#can i upsell a product to someone?

[bittersweetblasphemy]

.

[foldingfittedsheets]

When I was working at the sex shop I was pulling poverty wages. I loved my job but I was on food stamps and still barely getting by. When they hired the stores first male employee and he started at my pay rate after I’d been there for three years I quit.

I was initially really nervous when I saw the post for the mattress job. It listed a pay scale that I couldn’t even conceptualize and I appeared qualified. When I got an interview I was over the moon but also petrified. Reactions to my line of work often varied but most people were very embarrassed or skeptical. I worried about how I’d address it in the actual interview.

I lived far to the north of their headquarters and drove almost two hours to get there. When I finally arrived it was in the nicest thrift store clothes I could find, but I shrank inside to see a room full of older white men in nice suits waiting to be interviewed for the same job.

Why did I bother? I was decades younger than anyone else in the room, shabbily dressed, and I suspected I was the only afab person in the entire building. I stewed in my insecurities until I was called in.

The second I met my interviewer I was instantly put at ease. The man had the energy of a therapy dog, he was abound with positive, good natured energy. He was also incredibly beautiful. I grinned back at his welcoming smile as we said our pleasantries. But still. This very beautiful polished man seemed very innocent. How would the sex shop question go?

“I see here you worked at STORE?”

“Yes,” I said hesitantly.

“And that was sales? Or you just rang people up.”

“No, it was sales. I’d help people find products, we were encouraged to upsell, there was sales spiffs, and most importantly we educated customers on products to help them find what they liked best.”

He grinned approvingly and asked, “Can you give me an example of a time you successfully upsold a customer?”

I paused, wringing my hands before I asked, “How vague would you like me to be…?”

“Not at all!” He assured me. “Go for it!”

“Well. A man came in looking for something to make his fingers vibrate so when he was touching his wife it would enhance that sensation. We had cheap $10 cockrings that I showed him first. But we had a rechargeable waterproof one made of nicer material, and after I showed him a demo he bought that one.”

“How much was that one?”

“$110”

“Wow! You had an upsell of 100% from what he came in looking for! That’s incredible!”

He was so truly genuinely stoked and not at all embarrassed that for the first time I saw a tiny glimmer of a future where I didn’t have ramen and peanut butter tiding me over between paychecks.

He asked me to wait then came back to tell me he liked me so much that he wanted to send me right into another interview, if that was okay. He didn’t want me to have to drive back later, it was terribly considerate and exciting. I beamed and told him it would be lovely.

I then had the second worst interview I’ve ever had. The worst goes to the time I applied to be a store manager for a pet food place years later. The district and store manager interviewing me passed notes and texted while I was speaking. When the district manager called to inform me I didn’t get the job I told him I’d never have accepted anyway because I’d never had such a disrespectful interview.

The new man sitting behind the desk radiated an aura of a brick wall. As someone with anxiety I’m highly keyed into the emotional states of people I’m talking to. To receive no feedback at all was my personal hell. After a perfunctory greeting he asked me with no inflection to sell him a pen.

I gathered the shreds of my courage and attempted the Herculean task he’d set me. Through my whole improvised spiel he resisted all attempts at engaging him, regarding me with a cold apathy as I touted the benefits of my fictitious pen.

Halfway through I broke into a cold sweat. My smile didn’t waver but it grew strained as I projected friendliness and warmth into the black hole of his heart. My thoughts scattered and my sales pitch grew redundant in the face of his nothingness. I finally concluded with a hard close and he simply nodded.

He glanced at my resume and commented, “You didn’t ask me to touch or hold it. Though I suppose I can understand from your previous line of work why you wouldn’t.” I shriveled and died inside knowing that I encouraged people to touch dildos all day long and had been too frazzled to offer him the pen.

He bid me a cool farewell. I made it to my car before I started sobbing. I had never been so rattled. I couldn’t understand what I’d done to make him so unfriendly or if my threadbare clothes were what had made him treat me like dirt. I drove an hour and a half to get home, weeping intermittently.

I was therefore taken by complete surprise to receive a call the next day inviting me on board for their five week training program. The first man who’d interviewed me gushed on the phone about how the second guy had loved me and that I was going to be fantastic.

I was in shock. When I showed up to training the second interviewer was charming my new classmates, beaming and laughing. He was an utterly different person. To my dismay I learned he was the trainer for my district and would be my point of contact if I made it through training.

He joked with me later that his interview facade was just a tactic to see how people held up under pressure and I filed him into a category of my deepest enmity. I never forgave him for how small he made me feel that day, but I never showed him the depths of my fury.

I aced every test and went on to be valedictorian of the eight people who had survived the rigorous training process to earn a sales position. When I got my first paycheck I bought myself new clothes, the first non-thrifted things I’d owned in years.

[libraford]

Trying to decide-

Of the... literally hundreds... of guitar picks I've made, maybe half of them are usable as guitar picks and potentially sellable, even though the original intention was to use them as blanks for other projects.

I could attempt to sell them as guitar picks, as they are, but I have no idea how much to sell them at.

There's a local person who sells their own custom picks for $3 ea and that seems steep. You can get mass produced ones at 20 for $3.

My materials were free, the process is somewhat mindless, the only cost was the equipment and the electrical bill, about $60 total. The only difficulty is that the process takes a long time and there's a lot of trial and error.

The potential upsell is that they're made 100% post consumer waste. Someone was selling the same product at $5 ea. Again- steep.

So I'm again at this point where I have a cool (to me) potential product and zero clue how to sell it.

[rabbitindisguise]

also like (conversation completely unprompted) the reason why shopping online is so important to me is that salespeople of non-essential goods are scary to me for all sorts of reasons

they look so serious oh my god even their jokes are serious I want to hide under a table

I have to ask them questions. because otherwise they're going to upsell me. I have to make up a reason so I can keep this as short as possible (god forbid I have a genuine question)

they're looking at my face and I don't like it. oh my god they're calling their coworker over. how do I escape? but I came so far I need to buy the thing I carefully researched or these spoons I used to get here will be totally wasted

the connection between my impulse control and my rational "I know what I want to spend" is very loose and I fear they can sense that

what's worse, is that I have very good impulse control where people have very minimal impulse control because adhd makes me want to climb on chairs, so when I inevitably politely stick to my plans the light goes out behind their eyes and I feel like I just killed someone

the awkward "heyy can I buy this" is terrible because they're making small talk while I feel guilty that I killed them

does this even make them any money

is their boss nice (what the fuck am I saying, most bosses anywhere aren't nice)

should I give them a positive review in the hopes that their boss is nicer to them

[at home] oh my god what if Product has Problem and I have to return it?? you know what, nope. nope. never talking to another person in a store ever again. maybe I should never buy anything again also. Just to be safe.

