Best Value Budget Pattaya Hotel. From a guy who stays there

Hotel stays can be a hit or miss affair. Reviews can be misleading and online deals are not always the best value.
That is why I prefer to take my advice from reviewers who stay in the hotels they review and recommend.
I love going to Pattaya. Despite its seedy reputation, Pattaya is a great side trip option from Bangkok.
The beach in Pattaya is not the best beach in the world but the hotels that surround Pattaya have great pools, so the beach can be best used for strolling on the promenade.
I have visited Pattaya about thirty times and whenever I happen to pass by a hotel that someone has mentioned to me, I ask to see the room and ask what the rate is.
As the saying goes, you don’t get something for nothing, but you can still get a good deal on a Pattaya hotel.
Even though I have inspected many other hotels in the same price range, some being more expensive too, I have not found one that compares.
The one I choose to stay in is The Intown Holiday Hotel. It is located in Soi 10 in South Pattaya. The street is also known as Soi Honey.
Let me give you a tip for you if you decide to stay there. Don’t bother with the breakfast. There are much better breakfasts within walking distance of the hotel.

The rooms in the Intown Holiday Hotel are large and each one has a balcony. There are two elevators. It may seem strange to mention the elevators but there are many budget hotels that do not provide elevators.

The average price of the room is rate is about 600 baht which is less than $20 US.

This price does vary upwardly in the high season.

The Hotel employees are a quiet lot but honest and efficient, and I see the same people working there year after year, which is always a good sign.
Security guards patrol the floors during the night time, and security boxes are provided for the guests on request.
The top floor features a nice pool and guests are allowed to invite their friends for a swim.
At various times of the year, this hotel is fully booked, so I make it a practice to ring them for a firm booking.
They are busy so they don’t bother much with returning email inquiries.
One other thing, they don’t accept credit cards.
I won’t waste your time giving you their email because they probably won’t answer you.
If you decide you want to book in advance just call them
6638420696

Asus Eee pc review from a guy who bought one

When I travel to Thailand I make it a habit of visiting Pantip Plaza in Bangkok to see what’s new in technology.

If you are into tech, and have traveled to Thailand you would have most certainly have heard of Pantip Plaza.
This tech complex is a five story shopping mall which rivals any similar mall in Asia.


When I was there last time, I noticed the Asus Eee ultra portable laptop on sale in many of the stores, so I thought I would avail myself of the opportunity to see it in operation.

My first impression was positive. The machine looked so light and well designed.

Was this just the thing I had been searching for?

I had wanted an ultra portable machine that I could take overseas instead of dragging my full size laptop. With this machine my dilemma of should I or should I not pack my laptop may now be resolved.

What caught my eye was that one of the larger stores had it running, but had uninstalled the Linux operating system and instead had installed Windows XP.

I have to admit, seeing it running Windows XP really made my head turn, because although I have nothing against The Linux operating system, the version of Linux software that came with the Asus seemed too basic.

Seeing it run so efficiently with XP had raised its stature considerably.

Firstly I noticed how quickly it booted up. Certainly not any slower than my Acer which has a dual core processor and two gigabytes of ram.
The Asus managed to run Windows XP even with its meager internal storage space of 4 gigabytes. It does come with 512 meg ram.

After you install Windows XP and Microsoft Office you are still left with about 1.5 gigabytes of free storage, but add to this your Itunes, Yahoo Messenger, Limewire and other favorites and you are out of space.

So how did it run?
As far as handling the demands of Windows operating system, I could not detect any obvious problems, but because the screen is a 7 inch LCD, you will have to get used to scrolling up and down and across the page of the browser to read all the content.
I have it on good advice that the Asus will not run efficiently on Vista. If you are satisfied with running XP then keep it on your list.
The keyboard is something you will have to get used to. Personally I am not fast typist and if you are like me and a two finger typist it will do the job just fine.
The product designers had the good sense to package it with a charger that is not any bigger than a phone charger.

Skype users will be pleased to know that the Asus is equipped with a webcam and microphone, making it a powerful global communication tool.

When you are off the road, plug in an external monitor and full size keyboard and your Asus doubles as your desktop pc.

The first thing you will need to do if you buy the Asus is to purchase an sd card and keep it in the SD slot on a permanent basis. I bought a two gig SD card for about twenty dollars, after learning that the pc does not support the newer SD high capacity cards. This is clearly an oversight.

The extra SD card will allow you to keep the rest of your applications on board and forms the balance of your hard drive. A flash usb flash drive can be used to store your documents folders.
The Asus does not have Bluetooth which is a nuisance. I did however pick up a Bluetooth usb adapter for about $7 which made me wonder why they didn’t include it in the hardware.

The WIFI works fine and really comes into its own on The Asus. The portability factor makes it so easy to carry with you at all times, so when you find a WIFI point you can quickly connect.
Cutting to the chase. What is the Asus really good for?
I did end up paying $400 AUD for it in Thailand and I think it is worth the money, but with the rapidly declining prices of full size laptops on the market, the Asus falls in to a niche market.
The fact is that you can get a more powerful laptop for about $100 more which will give you more processing power and a bigger hard drive than the Asus.

