A friend used to tell me that being a retailer is very tough, especially when some essential items are under the price control act. They practically cannot get a profit when their customers ask for a discount. However, business is very competitive and what my friend did was create a loyalty bonus where customers are awarded with points for every $10 spent. According to my friend, this is a losing concern in the short term but it has long term potential. His customers, though, were very happy because they are rewarded and with the points they have collected, they get to exchange for other items which means that they are getting these items for free and we know that everyone loves free!

Now that online shopping has been adopted by many web savvy people, online retailers also have their own webloyalty programs to keep the loyalty of their customers.

I understand through experience that it is tough to keep a customer because they have the right to shop wherever they want. With benefits and reward programs, these customers are likely to be returning customers.

I used to think fabric curtains are better until I seen faux wood blinds in a friend’s house. Now, I am thinking that I should get faux wood blinds for my home as well because fabric curtains are just too much work.

I went to a website to check out the selection of cheap blinds that are available and I am impressed with the different designs that are available. Faux wood blinds are of such quality that they look like real wood blinds from afar. The price may be cheap but the quality certainly does not.

I am happy to note that unlike wood blinds from years ago, they are now very versatile and fashionable. They also come in different colors and sizes to suit our rooms and budget.

When I was a kid, any 4-wheel drive vehicles would be considered as a “working car” but if you have been following the trend, SUVs are getting more and more luxurious, they are no longer considered “working cars” but vehicles that exude a sense a class and prestige. You will know what I mean if you have the chance to check out the latest Isuzu SUV.

Isuzu has named their latest baby Ascender. The name itself has a good ring to it and my father, a long time Isuzu (not Isuzu trucks, OK!) user, has been telling me that it is high time to upgrade his vehicle.

While I have always told him that it is not good to “chase” after newer and newer models because we never will be able to catch up with the production of cars, this time, I have to admit that I am also wishing for an upgrade because the Isuzu Ascender is a beautiful vehicle a class of its own.

Last night, I was preparing my list of Christmas gifts when I wondered what items to get this year. It is getting increasingly difficult to find appropriate gifts for friends and family. Anyway, I remember coming across a website that prints photo blankets.

When I first came across this innovative service by Vision Bedding which not only prints photo blankets but PERSONALIZED photo blankets, I was amazed that these printed blankets look so real like an art on canvas.

I think that Photo Blanket will make a great gift because the recipient will see how much thought we have put into this gift with the photo selection, uploading and choosing the photo layout to bring the best out of our photo and adding our personal message too. The screenshot I have enclosed here is just one of the many layouts that are available.

If you would like to give something different this Christmas, try Vision Bedding’s personalized photo blankets. After all, Christmas is also about the joy of giving!

My sister and her fiancé are both in the market to buy a car. In my sister’s case, she knew there was something wrong not long after buying it. She bought it second hand and did not know that the car was used as a cab in New York City for a number of years and was already in its last leg of its life when my sister bought it unknowingly.

On the other hand, her fiancé’s car was damaged by Hurricane Katrina two years ago. Since then, he has been experiencing problem after problem until he gave up and says it is more economically viable to just replace the car.

This morning, I read a statement from Kimmel and Silverman, a law firm that specializes in Lemon Law, saying that the best time to buy a car is in winter. Are cars sold cheaper in winter compared to other seasons? I don’t know.

My sister told me that this time, they are both going to buy new cars. Is makes more sense since they are more financially stable now and new cars come with warranty. Although not all used cars will give problems, they are unwilling to take the risk as any down time to their vehicle will cost them time and money.

Also, when a car has manufacturer’s warranty and it has clocked significant time in the workshop, the owner will be entitled to a one-to-one. I think that the car owner will have to hire an attorney to fight for it but if there is a case, they could obtain cost-free legal help. There are many avenues for car owners to make their claims under the Lemon Law, it is just that car owners need to know their rights and seek legal help when necessary.

What I love about Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year is the act of gift-giving. It’s not even the monetary value of the gifts but the thought that we put in getting just that perfect gift for our friends, family and colleagues. This could be time consuming if we do not know the recipient that well or what he or she really likes.

If you are in this situation, then may I suggest getting fruit baskets? I find that fruit baskets are always well received and one could never go wring with them. Seriously, there will be no chance for us to get something of the wrong size or color for fruit baskets, can we?

Moreover, fruit baskets are great in the sense that we could throw in whatever we like into the gift according to our budget. Some people would add in chocolate, cheese and other gourmet food and even wine. The possibilities are endless.

This Christmas, I will also be giving a couple of friends, gourmet gift baskets. I love seeing their look of surprise when they find something special in the fruit basket!

In one of my recent posts, I talked about a friend who is trying to lose weight, so much so that he is willing to band himself. I don’t know if that is such a good idea because there may be complications later on in life, who knows?

I still think that exercise and proper diet are the best and I told him that he should set up a mini gym at home so that he could work out at home and there would be no more excuse about not going to the gym because of bad weather!

Coincidentally, I stumbled upon a fitness gym equipment online store and I think that my friend could find anything that suits his budget in the set up of his mini gym at home.

Peakbody Fitness has a wide range of used gym fitness equipment for commercial or home use. I think that used gym equipment would be prefect for my friend since he would not have to spend too much money with setting up a gym at home. Going out of budget could cause him to be demotivated and he may give up half way!