eatast"/>

Marguerite Engelhardt

Jump to content.

Are You Really Saving Money by Sending Employees to Discount Warehouse Stores?


Image : http://www.flickr.com

What in the world am I talking about? Here is a VERY typical scenario:

You purchase paper for your printer, ten boxes a month. You are purchasing it from an office supply company that delivers. The price you are paying is five dollars per box higher than you can get it at the local membership warehouse store (Costco, Sam’s Club, etc.). By sending an employee to the warehouse store every other month it will save you one hundred dollars every other month or six hundred dollars a year.

On the surface it appears to be a significant savings on a single item. There are other issues that are not being considered.

First, the employee may have to come out of pocket for the purchase. Twenty boxes of paper may be as much as six hundred dollars.

Second, the cost of reimbursement is real, it is estimated that it costs between fifty and one hundred dollars to process a reimbursement check (fill out a form, get approvals, process through the accounting department, getting that check deposited, processed by the bank, and then part of the bank reconciliation).

Third, there is a liability that the employer assumes. This is a work activity so auto liability and workmen’s compensation policies need to be in place. The business will be looked at by third parties, since the business generally has deeper pockets and larger insurance policies than the employee, to be made “whole in the event of an accident. You can also count on an employee utilizing your workmen’s compensation policy if they are hurt when lifting the paper in or out of their vehicle.

Fourth, there is a cost of sending an employee to perform in store purchasing (number of hours times hourly rate plus mileage reimbursement). Is this function the best use of their time? What opportunities are being missed since that employee isn’t performing the tasks they were hired for? If you consider sending an employee during their own time, watch your back, disgruntled employees have long memories and state labor commissions tend to look down on requiring employees to perform work activities on their own time.

The last, and almost never considered, is the fact that many warehouse stores offer an annual rebate. If the rebate is two percent the annual purchases (20 boxes X $30 X 6 times a year X 25) would yield a seventy-two dollar “rebate” to the employee. Does the employee refund the rebate to the employer?

Not mentioned are impulse buys (items purchased because they were displayed), substitutions where what was needed was not available (because many warehouse stores carry over-runs or end of life items), or employees running other errand on company time (dry cleaning, fast food, etc.). There are a whole host of other potentials issues that have been witnessed by business owners.

When looking at costs, be aware of the “total” cost. What costs you are not considering?

David Gail Thompson is a Licensed Professional Business Coach in Utah serving small closely held business owners, providing orientation and guidance to them in the pursuit of success. Experience as a certified public accountant with advanced degrees and systems management allows advise from real world experience, not just text books or theory. As a professional business coach David works with the business owner to help them achieve the level of success that suits them. http://www.executive-advisory-services.biz/ or 801-938-6965

Thanks To : Toner http://belxlanger.blog.com/ http://tracigrass.vn.vc/ http://yard-machineseblog.co.cc/

Verbatim 96676 Desktop Laser Mouse

Verbatim 96676 Desktop Laser Mouse Buttons hard to push – Sonphos – USA
This mouse is on the large side, and therefore fits large hands the best. If you have small hands like mine, this mouse is not for you.

But worse than the size, is the stiffness of the buttons. It takes much more effort to press the buttons than other mice I’ve owned. This might not be an issue for limited use, but is tiring when using a mouse for hours a day.
Excellent five-button mouse – Rishabh Mishra –
This mouse has lots of features for power users. The total of five buttons are very useful, especially for gaming or applications with lots of keyboard shortcuts.

It worked out of the box on my Ubuntu Linux 9.04 “Jaunty Jackalope” system, and the only configuration I did was making the mouse buttons do different things for different applications.

The sideways-scrolling, performed by tilting the mouse wheel left or right, isn’t particularly smooth, so I prefer to reprogram the mouse buttons to do something else.

Otherwise, it is a very good mouse, and I would recommend it to anybody that desires more than the traditional three-button+scrollwheel mouse.
Verbatim: 96676 Verbatim 96676 Desktop Laser Mouse, for home or school, Verbatim¿s Desktop Laser Mouse offers programmable buttons – great for setting up 1-click access to the things you do most. And with laser technology, this mouse gives you more cursor precision and control ¿ on a variety of surfaces. Its sleek design offers a tilt wheel for easy scrolling, 3-setting speed control that lets you select a cursor speed to match your activity and a textured comfort grip for right or left hand use. Customize your mouse and your experience with Verbatim¿s Desktop Laser Mouse.
Verbatim 96676 Desktop Laser Mouse

My Links : Microsoft http://erppress.co.cc/ http://maebarros.dayrecipe.com/ http://fifthsblogs.co.cc/

Firewood Processor – The ABCs of Firewood Processors


Image : http://www.flickr.com

A firewood processor can be a great tool for helping get the best firewood possible. Whether you will be using one for personal use or for a firewood business, many have food these gems to be amazingly effective in helping with their wood preparation. For this reason, we will take a look at some of the things you can expect to find in one.

