#unless its sold for a reasonable price or cheaper

[newstyped]

rhythm heaven merch idea: tall tapper training chopstick

[sanchoyo]

ok, disclaimers:

1. I am Poor and have always thrifted even before it was 'cool' (used to get made fun of for wearing secondhand in middle school, in fact!)

2. I am plus sized.

3. the only time I sell things I am selling things I've worn and owned for years, I'm not someone who goes into stores with the intention of finding things to resell (which I think is way way less common than people think…a lot of people who do that are doing it as a full time job, which is hard to make a living at.)

so most of the arguments I see are like, 'ppl hang out at thrift stores JUST to grab cool and or plus sized clothes to resell for outrageous prices to make a quick buck!!' let me explain why I Just Simply Disagree. to me it feels like most ppl saying that or being mad about it have never sold things online and don't understand how it works. theyre just ppl who are going on depop and seeing 20$ shirts and being Mad About It. So.

Heres the Thing about selling things online: every online store, or at least the Big Ones (depop, ebay, poshmark, mercari, etc) charge seller fees and take taxes (sometimes, not always depending on a few factors) these fees range from 10-20% of the sell price usually.

and you have to consider the person selling usually covers shipping (there is /always/ a shipping cost. consider they ALSO have buy whatever they're shipping in, usually a mailing bag or box!)

shipping for me is usually $6-$12 at the post office, and thats using the lightest possible weight small mailing bags. and I WANT to support the USPS, its one of the Good Cherished services! fedex and other shipping companies would probably cost MORE than this!

Plus whatever the person is paying in gas presumably if they don't live in walking distance or have public transport to the post office..it starts to add up, right?

I just sold a skirt. I charged $5 for the skirt, and $10 for the shipping. (if it goes over, which it does sometimes, I'll cover the extra) thats $15! But I paid 10.92 for shipping, and depop took a fee of about $3…I made a $2 profit. Which is about what the gas there and back probably cost. people who print their own shipping labels might have it a slight bit cheaper, maybe, but they also have to pay for printer ink every now and then if they do this a lot.

…Do you understand what I mean? that person is charging $25 for a shirt because they're paying a chunk of that to ship AND for the fee depop takes. (and, if you're using paypal instead of direct depositing into your bank account, guess what? PAYPAL TAKES A FEE TOO!)

Having a purely 'depop business' isn't going to give you THAT much spending money unless you're doing it on a very large scale. taking pictures (several pictures, front, back, close ups of patterns, tags, etc) EDITING pictures if that's something they do (I do, and it takes a minute, but makes the listings look Nicer) tagging everything, taking and listing measurements, sorting into correct categories…all of that takes time and energy! If people are working on top of that a lot of the time its just a Lot of Hassle! (which, again, doing this for a living would NOT be sustainable unless you're doing it on a massive, massive scale. you can do the math for how many things you'd have to sell to make a livable profit and its So Much. a lot of depop stores with a lot of listings are people who own thrift stores irl and the depop page is their online store so they don't have to buy a domain! I see that SO often!)

And you know what? I think that in some cases selling clothes directly is BETTER than sending them to thrift stores. Hear me out. I know they tend to be cheaper in person, but not everyone can go in person. (people who have no stores around them, ppl who are disabled and might not be able to make the trip, immunocompromised ppl who are still reasonably, understandably worried about covid! etc!) and some sellers offer hand picked surprise packages and will go shop FOR you and find stuff in your size which is just! very cool!

depop has size filters and using a lot of ~aesthetic buzzwords~ I, as a plus sized person, can be GUARANTEED to find a lot more than I could in person that suits my very specific, eccentric tastes!

Local thrift stores near me are NO LONGER ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR A WHILE BECAUSE THEIR STORAGE IS SO, SO FULL because a lot more people are tuning into the fact that donating is Good and wanna be more environmentally conscious (which, is good!) but the lady at a local thrift store told me they end up throwing OUT a LOT of clothes because No One Will Buy them and they just dont have room with the sheer volume of donations. They have a $5 fill a bag day every week because of the ungodly amount of shit they have.

Did yall know textiles make up a HUGE percentage of landfills? Yeah. the thing about selling them online is, if youre willing to pay for them and find a statement piece you really Love on there, I feel like…idk, putting it directly in the hands of someone via selling it online feels better than sending it to a thrift store and Hoping it Doesnt End Up In A Landfill. Like, at least I KNOW where it's going? to someone who really wanted it!

Also it just kind of gets on my nerves when ppl call it price gouging. that's not what price gouging is!!! price gouging is: "Price gouging is a term that refers to the practice of charging a price that is higher than normal or fair, often during a state of emergency or crisis, for goods, services, or commodities that are in high demand and short supply" PPL RESELLING CLOTHES FOR PRICES YOU DONT LIKE IS NOT PRICE GOUGING. ITS JUST PRICES YOU DON'T LIKE!!!

+++saying these ppl are taking all the good pieces? no. theyre not. thrift stores get new shipments/stock p regularly of weird things. you just need to learn to dig/thrift better ngl. hit several stores in one go. ask the ppl working there what day they get restock. make a list of the specific type of stuff/vibes youre after and go in with an open mind. U Can Find Things. thrifting/shopping well IS a skill and you too can learn it I Promise. thrifting has good and bad days, sometimes you'll find very cool things and some days you'll strike out. it Happens. It's Fine!

depop is not evil, it's just an app. ppl selling on there are likely only making fucking pocket change, and for ppl like me who aren't able to have full time jobs, its just enough to maybe get my dogs food covered instead of putting it on my credit card and further push me into debt! it's not an outrageous profit! it's! pocket change in most ppls cases they just wanna get rid of clothes they don't wear! I'm not saying it has NO problems, but christ the way some ppl talk abt it on here you'd think depop killed their mother and kicked their dog, lmfao

I think. Most ppl on here and Wrong abt depop ‘price gougers’ but I feel like my full opinion on that subject would get me crucified on here 😶

[goatlingsvent]

not to bring up old drama, but why is it a problem when darksouls hoards ember knights, ive never understood the logic behind that. its not like me hoarding origami ocean boxes is somehow making their price skyrocket. can someone genuinely explain why someones collection of ad's would affect the economy in any way, like it literally doesnt compute for me. i dont understand how ad's that arent even circulating in the marketplace have any affect on prices. the only thing i can think of that would make sense would be that IF they got sold instead of hoarded their general price would go down for a bit, but people would likely swoop in and buy to resell (which does happen, even to popped balloons for some reason) or all the cheaper ones would get bought out to be used and we'd be left again with the expensive ones. like i dont know how large darksouls' collection of them is but it couldnt be enough to cause a huge economic impact?? unless im missing something? cuz i genuinely dont get why that means anything. and i also dont get why people would be mad abt them being expensive in the first place. really weird drama but ive been thinking abt it for a while now

✨

[gluestickcherrybum]

Ahoy there! I'm back with another study post °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°

 So if you aren't aware already, me as well as various other study bloggers are notorious for writing aesthetically pleasing handwritten notes. Notes aren’t absolutely necessary if you prefer to do without.  A lot of my friends and acquaintances don’t bother with them and prefer to rely entirely on the lecture materials provided. I find that it helps me indefinitely in my studies and as a brief creative outlet which I rarely give myself the time for.

Why take Notes? 

Instead of printing the lecture materials given digitally, I've taken it to re-write the lecture notes a few days prior to the lecture. Some lecturers insist their students read the material to get a grasp of the topic before the lecture and this is taking it a few steps further.  They say writing something down is equivalent to reading it 7 times, meaning getting into memory this way is so much more efficient which is one of the biggest reasons I insisted myself handwrite my notes. Also writing your own notes is totally customisable to your needs, do you prefer mind maps or lists? Infographics or paragraphs? Minimalistic or colourful? It's all up to you.

Why I personally take notes

Different plants have different needs. Some need to be watered daily, some twice a day and some every other day. Some thrive in nutrient-rich soil and some prefer to sit in dry sand. Just like plants, each individual student has different needs and circumstances to thrive. For me, since I have a relatively low attention span and am a relatively slow learner, I needed the head start of reading topics beforehand to catch on with the rest. To me, with proper preparation for lectures, attending the lecture is like filling in the missing puzzle pieces. At least it should be. Also, I'm more of a visual learner, so if you're like me, then well structured, colourful and easy to read notes are not only more appealing but really help me in my studies and help me grasp topics a lot faster.

SUPPLIES

Probably the part where everyone is pumped for but I'll to simplify as well as be in-depth as possible.

Basically, you need paper and a pen. Need some colours? get some highlighters or coloured pens. Some people usually go one or the other but you can benefit from using both systematically. 

What I look for in my preferred paper:

Thicker paper (120gsm) because I use markers and pens that bleed through anything less and I like my paper sturdy because I heavily reference my notes and I don't want them to get worn out as quickly (i want to actually try to use thinner paper and be gentler but not sure how much I can commit to it  o(╥﹏╥)o).

Smoother paper is good if you use felt tips so they don't get damaged that quickly.

Line spacing. Its a waste of space and paper if you have small handwriting but largely spaced outlines. Not easy to find though.

Line colour. I prefer lighter lines such as light grey if possible, it just looks tidier that my writing contrasts more than with jet black lines.

Recycled or sustainably made paper. Because environment. Trees happy. Duh.

At the moment I'm a fan of loose-leaf paper because I'm not a fan of wasting notebook paper at the back (plus its even harder to get the paper features I want in notebooks unless I'm lucky) but if I were to succumb to using notebooks, I would definitely prefer thread-bound or hand-sewn over spring bound just because I think metal springs are annoying and if they're plastic, they aren't recyclable. You know me.

In conclusion, it's hard to find test pad with all of these features, you can consider printing your own notepaper if you're as picky as I am but you do you. If you can only afford flimsy see-through paper, that's alright. But make sure your supplies are appropriate for them as most of the supplies I use will bleed even on regular paper

Pens

Don't bother going all out and using fine liners or drawing pens to write notes. Get practical. Pick your poison. Smooth gel pens or dry ballpoint? Ergonomic or Budget-friendly? Disposable or refillable? My only guideline is to make sure they have waterproof ink because in any case, you need to send in an assignment last minute and have to rush through the rain without a folder you definitely want your writing to be at least legible if anything. (yes I learned this the hard way, yes illegible work will cost you a lot of marks. don't make my mistake ｡：ﾟ(���ﾉω＼｡)ﾟ･｡

 Also. Black or Blue? Studies show that writing in blue improves memory collection but black is the more neutral aesthetic. What do I do? I use black as my main colour and write keywords and important facts in blue to take advantage of its memory-enhancing properties.

My current preference: Zebra Sarasa Clip (because its made of 75% recycled plastic and is a good quality pen) with Pentel Energel refill (gel ink that dries quickly. that's all I need)

Budget-Friendly: There are good quality pen sets at the ECO shop (Malaysian dollar store) or buy disposable pens in bulk at any book store. Trust me, it saves a lot more than buying a brand new 80 cent pen every now and again. (Also including the cost of transportation to the store because when you live independently, every cent matters) It's not exactly environmentally friendly but hey, anything to cut the cost right?

Zero Waste option: Fountain Pen with a converter (not the cartridges) and glass bottles of ink refill. Yes, it sounds daunting but its zero waste if that's your cup of tea. You don't have to go all out and buy an expensive luxury fountain pen made of stainless steel, or go fancy and get a flexible nib. If you ask me, I have my eyes set on the pilot kakuno fountain pen, its simple, aesthetic and highly recommended for beginners (although not plastic-free its made out of 85% recycled plastic which is cool since I'm hoping to make a one time purchase, I won't mind it being made from plastic but that just my taste)

Coloured Pens

So I haven't been a fan of using coloured pens for a while but ill tell you I'm currently using a cheap set of coloured gel pens from Kaison just because they have cute patterns but the ink flow isn't that smooth so I should've bought something more practical. The ultimate budget-friendly option which is not only cheap but long-lasting and good quality, and ones that I’d recommend for anyone is the Papermate Kilometrico ballpoint coloured pens. So far I only know they come in five colours but they've been my favourite for years. Most people I know that disagree with me usually don't like the colour range or arent a fan of dry ink but if you aren't that picky and looking for a reliable option they're a good option, plus if you're using cheap paper, they won't bleed or anything so that's cool.

Highlighters

I love pastel highlighters. Its soft, cute, aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and some colours are better at actually highlighting words rather than their neon counterparts like green and purple. Although not the cheapest option, I doubt ill ever go back to neon highlighters ever and ill only be recommending pastel highlighters thanks.

My current preference: I'm currently using Monami Pastel Highlighters just because they were on sale with comparable prices to unbranded cheap pastel highlighters. I will never recommend commonly branded highlighters like Stabilo Boss or Zebra Mildliners because the extra pennies just aren't worth it since the unbranded kind has lived up to my standards. (also I haven't tried those branded highlighters mind you but I doubt I'm missing out on anything)

Budget-Friendly option: While Zebra Mildliners are being sold at RM5 for one and RM25 for a set, Mr DIY sells knockoff brand "BEIFA" for RM7 for a set of six which is a pretty good deal if you ask me (also there are double-sided ones with a bullet and chisel tips if you thought mildliners were the only option with those features). I've also found some rare gems, unbranded pastel highlighters hidden in common bookstores for an even cheaper price, but they're really hard to find unless the pastel highlighter trend decides to catch on. I digress.

Zero Waste option: I heard about highlighter pencils, just wooden pencils with neon colour pigments, but why get trendy when you can use any old wooden colouring pencils lying around? I don't think ill give up plastic highlighters for wooden pencils despite being a strong environmentalism advocate but there are a few options for highlighters made from recycled plastic but they either don't come in pastel colours or too pricey for my taste (yes I'm a cheapskate for crud sake)

Extras

These other things aren't exactly necessary but they add little flourishes and/or aid you in your note-taking. Not exactly an extra investment but its completely up to you

Sticky notes (or coloured memo pads) for extra notes, diagrams or equations which I like for them to stand out a bit. (Pastel over neon of course)

Washi tape to divide subchapters (but a highlighter streak does the job)

Correction tape because never will I ever use correction fluid mind you

Brush pens for headers (completely unnecessary but I don't have any other outlet to practice brush lettering so.) Recommendations: Artline Stix (chunky but super cheap, marker type not for thin paper), Pentel Fude Touch (great for beginners, small and practical, 83% recycled plastic, but will bleed on regular paper)

Alternatively, a regular black felt tip marker just to make the title stand out is good enough.

