is some top quality free advice available from some very experienced ebayers. Its priceless.
* A few last words * You may find yourself in a situation where you are subject to Spoof emails, Non paying buyers or various other criminal threats or cons. If you do then you can get advice on all of these subjects from the Ebay help centre.Remember to be polite and comunicate with your customers in the best way possible, Dont work to hard, you need to enjoy your self. design alogo or company name, keep your listings clean, always abide by ebay rules andTryto avoid spelling mistakes.
Thanks for looking, I hope that this guide has been of help to you.
Dont buy runescape accounts and money making guides etc
1st About runescape accounts they will give you the password and username and then take it back there are many ways that they can do this so when you buy it you will receive the user and pass like they said but they will change it before you even login usually.
2nd Buying runescape gp this does work but you can be caught very easily plus only buy from people who are from a company because private sellers arnt that reliable
3rd Runescape guides such as The Ultimate Unofficial Runescape 2 Money Making Guide it is all the same stuff there is no easy way really to make runescape gp the truth is you just have to keep training and keep trying at the game this Guides are making it look very easy but iv bought one before because i didn't have much money on the game but it didn't work at all it was all the same plus images like this are 100%
4th Do not buy these runescape duplicators! there is no such thing which can duplicate items its impossible and never buy runescape autos and macros from ebay they usually give you website links in a word document file or just a email and usually these things don't work contain spyware or adaware and you can be caught out extremely easy so i wouldn't.
Identifying Fraud - For Dummies!
I recently "sold" my Samsung d600 mobile phone toa fake ebayuser (whose account has now been deleted). This user is confirmed with PayPal as a fraud, due to fake confirmation emails. This is how one of the emails were written:
"Dear Seb Dixon, A payment has been made into your paypal account: (**************) by************ and it has been approved to be credited to your account once shipment tracking number is submitted to our customer care center.
You are expected to ship out this item within 24hrs of receiving this notification and mail the shipment details to (customer.care.center@consultant.com)
Note this fund will not reflect in your account though it has been approved unless shipment tracking number is confirmed by our customer care center, we do this to balance the sellers and buyers ratio in transaction and to avoid fraud occurrences
Thank you for using PayPal!The PayPal Team"
I instantly suspected this as fake when I noticed the email address from which it had been received : "service@paypal.co.uk . customer.care.center@consultant.com"I beleive that some kind of action should be taken against people like this, because not everybody will notice the little things which identify the emails/paypal account or whatever as fake.
ALWAYS CHECK THAT THE "PAYPAL" EMAILS YOU ARE RECEIVING ARE GENUINE, AND THAT EVERY PART OF ONLINE TRANSACTIONS IS SAFE.
I can very much recommend signing up for a Paypal account, to those who haven't yet.
Thanks for reading!
FAKE WADE COUSIN WESLEY NAT WEST PIGS FOR SALE !!!
I am concerned about the increasingamount of fakeNat West wade cousin Wesley pig money boxeson ebay, And as an avid wade collector myself I have seen few genuine ones for sale with the relevant paperwork to prove authenticity. Assome have already mentioned,these were indeed very limited.they were sent after opening a childs 5 year bond with 1000and came with a letter from the bank. I would never buy one of these without this. However after the pig promotion ended quite a few of them were given to Nat West staff - some in prize draws. These fakes are never as well finished as the real thing and are smaller. Manyare poorly painted and haveglaze crazing. I have never seen a piece of genuine wade with crazing. THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH ADVICE AND INFORMATION RE SIZES, WEIGHTS ETC. piggybankpage.co.uk is good,where there is a page on fake wesleys and very goodinfo on allthe otherpigs. natwestpigs.co.uk is also very good.
BEWARE ALL YOU BUYERS OUT THERE - THESE FAKES ARE NOW REGULARLY COMING UP FOR AUCTION WITH ANY OLDBOX AND A COMPLIMENT SLIP- FROM NAT WEST SUPPOSEDLY. HAVE ALSO SEEN THESE SLIPS FOR SALE ON THEIR OWN ON EBAY,AND RECENTLY BOXES AND SLIPS !. HAVE REPORTED THIS SELLERSEVERAL TIMESWHO IS STILL DOING IT TODAY,TO EBAY BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE.
THE BASE STOPPERS/ BUNGSSTAMPED NAT WEST ARE READILY AVAILBLE TOO ON EBAY TO HELP OUT THE SCAMSTERS. THESE ARE JUST CHEAP PLASTIC COPIES
DONT BE FOOLED BY ANY OFTHIS, ASK FOR THE BOND LETTER OR SOME PROOF/PROVENENCE REGARDING THE BOND. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE DESPERATE TO OFFLOAD THEIR FAKES ONTO YOU WADE COLLECTORS WITH ANY AIDS THEY CAN GET HOLD OF. BE VERY,VERY WAREY INDEED.
SOME SELLERS SEEM TO HAVE AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF THESE RARE PIGS (WITH ABOX AND COMPLIMENT SLIP) WHICH THEY SAY IN THE LISTING ARE THE REAL THING! LOOK AT THE SELLERS PAST ITEMS SOLD IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING BIDDING.
AM REALLY PLEASED THATI RECENTLY HELPED A LADY EBAYER AVOID WASTING OVER 120 ON ONE OF THESE FAKES SHE HAD "WON" :) ANDSEVERAL PEOPLEFROM BIDDING ON ONE.
NOCHEX VS. PAYPAL. ONLINE PAYMENT SERVICES FOR EBAYERS
Satin Bedding
Some buyers may be confused by the fact that the material content on the SATIN bedding being sold on Ebay does not say 100% SATIN. Hopefully the following will help to explain why.
I like a few other sellers on Ebay sell SATIN bedding. Predominantly, these are six piece sets which contain a duvet cover, 4 pillowcases and a fittedsheet. Mostly, they're available in double, king-size and super king size and the main colours are red, black, blue, cream and chocolate. There are some more exotic versions such as tiger and leopard prints available.
SATIN MATERIAL
There is a commonly help misconception that SATIN is a material in the same way as silk or cotton is a natural material. SATIN is actually a description of a weaving technique rather than a material and can be woven from a number of materials - silk, polyester or nylon are the most common. So if you buy a set please don't be alarmed when the material is described on the back of the packing as 100% polyester.
SATIN is a cloth that has a smooth, glossy finish. A satin-woven fabric tends to have a high luster due to the high number of "floats" on the fabric. Floats are "missed" interlacings, where, thewarp yarn lays on top of theweft yarn, or vice versa. The floats tend to make the fabric look glossier as well as give it a smootherfinish in most cases.
SATIN bedding may sound like an expensive luxury but it is a lot less expensive than many people think. Please feel free to have a look in my shop to see the full range on offer at very competitive prices.
SATIN bedding
Concert tickets - A Robbie Williams victim
I'm aware that there are number of people who have been ripped off by people 'selling' tickets for concerts which they do not actually possess, although they state that they are awaiting delivery of them, and that - despite eBay's policy that nothing can be auctioned that cannot be dispatched within 30 days - they continue to dupe people into parting with their money for something that they probably will never have in their possession.
My own particular sob story concerns the parting of 200 for two Robbie Williams concert tickets, originally for Wembley but re-arranged for Milton Keynes. I paid for them in February of this year and, yes you've guessed it, they did not appear, despite some pretty frantic emailing. As one of the other eBayers to comment on this particular problem so succinctly put it 'honesty is the word'.
How wonderful it would be if we could believe that the person who ripped me off for 200 had an honest bone in his body. He, or she, doesn't know me from Adam and has no way of knowing how great was the sacrifice of a 200 loss and the anguish it causedmy wife, for whom the tickets were purchased.
I have no intention of discussing any further my own loss but I feel I havea duty to help others avoid the same fate. The answer is painfully simple: Trust no-one with your money. Ensure that, if you do pay for something that is costing you a fair amount of money, that it is within 30 days of expected delivery so that you can at least break down thedoor of eBay and ask them to sort it out and if they can't, as is most surely the case, that some recompense will be coming your way due to the amount of money lost.
There must be a right killing to be made by the unscrupulous who prey on those not fully aware of eBay rules, although eBay must accept some responsibility for allowing people to trade in this way, but it is up to all of us to give them no further opportunity to carry on with what is nothingless than theft.
