For years I've had this love/hate relationship with coffee.
I was raised as a tea drinker, thanks to my Mother's Irish-English background. My Dad on the other hand, is strictly coffee. But Dad's idea of coffee was always Maxwell House in a can, and he...*cringe*...reheats it. OK, maybe you can get away with that with that when you're doing tea, but coffee? Reheated coffee is not my cup of tea. Nor is that vile, bland stuff in a can. The heavenly stuff isn't quite so heavenly either.
So you're thinking, "Hey, I thought Mary was a tech. Now she's going on about coffee!" Yeah, well, techs drink coffee - live on it. So do gamers. When they're not getting Red Bull or Mountain Dew through an IV, guess what they're drinking? Coffee.
One of the best coffees I've ever tasted is at a local Greek diner. Wow. Rich. Nearly blew my head off. Tastes like more. But it was difficult if not impossible to get if you weren't a Greek diner. So like Odysseus of Hellenic myth, I set out upon my own personal quest, for coffee. I guess he went looking for something else.
I settled for Starbucks. I tried to tell myself I liked it. People around me kept commenting that it was bitter and because it was the best thing available, I defended it. But deep down inside I knew, it indeed was bitter and nothing like Greek diner coffee. You can get buzzed on Starbucks for sure, if all you want is a buzz. If you're looking for remarkable full-bodied taste, then perhaps you might crave a donut.
"America runs on Dunkin" or so the slogan goes. And indeed, it's much better than Starbucks. But there's a problem. It's almost impossible to go into a Dunkin Donuts, which in my estimation is a fairly decent cup of coffee, and just buy a coffee. The donuts, the bagels and those god-forsaken temptations - the cheddar cheese bagel twists are all displayed and beckoning their delights. Dunkin Donuts to a donut lover is like the red light district in Amsterdam to a sex addict. You can't eat just one and you can't escape with just a cup of coffee in hand.
7-11, don't get me started. The coffee is fine but who starts and ends with just a plain cup of coffee at a 7-11? By the time you're done adding cream and one of a dozen shots of this or that flavoured sweetener; you have a cup of coffee and a roller coaster's worth of sugar rush in your cup.
All I wanted was a great cup of coffee without all the caloric baggage. Better yet, I wanted something that I could be proud of putting in a thermos and taking to work. Even more, I wanted to be able to drink it all day and still like the taste of it the morning after. And can I get all this at a reasonable price?
Sounds like too much to ask. And it was as I tried numerous gourmet brands and taste-tested every type of coffee in every mall and market that was offering a sample. Brand after brand. I never finished any of them. Dozens of $10 coffees never passing the test. Bodums, espresso makers, drip coffee makers weren't cutting it either.
I had a hunch that the real coffee experience that I was after lay back in time, like in the 1950's, in a device called a percolator. No electricity, no fancy foreign machinery just good old American joe, the kind the cowboys made in the Wild West. I wanted to drink the kind of coffee that ace reporters drank while they pecked out news on their Remington typewriters that stopped the presses. I had a dream of this coffee and I was not to be denied.
And then one day, it happened, quite by accident when I was grocery shopping at Trader Joes. The sky parted and a whiff of something elusive, exotic, mysterious and oh so richly romantic filled the air. I turned and there was a decanter labeled, something so straight-forward and honest that it was not to be denied. The muted blue sign quite simply read: "Joe's Dark coffee - dark roast - rich and flavorful".
I poured. I tasted. My eyes rolled back in my head. Could it be true? I drank the whole thing. Not a bite. Not a bitter after taste, just drink after drink of some of the smoothest, richest, darkest coffee flavor I've ever had this side of my favorite Greek diner. My siren's song. I willingly crashed my boat upon the rocks for this coffee.
I wanted more! I wanted more! No, surely this magnificent beauty of a blend must cost a fortune. I ran. I hunted. I checked the shelves. It's $3.99.
THREE DOLLARS AND NINETY NINE CENTS for a whole can of this arabica ambrosia?
