SHOPPING COURT

Safety Tips For Cyber Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:55:00 +0000

The holiday season's traditionally long lines and crowded stores have led more people to do their holiday shopping online. But if you're among them, how can you be sure your personal information is safe?

Buying gifts online appeals to many holiday shoppers because it often involves less hassle than shopping in stores. In fact, cyber-shopping has more than quadrupled in the past eight years. And a quarter of all shoppers say they plan to make most of their holiday purchases online this year.

But, if you're not careful, you could pay more for that convenience than you bargained for.

In 2007, internet fraud cost U.S. consumers more than $500 million, and over half of those fraud complaints were debit or credit card-related. Luckily, there are some simple ways to protect yourself.

The first thing you should do to protect yourself while cyber-shopping is simply to make sure you're shopping on sites you can trust. To check and see if a site is secure, look for the letter "S" after “HTTP” in the Web site's address. You can also look for a closed padlock or key symbol on your screen.

Once you've decided to make a purchase, make sure you use a secure payment service, such as PayPal or WorldPay.

Use credit cards rather than debit cards, so you can cancel purchases later on, and try make all your purchases on one credit card.

Always use anti-virus and firewall software when you shop online, and keep a record of all the payments you make.

It's important to watch your credit card statements carefully to make sure you were charged the right amount and that no one else has gotten a hold of your information and is using it illegally. These transactions can show up weeks, sometimes months later, so don't let your guard down even after the holiday season is over.

Black Friday 2009 ID Protection Tips

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Known as the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and it's online cousin, Cyber Monday, will officially kick off the 2009 holiday shopping season as retailers slash prices and offer outrageous deals on endless array of products. Unfortunately, Black Friday and Cyber Monday will kick off the cyber crime season as well. At no other time in the year are you more at risk and, as such, the need for ID protection so high.

Desperate economic times and hotbed of wireless activity make for the perfect setting to steal your personal information. The following tips are meant to help you avoid becoming a victim as you run around looking for the best 2009 Black Friday deals.

Store Shopping ID Protection Tips:

- Be aware of your surroundings: The stores and malls will be packed with people on Black Friday 2009. As you run around to take advantage of all the hot deals, make sure you slow down enough to know that you are not leaving your wallet or credit card behind. Also, keep you personal items in a place that is not easily accessible to others as people will surely be bumping into you in those crowded malls.

- Limit the number of credit cards you use: While you may have many cards, try to limit your Black Friday holiday shopping to just one or two cards in order to decrease your exposure. Also, try to use cards with a low credit limits. If it does get stolen, this will help limit the damage.

- Beware of holiday help: Many retailers hire part-time employees to assist with the rush of holiday shoppers. Often times, these employees are criminals looking to steal your personal information. Make sure you are aware of what they are doing at all times, especially if you are paying with a credit card.

- Cash is king: The best defense is a good offense. If you can afford to pay cash on Black Friday, it is the ultimate form of ID protection.

- Beware of the car: Keep things out of sight. Make sure you keep newly purchased items in the trunk of your car. Also, don't leave big ticket items in the car (i.e. TVs and computers) while you continue to shop. Take them right home.

Online Shopping ID Protection Tips:

- Online Security Protection: As a starting point, make sure you have comprehensive online security protection including the latest versions of security software, anti-virus software, anti-spyware, firewalls, etc.

- Limit the number of credit cards you use: As stated above, the less information you put out there, the less chance you have of being exposed and having it stolen.

- Only deal with secure websites: Check for online security seals to make sure you are dealing with a reputable company.

- Beware of phishing scams: Beware of emails pretending to be legitimate companies requesting personal financial information. The best practice is to stay away from them entirely.

The holidays are upon us and there is shopping to be done, especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Get out there, take advantage of all those great Black Friday 2009 deals and stimulate the suffering economy. However, in the process, be careful and take the steps necessary to protect your ID so you don't become a victim this holiday season.

Written by Gabriel Dorman
Los Angeles, California

10 Tips For Denim Shopping With The Boyfriend

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:07:00 +0000

J.Crew

Many boys wear bad jeans. Not always, but it happens. Next time your boy goes denim shopping, tag along and keep him from making the same mistakes once again. Whether that boy is your boyfriend, your dad or any other male with whom you spend any amount of time, they’ll resent you at the time but appreciate it once they realize it no longer looks like their asses are eating their pants.