Finally, I did actually attempt to get somewhere with retrieving at least some of the money I lost but this entails you going through the usual knockbacks from eBay and eventually you will be told to contact the police who will require you to produce a wealth of information - namely all the correspondence that has occurred between you and the seller, which is great if you are also aware that eBay trashes everything after 60 days. If you did not bother to save all your correspondence now might be a good time to start thinking about doing it, particularly if there is a lot of money involved. So much for honesty, eh!
paypal problems-help against scammers on ebay
After2 years of using paypal, sadly we now refuse to use it as it seems to pretect the buyer more than the seller. Do you know if you send an item and if the buyer does not pay for extra insurance on postage YOU personally will be responsible for loss or damage for that item!, and the buyer can quite easily open a dispute and claim the money back for the item they have paid for, and in all and most cases you have sent.
The safest way to protect yourself is to always add - Insurance fee (ie 80 pence for recorded signed for) in all your listings, the buyer pays for this and it is in yours and there's best interest, and also stops the nasty scammer's that sadly are on ebay.
I hope this guide has helped you a little please vote me :)
How to read
If you have a Nissan made between 1987 and 1994 this guide can help you. It shows you how to obtain fault code information and clear codes that will cause the management light to show and affect performance.
This method will work on pretty much all Nissans made between 1986 and 1993 including Sunny/Pulsar (N13 models) Sunny ZX coupe (Can't remember the code!)Nissan Bluebird models (T12 and T72) the 200SX (S13 range) and 300ZX (Z31) UK cars. I have personally used this method on 200SX and 300ZX to great effect. If you want the procedure for Nissans after 1994 or pretty much any other Japanese car have a look at our other guides!
Anyway, how do you do it? Its pretty easy really.
- Find the ECU! If it is a 200SX or 300ZX it is under the centre console. Take the thing right out so you can see the ECUStart the car and let it idle. If it doesn't start turn it over on the starter for 10 seconds or so.Turn the diagnostic switch fully clockwise (Small plain screwdriver) See the picture belowThe LED should flash 3 times. When it has turn it fully anti-clockwiseCheck the LEDs flash to confirmThe ECU will now flash the code. A red flash indicates 10 and a green flash indicates a single unit. For example, if the code was 23 the red LED would flash twice and the green LED would flash three times. Told you it was easy! The code will then repeat its self. Anyway, note the code down then switch the ignition off.
Assuming you have fixed the problem you may now have to clear the codes so the light goes out and any performance restrictions are lifted.
- Turn the ignition back onTurn the diagnostic switch clockwise fullyLet the LED flash 3 times then turn the switch fully anti clockwiseCheck the LEDS flash to confirm then turn the switch fully clockwise againWait for teach LED to flash 4 or 5 times to indicate 'No fault found' (Code 44 or 55)Turn the switch fully anti-clockwise and switch the ignition off againThats you! Put your centre console back in and feel smug every time you drive past the local Nissan dealer thinking 'I don't need you or your 50 an hour labour charges!'
Filter Bacteria -Ammonia
The biological section of a filter contains bacteria which breaks down Ammonia (NH3)to Nitrite (NO2) then to Nitrate (NO3). NH3 is toxic sewage and even at low levels can kill fish.To eliminate this, mother nature has produced NITROSOMONAS bacteria which grows on the filter media.This bacteria dies in cold winter conditions.When the temperature is increased, i.e spring time, we start feeding our fish, which increases the NH3 content of our water, what goes in, must come out! This stresses our fish, which in turn makes theimmune system more vulnerable. With the increase of temperature of our water, the harmful bacteria/protozoa start to multiply.
Now you can see the problem......
Water test kits - these are not a gimmick. You cannot see the Ammonia in the water. It must be tested for.
Filter Boost - This is not a gimmick. Filter start/boost acclerates the growth of bacteria on your filter. If left to mother nature, this can take up to 12 weeks.
Coins that will go up in VALUE
Coins that will go up in VALUE
I have been buying coins for 54 years .I started in 1953 when I was 15 years old and in boy scouts.
MY first coin that I bought was a 1909-SVDB Lincoln cent for $5.00. Who would not like to have a few at that price today.
I learned very early to buy the coins that everyone wants
GET a few books and read them. ONE of the best books is the RED BOOK.
LOT of Imformation in the RED BOOK that most people MISS.
In looking for the coins that will go up in value, look for the coins with the lowest Mintage
I have all of the red books,and I look at them all the time.
IT is fun to find coins that are under Priced, and are set to go up in VALUE
I see them every day when I look in the red book at the mintages.
READ,LEARN,HAVE FUN, and Find those Under VALUE Coins.
How to spot FAKE Lacoste Polos!!
Hi, My name is Derek and i sellauthentic Lacoste Polo's on E-bay.
Having sold genuine lacostesfor a number of months now I have noticed a few difference between genuine Lacostes and fakes. To stop the people getting ripped of from copies I decided to write this guide.
Many Lacoste shirts on Ebay are fakes, but there are the few that are authentic.
10 Quick ways todifferentiate authentic Lacoste polo's from fakes :-
Have a Devanlay Care Tag inside the bottom left corner of the shirt.
Have a Crocodile on the left breast of the shirt, facing outward.
Have a placket with 2 buttons and the buttons have 2 holes, rather than four.
Are designed in France and made in Peru by Devanlay.
Have a European size number, for example: 4 (small), 5 (medium), etc.
Run small to fit.
For men, polos are 100% cotton.
Do NOT say Lacoste on the buttons of the polo shirts.
Have anopen hem at the bottom of the shirt, unlike Ralph Lauren polos that have vented hems.
Tags for short sleeve solid color shirtsare listed as $72 and $85 for striped shirts (unlike many fakes that are listed at $79).
For the record, when buying authentic Lacoste Polo Shirts make sure the Crocodiles are sewn on straight andare bought from a US or European citizen (do not trust shirts that come from China etc. They are more thanlikely fakes). I have listed this information so you dont get caught and buy a copy.
If you want more information on lacoste polos please dont hesitate to ask me a question.
GUIDE TO POSTAGE CHARGES-FOR SELLERS
We have all paid too much for postage at one time or another, and sometimes i have also underpaid postage.
So my first tip is to dig out your kitchen scales. These are not legal for trade but give you a fair idea of what your item weighs. You can pick up digital scales for less then 10, and the amount you save makes it really worth it. You can get a basic set of scales for about 4.
You can also get a postage guide at the postoffice. this gives a list of all the options and the price you are charged for each weight - invaluable. Royal Mail also do a price finder online - which is great to use for overseas countries.
Now for the price. This is very much an individual choice although i do admit i have sometimes not bid on something if i feel that the postage is unfair (8 times the amount it costs is pushing it a little i think). Many people have pointed out that it is not just the cost of the stamp - and they are right. There is also the cost of the jiffy bag/paper/mailing bag. As well as sellotape or any bubble wrap used as well.
I personally try to keep my postage prices fair. I send all my items in a jiffy bag or a mailing bag. These are new packaging materials and i also include a compliments slip (good marketing) and if the buyers has bought more than two or three items i normally send a discount card as well. All my items also have returns address printed on to stickers (with a logo)and they have an invoice sent in a clear 'documents enclosed wallet'.
If the item is big i pack this in a box. Normally for items that are used i use a mixture of new and old packaging materials. I buy a lot off ebay myself and think it is a complete waste to just throw everything in the bin. I rip up jiffy bags and use these as loose fill and sometimes i wrap them around the item as double protection. quite often when sending individual items of clothes i slip a couple of pieces of tissue paper in to keep the creases down.
Buyers appreciate their items arriving to them in a decent amount of packaging - and i agree with them. If you put an item in a used jiffy bag, send it by the cheapest option a week after they paid and charged them8 times what it cost then they will probably feel ripped off. If you pack it well though, with proper thought and adequate packaing to protect it, send it as soon as you are able with something for them to remember you by (like a compliments slip or an invoice) then they are far more likely to return and buy more items from you in the future. It doesn't take as long as you think if you get everything you need to hand and do them all at once.
If this guide has helped then please vote for it - i very much appreciate you taking the time!
Make your auctions copy protected - Disable right click
FAKE BAGS? HERE'S HOW YOU WONT END UP WITH ONE...
First thing to mention is that low prices are almost always a sign of replicas. Why? Having sold some of them myself I know that even at wholesale prices they cost a minimum of around 45-50% of their Retail price. More likely youll get them at around 60-70% of what they cost at the shop. Just take a look at the Hermes bags if they cost s in shops how could anyone afford to throw them out at 99? There can of course be exceptions to this as people might just want to get rid of theirs but a low price should always make you double check the listing and where necessary ask for further details.