It appears so. I'm on my 4th can and it's only been days. I want more. I dance around my kitchen singing "Perca-perk-a perka-lator!". It's a dumb song I made up because I'm so overwhelmed with my new old-fashioned percolator (Farberware at Bed Bath & Beyond for under $25.00) and my new love, Joe's Dark.
I can't wait for tomorrow. I need more now.
By the way, here's a really cool coffee design for a t-shirt and other stuff. Check it out! coffee t-shirt, coffee lovers license plate holder, coffee mugs
Monday, April 19, 2010
Printer Ink: How to buy printer ink, how to shop for printer ink, how to save on printer ink
Printer ink and toner! If nothing vexes the electronics consumer, it's the price of printer ink and toner! And no wonder, it's one of the most confusing things out on the market.
When it comes to overpriced ink, some consumers smell a scam......and they might be right about that sometimes. However, not all printer and ink manufacturers are completely terrible, but the situation could be better.
One of the main problems that consumers have is the way printer ink and toner is labeled and packaged. It's a free-for-all at the moment. Any company can pretty much label their product or NOT label their product any way they want to. At the moment there is no real standard.
I've heard rumors that there are lawsuits in the works to force manufacturers to adhere to some kind of labeling standard, but I've yet to see any kind of standard labeling procedure appear on anyone's packaging. (If anyone knows any information about any kind of lawsuit or regulation involving printer ink, let us know!)
Some companies are very good about this and they list very precisely how much ink is in each cartridge. Other companies use rather nebulous terms like "standard use", "high-capacity", "XL", "moderate use" and so forth, without telling the consumer exactly how much ink they are buying.
Another issue is the promotional combo pack, which might give you an assortment of colors but also offer extras like photo paper or some other such goodie. They never do mention that the cartridges aren't always full. Which is why the promotional package seems like "such a deal"!
Free printer included! This is another marketing scheme that is used and the consumer needs to be aware of what they are getting into. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the free printer IS a good deal, a very good deal. But it depends on the printer and the ink that goes along with it.
More than likely the store you buy your computer from also sells printers and ink. It takes 5 minutes to go to another aisle and price the ink that is going to go along with your so-called "free printer".
Even if they don't sell ink, so many people have cell phones now with web browsers, it would be very easy to price the ink out with a quick google shopping search. Know what you're buying before you buy it.
Another thing to look for with a "free printer" is whether or not the ink is or soon will be discontinued.
Too many of these free or cheap printers have discontinued ink or ink that costs a fortune. Also beware of ink that's too cheap. If it's too cheap, not marked correctly as far as how much ink is in the cartridge, you might be purchasing cartridges every month or every two weeks! That's NOT an inexpensive ink!
Does your local computer or stationery supply store offer an ink cartridge recycling program? If so that can knock a few dollars off every ink cartridge you buy when you return and recycle your old cartridge. Something to consider if you are cost-conscious.
Is there a reliable and compatible ink cartridge available in a generic brand? Buying generic ink can save $10 or more on each cartridge. Beware though, some very poorly made brands are out there that can kill your printer. See what your friends are using and try to get a recommendation.
Research is your friend and can save you big bucks if you look before you leap.
The last thing I might add is if you already own a printer, do yourself a favor, write down the manufacturer, the full name and model number, and the number/type of cartridges it uses. Notice that I said the "full name and model number". Some people think that the words "Officejet" or "Deskjet" don't count, but they do when you're trying to match up a printer with the correct ink. This is not a difficult thing to do, but it's one of the biggest problems people have when buying ink - they haven't a clue which ink to buy!
Just because you have a Hewlett Packard printer doesn't mean that all or any Hewlett Packard ink cartridges will fit and work in your printer. You can't randomly pick up a Canon cyan cartridge and shove it into any random Canon printer. Each printer model has it's own cartridge and it's own specifications. Granted, some cartridges work in multiple printers, but you really need to know what printer you own.