Boys shouldn’t wear skinny jeans. Period. Next.
Avoid pockets that are too big, small, low or embellished at all costs. There’s really no reason to have a rhinestone-encrusted tiger on your ass.
Jeans should hover no more than an inch above the ground at the heel and no less than half an inch below. Hemming the new denim will cost maybe $10, so talk him into it.
If you can see half of his boxers, shut it down.
Really light washes are for farmers. A dark indigo with minimal distressing is most flattering.
Unless the flare is very, very slight, boot cut jeans have limited place in a man’s closet. Straight leg ones, however, are almost universally flattering.
He may not realize it, but black or dark gray denim can be worn almost like trousers for a night out. We call that multi-tasking.
Cats have whiskers. Pants shouldn’t. That silly over-distressing popular amongst gel-haired, Ed Hardy-wearing club fondlers is a no.
Just because Obama can pull of mom jeans doesn’t mean your boyfriend can. He may be full on awesome, but he’s just not cool enough—aka POTUS—to cancel out the hideousness. We promise.
A button fly is hot. We don’t know why. It just is.

6 tips for organizing your coupons

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:58:00 +0000

The Coupon Queen, Susan Samtur, revels in sharing that she saves as much as 97 percent on her grocery purchases with coupons. Before you guffaw and humph, some of the items she purchased probably weren't exactly on that week's dinner menu. But true bargain hunters know when it pays to stock up on hugely discounted essentials.

I won't lie to you. Shopping with coupons is a big hassle. All those minute scraps of papers stuck to the fridge or floating through the junk drawer just add clutter and always seem to expire too soon. Don't fret, newbie couponer. This saving money business is rewarding and will only get easier with time. You need to start from square one before reaping the gargantuan savings of Ms. Coupon Queen.

1. Input advertised sale dates into your electronic calendar.

Most of us have an electronic calendar that can be coded for specific categories like work, home, travel, etc. Make one of those entries a "sales" category to log any major advertised sales. When visiting the bookstore or baby supply store ask when the next major sale is (or do your own research online) and plug it into the calendar. Set it with a specific reminder tone and you won't have to worry about missing rock bottom sales. It also helps to make a list of sale items you would want to purchase before going to avoid impulse buying.

2. Get a physical binder.

If you want to get serious about clipping coupons, you'll need to get a storage facility for them. Ladies, this does not mean dropping half your paycheck at Franklin Covey. Something innocuous and simple will do the trick. What needs the most consideration is the layout of your coupons in the binder or accordion. Do you mind sifting through your deals pocket-style or would you rather have plastic page-protector inserts to help you see them better? I personally like the page inserts that hold business cards so I can fold the coupon with the product name showing and quickly browse my collection.

3. Select an organization style that works for you.

Every brain ticks differently. Maybe you are an alphabet guy and can easily sift through with the product name sorted. Or you might prefer categories that make it easier to browse in your preferred grocery store. Some might like keeping the coupons based on expiration date. If you opt for the store category title, allow me to suggest using: produce, meats, breads, dairy, canned goods, baking products and spices, beverages, condiments and sauces, pet supplies, baby needs, paper goods, and laundry/cleaning supplies.

4. Always keep it up to date.

Don't be bummed by an expired coupon after you've already wheeled it to the front. Each time you add several coupons to the binder/accordion folder, clear out the dead wood.

5. Branch out from traditional clipping methods.

Coupons are morphing. No longer are you required to haul in the 10 lb. Sunday (future firewood) paper to find your deals. Go online to find printable coupons directly from the manufacturer or the grocer's current flier. Subscribing to dealmail, albeit heavy on the inbox, will keep you in the know on the latest specials. It's not hard to give a little personal information, review the emailed savings, and delete.

6. Sync your coupons with the grocery list.

Most importantly, match your shopping goods with that fabulous binder you've now stocked with deals. Indicate the couponed items with a star or something obvious to remind yourself to have the coupons handy. And don't forget to look for sales on necessities you have a coupon for. The big power shoppers get the largest bang for the buck combining sales with coupons.

Extend some courtesy to the shoppers in line behind you. Don't give us coupon clippers a bad name---have your deals out, ready to scan and the folks in line will start to wonder if maybe they should do the same.