NOTE TAKING TECHNIQUES

An underrated note-taking method is the Cornell method which is frankly a systematic way to write notes in which you divide the paper into 4 sections, a place for title and date and stuff, the main body for notes, extended side margin for extra info/lecture comments/questions/subtitles and bottom quarter reserved for a summary of the notes. Some people modify this technique by omitting the summary section, depending on your needs.

Bullet points and indents. This is pretty self-explanatory, but it's pretty much notes that aren't chunky paragraphs. Easier to read, easier to register information, easier to skim through. You get the gist of it.

Highlighting system. Some people go all out with their highlighting system and designate colours to certain things such as green for vocab, orange for equations, blue for subtopics. etc. You can try this out if you want, but for me, the plethora of colour is quite distracting and not that aesthetically pleasing, but you do you.

BREAKING DOWN MY METHOD OF NOTE TAKING

My priorities to note-taking are: Easy to read, simple, decluttered and visually pleasing. For colours, I mainly use up to 4. Black pen for the main information, blue pen for keywords (or any coloured pen that matches the highlighter), one or two highlighters as a colour theme and matching sticky notes for extra info, diagrams or equations.

I assign a whole chapter to a specific colour theme, first assigning a certain highlighter colour to the first six chapters, if there are more than six chapters, I use 2 accent colours just to shake it up a bit. This makes it easier to differentiate the chapters when flipping through your notes.

So its, hand-lettered title (i do my lettering quite quickly, mind you) or all caps title in black marker. Mini banner doodle for subtitles (a simple box with a drop shadow works just fine), contrasting coloured keywords (or underlined) and highlighters just for accents like dividing subtitles or drawing boxes for extra info (that or sticky notes). I don't simplify my lecture notes, rather rewriting them in a more orderly manner and leaving a good amount of extra space here and there (or an extended margin if I use Cornell) for extra lecture notes. Also, I highlight whatever notes that my lecturer would point out as important or worth remembering. And that's pretty much it. After the lecture, I then know which parts of the notes were more vital and can then simplify those key points into flashcards which ill discuss in a different post.

Thanks for reading, I know my posts are pretty long but that's the way I like them, long but in depth. As usual, if you would like me to cover any specific topics, feel free to message me or give feedback. I hope to be able to write 2 or 3 articles a month if I can but until then, have a nice day. Study smart peeps. 

ヾ(@°▽°@)ノ 

[courtneyyharper]

Depopin’

Hello folks, another day in the life of lockdown and another article to fill up “five” minutes of your time. One way I’ve been spending my time is spending some more time on my Depop account and just thought I’d share my knowledge (what little I have) with you all.

I’ve personally been using Depop for close to two years now and genuinely when I first started I thought nothing would come of it. Then one day I randomly sold my denim jacket for nearly as much as I had bought it for originally. From then it’s been a steady process of learning the ropes and although I am by no means a professional at this or making an income I do enjoy it. There are ways to make a brand out of this with wholesale goods and making your own goods etc. but these are just tips for anyone like me just trying to make a little extra money, save some money and be more sustainable even with fast-fashion.

So, I’m going to talk you through what to do before you start selling, how to sell and ship and even how to pick up a bargain for yourself…

Before you start…

Okays, I’m not going to go through the actual making of the account. I’m pretty sure you guys have got that covered. Make your password secure and stuff.

On to finding stuff to sell. My most popular items have always been going out dresses as they’re usually my higher branded clothing, such as Oh Polly etc. You can post almost any type of clothing but the more interesting the more likely it is to sell. Anything you do choose however should be in good condition and something you’d be happy with purchasing yourself. The best-selling items are usually brand new or in close to perfect condition. Every once in a while I like to do a clear out of things in my wardrobe I haven’t worn in a while and although it is up to you what you sell and of course there is an audience for everything I personally try and be realistic about what I can sell and what needs donated/binned.

Next you must be willing to ship the things that are purchased (this is something I struggled a lot with at the start as I learned the best process). I’ll talk more about shipping later but first you need the supplies. There’s nothing worse than receiving a Depop parcel in a taped together plastic carrier bag with your address scribbled on it. My top tip out of this whole article is to purchase some packaging.

Packaging bags can be surprisingly pricey at the post office or in office supply stores so what I first did was buy packs of them for £1 in stores such as Poundworld and Home Bargains which works out at only a few pence per parcel. Even better still if this becomes something you really get into a groove off you can buy wholesale packs of 100 on Amazon and eBay etc in colours. Little things like this can mean a lot to your customer and will actually end up saving you money in the long run.

Now you have the items you’re going to sell and your packaging to do so!

Taking your photos…

Honestly, this is kind of the entire key to selling. If your product looks good, then people will want it. There are three types of photos I like to use:

Website photos:

These ones are usually best if you have no photos in this clothing or would prefer to not be in the photos. They’re the easiest to put up on short notice. You just screenshot the photos from the website where you purchased them. The only problem with this is that some people prefer to see what the clothes look like in real life (I know I do if I’m on the fence) and will most likely ask you to provide a photo which is just effort later. Usually if I’m using these photos, I provide them in addition with some of my own photos or disclose I’m using this because the clothing does not fit so I can’t try it on, hence why I’m selling.

My own photos:

Sometimes I get lucky and I have a nice Instagram picture in the dress or top or whatever it may be but sometimes I have to set aside time to try on and photograph the clothes. When I do this, I like to do it as though it were going to be uploaded for Instagram. If you have someone to take photos of you in them than great but mirror selfies are also grand if you can do them right. That means having good lighting, so that the clothes are highly visible. I try and take them in bright day light, in a clean mirror and with a clean background. No one wants to see your laundry in the background or those water bottles that haven’t moved from your room in two months that we’re all guilty of.

Flatlay:

If you’re not overly comfortable or confident with being in the photo, then you can still take good photos of the product without wearing it. Always make sure your clothing or shoes or jewellery or whatever it is you’re selling is laid out freshly. It really goes without saying but all clothing should be clean and without wrinkles if possible. You can hang them up on a wall or lay them on a clean background on the floor. For this I like using a white wall or a clean block colour blanket, but everyone has their own style when it comes to this. Maybe even add some plant props or other things to spice up your photo but remember to make the product the focus of the photo.

Videos are also an option on Depop but it must be over 5 seconds long and I only like using this for sparkly or metallic items etc to show the real affect in person.

Although this isn’t always the case but when I really organise my page I like my account to look like an Instagram feed itself. It’s not necessary but it can really draw people to your page if they’re just clicking on for a browse.

When taking your photos always get a photo of the front, the back, any close-up details and of course if there is any marks etc on the item you should always show in a photo. You can only post four photos total so try and give people a good idea of what the item really looks like.

Description:

Next you need to describe what you’re selling. All the words you include will make it easier for people to search and find your items.

You should mention what exactly you’re selling along with brand, size, colour and anything else people need to know.

Always mention what condition the product is such as: 10/10, perfect condition, BNWT (Brand new with tags)

Even mention why you’re selling it: no longer fits, doesn’t suit me, ordered 2 sizes, didn’t return in time etc. Especially mention if it is not in perfect condition: small mark on right sleeve but barely noticeable (see photo 4)

#tags: You also have the options to add hashtags to your description to make is easier to find but you don’t need the hashtag to make it searchable. If I mention the brand it will come up in search when people search for the brand name, even without the hashtag.

Although against Depop regulations (so I’m not recommending) if there were to be other keywords (popular and similar brand names to what you’re posting for example) then your post may reach a wider audience…

Everyone has different layouts for their description but here is an example of one I would do:

Oh Polly LOVE ME KNOT dress

Ruched long sleeve bodycon dress in Oyster White

Size 10 (small fitting would fit an 8 also)

Thick good quality material

Bought on Depop and worn once by me

Great condition just won’t wear again

RRP 38 SOLD OUT ONLINE

#nightout #party #ruched

Then simply fill out the information it asks you for again, brand, size, price and shipping price too! (This is separate from price).

Pricing:

People don’t want to be buying things close to full price unless it’s brand new and you have the last available one to buy anywhere. If demand for your product isn’t high, then you’re going to have to be reasonable with pricing. You must remember (unless you’re handmaking your own clothes etc) that you’re not a retailer and people are looking for a bargain. However, every item is different so I can’t really give you a baseline price for items. The best way to learn where to ballpark your pricing is search for other items similar to yours and see what everyone else is pricing them for and if they’re selling well. I usually try and price things around 60-70% of what I paid and over time drop the price if there’s no movement.

You must remember websites are usually running offers on their own items. For example, I had one dress up recently and was getting a lot of messages as I was selling it for half the original price. Recently I had no questions about it at all and while writing this I realised the retailer had it on sale for lower than even that. Pricing can fluctuate daily and sometimes you must wait it out and/or concede to lowering the price.

Reposting:

If your item has been up for a few weeks and still hasn’t been purchased I usually go in and edit my item. Maybe switch the photos around, update the price and description a bit and post it again. This way people see something different and it gets put back to the top of people’s search.

Shipping:

This is the bit my friends ask me about most when Depop is mentioned. It’s also the most effort.

I’ve tried to get into a routine so as soon as someone purchases an item, I like to package it up straight away. Fold the item neatly and put it in its packaging. Make sure the address is correct. It’s always best to direct message the buyer and thank them for the purchase and assure them when you will get it shipped. Communication is key for good feedback later and although not necessary, I usually include a little thank you note in some funky way (at Christmas I sent Christmas cards and lately I’ve been using felt unicorn shapes I picked up in the arts and craft bit of the pound shop).

Now as soon as possible, you usually have about 5-7 days after purchase, take it to the post office. All you have to do is take it to the window where they will most likely ask you to set it on the scales for weighing and do the work for you. Once you’ve done all this once it’s a breeze.

Packaging costs me £3 a parcel (this is for second class, under 2kg, less than £20 value, unsigned and untracked which is pretty standard). However, for safety and for the first few sales I’d spend the extra and send it tracked. This way no one can claim they didn’t receive a parcel.

Top tip: if you’re sending a small package like a single t-shirt, then package it flatly. Sometimes they can fit it through the letter stencil, and you can ship for large letter prices which is cheaper than parcel prices, but this is also up to the cashier’s discretion so don’t count on it.

All current pricing can be found online too! You can print labels here and pay online to save going to the window, but I find it easier in person.

Make sure to get your proof of postage receipt and keep it! I always like to post a photo of this to let them know their item has been shipped and remember to update the shipping status too. Plus, you’ll need it if there’s any problems later.

Feedback:

Remember to leave your buyers honest feedback and hope they leave you one in return. The more positive reviews you have them more people will see you as a trusted seller later.

DMs:

Always try and click on to the app a few times a day and respond to any mails as soon as possible. Usually if you wait a day to respond they’ve already found something else instead.

Likewise, if people like your item feel free to shoot them a message: Hey, are you interested in [insert item]? If you have any questions just let me know! [insert friendly emoji]

Remember it’s all about interaction! Followers and following on Depop mean next to nothing. People use the search bar much more frequently than their timeline.

The Realities of Making Money!

Some weeks I’ll sell nothing on Depop and usually there’s more of these weeks than not but other times I’ll sell a formal dress, a few going out dresses, a jumper and make about £100. Although these weeks are far and few between you have got to persevere.

You should always remember when pricing items that Depop take a 10% fee and Paypal 2.9% after you’ve sold something (it costs nothing to list an item!) and account for this when pricing your items but also remember that people probably won’t want to pay £5 + shipping for a plain black t-shirt from New Look. Honestly, I rarely notice the fee being taken out especially if it is for clothes that I would otherwise just pack away under my bed for years.

Another thing to remember is that even when the money is deposited into your Paypal account you’re more than likely still going to have shipping to pay and packaging costs, so you need to set this aside also.

Buying:

So, when I’m looking for something specific online or find a nice dress that I’m thinking of purchasing then I like to do a quick search for it on Depop. I search the website name for the item (Oh Polly Love Me Knot Dress) and the size I’m interested in. If I find what I’m looking for I like to message the seller with any questions and if it is available. It’s always worth asking (politely!!) if they would consider selling it at a negotiated price or even with free shipping but always be reasonable. I can’t count the times people have asked if I’d sell them dresses that I had listed for £20 for a fiver with free shipping. There’s nothing more irritating. The nicer you are the more responsive they’ll be and want to reply.

I also like to save or like items and come back to them later, as a sort of wish list if I’m browsing. If nothing else the app is always good for getting ideas for future outfits much like a mood board.

In the case anything goes wrong…

Always buy through the Depop app and Paypal! Every once and a while sellers will ask you to pay them through friends and family on Paypal to avoid Depop fees but if you do this you have no way to claim back your money if the item doesn’t arrive. If an item does not arrive to you or someone claims they do not receive yours then this must go through the Paypal dispute system. If your claim is legit then you can easily get your money back so no need to worry and if someone makes the claim against you all you need is your proof of postage (but preferably a tracking number for 100% safety) and you can refute the claim.

With Paypal you’re always protected which is what makes Depop so great to use!

This was a long-winded way of explaining my personal process of Depop and has made it look even more complicated than it really is. Everyone has their own vibe how to Depop so don’t think you have to stick to this.

I love using the app to save money and even when purchasing items like formal dresses that I know I’ll only wear once I can usually find the one I want for a bargain or if I can’t I don’t feel too bad about paying full price because I know I can get some money back for it when I resell it. At least that’s what I tell myself…

Okays, that’s all I have for you today… Happy Depoping!