That's the easiest part. Just write down the information and carry it in your wallet or your purse. Better yet, when you buy new printer ink, cut out the front of the box that states the cartridge number and tape it to the side of your printer. This way it's very easy to find, remember and nobody needs to make a frantic cell phone call from the store to home and hope your 11 year old knows how to figure out which cartridge you use. (Yeah, I've seen this happen countless times.)
Also be aware of what kind of printer it is: Is it an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a fax machine only or a multi-function printer? Multi-function means it might have a scanner, a fax as well as a printer included.
Armed with this information, you are ready to go out and save yourself some money.
When it comes to overpriced ink, some consumers smell a scam......and they might be right about that sometimes. However, not all printer and ink manufacturers are completely terrible, but the situation could be better.
One of the main problems that consumers have is the way printer ink and toner is labeled and packaged. It's a free-for-all at the moment. Any company can pretty much label their product or NOT label their product any way they want to. At the moment there is no real standard.
I've heard rumors that there are lawsuits in the works to force manufacturers to adhere to some kind of labeling standard, but I've yet to see any kind of standard labeling procedure appear on anyone's packaging. (If anyone knows any information about any kind of lawsuit or regulation involving printer ink, let us know!)
Some companies are very good about this and they list very precisely how much ink is in each cartridge. Other companies use rather nebulous terms like "standard use", "high-capacity", "XL", "moderate use" and so forth, without telling the consumer exactly how much ink they are buying.
Another issue is the promotional combo pack, which might give you an assortment of colors but also offer extras like photo paper or some other such goodie. They never do mention that the cartridges aren't always full. Which is why the promotional package seems like "such a deal"!
Free printer included! This is another marketing scheme that is used and the consumer needs to be aware of what they are getting into. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the free printer IS a good deal, a very good deal. But it depends on the printer and the ink that goes along with it.
More than likely the store you buy your computer from also sells printers and ink. It takes 5 minutes to go to another aisle and price the ink that is going to go along with your so-called "free printer".
Even if they don't sell ink, so many people have cell phones now with web browsers, it would be very easy to price the ink out with a quick google shopping search. Know what you're buying before you buy it.
Another thing to look for with a "free printer" is whether or not the ink is or soon will be discontinued.
Too many of these free or cheap printers have discontinued ink or ink that costs a fortune. Also beware of ink that's too cheap. If it's too cheap, not marked correctly as far as how much ink is in the cartridge, you might be purchasing cartridges every month or every two weeks! That's NOT an inexpensive ink!
Does your local computer or stationery supply store offer an ink cartridge recycling program? If so that can knock a few dollars off every ink cartridge you buy when you return and recycle your old cartridge. Something to consider if you are cost-conscious.
Is there a reliable and compatible ink cartridge available in a generic brand? Buying generic ink can save $10 or more on each cartridge. Beware though, some very poorly made brands are out there that can kill your printer. See what your friends are using and try to get a recommendation.
Research is your friend and can save you big bucks if you look before you leap.
The last thing I might add is if you already own a printer, do yourself a favor, write down the manufacturer, the full name and model number, and the number/type of cartridges it uses. Notice that I said the "full name and model number". Some people think that the words "Officejet" or "Deskjet" don't count, but they do when you're trying to match up a printer with the correct ink. This is not a difficult thing to do, but it's one of the biggest problems people have when buying ink - they haven't a clue which ink to buy!
Just because you have a Hewlett Packard printer doesn't mean that all or any Hewlett Packard ink cartridges will fit and work in your printer. You can't randomly pick up a Canon cyan cartridge and shove it into any random Canon printer. Each printer model has it's own cartridge and it's own specifications. Granted, some cartridges work in multiple printers, but you really need to know what printer you own.
That's the easiest part. Just write down the information and carry it in your wallet or your purse. Better yet, when you buy new printer ink, cut out the front of the box that states the cartridge number and tape it to the side of your printer. This way it's very easy to find, remember and nobody needs to make a frantic cell phone call from the store to home and hope your 11 year old knows how to figure out which cartridge you use. (Yeah, I've seen this happen countless times.)