Has you potential seller got loads of these bags? Also a bad sign, - companies like Mulberry, Prada and Dior wont throw out vast quantities of bags to Ebay sellers. Always ensure to check the sellers sales history sometimes you will find that lots of the same bags have been sold. Stay away from these bags unless you are 100% sure the bag in question is real.
Look out for MYPOUPETTE recommended sellers. This is a sign that the seller has been audited by MyPoupette (authentication services) and are safe to buy from!! MyPoupette can also authenticate bags for you for a fee. On the MyPoupette website you will find a list of Ebayers of whom not to buy, the list is not exhaustive but it still is worth checking as lots of names are already on there.
Make sure you go and see the bag you want in a shop or where not possible check the manufacturers website for details. It helps to note down the original measures of the bag as many fakes do not have the same dimensions as the original ones. Also take a close look at the bags details like colouring of studs, etc which often vary on fake models
Some people list their bags with pictures of the manufacturer in that case ask for photographs of the one for sale as otherwise you have no means of verifying the bag
Even fakes can look pretty good but its often the leather that lets them down. They usually have a stiffer feel and colour variations to the original ones are also common.
This summarizes the general guide on what to watch out for. Rule of thumb: Know what you want ensure you ve seen the original before buying and do your research.
I hope this guide was some help take a look at my other guides for further advice on Ebay.
Buyer's Guide to Feedback
in feedback hostage, the practice of witholding leaving feedback for
the buyer until they can see what feedback the buyer leaves for them.
If a buyer is unhappy with some part of the trasaction and leaves
feedbck to reflect that experience, the seller will reciprocate the bad
feedback on the buyers profile even though the buyer did everything
right! These sellers have completely corrupted the intended use of
Ebay's feedback system.
The result of this practice is to inflate the sellers feedback
record well above what it should be. Many unhappy buyers just don't
leave feedback for these sellers or leave bad comments with a positive
rating out of fear the seller will retaliate with a negative to hurt
their own rating. Or they leave the seller a negative, the seller
retaliates, then agree to the mutual feedback withdrawl offered by the
seller. How can anyone trust a seller engaged in feedback hostage
rating when those unhappy are afraid to post feedback?
I can think of no other business-customer relationship where
there is a mechanism for the business to retaliate against an unhappy
customer. Competing peer to peer trading sites often have no ability at
all to rate the customer, so retaliation is not an issue. Can you
imagine making a complaint about a product you bought at Sears, only to
have Sears complain about you?
Sellers who engage in "feedback hostage" have invented all kinds of
excuses to justify the practice. From claiming their automated system
does it that way (not true, they have chosen to set it like that, they
could choose to have it leave feedback on receipt of paypal payment) to
claiming Ebay says they should do it that way. But what does Ebay
really say?
Ebay's help section clearly recommends the proper way for sellers to operate is to leave feedback first:
"Leaving Feedback Just as building your reputation is important, so is it for the buyer. Make sure to leave feedback for your buyers after you receive payment.
In difficult situations, try and work things out first with your buyers
before leaving negative feedback. Remember, feedback is permanent.
Acknowledge Payment Once you receive payment from your buyer send an email to 1) acknowledge receipt of payment and 2) to notify the buyer that you will be shipping the item. It's also a good idea to leave feedback for your buyer at this point.
Here are the basics of listing items for sale: 6. Leave feedback. After your successful sale, leave feedback for your buyer, and ask that they do the same."
"The Official Ebay Bible" book by Ebay's dean of education Jim Griffith
uses even stronger language to promote sellers beine the one to leave
feedback first is the proper way to operate.
Feedback hostage sellers often claim they do it because there are so
many bad buyers out there leaving unjustified neagtive feedback. Is
this really the case? If that were the case why does almost everyone on
EBay have very close to 100% rating, including sellers who always leave
feedback for their buyer first? One seller on the Nortica top 500
largest Ebay sellers list who always leaves feedback on payment has a
99.9% rating from receiving over 77,000 feedback! A random sampling of
the top sellers list finds the sellers who leave feedback first average
a higher feedback percentage then those who hold feedback hostage. It
seems highly unlikely that is achieved just by luck, while these
feedback hostage sellers get bad buyers leaving negatives left and
right.
The truth is the vast majority of Ebay buyers are great, the number
leaving unjustified negative feedback tiny. Sellers who complain about
all these bad buyers are most likely doing something themselves to
cause buyers to want to leave them negative feedback.
Want to avoid feedback hostage - many sellers who do it state
so right in their listing. When you see something like "We always
reciprocate positive feedback" or "Leave postive feedback for me so I
will know that the item has been received and you are happy with the
transaction", it should be considered an implied threat meaning "if you
leave a neg or neutral for me you are surely going to get a neg in
return". But what if the listing says nothing on feedback...
Luckily there is a simple solution for buyers. In seconds one can click
on a sellers profie and compare the dates they left/received feedback
from the same buyer. If a number of transactions show the seller has
left feedback on the same or later day then they received it you have
found a feedback hostage seller. If being able to trust that a seller's
feedback profile truly reflects their service is important, and you
want the ability to leave feedback if you are unhappy without receiving
retaliation feedback, move on to the next seller. There are many great
sellers on ebay operating in a professional business like manner who do
not engage in feedback hostage.
There are many benefits from buying from sellers who leave
feedback first. It serves as a great filter - Sellers who engage in
selling bootleg items, misdescribe item condition, use unreliable drop
shippers, are slow to ship or fail to respond to emails are unlikely to
be among the sellers leaving feedback first. They know they will have
customer complaints, so protect their rating through the threat of
retaliation. Buyers can be confident sellers who have left feedback
first, thereby allowing their buyers to leave honest feedback without
any threat, have a profile that accurately reflects their service.
Finally, while most transactions on ebay are completed without a hitch,
if something goes wrong you can leave an honest comment without knowing
the seller will retaliate even though you did nothing wrong.
Holding feedback hostage is the one of the most dishonorable
practices on eBay. I refuse to do business with sellers enaged in it.
Colin Rule, eBay and PayPal's Director of Online Dispute
Resolution, wrote an excellent blog entry on feedback for the eBay
Chatter:
"Life is too short to live in fear. If a buyer communicates well and
pays quickly, why wait? Give them the positive. It communicates
something important about our values: we choose to trust, and we
believe that people are basically good. It's really rare for a buyer to
leave a neg for a good seller that leaves them a positive. It doesn't
make us vulnerable to take the first step... in fact, just the
opposite. It frees us from the constant fear and worry of being
susceptible to the one unreasonable person out there."
Read the whole thing:
http://www.ebaychatter.com/the_chatter/2006/08/let_he_who_is_w.html
Oct 2007, Ebay
now sends out emails to new sellers on their first sale advising them
to leave feedback when payment is received, and have also written that
in the "power up" newsletter delivered exclusively to power sellers: "Leave positive feedback when you receive payment"
Blatant non payers.
How many of you out there have auctioned off your things on eBay, yeah i know, stupid question. I recently put up an item for auction, which i only wanted to sell in the UK. I put on a delivery charge for the UK only, and an international bidder won the auction, OK you think nothing wrong there, I sent him an invoice telling him how much i had been quoted by parcelforce (Since he didn't aske me for a delivery price before hand) and he said he didn't want to pay that much. OK i went to my local post office and got a better price. I sent him an email through eBay and told him the new price, to which he replied OK but i do not have a paypal account (My ad said PayPal only), so i backed down and said he could send a money order. He said that wa fine until 5 days later he said, it's ok my friend has downloaded the book from the internet so i won't be needing yours anymore.
Correct me if i am wrong but the guy has technically entered int a contract and should pay for it. Now begins the arduous task of a dispute for which i have to wait for 8 days before i can get my FVF back.
Be on the look out fellow eBayers, if you want to sell in the UK only, do not back down. Cancel foreign bids and save a headache.
Polaroid SX-70 Guide
Gaudy Welsh: A Brief History and Collectors Guide.
What pram/pushchair to buy next.....!?
I am a *BAD* pramaholic, I have had over 300 now as I buy and sell and sometimes buy one and sell it the next day!
It really depends on the age of your child and to what you are using your pram for?
Around town shopping on and off public transport or do you drive and store in the car?
There is a huge range of prams out at the moment to chose from.
