Monday, February 28, 2005
Serious Packing
Plastic sheeting, stretch film and sturdy garbage bags will help protect items from dust, dirt and damage.
Get coloured labels for marking where boxes will be going at the new home and to highlight special instructions like “fragile” and “this side up”.
Start hunting for those special boxes to pack those special items in.
For smaller items try to find boxes that are the same size, these stack easily and don’t waste space.
Find special boxes that will fit in the spaces under and inside furniture. Use the stretch film to hold drawers shut. Stretch film only clings to itself and will conform to any shape.
Keep boxes a reasonable weight - 30 to 40 pounds maximum. Put heavy objects in small boxes and lighter things in large boxes.
Figure out what you need to function comfortably and then pack everything else!
Use clothes, towels, blankets and such to wrap and pad delicate items. Socks are just made for glassware.
Take awkward items apart to save space and prevent damage. Lamp shades, lamps and light-bulbs each have very different packing requirements.
Bag screws, clamps and other hardware then tape the bags inside or underneath the furniture and appliances they go with.
Consider getting specialty packing materials for dishes and other fragile items. It’s a little more expensive but then so are broken dishes. Be generous with the padding such as bubble wrap, blank newsprint and foam packing peanuts.
Have a packing party. Get a little low stress help from your friends and a chance to visit too. Pizza is the #1 packing and moving day food in the US. Serve soda, juice or water with the pizza and save the beer for after the job is done!
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Auction Safety For Both Sides
If the deal seems too good to be true...
It's a good idea to check the ratings of a seller before entering into a deal with them. Check their track record - how many transactions have they had, how long have they been at it, the overall satisfaction of previous customers.
Beware of suspicious emails claiming to be from an auction site or payment site. Phoney emails puporting to be from eitherand PayPal are everywhere. They will try any number of things to get you to "log on" to your account. Reasons such as account information updating, we noticed your account has been accessed by someone overseas, you've added a new email or shipping address, all the way to "You've won the 2005 Ebay Dodge Viper Giveaway!".
All of these are scams designed to get you to click on a link that looks like it will connect to that companies website when in fact, it is nothing more than a copy of the web page. When you "log in" to the site, they then have that info. The next page or two will usually ask for all kinds of personal information. These sites look like the real thing, but are nothing more than scams to get your credit card nummers, Social Security number, bank account numbers and so on.
Beware of buyers or sellers who request payments to a location other than the one listed on their auction item page. If the customer pays through PayPal and you do not ship to the confirmed address, it could come back to haunt you.
Make sure the seller will accept a secure method of payment before bidding on an auction. For example, do they use PayPal or other similar payment company? Can you pay through a well-known escrow service such Escrow.com for expensive items? If the seller insists on a money order or cash as the only form accepted - beware. Sellers, watch out for stolen or forged money orders submitted as payment.
The latest scam going on is for someone to pay for an item with a USPS money order. What happens is they are either stolen or forged, sent to the seller and the shipping address is usually somewhere in Africa. The vast majority of these are in amounts over $750. The easiest way to protect yourself from these is to bring the money order to your local PO. They can verify that it is real and valid. Also, if they have the money they can cash it for you on the spot.
It doesn't happen too often, but beware of a buyer or seller who pushes to complete a transaction "off site". One party will contact the other privately and attempt make a deal away from the original auction site. It could be something as simple as the seller trying to avoid the fees or the buyer trying to negotiate a better deal knowing less fees would be involved. On the other hand, it could be a major rip-off in the making.
See our latest new product additions, check our clearance page for great deals or just stroll through our help and how-to pages to learn some new things.
Visit Pac-n-Seal for your packing, shipping & moving supply needs!
Saturday, February 26, 2005
New post office but no letterbox
The new office opened on time but without a post-box outside.
People have been forced to queue inside and hand in their letters to staff over the counter.
A spokeswoman for Royal Mail admitted there had been delays and said it could be "weeks" before a familiar red box is available.
The new post office opened in Henblas Street last week after the lease for their old building in Regent Street ran out.
Royal Mail officials said they had experienced delays in getting a post-box installed in time.
Customers at the post office on Friday thought it was distinctly second class.
Steve Williams and his wife Julie, who is a wheelchair user, said the situation was not good enough.
"There is a shortage of post boxes in Wrexham and Regent Street is quite steep in a wheelchair," said Mr Williams, from Rossett near Wrexham.
"We've had to hand a letter in over the counter and so we've had to queue."
Mrs Williams added: "It's very bad planning."
Jo Onissiphorou, who looked in vain for the post-box, said: "We've just gone in to post a letter and we've had to come back out."
"I can't believed it. I'm shocked and amazed."
Her friend Elaine Gibson added: "I've just gone to post a letter, there's no post-box and the queue is massive," she added.
Denise Sutton said she has heard a number of people complaining about the lack of provision at the branch.
"There's nothing here after spending all that money, it's ridiculous," she said.
A spokeswoman for Royal Mail said customers could take their letters into the new branch and staff would be able to deposit them.
"We've had to move and you have to put things in place," she added.
Jackie Alexander, manager at the branch said, "The inside of the building is really stunning, light and airy, and our customers will see a tremendous difference from the old office."
We are in the final stages to add the following items
to our already extensive list of products
Square & Triangular Mailing Tubes
Friday, February 25, 2005
Vacuum Sealing To Prevent Tarnish
ASSOCIATED PRESS
On other occasions, we've told you how to vacuum seal big and bulky things, including blankets, pillows, duvets and sweaters.
This is done by putting them in a large plastic bag, drawing the air out with a vacuum cleaner hose and then quickly sealing the bag with a twist tie.
But what about food storage for freezing or vacuum sealing smaller items to protect them from tarnish and rust?
Here's how.