Also be aware of what kind of printer it is: Is it an inkjet printer, a laser printer, a fax machine only or a multi-function printer? Multi-function means it might have a scanner, a fax as well as a printer included.
Armed with this information, you are ready to go out and save yourself some money.
What is a male cable? What is a female connector or plug? What is a M/M cable? How to sex a cable
As I've stated, I am a sales person and my job is to make your shopping experience fast and easy. In my experience, I've found that the simplest things present stumbling blocks and points of embarrassment and frustration for my customers.
One of these situations involve cable terminology. I'm shocked at how many sales people use the selling floor as podiums to exclude customers and talk down to customers rather than include and inform customers. I don't know how many sales these guys get by making a customer feel stupid.
Perhaps that kind of snobbery works in high fashion and I suppose it USED to work in Information Technology back in the good old, bad old days of the tech bubble, but in this economy, where the consumer is king or queen and can take their money elsewhere; I don't see the advantage.
That kind of selling is foolish. It isn't selling at all, it's just making a point of being condescending and you as a consumer, have a right to talk to someone else who treats you like a human being.
You've heard about the birds and the bees, I'm sure, but did you know that cables and adapters have sexes? Well, they do and nobody should be embarrassed for not knowing.
And these cables get around! They're quite promiscuous, always hooking up with each other, same sex or opposite sex, and converting into different types of transmissions. So uncover your virgin eyes and ears and get savvy on the sexual world of cables and adapters.
So let's define what is a male end of a cable or an adapter versus a female end of a cable or an adapter.
When a cable end or an adapter end is male, it means the prongs are protruding out. When a cable or adapter end is female, it means there are holes instead of prongs.
There are different configurations of adapters and cables M/M (both ends with prongs protruding outwards), M/F (one end with prongs protruding outwards and one end with holes instead of prongs) and F/F (both ends with holes instead of prongs.
A M/F cable or an adapter is generally used as an extension cord or an extender.
A F/F adapter is also known as a coupler. It connects to male ended cables to one another to make a longer cable.
A M/M adapter or cable (usually a M/M is an adapter) is generally a converter. One of the male ends is one kind of tip and the other end is another kind of tip, such as a M/M USB to PS/2 adapter.
I hope this clears up the cable sexing conundrum and you can now speak to your IT person on equal ground and shop with more confidence.
One of these situations involve cable terminology. I'm shocked at how many sales people use the selling floor as podiums to exclude customers and talk down to customers rather than include and inform customers. I don't know how many sales these guys get by making a customer feel stupid.
Perhaps that kind of snobbery works in high fashion and I suppose it USED to work in Information Technology back in the good old, bad old days of the tech bubble, but in this economy, where the consumer is king or queen and can take their money elsewhere; I don't see the advantage.
That kind of selling is foolish. It isn't selling at all, it's just making a point of being condescending and you as a consumer, have a right to talk to someone else who treats you like a human being.
You've heard about the birds and the bees, I'm sure, but did you know that cables and adapters have sexes? Well, they do and nobody should be embarrassed for not knowing.
And these cables get around! They're quite promiscuous, always hooking up with each other, same sex or opposite sex, and converting into different types of transmissions. So uncover your virgin eyes and ears and get savvy on the sexual world of cables and adapters.
So let's define what is a male end of a cable or an adapter versus a female end of a cable or an adapter.
When a cable end or an adapter end is male, it means the prongs are protruding out. When a cable or adapter end is female, it means there are holes instead of prongs.
There are different configurations of adapters and cables M/M (both ends with prongs protruding outwards), M/F (one end with prongs protruding outwards and one end with holes instead of prongs) and F/F (both ends with holes instead of prongs.
A M/F cable or an adapter is generally used as an extension cord or an extender.
A F/F adapter is also known as a coupler. It connects to male ended cables to one another to make a longer cable.
A M/M adapter or cable (usually a M/M is an adapter) is generally a converter. One of the male ends is one kind of tip and the other end is another kind of tip, such as a M/M USB to PS/2 adapter.