The Quinny Zapp and Buzz are portrayed to be amazing but personally I think they are for people who get shopping on a home delivery! and never go on buses!
I have had both in a few colours and found they were hell to get on and off the bus (as I dont drive) the front wheel has a mind of its own and goes off in all directions.
WHY PAY ALL THAT MONEY WHEN YOU CAN FIND A GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY PRAM AND LOOK GOOD TOO!!!!
My best ever pram has been the Mothercare Jive Buggy, I know there is some out there who would disagree but they are so hard wearing and can be hammered when out shopping and have a heavy child in too! The back wheels may wear quite kwik but they can easily be replaced. You can now buy an acessory pack for both the girl and boy Jive. I have just boughtthe new Boys one in Catch Me If you Can and they are great! The only problem I found with them, I know they are cheap and not built for heavy use but I have had mine for about 3 wks and the back wheels are already showing wear and I haven't had heavy shopping on handles! Suppose can't complain for price and keeping in boot.
I also think a Maxi Cosi Citi CX is brilliant as has rather a wide seat and child cannot kick under wheels (my 2 yr does!) I have had one in tangerine (gorgeous colour!) and one in Navy. The hood is great as goes right forward when sun in face!
If you want a big chunky trendy pram try the Mutsy, (I have had a few yet again, in different colours) Once you have worked the nack of the articulated steering they are great. They can be made very cosy with the thickly lined footmuff for a smaller baby. And when the child is older you could add a FunSeat and trust me you get some attention with one of these (my sister had one and it looked great!)
If you want a 2 in 1 try the Mamas and Papas Pramette. They can be changed from a cosy newborn rear facing pram to a forward facing pushchair in one easy swoop! You can get all matching acessories for them and theyfoldquite compact to and fit in a car boot.
I recently tried a Cosatto Diablo and thought it was about the same as a Techno XT, so now I changed my mind again and have gone back to the famous Maclaren Quest! Wont last long though!
I have had a Phil
MOBILE FRAUD BLOCK THIS BUYER
jadediggins is a conman he has just brought a SAMSUNG D900 for 3050
he is a conman
garty4502 is also paying thousands
likewise mikejen015 and youngannabell
i am tracking the idiots down and contacting ebay
if you know anymore then please tell me and i will add them
How to measure and hang a roman blind......
As a roman blind maker I often get asked how to measure accurately for a roman blind- as buying directly from ebay means you miss out on the service of having someone do it for you! So here is a basic run through................
First decide where you want the blind to hang- inside the windiow recess or outside, covering the frame? Inside looks smart but you need to check and see if there is suitable space for the top fittings to be screwed into the window- see how to hang. Outside can make the window look larger and is ideal for windows with limited recess space, and is also better if no curtains are going to be fitted to compliment the blind.
If the blind is to be fitted inside a recess.........
1) The most important thing to consider is where the blind is to hang from- expensive rails are available and require special headings please check with the blind maker to see what will be provided. Most Roman blinds now come with velcro heading for easy of fitting and cleaning, this will cover the top 1-2 inches at the top back of the blind so the length of the blind needs to be measured from where you wish the top of the blind to cover, down to a few millmetres above the window sill. The width of the blind should be the same as the space available to hang from at the top so be careful to measure and check if your windows frame is actually straight! Believe me, they often arent! Remember to allow a few milimetres either side for ventilation, especially if your windows suffer from condensation. If you are attempting to prevent any light from entering, eg for a dark room, night worker or a nursery I would recomend having the blind outside the recess.
If the blind is to be fitted outside a recess............
2) It is important to have the blind large enough to cover the window with approx 4-8 inches extra on all four sides this keeps the blind in proportion and make sure the blind looks smart when raised, if you are unsure how much larger to make the blind work from where previous curtains and blinds have hung from. Please bear in mind the suitability of the wall above the window and any radiators or window sills below- your fitting will need to compensate for these.
Right or left hand pull cords?..................
You will also need to decide where you want the blind to be operated from, the left or the right.
How to hang the blind...............
It is the standard practice of professional blind makers to hang roman blinds on a fabric covered wooden baton (approx 1.5 inches-2inches in thickness for recesses, larger for outside if needed) screwed into the frame of a recess or above the window, with velcro stapled to the front, this provides a gap for the blind cords to move in and prevents the blind from touching the window, as this can cause damp. On the lower edge of the baton parallel with the rings and cords of the blinds there will be eyelet screws or vine eyes, metal loops that allow for the cords to pass to the left or right and support the blind.
If you are just buying the basic blind without this fitting is easy to prepare for yourself. You can use a plain piece of wooden baton, the complimentary velcro tape to the blind heading, either a staple gun and staples or a hammer and tacks for fixing velcro to wooden baton, eyelets screws, a cleat hook and a cord tidy or acorn. All you need to do is cut the baton to the correct width and screw into the frame, then tack or staple the velcro onto the face. The eyelet screws need to be attatched to the underside inline with the rings on the blind, making sure the cords move at right angles never diagonally. If the blind is to be pulled from the left each cord should pass through the eyelet screws to the left, so tat the far left one holds all the cords.
It is always advisable to lower the blind completely before tying any knot in the cords as a knot int he wrong place would hamper the blinds movement, after this you will be able to see where the cleat hook needs to be postitioned for the blind to be raised and lowered without getting stuck. You can attatch a acorn to tidy the cords if required.
There are other fitting for roman blinds available but this method is both ecomonical and simple and if done carefully can have really beautiful effects.
Many thanks Zia Koko
Beads, Findings and the word Silver
Many sellers use the word silver to describe the items they are selling, but what do the actually mean?
Well, that really does depend on the context in which it is used.
Sterling Silver:
Sterling Silver must reach at least .925 percent pure with only 7.5 parts of another metal, This other metal is usually copper to ensure hardness.
Silver plate
This means that the jewellery is not silver, but a base metal covered in silver. Usually, there's no mark but if there is, the letters SP or EP (or similar variations) will appear on the jewellery. Over time, the plating may wear away and once that happens whatever is underneath the plating is going to start showing through.
Tibetan Silver/Bali Silver/Indian Silver
This is not pure silver more a description of the source. Older pieces did have a high silver content, but that isnt so now. Theres a good chance that the alloy contains base metals that could cause a reaction including nickel and/or antimony. Silver content can be as low as 1 or 2%
White Metal /Silver Tone
This can refer to any metal that is the same colour as silver. It may be that the seller is unsure of the metal content, but it is highly unlikely to contain any silver, and probably is an alloy that contains some nickel.
Providing you know what it is you are buying they all serve their purpose in the beading hobby.
If in doubt - ask the seller.
Austin / MG / Rover Metro
Nicorette sales are not allowed on eBay
Don't try to sell Nicorette items via UK eBay. The brand name /manufacturer holder Pizer state that as its normally meant to be sold as a prescription item or under a pharmacist direction, then eBay will remove your listing. Just thought I'd let you know so you don't waste your time like I did.
Buying Dior beauty Diorshow backstage
SELLERS BEWARE WHEN LISTING AS BUY IT NOW
It all started when I started making and selling ornate bedroom/salon chairs and fancy stools as me and my partner found that I was pregnant and so needed an extra income. The items I have been seling well and people have been realy very pleased. Then I discovered the 'buy it now' section and realised that its a quick way for buyers to purchase your items and then as a seller you dont have to wait days and days to sell your items. Sounds great???
Well thats where Ive found a bit of a problem!
I dont know whether its someone who sells similar items to me or whether its just random nasty people but I have been having people click the 'buy it now' button and then just not paying for the item!
Now I know that I can reist but the thing is it takes about two weeks to complete an unpaid item strike and so I am left with an item thats unable to be listed!
Then I found a fantastic 'clickable'
When you list and item as "buy it now" theres a little box you can click under the payment section headed "paypal" and it says "Require immediate payment when buyer uses Buy It Now" MY ADVICE TO YOU IS USE THIS!!! This way the item has to be paid for instantly!! so you dont get timewasters and general nastyness :)
Thankyou for reading this and I hope it helps!
Hayley...
ROLEX COUNTERFEIT FAKE FAKES PIGUET GUCCI D
Don't get fooled with cheap Asia-Fakes anymore! You have a seller protection garanty when you buy over ebay and pay with paypal .Internet platform is polluted with fake-sellers who advertise their watches to be authentic Rolex. Especially in the new collection the label protects itself through hightech features on its products, which are almost impossible to copy. So be aware of those signs of authenticity for Rolex, and check out our list below, if you wanna be sure to buy the Original, and to be absolutely sure- next time buy at our shop!