[three months later] oh huh I haven't been in a store in awhile I can't remember why

an internet website can't do that to me. All internet websites know is overly optimistic shipping estimate, incorrect color adjustment, send unnecessary emails and lie. (The last one is fine because they do that in store too.) They don't automatically trigger the lizard part of my brain where I'm hoping I have some spikes are something to puff up to look more intimidating with. And spoiler: I NEVER have spikes. smgdh.

Whatever they put in salespeople's covertly hidden waterbottles under the table they need to ease off of it so I don't feel like I'm being stared at by the fae.

[cuppakouhii]

"Hey Kou! Where have ya been?"

So for a better part of a year I've been pretty inactive with most of my online presence now. Social media in general has been a little hard for me to keep up with at times to the point where I kind of have just been away from it for the most part.

More below the cut. TLDR; a lot of stuff happened

For things like live streaming, which I haven't done since February of 2024 I believe, voice acting, writing, even generally art, y'all haven't been seeing much if at all, or any real update. To be real, it's because of a combination of things, some more obvious that I will talk about here, but others less so that I'll probably more keep to myself, as they are pretty personal

That being said, what's been going on? Well, firstly, work, work has been going on. From October 2023 to April 2024 I was unemployed and my online presence wasn't enough for me to monetize it in any way to help support my family, and work was hard to find to begin with. That being said, I did catch a job in April, but with the biggest caveat I've had to deal with thus far. My schedule has been horrendous and incompatible with anything I was used to working on my own projects at home. I've been stuck on afternoon/evening shifts that start at an awkwardly early time for me and end at an awkwardly late time as well. It is also an extremely stressful job as well. To not get too into it for the sake of my own personal privacy and safety, but I wound up working in tech support, which honestly has morphed into a kinda fucked up customer sales position. You know, where someone calls me about a problem they have and I have to then upsell them something they don't need. More and more has been added to my job than when I started in April, things that I honestly wasn't trained for initially and things I wasn't expecting at all with a position in tech support. It's been stressful, I can tell the company is steering toward short term profit at the cost of their lower employees, and it has taken a pretty significant tole on my mental health, which has affected my personal productivity.

A lot of personal issues wound up coming up during this last year as well. Some pretty significant relationship events that affected me in a very negative way. People I had to cut off from my life for my own well being that still had negative consequences from doing so. Some may know what I'm talking about, but I'd like to try and keep the details private as best as I can. That said, these events happening, and my work schedule making it increasingly difficult to attend personal events with friends, I've begun sheltering myself more and more away from people and relationships to the point where I'm completely inactive in circles I used to be in and enjoyed being in. This, too, has negatively affected me mentally and has brought this increasing weight of loneliness around my neck.

Reviewing what I had wanted to try and accomplish in 2024 and basically getting none of that done at all, I feel a bit ashamed and embarrassed that these were things I set myself to do, as if I was being unrealistic. But it was just a series of unfortunate happenings and circumstances one after another.

I am doing what I can to take care of myself, however. I'm picking up hobbies and games that help me relax comfortably and provide me enrichment, I'm going to therapy regularly for a few months now, and I've worked really hard on how to handle my thoughts and emotions, which is a huge task as someone diagnosed with both ADHD and borderline personality disorder (BPD), especially as someone with BPD, knowing the extremely negative stigma against this diagnosis.

I can't guarantee much for the upcoming future. I don't see another convention appearance with a table anytime soon, for example, but I do hope to tackle my personal projects better soon. I'll be looking for another job soon, and I hope to try better to get more involved in the social circles I was in prior. It's all a lot of hard work I'll need to do, but I hope I can do what I need to to provide you all with what I hope you enjoyed seeing prior.

I love everyone who has supported me during the good times I had and the bad times I had, anyone who has ever supported my work,. Anyone who might have one of my prints from Anime North 2023. Anyone who might have subscribed to me on Twitch. Anyone who followed me on any platform they found me on. You are all the best, and I want to continue providing this, because I love it.

[anasmoidhu]

Freelance Ecommerce Consultant in Dubai

In today’s digital world, having a solid e-commerce presence is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. If you’re running a business in Dubai and are looking to optimize your online store, improve performance, and scale, a freelance e-commerce consultant can offer the expertise you need.

As a freelance e-commerce consultant based in Dubai, I specialize in Shopify store development, performance marketing, and digital growth strategies. I help businesses enhance their online presence, drive more sales, and build sustainable growth. Here’s how working with a consultant like me can transform your e-commerce business.

Why Shopify?

Shopify is one of the leading e-commerce platforms, known for its flexibility, scalability, and user-friendly interface. Whether you’re launching a new store or looking to optimize an existing one, Shopify offers tools that can help your business grow.

However, setting up and managing a Shopify store involves more than just choosing a theme and adding products. From optimizing your store for mobile users to setting up conversion-focused sales funnels, every detail matters. That’s where my expertise comes in.

Tailored Shopify Store Development

When building a Shopify store, it’s crucial to have a design that not only looks good but also delivers a smooth user experience. I focus on creating tailored Shopify stores that align with your brand and meet the needs of your customers. A custom-built store ensures that you stand out in a crowded marketplace and provides your users with an intuitive and seamless shopping experience.

Performance Marketing for Growth

Setting up an online store is just the beginning. Driving traffic and converting that traffic into sales is the real challenge. As a specialist in performance marketing, I help businesses develop targeted ad campaigns that maximize ROI. From Meta ads to Google Shopping campaigns, I utilize data-driven strategies to get your products in front of the right audience at the right time.

Scaling Through Digital Growth Strategies

Once your store is up and running, the next step is scaling. This means not only increasing traffic but also improving key performance metrics like conversion rates, average order value, and customer lifetime value. I work closely with businesses to implement growth strategies, such as upselling, cross-selling, email marketing, and retargeting, to ensure sustained growth over time.