I hope this clears up the cable sexing conundrum and you can now speak to your IT person on equal ground and shop with more confidence.
How to connect 2, 4 or 5 computers to one monitor, keyboard and mouse
Messy desk? Dealing with more than one computer and your peripherals are out of control? You're not the only one!
Many people would like to connect 2 or more computers but control those computers with only one monitor, one keyboard and one mouse. The good news is there is an elegant, simple and inexpensive solution - the KVM switch.
KVM stands for keyboard, video and mouse.
There are 2 basic types of KVM switches, PS/2 and USB. PS/2 refers to keyboards and mice that are connected using older cable ends that are round. Mice generally have green plugs and keyboards generally have purple or blue plugs. PS/2 cables and inputs are often found on older computers, mice and keyboards. Many people still insist on using their older components.
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and these are the cables that most of us are familiar with on modern computers, peripherals, keyboards and mice. The male ends of these cables are flat and rather square.
A basic KVM switch for 2 computers, for either USB or PS/2, currently costs about $25 -$50.00 (US). This isn't anything fancy, but it's simple and it works. Many of these switches also come with a remote control attached making switching between computers a breeze.
KVM switches that control more computers are more costly, but it's certainly easier than dealing with a line of separate computers each with their own monitor, keyboard and mouse.
When space is at a premium, a KVM switch is the way to go.
Many people would like to connect 2 or more computers but control those computers with only one monitor, one keyboard and one mouse. The good news is there is an elegant, simple and inexpensive solution - the KVM switch.
KVM stands for keyboard, video and mouse.
There are 2 basic types of KVM switches, PS/2 and USB. PS/2 refers to keyboards and mice that are connected using older cable ends that are round. Mice generally have green plugs and keyboards generally have purple or blue plugs. PS/2 cables and inputs are often found on older computers, mice and keyboards. Many people still insist on using their older components.
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and these are the cables that most of us are familiar with on modern computers, peripherals, keyboards and mice. The male ends of these cables are flat and rather square.
A basic KVM switch for 2 computers, for either USB or PS/2, currently costs about $25 -$50.00 (US). This isn't anything fancy, but it's simple and it works. Many of these switches also come with a remote control attached making switching between computers a breeze.
KVM switches that control more computers are more costly, but it's certainly easier than dealing with a line of separate computers each with their own monitor, keyboard and mouse.
When space is at a premium, a KVM switch is the way to go.
Hook up a PC to a TV via VGA cable and stereo audio cable
Here's how to hook up your pc, laptop or netbook to your TV.
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: In order to do this your television must have a VGA input, which is a blue plug with 15 holes, 3 rows of 5 holes that are staggered. Your TV must also have an audio input which should be a small, round hole next to the VGA input. You can find these easily, as they are generally marked "PC IN". Sometimes the small hole is marked "audio", sometimes it is not. If your TV does not have these inputs, this particular solution will not work for you.
HOW TO DO IT:
SHOPPING LIST:
1 VGA cable with 2 male ends
1 stereo audio cable 3.55 mm with 2 male ends
(both cables should be the same approximate length)
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: For those who are unfamiliar with electronics terminology, when a cable end or an adapter end is male, it means the prongs are protruding out. When a cable or adapter end is female, it means there are holes instead of prongs.
There are different configurations of adapters and cables M/M (both ends with prongs protruding outwards), M/F (one end with prongs protruding outwards and one end with holes instead of prongs) and F/F (both ends with holes instead of prongs.
PREPARATION:
Before you buy these cables, you need to figure out how long each cable needs to be. You are running both cables from your pc or laptop to the VGA and audio inputs on your television set. Measure the length and give yourself a minimum of that same length of cable. It's OK to give yourself some slack with more cable in case you move your pc or want to run the cable by a wall or in a place where there won't be so much traffic. Go longer rather than shorter.
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: Most standard VGA and stereo audio cable comes in the following lengths: 3 feet, 6 feet, 12 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet.