If you are considering the purchase of the Asus, my advice would be to buy it if you want a basic machine that is as easy to carry as a paperback.
Add a SD card, USB flash reader, USB Bluetooth and you have the perfect alternative to a PDA that costs about the same.
This is just the thing for the consumer who is sick of carrying his laptop around all day and wants a better solution.

If Real Estate is position, position, position, then the Asus is portability, portability, portability.

Using your Asus and cellphone for internet connectivity.

The Patpong drinking scam

The longest running scam in history.



My understanding of a scam was that somebody played you, took your money and then absconded with your cash, never to be heard of again.

It seems that some scammers stick around for eternity and never have to suffer any consequences for their scamming.
The biggest and longest running scam I know of is the Patpong drinks scam, which has been running for at least twenty five years.
When I refer to Patpong in Thailand, I am not talking about some out of the way back street where only the lost solitary traveler has ventured, because Patpong is one of the most famous tourist precincts in the world.
Patpong in Bangkok is primarily a two street entertainment area in the heart of the city, frequented by tourists, seeking a wilder experience than is offered in most cities of the world.
The area offers a busy night market, an abundance of restaurants and eateries, and a multitude of bars. As is the case with Patpong’s world wide reputation, both of the area’s main streets are bounded by girlie bars, and navigating your way through puts you directly in the path of the sprukers.
This where your trouble is likely to begin.

In the tradition of the most famous red light areas, curiosity plays a vital factor and this has not escaped the attention of the experienced Patpong spruker, whose job it is to lure the customer into a particular bar.
This is how it works.
The spruker approaches you with his banner which read,” singha beer 50 baht.”

He studies your face as you nod towards your companion in agreement at this very cheap price for a beer in a bar that has dancing girls on poles.
When the spruker senses your apprehension, he gleefully offers you the spiel of there being no cover charge.
Felling relieved that this is the case, you follow him and are led upstairs to the bar. The spruker disappears back downstairs in search of another customer.
This is where the bar manager steps in. You are seated near the bar and two drinks are brought to you by the waiter. Within seconds the dancers are focused on you and begin doing their “wild thing” act in your face.
Nobody asks you if you are comfortable with this but nevertheless the attention of the dancers is concentrated on you. The acrobatics and the smiles are all for you.
You haven’t finished your first drink yet but another is placed on the table.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the pushiness and slightly bored too, you decide to leave.
The waitress rushes over with the bill, and you are horrified to find that the amount is not 240 baht for the four drinks as you expected but is 1040 baht.
You call the waitress and she listens to you with a blank expression on her face, and promptly calls the manager.
The manager is looking meaner by the second as she informs you that there is a 400 baht per person charge for the show.
When you tell her that you distinctly heard the spruker tell you that there was no cover charge, she explains to you that the extra 800 baht is for the private show not the cover charge.
Indignation rises in your voice as you protest, explaining that you did not request any show. The manager points to the bill and tells you to pay.
From the corners of the bar a couple of mean looking bouncers approach and listen in on the conversation.
You are now in a situation where your personal security is at stake.
What do you do? Do you pay up and put it down to experience or do you stand your ground and make a fight of it?
If you pay up, you can leave and forget about it. Is it worth fighting over?
The bouncers are waiting to see what your next move is.
What do you do?
You do what everybody else does.
You swear under your breath, pay the money and leave.

This scam is still operating in Patpong today. The police seem oblivious to it and no other Thai authority has attempted to shut it down during the twenty five year period I have been visiting Thailand.

Heard the one about the Arab comedians?

Comedy has developed and changed over time. Creative comedians are using the power of laughter to break down cultural and religious barriers. There are still certain things you don’t joke about if you are an Arab comedian and more particularly a Muslim Arab comedian, and even more particularly a female Muslim Arab comedian.

One positive aspect of being an Arab comedian is that it helps break down the stereotypes of minorities as seen in the non Muslim community.
Maysoon Zayid is a Palestinian actress, comedian who has caused some ripples of anxiety by challenging socially acceptable and religious doctrines.

At the start of her performance she introduces herself as a Palestinian Muslim virgin and adds.

“I just want you guys to know that I am a virgin by choice…..and that’s my father’s choice.”
“My father has spent the majority of my life terrified that I will accidentally lose my virginity, so there’s a list of activities I am not allowed to do. There is no horseback riding, not even on a carousel.”

Zayid won’t joke about 9/11 or go so far as to mock her own religion.
She pushes the envelope as far as she can, but is always aware that Arabs are vilified in the media and going too far can get somebody killed.