[top1course]

7+ FIGURE CANADIAN SELLER SECRETS REVEALED | ADVANCED STRATEGIES FOR SELLING IN THE USA FROM CANADA

Yes so they they are alive in the Bronco group so I will on the asking questions and I’ll be periodic, likely checking the brown belt group, comments as well, that we have some some questions that have we have written down if we can kind of jump in too quickly for everyone, if the first kind of portion that everyone is kind of curious about his certification so what certification, if any do we need to sell, from Canada in the US or from Canada in Canada, okay well from Canada, i recommend you start as a sole proprietor, start off extra, so you don’t need a corporation, might need an importer number, import stuff from China, are you going to need any, and you can get that by calling this year, order number, and then what’s your sister doing over 30 grand, rainier and sell in China, you need a GST number, And then depending on your, now 4, canadian spelling, it’s basically the same thing, open a corporation start off, and, you want me to just number cuz it’s in, you don’t really need any, unless you want to get in, i just literally just got an EIN, you don’t need anything., okay cool, okay so then you kind of already answered incorporate in Canada or LLC answered sole proprietor, quiet, you can always incorporate from the beginning but, extra fees for no reason, and then, i’d say, portrayed in Canada, specialized accountant in USA, are you going to get double tax because you’ll get back, incorporation, okay KO and then do you have a like a website or how do you how do you normally do that in Canada is it an easy process or, tricks that you found, play to, example you know there’s certain states in the USA that have better you know LLC legislation right, Yeah I know in Canada is it’s a little bit, federal corporations number company, canada, call Sky., or just what I have so mine is like a number, alberta Limited, any of the two is, federal or provincial images, wister okay so you recommend prevention answers our next question so then, where where to get a bank account people are kind of wondering like about cross-border physical like whether you get one in the US or Canada and, how kind of a currency exchange works, question, i didn’t know Alexis the winds on horses, country where your bank is, the routing, helping you in Canadian dollars, even if the US dollar, and usually is like twice they see, what you want to do if you want to set up, you’re going to have to set up, arsenal, these ones you can open one with RVC, BMO.

These are the only, how that works is, future, and US dollar, base in the US, and then you have a US dollar, account-based in Canada, canadian dollar account, amazon in US dollars, senior us, account in USA, and then you just transfer it, online from US to Canada, that’s for sole proprietor, ava Corporation, business cross-border account, and then, that’s the only one that does business card holder, expensive, so then just as summarize quickly and the best way to avoid losing on exchange rates selling from Canada, in the USA is what, is opening across, conversion, because the bank is actually in the US, amazon, i’ll pay you twenty Grand, ananas versus, living in Canada with a Canadian bank account selling on Amazon USA they convert when they when they process it into your Seller Central, exactly so you can do that too but Amazon thinks about 3.5% conversion rate, Manufacturing, you’re going to have to come back to USA, yesterday it’s a simple calculation guys right to 3.5% if that is more or less than $100 per month charge Plus, what’s the setup fee right and then also considering, also considering that you have to pay your manufacturers in USD, so we’re going to hop quickly into the actual group questions I see some coming up now have you ever used, payoneer, no I have never, i know, and then why so you’re selling in the u.s. and Canadian Market or just the US, so can you talk quickly people are wondering kind of you know either or if you’re if you’re setting, for the first time what’s your kind of thoughts are selling in both markets and if you do have a recommendation as to you know picking just, swan, i definitely recommend, Start off, volume on., 467 months now, and why cells and Canada are about, marita 4% of what I, the population is 10 times more than, i was estimating myself would give up 10% of what I, and then on top of that, in Canada import duties on average or twice as much as in the, so you have, firing order, higher shipping rates from, asia to Canada, and navigation, started 40% more for the same product in Canada than in the, really doesn’t make any sense I definitely recommend, okay cool, all right so people are asking some more questions about bank accounts let’s let’s just clarify really here, the cross-border bank account was called what again, open a personal account, business is, it’s only offered by RV, and then if you’re selling as a sole proprietor you can open, personal cross-border account, and that’s either what’s RBC, or, okay, people people are curious about, Trademarks and patents do you have much experience with that in the US and Canada and kind of what the differences are, do they enforce trademarks in Canada from the USA and vice versa, it’s actually two different countries rights, uSM Canada, and the process was very similar is just two different entities sold for you as I went on us, remember how much, drums for 50, it’s around 4:50, the same but it’s not USPTO it’s called, intellectual property, industry whatever something like that, registered in the US is not, you should register for, nus, easy I did it myself, something like that, right right right, i don’t have any actually I just started, a friend of mine, got a licensing agreement, alberta, so it’s the same Principle as, market in China and then vice versa, somebody is asking about Amazon Seller Central right so do you need to separate account, For Canada and us or can you have one login and.

Dual membership, yeah it’s actually a North American accounts, on your, quran.com right but I know if you start on. See I think it’s actually cheaper, but they’re all they’re all on the same, you just login, seller Central, are you can choose, mX, okay cool, answer this is a very specific question and I don’t know anything about Canada Canadian taxes but, suicide is the w-8ben e, sufficient to take care of the tax situation so you can declare all of your income in Canada and only pay Canadian tax, taxes if you do sell in the USA, yeah that’s that’s, that’s kind of a gray line, i talked to accountants to said, yes that’s good enough, declare that money in Canada and, amazon us have a double taxation treaty, so what they say is basic, If we declare all that money in Canada, vice versa, teacher for us, generally speaking insurance, this one is about actual kind of like supplier relations have you ever, i successfully been able to pay in Canadian dollars and if so do you have any tips for doing so, august, warrenton or getting better, the US dollar and Buddy used to be 1.3, i know I’ve never been able to negotiate its dollars, i don’t have any pets, that’s why it’s better if you get paid in US, can you wire transfers directly to a, aggreko, so this one kind of a comparison of of the metrics you’re looking for as far as a product to a product, techniques to enter cell, they’re kind of comparing, what is good volume being sold each month right for example if the top 10 sellers are doing 3,000 per month combined in the, what are you kind of looking for in the Canada side, You know comparing 300 million in the US versus 35 in Canada, that’s basically what I was saying earlier, 10% of the numbers of amazon.com, transport 10%, the population, generally you have to look at 12, it’s probably closer to 5%, 3000, text, so do you just another one for taxes do you file your own business tax return so I think I know the answer this but, or do you pay an accountant to do it and what would you consider a reasonable price for filing a corporate tax return, no actually so I have money in my account, every quarter and, they charged me, 50 bucks an hour, just never looked elsewhere so, okay cool, mindinsole, somebody’s asking kind of about when you first started were you kind of immediately profitable after your first product or did it take Youssef, products to become profitable, how long are you selling on Amazon before you kind of, Commit to at full-time, my first product was profitable so I started with one and, reinvested profits from, so basically I kept my day job, about 10 months, and I would reinvest like 100% of coffee, aren’t you more inventory more products, and then after 10 months I quit my job, a business that I was doing. So I just quit my job, took me about 10 months and yes I was, agrokor, this one’s about Outsourcing, you Outsource any parts of your business if so what was the first thing you Outsource and like what would you recommend people who work on, starting out to, think about as their first a portion of outsourced, yeah that’s really, yeah I do actually quite a bit of my operations, right now I have for full-time, virtual assistant, first parts that that I wanted to kind of get rid of an outsourced were, Customer service.

And social medias, customer service or social media, i might take care of it, and then, and then I kind of have a right-hand guy, other than, what I do is, we don’t run out of inventory, sure, look for new products and stuff like that, so do you guys have a partnership I can Equitable partnership set up or how do you allocate percentages of promise, the other, no cuz you were saying that like you have your right-hand man is that a VA as well or is that a partner, i like one, share amount every month, and that Genesee urologist in the golden sister, silly goodbye, so are you are you sourcing vieilles from like at the Philippines how country are using local, i found them online, alright so, we have some people wondering what accounting software do you use as far as you know keeping track of things you said you filed quarterly, Really so kind of could you talk about that process, no, santa Tracker, i use cash cow Pro, like software, since you’re pretty good idea where you’re at, so everything that you supply to your account you export from Cash Cow Pro, no not even to have a an idea, day-to-day operations how profitable, every quarter II, literally took my backpack, i have, and bring all that to my account, kind of know where I’m going where has, when I bring them all my, it’s pretty close but I have other expenses that are not in chest, office supplies, el Greco, after product research what in your opinion is the most important thing selling a product successfully, i really important, especially, get it off the ground before you actually have your father’s right as she build an audience on, And stuff like that, right, what would you say is the biggest challenge for a Canadian who is just starting out in once, sell on the US market, biggest trout, there’s not that many leaves, it’s pretty simple, yeah mean the US Navy dealing with sales tax, cuz I know that scares a lot of, right, and it did, you just have to wait in there, the risks and the rewards of it and, only sell if you’re just starting out, there’s no way they govern, mm, thanks a lot, so I’d say if that’s yours you lost them, just push forward, don’t worry about, distractions, cool so did you self incorporate or did you use a lawyer’s last service to do it for you, that company I have is, i started it and it was open, the lawyer, go to the registration open, it’s much cheaper than going to war, I know cuz I’m function backwards, registries office, oracle, how would you describe a typical day of doing business IE wake up at 8 a.m. check email check selling product Resources contact, suppliers Exedra if you could walk us through the day in the life of Canadians teller that would be great, it’s been it’s been different, beaches from IC from 0 to 60, pretty easy, 45 hours a week, i’m just checking inventory make sure I had enough, do a wire transfer, check my CPC, and that’s pretty much it, now over that, customer service, inventory of 25-30 products has been printed in one or two, but I see now, i’m right now honestly I’m in the, kind of, systemization of my business, that takes quite a bit of time song, i right now with my dude look like a car, wake up at like 8, sex with my family, Coffee and then.

Come to the office at around 9 9:30, and then, i check my emails to respond to all of them, check for emails from my supplier, and then check emails from my case, how much money we made yesterday, and then and then I just go on with my to do list, yeah and right now that’s pretty much all I do, for the people who don’t know what is Opie’s are could you please describe that and then could you also talk of, a bit what like the mean, utilization of your V Azar, standard operating procedures, the difference between a small business, system, that is a small business, cuz you’re doing every, nation of the business, renew to actually be able to work on me, description of every task in your business, ordering paper, or ordering products and, every little thing, if there’s a, and watch out. Setup then, Oh no, we may have just lost, charles, oru if you screen just went black, yeah, i can see your I can see your image now, yeah my light still on, are there you go, using a business will have, i’m just getting started song, so it’s basically the standardization of processes, just the kind of you know remove yourself even further and increase automation, yeah and then with my VA seems like I said earlier, specific to customer service, and then and then the other one is paying for social medias and, and then, my other guy, basically, pretty much everything else takes care of, hijackers, everything you can, oracle, okay cool, we have a question about a you know selling off of Amazon do you have a presence in the Shopify or any other type, are you exclusively Amazon, yeah I do have my own website, We’re slowly growing it, and investing in Espanol, i haven’t had any, results with Facebook ads, my website, right now we knew about, 10% of what my Amazon sales are, i thought that but it could be better and obviously you want to diversify because, in the long run, agreed, so do you always get samples if so how many do you ask for and who do you make, make sure receives a sample besides yourself with anyone, yeah that’s a good question, what the way I’ve been building my business is I’ve been throwing my, can only one nation I don’t get into any other language, and I’ve been dealing with the same supplier for 3, they have a lot of products that are not on, and so I only deal with them eyes ass other, manufacturers for four different kinds, so far I haven’t found, i have signal, Just a little bit different, and I usually, get one myself, i always always ask, so do you how do you actually handles product photography done, i’m doing this right now, so I found a, photography Studio, i don’t put them to the last, rechargeable $25, this time around I wanted to, maybe trying to Philippines cuz I figured, it’s a little bit cheaper not that much, it was too hard to, always, you know the guy or lady, make sure you, ended up actually going back to my, apple’s I bring them to the, tell them exactly what I want, that’s what I do now but the first, yeah I think we’ve all been there so do you use a inspection company to verify the quality or, or since you kind of had the same manufacturer for so long you don’t do it anymore of what what are your thoughts on that, The first time you’re dealing with a manufacturer in China.

Definitely, fire inspection company, turn myself since it’s been 2 years and I know the quality, i never do it, cool, i’m going to have you ever dabbled in retail and online Arbitrage giorgiporgi strictly a private label from the start, tricking private label, baby wholesale, jennifer for big retailers, i’m not ready yet to jump into that, rar, or online, geico, three more questions for you, are there any niches that are hot in Canada think hockey and not in the US that we could Target specifically for the Canadian, market, wow, hachiya and everything that has to do with snow, quad stuff like that, but other than that, i don’t know cuz I don’t search for products anymore, you know when you’re you’re always in that face searching for new products it’s easier to, just stayed in that same Niche I’ve been since the beginning and I don’t look for other niches so, I don’t really know even in the US like obviously fidget Spinners and stuff like that would have been good a few months, okay cool, lots of accountants aren’t specialized in e-commerce business in general and internet businesses, especially for those that sell in the US, any tips are resources you can share for Canadian sellers, yasso, online experience at all, i did find one in Canada so it’s a company called, life, live CA LLP, they’re based out of Toronto and Halifax, and they specialize like their younger guys and they specialize their online businesses, now the only reason I didn’t go with them was because they were way too expensive like, way more than what I was paying, but these are the ones I know that actually specialized, okay cool, and last question, Before we go back to any of the life questions in the Facebook groupies are still kind of the ones from of the, the list, would you mind sharing a freight forwarder that you’ve been successful with who offers a great guys that might be at, advantageous for cat, i just started using Freight forwarders because I’m going to start shipping, before that I was always doing Air Cargo or air Express, so I didn’t I never used before my supplier would literally ship with their own, i know the one I’m dealing with and I know other big sellers in Canada are using as a freight forwarder, california, okay, when you when you aren’t using a freight forwarder cuz you walk us through it like your involvement using your suppliers DHL, count like from start to finish how are you actually even involved in that at all, air express is really, You didn’t ask for it, that’s pretty straightforward when you, if there’s any duties to, charge to the Spurs account which is your manufacturer, and then we can invoice you later for that, no, when I use her car looks a bit different., and then an importer of record, in my case I would I do this for the ultimate Amazon, i gave, aHL rap I gave him the, address from Amazon, seller Dash Imports at amazon.com, and then DHL customs broker, brokers contact Amazon, and you said yes I don’t know, and answer the Importer of record, you or your business or, manufacturers, it was my manufacturer, flaxseed acting for death record, okay, and then, cool, all right about 212 people watching you on Facebook and a ton more on YouTube, there’s about a million you two questions I’m going to probably I’m going to restrict this to Facebook just so we don’t, Take out the next 18 hours of your life.