Rolex - Signs of a Fake!
- Clear Casebacks: we only know two watches that had clear casebacks, which were exhibition models from 1930 and have never been produced at all! Probably one of the easiest ways to identify a fake Rolex is by the caseback. Counterfeiters will often use a clear display, or "skeleton" caseback, thus allowing you to view the inner workings of the watch. The problem is Rolex does not make such a watch; therefore, these models are easily identified as fakes!
Counterfeit Rolex Yacht-Master with "clear casebacks".- Engraved casebacks: In addition to the "clear casebacks" listed above, engraved casebacks are another easy way to identify counterfeit Rolex watches. Again, Rolex does not engrave the caseback with logos, hallmarks, or designs. Genuine Rolex models will have a "smooth" caseback, and are free of these engravings. The rare exceptions to this are ladies' models (prior to the mid 1990's) which had "Original Rolex Design" or a similar variation thereof, engraved on the caseback in an arc fashion. Another exception is on the Sea-Dweller case backs which will have "Rolex Oyster Original Gas Escape Valve" engraved around the outside of the caseback in an arc fashion.
Counterfeit Rolex models with "engraved casebacks".Left: Counterfeit Submariner with engraved hallmarks
Buying used ballet shoes
Hello, I aman ex-professional ballet dancer and now a fully qualified teacher. I have noticed recently that there are many used pairs of 'pointe' shoes (blocks) available to buy on Ebay. Please, please do not buy used pointe shoes. The shoes are stiffened with a special type of glue, and when worn the glue softens slightly and moulds to the shape f the dancers own foot - ensuring a perfect fit. professional dancers have their shoes personally measured and made for them, often using 5-6 pairs for a perfomance. Wearing used shoes can permanently damage the bones in the foot, causing (amongst others) bunions, corns, arthiritis.
Girls must not go up on pointe (dance or exercise on their toes)until the bones of their feet are fully developed and the muscles--not onlyin the arches and legs, but also the lower torso--are strong enough to bearthe stress. (Joan Lawson says ten; Gretchen Warren says eleven. BarbaraEarly quotes an orthopedic surgeon who says, not until two years aftermenarche. Individuals vary, however, and this must ultimately be ajudgement call by the teacher. In some cases, it may be wise to get aphysician's opinion as well, but pointe work before the age of ten is, orought to be, out of the question.) They should also have had several years(at least three and preferably more) of proper training. All of thisrequires careful evaluation on the part of the teacher. Note that we havethree requirements here: bones, muscles, and training.
If you would like any information regarding ballet, pointe shoes etc, please do not hesitate to contac me
Rebecca Richards
CHINESE WHOLESALE SCAMMERS !!!
This is yet another guide about the many crooks out there on ebay. This time it isn't a gripe about Nigerian's who want to purchase an item and send it to their sick mum back home it is about Chinese wholesalers. I'm sure anyone who has sold any form of electrical item or electrical ebook of sorts will have had an email at one time or another asking you to visit a website and buy extremely cheap products from them.
My advise to you is to report these ASAP and ensure they cannot spam other people. It is an illegal ebay activity and the people who email you are 99% of the time likely to be fraudulent. I have bought an item like this before. I was shown a website and was given a price list and yet never received an item nor did I ever get a response from the seller. However, if the details are scrutinised correctly you will notice that they are showing you another website. If you email the actual company the chances are they wouldn't have even heard of the person trying to sell to you. Also, if they insist it is their own company then insist on receiving goods first and payment later - this will quickly get rid of them. How hard is it to create a website anyway ?? It can be done in a couple of hours !
The cost of living in China is very low and hence when you convert dollars or sterling into renmimbi it will go a lot further and hence if they even get money from 2 or 3 people it is an excellent weeks work !
Basically get these scammers off ebay and don't encourage them at all. They are crooks and you will lose your money !!!!
Okay i've had my moan now !!!
Please give me a positive rating for this guide and have a look in my ebay store for many superb bargains -
CLICK HERE TO VIEW HUNDREDS OF BARGAINS !!!
Kind Regards
baby born twin buggy
hi just a helpfull hint baby born buggys selling on ebay 45 if you go to argos there on offer at 29.99 so please dont go into paying a lot for one as there not as good for money value at all
there very weak flimsy and hard to push
hope this helps someone not to make the mistake i did and buy one xx
NO7 Protect
I feel that I must point out that the Boots NO7 Protect and Perfect Serum is NOT sold out in stores OR online!!
I have seen this serum being sold for ridiculous amounts of money on Ebay by Sellers who are advertising that customers cannot get hold of it anywhere else - this is complete rubbish.
Protect and Perfect Serum IS available in most stores at the standard price (whichis under 20.00)andon the Bootswebsitefor standard price plus 2.95 postage. Orders ARE limited to one per customer per week, but it is DEFINITELY available.
I can also tell you that it is FABULOUS!!
Click to see prices...
Friday, July 23, 2010
Advice for Choosing Your Wedding Veil
Advice forChoosing Your Wedding Veil
by
ANNGUISESilk Wedding Veils
1. Remember the veil is part of the Bridal outfit, not something that is plonked on your head as an after thought.
2. Try lots of different styles and lengths of veil in different fabrics to find the one that best compliments your outfit.
3. Dont have a heavily patterned veil with a very ornate dress as one will fight with the other.
4. Your guests should say YOU look stunning, not your outfit looks stunning.
5. Dont have a veil that cuts across detail at the back of the dress. Let the veil finish below the decoration. Silk tulle is sheer enough to allow decoration to show through.
6. If you are petite, dont have a veil that swamps you such as a high bouffant veil. It will only make you look smaller
7. Think of adding colour eg. embroidery, to the veil to link in with your bridesmaids and/or bouquet.
8. A veil can transform the simplest dress into a stunning Bridal outfit.
9. Dont forget to take your veil with you when you have your hair trial.
10. If you are nervous of pressing your veil, ask the store where you bought it if they will steam it a couple of days before the wedding. You can transport it home covered in a pillow case or duvet cover depending on its length.
11. Dont wear something because you think you should, wear what YOU want.
12. Dont make a decision about whether to wear a veil or not until you have tried some on with your dress. A long veil can create a wonderful aura around you.
13. Dont forget you can have a veil made to measure just as you can a dress. You can have the exact length and decoration that YOU want.
14.You only wear a veil once so make the most of it and enjoy it!
Ann Guise Copyright 2004
Cappuccino Italian Coffee Recipe
Step by step Instructions
Foaming milkTo foam milk it's best to use the dedicated steam arm of an espresso machine. Put 200ml of cold fresh milk in a jug. Put the steam arm just below the milk surface, and open the steam valve. You should hear a characteristic "ch-ch" sound, and watch the milk slowly increasing in volume. Try to put the steam arm in such a way that the milk makes a swirling motion. Angling the milk jug a bit may help to start the swirling motion. Swirling helps to make a better quality foam, whick ideally is like cream in density!Your milk should stretch to almost twice the volume. When it gets hot enough close the steam valve.
ThermometerUsing a milk thermometer is very useful to get the ideal milk temperature. When your milk temperature gets in the 65 to 70 C degrees temperature range, quickly turn off the steam valve. Let your steamed milk to "rest" for a minute.
Brew espresso
Brew 2 shots of espresso, using 14-16gr of finely ground espresso coffee, in a preheated cappuccino mug. Add sugar or flavoured syrup if you want. If you want a milder coffee only brew one espresso shot. The ideal espresso will have strong aroma and hazel-brown dense crema on top.
Free PouringPour the steamed milk on top of your just brewed espresso. Properly stretched milk is 50% hot milk and 50% foam milk, so the resulting cappuccino will be perfect in proportions. Free pouring is not always easy and requires experience. If free pouring gives you poor results you can "cheat" by using a big table spoon to separate foam from milk. Pour equal parts of milk and foam using the table spoon.
Choose ToppingIf you want you can top your cappuccino with vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa or caramel sauce. You can even design patterns with cocoa, chocolate sauce or caramel sauce.If you found this guide useful please vote. For quality coffee products visit FreshCoffeeShop
The Craft of Crochet
The early development of the craft of crochet is linked to the imitation of lace and lace making.
The word crochet comes from the French croche or croc meaning to hook.
In the 16th century nuns taught the craft to their students and it became a recognised accomplishment of a high-born lady. Crochet was considered to be suitable only for the rich with the poorer people having knitted items.
