Archive for December, 2007

Marketing Product And Services - What Is The Difference Between Product And Service Marketing?

Monday, December 31st, 2007

By Serge Daudelin It may be commonly perceived by many people that there is a world of difference between product and service marketing. They could not be further from the truth because in fact there is hardly any difference. This may be because most people are not given to purchasing products and services. Instead, what makes them buy a product or service is the usefulness of the product or service and how it will benefit them. The product or service that people purchase is meant to be a solution to some problem, which may be simple or it could be serious problem. The job of marketing is to give to the customer something that is wanted and it may require attracting people to seek a particular solution that is a product or service. There must also be consistent follow-up action that will keep the customer informed about the benefits of the product or service being marketed. Thus, the main difference between marketing products or services is that there is much more personal contact required when marketing a service as compared with marketing products. Marketing services may require meeting the customer in a face-to-face basis, or it may mean contacting prospective customers over the telephone. In addition, you would also need to know what the potential customer wants and then give them just that, which is a sure shot means of getting more business. Getting more people attracted to your product or service will help you gather information that can be used to contact them, which is an important step in making a sale. Once your marketing efforts get you good prospective clients who are coupled with follow-up action, the chances of converting a good percentage of these prospective customers into paying customers will greatly improve and there will be no real perceivable difference between marketing a product or service except perhaps the amount of personal contact made with the customer while marketing your product or service. Do you want to learn more about how I do it? I have just completed my brand new guide to Search Engine Marketing Success. Discover The *Secret Formula* We’ve Used To Stay In Google’s Top 3 Rankings For Over 3 Years For Some Of The Toughest Keywords Around (18 MILLION Competitors!) Download it free here: Search Engine Marketing Success Serge Daudelin Affordable Search Engine Optimization Services.com Serge Daudelin is a Search Engine Optimization Specialist who has written over 300 articles in print and 5 published ebooks. Serge is dedicated to helping others and offering the best information on how to make more money online. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Serge_Daudelin http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-Product-And-Services—What-Is-The-Difference-Between-Product-And-Service-Marketing?&id=555149 phentermine pills no prescription i want to buy phentermine buy phentermine online overnight phentermine online pharmacy

10 Dos Of Great Hair Care

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

By Michael Barrows If the amount of money consumers spend on hair care products annually is any indication, most people are concerned about the appearance of their hair and strive to attain beautiful, healthy and stylish locks. In fact, most will go to any lengths to achieve their desired look. From professional salon treatments to over-the-counter serums, hair care is a big business. The only problem is that while many people are buying the right hair care products for their hair, they forget to follow basic hair care regimens that will guarantee the health and beauty of their tresses. Additionally, many are also causing needless damage to their hair by participating in unhealthy hair care behavior. So, what should you do to make sure that your hair stays healthy, shiny and strong? Here are 10 essential “must dos” of great hair care. Hair care dos 1. Use the right hair care products for your specific hair type. If you’re hair is damaged, dry or color treated, use hair care products formulated to repair this damage and add much-needed shine and resiliency. On the other hand, if your hair is oily, use a deep-cleansing shampoo and light conditioner to keep your hair looking its best. The right products should be at the base of your hair care routine. 2. Get a trim every 6 to 8 weeks as part of your regular hair care routine. Even if you are growing your hair longer, it is still vital to make a routine trim a major part of your hair care routine. Snipping ends before they split will keep your hair looking healthy and save you hair care headaches in the end. 3. Protect your hair with hair care products that contain sunscreen. 4. Shampoo your hair only when it is dirty. Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to shampoo your hair daily. Doing so can make your hair dry and hard to work with. 5. Turn to a professional for all of your hair care needs. Yes, kitchen beauticians and friends do not cost as much as putting your hair care needs in the hands of a qualified professional, but they often result in blunders that end up costing you more money than if you went to the salon in the first place. 6. Use professional conditioning hair coloring systems. There are many hair coloring systems on the market, and the ones you choose can have a great impact on your hair care costs. Simply put: choose a system that causes minimal damage and conditions hair as it colors. This will save you money when it comes to conditioning hair care products. 7. Stick with one chemical service. In order to keep your hair as healthy as it can be, ask your hair care professional to recommend only one chemical service: color or perm. By only using the service that is perfect for your particular style and needs, you will ensure that your hair stays healthier. 8. Add Texture. By adding texture to your style, through perm or cut, you can greatly reduce the time it takes to style and perform your daily hair care routine. And you will look sensational. 9. Choose hair color that compliments your style. With all of the professional coloring techniques available, this part of your hair care regimen has never been easier. From chunky highlights to soft color, you can greatly enhance your style with the right technique. 10. Comb your hair with a wide-toothed come when it is wet to prevent breakage. The only time you should use a brush during your hair care routine is when your hair is barely damp or dry. In the end, hair care is a very individualized and personal thing. Feel free to add your own flair and style to your hair care routine, but remember to include hair care principles that will benefit your hair and avoid those that damage it. Michael Barrows’ website gives great advice for good hair. Get your free ebook packed with hair style and hair care tips and advice, visit the great hair styles website. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Barrows http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Dos-Of-Great-Hair-Care&id=98943 phentermine forums where to buy cheap phentermine no doctor where to buy the lowest price phentermine phentermine online with no prescription

