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If you’ve got an old piece of furniture or some clothes you want to get rid of, you can either donate them to your local thrift shop or sell them yourself to make a few bucks.
NARTS, an association for consignment shops and thrifts stores, has some tips on what to do before you take your merchandise in.
The following advice is geared to those sprucing items up for resale, but it works for anyone looking to part with their possessions.
Here’s what they recommend. Good luck and good selling:
What do you do with all those possessions that are perfectly fine, but you don’t have use for any more? Recycle them! How many times have you said, “This is too good to throw away. I wish I knew someone who could use it.”
Your local resale or consignment shop has the customers to help you clear out your closets and make some money too. It’s almost like having a money tree where you can pick up a few extra dollars if you’ll take a few extra steps.
Before you get your items ready for resale, contact your favorite shop to learn how they operate. Select the shop you will use with care. Does the shop consign or buy outright? Do they have the customers who want what you have to sell? Shop owners and managers can give you a good idea of the items they have the most demand for and what type and age of merchandise they accept. If the shop doesn’t sell what you want to recycle, ask for the name of a store whose clientele is looking for just that item.
Know how the shop will handle your items: How will they be priced? How long will they be displayed for sale? How and when will you be paid?
Also ask when is the best time to bring in seasonal items. Consigning or selling seasonal items at the optimal time will improve your chances for the fastest sale at the best price.
Make your articles sparkle with customer appeal! Clean, fresh merchandise will get you the best return:
Õ¤Clothing items must be spotless and fresh-smelling. A quick pressing will get you the best price.
Õ¤For household items, dust and polish. Wash glassware with a little vinegar to add extra brightness.
Õ¤If you are taking in a set of dishes or a child’s game, make sure all the necessary parts are included.
Õ¤Small repairs go a long way. A few minutes of time can result in a more desirable resale item.
If your resale shop cannot accept some of your items, they will let you know. Please don’t take a “No, Thank you” personally. Shop owners and managers are professional experts. They will not accept items they won’t be able to sell for you. Simply ask if they can refer you to another shop or recommend a charity that may accept your items as a donation.
Keep in touch with your shop. Is it time to bring in the next season’s items? Are there any unsold articles that should be removed?
For more information visit NARTS website.
Phones like the Droid and iPhone have a lot of extras and they can easily distract you from work, home and sleep.
But, as recent campaigns from Oprah, AT&T and others attest, they shouldn’t take away your attention to driving.
If your phone does not have a feature that disables messaging while driving, consider this option:
Iconosys Inc. introduced in late May its SMS Replier Pro application for Android and Windows phones.
When turned on, the feature sends a tailored, personal message in response to a text message or phone call.
In addition to apps, a number of resources about texting and driving exist:
AT&T has an exam you can take to test your driving IQ and a list of safety tips.
CTIA The Wireless Association has an On the Road, Off the Phone campaign as well.
And if you’re looking to get the best phone for you, log on to CNET for product reviews, price comparisons and other information.
Kevin Broom, Reston,Va.-based Recreation Vehicle Industry Association spokesman, estimated that about 400,000 to 800,000 people live full-time on the road in an RV.
Many love the RV lifestyle and travel for pleasure, he said. Others work their way across America.
How do you find a job on the road and maintain your RV lifestyle?
Try Workamper News, a job-finding Website that caters to RV owners and renters who want to motor from state to state working like upscale migrant workers.
How would you like to park your RV at a lighthouse and give tours for a month in exchange for a paycheck? Or, ranch sit for an owner who is away on vacation?
Maybe you’d like to swap your labor for a free stay at a campground for a month, plus a stipend.
Steve Anderson, owner of Workamper News, http://www.workamper.com, said, “workamping is all about being able to experience America one job at a time.”
While online, check out these other resources: GoRVing.com, RVIA.com and Woodalls.com.
—By Iris Taylor
Having a pet doesn’t need to be expensive. Live Solid, an initiative of SunTrust Banks Inc. offers up these tips:
1. Consider adopting from a shelter to keep fees down
2. Ponder pet health insurance, which could save you money in the long-term for exams, preventative care and vet visits.
3. Ask about a payment plan when it comes to veterinary expenses or if financial assistance is available.
4. Bargain shop for medication. Check prices with the vet, online and at human pharmacies
5. Look for bargain groomers or learn how to do grooming on your own
6. Ask your vet of local humane society for dog training tips.
7. Buy items, such as kitty litter, dog food and toys in bulk to save on per unit costs.
8. Buy direct when you can, reducing the need for a middleman retailer that is passing on some costs.
9. Get membership cards at pet supply chains you frequent to save money
10. Playing with your pet is free, so maybe you don’t need all those toys.
What’s your idea?
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You may think good customer service doesn’t really impact a business. Think again.
It costs five times as much to get a new customer as it does to hold on to an existing one, according to Adrian Miller, a sales training and business development consultant in Port Washington, N.Y.
She shared some tips and good customer service techniques with www.businessknowhow.com and now I am sharing them with you:
— Tell your customer what you can do. Don’t start with what you can’t do.
— Let mad customers air their grievances. Don’t interrupt.
— Say “I’m sorry” or “I apologize” to diffuse anger
— Use your customer’s name during a conversation
— If you offer a solution, make sure it works for the customer. Get their approval.
— End conversations with a “Thank you” or an indication that you appreciate their business
— Consider your tone of voice and how that may contradict your message
— Listen. Don’t make a mad customer repeat themselves.
— Follow-up. Get in touch to make sure a customer who had a problem is now satisfied.
— Ask if there is anything else you can do for your customer.
So, what do you think? Do you have tips to offer? Any local examples of good or bad customer service?
Share your thoughts…
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