In the 1840s crochet instructions began to be published and so crochet became more popular. Before this time crochet had been handed down through families with each generation passing on the skills.
Many older patterns contained just a picture with just a few of the more complicated sections explained, as a consequence you were expected to work from the picture for the majority of the pattern!
Irish crochet is often considered to be crocheting at its highest expression and is done with the finest thread and hooks in intricate patterns, usually displaying a motif of leaves or flowers set in an open web-like background.
When trying to imitate lace very fine threads and hooks were used but nowadays it is more usual to use soft yarns to produce clothing, home furnishings and wall displays.
How to Crochet
When you begin to crochet you start with a slip stitch on a hook. However, unlike knitting, crochet uses this single starting loop to work a row of individual chain stitches. So each new loop is formed by catching the yarn and drawing it through the previous loop.
Then you work back along this series of chain stitches, each new stitch being looped through a stitch in the previous row.
Each stitch is completed when only a single loop remains on your crochet hook, and then the next stitch is worked. Although this may sound complicated in practise it is very easy to do.
By using various combinations of stitches it is possible to create a variety of textures and patterns. These combinations can have descriptive names such as pineapple and popcorn as well as the more usual chain, double, and treble.
An Ideal Craft for the Busy Person
Crochet can be done with the minimum amount of equipment and mess, and is very quick to tidy away.
This makes crochet an ideal craft to do when youre travelling. There is only your yarn and a crochet hook, and possibly a crochet pattern, to carry. If you drop a stitch or make a mistake it is easy to pull the work back to a correct single loop and restart from there.
Crochet Pattern e-books
Crochet pattern e-books are great value and very convenient. You can print out just the instructions for the pattern you are making.
This allows you to have only a page or two for your pattern and you do not need to carry a whole crochet book.
If the pages youve printed get damaged or lost it is easy to print the pattern again from the e-book allowing you to complete your project.
Crochet is an interesting hobby. You can crochet straight forward items almost immediately and once youve mastered the basics you can go onto the more complicated patterns when you fancy a challenge.
For Crochet Patterns and Learn How to Crochet Videos visit my eBay store Learn and Do to see the full range.
Suzuki GS1000
Want a classic that handles better than the iconic Kawasaki Zeds and cost less. Well the Suzuki GS1000/850 range is way to go it may not have the street cred that the Zeds have but they are a better bike. Suzuki were a bit sly with their offering. They looked at the problems the Zeds were having and corrected the faults in their bikes (Stiffer frames, sorted camchain tensioner to name a few). So you have a bike that handles better than the Zeds (in standard form). They came in various guess from the basic chain drives 'E' versionthrough to the 'S' slightly sporty version and even a shaft drive 'G' version that works (changes gear). The main weakness in the GS1000/850 range is the electrics, but saying that many owners have cured this problem by replacing the offending items with modern reliable replacement from firms such as Electrex. However bear in mind that these bike's are now all around 25 years old. So condition is important as some parts are now longer avaiable on the body work side. Original exhausts are like hens teeth, but after market systems are avaiable, but you will tend to be going the 4 into 1 route rather than the original style of the 4 into 2 systems.
My choice/ My bikeis the Suzuki GS1000G (shaft drive). Almost as quick as the chain version (125mph clocked by a fireblade)with one less part to maintain and tend to have been less heavily used/abused in their early days. Have seen these go for as little as 700 unto 2000 . So grab a bargain whilst this appreciating classic is still cheep.
Oh almost forgot Suzuki have a fantastic web site with very helpful knowledgable people if you get stuck with a problem. Or drop me a line I will be more than happy to advise
P.S My GS1000G is just about to go down the rebuild road keeping looks as standard but with a breathed on motor (Big bore kit worked head pumper carbs and a hand built 4 into 2 exhaust to exract maximum oomph) have aquired all the bits over the last few yearsjust need to put it together.
Authentic Gucci Wallet Guide
Hi,
Erm...I kinda got annoyed with the ambiguality of items sold on Ebay...so I went to Selfridges today to buy a definitely Authentic Gucci Wallet. I thought, since I'm gonna fork out 125pounds for a real one anyway, might as well help some people too, so I took pictures from the process of opening the package, etc.
Anyway...it would have come in a Gucci bag if you bought it as their own store, but this one was from Selfridges, so it as a Selfridges bag.
However, the Gucci bag inside comes like this...
With the Gucci "netted" monogram printed on the inside
Unwrap the golden-brown wrapping paper and you would see then box...which is also golden brown in colour, with GUCCI written in gold capital letters, NOT SILVERand slightly elevated, so you would be able to feel it if you run your finger across the letters. This is also the same with the writing on the outter paper bag.
Next...it would be good to note that the box DOES NOT have a barcode
These pictures show all 4 sides of the box...there is no barcode.
Inside the lid is printed with the double G monogram...like the outer bag.
Now to the wallet itself.
The GUCCI sign isembrossed (sunken)in capital letters...with "made in italy" underneath all in lower case. Above the GUCCI sign is the circled R for registered trademark.
Now for the detail of the double G frabric, here's a comparison between a real wallet and a fake. The real one is on the left, the fake on the right.
If you look carefully where the hook of the G is (where it makes it a G, not a C), on the real one the hook is actually attached to the curved C shape...making it a triangle, whereas on the fake it is just a regular G with a straight line for the hook.
The wallet DOES NOT come with a dust bag, and comes with ONLY 2 CARDS...one is a small white 4-fold booklet containing care instructions in Italian, English, French, Japanese and Chinese. Another is the small retangular controllato card, with numbers 1-0 on it. There is NO hard brown plastic guarantee card...that was done to copy the Prada authenticity cards apparently, and GUCCI doesn't have them.
I cannot comment on the care card,as I've never seen a fake one of it before. However, the controllato card I have an example...the top one is real, the bottom one is fake.
Firstly, the GUCCI font is smooth...no hooks anywhere, whereas the the fake one is in the wrong font. Secondly the grey part of the real one is smaller than the part where the controllato numbers are printed on. Thirdly, the size of the controllato is smaller than the numbers, not the same.
Also the grey background colour are of different shade. The real one is a shade darker, somewhat blueish...as shown in the picture below, the top on is real, and the bottom is fake.
Hopefully this had helped cleared some worries that some, like me, may have had.
Format an External Disk with Windows XP Disk Management
How to format an external USB2disk with Windows XP
The steps are:
* Create an extended partition for the whole of the disk. This is just an envelope to hold the disk partitions within.* Create any number of "logical drive" partitions within the extended partition. Each of these will be given a drive letter within Windows. You can choose how big each one is.
Here is a tutorial taking you through the steps
1) First open the disk management tool, by right-clicking on "My Computer" and selecting "Manage".
2) When you select the "disk management" section, you will see all your disks, as shown below.
3) Right click on the new disk (you should see that it is unallocated) and select "New Partition"
4) Choose to make the partition an extended partition
5) Now right click in the new extended partition (shown in green) and select "New Logical Drive":
6) Choose "Logical Drive"
7) Choose the size in Mega Bytes. If you want to use FAT32 format then you must choose 32000 or less. If you are going to use NTFS then you can specify any size. See step 9 to explain FAT32 verses NTFS.
8) Choose the drive letter to assign... the next free is shown by default. It can be a good idea to use something higher in the alphabet like "R" so that it doesn't affect the letters assigned to removable items like flash memory readers.
9) We recommend you choose NTFS as the format, as its the best available for Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
If you want the disk to be used with Windows 98 or Me, then you need to select "FAT32" as the format. This option is only available if you are making the partition less than 32GB.
You can give the disk a label that appears in Windows Explorer... below we show the label as "External"
We recommend you choose "Perform a Quick Format" so the formatting is done in about 20 secs. Otherwise the formatting can take several hours.
10) Once its finished you should see the disks format displayed (NTFS as shown below)
PAYPAL RIP OFF - HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELVES
This guide will help all ebay sellers to protect themselves from fraudulantbuyers who are putting us 's out of pocket.