Most firewood processors are equipped for easy hauling. This means they can easily be placed on the hitch of your truck of SUV for hauling. For people who use this for their business or cut down their own wood, this can save time and efficiency in helping get your wood to where it needs to go. 

Firewood processors also come in a larger variation in sizes. These different sizes generally varying in the sizing of wood they can cut and how efficient they are at cutting wood. The key here is to focus on finding ones that will meet your specific needs. Since each one will vary, it is best to focus on the performance numbers of each model you are considering.

Another factor to consider is the hefty price tag of most models. Some processors can easily climb up to $50,000; however, other versions can be found closer to $10,000. In addition, if these costs are too prohibitive, you can often finding cheaper used versions or even plans to build one on your own. The do it yourself versions can save tons of money if you have the time and expertise. 

Beyond these areas, you will find a firewood processor to be similar to any other large piece of machinery. You take special note of customer reviews of certain brands to see how durable the model is and how much extra care you will need to take to keep it operating at top form.

By keeping all these areas in mind, you should have a good head start on finding a quality firewood processor. Choosing a good one can help ensure you get quality cuts and create the best firewood possible.

For more information on a Firewood Processor. Also, try visiting http://www.bestfirewoodfacts.com to get some solid tips on firewood and firewood supplies.

Related : Larissaenz Breast Augmentation http://audio.fernstudiumde.com/ http://fevermblog.co.cc/

What Do You Know About Your Hair?


Image : http://www.flickr.com

Our hair is generally responsible for the prevention of heat loss from our head. Some people from a religious sect relate it to their source of physical strength and hardly apply razors on them. Dominating its importance is the addition of beauty to men and women. The hair is therefore cut in different styles to bring out the beauty in oneself. There are so many things to know about our human hair, some may be funny and others as helping tools. People are branded by their hair styles. Footballers these days come out with weird hair cuts during international matches. Funny!

Have you ever heard that beards were once taxed? Do not be surprised. This was in the days of Peter the Great a great friend to Russia in the 17th century when he was in love with Western bear style which was cut regularly. He ordered his courtiers, state officials and the military to adopt western fashion of shaving their beards. Thus if a man refused to shave he had to pay an annual beard tax of 100 rubles. Henry the VIII also imposed similar tax in England during his reign.

We are told that human hair was once used as jewelry. This was during the Victoria era. Women often wore jewelry designed from the hair of deceased loved ones. It was said that there were no photos at that time and hairs of great ones were used to pay homage. It is believed hair art of today emanated from that era for it blossomed and became a popular fashion at that time.

Hair can clean up oil spills. The innovator, Phil McCrory once collected hair clippings from salons and stuffed in a pair of hose and used it as an oil mob and it worked well. He developed this idea further by adding oyster mushroom to the mat of hairs. By this approach the absorbed oil is converted into nontoxic compost.

Environmentalist will like these mats to be carried on oil tankers, so in case of a disaster the mats will be thrown in to start working immediately. A practical application of this technology was in 2007 when Cosco Busan oil spill occurred in the San Francisco Bay. Eco-friendly volunteers used mat of human hair to clean the beach.

People mostly women tend to be worried about the occurrence of a little patch of hair loss. Some of them end up weeping. People are prepared to spend millions on their hair upkeep. With all the above in mind, hair is really a cherished asset.

The most effective hair loss treatment formula on the market today is that provided by Provillus. It has different treatment for men, women, and even children, because they have their peculiar causes. Hello you guy there! You will soon put off your cap and show, back to your admirers once again, your fully grown natural hair. Women! You will soon adopt a more natural and fitting hair style that beautifies you and give you a sense of belongingness rather than covering your baldness.

To read a comprehensive review on Provillus visit: http://provillus.productreviewers.info

My Links : Hot Tub Babybekleidung.Girokontostudenten.Org Aladdin-Hotel.Buvadone.Com http://gameboyadvancegameroulhac.co.cc/ http://coolerseblog.co.cc/ http://slideprojectorcom.co.cc/

Introducing the Fellowes Voyager 125 Large Office Laminator


Image : http://www.flickr.com

The year 2010 is almost here and with the coming of the new year comes a whole bunch of brand new office machines from Fellowes. One of the new products coming out is the Voyager 125 Large Office Laminator, a high-performance device that’s ideal for all your laminating needs. This new device has a plethora of special features that will make your lamination experience a memorable one. Get ready to get to know the Voyager because here are the top 10 features of this great product.