But, just a couple more questions then from Facebook and then we’ll let you go appreciate your time, how long did it take you to find your first product and when did you decide to go for your second, okay so at the time two years ago I didn’t know jungle Scout exist, the way I always thought with the goal search manual, best sellers, that’s what I do, can’t remember exactly what it was anywhere between 30 and 40 hours of research, 30 hours and then, december, so about 5 or 6 months, and that that takes into account like the launch phase and all the kind of, you know portions of the go along with selling her first part of right it wasn’t like, yeah you found your product on January 1st and if you found your next one on May 1st it was kind of like you, And I have to ship it in to Amazon and all that, cracked, you’re actively selling, like I said I kept my job and I just, enough money to order a second product, over $7 US exchange rate plus shipping store, took me awhile to get that money too, okay, so knowing what you know now would you have gone back in time and stayed at your job for 10 months or would you have done anything differently, no I think I would have done the same, maybe I should have stayed at my job a little bit longer it would have, show my business even a little faster, i was just so sick of it, yeah I say 10 months like probably, that would definitely, hey Batter okay, i’m so do you sell the EU Market at all are you strictly, okay, I got friends here we selling, and Spain and France and, and do you use commercial liability insurance on somebody saying that they heard it was better to find someone who’s in the same car, country is you, commercial Insurance are kind of, especially for $1000000, 1 million US dollars in liability, canadian one in Canada, and yeah she needing manufacturers Insurance not just like a commercial insurance because, when you do private label your considered, insurance Brokers for their stuff right, how do you manufacture, i can’t remember they’re based out of, yeah we can follow up with you there’s no there’s no worries about that, so there’s a few more you still have like five more minutes or something cool, so when you import products into the u.s. being, okay sorry we actually already answered this one thing, does a does cross-border account require a Us address to set up, No, okay cool, so that looks like, pretty much all you’ve already answered you don’t do wholesale TD also offers cross-border business account somebody saying, we already answered the patent question, so if anybody else has any final questions for Charles will you know ask them now or if not you know we can, always follow up I guess the last kind of question is, there’s some Canadian students of mine who are wondering if it’s okay, to you know reach out to you if they have any questions or if you have like an email address or the address your YouTube channel, obviously share as well, there’s a private messaging system, otherwise, give me the link, nice yet we will we will share the YouTube channel guys in the description or if anybody wants, you know his YouTube they can just message me the Warsaw Concerto in the student groups, So thank you thank you so much for coming on man obviously it’s so funny like you join The Mastermind probably like a year.

Year ago and now we finally get to see your face and get the grill you a little bit about Canadian selling, yeah, alright man thanks thanks for having me, yeah I’m sure it did and maybe we can get you on some other day so enjoy the rest of your day, i will talk to you soon, thanks you too, take care,

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[centralparkpawsblog]

The 10 Best Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs

https://www.centralparkpaws.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Flea-infested-itchy-dog-scratching-why-choose-dog-collar.jpg

Recently, I’ve had the joy to watch one of my best friends adopt her own puppy and bring him home.

She’d never owned her own dog before, so it was great to watch her experience all of his first milestones.

Some were more enjoyable than others, but there are always a few firsts that dog owners have to experience.

The night she discovered tiny black bugs in his soft puppy fur, she panicked and didn’t know what to do.

She didn’t have the budget to take him to the vet and buy a prescription just yet, so she needed a cheaper but still effective solution.

I told her to turn to flea collars and she was not disappointed.

Here are the best flea collars for dogs that I’d recommend to any dog owner looking for an easy flea solution.

How Flea Collars Work

Depending on the type of flea collar you buy, the ingredients will be different but still work the same way.

Within the first 24 hours of the flea collar being worn by your dog, the ingredients in the collar will slowly disperse through your dog’s fur.

As these ingredients are soaked into your dog’s skin, the more protected they are from fleas and ticks.

The ingredients can both kill flea infestations and prevent future ones, depending on the purpose of the flea collar.

Types of Flea Collars

Those who have only ever trusted a flea medication for their dog may be wondering how they work.

There are two types of flea collars on the market that are effective, so you can choose from either one.

Unless you already know that your dog has skin allergies or sensitivities, you may not find out that they’re better with one kind of flea collar over another until you try them both out.

Chemical Flea Collars

The first is a chemical flea collar.

It’s made with an insecticide[1] that slowly releases into your dog’s fur, which ends the life cycle of the fleas. They can kills eggs, larvae and even adult fleas.

Some chemical flea collars may contain multiple insecticides for the most powerful infestations, but they’ll all be tested before being sold to the public.

All-Natural Flea Collars

Make sure to discuss the following options with your canine companion to see which they prefer

The other kind of collar is the all-natural flea collar.

It uses only natural ingredients[2] to kill and deter fleas, like citronella and other oils.

Fleas get turned away by the smell of the ingredients if they aren’t killed off immediately, but dogs and humans won’t be bothered by it.

Best Flea Collars

There are a few varying factors that will affect which dog collar you buy for your dog.

Age and weight are some of them, but size is one of the most important.

Check out these flea collar superlatives by size that should help you figure out what to get.

ProductProtection LengthMinimum AgeRatingPrice Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar8 Months7 Weeks3.7$$$$$ Check Price Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar7 Months12 Weeks3.7$ Check Price Rolf Club 3D Flea Collar6 Months12 Weeks4.0$$$ Check Price Arava Flea and Tick Prevention Collar6 MonthsNone Givien3.7$$$$ Check Price Lucky Pluto Flea Collar8 MonthsNone Given3.4$$ Check Price Dr. Bob Goldstein Nature's Protection Herbal Dog Collar3 Months16 WeeksN/A$$ Check Price Mozart's Flea and Tick Prevention Collar6 Months5 Weeks4.4$$$ Check Price PetArmor Flea and Tick Collar6 Months12 Weeks2.3$$ Check Price Joeor Prolonged Flea and Tick Collar8 Months8 Weeks4.4$$$ Check Price TevraPet Proact Flea and Tick Collar12 Months12 Weeks3.3$$$ Check Price

My Top Pick

Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar

While there are tons of flea collars out there to choose from, the one I’ve seen work on a consistent basis is the Seresto collar by Bayer.

Click the image for more info

Overview

It’s made for dogs of all sizes and ages, so you don’t need to worry about the specifics.

Vets also commonly recommend this collar because it’s powerful in the fight against fleas without being a major irritant to your dog’s skin.

You can get it at almost any pet supply store or online.

What I Liked

Dog owners looking for the most effective flea and tick collar should turn to Seresto.

When you buy a Seresto product, you’re getting a collar that stops fleas in their tracks. It kills them before they lay eggs and repels any other fleas or ticks from joining the party.

It’s not greasy and has no odor, so it’s pleasant for humans to be around when your dog wants to cuddle.

Additionally, Seresto collars can help symptoms of sarcastic mange, which sometimes goes hand in hand with flea outbreaks[3].

Mites are friends of fleas, and they can cause mange when they burrow under your dog’s skin.

What I Didn’t Like

There’s not much to not like about the Seresto collar.

If your dog doesn’t have any immediate allergic reactions to wearing it, it does its job well and helps with additional issues like mange.

Final Thoughts

The Seresto collar is an easy way to cover all your dog’s bases, which is why it’s trusted by so many dog owners around the world.

You won’t be taking much of a gamble by trying this collar out on your dog.

You can find a more in-depth review of the Bayer Seresto collar here.

Check Price

Read Reviews

Best Flea Collar for Small Dogs

Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick Collar

Small dog owners probably spend their time looking for a collar that’s both the right size and the right price.

Paying a huge price for such a small collar can feel like a rip off, but you don’t have to sacrifice your budget to find something that works when there’s the Hartz Ultraguard Flea and Tick collar.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

This flea collar usually sold in a pack of two for around or less than ten dollars, depending on where you shop.

Anything that helps out my budget is a winner for me.

Even though your dog only needs one collar at a time, they aren’t meant to last forever.

A pack of two will save you time and money in the future when the collar needs to be replaced.

This chemical collar is water resistant too[4], so your dog can run through a sprinkler and not ruin the collar.

Just make sure to remove it before they take a bath or go swimming.

Being dunked continuously in water will make the chemicals release faster, wasting the active ingredients that should extend for months at a time.

Click the image to read the itty bitty text

What I Didn’t Like

I’m not a huge fan of the fact that puppies younger than 12 weeks old can’t wear this collar.

They won’t be socializing much anyway, since they’ll be catching up on their vaccinations, but they can still get fleas and ticks when they go outside during potty training.

Dog parents shouldn’t feel like their only option is to buy the more expensive oral medication.

Final Thoughts

I love that this collar can be bought in a pack of two.

Most flea collars are only sold individually, but I like that you can stock up with Hartz Ultraguard.

Even though young puppies can’t wear the collar, it’s still a great option for smaller dogs looking for flea and tick protection.

Check Price

Read Reviews

Best Flea Collar for Medium Dogs

Rolf Club 3D Flea Collar

Medium dogs may have the easiest time finding a collar that fits, especially since Rolf Club makes their 3D Flea Collar.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

The 3D collar is specifically designed to by hypoallergenic, so your dog can still wear it if their skin normally reacts to things like different shampoos or sprays.

It’s also an odorless way to protect your dog from mosquitoes and lice, in addition to fleas.

Some spot-on flea treatments leave an unpleasant odor after application, which can stick around for a day or two.

This collar is an easy way to avoid that without compromising on your dog’s flea protection.

What I Didn’t Like

Some owners have reported that the collar may slip off of your dog, but I believe that’s due to either getting the wrong size or not securing it correctly.

Make sure to read the packaging so you put it on your dog the right way, since not all flea collars are designed to be identical.

Final Thoughts

Averaging around $30, it’s a reasonable price to pay for such great canine protection.

You’ll only have to replace the Rolf Club 3D flea collar twice a year, which is still much more affordable than oral or spot-on medication.

Check Price

Read Reviews

Best Flea Collar for Large Dogs

Bayer Flea and Tick Collar Again

Large dogs require a flea collar that has a bit of extra strength, since there’s so much surface area to cover. Bayer Animal Health will keep your dog safe with the Seresto Flea and Tick Collar.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

Any large breed dog seven weeks or older can wear this collar, so your dog can grow up with the same product.

The Seresto collar also has a lower concentration of active chemical ingredients, so they won’t irritate the skin while they release slowly over time.

Your dog will be protected for up to eight months while wearing this non-greasy, odorless collar.

What I Didn’t Like

There’s not much to be said regarding complaints with the Seresto collar.

There are only a few rare cases where the collar didn’t help end a flea infestation, which may be related to the lower concentration of active ingredients.

Final Thoughts

The Seresto collar is one of the biggest sellers in the dog flea collar market, especially for big dogs.

If you haven’t tried a flea collar on your dog before, this may be the collar that gets recommended to you the most by friends and your dog’s vet.

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Safest Flea Collar

Arava Flea and Tick Prevention collar

Click the image for more info

Chemical flea collars are out on the market because they’ve been tested and proven to be safe for dogs to wear.

Still, dog owners can feel uncomfortable when the word “chemicals” is mentioned.

That’s completely understandable, which is why natural flea collars like the Arava Flea and Tick Prevention collar have a huge presence in the flea collar market.

What I Liked

The all-natural ingredients are definitely a bonus.

I would never have to worry about them bothering Maggie’s skin, which is even more difficult when you have a dog with thick fur.

You can trust the natural herbs and essential oils that make this a powerful collar in the fight against fleas and ticks.

What I Didn’t Like

Some consumers have made it clear that this collar didn’t do much to end flea infestations that had become pretty bad.

If your dog is suffering from a long-term flea problem, you’ll want to go with a collar that has more powerful ingredients.

Or a short term oral solution may be what’s right, and then you can get the Arava collar for your dog to wear once their coat is back to normal.

Final Thoughts

I still stand by the fact that all-natural collars can be just as effective as chemical collars.

The Arava collar proves this, since it’s trusted by so many dog owners to protect their dogs for months at a time.

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Best Flea Collar for Puppies

Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar Once More

Buying a flea collar for a puppy is tricky.

Most collars won’t be safe for a puppy to wear, because of the chemicals they contain.

That’s why so many new puppy parents turn to the Seresto flea collar for help.

Click the image for more-ah, you know the drill by now!

What I Liked

Depending on the puppy’s age, their liver may not be fully developed to process out chemicals.

Vets may recommended oral flea medication at a lower dose, but there’s also the Seresto flea collar if that’s what you’d prefer to use for your dog’s flea protection.

Many vets recommend that puppies as young as seven weeks old wear the Seresto flea collar[5].

It’s safe for young puppies because it’s designed to be tough on ticks and fleas without introducing anything a young puppy may not be able to process through their digestive tract.

What I Didn’t Like

It’s disappointing that something as well known as the Seresto collar isn’t also made with all-natural ingredients.

Still, dogs wear the Seresto collar all the time and don’t experience any bad side effects, so it’s unlikely that your puppy will be any different.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to find a flea collar for puppies, but the Seresto flea and tick collar makes it easy to protect your pup.

Starting your puppy with a Seresto collar could mean that they wear the Seresto brand as they grow up, which is easier for everyone involved.

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Best Flea Collar for Older Dogs

Lucky Pluto Flea Collar

As dogs age, they have different health issues to keep in mind when purchasing something for them like the Lucky Pluto flea collar.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

In general, it’s a good idea to not give a dog a flea collar when they have skin lesions[6], which can occur more easily with older dogs.

It’s safer to stick with a flea collar that uses all natural ingredients so it’s irritant free.

Lucky Pluto’s flea collar does just that, while also being allergen-free.

For up to eight months, your senior canine will be protected from fleas and ticks, even if they go for a swim or take a bath.

What I Didn’t Like

It’s a little disappointing whenever a flea collar is water resistant and not waterproof, which is the case for Lucky Pluto.

It’ll take some time to get used to removing the collar every time your dog bathes or goes for a swim, but it’s a small price to pay for effective flea treatment.

Final Thoughts

Older dogs require different precautions than younger dogs, which is why you want to get them the safest collar.

The Lucky Pluto collar won’t let your dog down, so its a safe option to try out on older dogs.

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Best All-Natural Collar

Dr. Bob Goldstein Nature’s Protection Flea and Tick Collar

When you’re trusting an herbal collar with your dog’s health, you’re going to want to get the best in the business.

That’s why you should trust Dr. Bob Goldstein Nature’s Protection flea and tick collar.