I, like 1,000's of other ebay sellers, have fallen victim to fraudulant buyers reversing payments and the like... after having posted their item and it being signed for by the buyer (Who then claims it wasnt them!). Paypal does NOTHING to help us, the people who keepebay / paypalrunning, instead looking out only for NUMBER ONE, Themselves. It seems there's people out there making a living off of us decent people, robbingus ofour items and money, which is effectively e-Theft.Paypal prides themselves on being the SAFEST method of online payment there is.... but it most certainly IS NOT. Paypal has the power to TAKE AWAY your money without giving you a seconds thought, JUST BECAUSE THE FRAUDULANT BUYER wants their money back. So.....Avoid paypal where you believe there is a risk. Request cheque / postal order if a buyer is serious about buying but doesnt meet your criteria.
So don't let Paypal, andthe fraudulantbuyers get the upper hand here.... Follow my guidelines and you can't go far wrong.
There's two choices... Boycott paypal altogether (seriously hurting your sales figures) or....be extremely vigilant with new andoverseas buyers.
Following my guidelinesshould help deter/ stop 99% of the bad ones.ENSURE ALL YOUR LISTINGS INCLUDE THIS CRITERIA IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOURSELFAnd remember, if an ebayer sends you a payment and theydont meet your criteria.... REFUND theirpayment and explain why. You have EVERY right to protect yourself. WITHBUYERS FROM THE SAME COUNTRY:Offer to acceptpaypal payment onlyfrom buyers withfeedback over 95%, or more than 20Positive feedback At this point, check their feedback for the tell tale signs of them being a dodgy bleeder,what items have they bought previously. Many fraudulant buyersbuy 1p E-Books as a method of getting their feedback upto / over theminimum amount you require. These buyers should NOT be trusted. If you wish to be even more vigilant, change the Postive % to a higher amount, or find out the nature of their negative feedback before accepting a payment. Accept CHEQUE / POSTAL ORDER/ BANK BALANCE TRANSFER only from buyers with under 10 feedback or under 95% Positive feedback. If a buyer refuses to pay for your item via one of these methods, then tough luck for themselves. Perhaps offer the buyer a small discount(since Paypal takes a cut from any transaction anyway) as a way of showing you do want their business but not at your own risk. Ifanygenuinebuyer truly desires positive feedback and the item in question, then they should have no quarrels in paying for your item via one of these payment methods. If your feedback is excellent they should have NO reason not to trust you, and shouldalso understand your reasons for being so cautious.For High Value Orders, ALWAYS check that thebuyersaddress is PAYPAL CONFIRMED, and also that their ebay name / address matches that of their Paypal Payment details.If the addresses dont match up, question the buyer. Explain why you're asking the questions. If they dont respond, refund their money. Dont let down your guard no matter how genuine a sale may look. A hi-jacked ebay account can be extremely dangerous. I myself have been victim to this twice, both times leaving me over 100 out of pocket. This only takes a couple seconds to check and could save you 100s.Communicate with your buyers. If you have the slightest inkling that something may be wrong, dontdispatch the item andcontact your buyer before doing anything.Explain to your buyer why you are contacting them first of all. An explanation from your buyer is all that's needed for whatever problem you may of had needed to clear up. If no response, simply refund the payment,create aNon-Payment dispute for the item in question, stating you disagreed over terms,and claim back your Final Value Fee. Much rather doing this than possibly shipping an item to a buyer who will take back ALL your money at a later date.Show that you mean business... LEAVE NEGATIVE feedback for EVERY Buyer who is a risk to others. Any buyer with a huge NEGATIVE feedback score and a comment typed in capitalssaying the buyer isFRAUDULANT is unlikely to get very far using that account. Make sure your listing states that any dodgy buyer runs the risk of immediate NEGATIVE feedback and being reported to ebay. Do NOT worry about receiving negative feedback on your own account. The majority of cases end where ebay removes Negative feedback left by fraudulant buyers. At the end of the day, YOU are protecting the ebay community by Naming and Shaming them on their own feedback page.WITH OVERSEAS BUYERSPAYPAL VERIFIED ADDRESS? PERFECT FEEDBACK? GOOD COMMUNICATION? Always ensure any overseas buyers address is paypal verified, and that their positive feedback and % is exceptional. Especially if selling expensive items. If you dont trust your gut instinct, DONT POST THE ITEM. Instead contact your buyer and ask whatever questions you feel appropriate to ask. If they don't like your probing behaviour, send them back their money. Always post items using INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR, and ensure you charge accordingly for this in your listings. Make your overseas buying requirements very visible in your listings also...
If you check any of my listings you will find achart which I give you permission to COPY
COLIC.
I'm a First Time Mum. I breastfed my Daughter for a 1 and half months, before putting her on Formula Milk. (I have a second child now and experienced the same again. Althugh this time I knew exactly what t expect....)
She was crying constantly and she got even more worked up when it came to feeding time. I was told by a Midwife at the hospitalthat Breastfed babies don't get Colic........... Yeahright! TheyCan!
Colicky Babies do want more soothing than others. At first my daughter was constantly at the breast. I felt I couldn't do or go anywhere. I used to write down in a little feeding book which breast she last fed on , what time and how long for, as I wasthat tiredI kept forgetting which she fed off last.
I introduced aDummy by the 3rd week. Not normally recommended whilst breast feeding, but when I showed the Midwife how many times my daughter was on the breast, she simply said you can not go onlike this. She suggested a Dummy.Can I just say, itdid give me some rest bite, as she was using my breast as a soother and not actually feeding. She just wanting comforting all the time.
Due to the selectionof Formula Milk available, I didn't have a clue which was the best. I spoke to my Sister inLaw, who swore by Cow
Alloy Wheel shipping
the shipping costs for alloy wheels is usually cheaper than you would thik i use a courier service called interparcel (dot com) the postage costs around 16 for 4 wheels (you may need to ship them in 2 seperate packages though
BUYING THE CORRECT SIZE OF BALLET SHOE
It is a general rule that when purchasing ballet shoes you must go for the size that is at least one size bigger than your normal street shoe size - sometimes one and half sizes bigger.
cleansing your healing crystals
A new crystal should always be cleansed before you work with it for healing.
This is not actually to clean dirt from it, but the unwanted energy it will have gathered from other people.
There are many ways suggested for cleansing, but you shouldtake carebefore you decide on which method to use. For instance, some crystals would be destroyed by water, while others would fade in sunlight
I recommend 2 methods, which are safe for any crystal, even those set in delicate jewellery.
An Amethyst bed or druze (this is a piece of amethyst with a number of natural points) makes an excellent cleansing tool. Just place your crystals gently onto the amethyst and leave them for 3 to 4 hours
Sea Salt (you can get it from the supermarket) is also a very good way of cleansing the negative energy from your crystals. Pour the dry seasalt into a clear glass bowl and sit a smaller clear glass bowl into the salt so that it is surrounded. Put your crystals into the smaller bowl (just dry, there's no water involved) they will cleanse through the glass. Again, 3 or 4 hours is plenty of time.
You should cleanse your crystals when you 'feel' that they need it. It will feel as though their energy is running down and they are no longer as effective as they were.
As you get to know them, you will be able to tell when they need cleansing - but to start with, about once a month is a good general guide.
click here to have a look at my eBay shop
How many pocket springs in a mattress?
You wouldn't believe the sales hype that some reps give in bed shops. One of the things that they will try and tell you is 'the more pocket springs in a mattress the better'. Well to be honest this isn't true.
800 springs in a king size mattress is enough to do what pocket springs are designed to do. If a mattress has too many springs (I have seen 3000 in a king size mattress), then the springs have to be made so small and weak that they can easily be damaged.
I usually recommend between 1000 and 1800 in a king size mattress.
If you find this guide helps, then please rate it.
I recon that the person who rated this guide as unhelpful must be one of those bed sellers who tries to convince people that the more springs the better.
Motorcycle Helmet safe or not
Hello to all those people selling helmets over 5 years old, do you know that your helmet is not as good as you think.
Nearly all manufactures of helmets agree that after 5 years use REGARDLESS of how much use, your helmet should be replaced as it does not offer the same protection as it used to, go to the ARAI web page and read what they say, this is for YOUR SAFETYif your using your lid orOTHERS who might buy your helmet.This is what arai say.
No matter how good it may look, or how well you take care of it, age still takes its toll. Even with minimal use, a helmet is affected by things like the acids and oils in sweat, haircare products, pollution, exposure to UV rays, etc. At about the five-year mark, helmet interiors begin to show wear and/or deterioration, which should serve as an alert to its overall condition. The helmet's fit may begin to feel a little "loose", not as snug as it once did. This unseen aging and deterioration of the EPS liner and fiberglass shell can affect the helmet's ability to perform in an impact as it was originally designed.