Why Work With a Freelance Consultant?

One of the biggest advantages of working with a freelance consultant is the personalized service you receive. Unlike large agencies, I offer a more hands-on approach, tailoring strategies specifically to your business needs. This allows me to focus on the details that truly matter and make a direct impact on your sales and growth.

Additionally, as someone who works closely with clients across a range of industries, I bring fresh insights and innovative ideas that can give your business a competitive edge.

Ready to Take Your E-commerce Business to the Next Level?

If you’re ready to optimize your online presence, drive sales, and scale your business, partnering with a freelance eCommerce consultant could be the solution you’ve been looking for. With my expertise in Shopify store development, performance marketing, and digital growth, I can help you achieve your e-commerce goals and ensure long-term success.

Anas Moidhu is a freelance e-commerce consultant based in Dubai, specializing in Shopify store development, performance marketing, and digital growth strategies. He helps businesses optimize their online presence and increase sales through tailored e-commerce solutions.

[nickgerlich]

Prying Apart The Grip

The iPhone was introduced in July 2007. It’s hard to believe we are coming up on the 17th anniversary of what is now a necessary device—be it Apple or a competitor—for daily living. Apple ushered in a whole new way of life, merging phone, camera, and music player into one device.

Of course, those three were just the tip of the iceberg, and developers wanted a way to get their cool new web-based applications onto those phones. So Apple wisely opened the App Store in 2008. While the number of apps peaked at 2.2 million in 2017, it has settled into a comfortable groove at 1.8 million, thanks to Apple sifting through the mess and deleting some older apps that no longer worked.

But buried in the details of the App Store agreement that developers had to sign with Apple—who vetted each app for safety and security—was some fine print: Every in-app sale would be divided 70/30 between the developer and Apple. Basically, there was and still is a 30% Apple tax just for playing, at least in the US. Every time a user buys something in an app, then Apple gets a healthy chunk of it.

But that is now changing in Europe, where the EU has become the tail that wags the dog.

Remember all those Cookies boxes we have to check off on virtually every website we visit? We can thank the EU and their GDPR, which stands for General Data Protection Regulation. It was easier for everyone to just make it the global standard, even if they are annoying.

And then there was Apple’s announcement last year that all new phones going forward would feature a USB-C connector, instead of the Lightning port. This too was in response to the EU mandating that all phones must have the same connector, and rather than have two global systems, Apple sided with the EU. Admittedly, it does simplify things for everyone, except for Apple users during this transition period. Legacy phone users will have a bunch of obsolete connectors real soon when they upgrade.

The third wave of EU influence just passed, and it is the opening up of the App Store to competitors who wish to have their own stores, thus bypassing the Apple ecosystem. Furthermore, it marks what will be the end of that 30% Apple tax, something that Spotify has been dreaming about ever since it wanted to upsell users with its audio books program. They are pretty happy right now.

Apple, of course, is concerned, arguing that third-party app stores may not pass muster in terms of safety and security, and users could be at risk. Point well taken. I’m betting they are more concerned about losing their revenue sharing program, though.

But for now, this is only going to happen in Europe, but you can bet that US regulators will be watching closely. It could just as easily be mandated here. Apple has enjoyed a tightly-held monopoly in many aspects of its phones, ceding only accessory items to third-party makers. You know. Things like connector cords and dongles that allow you to connect to your laptop all the things that were once standard on a MacBookPro.

Here in the US, we are not accustomed to the heavy hand of government telling companies how to run their business, and if someone wants to take the chance of using proprietary connectors and being the only source of mobile apps, then so be it. The risk is on them.

In the case of Apple, though, this has played out very well for them. It all depends on how the FTC feels about such monopoly power. Apple has 58% share of smartphones in the US, with the remainder scattered across the Android platform. That’s power. If the US were to follow the EU regarding the App Store, it would at least loosen some of the grip this company has on our daily lives.

Maybe that's not such a bad idea, and this coming from a guy who is very laissez faire in worldview. As much as I am an Apple fanboy, with many phones, tablets, and computers through the years, I often feel like Apple is guilty of abusing its position by using customers as product testers, and forcing us to buy things we really don’t want, like those silly dongles so I can read a memory stick or SD card.

Besides, I feel for Spotify on this one, because it has the potential to pose a formidable threat to Audible in the audio book world, except that for now Apple will always have its hand out. Audible, of course, is an Amazon property, and dodges the Apple tax.

Furthermore, 17 years is a long time to have such a death grip on a market. I’m good with following the EU’s lead on this, because in the end it will likely be good for consumers. And isn’t that what it’s all about?

Dr “iReckon” Gerlich

Audio Blog

[lunarflare77]

Lately I’ve been watching hbomberguy videos a uh, normal amount, and the one that keeps getting to me is ROBLOX_OOF.mp3.

Part of that is just, the video is hilarious. Little soundbytes and gags from it have stuck with me, and I really love this style of video essay.

But what’s really gotten to me is…how much like my dad Timmy Tallarico feels. Like, I know the work my dad does is and has been legitimate. In actual business, he doesn’t upsell or lie to his customers about the actual product or anything.

Cut because this got longer than I thought it would

But he’s been known to tell the truth in…creative ways. “I actually own a medical practice,” meaning he has partial ownership of a company that partners with doctors and nurses to take advantage of a relatively new code for Medicaid, making it so that doctors can bill extra, which his company then takes a cut of. (I’ll add that I don’t feel bad about billing the federal government extra, and that the ability to bill for it is contingent on nurses meeting with/talking to the patients at home to see how they’re doing, get them interaction they may not have gotten otherwise, etc—it’s actually a good thing!)

But, the *point* is, he doesn’t own a medical practice in the way he’s trying to make it sounds. He wants his customers to think he’s a doctor. And he’ll tell them he’s been a nurse for 20 years, when, no, he was a nurse 30 years ago, for around 5 years, and then again about 10 years ago for another 5 years or so. Less, maybe. So maybe he had the qualifications for that long, but it’s not the same thing.