(Coupon Sherpa is the penny pinching, coupon clipping, deal digging, Himalyan haggling, he-man of bargains. Visit http://www.couponsherpa.com/ for more shopping advice, insider tips, and coupons.)

Tips for Choosing Stained Glass Lamps

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:14:00 +0000

The look and warmth of a Tiffany style stained glass lamp is popular with a number of folks. But without changing all of their design aspects, some individuals might have problems blending these types of lamps into their existing decor. Not that long ago, Tiffany glass lamps were considered to be very formal, and only the rich could afford them. Most households featured them in rooms where guests would be able to see them, like the sitting room or parlor. Nowadays, though, there are more informal styles of stained glass lamps in a variety of designs. It is not hard at all to get one that will work with the decor you have.

Color is an important consideration if you are thinking of purchasing a stained glass lamp that matches your decor. The colors of the lamp and the look of the room should be similar, although an exact match is not necessary. A contrasting piece can look wonderful as long as it doesn’t clash with the other pieces in the room.

Many of these lamps make use of just a few primary colors to produce an eye catching design. Other lamps have a plethora of bright, alive colors making up their pattern. If your home features many basic shades or earth tones you could select a lamp that makes use of only a few different colors. This will blend in effortlessly with your existing style. No need to be concerned about matching colors. To make the lamp a focal point of your room, choose one with only a few or even just one bold color that will make a statement.

However if your home style includes a variety of elements, a multicolored lamp may be the ideal fit. Rooms with a wide variety textures, patterns, and tones often offer a great setting for this type of design. This kind of setting is perfect for letting your sense of style run free, so having your colors match exactly isn’t a worry.

Stained glass lamps come in a wide variety of patterns. Often, they will picture some attractive natural scene or object. Many manufacturers also produce lamps utilizing a signature pattern. As a rule of thumb, the complexity of your decor will influence the pattern of the lamp you select. The lamp pattern ought to be basic and restrained when the room has a minimalist theme. Patterns that are more detailed and showcase a variety of colors are more appropriate for rooms that have many other focal points.

About the Author:

Tiffany style and stained glass lamps are an attractive design feature for just about any home. Learn more about these vibrantly colored lamps and get some shopping tips at Tiffany Glass Lamps.

Tips for safe Christmas shopping online

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:12:00 +0000

E-retail expert IMRG has issued top ten tips for safe Christmas shopping online. Rocketing fuel prices, online bargains, vast choice, and the chance to beat the crowds – all these factors point to another successful Christmas for online shopping. But e-retail industry group IMRG is urging consumers to stay safe when buying on the web during the forthcoming festive season.

If it’s anything like last year, Christmas online will be big. UK consumers spent an impressive £4.6 billion online on presents, food and other goodies last Christmas while research showed that 37% of us bought at least half our festive shopping online. Meanwhile, goods bought online now account for 15% of our total consumer spending in the UK.

There’s no doubt that shoppers have embraced all the benefits online has to offer; including choice, convenience, and time saved. IMRG’s Director of Operations David Smith said: “Consumers love shopping online for Christmas. We want to make sure they protect themselves, keep their personal details secure and be certain about the retailer.”

IMRG recommends consumers first check the credentials of the online merchant they plan to buy from. That’s why the group has set up the Internet Shopping is Safe (ISIS) programme, to help consumers shop online with confidence.

Retailers who sign up to the scheme commit to trading responsibly and have their website and services regularly checked by IMRG. ISIS-accredited retailers now account for around two-thirds of all UK online shopping. A list of approved retailers is available via www.isisaccreditation.imrg.org and is also carried on Kelkoo.co.uk, the shopping site.

In addition, here are IMRG’s top ten tips for safe online shopping this Christmas:

1. Secure your computer – install a firewall and update antivirus software
2. Password protect your wi-fi network and your machine
3. Consider using a high security web browser that checks for validated URLs and turns the address bar green
4. Keep all passwords and PINs secret and NEVER divulge them, even if you are contacted by someone purporting to be from your bank or card company
5. Know the merchant – check for ISIS accreditation or at least a postal address and landline number
6. Ensure the site is genuine – watch out for misspelt URLs returned from search engines. If in doubt, start on the retailer’s home page and navigate from there
7. Using credit cards offers extra protection
8. Ensure the payment connection is secure – look for the https in the address bar (the ‘s’ stands for secure) and the padlock symbol
9. Log off from the site when you have finished shopping
10. Print out records of what you have ordered, and always check your bank and credit card statements.