Samsung U600- With Technologically Enhanced Features

Sunday, December 30th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Day_Kevi]Day Kevi Today, consumers look for mobile phones with a combination of a unique design combined with flawless performance. Slim handsets with striking looks attract the attention of a buyer. Other astounding features that you look for in a mobile phone are a brilliant imaging experience, high quality sound and seamless connectivity features. The popular mobile manufacturer, Samsung truly lives upto the customers’ expectations. The latest Samsung phones are equipped with multimedia navigation keys for use besides other hi-tech features. These phones are undoubtedly a pleasure to the eye with sleek designs and endless features. The Samsung U600 is all set to catch the attention of all fashion conscious mobile phone users. The built-in 3.2 megapixel camera captures your memories and the large resolution screen works as a viewfinder for the camera. The user-friendly messaging services and a plethora of other noteworthy features make the Samsung U600 a delight to use. The handset provides you with an excellent musical experience with an integrated music player that plays all the popular music formats. This thin and lightweight handset is almost unnoticeable in your pocket. The additional camera features that include an integrated camera menu and an image editor makes it easier for the photographers to access the camera features. Take exquisite snaps and record memorable videos. The overall user experience is good and straightforward. This astonishing piece of art integrates style and substance in a single device. So if you are looking forward to buy this Samsung U600 fashion mobile phone, browse through the online mobile phone shops and find attractive deals like free line rentals, free talktime, incentives, etc. You can easily find a cost effective deal for yourself. Just a few clicks and you’ll get what you are looking for. These attractive phones offer a good deal of features in a small package. If you want to know more about the latest Samsung U series mobile phones like Samsung U600, Samsung U700, [http://www.free3gmobilephoneoffers.co.uk/Phone_Deal.asp?Ph=Samsung--U100]Samsung U100 with best mobile phone deals please visit: [http://www.free3gmobilephoneoffers.co.uk/]Mobile Phones. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Day_Kevi http://EzineArticles.com/?Samsung-U600–With-Technologically-Enhanced-Features&id=560624 buy phentermine 37.5 mg cheapest phentermine pharmacy net buy phentermine no prescription phentermine 30 mg diet pills blue clear