These sorts of “creative truths.” Every time Tommy says he has 7 Guinness world records, I hear my —sorry I got distracted reading Tommy’s Wikipedia page. Anyways. Every time Tommy says he has 7 world records, when he actually has 3—if that, and they aren’t even real records—I just hear my dad in the back of my mind going “well, he has 7 certificates, he’s not *wrong*.”

Because this kind of bending the truth to sound more impressive is what I grew up with, it’s what I’ve been encouraged to do all my life. It has at times worked for my dad, let him land jobs he wasn’t qualified for, and then he rose to the challenge of them. My dad feels like a superhero to me in a lot of ways, I don’t want to just rag on him with this.

But…I’ve always been afraid this would backfire on him. That someone would call him on his creative truths, or boasting, and then think less of him instead of more. That’s exactly what happened to Tommy—he couldn’t keep it under control, and it finally caught up to him with this video.

I mean, Tommy is also a massive narcissist, which my dad isn’t. I’ll give him…occasionally self-absorbed, but ultimately well-meaning at worst.

But like I said, every time I watch this 2 hour video essay I just have this faint sense of “this is my dad” the whole time. I can’t tell if ai’m watching it because it’s funny to see Tommy get wrecked, for catharsis in seeing this kind of boasting called out, or as kind of a “what not to do” guide for myself.

Seeing my dad do this so often, I’m almost allergic to that kind of self-promotion. Or any self-promotion, almost. I guess I have done it, but I try to be careful about it, to be very aware of where I *actually* stand when making statements about my capabilities. I don’t know if it’s affected how I perceive myself, for better or worse. But there’s something there.

Uh. Anyways. Just wanted to get this off my chest, I’ve been watching these videos on loop for like a week at this point

I figure in all the history of grifters and cons, at least once there must have been a snake oil salesman who advertised their product with such passion that their own children believed it.

This could mean anything, really

[anthony-brandify]

Creative Geofencing That Moves With Your Customers—Literally

Static Ads Are Out. Motion-Driven Ads Are In.

Your customer isn’t standing still. So why is your marketing?

Traditional geofencing assumes a user is locked into one context. But in the real world, people move. Their intent changes by the hour. And your ads should too.

This guide breaks down motion-aware geofencing—a strategy that follows user movement across micro-environments and delivers location-smart messages with relevance and timing.

1. Tap into Movement Mapping

Modern geofencing lets you track:

Entry paths into a shopping district

Transitions between business types (e.g., coffee shop → coworking space)

Time spent within certain zones

With these insights, you can:

Offer coffee coupons to morning commuters

Suggest lunch discounts to co-working professionals

Promote productivity tools based on lingering time in office zones

This level of targeting is mobile-first marketing at its smartest.

2. Follow-Up Campaigns Based on Dwell Time

How long someone stays in a location tells you how interested they are.

Examples:

Short visits? Serve quick-return incentives

Long dwell time? Send review requests or upsell options

Multiple visits? Offer loyalty perks or app installs

Tie this to Brandify’s customer movement analytics for deeper ROI tracking.

3. Blend Weather, Time, and Occasion for Total Context

Let’s say it’s raining and lunchtime in a downtown business zone.

Why serve a generic ad?

Instead:

Highlight indoor dining comfort

Offer free delivery or pickup

Use calm, cozy visuals to match the vibe

Behavioral psychology backs this up: context + emotional resonance = higher action rates.

For real-world case studies, explore the IAB’s playbook on contextual ad targeting.

4. Use Real-Time Triggers at Live Events

Live events are a gold mine for geofencing:

Push time-sensitive contests or giveaways

Serve content exclusive to event attendees

Gather leads via QR-based engagement zones

Bonus: Set a departure geofence to follow up the next day with a thank-you offer or review prompt.

Questions and Answers

How can I use geofencing to target moving customers? Use motion mapping tools to track paths, transitions, and dwell times for smarter ad delivery.

What’s the benefit of tracking dwell time? It helps you personalize messaging based on interest levels—great for timing upsells or feedback loops.

Can I geofence events like concerts or pop-ups? Yes. You can create temporary fences and even set follow-up sequences based on check-ins or foot traffic.

Why Brandify Helps You Move With Precision

At Brandify, we specialize in fluid, location-intelligent marketing that keeps pace with your audience.

With us, you get:

Movement-based geofencing

Persona and dwell-time logic

Real-time reporting and retargeting

Explore Brandify’s advanced targeting solutions that move with your customers—every step of the way.

Let’s Move the Needle (and the Fence)

Don’t let your campaigns sit still. Your customers aren’t.

With motion-aware geofencing, you can meet users wherever they go—at the gym, in a store, or between errands—and serve content that feels effortless, relevant, and timely.

Get started with Brandify and take your campaigns from static to kinetic.

Get a free targeting plan within the hour for your business here: https://brandify.io/targeting-plan/

Press Release: https://www.prlog.org/13053451

[brightmindhub2025]

Why Max Pro Auto Care Offers the Best Car Care Services in Dubai: A Personal Review

Living in Dubai means driving through a city where your car isn’t just a necessity—it’s part of your identity. Whether you're cruising down Sheikh Zayed Road, pulling up to a business meeting in Business Bay, or heading out for a weekend escape to Hatta, your car needs to look good, run smoothly, and represent the Dubai lifestyle: fast-paced, flawless, and premium.

So, if you're anything like me, you've probably spent hours trying to find the Best Car Care Services in Dubai—someplace that treats your vehicle with the same attention and respect you do. After trying out several places (some good, some not-so-great), I finally discovered a spot that truly ticks all the boxes: Max Pro Auto Care.

This isn’t just another service center. Max Pro genuinely impressed me, and here’s why I think they deserve the title of the Best Car Care Services in Dubai.

First Impressions Matter—and Max Pro Delivers

The first time I visited Max Pro Auto Care, what stood out to me was the professionalism of their team. They weren’t just rushing through jobs or upselling random services. They actually listened to my concerns, assessed the condition of my car in detail, and gave honest suggestions without the sales pitch drama.

Their setup was neat and well-organized, with a visible sense of order and cleanliness that instantly gave me peace of mind. As someone who’s obsessed with keeping my car in top condition, I could tell immediately that my car was in good hands.