Further reading.
http://imeu.net/news/article004946.shtml
http://maysoon.com/news/maysoons-kids.shtml#43

Wallet Skimming Scams

It’s a common problem all over Asia. It may be a common problem all over the world, but as I am a regular visitor to Thailand and The Philippines, my post refers to those two countries.
The practice of hotel staff skimming money from your wallet has now reached epidemic proportions.
It works like this. You are a friendly, trusting traveler who is quite taken by the kind smiling faces of the indigenous and you feel safe in your dealings with the locals.

You find a cozy little guesthouse and check in for a few nights.

Nothing bad has happened to you on the trip, so you can’t see any harm in checking in your valuables, cash and documents to the front desk. The person at the front desk dutifully locks them away in a security box and hands you the key.
You wonder if you should ask if there is any way the hotel staff can open the box without you being present, but you think better of it and you head upstairs to your room.

The next day you decide to withdraw some dollars from your box so you can change the dollars over to the local currency.

Lo and behold, something seems odd. You could have sworn that you had exactly $2740 in cash stashed in that security box. You count it again but there is only $2540 in the box.
Scratching your head, you retrace your spending history but you can’t remember spending the missing $200.

Chances are, you have just been skimmed.

During the last ten years I have heard these stories time and time again. Skimming cash from security boxes or from rooms when guests are out is quite common.
Smaller hotels and guesthouses is where this is most likely to happen.
The skimmers work on a principle that most of the victims will be confused about their cash float and just forget about the missing money. Of course the skimmers know if they take the lot, the police will be most definitely involved and their scam will be over, so they prefer to skim rather than risk police involvement.
The victim will have a rough time proving anything because the money could have been taken during any of the front counter staff shifts.
How does he prove anything was taken?

My friends and I have come up with a good way of preventing being skimmed at hotels.
Every time you open the box, you count the cash and get the hotel staff employee who is working the front desk to check the amount. You then write the amount on a piece of paper, which is duly dated, signed by the employee, noting the time as well. The paper is retained by you as a receipt.
You explain to the staff member that you will be checking the latest receipt against the cash contents each time you open the box.
This will put the fear of god into them and will offer you more security.

Larger hotels have twenty four hour cameras and staff is not allowed to handle the second locking key without the guest being present.

Further reading
http://www.bangkokscams.com/scams-in-bangkok/unsafe-deposit-box.html

Made in Australia Scam

False labeling of goods as Made in Australia is rife in the business world.

Large companies are known to shade the truth by manipulating their manufacturing process in such a way as to avoid the tentacles of the government monitors.
Some examples of this are seen in canned goods where the manufacturing is split into global segments.
Tinned fruit and fruit juice are manufacturing processes where the production is split up globally.
Oranges might be picked from one continent, shipped to another country, mixed into a concentrate there, and then shipped to Australia for packaging.
The final product is then labeled Made in Australia.
Consumers purchase these goods in the false belief that they are promoting Australian jobs and business, while the truth is that most of the jobs and profits are generated outside Australia.

There are more obvious examples where small businesses operate under the radar of the responsible authority.

Last week I took a walk around a large city market here in Melbourne.

Having had some experience in certain sectors of business, I was able to detect three traders openly lying about where the goods were made.

Not only were they lying when conversing to their customers, they had huge signs hoisted above their stalls that read. “Made in Australia".

The purpose was clear enough to me.
Dishonest traders were ripping off the consumer by allowing them to think they were buying Australian made quality and stimulating the jobs market for the country.
The products were items of ladies clothing and leather bags.
The sad part is that many people never the questioned the word of the traders.
How can the public decide if they see value in buying Australian made, if they are not presented with the truth?
Here are the facts, if you want to know what “Made in Australia” really means and what is just dishonest manipulation.
http://www.australianmade.com.au/faq_s

Retiring In Pattaya

Retiring in Thailand is a thought that crossed my mind several years ago.
I am a veteran of about thirty visits and even though successive trips have occasionally dimmed my view, Thailand remains an intriguing retirement alternative.

Over the time I have visited Thailand, affectionately known as The Land OF Smiles, I have met many expatriate westerners who have made the move and chosen to reside there.

Whilst some move to the far flung provinces, most choose to reside in the main cities, where the western influenced surroundings comfort them during their more nostalgic moments.
In no other place is this more evident than Pattaya, which now hosts a mixed population of Thais and Foreign immigrants.
With its modern and developing infrastructure, Pattaya has become the Mecca for early retirees who are still young enough to appreciate this burgeoning city’s delights.
If I was to compile a short list, I would offer these as the main points of focus.

Great weather
Cheap prices
Relaxed lifestyle
Interesting cultural exchanges
Western influenced infrastructure.

There are many discussion boards dealing with a myriad of issues concerning Pattaya and all of Thailand.

These links will guide you to illuminating forums which you will find very comprehensive.