Seeds: Characteristic You Should Look for from a Supplier

Saturday, December 29th, 2007

By Patrick Desnoyers When buying seeds from wholesaler, seeds are sold by weight. Seeds are mostly described with the following terms: Common name Some common names of tree species would be: maple, pine, boxwood. Latin name Latin name of the previous mentioned would be: acer for maple, pinus for pine and buxus for boxwood. These latin names constitute the scientific name for each species. After the description section, the next information is technical. First, every supplier will have a monitor measure. Two measures are commonly used. The first is the count of seeds per pounds, and the second is the weight per thousand seeds. Purity Purity is expressed in %, and it represent the number of seeds versus the number of debris (dead leaves, stem) in the batch of seeds. Germination rate Germination rate is also expressed in %, it represents the number of seeds that will germinate with proper conditions. Origin / source The origin and source will determine the country the seeds originate from; where they were collected. Some suppliers will also list the state or province of origin. Growing info Growing info will refer to the needed condition for germination. Common details are pre-treatment, such as scarification and stratification, both hot or cold, and sowing technique. Common use Suppliers will often state the common uses or classification of species. For example, you could find all of the following: Edible Fruit/Nuts Fall Color Medicinal Rootstock Shade Tree Urban Tolerant Tree Poisonous bonsai Drought Tolerant. Conditions of seeds You can get winged or dewinged, refering to seeds that grow with a wing or two. Usually, dewinged seeds cost more since they require an additionnal step of preparation before they are sold. You can get clean or uncleaned seeds. This usually happens with seeds that come from fruit trees. A clean seed will have the pulp of the fruit removed, while an unclean seed will almost come with the complete fruit. You can also come across green or dry seeds. Green seeds are the freshest. The supplier has skipped drying the seeds for proper storage and is selling untreated seeds. A dry seed is not completely dry, but rather has a 5-8% humidity rate. The treatment is done to prevent decay of seeds in their shelf life. It mainly prevents rot. Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Has been practicing bonsai and gardening for more then 8 years. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com, a website with ressource for Bonsai seeds and tree seeds. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patrick_Desnoyers http://EzineArticles.com/?Seeds:-Characteristic-You-Should-Look-for-from-a-Supplier&id=326636 phentermine diet pills on line buy phentermine now prescription free phentermine buy phentermine in canada

Nokia 6230i - It’s A Reservoir

Friday, December 28th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alice_Erin]Alice Erin The 6230i phone is an improvised version of the Nokia 6230 model. It plays host to an array of features that make it an indispensable office tool. It uses a tri-band network that synthesizes mobility and work. The handset weighs 99 grams and feels stubby in the palm with its 103×44x20 mm dimension. A TFT colour screen consists of 65,536 colours spread across 208×208 pixels. This makes the screen come alive with colours. The Nokia 6230i phone has a nuanced user interface. The five way navigation key steers you through animated 3D menu graphics, as well as list and grid menus. A sizeable number of applications can be accessed using it. These include a calendar, a notepad and voice memo recorder, a translator, a world clock, and a converter. The phone even accommodates Visual Radio to connect you to a local radio station and request a song of your choice. The Nokia 6230i phone has a well equipped multimedia functionality. It has an integrated video player that can download, play, and even stream videos in the 3GPP, H.263, MPEG-4, and AMR formats. It accords users the opportunity to view videos in almost all popular formats. Similarly, the in-built Music Player is capable of playing music in many formats. An FM Stereo Radio is woven into the fabric of this handset to render choice of music to users. The MMS OMA 1.2 feature accommodates images, text, videos, and voice clips in a single message and enables users to share it with friends. The Email supports SMTP, POP3, and IMAP4 protocols enabling you to send and receive mails on your mobile phone. The phone has 30 Mb internal memory to store pictures, songs, messages, mails, and contact details et al. This limit can be expanded by using a memory card. The Nokia 6230i phone has an inexhaustible set of features that make it your perfect companion. [http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/dealset.asp?act=mobset&id=153] Nokia 6230i Alice Erin is an expert Author. He has written good quality articles on [http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/]Mobile Phones.Check out the latest [http://www.directphoneshop.co.uk/contract-mobile-phones.asp] Contract Mobile Phones. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Erin http://EzineArticles.com/?Nokia-6230i—Its-A-Reservoir&id=488205 buy phentermine without physician phentermine online next day order phentermine cheapest phentermine online without a prescription