Nano Ceramic Coating That Actually Works

Let’s talk about shine—because in Dubai, appearance matters. I opted for their Nano Ceramic Coating, and the results were nothing short of amazing. My car looked brand new, with a glossy finish that not only turned heads but also made it easier to clean. After a few desert trips and sandstorms later, I was genuinely impressed at how well the coating held up.

If you’ve ever spent hours trying to scrub off fine dust or smudges, you’ll appreciate the magic of a ceramic coat that repels dirt, grime, and UV rays. It’s not just aesthetic—it’s protection with purpose.

Car Tinting with M Cool – Heat Protection That’s Legit

Another winner at Max Pro Auto Care is their M Cool Car Tinting Services. Let’s face it—Dubai’s sun is no joke. Whether you're parked for five minutes or an hour, the heat buildup can be unbearable.

Max Pro uses high-quality tint films that don’t bubble, peel, or discolor after a few months (a problem I’ve faced with other cheaper options). After getting the tinting done, the difference inside my car was massive—cooler, more comfortable, and way more energy-efficient when it came to A/C usage.

They also offer a variety of shades and types of films, depending on your preferences and RTA regulations. If you’re looking for both comfort and style, this is a smart upgrade.

Body Polishing That Revives the Soul of Your Car

Over time, every car starts to lose that showroom glow. Even with regular washing, minor scratches, swirl marks, and dullness begin to show. I decided to go for their Body Polishing Service, and the transformation was seriously next-level.

It wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about restoring. They used high-end products and precision tools, buffing out imperfections and bringing back a deep, rich shine that reminded me of the day I bought my car.

What I loved most is that they took the time to explain the process—how polishing differs from waxing, what kind of polish suits my car’s paint, and how often I should repeat it. That kind of customer care? Priceless.

Attention to Detail is What Makes Them the Best

What really separates Max Pro Auto Care from the rest—and why I believe they offer the Best Car Care Services in Dubai—is their attention to detail.

They don’t cut corners. Every nook and cranny of your vehicle gets the care it deserves, whether it’s the engine bay, wheel arches, or undercarriage. They don’t just make your car look clean; they make it feel clean, inside and out.

And for anyone who’s as particular about their ride as I am, that matters.

Services That Cater to Every Car Lover

Here’s a quick look at some of the services offered by Max Pro Auto Care:

Nano Ceramic Coating – Long-lasting protection and unbeatable shine

M Cool Car Tinting – Premium heat protection with style

Body Polishing – Restores the showroom finish

Interior Detailing – Deep clean and disinfection of every surface

Paint Protection Film (PPF) – For those who want extra defense against chips and scratches

Headlight Restoration – Clears up hazy lights for better nighttime visibility

Engine Bay Cleaning – Often overlooked but essential for longevity

With such a diverse list of services, it’s clear they’ve designed their offerings to match the needs of Dubai’s auto lovers—from supercar owners to everyday commuters.

A Convenient Location and Seamless Experience

Max Pro Auto Care is conveniently located and easy to access. Scheduling is simple, their team is responsive, and you never feel like just another number in line.

What’s also cool is that their website is super user-friendly. You can check out all their services, get an idea of pricing, and even book appointments.

This level of digital convenience really sets them apart in a city where time is precious.

Not Just Car Care—It’s Car Confidence

You know that feeling when your car’s freshly detailed and you just want to take the long way home so more people can see it? That’s the Max Pro effect.

They don’t just clean your car—they elevate it. And more than that, they give you confidence. Confidence that your vehicle looks its best, runs smoothly, and reflects who you are.

In a place like Dubai, where style and performance matter, that confidence is worth every dirham.

Why I Keep Going Back

After using their services for several months now, I can say with confidence: Max Pro isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a long-term car care partner.

Each visit reaffirms my trust. Each service is consistently high-quality. And every interaction with their team makes me feel like a valued customer.

From their premium products to their skilled technicians, everything about Max Pro screams excellence. It’s why I proudly recommend them every chance I get—and why I’m writing this blog post today.

For Anyone Looking for the Premium Car Wash and Car Service in Dubai

If you’ve been Googling endlessly, asking around, or just unsure about where to go for car maintenance, detailing, or upgrades—look no further. Whether you drive a brand-new luxury sedan or a trusted older model, Max Pro treats every car with the same level of care and professionalism.

They embody everything I was searching for in a Premium Car Wash and Car Service in Dubai, and their work speaks for itself.

So, the next time your car needs more than a quick rinse or basic check-up, do yourself (and your vehicle) a favor. Visit Max Pro Auto Care. You won’t just see the difference—you’ll feel it.

Final Thoughts: Car Care Isn’t a Luxury—It’s a Lifestyle

In Dubai, our cars are more than machines—they’re part of how we live, move, and express ourselves. And just like we care for our homes, health, and style, taking care of our cars is a reflection of self-respect and pride.

Choosing Max Pro Auto Care is choosing excellence. It’s choosing to drive with confidence, shine with pride, and experience true automotive luxury—every day.

And that’s why I stand by my words when I say: Max Pro Auto Care offers the Best Car Care Services in Dubai.

[adviceinsu]

The Insider's Perspective: Real Stories from Independent Insurance Consultants

Let’s be real—insurance isn’t exactly the most thrilling topic at dinner parties. But for independent insurance consultants? Every policy, claim, and client conversation tells a story. And when you're not tied to a single company, your job becomes a unique blend of detective work, problem-solving, and personal finance therapy.

We spoke to a handful of seasoned independent consultants to hear what it's really like on the inside—minus the corporate jargon. Here’s what they had to say.

“I once saved a client $2,300 just by asking questions their previous agent didn’t.” – Michelle, 8 years in personal lines insurance

Michelle recalls reviewing a new client’s auto and home policy only to find layers of coverage that didn’t apply. “The previous agent just clicked through the default settings. I asked the client about their lifestyle—no kids driving the car, no high-value items in the home—and we adjusted accordingly.”

The result? Better coverage and big savings. “That moment clicked for me—most people don’t know what they’re paying for, and it’s my job to explain it in plain English.”

“Some clients are convinced the cheapest policy is the best. Until it isn’t.” – Jake, specializes in small business insurance

Jake’s seen it all—especially when small business owners go for rock-bottom quotes without understanding the fine print. “One client declined cyber liability. Then they got hacked, and the damage wasn't covered. That was a six-figure lesson.”