What I Liked

Click the image for more info

This collar uses three natural ingredients to send ticks and fleas running.

Almond oil, peppermint oil, and Virginia cedar oil are all non-toxic ingredients that help in more ways than one.

They have antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties, while also containing an odor that repels fleas.

All you’ll smell is a minty refreshing scent in your dog’s fur, which they may enjoy as well.

What I Didn’t Like

The only annoying feature of this collar is that it has to be replaced every three months.

While it’s relatively inexpensive, it’s another thing to add to your busy schedule.

Keep that in mind before purchasing, if you don’t want to frequently replace your dog’s collar.

Final Thoughts

As far as all-natural collars go, Dr. Bob Goldstein’s Nature’s Protection ranks above them all.

The three main ingredients take care of fleas and ticks fast, which may be worth replacing it every three months for some dog owners.

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More Info

Best Vet Recommended Collar

Mozart’s Flea and Tick Prevention Collar

Your dog’s vet will know the best way for them to be treated if they have a flea infestation, but vets also recommend that Mozart’s flea and tick prevention collar be used as a precaution when your dog doesn’t have fleas.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

Mozart’s flea and tick prevention collar is the number one preventative collar that vets recommend.

It uses all natural ingredients like cinnamon oil, clove oil, and lemongrass oil along with citronella and peppermint to keep bugs away.

It will also protect your dog for up to six months.

While that’s slightly shorter than other flea collars, this collar option is much more budget friendly, which is another reason why vets recommend it to so many dog owners.

What I Didn’t Like

A few owners have reported online that the scent from the collar can be quite strong when it’s fresh out of its packaging.

Prepare to let it air out for a few hours before putting it on your dog to help with the smell.

Another important factor for dog owners to consider is that large dogs with thick coats haven’t had as much success with this collar as short haired dogs.

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubting the effectiveness of this all-natural collar, but it may not be for every dog.

If your dog doesn’t see any flea or tick relief within the first 24 hours of wearing the Mozart collar, they may need one that uses strong chemicals instead.

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Best Six Month Collar

PetArmor Flea and Tick Collar

Six month collars are easy to find, which is why many owners trust the PetArmor flea and tick collar for their dogs.

Click the image for more info

What I Liked

The PetArmor Premium collar come in all sizes and only take a few hours to start killing even the most severe flea infestations.

At the end of six months, replace it with a new collar and your dog will be good to go.

It’s a straightforward collar, so it’s easy for people who are new to flea collars to use correctly on their dog.

What I Didn’t Like

For some reason, chihuahuas and other tiny dogs tend to react poorly to this collar.

So, avoid the PetArmor collar if you have a very small dog!

Final Thoughts

If you don’t have a chihuahua or other tiny dog, the PetArmor collar will take care of your dog’s flea problem quickly and easily.

If you prefer spot-on drops instead, check out our review of PetArmor’s topical flea medication!

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Best Eight Month Collar

Joeor Prolonged Flea and Tick Collar

There are many reasons why an eight month flea collar is more appealing to dog owners than a six month collar.

You may have a tight budget to work with or you may not want to remember to replace the collar more than once a year.

If you’re looking for the best eight month collar, look no further than the Joeor Prolonged flea and tick collar.

What I Liked

Click the image for more info

This collar repels ticks, fleas, and even mosquitoes during all life stages.

That’s extra pest protection without any extra steps for you to remember to do every month.

Compared to other rigid flea collars, the Joeor collar is also soft and easy to buckle into place.

This may be related to what it’s made out of. It also uses mostly all-natural ingredients, so it’s safer for dogs with sensitive skin to wear.

What I Didn’t Like

The citronella scent of this collar can be overpowering when it’s first used, so prepare yourself for the scent if you decide to buy it for your dog.

Final Thoughts

It’s nice when you can put a flea collar on your dog and not have to worry about replacing it more than once a year.

The Joeor collar is a safe and effective way to keep pests away from your dog, if you don’t mind the citronella smell that will follow your dog around for a bit after they first start wearing it.

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Best Long Term Collar

TevraPet Proact Flea and Tick Collar

Don’t want to keep track of how many months your dog has been using their flea collar? Try out a year long, long term collar like the TevraPet Proact flea and tick collar.

What I Liked

Click the image for more info

The TervaPet collar is meant to be used for up to twelve months at a time, so it’s waterproof and slowly releases continuous protection over time.

Dogs twelve weeks and older can use it, so younger puppies can grow up with this collar.

If your dog is smaller, the collar can easily be cut to fit your dog’s neck perfectly.

Another great feature?

It’s commonly sold in packs of two, both online and in stores. For an average of $30, you could get two years of pest protection for your dog.

What I Didn’t Like

A general issue that comes with long term collars is that pet parents stop checking their dog for fleas and ticks regularly when their dog is wearing the collar.

At first, that may be fine, but the collar may become less effective over time.

Dunking the collar in water is one of the easiest ways to make it less effective, so just remember to check your dog regularly even if they have a long term flea and tick collar on.

Final Thoughts

It’s great that pet parents have the option to buy long term flea collars for their dogs, but it doesn’t mean you should stop being proactive

If your dog wears a collar like the TevraPet collar and you’re also brushing them to check for bugs, they’re bound to be safe all year round.

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How to Use a Flea Collar Effectively

It’s important for dog owners to know that different flea collars may come with slightly different instructions.

If you want to be sure that you’re using the flea collar effectively, read the back of the packaging that you bought.

Still, there are a few general steps that flea collars require in order to be used.

Make sure you do these following things so your dog is protected from pests.

Unroll and Stretch It

Most flea collars will be rolled up and then packaged.

Once you unroll the collar and stretch it out, the main ingredients will be activated.

You may even see a white powder around the collar after stretching it. That just means the ingredients are working.

Fit the Collar

Next, you can fit the collar around your dogs neck.

There should be two finger spaces between your dog’s neck and the collar for a comfortable fit.

There may be an excess length of collar left after the fitting, which can easily be cut off.

Leave at least an inch or two of extra collar in case it needs to be loosened.

Watch for Skin Irritation

If your dog start scratching at their neck after they’ve worn the collar for a few hours, inspect their skin.

They may have slight skin irritation if the collar is too tight.

Use the extra collar length to loosen it to the appropriate size if needed.

Conclusion

The flea collar you eventually purchase for your dog will depend on many varying factors.

You have to consider if your dog already has fleas or if the collar will be mainly for preventing infestations.

You’ll also have to think about things like your dog’s age, size, and if they have any allergies or skin sensitivities.

Think also about what each flea collar is made out of, so you’re comfortable with what your dog will be wearing.

It sounds like a lot to keep in mind, but your preferences will be second nature once you start reading through your options.

Test out different flea collars to see which ones are the most effective for your dog, so you don’t have to worry about fleas and ticks again.

FAQs

Do Flea Collars Work?

Yes, flea collars work by using one of two methods.

The first is by repelling fleas and ticks by emitting a gas they can’t stand.

If they bite your dog, the gas will also kill them.

The second method is for a flea collar to release active ingredients slowly over time.

These collars may or may not leave a greasy residue in your dog’s fur, depending on the brand.

How Long Does It Take for a Flea Collar to Work?

Most flea collars will begin to work immediately, but the time it takes for them to reach their full effectiveness differs.

Some collars will begin to work within minutes, while others require a few hours.

At most, you can expect a flea collar to begin taking effect within 24 hours of placement.

If there are still fleas and ticks on your dog after that, it may be time to switch to a new brand.

Are Flea Collars Safe?

Some dog owners worry that flea collars aren’t safe because they contain chemicals that kill fleas and ticks.

While the initial thought of chemicals in your dog’s fur may be concerning, all flea collars are tested for safety before being sold.

The only way a flea collar may not be the safest option for your dog is if they have an allergic reaction to the chemicals used.

If that happens, you may want to switch your dog over to an all-natural flea collar.

Do Flea Collars Have Side Effects?

Flea collars are one of the most common ways dog owners protect their dogs against fleas and ticks.

Because they’re so widely used, they’re recommended as a safe flea and tick alternative to dog owners who don’t want to use oral or spot-on treatments.

However, some side effects may still occur in some dogs.

Dogs with sensitive skin may start scratching at their collar and continue the scratching for hours on end after it’s clipped on.

Dogs may also deal with redness of the skin and possible hair loss around the collar if they’re irritated by the collar’s ingredients or allergic to it[7].

All-natural flea collar alternatives are an allergen-free alternative for dogs who can’t use a traditional flea collar.

Resources

https://www.medicanimal.com/7-FAQs-about-flea-and-tick-collars-for-dogs/a/ART111517

https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/how-natural-flea-and-tick-repellants-work

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23760871

https://www.hartz.com/product/hartz-ultraguard-plus-flea-tick-collar-for-dogs/

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/flea-and-tick-medicine-for-puppies/

https://pets.webmd.com/safety-tips-flea-and-tick-products-on-pets#1

https://www.petcarerx.com/article/are-flea-collars-safe/175

The post The 10 Best Flea and Tick Collars for Dogs appeared first on Central Park Paws.

from https://www.centralparkpaws.net/flea-medication/best-dog-flea-collars/

[mysticdragon3md3]

Things I learned from 7 years of collecting Nendoroids (part 1?)