An Open Letter of Advice on Dating

Thursday, December 27th, 2007

By Morgan Hamilton Dear Daters, I have some good news for you. I know it may be too late, as you already messed the whole affair of your blind date last night, but anyway, it is not such a catastrophe, if you look on the bright side of things. The good news is that you can always get ADVICE. No, I dont mean a psychological consultation, except if you feel panic attacks every time you look at a person from the opposite sex. What I am trying to communicate is that you can always get FREE and DECENT advice about how not to turn everything into a disastrous muddle of broken heart pieces next time you get invited go on a date. How can this possibly come true, some of you may ask perplexed. Well, just rely on your computer abilities and hop online. There are numerous web sites offering you free advice on dating, which you can avail of as long as you need them. And I know that you need them! I know this quite well! How do I know it, you wonder. Because I have been through the whole muddy quagmire of unsuccessful dates turning into nightmarish pictures of my future life, destined to be as lonely as a cat lovers. There is no such thing as a successful date, if you come to think about it. A lot of people are going to date a lot of people, and when things are happening between people, they dont always run smoothly. It is completely normal that you screw everything up. It is normal that you thingk you are the biggest loser in the world, just because you managed to screw up 54 dates in the last month. But, dont take this to heart, because it will break it before you met your loved one1 You never know what kind of glorious gifts fate has for you. You shouldnt fall into black depression just because you lack the dating abilities. When there is an ache, there is a cure. Just blow your nose and try to switch on your computer. You may find these glorious web sites, which will offer you gorgeous advice on dating. Check out Matchmaker.com and see the numerous offers there. You can always pick up someone from the long list of people waiting to go out with YOU! You just need to be confident in yourself, and read carefully the manuals, giving advice on dating. With the cyber-dating you can get really bold in starting a conversation. You will find yourself being funny, witty and confident. You will discover how much these online chicks or guys fall for you! If you dont see the people, you can not get embarrassed by them. Just be yourself and show them what you really are. After you have enchanted them, you can meet them in serene state of mind and charm them to the fullest. Now, its your chance to turn everything into a romantic picture of just-the-two-of-us-being-together-in-this-cruel-and-cold-world. Damned easy, eh? Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning dating. Get the information you are seeking by visiting Advice on Dating Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Morgan_Hamilton http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Open-Letter-of-Advice-on-Dating&id=290380 buy phentermine free shipping buy phentermine tablets buy phentermine on line buy phentermine site

Lemon Law Lawyer Could Be Useful

Tuesday, December 25th, 2007

By Charles Essmeier Since the first lemon law was passed in 1982, all fifty states have enacted some form of consumer protection for owners of defective automobiles. The laws vary greatly from state to state, but the premise is the same people who buy new, defective vehicles are entitled to receive a replacement or a refund. This works well on paper, but in practice, the process can be rather time consuming and complicated. Some states have rather straightforward requirements for which vehicles qualify; others are far more complicated. Some states allow the owner to sue the manufacturer directly; others require that the owner submit to manufacturer or state sponsored arbitration procedures first. Since lemon law claims are complicated and are not the sort of thing that most consumers handle more than once, there is some advantage to hiring an attorney to help. In many cases, hiring a lawyer isn’t necessary, as the system was designed to let the consumer handle the case without legal assistance. But there are many unexpected circumstances that can turn up in these cases, and most people could benefit from the help of an experienced attorney. Here are some examples of how an attorney can help: Speed up the process Manufacturers are notorious for finding excuses not to pay on a claim. They may be more likely to be cooperative if the consumer has hired legal representation, especially if you have hired one with a proven record of success in lemon law cases. Arbitration help Arbitration programs tend to favor the manufacturer. They fund the programs, and many arbitrators are on their payroll, given them ample reason to rule against the consumer. While most states do not regard arbitration decisions as binding, many consumers who handle the cases themselves give up after losing an arbitration decision. The presence of an attorney can help. Advice in a poor case Some states require the consumer to pay the manufacturer’s legal costs in the event that the consumer should lose his or her case. These costs can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. If your case is a weak one, an experienced lawyer could save you this money by letting you know ahead of time that you shouldn’t pursue it in court. In most states, consumers who win their cases are entitled to compensation for attorney’s fees. That being the case, there is a strong argument for at least discussing your defective automobile with a lawyer before you seek a refund or replacement for your defective vehicle. Copyright 2006 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier is the owner of Retro Marketing, a firm devoted to informational Websites, including LemonLawHelp.net, a site devoted to information regarding auto lemon laws. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charles_Essmeier http://EzineArticles.com/?Lemon-Law-Lawyer-Could-Be-Useful&id=169555 ultram 0 59 order phentermine buy cheapest tramadol online meridia buy tramadol online meridia online buy meridia canada pharmacy ultram

