Spotting Fraudulent Wholesalers

Staring a new business can be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, when it comes to searching for wholesale suppliers, there are tons of scammers out there ready to rip off unsuspecting small business owners. There are a few warning signs to look out for in order to tell if you are dealing with a legitimate wholesaler.

Not Requesting Required Documents

Most wholesalers will request your sales tax ID and business license before conducting business with you. While this is not a hard and fast rule, you should be concerned if a wholesaler you're dealing with doesn't care either way about those two documents. Chances are they are not running things legitimately so do further research before getting into business.

Requesting Payments Via Wire Transfer

This method of payment is one of the top ways scammers request payment. This should set off all kinds of alarms if you come across this with any wholesaler.

No Contact Information

If the wholesaler Web site does not have their contact information readily available you could end up dealing with scammers. Any good wholesaler will have that information posted as well as assigning a representative who wants to build a good relationship with you. Many representatives will be available via email and phone.

A legitimate wholesale supplier will be well-known and you should be able to find others who currently deal with them. Don't be afraid to ask questions or get testimonials.

These are just some of the warning signs. It's important to exercise your own common sense and if you're not sure about a wholesaler, don't be afraid to research what they're about.

Cell Phones: A Wireless Way to Speak

A mobile phone or cell phone is an electronic telecommunications piece of equipment. The majority of current cell phones connect to the network using a wireless radio wave transmission technology, although satellite phones are exceptions. These cell phones communicate by means of a cellular network of base stations, which are known as cell sites, which is in turn linked to the conventional telephone network and were first introduced in the early to mid 1980s, the so called 1G generation.

Earlier cell phones operating without a cellular network, the so-called 0G generation, such as Mobile Telephone Service, date back to 1946. In anticipation of the mid to late 1980s, most cell phones were sufficiently big that they were time and again permanently installed in vehicles as car phones. In the midst of the advance of miniaturization, at this time the vast majority of cell phones are handheld.

Features of a cell phone In addition to the usual voice function of a telephone, a cell phone can hold up many additional services such as SMS for text messaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, and MMS for transferring and receiving photos and video. A number of the world's largest cell phone manufacturers consist of

Alcatel

Audiovox

Fujitsu

Kyocera

LG

Motorola

NEC

Nokia,

Panasonic (Matsushita Electric)

and a lot more.....

There are in addition specialist communications systems related to, but separate from cell phones, such as Professional Mobile Radio. Mobile phones are also distinct from cordless telephones, which in general operate only within a limited range of a specific base station. Technically, the term cell phone includes such devices as satellite phones and pre-cellular mobile phones such as those operating via MTS that do not have a cellular network, while the related term cell(ular) phone does not. In actual fact, the two terms are used almost interchangeably, with the favored term varying by location.

Technology on which cell phone works Cell phones and the network they function under vary a lot from provider to provider, and even from nation to nation. On the other hand, all of them communicate through electromagnetic radio waves with a cell site or base station, the antennas of which are by and large mounted on a tower, pole, or building. The cell phones have a low power transceiver so as to transmit voice and data to the nearby cell sites, usually 5 to 8 miles away.

When the cellular phone or data device is turned on, it registers with the mobile telephone exchange, or switch, with its only one of its kind identifiers, and will then be alerted by the mobile switch as soon as there is an incoming telephone call. The handset continuously listens for the strongest signal being received from the neighboring base stations. As the user moves in the region of the network, the mobile device will hand off to new cell sites.

Cell sites have comparatively low power (habitually only one or two Watts) radio transmitters, which broadcast their being there and relay communications involving the mobile handsets and the switch. The switch in turn connects the call to a different subscriber of the same wireless service provider or to the public telephone network, which includes the networks of other wireless carriers. The conversation between the handset and the cell site is a stream of digital data that includes digitized audio (except for the first generation analog networks).

The technology or the know-how that achieves this depends on the system that the cell phone operator has adopted. A number of technologies include AMPS for analog, and TDMA, CDMA, GSM, GPRS, EV-DO, and UMTS for digital communications.

Positives And Negatives Are Contagious

I'm a big believer that both positives and negativity can be contagious. Here's an example of what I mean...