The 5 year rule should be taken from the date of manufacture which is stamped on the inside of a new helmet, or in the caes of an arai on the helmet strap, and not from the date you bought it as retailers buy in bulk they may have had the helmet a year or so before you buy it, just check when your buying it...Apparently Shoei helmets only deteriorate once they start to be used if they are kept out of sunlight in a cool place before being used, i have been informed, but again its up to yourself to check how old the helmet isyour buying....
Dont forget to view my other motorcycle related guides...
Hope this will help you all and not just those selling used helmets. Regards....John
9ct gold ring jewellery chains stamps frauds and cons
hi welcome to my review let,s start
if your buying gold what do you look for first and foremost check feedback secondly ask questions its your money !!!!!!!
i have been buying and selling gold for quite a while and the first question i always ask is it stamped followed by how much does it weigh is it hollow are they the actual pictures and a good question does it stick to a magnet most people will get involved and answer honestly if they are avoiding answering questions it usually means a, they cant weigh the gold but easily done at post office jewellery shops etc so might ring alarm bells, please always get recorded delivery on any jewellery it saves argument and always if possible pay on paypal remember on chains the clasp will stick to a magnet only there is a tiny spring in clasps, lobster claws bangles , braclets also contain a metal spring or have metal coresthese are used to strenghthen the product due to the shape of the item basically it means a metal inner surrounded by solid gold ,bangles also contain a flexible metal wire which also help keep the rigid shape , buy your self a gold testing kit 9.99 a good investment and scales another 9.99 if your buying a bit of gold it saves money in the long run and gives you peace of mind
now what remember gold is 5.00 gram for 9ct gold 10.00 a gram for18ct what are you prepared to pay i always pay scrap value unless its something i really want gold normally goes for about 6.50 a gram on ebay most jewellers charge roughly 15.00 + a gram your paying for the intrinsic value how much it cost to make etc if your not sure stay away gold can be fun but exspensive if you get ripped off "never buy out of ebay "or you will come unstuck you may want to buy rings always check sizes and note finger sizes go up in hot and cold conditions i normally pay between 9.99 to 20 unless i want it ,if your buying diamonds check if the ring has "dia" followed by the carat size if your not sure of your purchase any jeweller will test for free of charge if asked nicely just be honest and say "i have bought this ring and i was wondering if it was a diamond "always worked for me i purchaseddiamond testerfrom america for 49.99
lastly if you do get ripped off what should you do contact the seller be firm and fair they might not have known they was fake ,demand a full refund back straight away if it does not look like you will recieve one open a paypal dispute and if no paypal open a ebay dispute do not be afraid of a negative on your score and remember your warning ebayers of these people lastly if you feel you have been robbed and not recieved your money report it to the police it is theft and you will find that they probaly have done this before and be firm its your money just ask them to at least put the details in there data base and check them out its the least they can do trust me if they are dodgy they will get in touch
if you come across any advert that says might be gold but not sure there mistake your gain it will not be gold trust me been there done it and if they have a high score they will have the fore mentioned tools check old adverts they might describe not stamped but gold because they can test them or if someone does not put the weight trust me the picture will make it look massive and it will be hollow or light or they have left it at brothers sisters house and cant weigh it etc cause they have and always remember to save all e-mails until your 100% happy i do if you have a question or need advice i always like to help
CONS AND FRAUDS SECTION
hi welcome 99% of ebayers are honest and genuine and the others are out right scum so i have compiled a few tips to help catch these people out who think they are clever enough to out smart us honest folks or the police
here goes you pay by postal orders and the seller or buyer that recieves or in this case says they didnt recieve think they have got away with it so wrong
1,keep your stub this is the fundimental proof in your case to proof that this has been sent NOT ALWAYS NEEDED BUT MAKES THINGS QUICKER BECAUSE YOU WILL HAVE TIMES DATES AND AMOUNTS WHICH CAN BE CROSS REFERENCED
i would advise sending recorded delivery any and all postal orders never cash if you can always cross postal orders this forces the seller to place the order in there bank account and this can be obviously be traced by the police and post office who have a special team dedicated to fraud and will prosecute any fraud
2, if you send a uncrossed postal order is that the end of that
NO!!!!so when a uncrossed postal order is cashed it is scanned by a cashier and time and date and server will be noted against this money order if you suspect that this has happened to you more than once (they know who they are ) you can get a claim for from any postoffice a p59 i believe but ask for a postal order claim form and they have them there all the time
NOW HERE IS THE INTERESTING BIT WHEN YOUR POSTAL ORDER IS WHICH YOU HAVE SENT AND IS PRESENTED TO THE CASHIER SCANNED BY THE CASHIER THE TIME DATE AND CASHIER IS NOTED SEEM TO BE REPEATING MYSELF NOT SO HERE IS WHY BECAUSE EVERY POST OFFICE IS PROTECTED BY SECURITY CAMERA,S
GETS BETTER EVERY POST OFFICE HAS WHAT IS CALLED A D.V.R WHICH STANDS FOR A DIGITAL VERSATILE RECORDER A WHAT ?????
THIS CLEVER GADGET RECORDS ALL INFO FROM CAMERAS 24/7 365 DAYS A YEAR HERE IS THE CLEVER BIT YOUR LOCAL POLICE GET INVOLVED FOR A FRAUD CASE AND CHECKTHERE EBAY ACCOUNT AND CONTACTTHERE OTHER CUSTOMERS WHO AS IT TURNED OUT HAVE ALSO BEEN CONNED BY THE SELLER BUT KEPT THERE STUBS THE POLICE GO TO THE POST OFFICE AND WITH THE HELP OF THESE VERY CLEVER FOR MENTIONED DVR,S CAN GET THE TIME DATE AND MATCH IT UP WITH VIDEO FOOTAGE CROOK CAPTURED
4, the dvrs in the post office have 16 channels eg run 16 camera,s they also have pan and tilt etc meaning any footage recorded in digital quality can be zoomed into high lighting face etc documents used to obtain money from the postal order unless its a small amount and they might not ask but times dates and identifying suspect will result in arrest for fraud
I HOPE THIS HELPS I OBVIOUSLY CANT GIVE AWAY ANYMORE TIPS AS TO ALERT THESE CON ARTISTS AND THIEFS BUT IF YOU NEED ANY HELP OR ADVICE ON TRACING FINDING PEOPLE OR ANY EXTRA INFO I CAN TRY AND HELP YOU ALWAYS REMEMBER WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN CONNED GET THERE DETAILS FROM EBAY EASILY DONE BY GOING ON ADVANCE SEARCH AND PUTTING IN THE EBAY ITEM NO AND THERE ID ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE PAID BY PAY PAL WHEN TALKING TO THE PERSON WHO HAS CONNED YOU RECORD CONVERSATIONS THIS IS EVIDENCE GET THEM TO CONFIRM THEY POSTED THE PACKAGE AND THEY HAVE ANY RECIEPTS TO THIS PACKAGE ALSO CRUCIAL EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE ALOT OF TIMES DATES AND DETAILS ON YOUR ENVOLOPE WHEN THEY TOOK IT IN TO THE POST OFFICE TRY TO ESTABLISH IF THE ENVOLOPE WAS SEALED OR CELLOTAPED ETC BY THEM AND HERE IS THE CLEVER BIT IF THE PARCEL IS REALLY LIGHT AND FEELS EMPTY DONT OPEN IT LEAVE IT SEALED SAY YOU BROUGHT A GOLD CHAIN WEIGHING 155GRAM
AND PARCEL ONLY WEIGHS 39 GRAM ITS SO OBVIOUS ITS MISSING SO LEAVE SEALED WITH THE GUILTY PARTIES FINGER PRINTS ALL OVER THE BOX AND TRUST ME THESE PEOPLE WILL BE CAUGHT AND LOCKED UP
ALSO NOTE BE PATIENT WHEN PHONING POLICE BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE NOTHING IS BEING DONE THEY ARE INVESTIGATING AND AMASSING EVDENCE AND WILL CONTACT THE PEOPLE WHO BEEN CONNING FRAUDING ETC THEY ARE ESPECIALY BUSY AT CHRISTMAS
IF THIS GUIDE HELPS ANYBODY I AM GLAD PLEASE VOTE IF SOMETHING IS NOT COVERED AS STATED SEND A MESSAGE I WILL TRY TO HELP BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OMITTED FOR A REASON AS NOT TO TIP THE THIEFS AND CON MERCHANTS OFF