1.) It’s big and fast. The Voyager has a feed opening that’s 12.5 inches across so you can laminate both large and small documents. It’s also extremely fast. It will warm up in about 4 minutes and when it’s ready, a green light will turn on. Also, it only takes 30 seconds for the machine to laminate a letter-sized document.

2.) Get those pouches ready. This machine can handle documents and pouches that are up to 10 mil thick. A starter kit containing 10 3-mil pouches is included so you can start laminating immediately.

3.) Keeps heat where it belongs. Since safety is a concern with pouch laminators, Fellowes gave the 125 HeatSense technology and double-insulated construction to keep heat inside the device. Also, the Voyager will shut off automatically so the motor won’t overheat.

4.) Innovative touchpad controls. Using the 125 is easy because it has a touch-sensitive LCD control panel. Everything you need to operate the machine is right at your fingertips.

5.) Undo that pouch jam. The machine has an automatic reverse function that will be a lifesaver if you ever have issues with a jammed document.

6.) Easy access to everything. And speaking of jams, the Voyager has a clamshell-like design that allows you to open the machine to take care of jams and perform necessary maintenance.

7.) Flawless results every time. The 125 has four rollers that ensure that whatever you laminate will always look great and be free of cloudiness, bubbles, and so on.

8.) Automatic heat and speed settings. You won’t need to wait for the machine to cool off or heat up when laminating with pouches of different sizes. The Voyager will automatically adjust its settings to accommodate whatever pouch you’re using thanks to the inclusion of Fellowes’ patented AutoLam technology.

9.) You’ll know when to clean it. Since adhesive can build up inside a laminator even when carriers are used, cleaning is a necessity. The 125 has sensors that detect how dirty the machine is and will alert you when it’s cleaning time.

10.)You’ll have peace of mind. Finally, the Voyager is protected by a two-year warranty.

The 125 is simply the perfect addition to any small or medium-sized office that needs a laminator that can withstand frequent use. This great device is jam-packed with features that will make laminating your documents a quick, easy, and enjoyable activity. So get yours today and get to know the Fellowes Voyager 125 Laminator. You will be glad you did.

If you’re interested in purchasing the Fellowes Voyager Pouch Laminator, you should really visit MyBinding.com. They have this product available at a great price and they also have a fantastic selection of Premium and Standard Laminating Pouches. Plus, they offer free shipping on all orders over $75.00. Check it out for yourself now!

See Also : Probate Magnat http://yard-maneblog.co.cc/

Dazzle DVD Creation StationM-^Y DCS 200 (DM7200)

Dazzle DVD Creation StationM-^Y DCS 200 (DM7200) Not ready for prime time – Crescoia – Plymouth, MN United States
After hours of frustration, I finally found this paragraph I am pasting directly from dazzle’s web site…

Currently DVD Complete cannot capture Audio and Video using the DCS 200, DVC 100, DVC 150,or DVC 80. We are aware of this issue and are working towards and update for DVD Complete that will allow capture directly into the DVD Complete software.

…At least the card reader part still works, albeit a very expensive card reader!
Software problems – –
Even after installing the last version (2.1.5.0 November 2002) of Movie Star 5 the software that comes with Station 200 I had a major struggle to make a home movie of 5 minutes duration. Retrieving a saved project with “centered” titles and an intact time line was impossible.
Dazzle Multimedia: DM7200 With the DVD Creation StationM-^Y 200 you can capture any video in DVD format. Yes, you heard right, any video can be now take on the clarity and sharpness that DVD-quality video provides. But that’s not all. You can also create home videos and photo slideshows of any event for playback in DVD players. It reads photos and other files from any digital media card, and includes a variety of editing software. The DCS 200 turns your PC into a true DVD Creation StationM-^Y.
Dazzle DVD Creation StationM-^Y DCS 200 (DM7200)

Visit : Fernstudiumde Babydecor.Estudiantis.Com Effectsofsmoking.Macpress.Net http://fermin-voita.co.cc/ http://www.idiskhost.com

Product Positioning Strategies


Image : http://www.flickr.com

Positioning is what the customer believes about your product’s value, features, and benefits; it is a comparison to the other available alternatives offered by the competition. These beliefs tend to based on customer experiences and evidence, rather than awareness created by advertising or promotion.

Marketers manage product positioning by focusing their marketing activities on a positioning strategy. Pricing, promotion, channels of distribution, and advertising all are geared to maximize the chosen positioning strategy.