Say for instance that I'm feeling a bit stressed out or down in the dumps. If I am not careful or aware of what's going on, suddenly it appears that my entire day begins to take on this feeling.

Certainly good things are happening as well, but I can only focus on the negative aspects (I bet you can identify with this as well, right?). Luckily the same example holds true when we introduce things of a positive nature into our day (or have someone do that for us).

Here's a quick list for turning negatives into positives. Keep in mind that positive thinking is very related to trial and error. What might motivate you, might not me and vice versa. The key is to keep looking for what works for you.

1. Tell someone you appreciate them. This can be done with a simple phone call, letter, or e-mail. For added emphasis use details about what you most appreciate about the person.

2. Read and review lots of inspirational and motivational material. This does wonders for "fighting off" the negative feelings. I keep a series of tapes in my vehicle and my personal library of books within reaching distance.

3. Post-it notes - I am sure you use post-it notes to leave tasks that need to be done. I have them posted all over my computer monitor. Consider using the post-it notes to leave positive quotes (to yourself or those around you). One advantage is that they stay right in view and don't get in the way.

Well, there's a short, but effective list of things to do. I'd love to hear what you do to inspire yourself or those around you.

Here's to your success, Josh Hinds

(c) All rights reserved.

Cut Costs by Ordering Concession Stand Equipment Online

Whether operating a restaurant under a large umbrella franchise, or running a small, independent concession stand, the rules of business remain the same: Buy low, sell high, and reduce costs wherever and whenever you can. Online shopping is truly here to stay, with many online wholesalers and retail outlets conducting most of their business over the web. Large restaurant equipment takes up a lot of space, so stocking inventory and maintaining full shopfront facilities introduces overheads that are simply unnecessary for modern business.

Online business reduces costs for everyone. Retailers can save on inventory and shop floor costs, and accordingly, they are also able to offer more competitive pricing on kitchen equipment for their customers like you. While credit card fraud and scams are plaguing smaller inexperienced retailers who conduct business only online, more experienced online vendors are typically able to offer you better pricing and a more trustworthy exchange. These more knowledgable merchants offer the confidence you expect in a company before making any big purchases.

Concession equipment and restaurant equipment are pretty diverse areas of business, with the product range available to you from professional online retailers including crockery and cookware, cutlery, air purifiers and extractors, barbecues and stove tops, bar accessories, bus and service carts, coffee machines and espresso makers, dishwashers, display cases, drink dispensers, display refrigerators, walk-in and chest freezers, ovens, ice-makers, meat cutters, fruit juicers and shelving, to name just a few. The good online retailers have access to the full range of kitchen equipment that any other seller does, and with their limited requirement for warehousing and inventory space, they are often able to supply you with a much wider product selection than the competition.

Good sellers have access to a wider range of manufacturers also, and as there is no shortage of specialized articles of kitchen equipment, there are hundreds of respected brands to supply good quality equipment for your restaurant or concession stand. With such a wide variety to choose from, competition allows you to make the best selection according to your needs while being guaranteed a cost-effective price-point. Sellers who have access to a wide range of manufacturers evidently have built up a degree of credibility in the business.

As mentioned, one of the ways online retailers of concession equipment cut costs is to reduce or eliminate storage costs. The best retailers do maintain some warehouse facilities by shipping orders first to their own building before moving purchases onto customers. This allows you an extra level of quality assurance from manufactured defects. Some sellers elect to include shipping costs in their list price, ensuring that you pay nothing above the advertised price, even for postage and handling within the US.

Despite the many perils of conducting business online, there are respectable kitchen equipment retailers online who maintain the same shipping, returns, and warranty policies as competing wholesalers who operate conventionally, allowing you restitution in the event of concealed damage during shipping, or premature equipment breakdown. Dealing with a reasonable company who can offer some recourse is always preferable to forcing a point in a dispute by going through credit card companies or the courts, as may be required when dealing with amateur online retailers on fraud-ridden auction sites.

Doing business online can be affordable, be safe, and offer the widest product selection when dealing with good retailers. The best sellers are able to ship products anywhere within the contiguous 48 States, and offer the same reasonable returns and warranties required by consumer affairs laws.