IMRG (Interactive Media In Retail Group) is the industry body for global e-retail. Formed in 1990, IMRG is setting and maintaining pragmatic and robust e-Retail Standards to enable fast-track industry growth, and facilitates its community of members with practical help, information, tools, guidance and networking. The strength of IMRG is the collective and co-operative power of its members.

Cops give anti-crime tips

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:07:00 +0000

Gauteng police, Johannesburg metro police and the city's emergency services agency have teamed up to present safety campaigns at shopping malls as a "deterrent to crime".

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Photograph by: ALAN EASON

Officers will be giving anti-crime tips, from keeping an eye on your handbag and surviving a mall robbery, to the workings of the driver's licence demerit system.

The three organisations began the week-long campaign on Saturday after a spate of mall robberies in the province.

Johannesburg police spokesman Captain John Maluleke said the intention was to make shopping safe and for shoppers to be able to "enjoy spending their bonuses" during the festive season.

Speaking for the city of Johannesburg, Thembelihle Radebe said that, though the campaign was meant to end on Sunday, there were plans for it to continue until 2010.

"The police welcomed this . They would like to continue with this campaign and use it to give tips to tourists coming in for the World Cup on how to prevent being victims of crime."

Radebe said the campaign enabled police officers to provide residents with crime information specific to their neighbourhood.

Metro police spokesman Wayne Minnaar said officers manning information tables in malls were swamped with questions about the licensing demerit system to be introduced next year.

The teams will be at the Carlton Centre in downtown Johannesburg today, at Soweto's Jabulani Mall on Thursday and at Fordsburg's Oriental Plaza on Friday.

MALL ROBBERIES: A SURVIVAL GUIDE

Johannesburg police gave these tips for returning unscathed from the mall.

If you hear screams in a mall, suspect that a robbery is under way;

Stay calm and look for the nearest emergency exit; leave as soon as it is safe to do so;

Shoppers get killed because shop employees too often don't know how to react in a robbery - for example, they should be told to press a panic button without being seen by the robbers;

Tills should not be placed near a shop's entrances because that makes them easier targets for robbers;

Security systems, including closed-circuit television surveillance, should be beefed-up.

Tips for Shopping Gluten Free

noreply@blogger.com (BajingAlas) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:59:00 +0000

Did you know one of the easiest things to do when you go into your favorite grocery store is to go to the customer service desk and ask for their GLUTEN FREE FOODS LIST. It is now becoming more common for grocers to provide the information on their website like Whole Foods Market. I get particularly giddy when I go to Trader Joe’s, because I don’t get to go very often because the closest one is in Seattle, across the water … a ferry ride … hint hint we need a Trader Joe’s in Kitsap County … I was saying that I get giddy because they are now providing an in house symbol – a g with a grain – that means no gluten. Check out Trader Joe’s extensive list. Look in the lower left corner of the box of incredibly decadent Chocolate Mousse. I highly recommend that you grab these when you see them. I also stock up on TJ’s Tamales in Chicken, Beef or Cheese with Chiles. I usually bring a cooler so that everything makes it home still frozen. It is really kind of funny because the people look at me as if I am really, really hungry! I usually am when I walk into TJ’s …

On this side of the Puget Sound in Kitsap County, Central Market and Town & Country Market also provide lists but not online. You will need to go to the customer care counter and ask for the paper list.

I really like this service that the stores are now offering because it allows you to plan ahead and to see what products you may not be aware of or have tried. Try highlighting your list the next time you go into one of these stores and see how much easier it is to shop. Also most stores are more than happy to place special orders for a product that they may not currently carry. Just another reason to get to know the Customer Care staff at your favorite store. Another great tip – most will give you a discount if you buy a large quantity of the item that you are asking them to special order. Each store is different so be sure to check out their policy.

A few more things to think about … in honor of Celiac Awareness Month

The US Department of Agriculture projects that the GF industries revenues will reach $1.7 Billion by 2010.
GF foods are, on average, 242% more expensive then their non-GF counterparts.
The Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Protection Act became law in 2006 allowing for easier reading of food labels for those with CD.