Generally, there are six basic strategies for product positioning:

1. By attribute or benefit- This is the most frequently used positioning strategy. For a light beer, it might be that it tastes great or that it is less filling. For toothpaste, it might be the mint taste or tartar control.

2. By use or application- The users of Apple computers can design and use graphics more easily than with Windows or UNIX. Apple positions its computers based on how the computer will be used.

3. By user- Facebook is a social networking site used exclusively by college students. Facebook is too cool for MySpace and serves a smaller, more sophisticated cohort. Only college students may participate with their campus e-mail IDs.

4. By product or service class- Margarine competes as an alternative to butter. Margarine is positioned as a lower cost and healthier alternative to butter, while butter provides better taste and wholesome ingredients.

5. By competitor- BMW and Mercedes often compare themselves to each other segmenting the market to just the crème de la crème of the automobile market. Ford and Chevy need not apply.

6. By price or quality- Tiffany and Costco both sell diamonds. Tiffany wants us to believe that their diamonds are of the highest quality, while Costco tells us that diamonds are diamonds and that only a chump will pay Tiffany prices.

Positioning is what the customer believes and not what the provider wants them to believe. Positioning can change due the counter measures taken at the competition. Managing your product positioning requires that you know your customer and that you understand your competition; generally, this is the job of market research not just what the enterpreneur thinks is true.

John Bradley Jackson brings street-savvy sales and marketing experience from Silicon Valley and Wall Street. His resume also includes entrepreneur, angel investor, corporate trainer, philanthropist, and consultant. His book is called “First, Best, or Different: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know About Niche Marketing”.

Check out his website at: http://www.firstbestordifferent.com or his blog at http://www.firstbestordifferent.com/blog

Thanks To : Arizona Vacation Places Larissaenz http://ppanella.blogspot.com/ http://sache.ladywatches.us/ http://dvdsblog.co.cc/

Digital Concepts 27290 VGA Digital Camera with Preview Screen for Kids

Digital Concepts 27290 VGA Digital Camera with Preview Screen for Kids Cute camera for young photographer – Donna J. Moore – TUCSON, AZ, US
Cute camera for the young photographer. I did not like the .00 price clearly placed on the back of the package when I paid so much more.
Sakar: 27290 The 27290 Digital Camera from Digital Concepts is a Digital camera with VGA resolution, three different face plates to choose from, a preview screen, and SnapShots Photo Activity Software. This product comes with a one year warranty.
Digital Concepts 27290 VGA Digital Camera with Preview Screen for Kids

Friends Link : Diabetes Supplies http://heightissuesmblog.co.cc/ http://siemens.girokontostudenten.org/

Wholesale Club Shopping Costco and BJs Review


Image : http://www.flickr.com

Wholesale Club Shopping Online

OK! Before you read my entire article, I will tell you the summary. Costco and BJs are worth giving a one year membership a try. Costco will even refund you at anytime if you are unhappy.

Worst case, a wholesale club membership only costs you a couple of dollars a months. You spend more than that on a cup of coffee. Wholesale clubs become money drains only when you feel obligated to use your wholesale club for everything because you paid a membership fee. That is not necessary to get your money’s worth out of a wholesale club membership. If you have a wholesale club membership, that does not mean you have to buy everything there!

I can only comment on Costco and BJs wholesale clubs. I have never used Sam’s Club even though it is right across the straight from their owner, my favorite nemesis, Walmart. I, like most people, have a love hate relationship with Walmart. You usually can’t beat the prices but hate what they stand for. The truth is for a savings point of view, Walmart offer many items in bulk now. I shop there enough to stock up on TP and paper towels without paying a wholesale club membership. (Walmart should be paying me a membership fee! or at least offer a frequent shopper club!)

I had been a member of BJs for 10 yrs, until I let my membership lapse last month. I realized my once weekly visits had lapsed into every couple of months, to longer than 3 months stretches. I do not need Bjs anymore because I have the time to comparison shop and can get out more easliy now that the kids are in school.

I have been a member of Costco for 2 yrs with a business professional membership. I use Costco for many of my business purchases so I switched to only using Costco instead of having both memberships. Bjs and Costco carry most of the same things. Costco has a more ofice supplies, toys, etcs I need for my online retail business.

I feel Costco and Bjs are equally professional and offer good customer service. BJs has the benefit of accepting MFR coupons and accepts all major credit cards! Costco only accepts checks and American Express in their warehouses (they do accept all major credit cards online though) BJs lines seem to move very quickly, and their aisles, at least at the ones I have been to, are better organized.