Thai Visa Forum
Thailand Travel Forum

Scammed buying online

I can talk from personal experience when I say purchasing goods online can be very tricky.
To be perfectly frank it has made me avoid buying online unless there is no other alternative.
Sellers who rip off their customers not only damage their own business reputation; they ruin the efforts of honest marketing companies that offer a genuine product or service.
Scammers feel comfortable prowling around the internet because they can work anonymously, secure in the fact they can assume and discard identities at the drop of a hat.
Scammers remind me of viruses. They vary in magnitude like viruses in the way that they can be mildly irritating or heartbreakingly unconscionable.
Some just use false or misleading advertising to obtain qualified email addresses so they can compile lists of prospects to send related products to.
There is nothing wrong with that in theory but, as people are obsessed with making easy money, unwitting recipients of misleading email need to be protected from unscrupulous merchants.
Examples of scammers who operate in this way are:
Sham Investment advisers who convince prospects to buy worthless stocks, and Nigerian letter frauds.
Most of us are well acquainted with these obvious attempts to part us from our cash, but then there are the more subtle irritating scams that you and I could fall for.

The shoddy service businesses are doing tremendous damage in the way they operate.

Two instances have recently surfaced where I have been duped. These are mild compared to the big ones, but whenever the act of buying something online causes me to spend more money that I thought I would need to, or causes me to disrupt my schedule unexpectedly, then I classify these as scams.

The first instance was when I downloaded a certain media player and then decided I would pay the extra money and buy the pro version.
I went through the credit card process and received a serial number for the pro media player I downloaded, only to find that I had been given the wrong serial number.
After waiting three days for the help people to answer my email, I placed a long distance phone call to The States from Australia, and after twenty minutes on hold was given a correct number.
Recently I attempted to book a hotel on an island resort in Thailand. I made the booking online through an agent who confirmed my booking, processed my credit card and emailed me to tell me that would receive a confirmation voucher to show to the hotel.
As the time got nearer to my holiday, I had not yet received my confirmation so I emailed my agent asking for it.
I received no reply.
Fortunately, I had a friend in Bangkok who rang the agent on my behalf and found out the reason. What had happened was the agent had admitted that there were no vacancies at the hotel for the period I had booked for.
The agent had planned to inform me of this at the last minute and offer me another lower standard hotel for the amount that had already been debited to my account.
After threatening to take the matter further, I was given a refund.
When these things happen, it really makes you think twice about making purchases on the internet.

Tips for Having a Great Holiday in Thailand.

Here is a short list of factors to consider before you leave for Thailand. I have tried to cover the most common pitfalls.

Buy a money belt that you can wear underneath your outside clothing and use it.

Tourists toting handbags are targets. They are followed and preyed upon by thieves with razor blades who cut the bottom of the bags.
They are good at it and you won’t know how good they are till its too late.

Most tourist congregation points are so crowded that you can’t tell who is trying to push past you or who is trying to create a distraction so they can commit the crime.

Carry only the cash you need on the day.
Leave your credit cards locked up in the security box with the hotel staff.

Only carry your credit cards if you are sure you will need them on that day.

Make a photocopy of your passport and carry that with you at all times.

Foreigners are required by law to carry a copy of their passport at all times, and must produce it to the police on request.
Keep your passport under lock and key until you have to use it.

Do not involve the police in your arguments with Thai vendors, or taxi drivers.
Thai police have unusual procedures that may seem unjust to foreigners.

Do not hire a motorbike or car. If you do so then realize that if you are involved in an accident, you will be at fault, no matter what.
Thai law projects the Thai citizen, not the foreigner.

Always ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter when you get in. If they quote you a fare for a destination, then realize it is higher than what you need to pay by meter.

If you want to travel in a TukTuk, and the driver wants to take you to certain shops, realize that he is getting free gas for his trouble, and the prices will be high.

Do not buy any Thai gem stones such as jade without expert advice.
The merchants are well known for charging many times the actual worth of the stones.

When you order food, order the meal with mild spice.
Mild in Thailand can still be very spicy to the foreigner.

Try eating at the food courts of the department store, Big C.
They have great variety and cheap prices. The hygiene standard is higher than from the food vendors on the street.
Do not use the hotel facilities to make an overseas call.
Use the internet cafes to ring overseas.


Follow this simple advice and you will have a great time In Thailand.

The truth about blogging and content

How much content do you need to make your blog pay?

Lots of extra cash for shopping, great lifestyle, and untold wealth.

This is the usual hype that floats around the marketing sites of the web.

If only making money was as easy as the marketing gurus make it out to be.

I am not trying to be a killjoy nor am I pleading the case for negativity. The purpose of my submission is to share knowledge with those who are considering or have recently started a monetized blog.

I was inspired to start my blog after encouragement from two friends who have built separate businesses out of blogging.

Neither of my two friends are millionaires, but they do earn good money out of advertising revenue. When I started my blog I spent some time conferring with my friends and our discussions always came down to content.

During the course of discussions they revealed to me that their websites boasted archives of around fifteen thousand articles. Yes that's right. Fifteen thousand articles in both cases.

It is a real bubble burster I know, but that is the amount of content to figure on if you want a full time income from an advertising enhanced web project.
It is interesting to note that both of them admitted to be chalking up about sixty hours a week online.