Enjoy a Trip Without Worries Through Unsecured Holiday Loan

Monday, December 24th, 2007

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Pamella_Scott]Pamella Scott Routine office works often may result in over stressing of your body and soul. So, an occasional holiday tour becomes a necessity for rejuvenating yourself. There is however a hurdle that you do not have adequate funds and taking a loan may not be that easy as you do not own a property to take a loan against. Unsecured holiday loan is perfect solution in such a scenario. Unsecured holiday loan is opted for usually by tenants or students who do not have a property worth placing as collateral. The loan is given to homeowners also if they do not wish to risk home for the loan. Still lenders of unsecured holiday loan would like to assure safe return of loan installments in timely manner. So, they look into repayment capability of the applicant. Annual income and employment proof is what lenders look for in giving unsecured holiday loan. Bank statements of past months also serve the purpose of assuring the lender. Unsecured holiday loan have this slight disadvantage of higher interest rate and smaller borrowings for a shorter repayment period. But you can counter higher interest rate by making an extensive comparison of various unsecured holiday loan providers. See which individual interest rate is comparatively lower. As far as smaller loan is concerned, if you are a tenant you anyway do not need greater loan as most probably you would not be taking a family for the holiday tour. Smaller loan can be repaid in smaller repayment duration. In case of bad credit, unsecured holiday loan is in your pocket if you are able to convince the lender of safe return of the loan installments in time. Your annual income, employment, bank statements and financial standing is a way of convincing the lender in offering you unsecured holiday loan. Lenders are more concerned about your present income than bad credit. So take a repayment plan to the lender for better results. Make an estimate of holiday expenses before approaching a lender so that you do not over borrow. Apply to an online lender for timely approval of unsecured holiday loan. But before settling for the loan deal, compare different loan packages on offer. Unsecured holiday loan is a perfect way of taking a loan for meeting holiday expenses. Make sure that you have gone through every aspect of the loan. Pay off loan installments in a timely manner to avoid debts. Pamella Scott is an author who can certainly identify your kind of loan. An unprepared borrower might find it very confusing to get out of the jargon of loans in UK. A loans borrower/user demands for timely, reliable, accessible, comprehensive, relevant and consistent loan service. To find [http://www.easyfinance4u.com/unsecured_holiday_loan.html]Unsecured holiday loan, Unsecured loans, Unsecured personal loans, Unsecured debt consolidation loans in uk that best suits your need visit [http://www.easyfinance4u.com]www.easyfinance4u.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamella_Scott http://EzineArticles.com/?Enjoy-a-Trip-Without-Worries-Through-Unsecured-Holiday-Loan&id=324550 drug drug employment prescription testing ultram keywords buy tramadol tramadol money order ultram tramadol order