His advice: cheap doesn’t always mean value. “An independent consultant isn’t trying to upsell—we’re trying to future-proof your finances.”

“I’ve been a therapist, a translator, and sometimes even a detective.” – Priya, family and life insurance

Priya jokes that her job is 50% insurance, 50% emotional support. “When someone’s applying for life insurance, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about legacy, protection, peace of mind.”

She once helped a client whose spouse had passed unexpectedly with no coverage. “It was heartbreaking. Now, that client sends friends my way just to make sure no one else ends up unprotected.”

“We don’t work for the insurance company. We work for you.” – Andre, commercial lines broker

This is one of the most misunderstood parts of the job. As an independent consultant, Andre represents the client—not a single insurer. “We shop across multiple providers to get the best deal, not the one that gets us a commission bump.”

This objectivity, he says, builds trust. “Clients stick with me not because I have flashy ads, but because they know I’ve got their back.”

“The goal is to educate, not just quote.” – Lisa, Medicare and health insurance specialist

Lisa often meets clients who are completely overwhelmed by healthcare options. “Especially around Medicare enrollment, people feel like they’re drowning in choices.”

Her approach? Teach before selling. “I sit down, go over every option, and make sure they understand what they’re choosing. Knowledge is power—especially with healthcare.”

Final Thoughts

Independent insurance consultants wear a lot of hats. They’re not just salespeople—they’re educators, advocates, and sometimes the calm in the storm when life gets messy. And because they aren’t locked into one company’s products, they can tailor coverage to you, not a quota.

So the next time you think of insurance as just another boring adult task, remember: behind every policy is a person who probably has a story that could save you time, money, or stress.

[kwaggysshardmindemporium]

A complaint I've had recently with MtG is not only does the price keep spiking upwards with seemingly no reasoning, but also at least in my area any increase in cost the LGS has is passed along double or triple to the customer. I'm in favor of supporting local business especially when it's providing a play space, but I'm not going to do so when their business model is to straight up price gouge my desire to support them.

So I've been discussing with some IRL MtG player friends and this idea has come up. I'm genuinely unsure of how good an idea this is and wouldn't mind some critique. I think it's solid but there's almost certainly issues I haven't foreseen. Long ass post below the cut:

- As a group with other people looking to buy some packs for their own enjoyment, form an LLC or similar extant legal entity. On paper, this LLC is an online MtG seller. This step isn't like, strictly necessary but you should for the safety of you and your friends.

- Get in touch with your local distributor(s) who sell to LGS locations AS a seller

- Buy either the minimum amount of MtG product that still gets you any kind of bulk rate, OR an amount that gets everyone in your LLC the amount of product they want. Whichever is higher.

- Everyone pays the LLC at the cost per box or pack or precon or whatever for the stuff they wanted, receiving in return the thing they wanted.

- If you had to order more product than people strictly wanted in order to get a distributor to sell to you, take the excess and just offload it on TCGPlayer or similar, only marking it up by the cut TCG takes on the sale and the cost of shipping.

- Whoever put up the extra money to get those extra boxes to meet distributor minimums gets their money payed back to them.

TL;DR, the idea is to function as a kind of janky MtG player union that reduces the number of middlemen between the players and the thing they want. You want to get the best bulk rate you can for your group's relative demand, and then by selling any excess you had to buy in order to get that rate at cost, you pass along the savings to whoever happens to buy that off you, creating a potential "rising tide lifts all ships" situation where people trying to raise prices have to compete with someone selling at cost and kind of can't.

On that note, obvious downsides:

- There is some abuse potential at several layers. Whoever is placing the orders can just walk off with the money if they're a monster, or the person listing excess could be upselling them. You need to be sure you can trust the people you're doing this with or build guardrails into your system, ideally both.

- If your entire LGS crowd starts doing this instead of buying from that LGS, your communal playspace might fold from this very lucrative thing suddenly not selling at all. (This assumes an LGS for which MtG sales are a load bearing part of the business, which is some stores but certainly not all.)

- This all assumes the distributor WILL sell to some private rando whose business model is apparently turn around and sell that shit on TCGPlayer, which I'm sure some will but also most likely some won't.

- You need to FIND these distributors and while that's not a huge hurdle compared to the others, these aren't exactly organizations any average person has ever heard of.

- It requires you and your friends having enough money to buy whatever excess gets you the bulk rate you're looking for. Huge if, especially as prices on MtG rise and times get harder all around.

- Scalper dickheads can buy the excess you're offloading and resell it at their prices, negating the larger communal benefit you're hoping to achieve.

On that second point in particular, I'd argue if your LGS's prices have gotten so insane that making a legal entity with your friends to bargain directly with distributors seems like a genuinely better alternative, TOUGH SHIT FOR THAT LGS. Their role in this is to be a reasonably priced and convenient way to get these products, and if I'm being charged like +75% over their cost or some horse shit that's clearly an abuse of this relationship.

[tvdfan23]

I think I need to work a medical, retail, or food job (or 2 if i can swing it) and I should save money so I can booth rent and open my own esthetics business. If I don't open my own, I just dont think im gonna get an esthetics job worth doing. This last job was insane and like...all these small business owners are ruining their clients skin and they don't care because all they see are dollar signs. And yeah money's important but it's just like..it was weird.

The business owner bought into a skincare line from Dubai (which is fine but none of the ingredients were in English and apparently she asked and they refused to translate and give a full list of the ingredients in English...and people have allergies so you can't just put some unknown creams on someone's face...that's a great way to get sued). And I counted 3 people out of my 8 clients of that last day alone who had reactions to the products so I was grabbing hot towels and wiping the creams off their face.

The only reason the manager chose the line is because the business conference was in Mexico and its like...okay great you got a free Mexico trip but at this rate you could seriously get in trouble? Putting unknown creams on someone's face?

Then clients would ask for no microdermabrasion because they had Rosacea or active acne and of course that's a contraindication so I wouldn't do it...and the manager would get mad at me (she had a facial listed in steps on a paper to follow) (the esthetician I shadowed said manager was a micromanager lol) and I completely understand that but if I do a treatment that makes their face worse...then that's bad. (And they specifically asked to skip that step, so why would I force it on them and make their skin condition worse?).