Neither of them called their web sites passive income. Sure you can take a bit of time off for vacation every now and again, but spend too much of your time away and you will be eaten up by competition.

Having two friends who have successfully marketed their web pages does not make me an authority I know and that is why I am asking for comments on this post.
If you have managed to make your blog pay by using clever short cuts, please post your comment

Your rights at a restaurant when you are ripped off.

Last trip to Thailand I found myself in a war of words with the management of a certain well known restaurant chain in Bangkok.
It was near closing time when I walked in for a late dinner.
The waiter brought me the menu and pointed to the daily special, which was sweet and sour fish.
Realizing it was near closing time, and that much of what was on the menu would not be available; I tapped the picture on the menu to signify that I will take the sweet and sour fish as suggested.
A few minutes later he brings my order, which looks too large for one diner.
I looked at the waiter as I was thinking how to politely phrase my grievance. He didn’t stick around and I am faced with a giant size platter that I will never finish.

Once again I try and attract the attention of my waiter who has made himself busy at other tables.
I eat what I can and I have a fairly good appetite, but I can guarantee that this was a family size platter.
I motion for the bill.
The waiter returns and I notice that I have been charged big money for the dish.
A consultation of the menu details the fact that the fish is sold by the gram. I have no problem with that.
The fact remains that the waiter served solitary me a family platter of fish and this is my issue.

Eventually the waiter returns to my table and I manage to communicate my anger to him.
He points out to me that the policy is that once the dish is brought to the table the customer has to pay. He then promptly walks off as if to say, end of discussion.

My face is getting redder by the second and it's time I spoke to the manager.
The discussion with the manager went something like this.

The serve is family size. There is only me here and if the kitchen has only a family size serve, they should have informed me beforehand.
Any fool can see that one person could not eat that serving.
The manager spun me the same line as the waiter.

At that stage I had planned on getting an apology or some sort of explanation then I would have paid and left, but the manager seemed really aggressive, so I decided to make a stand and demand an explanation.
After a mutual exchange of blank looks, the manager backs down and asks me to pay half.

Victory was mine.
I am not a petty person but my view is that an established restaurant chain in a third world country should be capable of offering professional services to their customers, bearing in mind they add a 10 % charge for service.

What would you have done in my place?

Hua Hin. Great side trip from Bangkok.

Hua Hin is a destination I enjoy visiting whenever I get the chance.
Most tourists think of Bangkok, Phuket or Pattaya when they think of Thailand, but for those who want a less hectic and less commercialized holiday destination, Hua Hin fits the bill perfectly.

One of the things you will notice when you arrive there is that the lack of commercial development on the beach and its surrounds.
This is quite extraordinary, especially for a country such as Thailand which is known for its rapid rate of development, but the city’s governors have elected to keep the beachfront unspoiled by pressures of progress.

Stroll on the beach and you will see the remnants of an old fishing village, with boats moored in the bay and seaweed decorating the old decaying vessels.
This gives the beach a sleepy, old fashioned feel.
Horse riding is a Hua Hin tradition and you can still hire a horse and go for a gallop on the beach.
Where else in the world could you do that now?

The food is great in Hua Hin. Everybody loves Thai Food, but unfortunately many of the establishments in the touristy parts of Thailand are not dishing up the best on offer.

Hua Hin does things better. In keeping with the slower pace of the place, meals take longer to prepare and more care is taken in the quality that is served to the customer.
I found the best meals were served in the guesthouses of Hua Hin. .Things took a little longer to cook but the meals were excellent. If you fancy European cuisine, there is plenty of that on offer throughout the town

A word about guest houses. The term guesthouse brings to mind an image of low cost backpacker style accommodation.
Nothing could be further than the truth.
The Guesthouses of Hua Hin are wonderful. They are small, family owned businesses that offer large, clean rooms with big well appointed bathrooms. Typically they will also have air-conditioning, plenty of hot water and cable TV.
Nightlife is more or less a quiet affair, with a couple of streets of bars and discos.
Yes, this pales in comparison with Bangkok or Pattaya but if you are looking for plenty of night time action then Hua Hin is probably not the place for you.

Golf however is another story. Hua Hin is noted as a world class city for golf in Asia.
Two more luxurious golf courses are opening soon. You can even organize a golf holiday where things like green fees, caddies, equipment and tuition are prearranged for you.
I really feel totally relaxed when I visit this place.

My favorite guesthouses are Leng Guesthouse
A and B Guesthouse.

The rooms are nice and reasonably priced. Both these guesthouses had large balconies which are just thing for afternoon reading.

A and B. Guesthouse http://www.abguesthouse.com/adress.htm
Leng Guest House http://www.lenghotel.com/

Follow this story. http://www.frangipani.com/huahin/huahin.htm






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Hits4Pay. Moneymaker or Scam?