Secret Beauty Weapon - Liposuction

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Tara Pingle Since the 1980s, when it was first used, liposuction (also called lipoplasty” or “suction lipectomy) has been improved and modernized. No longer do you go to hospital, have blood transfusions, and take months to recover. A look at fat cells Each of us has a certain number of fat cells. We developed that number when we were growing up, and once established, it remains about the same for our lifetimes. If as adults we overeat, we dont usually create more fat cells. We enlarge the ones we already have. If we then go on a diet, theyll shrink back to their original size and well have the same overall shape as we did before. Only if we gain an extreme amount of extra weight are we creating extra fat cells. But in this beauty battle, aging fights against us. As we age, even if we dont overeat, certain areas of the body may start retaining fat. The biggest culprits for women are the lower abdomen, upper arms, chin, thighs, hips and buttocks. For men, theyre the chest and shoulders, chin, thighs, and buttocks. Pregnancy fights against some of us too. Carrying a baby stretches the abdominal skin and muscle and sometimes it doesnt shrink back to its original shape, no matter how much we exercise and diet. What kinds of liposuction are there? There are 3 main ways of doing liposuction. Standard Liposuction (the wet technique) A small amount of saline fluid is injected into the area first. In this fluid are 3 ingredients:-Lidocaine, for local anesthesia;-Epinephrine, for reducing the bleeding; and-Salt, to make the fluid compatible with our saline body fluids. This fluid has the effect of loosening fat cells, which in turn reduces the bruising afterwards, and makes the fat cells easier to remove. A cannula (small hollow tube) is inserted into the area and the fat cells are suctioned out. Tumescent liposuction This is the biggest advance in liposuction so far and was introduced in 1985. Tumescent means swollen. A large amount of the same saline fluid is injected into the area up to about 3 times the amount of fat to be removed. Besides loosening the fat cells, this large volume works to make space between the fatty tissue and the muscles, creating more room for the surgeon to move the cannula. Tumescent liposuction takes longer than other methods because theres a waiting period while the fluid percolates through the tissue. Theres a modification of tumescent liposuction, known as the super-wet method. It differs in the amount of fluid injected. In this method, about the same amount is injected as the amount of fat to be removed. Ultrasound-Assisted Liposuction (UAL) A specialized cannula is used, which vibrates in response to ultrasound from a machine operated by the cosmetic surgeon. This vibration works on the fat cells, causing their outside surfaces to break, thus emulsifying the fat and making it easier to remove. The ultrasound can be applied internally or externally. Applied internally, the cannula is used as just described. Further advances in liposuction New ideas and improvements are appearing all the time. For instance, in 1992 some plastic surgeons started using a motorized cannula, which vibrates very quickly and allows for greater precision. Recovery period At the end of the liposuction procedure, dressings are applied and you can go home the same day.Therell be some swelling and your plastic surgeon will have you wear a compression garment for a few days, or perhaps a few weeks. As the swelling subsides, the size of this garment is reduced, to maintain an even pressure on the treated area. This gentle pressure increases your comfort in the recovery period.You can resume normal activities after a few days if you feel ready. Some gentle activity is better than complete rest because it helps your body drain out, and/or absorb, the fluids, for reduced swelling. It also encourages good blood circulation for quicker healing. Whichever type of liposuction you have, the incision will be small, about one quarter of an inch long. So the resulting scar will be nearly invisible by the time its fully healed. In the longer term The suctioned-out fatty tissue is gone permanently, but that doesnt mean their neighbors couldnt enlarge and change your overall shape. It would be wise to stick to a healthy diet and consistent exercise, so as to avoid any need for future liposuction surgery. Finding a good cosmetic surgeon Since cosmetic surgery has become so popular in the last 10 years or so, some doctors have taken short cut training to take advantage of this at a disservice to the general public. You want a properly trained and experienced surgeon, not one who might gain his basic experience on you! Choose a plastic surgeon whos certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), and one whos a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).While you should by all means listen to your friends and acquaintances who may have had cosmetic surgery and want to recommend their doctor to you you should do your homework too, and check the doctors credentials. Some questions to ask when interviewing plastic surgeons -Do you have hospital privileges, and if so, which hospitals? -Can you do the procedure in the hospital if I want to? -If you do surgery in other facilities, are they accredited? -How many breast reductions have you done? -Can I speak to some of your previous patients about their experience with it? For more information on liposuction, click here to visit the website of a cosmetic surgeon specializing in liposuction surgery Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tara_Pingle http://EzineArticles.com/?Secret-Beauty-Weapon—Liposuction&id=482911 canadian pharmacy ultram cod order saturday tramadol 120 buy cheap tab tramadol buy cheap tramadol

Wedding Gifts - Something Old, Nothing New!