-  Preorder.  Always.   Not only does this make things easier later, when you're at conventions and worried about booths' stocks getting sold out before the lines cap off, but it supports the companies (both Good Smile Company, so they can keep making figures, and the anime production studios so they can keep making anime).   Those preorder bonuses are pretty sweet too.   But most of all, if you’re buying a popular character, the preorder is the cheapest price you’ll find.  Those after-market price increases after the figure is actually released will go as high as the popularity and demand of that character will allow.  So better to just preorder before you get scalped.   -  Group order.   I've been doing group orders with my brother for several years now, and it really diminishes the argument that ordering directly from Good Smile is too expensive.  Sure, the only shipping option is that expensive $20 EMS shipping, but if you split the cost with other people, it becomes much cheaper than buying from a store, where they'll generally charge at least $10 more than the MSRP to cover their own shipping costs, in addition to the after-market price increases.   -  Wait to place your order near the end of a preorder period.   Good Smile's social media hypes up the day a figure's preorder window opens and encourages you to "preorder today!"  ...Yeah, don't do that. It's a little known fact that Good Smile will only charge shipping for the first box in an order; the rest of the boxes are free. If you order 10 figures and only 5 of them are released at the same time, Good Smile will mail that first box for $20; then when 2 more figures are released a few months later, those are shipped for free; then when the last 3 figures are released, they're mailed out for free too.  And I can't blame Good Smile Company for not letting that information spread around.  My brother and I have saved a LOT of money, gaming that feature.  If you order each figure, immediately when their individual preorders open, each figure getting its own individual order, then you're paying $20 shipping for each of those figures.  That makes every figure $20 more than its listed price.  Each order with only one figure in the entire order, will charge full shipping for every single figure you order.  But cram in as many figures as you can into a single order, and that $20 EMS shipping is dispersed.  So instead of placing only one figure in your order and that $60 Nendo getting saddled with $20 shipping and jumping to $80, place 10 figures into one single order, and that $20 shipping gets divided into only $2 extra for each figure.  Then your $60 Nendos only jump to $62 instead of $80.  Figure preorders are generally open for around a month, and during that month, several other figures could open up their preorders.  Cram as many open preorders into any single order as you can!  Because $2 shipping for each of 10 figures is better than $20 shipping for each figure.  (Then top that off with a shared group order, like I have with my brother who is also preordering 10 figures, and suddenly I’m only paying $1 extra shipping fees per figure.) -  Hold off on those after-market marked-up buys.   It's been joked about in web comics now, that every time you give in to buying a Nendoroid at the after-market price, because you just have to have that character...Then Good Smile will immediately announce a re-release.  -.-;  I've fallen into this; every figure collector has fallen into this.  But now with more KanColle "Kai II" versions and Marvel "DX version" Nendoroids, there's now a very similar problem of buying a figure, and though it doesn't immediately get announced for re-release, a better revised version of the same character gets announced.  Sure, those "DX versions" cost more than the original versions, but with the price increase on all figures after their release date, prices found in online stores for the original figure, are pretty comparable to just preordering the "DX version".  And the more years pass, rereleases seem more and more frequent.  Each time another character from the same series is released, Good Smile often does a second print run / rerelease of the Nendoroid of a previous or main character from the same series.  It’s become a pretty consistent pattern.  And sometimes they’ll just rerelease a figure becasue their series is getting another season after a long hiatus or their videogame is getting a new port. So unless you’re buying during intense sales, like Black Friday, or have insane discounts/coupons/reward points with a store, it’s better to just wait and trust that a re-release will come.  ...And if they don’t, you can request rereleases on Good Smile Company’s Product Inquiry Form too.  (Product Inquiry Form will be discussed in the bullet point “Request figures”, listed below.)   -  It's okay to throw away the boxes or packaging. Most of me still feels like this is a cardinal sin, but practical space reasons necessitate that I can't keep it all anymore.  Most of us in this situation recycle the plastic "bubble" packaging, fold away the boxes, and keep them collapsed as preserved official art.  But there are people who throw away the entire box, official artwork and all.  And knowing that really helps alleviate the guilt.   But if you're planning to sell your figures one day, then keep all the packaging and boxes.   On the other hand, there are stores like J-Figure who will buy used Nendoroids and are willing to sell them without boxes.   -  Use My Figure Collection. https://myfigurecollection.net/ Firstly, their databases take a lot of the unknowns out of buying figures for the first time, or from an unknown store, or if you’re worrying about bootlegs. Every entry for a specific figure will list if a bootleg exists, and often photos of the actual bootleg so that they’ll be easier to spot and avoid. Their store database lists online and physical shops, as well as proxy buyers, listing them by alphabetical title or by country.   And every entry in their database rates each store, including multiple reviews from the hundreds of users of the MFC website.  They will warn you if a store is known to sell bootlegs, if they have bad sales practices, what their shipping policies are, if they have restrictions for first-time buyers, etc.  It’s incredibly helpful, especially if you’ve never done international orders before.     Outside of their database, signing up for an account allows you to keep track of your collection.  Sure, there are some data points that MFC does not have entry fields for.  Like dates orders were placed for a figure.  But it is so helpful to avoid duplicate buys, keep track of budgeting, and when figures are coming in.  At least in America, if you're not home when your figure is being delivered, the post offices will hold packages for only a short amount of time, before they are mailed back to sender. So you need to constantly check to make sure they didn't attempt a failed delivery and are already starting the clock without your knowledge. MFC's quick roll-over popups with release dates, really help me stay aware of when to expect figures.  Otherwise, there's nothing like waiting months for your Nendo, only to find that not only did you miss it, but you're going to be missing it for maybe another month or more.  Fortunately, you can just contact Good Smile and they'll re-send the figure.  (I'm not sure if that's for free though.  But I expect it would be?)   -  Watch unboxing video reviews.   Maybe a figure has been released for a while and it's a good price to justify any after-market mark-ups.  If it's not a character you care about, but you just gotta have those accessories for some other figures in your collection, make sure they do what you need.  Sometimes you'll have an idea for a custom Nendo, a custom assembly of parts, but then you get them home and find they don't fit.  Official photos and official reviews don't try to mix parts between characters, so they often won't show the full details of how things work/fit.  Official sources will only show the figure, in and of itself, doing only what limited poses they intended.  If you're going to do more than that with your display or figure photography, check out the unorthodox angles of an unboxing video.   -  Read Kahotan's Blog.   https://mikatan.goodsmile.info/en/ Despite my previous point, that's not to say official reviews have no use.  Kahotan's Blog is the official blog with behind-the-scenes reviews of upcoming Nendoroids BEFORE they are released.  This makes the decision easier to preorder before dates close and after-market prices mark-up.  And Kahotan's Blog photos will often have more angles and even a few animated gifs demonstrating special features of a Nendoroid.  Like the swivel joint in Tracer's hair.   And yes, the URL says "mikatan.goodsmile.info".  The blog used to be "Mikatan's Blog", until she left Good Smile Company.  And right now there are multiple people writing on Kahotan's Blog, at times.  Don't let it confuse you.  These are all official Good Smile employees with insider reviews.   -  Request figures.   Often on Good Smile's official social media, people will essentially comment, "This figure announcement is trash!  Where is such&such character instead?"  There's really no reason to do this. Especially when you can say, "This character is great too, but I'd love a Nendoroid of such&such character <3" or "I'm happy this character's fans are getting a Nendoroid, but any news on such&such getting a Nendoroid?"  Granted, Good Smile representatives have said to inundate/"harass" them with requests on their social media, so they know what we want. But I'm certain they meant "harass" as a joke.  And here's something for all the people complaining about requests for such&such character, on Good Smile posts announcing another Nendoroid:  What do you think these companies have social media accounts for?  Make no mistake, their social media is for MARKETING.  They want to know what we will buy and what would be worth their money to allocate resources towards making.  They _want_ us to express what we want.  Hell, Good Smile is even willing to change features of announced figures with prototypes already approved for production, before their release dates, even after their preorders opened.  Legend of Korra got added element accessories and another faceplate, and those were retroactively added to everyone who had already placed their preorders.  They changed the eye colors of both Harry Potter and Kingdom Hearts's Riku, just because of Facebook comments.  Good Smile's former representative Mamitan used to tell the story of how Nendoroid Menma got a rerelease because people in the comments on every post about other figures/characters were all, "We want a re-release of Nendo Menma!"  So if you're one of those people who went to the comments section of a figure announcement, expecting to see nothing but fanboying over just that figure, and are inexplicably angry when people discuss other figures/characters, then I don't think you understand why Good Smile bothers maintaining their social media in the first place.   https://partner.goodsmile.info/support/eng/productrequest/ Good Smile has actually improved their figure request process.  The Product Request Form has recently gotten its own page, whereas it used to be part of the form for reporting product defects or asking bootleg verifications.  It's become more streamlined, more user-friendly, and more inviting for frequent use.  I can understand why the Product Request Form is still buried under their Customer Support pages.  They can't address all figure requests, especially if it becomes a deluge.  But it is a much more productive form of requesting Nendoroids than just trashing whatever figure announcements they just posted on social media.  And Good Smile has said at their anime convention panels that if they get 3,000 to 5,000 requests for a figure, they'll consider making it. And it has worked, multiple times before.  So it's always worth filling out the form and informing friends to do the same.   -  Unbox your figures.   There's been a long-standing culture established by American action figures, that boxed figures, with packaging that's never been opened, are more valuable.  This is not true of Nendoroids.  They are made form a type of plastic which needs oxygen to maintain itself.  Good Smile representatives have repeatedly warned that Nendoroids which do not get air, develop strange yellow and/or black spots or tint.  As I understand it, most of the plastics used to make anime figures are constantly evaporating off their plasticine, the ingredient used to soften plastic for manufacturing molds.  If these emitted plasticine vapors are trapped within box packaging, they will bounce back to the figure and begin to melt its surface.  I've dealt with this on some Ranma 1/2 trading figures (not even from Good Smile Company) and it is slimy, takes some patient cleaning, and always puts figures in danger of losing their surface details.  Unbox your figures!  Let them air out.  And if your display cases are air tight, give them regular internals to breath.  I was lucky that my Kagome and Lucky Star Figma actually melted my display case base, instead of the other way around.  That plasticine will react unpredictably with different plastics, so make sure they are regularly aired-out.   -  Use display cases.   Granted, my previous point seems to make a case against display cases, but they are still more useful then they are trouble.  I used to keep my figures in open-air on shelves...Where they would gather cakes of dust.  Then every once in a while I'd have to scrub them with a dedicated soft-bristle toothbrush.  And I'd wonder, is this the cleaning session where I scuff a paint job?   It's just a lot easier to put your figures into display cases.   You don't need big expensive display cabinets.  You don't even necessarily need display boxes.  Because display boxes can become more expensive with size, I use clear folded gift boxes for my larger figures.  These clear "gift boxes" are often at craft stores in the gift wrapping section.  There was even a time clear paint cans were trending as gift boxes, and I used some of those to display figures.  But where hard display boxes/cases can be $20, a collapsible gift box is generally around $1 or less.  They're too soft to stack, but sometimes you just need to keep the dust off.  Well, most of the dust.  Foldable gift boxes are still not very rigid, and their folded sides do have a tendency to dome up.  But I think this lets just the right amount of aeration inside, while keeping most of the dust away.   Don't just get Ikea's Detolf.  There are some good thrift store finds for less cost.  I got my display cabinet from a local thrift shop for $30.   Daiso's $5 "Collection Box Arch" can hold 6 Nendoroids if you angle the Nendos' bases.  (As long as the Nendos don't have tall ahoge nor are floating with big wings.)   -  Carry a Nendoroid with you.   Whether you're on vacation or running some errands, you never know when a cute photo op might appear.  And even a less interesting outting becomes eventful, when looking for good compositions and having your Nendoroid interact with the scenery.  Get a small plastic hard case, line a tin with cushioning felt/bubblewrap, or get a small plastic food container, and carry around your Nendoroid.   -  Birthday greetings.   Figure photography doesn't have to be a self-contained diorama.  Some very interesting figure photos break the "fourth wall".  Nendoroids make great birthday messages to friends, because they're so cute, no one cares if they don't know the character.  

-  You don't have to buy figures of characters you don't know.   I have no grievances with collectors who care solely for figures as "beauty pieces" regardless of any attachments to character or knowledge of a series.  I'm just warning that it can be an unnecessary use of budget. I've wasted a lot of money on Nendoroids which were pretty, but don't have that extra worth of feeling personally attached to the character/series.  Some are worth it, but not always.  I remember there was a time that I almost bought a Figma Kirito because I love long black trench coats, even though I didn't know SAO (and would later not care much for it).  But by 2017, Figma Joker was announced after I had gotten into Persona 5, and suddenly there was a character I already loved with a long black trench coat.  It's like waiting for a rerelease.  If you just wait, a figure announcement will appear, more perfect than previous options.  (Actually, that was advice I got from the sword collecting community.  "You don't have to kill your budget with every beautiful sword you see; a better one will inevitably come along.")   [I don’t know why I stayed up to write this.  If I write more, it'll be a part 2.]

[kingsoftheweb-blog]

One-time Fee (SaaP) vs Monthly Subscription Fee (SaaS): Choose wisely

Having a website in 2019 is a smart move. In fact, your website is the best marketing tool for you AND your business. The bottom line: a website gives you a competitive edge in an extremely competitive market! While embarking on your website journey, you will need to make a lot of decisions. With the most pressing one being the cost of the website. Therefore, you have 2 choices to make when it comes to cost: a one-time fee or a monthly subscription fee. Which one is the better choice, you might ask? We’ll break it down for you so you can have a better understanding of both. Hopefully with enough information, you can confidently go forth in choosing the best option to suit your personal and/or business needs. The One-time Fee (SaaP): Web development and web design companies that charge a one-time fee, use the SaaP (software as a PRODUCT) model/concept. With SaaP, you are purchasing the website (software) one time, and you own it for life. You don't have to pay additional money to use it, and you will most likely have to provide your own hosting. Depending on the price/cost, the company can charge you anywhere from $1000-$20,000+. You must pay for the website at time of purchase (before the completion and launching of the site). This is a lot of money up front, which can be problematic for new business owners with little/no capital, or for those on a tight budget. While most web development and design companies do offer tech support, providing access to updates/upgrades, security fixes, ect. However, this often comes with a hefty price. Once you buy a SaaP website, the upkeep is all yours, UNLESS you pay extra.

Monthly Subscription Fee - Software as a Service (SaaS): Web development and design companies that charge a monthly subscription fee (like Kings of the Web) use the SaaS (software as a SERVICE) model/concept. With SaaS or a Monthly Subscription, you pay a recurring monthly cost/fee, which is fixed. This does not include the initial one-time set-up/starter fee. In most cases, the cost/fee will include your usage of the website and all of its’ maintenance. This includes hosting. With SaaS, you pay a subscription that allows you to use the software (website). You are paying for the functionality of the website, rather than the website itself. If you stop paying the subscription fee, you lose access to the functionality of the website. With SaaS, you have unlimited access to tech support if something goes wrong. In addition, the web development company will maintain everything on the site, including updates and security measures. This means your site is less susceptible to malware and hacking. With SaaS, you may even have options to customize the website to your needs, only paying for the services you want. A one-time payment might be "cheaper", but the initial fee might prove to be an obstacle for many. A monthly subscriptions allows you to have the convenience of a website, paying low monthly installments. SaaS is more flexible and future-oriented. Because the price of SaaS is often based on a fixed monthly fee, you pay as long as you need the website. This can be either a short-term or long-term commitment. So let’s say after a few months you decide to opt out (for whatever reason) – no problem. There are no contracts and no commitments. This flexibility allows for less risk + more control = peace of mind.

Summary

What is the difference between Software as a Service and Software as a Product ? Software as a Service means a software will be sold as a service that only is maintained if the customer is paying recurring payments. If they pause the recurring payments, the service will be paused too. Software as a Product means a software will be sold as a product. The customer owns as their own property after delivery, and no further payments is needed. Read the full article

[flapperfromthefuture]

Huh. Greenland is in the news a lot lately, for reasons that would only seem normal in some horrifically overblown satire.

My dad sent me two articles yesterday that quoted residents of tiny Kulusuk, Greenland, a village on the eastern coast of the country.

  Most people in this world have never set foot in Greenland (including the orange sociopath who wants to buy it. With what, the money from the for-profit concentration camps?). But my dad and I have, somehow.

It feels like a dream. Those halcyon days of 2008. My dad and I took a graduation trip to Scandinavia in July. We’re big fans of universal healthcare and the Maelstrom ride at Epcot (RIP), so we figured we’d feel right at home.

We flew Icelandair to Reykjavik—a big comfy plane, I remember—and in the seat pocket was a brochure advertising day trips to different destinations, including Greenland. My dad and I had talked about how Greenland would be close enough to visit while we were in Iceland, but in a very vague and alien way, like how you know you’ll be closer to the sun when you visit Hawaii but you don’t really think about it until you have a sunburn the shade of a pink hibiscus flower, and even then, you’re not going to visit.

Greenland was like that. We knew it would be nearby, but didn’t have the first idea of how to get there, or any clue what we would find if we did.

But now, I held Greenland in my hands. And it was a picture of a smiling elderly woman in a kayak in the middle of beautiful blue water lit by the sun. Greenland looked warm, inviting, and reasonably priced.

Later, my dad would joke that the brochure should’ve had a little asterisk that said, “Sun not included.”

We booked the excursion after a few days of traveling around Iceland, during which the sun never set, I taught my dad the correct pronunciation of “Bjork,” and narrowly stopped him from buying a heavy wool sweater that a) he would never wear, b) would take up a good 80% of his suitcase and c) COST $800 IN AMERICAN MONEY.

I was very keen on steering Dad towards light, easily transportable souvenirs, like hats and figurines of elves, because I’m the one who had to carry his suitcase all over Scandinavia.

Because, you see, my dad had a hernia. He’d been cleared for the trip and was having surgery as soon as we got home, but he wasn’t allowed to lift anything heavy or walk for too long. Fortunately, Iceland is full of cute shops and cafés with plenty of places to sit down and relax and have some delicious skyr, so we were doing great.

My dad asked the woman at the front desk of our hotel what the weather would be like in Greenland. She said it would be same as Iceland, crisp but sunny and in the high 50s.

This was a lie.

Of course, if we had done any research at all (we didn’t have decent smartphones yet! So long ago!), we would’ve been able to better prepare ourselves, but instead we went to the one Thai restaurant in Iceland and imagined what Greenland would be like.

I assumed that where we’d be going would have a national park vibe—lots of picnic tables and slightly terrifying bathrooms but lovely vistas and well-marked places of interest. Definitely a vending machine or two, probably a little café with sandwiches and chips and maybe a fruit cup. I pictured a single stoplight that was always blinking.

Dad, on the other hand, pictured multiple stoplights, full service restaurants and gift shops. My dad loves a good gift shop.

We walked to the city airport from our hotel. I wore a hoodie, my purse and a wool hat that I’d purchased as a souvenir, while Dad had a windbreaker and not one, but two hats—one for fashion, one for function. We both wore jeans and regular sneakers that were best suited for walking on pavement that has no moisture on it whatsoever.

My dad had a hernia.

We packed a little bag of muffins from the hotel’s breakfast spread, just in case we needed a snack on the flight or the café in Greenland was running low.