I joined Hits4Pay about two weeks ago as an experiment.
My purpose was twofold.
I wanted to see if the marketing scheme provided any real potential as a part time online business, and secondly, I was curious to see if it was just another scam.

Hits4Pay is a marketing scheme whereby advertisers send advertising emails to the members via Hits4Pay. The job of the member is to read the emails. It is as simple as that.
Some of the revenue Hits4Pay receives from the advertisers is shared between the members.
Members receive 2 cents for each email they read, and if they want to further enhance their earnings they have the opportunity by making use of the referral scheme.
If they refer the plan to other participants, the initiating referrer receives 1 cent for each email read by their downline. The downline extends to a two tier level.

The concept sounded like a simple revenue sharing scheme, where advertisers promote their products and services to the members in the belief that they generate sales from the ads they distribute. The members are both the readers and the consumers.

In principle the marketing plan is sound and easy to participate in here is the problem.

Where are the ads?

In my first two weeks I have received about 12 ads to read, which gives me total revenue of 24 cents.
My question to Hits4Pay is this? Where are the ads?

How does Hits4Pay expect me to recommend their plan to others when all I can show them is an estimated income of about 50 cents a month?

At this stage I cannot endorse this plan is a genuine opportunity.

Perhaps Hits4Pay does not have the ads to distribute. I do not know why they are sending so few.

I will see if it picks up in the next couple of weeks and then I will write them an email, asking them for a “please explain”.
There will be a further update in the future.

Don’t Buy An iphone. A Windows Mobile Phone Is Better.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Apple products but people get too excited about the Apple brand as they would some fashion label.

I have an ipod Touch and I have an Ipaq PDA. The reason I bought both these devices is that I am a Tech junkie and I find new products irresistible.

Now that I have my fix and the rush is gone, it is time to compare devices and I have come up with a conclusion.
The Ipaq 112 Windows Mobile 6 Classic PDA is a much more useful device than the ipod Touch or iphone.

For a while I was considering an iphone but knocked it on the head after deciding its functionality was limited.

The iphone was heavier and clunkier than I expected so one drop and its goodbye.

The Apple device is not Bluetooth enabled and that means I can’t share mp3s, files and pictures.
The browser on the iphone is great but you cannot download anything.
You can’t copy and paste any text to a word file on the iphone.
The iphone does not have software for handling Excel files or any similar spreadsheet applications.
It does not have a built in voice recorder.
Even though the Ipaq is not a phone, I can easily set up a Bluetooth partnership between it and my phone and use the GPRS or 3G network to access the internet when WIFI is not available.
The Iphone does not even have 3G capability.

In spite of all the hype, the relatively conservative people at Ipaq have come up with a slimmer design and their device is lighter than the iphone.
.
Apple could have given so much more functionality with the iphone.
The Iphone screen is much better than the Ipaq as far as screen quality is concerned but that is still only one factor in a host of factors that is a thumbs up for the iphone.

If you want to use The iphone as a music player and video player without having the need for an extra cell phone in your pocket, then the iphone is ok, but if you expect it to be a functional PDA then you are going to be disappointed.

I can play videos, mp3, and view photos on my Ipaq and so much more.


My advice is to get a windows mobile6 cell phone of PDA instead of an iphone.
This is Apples first phone so give this one a miss and let’s see what they come up with in their second generation effort.

My Mom Went To Australia And All She Got Me Was This Lousy T Shirt But What Else Could She Get Me?

What should I bring back for the relatives and friends?

This perennial question exists for holidaymakers wanting to return home with gifts for families and friends.

Boomerangs and Didgeridoos are items representative of native Australian culture.

These hand painted artifacts are usually colorfully adorned with paintings and etchings and look great in the store, but would end up in the basement with all the other useless stuff.

So what are you going to do?

Stick with the unoriginal, unimaginative, yet pragmatic.

Buy them a T Shirt.

It will always be useful. If they like it they will wear it, but if they don’t, then they can give it away to their friends.
If none of their friends want it and it gets handed back, they can still use it for sleeping in.
If they refuse to sleep in it then they can use it to wash the car.
If they prefer automated car washes then they can use it to clean the bathroom or wipe down the dog’s kennel.
Heck, at these low prices and with all these alternative uses, it’s a best buy. Even as a cleaning aid.

Yes. You Can Still Buy Clothing Made In Australia.

Take a browse through the stalls of any weekend market and you will be pushed to find any single item that is made in Australia.
Everything seems to come from the China. I noticed this stall at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne. The sign on his stall said “Made in Australia “ so I asked him about it, and he said, that he and his wife make all the garments in their idle hours and sell them at the market.

He told me that he has a niche market in clothing because importers bring their stuff based on price, while his stuff is made with comfort for the consumer in mind.

The stock at his stall consisted of ladies underwear, leggings and tops and skirts.

I don’t have to speculate if his price was competitive compared to Asian imports.

The market is a great diviner of the truth.