BJs was a lifesaver when my children were babies. With triplets plus one, I went through alot of diapers and baby wipes. OK, now I need toilet paper in bulk, but as I mentioned before, I can get bulk TP at Walmart and Target too. I do have the luxury of many shopping choices nearby.

When my kids were babies, I could not follow the sales for the best prices because getting out with 4 babies was tough! BJs also offered the huge double seater shopping carts. My membership fee was worth the ability to safely strap all 4 kids and do all of my shopping plus get a bunch of boxes I could use for packing and shipping on my eBay business! (How did I strap in 4 kids? Well, the shopping carts with the toy car in front fit 2 kids, and the shopping cart also had double seater in the carriage. So worth it!)

I could get my eyeglasses reasonably at BJs, tires for the minivan, coffee and even my copy of People magazine – two of my few vices. I also purchased alot of our clothes there. Quality clothes like Levi’s jeans, Dockers Khakis, Polo Oxfords, and Carters clothes for the kids. We stocked up on socks and undies too.

So although the grocery prices were not great compared to what I could find at local supermarkets, the convenience more than made up for it for me.

With small kids, one stop shopping is best! Of course, I would always end buying stitckers, snacks… loved the crossiants I would eat two in the car while driving around with all 4 kids sound sleep surrounded by our BJs loot.

Of course, the crossiants would go stale in a day, and I actually ended up paying a fortune for the two I ate! Some things just aren’t meant to be purchased in bulk. Cheerios, Huggies, wipes, and paper towels… yeah families with small kids need those in bulk!

I use Costco mostly for business purchases. I also find the same deals as BJ’s on name brand clothes for my family. Their prices are good on toys and gift items. I am an authorized retailer for many of the same MFRs represented at Costco in the toy, furniture and gift departments. I can tell you the Costco markup over actual wholesale is only 10-12%. You are getting a great deal. I use them to supplement my stores when the MFR has a backorder on a certain item. AND there are also alot of eBay sellers making a nice profit off of dropshipping Costco items to customers! That is how good their prices can be!

I use Costco for seasonal and big purchases, like tires. We will eventually get that extra shed we need. I will make most of my big purchases and business purchases ONLINE and have them shipping to my front door. Now you can wholesale club comparison shop from your couch. Both BJs and Costco have great websites, and good deals online.

Costco and Bjs carry major name brand toys, bedding, baby, and electronics items online that may not be available in their warehouses near you. They even have exclusives with some MFRs on certain products. For example, if you want the most gigantic wooden Barbie Dollhouse by Kidkraft, you can only find the Grand Villa at Costco.com.

Costco also had the best and fastest photo processing for our holiday photo cards this year. I created and ordered our Christmas photo cards online on a Friday night, and picked them up at my local Costco Saturday morning.

When you are trying to decide if the $35-$50 is worth the membership, look beyond bulk purchasing rotten tomatoes! Look at what you can get and still be thirfty, online!

I never had success with fresh fruits and veggies at BJs. Nothing ever lasted long enough for me to get my money’s worth. I prefer paying money for fresh produce. The only exception is that Costco does have some cool exotic foods, and ya gotta love their bakery!

Buying in bulk can save you money. You have more choices now than when wholesale clubs first started popping up. you have Target, Walmart and similiar stores. You also have wholesale clubs online on the internet. BJs and Costco are definitely worth a try!

For more saving online tips visit http://www.thriftyonline.blogspot.com

Wholesale Club Shopping Online

M.S.McCarthy, http://www.amodernrenaissance.com

My Links : Shipping http://bagsblogs.co.cc/

Cosco High Back Booster Car Seat, Black Tissage

Cosco High Back Booster Car Seat, Black Tissage: Cosco: 22209TSS Cosco High Back Booster Car Seat The High Back Booster from Cosco is a sensational seat designed with comfort and safety in mind. It is a combination high back/belt positioning booster seat. It secures a child 22-80 lbs. Like other Cosco car seats it is LATCH equipped for easy installation and for use with the 5-point harness only. The booster child seat has several standout features which helps separate it from the pack. The LATCH system is one of the safest ways to install a car seat. LATCH tethers connect with anchors near the cars seat belts. The anchors are installed in car seats during the manufacturing process. The booster car seat has LATCH to make sure the seat does not move from side to side or front to back during impact. Like other Cosco car seats it only works with the 5-point harness system. When the child exceeds 40 lbs. and 52 in. it is important correctly use the seat belts to properly position the booster car seat from Cosco. It is also important to not use the LATCH when the child exceeds those maximums. – read more.

Tags : Netbookscritiques.Ipacapao.Com I Use http://home-improvementeblog.co.cc/

Next Page »