Naturally, we ate all the muffins while waiting to board the flight. It was eight in the morning, and we weren’t getting back to Iceland until six or seven in the evening.

“It’ll be okay,” said Dad, brushing muffin crumbs off his windbreaker.

We were flying Iceland’s internal airline, Flugfelag, which will be my alias if I ever go into hiding. Our ride was a twin engine propellor with fifty-six seats. Not a lot of wiggle room. I had never flown in a propellor plane before, and mostly associated them with “Things that James Bond or Indiana Jones have jumped/been thrown out of.”

And the plane’s name? The Fokker 50. Thank you and good night.

We met our excursion guide, Captain Karl, who was Danish. We were the only Americans on our excursion—everyone else was Japanese or Chinese. The rest of the flight had been booked by a Russian tour group, and they looked ready to go, with massive parkas and winter boots.

Our flight attendant was too tall for our plane. She was at least six feet tall (and wearing heels!) with long blonde hair and giant blue eyes full of fear. Her shoulders hit every overhead bin whenever she wobbled down the aisle. She had to stoop down to give the safety announcement so she wouldn’t bang her head on the ceiling.

During the safety announcement, Dad nudged me and said, “In the event of a water landing, you have fifteen seconds to live.”

The flight was only ninety minutes, but the last thirty were turbulent with steep rollercoaster drops and ghostly footprints of glaciers that grew as we descended.

We glided over pitch black water and grayish green ice floes, and then landed . . . on something that felt less like a runway and more like driving through a puddle.

“Dad, there’s mud on the window,” I said, trying to understand what I was seeing. Mud doesn’t hit airplane windows, not unless the baggage handlers are having a mud fight.

“What?” said Dad, as mud and gravel splattered against our first view of Greenland from the ground.

“It’s a dirt runway.”

Dad said, “Oh, that’s different,” but told me later that he was thinking, “This is a more remote place than I thought.”

The runway was dirt because a cement runway would freeze and break apart. Oh, and because of the weather, flights only ran (to this airport at least, in 2008) between May and September.

We climbed down the plane’s stairs and were immediately hit with a blast of freezing air. It was sleeting, a mix of ice and rain that couldn’t make up its mind, but in the wind it was just substantial enough to pierce your skin.

And we had a hoodie and a windbreaker, respectively.

The Russians were all putting on their parkas.

“Uh-oh,” said Dad.

Kulusuk’s airport is one of Greenland’s minor airports, about the size of an elementary school library, but they had a gift shop that sold winter coats. What luck! Dad beckoned me to try one on.

“Nice and warm—and they look pretty sharp!”

“Dad, did you see the price tags on these?”

“No, but they can’t be that bad.”

“They’re 7,000 Danish krone.”

“I’m good with that!”

“Dad, these coats are one thousand dollars each.”

“. . . Never mind,” said Dad.

Freezing would be bad, but cheaper—and easier to explain to my mom.

Captain Karl gathered us around and said that it would be a forty-five minute walk to the village of Kulusuk. That . . . wasn’t going to work for us. We explained to Captain Karl that my dad had a hernia and rather than rightfully berate us for going to Greenland with a hernia that could rupture at any second, Captain Karl yelled something to a guy in Danish and the guy yelled something back.

“Hans will take you,” said Captain Karl. “He’s outside.”

“Does he work here?” asked Dad.

“No, he just . . . hangs around.”

We met Hans at his truck and he was more than happy to have company on the drive to the village. The dirt road took us past walls of snow and along cliff edges with no guardrails to spoil our view of the glaciers below. The truck had no seatbelts, so I basically did a full somersault in the back every time we took a hairpin curve.

This truck could have been built by a movie production designer who was really gunning for an Oscar. I could actually see the dirt suspended in the air and smell the rust that covered every exposed surface. A thousand cigarette butts were artfully strewn around, and the battery light blinked a dull red, like it had been ignored for a very long time and was in no rush to alert anyone.

Dad got the front seat, and he was eager to ask Hans about life in Greenland. Hans was Danish but his wife was a native Greenlander Inuit. He had lived there a long time, but couldn’t remember exactly how long.

The landscape ahead of us was grey, bleak, and unending. And it was July.

“How short do the days get in the winter?” asked Dad.

Hans said, “Oh, the days don’t get short at all! In January we get five and a half hours of daylight. That’s not short.”

He took a curve around a snowbank at least thirty feet high, and I did a cartwheel in the backseat.

Hans added, with aching sincerity, “If I had to live somewhere where it was dark all the time, I’d get really depressed.”

Upside down in the backseat, I thought, “Holy shit.”

Five and a half hours of daylight means eighteen and a half hours of darkness.

Past the snowbank, the clouds parted enough for us to see a glimpse of a graveyard, and crayon-colored huts in the distance.

This was Kulusuk, sixty miles south of the Arctic Circle.

Hans dropped us off at the supermarket, which was maybe a quarter the size of the average American drugstore. Still, they had everything you could possibly need—medicine, fishing gear, diapers, meat, rifles, clothes, even gumballs.

Most people in Greenland still hunt and fish to survive. There was some fruit on the shelves, but it was all long past fresh and very expensive.

We waited for Captain Karl and the rest of the group to arrive. The few people who trickled in and out of the store looked startled at the sight of strangers just standing around, poorly dressed, but then just went on with their shopping. We met another Danish tour guide who lived in the village, and the local police officer. My dad, a former cop himself, was eager to talk to him, but he only spoke the Inuit language. The Danish guide explained that he didn’t have a badge, or training, or really many duties—he got the job because he liked driving the police cart.

In 2008, Kulusuk had 310 people. Now it’s around 280.

Captain Karl collected us—he had a very reserved Danish manner but I’m pretty sure he was both relieved and shocked that we had survived the ride—and we joined the group down the road in a large red building that served as a community center. Just a short walk in the freezing rain and pounding wind was enough to soak us to the bone.

We watched a presentation led by an older Inuit woman in traditional clothing—she was Hans’ wife. Their very cute granddaughter demonstrated songs and dances while the woman told stories in Inuit—which Hans translated into Danish, so the guide for the Russian excursion could translate into Russian. Dad and I were out of luck, but the Russians seemed to enjoy it.

It was still a good show, though. The little girl posed for pictures with the tourists afterwards.

I wonder where she is now. What she thinks of all that is happening in her country. What she remembers about dancing for tour groups and posing for pictures.

Our next stop was a small grey hut—finally, a gift shop. The owner of the gift shop was a woman from Iceland who was married to a Danish hunting guide, so she spent half the year in Greenland and half the year in Iceland.

Dad told her, “You should spend half the year in Hawaii!”

We picked up some keychains and postcards, but then I saw a glimmer in my dad’s eye—he’d seen something expensive. It was a grey winter jacket with a Kulusuk patch on the sleeve. My dad can’t resist a good patch.

“I would look so cool,” he said. “First person on our block to have a Kulusuk coat, that’s for sure!”

“This costs $1,800 in American money,” I said.

“But look at the patch.”

“Where would you wear this? You barely go outside in the winter.”

“I’ll wear it going back and forth to the mailbox!”

“You can’t pay eighteen hundred dollars for something you’ll wear for thirty seconds a day,” I said. “Mom will murder you.”

Dad grudgingly admitted defeat.

Next on the itinerary was a kayak demonstration—but the winds were 40 miles per hour, and the seas were too rough, so the demonstration was canceled. It was raining even harder now, so we were directed to a small church. We sat in a pew at the back and watched the Russians, huddled in their parkas, whip out open-face sandwiches and tiny bottles of vodka.

“Talk about being prepared for cold weather!” said Dad.

Captain Karl briefed us on our return to the airport. Next to the supermarket, there was a dock, with a metal ladder about ten feet long, that we would climb down to a flotilla of small boats that would take us to the airport in groups of three or four.

I am kicking myself eleven years later for not taking a picture of this ladder, but my dad and I have breathlessly described it so many times I can still see it perfectly.

This metal chain ladder was not connected to anything other than the very top of the dock. It wasn’t the kind of ladder that painters use—with a fixed structure that supports the rungs—but the kind of ladder you’d see on a treehouse, with metal chain loops between the rungs. So as you’re climbing down, you’re holding onto a slim metal chain that is moving with you—and the 40 mph winds—as opposed to steadying you as you descend.

The sea was so rough that if you lingered for longer than a few seconds on this ladder, you were going to get slammed with a wave of freezing water. You know, on top of the freezing rain that was dunking you from the sky.

So it goes without saying that everything in this scenario was soaked—the ladder, our shoes, and our hands. I hadn’t been able to feel my fingers and toes for about six hours at this point. There was no way I would be able to grasp and hold onto the ladder safely, and gripping with my mud-soaked, treadless sneakers that were made for power-walking around an air-conditioned mall? Not going to happen.

  We watched the first group descend the ladder, clinging on for dear life. Once they managed to throw themselves into the boat, it took off, spraying them with freezing water all the way back to the airport.

“Did you see the fear in that Chinese lady’s eyes?” said my dad later. “I think she wanted us to notify her next of kin. I was just imagining what would happen if my hernia burst.”

Oh yeah. That hernia.

Dad and I quickly assessed the situation, as another group threw themselves over the dock and into the boat.

The best case scenario would be to fall in the water and freeze to death in fifteen seconds.  Worst case scenario would be falling off the ladder, hitting the boat and breaking a limb or your back and then hitting the water and freezing to death in fifteen seconds.

And the last thing you would hear would be the laughter of the glaciers, mocking you for thinking you could conquer Greenland, which even the Vikings abandoned because it was too cold.

But the worst worst case scenario, for us, would be if Dad’s hernia burst (causing him to fall off the ladder, hit the boat, fall into the water and freeze to death in fifteen seconds).

“If my hernia bursts, they can’t rush me to Kulusuk General Hospital,” said Dad.

Kulusuk’s medical services, at least at that time, were provided by a single resident nurse. There were no highways to other towns—people traveled into the interior by snowmobile.

As Dad said later, “Maybe I could’ve been transported to another town by a Russian tourist, drinking vodka and driving a snowmobile for the first time. My only hope was they would rush me to the gift shop.”

I said, “We aren’t going on this ladder.”

We approached Captain Karl, who was really very patient with us considering the number of unprepared demanding Americans he must deal with on the regular, and he sent us over to a Danish guy, who took us to a garage near the grocery store, where he asked an Inuit guy with a pickup truck to take us to the airport.

Once again, we got in a stranger’s truck with no seatbelts—but we would’ve happily ridden in the truck’s bed clinging to the bumper just to avoid that ladder.

However, there were only two seats. So yours truly, an adult, had to sit on my dad’s lap for the entire ride. But I didn’t want to risk sitting on the hernia, so I sat kind of halfway on his knee and then held myself up as best I could by gripping the doorframe, with my head squashed against the window, so I wouldn’t bump my dad’s hernia.

The route back to the airport was just as wild as before, with icy hairpin turns and ditch-sized potholes, all of which our driver took with one hand on the wheel, because the other hand was holding his cell phone. He was talking to someone in Inuit the entire ride—probably telling them, “You won’t believe the idiots I have with me. Yes, they’re Americans.”

That long stretch of road along a sheer drop-off into the ocean was really exciting, and I only hit my head careening around the turns maybe six or seven times. I only lost a few piano lessons, nothing I’ll miss.

We made it to the airport, but the weather was getting worse. We met up with the rest of our group, who only knew us as the weird Americans who kept disappearing, and Captain Karl, who was worried that our plane wouldn’t be able to take off. There was another tour running that day, where after their time in Kulusuk, people were taking Russian helicopters to another town with a hotel.

Dad and I watched people board this Soviet-era helicopter that was struggling to stay upright in the freezing wind, and gulped. The years and the elements had not been kind to these helicopters.

“They look like someone sent them through a reverse car wash,” said Dad.

Years later, while watching Chernobyl, my dad recognized the helicopters that were flying in the clean-up crews.

“That’s the helicopter we saw in Greenland!” he said. “Am I glad we didn’t have to fly in one of those!”

Thankfully, our plane was able to take off. Our statuesque flight attendant knelt down to welcome us back. Captain Karl gave us lovely “Certificates of Achievement” with our names on them. He spelled my name as Elisabeth, which made me love it even more—I have it framed in a place of honor, next to a painting my dad made of the picture at the very top of this post.

As we sat down and buckled our seatbelts, Dad pulled a plastic bag out from under his windbreaker.

“You’ve had the muffin bag the entire time?”

“I shoved it under my shirt,” he said. “For warmth.”

On one of the hottest days this summer, locals in the tiny village of Kulusuk, Greenland, heard what sounded like an explosion. It turned out to be a soccer field’s worth of ice breaking off a glacier more than five miles away. Greenland lost 12.5 billion tons of ice to melting on August 2, the largest single-day loss in recorded history. NASA oceanographer Josh Willis: “Greenland has impacts all around the planet. There is enough ice in Greenland to raise the sea levels by 7.5 meters, that’s about 25 feet, that would be devastating to coastlines all around the planet. We are all connected by the same ocean.” —CNN

The climate crisis is causing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety to people in Greenland who are struggling to reconcile the traumatic impact of global heating with their traditional way of life.The first ever national survey examining the human impact of the climate emergency shows that more than 90% of islanders interviewed fully accept that the climate crisis is happening, with a further 76% claiming to have personally experienced global heating in their daily lives, from coping with dangerous sea ice journeys to having sled dogs euthanized for economic reasons tied to shorter winters. — The Guardian

As a result of these climactic troubles, many Greenlanders are experiencing solostalgia, a term coined to describe the psychic pain of climate change, a feeling of missing home even without leaving, as home, the Earth, is changing. Courtney Howard, the board president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, told the Guardian that Arctic people are now showing symptoms of anxiety, “ecological grief,” and even post-traumatic stress related to the effects of climate change. “The impact of climate change on mental health is a looming public health crisis,” she said. —Quartz

We knew eleven years ago that the climate was changing and that Greenland was melting. It’s 800,000 square miles and 80% is covered by an ice sheet that all of Greenlandic society and every city in the world that’s on a coastline depend on for survival, and it’s melting. My dad and I knew that before we went there, and we didn’t even know enough to bring decent shoes.

Dad just texted me, “I keep wondering what Kulusuk looks like now. This is pretty scary—has to be a wake up call.”