Backyard Fire Pits - A Perfect Way to Entertain Guests

We may not be able to get away for a vacation and relax as often as we would like but backyard fire pits are a perfect way to entertain guests or give you and your family the feeling of being on vacation. A backyard fire pit is a great, inexpensive addition that works well in a variety of homes, apartments and patios.

Incorporating one into your backyard landscaping design allows you to get outside and enjoy the cooler evenings of spring and fall in comfort and style. Many backyard fire pits are decorative and can be used to create a centerpiece for backyard entertaining. A backyard fire creates a peaceful ambiance for you and your guests, you can cook on it, get warmed by the fire and it's romantic.

1. A backyard fire pit is safe for use in most neighborhoods and homes.

2. They are portable and can be moved from place to place around the yard or taken on camping trips

3. They provide a place for a controlled fire and gives the homeowner complete control over the flames.

4. They are very convenient and safe for the environment. You can burn firewood that you have bought for your indoor fireplace. The fires start and burn just like a small campfire.

5. Generally a backyard fire pit is safe for a homeowners insurance and they don't violate local fire policies.

6. They come with a screen cover that will prevent most flying cinders. Generally the screen is the only thing you may need to replace.

7. They are easy to care for and will last for years. There are weatherproof covers available or you can move them to a storage shed when you won't be using it.

8. Portable backyard fire pits are inexpensive and available at many local retailers in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Unlike a permanent backyard fire pit the portable ones take up less space and are easy to move around the yard for grass cutting or redesigning your backyard landscape. You will need to determine the size you want, the bigger the fire pit the bigger and hotter the fire. If you will be using it as a centerpiece on a patio you will need room for seating without your guests being too close to the fire.

Breathing in wood smoke can have harmful effects on small children and anyone with a breathing condition, it is best for everyone to limit their exposure to the smoke. Using seasoned wood and burning small hot fires will produce less harmful smoke.

Scrapbooking Tools: Product Review: ProvoCraft Tools Sew Crafty Mini

At first glance, the ProvoCraft Tools Sew Crafty(TM) Mini seems like a great idea. Its compact, appears to be easy to use, and has the ability to be battery powered or can plug into the wall, if you purchase the separate power adaptor for it. At around $10, it is also affordable. The machine itself comes with a bobbin of white thread, a needle threader, and a couple of replacement needles. For an additional $10, you can also purchase the accessory pack, which comes with bobbins threaded in every color, several more replacement needles, and another needle threader. Geared more towards a tool for scrapbookers, I was intrigued by this product and purchased one for my supply cabinet.

What seems like a good idea actually is; at least, until you start using it. While the compactness comes in handy when you're cramped for space, and the lack of wires makes it portable, that's where the advantages to using this sewing machine end. Once you've gotten your thread through the needle eye, and you start sewing, you'll find that the thread doesn't want to stay in the tensioner. Once this happens, your stitches are loose and pull out easier. Tightening the tensioner doesn't help this problem, and often if you're in the middle of sewing something, you can't easily slip the thread back in. Instead, you have to stop by pushing the awkwardly placed on/off button and reinsert the thread. If you're trying to sew a longer item, you're in for a lot of starting and stopping.

The Sew Crafty(TM) Mini is also incredibly loud for being such a small tool. It makes an almost deafening whining sound as it works, making it impossible for me to do any quiet sewing when my 10-month old sleeps in the next room. You can also forget trying to watch television or talk on the phone while using this item, because the noise is just that bad.

While it's easy to figure out how to thread the machine, and how to use it, it is also difficult to remove your item from the machine once you've completed your stitching. Many times, the thread gets caught in the area below the foot. Pulling on it to try to remove it threatens to pull out your stitching (which, if the tensioner has come loose several times, has taken a while to accomplish), and adjusting the needle wheel to move the needle up and down and release the thread only works half of the time.

Stitch selection is also a minimum. The Sew Crafty(TM) Mini only does one stitch: a straight line. You can't really expect more than that for $10, but it would be nice if it did another stitch for those who don't own a full-sized sewing machine.

All in all, if I have the time to sit down and try to create a straight line stitch with the Sew Crafty(TM) Mini, I also have the time to pull out my bulky sewing machine and use it, instead. If you would like a sewing machine, but don't have the money or space for one, this is the perfect tool. Otherwise, your money is best spent on the real, life-sized thing.