Stereo audio cable is fairly cheap compared to VGA cable. Regular VGA cable is pretty thick and unruly at longer lengths. There is an ultra-thin VGA cable available but be prepared to pay almost double for it.
ATTACHING CABLES:
1. Find your VGA connection on the back of your pc, laptop or netbook (this is the blue plug with 15 holes) and connect one end of the VGA cable to it
2. Find your VGA connection on your TV (this is also a blue plug with 15 holes) and connect the remaining end of the VGA cable to it
3. Take your stereo audio cable and plug one end into the headphone jack on your pc, laptop or netbook
4. Take the other end of your stereo audio cable and plug the remaining end into the small round hole marked next to the VGA connection on your television
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: There are some television models that might have difficulty recognizing sound coming from other sources. You may have to tinker with the sound settings on your television or the audio settings on your computer, if this is the case. Every situation is different depending on the model of the TV and the operating system you are using on your computer. In most cases, with most computers and televisions, this simple solution should work.
SOLUTION 2:
If you are having trouble configuring the sound out of your television or the speaker system in your computer is better than the one in your TV, never fear. Connect only the VGA cable and not the stereo audio cable and listen to the sound through your computer.
Happy viewing!
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: In order to do this your television must have a VGA input, which is a blue plug with 15 holes, 3 rows of 5 holes that are staggered. Your TV must also have an audio input which should be a small, round hole next to the VGA input. You can find these easily, as they are generally marked "PC IN". Sometimes the small hole is marked "audio", sometimes it is not. If your TV does not have these inputs, this particular solution will not work for you.
HOW TO DO IT:
SHOPPING LIST:
1 VGA cable with 2 male ends
1 stereo audio cable 3.55 mm with 2 male ends
(both cables should be the same approximate length)
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: For those who are unfamiliar with electronics terminology, when a cable end or an adapter end is male, it means the prongs are protruding out. When a cable or adapter end is female, it means there are holes instead of prongs.
There are different configurations of adapters and cables M/M (both ends with prongs protruding outwards), M/F (one end with prongs protruding outwards and one end with holes instead of prongs) and F/F (both ends with holes instead of prongs.
PREPARATION:
Before you buy these cables, you need to figure out how long each cable needs to be. You are running both cables from your pc or laptop to the VGA and audio inputs on your television set. Measure the length and give yourself a minimum of that same length of cable. It's OK to give yourself some slack with more cable in case you move your pc or want to run the cable by a wall or in a place where there won't be so much traffic. Go longer rather than shorter.
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: Most standard VGA and stereo audio cable comes in the following lengths: 3 feet, 6 feet, 12 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet.
Stereo audio cable is fairly cheap compared to VGA cable. Regular VGA cable is pretty thick and unruly at longer lengths. There is an ultra-thin VGA cable available but be prepared to pay almost double for it.
ATTACHING CABLES:
1. Find your VGA connection on the back of your pc, laptop or netbook (this is the blue plug with 15 holes) and connect one end of the VGA cable to it
2. Find your VGA connection on your TV (this is also a blue plug with 15 holes) and connect the remaining end of the VGA cable to it
3. Take your stereo audio cable and plug one end into the headphone jack on your pc, laptop or netbook
4. Take the other end of your stereo audio cable and plug the remaining end into the small round hole marked next to the VGA connection on your television
My Shopping Tech Expert Note: There are some television models that might have difficulty recognizing sound coming from other sources. You may have to tinker with the sound settings on your television or the audio settings on your computer, if this is the case. Every situation is different depending on the model of the TV and the operating system you are using on your computer. In most cases, with most computers and televisions, this simple solution should work.
SOLUTION 2:
If you are having trouble configuring the sound out of your television or the speaker system in your computer is better than the one in your TV, never fear. Connect only the VGA cable and not the stereo audio cable and listen to the sound through your computer.
Happy viewing!
Your Personal Shopping Tech
Hello and welcome to My Shopping Tech!