And every time they were glad I didn't do microdermabrasion and made an appointment to come back next time and I upsold other treatments for them during the visit to do instead of the microdermabrasion so they ended up paying for more than just the basic facial but still in the same allotted time frame and they were more than pleased. But the manager was furious and I would explain like hey they said no and hey that's a contraindication..and she'd just stomp off.

I was there for like not even 2 weeks and im like ??? Is this how yall run a business? Does she seriously think this is business savvy?

I don't know much but after talking my esthetician friends they're like dude just booth rent and do it yourself, the manager was stupid (I talked to them about it cuz I was spiraling). And they said I could come to them with questions (two esthetician friends work in my old home state but one is in the same state so thats super helpful)

I upsold to every client, every client made an appointment to come back and most took business cards to spread the word. So I know I have the upselling skills, I will just have to build up clientele...

So I just feel like idk. I should wait and save for a few months and see how I feel but I really hate medical work and I'm really disappointed I can't just work in an esthetician spa but maybe I should just do it myself.

[merabtblogs]

How to Choose the Best Digital Marketing Agency in Trivandrum (Without Getting Burned)

Picture this: You’re a small business owner in Trivandrum, finally ready to take your brand online. You’ve heard stories—a friend spent lakhs on vague Google Ads, another hired an agency that ghosted them after one Instagram post. Now you’re thinking, “How do I find someone who actually gets results?”

Let’s get real: Not all digital marketing agencies are created equal, especially in a tech-savvy city like Trivandrum. From Technopark startups to heritage shops in East Fort, every business needs a strategy tailored to their audience. Here’s how to cut through the noise and pick a partner who’ll treat your business like their own.

1. Start with Their Track Record (But Dig Deeper)

Sure, any agency can show you flashy case studies. But ask:

“Have you worked with businesses like mine?”A bakery in Palayam needs a different approach than a software firm in Kazhakootam.

“Can I talk to a current client?”A trustworthy agency will gladly connect you.

“What’s your biggest flop, and what did you learn?”Honesty > perfection.

Local Tip: Look for agencies that mention Trivandrum neighborhoods or Kerala-specific campaigns. If they’ve boosted a local café’s Instagram or ranked a clinic in Pattom on Google, they understand your market.

2. Don’t Fall for the “We Do Everything” Trap

Agencies promising “SEO, social media, ads, web design, and unicorn rides” often stretch themselves thin. Ask:

“What’s your specialty?”Maybe they’re SEO wizards or YouTube ad maestros.

“Who’s on my team?”Avoid faceless agencies. Demand to meet the strategist and content creator assigned to you.

Trivandrum Reality Check: If your target audience is Malayali millennials, your agency better know how to blend English + Malayalam seamlessly in reels—not just repost stock memes.

3. Transparency or Bust

Hidden fees, murky contracts, and jargon like “algorithmic synergy” are red flags. Demand clarity on:

Pricing: Is it a flat fee, performance-based, or a confusing mix?

Reporting: Weekly updates? A dashboard? Or radio silence until renewal?

Exit Clauses: Can you leave if results stall?

Story Time: A local jewelry store in Kowdiar hired an agency that promised “500 leads/month.” After 3 months? Zero sales. Turns out, the leads were from outside India. Always ask, “Are you targeting Trivandrum… or Timbuktu?”

4. Chemistry Matters (Yes, Really)

You’ll work closely with this team for months. Ask yourself:

Do they listen to your goals, or just pitch their “signature package”?

Do they explain strategies in plain English—or hide behind terms like “programmatic buying”?

Are they excited about your niche? (Pro tip: If you sell Ayurveda products and they’ve never heard of Njavarakizhi, run.)

5. The “Speed vs. Sustainability” Test

Beware of agencies promising “#1 on Google in 7 days!” SEO and brand-building take time. A good partner will:

Set realistic milestones (e.g., “3-6 months for steady traffic growth”).

Focus on long-term wins (organic reach, brand loyalty) over vanity metrics (random likes).

Trivandrum Example: A travel agency near Kovalam wanted instant bookings. A smart agency focused on blog posts like “Best Monsoon Getaways Near Trivandrum” instead of spammy ads. Result? Steady traffic year-round.

6. The Secret Weapon: Local Knowledge

Trivandrum isn’t Mumbai or Bangalore. The best agencies here:

Know when to run Onam campaigns vs. Vishu promotions.

Understand that “weekend traffic” peaks at Shanghumukham Beach, not malls.

Use geo-targeting for areas like Sreekaryam or Vazhuthacaud.

Ask: “How would you market my business to Trivandrum’s culture?”

Red Flags to Avoid

🚩 No clear contract🚩 They can’t name their tools (e.g., “We use Hootsuite for scheduling, SEMrush for SEO”) 🚩 Zero local clients🚩 Pushy upselling (“You need a ₹5L website for a ₹50K SEO plan!”)

Your Next Step

If you’re looking for Digital Marketing in Trivandrum? At Merabt, we’ve helped Trivandrum businesses like yours grow without the BS. Here’s our promise:

Free 30-minute audit of your current online presence.

Custom plans (no cookie-cutter packages)

📅 Book a free consultation or call us at 𝟕𝟗𝟎𝟕𝟎𝟗𝟐𝟓𝟔𝟒 . Let’s make your brand the next Trivandrum success story.

[fromdevcom]