To vacuum seal small stuff such as food (for freezing), or to prevent tarnish or rust, put the item in question in a plastic zip-top storage bag.
Insert a drinking straw as far to one side as is possible. Zip the top, suck out the air and then quickly zip the bag closed as you pull out the straw.
After one or two practice sessions, you'll be a regular vacuum sealing machine.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Postal Rate Inceases Set Into Motion
NEW YORK, February 17, 2005 - Today the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Governors authorized management to file a limited rate increase request with the independent Postal Rate Commission. The increase should average about 6% and take effect in 2006.
The projected $3.1 billion to be derived from the increase is limited to the amount that the USPS must pay to an escrow account in September, 2006. The account was created when Congress reduced the USPS's statutory payment to cover future pensions, reflecting the fact that its payments would result in over-funding of its obligations.
When Congress provided that relief, however, it also required that, beginning in 2006, the excess amount (about $3 billion per year) must be deposited into this escrow account. Efforts since then by mailers and the USPS to convince Congress and the administration to reverse that action and allow the USPS to keep the $3.1 billion have been unsuccessful, but continue.
The full impact on periodicals mailers has yet to unfold, since an increase of 6% in periodicals rates would almost certainly leave periodicals revenues well below the USPS's costs attributable to periodicals. The Postal Reorganization Act requires that every class of mail cover at least its attributable costs, so in order to obtain Postal Rate Commission approval the USPS must either increase periodicals rates by more than 6% - perhaps by twice that amount - or dramatically reduce periodicals processing costs. There is some indication toward the latter, to cover a large part of the shortfall, but such a move would affect the way that mail is sacked by mailers and processed by the USPS.
As "Inside the Beltway" recently reported, when American Business Media first learned the USPS may implement significant changes to the Periodicals class, we asked for a meeting with Postmaster General Jack Potter. We will meet next week.
New Products At Pac-n-Seal ...
Electric Hand Dryers - wall mounted hand dryers eliminate the paper towel cost and paper towel expense.
Top Quality Vacuum Sealers - Vacuum sealers in single and dual nozzle and single and double impulse.
Clam Shell Case Sealer - hand held, plier type sealer for closing clam shell cases and making spot seals.
Ultra-Sonic Clam Shell Sealer - dual heat clam shell case sealer and tacker.
Constant Heat Roller Sealers - hand held roller sealers to make round, oval or virtually any shape seal needed.
Hand held Bar Sealers - seal cellophane and foil bags with ease.
Cut & Seal Impulse Sealers - foot operated impulse sealers with 2 elements! A 2mm wide flat element to make the seal and then a round wire element to cut off excess material to create a great looking package.
Adjustable Angle Tilt Head Impulse Sealers - foot operated sealers with a heavy duty work table and extended foot pedal. The sealer head can tilt down as much as 45 degrees for sealing bags with liquids, powders, seed, grain or any other loose material.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Thursday, February 3, 2005
The U.S. Postal Service recently cautioned consumers to be on the alert for fraudulent work-at-home schemes, whereby scam artists offer jobs that offer big financial rewards but do not deliver on their promises.
Postmaster Joanna M. Louf, and Sally Florio, manager of consumer affairs for the Massachusetts Postal District, issued this warning to consumers in advance of National Consumer Protection Week Feb. 6 to 12: "Don't open your door to work-at-home fraud."
They said the opportunity to work at home is becoming a popular and attractive option for many - from stay-at-home moms to college students to retirees. According to the 2000 Census, more than 4 million people in the United States work at home every day, and the numbers are increasing.
Although there are genuine jobs working at home, they said "many offers are bogus. You've seen the ads: Earn $50 to $200 per hour at home! Start your own business and make $1,000 a day! Envelope stuffing jobs now available."
The postal officials said whether the offer comes by phone or e-mail, appears in a flyer or newspaper ad, or arrives in the mail, thousands of people respond to these ads.
They cautioned consumers to "ask question. Legitimate work-at-home program sponsors should provide information in writing about the program they are offering."
They offered the following tips to help consumers evaluate questionable offers:
Closely examine the ad or offer: The company may not be offering to employ you directly, only to sell you training and materials and to find customers for your work. A legitimate company will be happy to give you information about exactly what you will be doing and for whom.
Check out the company: Research work-at-home opportunities through online sources or in the "Work-At-Home Sourcebook" and other resources that my be available in your local library. These resources provide good advice and list legitimate companies that hire people to work for them at home. Also, check out the company with the Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, or local consumer protection agency.
Steer clear of "start-up" fees: Fraudulent promoters often ask for up-front payments for software, business kits, supplies, membership fees, or lists of hiring companies. Find out what the total cost is for the work-at-home program and what you will get for your money.
Know the refund police: If you must purchase equipment or supplies, ask if, and under what circumstances, you can return the material for a refund.
Find out if there is really a market for your work: Claims that there is a market for work such as envelope stuffing and craft making may not be true. If the company says it has customers waiting, ask for the names of the customers and contact them to confirm. Get references for other people who are doing the work. Ask the references if the company has kept its promises.
Be suspicious: Beware of advertisements that make unbelievable claims about job opportunities. Particularly be wary of any job offer that doesn't pay a regular salary or involves an overseas company.
Take your time: Don't be pressured into making a quick decision. Con artists make a living on their victims' poor judgment. Be smart. Seek advice and double check the "facts."
The reminded consumers: "Don't believe that you can make big profits easily. Operating a home-based business is just like any other business - it requires hard work, skill, good products or services, and time to make a profit. There is no easy way to wealth. A consumer's good judgment is the first, last and best line of defense against the con artist."
They said there are many other mail fraud schemes including identify theft, travel schemes, chain letters, insurance fraud, medical fraud and false billing.
"Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," they cautioned consumers.