Being Australian made is a sale maker, all other things being even, but the public won’t pay more than for the imported product of similar quality.
The middle aged couple running the stall is almost an extinct species in retail and one of the few remaining small manufacturers.
Another few years will spell the end.

Promoting Your Retail Business Using Internet Marketing.

Marketing your product or service on the internet is fraught with obstacles and disappointments but is it really the best vehicle for your marketing campaign?

There are many product and service providers who would not survive if they relied solely on the web to market their product.
Most of the marketing campaigns you see were hatched on the net, for the net.
Site owners have to contend with buyer resistance and are forced to compete with part time internet marketers, all who are using advertising copy to persuade you to buy.
In the physical world consumers interact with sellers in the market place and the buyer makes his choice based on tactile and visual experiences.

Many products that are marketed experience poor sales because the internet cannot recreate these experiences.

For the established retailer, the internet is often seen as the enemy, a mechanism to drive the consumer from the physical malls to the virtual malls of the internet.

Can the traditional retailer and the internet be friends?
Yes the internet is the retailer’s friend.

There are many retailers who have harnessed the power of internet marketing and are using it as an adjunct to their existing business.

I have colleagues who have small retail businesses and at the point of sale hand they hand out their flyer displaying their web site.
This enables the customer who is now a client of the retailer to conveniently shop online as a repeat purchaser.
The customer no longer feels buyer anxiety, feeling secure in the knowledge that the retailer has a presence in the real world.
Using this kind of marketing logic, many retailers are thriving and at the same time exposing themselves to a larger potential market.

Caricatures By Ivano

Caricature is an art which more than any other, has the ability to makes you laugh, giggle, or the very least put a smirk on someone’s face.
It can be kind or it can be cruel.
Some caricaturists market their skills as parodists and create for Medias that use cynicism and parody in their content.
Ivano is a well traveled artist who has traversed various art and craft markets of Europe and now makes his home in Melbourne.
He finds kudos in the understanding that Aussies appreciate an easygoing lifestyle full of humor and positivity, and he reflects that in his simple but effective drawings.
I stood and watched him draw on a hot Melbourne day. He was flat out keeping up with the demand. It was obvious they were happy as they tucked the drawings under their arms and zoomed off in search of a cool drink.

His Web Page is...

http://www.ivano.com.au/

Boots For People With Feet Two Feet Long

Shoe Manufacturing in Australia is almost extinct.
One of the oldest shoe manufacturers Harold Boots, who are based in Melbourne, still knock out their boots for the diehards that respect Australian made products.
I snapped this picture of a market stall that carries these boots. As you can see from the picture, if you have larger than normal feet, size is not going to be a problem, because Harold Boots will make you a pair to fit.

If you want to order a pair, you can find them on display at Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.

Markets generally tend to have stuff for sale that can be unusual and overlooked by regular stores, and that is why they still flourish.

Best Value Hotels For Your Bangkok Stay

First House Hotel

Do you want to make your buying trip a success? You will need to keep costs low.
Let me say first off that like anywhere else in the world you get nothing for nothing, but there is some great value accommodation in Bangkok.
If you are a budget traveler but are not really into the backpacker super cheap accommodation then these two hotels might fit the bill.

The First House Hotel is a well run, older style hotel for about $30 a night. You get a buffet breakfast for two people included in the rate. The great thing about this hotel is that you are right on the doorstep of Pratunam Market. This hotel is well patronized by business people who are looking for a cost efficient base for their buying trip.

The Bangkok City Suite Hotel is a new hotel that you can book with directly.

It boasts a bargain price of $25 per night which includes a buffet breakfast for two and free wifi for guests. The main disadvantage with this hotel is its out of the way location.
It is located well away from established shopping areas.
On the brighter side, you can catch a taxi for about $2 that will take you right where you want to go.
I have stayed in both these hotels so I am talking from experience.

http://www.bangkoksuite.com/accom.html

http://www.hoteleasy.com/Hotel/Bankok/First%20House/index.html

Best Donuts Have No Holes In The Middle

Spanish Donuts. Everybody loves them. Don't they?

Picture a twisted piece of sugary dough without the hole in the middle and you have a fair representation of a Spanish donut.
At the market where I work there are people in a van selling these donuts.
Well let me rephrase. ‘At the market where I work there are people in a van selling these donuts or at least I think there is but l never see them.

The Spanish donut van is so busy I can never see past the crowd and into the van.

It must be the best business. The van has been at Queen Victoria Market for years and every time I walk past there is a long line of people waiting to get a bag full.
.
A message to Dunkin Donuts, Mister Donuts, and Krispy Kreme Donuts.

Take note please. There are no holes in Spanish Donuts, so quit selling us those ones with the gaping holes in the middle. We are now wise to your act.

Stop! Never Pay Retail Prices.

Stop! Never Pay Retail.

One of the more interesting markets in Bangkok is Chatuchak Market.
What makes a visit to the market more rewarding is that it is heavily patronized by tourists.
The heavy traffic has attracted the interest of the manufacturing sector and you will find most of the stalls are run by families who have factories producing Thai made goods.