It’s 2019 people! Nobody wants to contact a call center just to hear a recording. I know you’re tired of pressing 1 for yes and 2 for no to answer all of your questions. You want to hear a real-life person and know that your problems will be resolved. You want to talk to someone that knows the product or service you’re having trouble with. Now, That the rant is over. Phone answering scripts are the perfect way to help lead your operator in the right direction. Sure, they’ve gone through the required training. Customer service calls aren’t always smooth sailing. A script can collect important information and asks questions that the operator might not think of at the time of the call. If you’re new to creating phone answering service scripts check out these tips. Start with a Warm Greeting Always, always, always start your phone answering service script with a warm greeting. Of course, the customers want their problems solved, that’s why they called. Don’t rush into that just yet though. Include a greeting like “Hi how are you?” or “Thanks for calling ____.” Show the customer that you care. You may not care but they don’t need to know that. Collect Vital Information We’ve got the greeting out of the way. The next step is to collect important information. Now, don’t scare the customer and try to collect information that’s too personal. By important I mean information like their name, number, and the reason for their call. Depending on the type of business you have you might ask them to verify things like their address. After that, you should also include a set of frequently asked questions to help the representative collect even more information. Don’t Sound Like A Robot Just because you’re reading from a script doesn’t mean you need to sound like you’re reading from a script. Act natural. Don’t sound so stiff and boring. Remember we’re trying to get away from customers listening to pre-recorded calls. Talk to them like you would with your mother, brother, or sister. Well, maybe not exactly like that. The point is to add some feeling and emotion. Add Upselling Techniques Your company probably sells some type of product or service. I mean that’s why they’re calling you right? I’m not saying to add a full-blown sales pitch to your script. I’m saying add some upselling techniques that will be aligned with the customer's interests. For example, let’s say an existing customer calls your phone answering service. Your greeting was on point, you’ve collected their information and helped them solve their problem. Now from the conversation you’ve had you know a little bit about the customer's interest. Now would be a good time to promote that new product or service you’re offering. This technique will work better with existing customers rather than new ones because they’ve already purchased from your company. Ensure All Questions Have Been Answered When creating your script make sure you add a section that basically summarizes the call. We don’t need anybody calling back asking to speak to the supervisor. Ensure the customer's needs have been met. Ask if you can help them with anything else. If you’ve done all you can and they’re satisfied, send them on their merry way. Smile This can’t be physically added to the script, but a smile is just as important as the other tips. Why go through the trouble of creating a great script if you’re going to execute with a frown? You know when you’re talking to someone on the phone and you can hear their smile. It’s hard to explain but you get what I’m trying to say. Like Kirk Franklin said in one of his songs “You look so much better when you smile.” The customer may not be able to see you, but they will hear you. Conclusion In conclusion, make sure your phone answering script provides the customer with all of the information they need. You also need to ensure that you’re receiving all of the information you need as well. Always stay professional even with those difficult customers that blame their problems on you (we’ve all been there).

[jamieleicurt]

Why Buying an eCommerce Business Is the Best Investment for 2025

The world of eCommerce is evolving at lightning speed, making it one of the most attractive spaces for investment. As someone who has navigated this landscape for years, I’ve seen firsthand the opportunities that buying an established eCommerce business can offer. For 2025, the case for acquisition over starting from scratch is stronger than ever. Let’s discuss why this strategy makes sense and how it can set you up for success.

Search fund manager Jayden Scott highlights the benefits of acquiring an established eCommerce business in 2025.

Predictable Returns and Existing Cash Flow

One of the biggest advantages of buying an eCommerce business is the predictability of returns. An established business comes with a proven track record of sales, existing customers, and operational efficiency.

For example, when I acquired CloudSharks, its recurring subscription revenue provided an immediate and reliable cash flow. This stability not only covered operational expenses but also allowed me to focus on scaling rather than survival. Starting a business often means months, or even years, of losses before breaking even. Acquiring a business eliminates much of that uncertainty.

Reduced Risk Compared to Startups

Starting a business is inherently risky. You’re venturing into uncharted waters with no guarantees of success. Will your products resonate? Will your marketing be effective? These are just a few of the unknowns.

On the other hand, buying an established eCommerce business lets you mitigate many of these risks. Performance metrics, customer behavior, and operational efficiency are already documented. You can analyze this data to make informed decisions, as I did with a direct-to-consumer skincare brand I acquired. Its performance history gave me the confidence to expand its product line, which resulted in a 40% revenue increase within the first year.

Immediate Access to a Loyal Customer Base

Building a loyal customer base from scratch is time-consuming and expensive. Established eCommerce businesses already have this critical asset, and you can leverage it to grow further.

Take CloudSharks, for instance. The brand had a dedicated following of repeat customers who trusted its products. This allowed me to focus on enhancing customer experience and introducing new features rather than spending on aggressive customer acquisition campaigns.

Established Brand Equity

Brand equity is more than just a name — it’s the trust and recognition a brand has built over time. Starting a new brand requires years of effort to achieve what an established business already has.

An eCommerce brand I purchased in the outdoor gear niche had strong brand recognition, making it easier for me to negotiate favorable supplier contracts and expand into new markets. As a new entrant, this would have been significantly harder.

Scalability Without the Initial Growing Pains

Scaling a business is much easier when the foundational elements, like supply chains, logistics, and marketing channels, are already in place. Starting from scratch means spending months or even years setting these up.

When I acquired a home goods eCommerce business, the infrastructure was already robust. I could immediately focus on scaling operations, implementing upselling strategies, and optimizing ad campaigns. Within months, the business saw a 25% increase in profitability.

Tapping into the 2025 eCommerce Trends

2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for eCommerce, with trends like personalization, sustainability, and AI-driven customer insights taking center stage. Established businesses that align with these trends are well-positioned for success.

Investing in such businesses allows you to ride these trends without the steep learning curve of starting fresh. For instance, my latest acquisition, a sustainable fashion brand, already has eco-conscious practices embedded in its operations, making it future-proof.

CloudSharks Jayden Scott shares how established eCommerce businesses provide instant returns and reduced risks for investors.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to invest smartly in 2025, buying an established eCommerce business is the way to go. It offers predictable returns, reduced risk, and immediate access to a loyal customer base. Plus, you’ll be better positioned to tap into emerging trends.

Having walked this path multiple times, I can confidently say that acquisitions have transformed my career and portfolio. They can do the same for you!

About the Author

Jayden Scott is a renowned search fund manager, eCommerce expert, and advocate for smarter digital investments. With a proven track record of transforming acquisitions like CloudSharks into thriving, high-growth ventures, Jayden Scott has established himself as a leader in the eCommerce and digital asset investment space. As a fund manager, Jayden Scott specializes in identifying undervalued businesses with untapped potential, offering investors the opportunity to achieve sustainable growth through strategic acquisitions.

By leveraging actionable insights and proven strategies, search fund manager Jayden Scott empowers others to confidently invest in online businesses, mitigate risks, and unlock long-term profitability. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned investor, Jayden Scott’s success stories and expertise provide the blueprint for navigating the ever-evolving digital economy. Contact him for a one-on-one discussion.