Saturday, December 22nd, 2007

By Charlie Taylor The old tale about a bride and groom receiving half a dozen toasters from well-meaning relatives on their wedding day has passed into 70s history. But, what to buy the modern couple? It’s a question that is guaranteed to drive their guests to near insanity. Toasters, bed linen, TVs, pots, pans and all the rest of the boring household necessities are fine but… let’s face it, they aren’t fun to buy, they aren’t fun to receive and they certainly aren’t going to increase in value! So, why not think of the unconventional? I’ve been involved in various businesses in Scotland over the years: weddings, restaurants, photography, writing, letting property are just a few. And this modern, multi-streaming lifestyle led me eventually to the simple world of buying and selling. We had a problem. We owned a small Highlands restaurant which could not possibly bring in enough money even if we worked every hour available and filled the place to bursting point night after night. So we thought: let’s sell things as well. We already had a good customer base, and so the challenge was to sell things to them in addition to the good quality food. We needed to ‘add value’ to their dining experience, and charge them for it. These were the criteria we set: 1 We refused to load profit onto the wine. We knew the profit margins on wine and knew that it was a common tactic of restaurants to charge customers through the nose for drink. And we knew how customers felt about this. They simply don’t like being ripped off! Neither do we. 2 The retail items would need to add to and improve the general ambience of the restaurant so ‘tat’ was out. 3 The items would have to sell themselves. We wouldn’t have the time to give customers the ‘hard sell’ while preparing and serving food and, besides, hard sell is not our style. We don’t feel comfortable with it. 4 The things would have to look good, feel good and be intrinsically interesting. 5 They would have to be accessible to customers, not locked away in drawers or cupboards. 6 They would be the type of thing that would encourage a dinner party atmosphere between diners rather than put up communication barriers. In short, they would encourage conversation. 7 There would need to be a range of items, from the cheap to the expensive so we could not rely on one supplier. 8 We needed a regular and reliable supply of these items. 9 They needed to be cheap to buy and yet give us a healthy profit margin. 10 And finally, they needed to be things that we liked. How could we live with things we hated and how could we sell them to others? Unthinkable! And the answer to our problem after weeks and months of thinking? Second-hand books, antiques and collectables! We lined the restaurant with bookshelves and filled them with hard back literature. We filled every nook and cranny with curios. We hung things from walls and from beams and from every spare vertical surface. We even cleared out an old shed and packed it to the gunnels with interesting things. And all of them carried a price tag. And the result? Success beyond our wildest dreams! The customers loved it, they bought it by the barrowload (we sold barrows as well!) and we made handsome profits. And it was great fun. So, where did we buy all these items? At local auctions, that’s where. And we still go to them. They are addictive. And we still deal now and again even though we sold our restaurant last year. It’s on a smaller scale than before, admittedly, but that means we can be more selective. Silver and glassware, jewellery and genuine antiques - they are all there to be had as potential wedding presents. Monart glass, silver napkin rings, antique silver-topped wine and vinegar bottles are much more fun than a toaster and, if you buy wisely, you will be giving the lucky couple something that is both beautiful and a sound financial investment. Think valuable, think collectable! Don’t think toaster! Charlie Taylor is one of the founders of Highland Country Weddings Ltd, a Scottish weddings agency with an international dimension. Visit http://www.highlandcountryweddings.co.uk/gifts.htm for a free discussion about your wedding in Scotland including free, no-obligation quote. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlie_Taylor http://EzineArticles.com/?Wedding-Gifts—Something-Old,-Nothing-New!&id=75394 get ultram prescription ultram prescription online 1 buy cheap tramadol ultram with money order