My name is Mary G. and have a varied background in Information Technology, Retail Sales, Advertising, Publishing and Administrative work and I'd like to put all that knowledge to work for you.
At every step of my career from being a secretary, sales person, customer service person or IT professional, I've met people and continue to meet people who basically want fairly simple solutions to their problems. They think the solutions to their problems should be simple, and in most cases, the solutions are simple once they know what they're doing. The difficulty is getting to the simple.
As consumers, and every day people, we are bombarded with corporations and specialists who make money and justify their highly paid expertise by keeping things complicated.
This excessive and purposeful complication leads to wasted time and wasted money.
As a sales person, my job is to explain things and to cut through the complex to make your shopping experience worthwhile.
Everyone hates to return something. If you shopped for something yourself, you feel like you've made a mistake or taken a gamble. If you had sales assistance, you feel as if the sales person might have mislead you or the product might have not been up to par.
More than likely what probably happened was a misunderstanding between the salesperson and yourself. Or you might have rushed into a store, or made an online purchase hoping for a quick solution without a thorough understanding of the problem. This very often happens to people, especially with electronics.
What it boils down to is, if the initial information is lacking or if the consumer is confused, or doesn't know exactly what they want, then the salesperson has to second guess the customer, or even mind-read. The result is generally a mediocre shopping result.
As I've been on both sides, sales person and consumer, I can offer you some unique perspective on shopping for every day things from computer electronics, home electronics, food, clothing, and other unique and trendy gifts and services.
Take me shopping with you and armed with a little preparation and the right questions, your shopping experience can be be faster, more informed and a lot more fun!
Disclaimer: I will be giving you my insights and in-depth information but at no time will I be giving away any time-sensitive pre-release information on any proprietary technical knowledge that a manufacturer has not publicly released. It is not my intention to invalidate any confidentiality agreements. All technical information that I comment on has been released by the manufacturer, is public knowledge or has been previously released by news sources.
Just because it's public knowledge doesn't mean it's well known or well understood by the consumer and that's why I'm here!
My name is Mary G. and have a varied background in Information Technology, Retail Sales, Advertising, Publishing and Administrative work and I'd like to put all that knowledge to work for you.
At every step of my career from being a secretary, sales person, customer service person or IT professional, I've met people and continue to meet people who basically want fairly simple solutions to their problems. They think the solutions to their problems should be simple, and in most cases, the solutions are simple once they know what they're doing. The difficulty is getting to the simple.
As consumers, and every day people, we are bombarded with corporations and specialists who make money and justify their highly paid expertise by keeping things complicated.
This excessive and purposeful complication leads to wasted time and wasted money.
As a sales person, my job is to explain things and to cut through the complex to make your shopping experience worthwhile.
Everyone hates to return something. If you shopped for something yourself, you feel like you've made a mistake or taken a gamble. If you had sales assistance, you feel as if the sales person might have mislead you or the product might have not been up to par.
More than likely what probably happened was a misunderstanding between the salesperson and yourself. Or you might have rushed into a store, or made an online purchase hoping for a quick solution without a thorough understanding of the problem. This very often happens to people, especially with electronics.
What it boils down to is, if the initial information is lacking or if the consumer is confused, or doesn't know exactly what they want, then the salesperson has to second guess the customer, or even mind-read. The result is generally a mediocre shopping result.
As I've been on both sides, sales person and consumer, I can offer you some unique perspective on shopping for every day things from computer electronics, home electronics, food, clothing, and other unique and trendy gifts and services.
Take me shopping with you and armed with a little preparation and the right questions, your shopping experience can be be faster, more informed and a lot more fun!
Disclaimer: I will be giving you my insights and in-depth information but at no time will I be giving away any time-sensitive pre-release information on any proprietary technical knowledge that a manufacturer has not publicly released. It is not my intention to invalidate any confidentiality agreements. All technical information that I comment on has been released by the manufacturer, is public knowledge or has been previously released by news sources.
Just because it's public knowledge doesn't mean it's well known or well understood by the consumer and that's why I'm here!
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