This presents a great opportunity for the quantity buyer to buy bulk at a much cheaper price.
If you add all the other costs of shipping and taxes, you will see that Chatuchak Market is the place to buy wholesale.
Whether you are a casual or serious buyer, this market is a must.
There is enough variety of goods here to replicate a Thai stall back home, or for the gift buyer, to save a fortune compared to regular shop prices.


.

Don't Kill The Customer.

Customers want friendly service.
It is gratifying to hear your customers thanking you for good service and for helping them arrive at a buying decision.
Sometimes the temptation exists to exchange harsh words with customers at the market. There are some that think that stallholders don’t deserve the same respect as other retailers. It happens.
What I learned is that in some cases the customer is only testing the responses of the trader. When I first started I was quick to fly off the handle when a customer complained about quality or price.
Now I know the correct way to deal with this.

Don’t kill the customer.
Treat all of your buyers with respect.
Do this and they will come back and buy from you.
If you want them to buy from your stall, you must develop your service skills, because your personal service is part of your product.
During my conversations with customers at my market stall, I often ask the question,

Why do you shop at the market?

Invariably they tell me that one of the major factors is the friendly atmosphere that is way too different to the cloned shopping centers found in the big malls.
Because stalls are owner operated, the seller cares more about the sale than an employee would.
Market customers expect you to service them.
Remember. Don’t kill the customer

Freighting your goods back home.

You are a small buyer and you have invested your money into a few cartons of goods that you purchased overseas.
Now how do you ship the goods back home?
Do you ship them by air or sea?
If you are dealing with smaller shipments which have gross weights in the ballpark of 100 kilos, then you will find it difficult to deal with freight offices.
They give low rates for larger shipments but not for smaller consignments. The internal administration charges that are passed back to you will eat at your profits.
You will also run into problems with courier type air freight companies such as DHL and Fed Express. They have too many ancillary charges which they slap on top of their per kilo rate, which will erode your profit.
Unaccompanied baggage offices that are situated around the airport are not cheap either, but they are reliable and convenient. To be honest there is no cheap air freight but ask yourself if you want to be waiting around for weeks for your goods to arrive.
If you use sea freight, be prepared to have your good sitting at the docks for days on end.

Hand Made Ladies Shoes Made to Fit.

Hand Made Ladies Shoes.

In a time when it is almost impossible to find any footwear that is not made in China, I have come across a guy who still believes in hand made craftsmanship.
He makes shoes on a made to order basis. With a skill that has been honed over several decades, he sources his leathers from Italy as well as locally. His carefully stocked selection of leathers enables him to offer his customers a large range of styles and colors to choose from.
There are only a handful of these skilled workers remaining that are prepared to ignore the commercial pressures of globalisation, but he continues to defy trends by turning out hand crafted shoe wear for his customers, many who have been buying from him for years.
His clientele tell him that the problem is not getting nice shoes but is their feet. He delivers a shoe that not only looks good but is comfortable for those who have sensitive feet.
If you are around the Melbourne area, call by his stall on the weekend and take a peek.

Location: FRI K 51-52, SAT K 65-66, SUN K 69-70Phone: 0413319505.

More Food Vendors Of Bangkok

One of the more pleasant aspects of being a trader a busy commercial market is discussing the vagaries of life with fellow stallholders. Over the years you get to know who is passionate about what they are selling, their enthusiasm and attention to detail spilling over to the customers that stop to admire.
A case example is a business that goes by the name of Nautical Replicas.

Run by Greg and Sue Smith, it specializes in gifts with a nautical theme.

If you stop by the stall on a typical day, you will likely hear Greg discussing the finer points of a particular replica sailing ship. The customer may be observed contemplating a purchase wile thumbing through one of the dog eared ancient mariner manuals laid out neatly on the stall. The public are encouraged to ask questions regarding a particular model on display because the management understands that a happy customer is a repeat customer.
If you are into sailing vessels and want to see what is on offer: Click here.
http://www.nauticalreplicas.com

Thai Food. Roadside Service

Thai Food is famous for its spicy flavor.

Street vendors serve small portions by Western standards but low overheads mean cheap prices and you can purchase a couple of courses for about 60 baht. Two serves of different
dishes will fill the spot for an average Westerner.

Bargain Markets Make A Comeback

Public markets are making an unprecedented comeback across North America. You see signs of this almost everywhere. Perhaps a new farmers market has opened somewhere in your neighborhood over the past few years, or maybe a nearby street is now bustling with small vendors selling their wares. Even more remarkable, this revival of interest in public markets flies in the face of widely accepted notions that we are moving inexorably towards a landscape dominated by big box stores and fast food chains.

Steve Davies argues that public markets are making a comeback and that America's future may be small vendors as much as big boxes.


Source: Project For Public Spaces, Sep 25, 2005
Full Story: The Great Revival of Public Markets