My dad is an eternal optimist, which allows him to do things like travel across the world with a hernia, but we’re long past a wake up call.

Dad and I Go to Greenland Huh. Greenland is in the news a lot lately, for reasons that would only seem normal in some horrifically overblown satire.

[loftonenterprises]

REDUCE GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS AND IMPROVE TRUCK EFFICIENCY

Skyline Trailers are non-motorized recreational vehicles in many versions, which are always at the top of their class in terms of luxury and reliability. They are designed, built and sold by the same company. Each region of the country has its own special design features, depending on the “look” the customer desires. Skyline trailers come in the form of travel trailers, fifth wheel and ramp trailers, and destination camping vehicles. If you’re looking for an RV trailer, take a closer look at what’s available Lofton Enterprises.

There are many reasons why people choose a non-motorized RV over a motorized one. Some of them have to do with price. As a rule, trailers are quite a bit cheaper than a comparably equipped motorized model. You can get Skyline trailers with a fully equipped kitchen, bedroom, entertainment center, etc. for tens of thousands less than you would pay for a motorhome or coach. Another reason to choose a towable RV rather than a motorized one is convenience.

When you arrive at your destination, whether you’re camping in the mountains or visiting family in another state for a week, you can simply park the trailer and leave it. When you use a Skyline trailer, you don’t have to worry about towing a car.

Have you ever heard of someone buying a motorcycle for the motorcycle trailer fairings 70 they already own? I haven’t either. It doesn’t work that way, does it? Instead, bikers buy motorcycle trailers because they actually want to go somewhere, but unfortunately the ride there isn’t fun — too cold, too hot, too dusty, too far, too much traffic, etc. So what kind of motorcycle transporter should the motivated biker buy? There’s a lot to consider, to say the least.

How much are you willing to expose your motorcycle to the elements? I’m always amazed that the same bikers who wouldn’t let anyone near their motorcycle with a sandblaster or pressure washer casually load their pride and joy onto an open trailer and head to Sturgis or Daytona. Adding a gravel guard to the front of an open trailer can limit damage from wind and rocks, but what about the impact of pressure washers when it rains?

Gravel guards don’t help much against that. Wrapping the bike in a cover doesn’t help much either. If the paint isn’t already damaged from constant rubbing at the pressure points by the time you arrive at your destination, the cover has probably been torn to shreds by the constant wind.

Recommendation: unless you only want to transport your motorcycle a few miles for maintenance once or twice a year, you should avoid open trailers.

What kind of tow vehicle do you have, how much wear and tear on your tow vehicle are you willing to accept, and how much money do you hate to spend on gas? Once you get going, the weight of each motorcycle trailer won’t make much difference — until you hit a hill or need to stop quickly.

To pull a heavy motorcycle transporter, you’ll need a tow vehicle with plenty of torque, unless you’re willing to go from zero to sixty in minutes instead of seconds. If you buy a heavy bike transporter and try to get by with an underpowered tow vehicle, you’ll pay a heavy price semi trailer skirts 110 extra wear and tear on your transmission from excessive upshifting and downshifting, and on your gas pump. Let’s not forget wind resistance, either. Buy a bike hauler with the wind resistance characteristics of a parachute, and gas station attendants will be your new best friends.

[guymcdonald1-blog]

Discover The Best Suggestions To Sell Your Property

The world of real estate sales is complex and demanding, with several nuances you must master in order to be successful. Do not hesitate to sell, but remember that knowledge can be your best ally. Continue reading to discover which tips you must carefully consider. Before putting your house out there, fit it with a few energy-efficient appliances to increase its appeal. Certain items like LED bulbs as well as an energy monitor could raise interest in your home among buyers. The reason being they don't be forced to pay for these thrifty items themselves, plus it shows that the house is energy-efficient. The easiest way to sell a home in virtually any market is to ensure the purchase price you place for this is reasonable. Perform some research about how much similar houses have sold for in your town, and set your price near to the average. Don't set way too high of the price you'll only find yourself lowering it because nobody is willing to pay that price for your home. While you promote your home, seek to reduce the amount of stuff inside, although you may have yet to go. Those who visit have to see themselves in your home, but your personal touches could provide them with a vision they just can't squeeze into. Some aesthetic updates in the kitchen area can add over their investing cost to the value of your property. Get one new appliance being the target reason for the updated look. Investing in a wood block at the center as being an island after which hanging storage above it is actually a great addition to any kitchen. Rather than changing out old kitchen cabinets, consider providing them a whole new coat of paint. Have ready any information that buyers might find helpful when purchasing a property. This ought to include contractors and also the repairs they may have made. This permits prospective buyers to appreciate because you took an active role in the upkeep of your residence. Bidding wars can be best for your pocketbook. If Real Estate Challenges Could Be Looming In Miami-Dade are slightly lower compared to similar homes where you live, you may hear from lots of interested people. If multiple buyers try to outbid each other in order to buy your home, you might find yourself selling in a much higher price than you originally anticipated to get. When searching or marketing real estate property, it's very essential that you utilize many different channels. Some tools that may be effective at assisting you to sell your home include newspaper listings, real estate agent contacts, and also realty websites you could find online. Utilize every option in order to be as thorough as possible during your search for a buyer. Should you be looking for any quick sale, check comparable prices in the neighborhood, and value your house ten percent cheaper. When buyers start to see the good deal, they'll be enthused, and would want to look at the property immediately. As a way to entice buyers to visualize themselves living at home, remove your influence from the home. This can be accomplished by removing personal mementos and family pictures. A buyer doesn't genuinely wish to watch your family everywhere in the house, they'd rather see their own personal. You need to eliminate all the clutter as possible, so possible buyers can concentrate on the home's open spaces as an alternative to on your personal belongings. Make an effort to clear the appliances and also the counters. Get out the broom and mop to clean your floors, and make sure the toilet is spotless. For those who have children, have them tidy up their toys. Keep laundry hidden and take off clothing from chairs, beds and floors. A great and clean home provides buyers a greater opportunity to focus much more on the positive aspects. Tend not to invest quite a lot of money into replacing the flooring in your house unless the flooring that exists is in poor condition. Flooring is probably the higher priced renovations but, naturally, you won't be living there anymore. If the floor is decent shape, provide a good cleaning or wax making it look the very best you could. Be certain your home's roof is at top condition ahead of wanting to sell your residence. A roof that's in need of repair will deter lots of people and might get them to think there are more problems they can't see. Provide the buyer a reduction in the sales price to cover the fee for the repairs if they're not completed in time. When the inside your home has been able to be shown, you have to go outside, and walk around to look into the condition of all things you see there. The home must have what is called "curb appeal." It's essential that the outer of your dwelling draw possible buyers in from the very beginning. If you see whatever might emit a negative impression, this is the time to correct it. When selling a piece of property, you need to allow potential buyers to view the spot by themselves terms. If you're constantly underfoot, buyers might not exactly get the freedom to inspect because they please. Allowing them to look around alone will let them form an opinion according to all details available. Whether you are just starting to sell real-estate or you happen to be searching for some years, the market can shift so rapidly that it is challenging to stay on stable ground. Hopefully, however, the suggestions in this post have given that you simply solid foundation of knowledge to boost your selling power and success.

[creativitycache]

Actually while I’m on the subject, one more thing! The most important sign of durability in a ring is the band material and thickness.

Lets break this down by goals:

Is your goal durability of that specific ring?

You want titanium.

Titanium is a tank. It lasts tremendously long and is highly resistant to scratches and wear. The vast majority of titanium rings are going to be made for men, or are going to be thick and chunky regardless of gender. This is not typically a material chosen by people who want/are confident in dainty rings, so if you’re looking for a classic style you’re going to have to dig.

Is your goal for the ring to holds its value?

This is a huge draw for many people who buy jewelry. Jewelry has traditionally been a way for people to keep large sums of money upon their person at all times that can be sold in emergency.

We all know the diamond industry is a scam. You go to sell jewelry and you find you’re only getting pennies on the dollar for what the salesperson assured you the stone was “worth”. The most important part of reselling a ring is the weight and material.

The reason for this is a) the gem industry is a scam, and b) the precious metals industry has a huge market not just in jewelry but also in other sectors like technology etc.

If you want your ring to make the maximum amount of value long term, you want gold or platinum. White gold looks similar to platinum, but platinum outperforms it by a mile. Pure gold is historically more expensive than platinum, so if you want a metal that has a more stable price point get pure gold. The prices for both metals can fluctuate, but they don’t bottom out as hard as other materials because they’re desired by multiple mega industries.

Is your goal for the ring to have a certain color but still last long?

You want t h i c k. I’m not kidding here. You want a big thick ring. You will note all those delicate adorable gorgeous cheap rings on etsy will have the same carat size as far more expensive rings, but will be wildly cheaper because their bands are so tiny.

The true worth of a ring is NOT the stone. It is the amount of materials, and how much those materials are worth.

But let’s say you’re like me and you love the look of a softer metal. I adore rose gold, I have my whole life! Rose Gold, also known as Russian Gold, is an alloy between copper and gold. (The reason it was first called Russian gold is because Russian gold mines at the time produced tons of gold and copper mixed in the same mine!)

Rose gold has the disadvantage of copper’s more delicate nature. That is to say, daily wear will rub away microscopic amounts constantly. this is true with any ring, but the softer the material the quicker the erosion!

Always google ahead to see how the color you love can be achieved. Sometimes there’s no other way other than to compromise the rings integrity, sometimes there’s different more durable methods, sometimes multiple different metals can achieve the exact same look (see above image for white gold vs platinum!)

Is your goal safety?

You want silicone.

These rings will rip and tear if they get caught on something, instead of breaking your finger. Silicone massively decreases the chance of degloving (do not look that up unless you’re ok with gore) by being the first thing to break. If you deal with electricity, silicone is safer than metal any day of the week.

These rings are cheap, and come in a variety of styles and colors. These rings are favored by those who have to work with their hands a lot, or are worried about ruining a nice ring during daily wear.

[putschki1969]

Guide: How to get your hands on Kalafina goodies

I have been getting a lot of asks about this topic recently. Usually those questions come from new fans or from fans who have never bought any of Kalafina’s music releases or their merchandise. Buying Kalafina related items can be quite intimidating for us foreign fans, everything is expensive and it all seems to be out of reach. But fret not, it’s actually not THAT bad. Here’s a simple guide on how (and where) to buy all kinds of Kalafina related products. Don’t hesitate to ask if you still have any questions left after reading this.

Sorry, I have had this in my drafts for a couple of days. I was so distracted by all the Kalafina related news that I completely forgot about this :P Anyways, let‘s get this thing started...

Some basics:

Have a friend in Japan who is willing to buy stuff for you as soon as it comes out (for most of us that’s not an option but I thought I’d mention it anyways).

Get yourself a credit card or PayPal. Those two things will make your life so much easier when it comes to purchasing items on the sites I will mention later. Some sites accept debit cards but most of them don’t.

Download an add-on/app for your browser that helps you translate the content on Japanese sites. Usually google translate will suffice but it doesn’t hurt to have something else.

Make yourself familiar with your country’s customs regulations. In many cases you will not be able to avoid being charged various customs and import fees so it really helps to know what you have to expect.

Be prepared to spend a lot of money. Kalafina stuff is not exactly cheap (this applies to both the music releases as well as the merchandise). While you will be able to make some good deals on second-hand websites, most rare items will be sold for a very high price.

Comprise a list of all the things you want (add the original price for future reference). So much stuff has been released in the past decade, it’s not easy to keep track of everything (especially if you add all the different store privileges and other bonus items). Here’s a comprehensive list of all the music releases. This incomplete compilation on cpm will give you a rough idea when it comes to merch/live goods. Also, check out these albums on the Kalafina Facebook Fanpage => Merchandise/Live Goods/ Store privileges. @seasonreaper mentioned that he is working on his very own list so if you need info on rare Kala-items, he is your best chance. Of course you can also ask me, while I am certainly not super savvy when it comes to old Kalafina merchandise, I am sure I can find info on pretty much everything Kalafina-related XD

Selected online stores: CDJapan amazon.jp Space Craft Online Store (old) Space Craft Online Store (new) Yahoo Shopping Yahoo Auctions Suruga-ya Wakana Online Shop Mercari

Selected proxy services: Buyee From Japan Tenso (for sites where you can use foreign payment methods but you still need a Japanese address)

Details below the cut!

Music releases: CDs, LPs, DVDs, BDs

Let’s start with music releases. This is usually the first thing you would want to buy as a big fan of a band. As a newcomer, your best bet is CDJapan since it’s super simple and there’s no proxy service required. They still have almost all regular releases of Kalafina’s singles/albums/concerts in stock. There are a handful of limited editions available as well but for the most part, those are sold out. Please note that external and first press boni are only available for a short period of time (they are usually sold out within the pre-order period). CDJapan offers different shipping methods and they ship to A LOT of countries. Their customer service is great, they have helped me out a lot in the past. You can choose from many different payment options. I have never had any troubles with my packages. They have all arrived safely. [I usually pick unregistered SAL/Air Mail. Yup, I am super cheap, I don’t like paying extra for tracking]. Small tip, always mark your order as gift, that usually helps if you want to avoid customs fees.

Now if you want limited/special editions (such as LPs), rare releases (such as the re/oblivious mini album) or you don’t mind buying used products then you will have to consider visiting sites like amazon.jp, Yahoo Shopping, Suruga-ya, Yahoo Auctions and Mercari. These sites offer a wide range of frequently changing products including MANY second-hand items. You will need a proxy-service to order from most of them (Amazon.jp is an exception, they do ship some stuff overseas). While CDJapan offers its own proxy service I would recommend using Buyee (which I linked above). It’s SUPER simple to use and the service fee is minimal (they have sinced increased the fee but it’s still affordable). They ship to quite a lot of countries (various shipping methods) and you can pay with either PayPal or credit card. I advise you to stay away from Yahoo Auctions at the beginning. It’s a great place to find rare items but people are willing to pay crazy amounts of money for them so you will often find yourself outbid (unless you are willing to pay even more money of course XD). Buyee offers an interface for Yahoo Shopping and Mercari so you can browse the site in English. That’s very convenient, purchases are pretty much a piece of cake. A similar interface is offered for Yahoo Auctions (in case you wanna try your luck). On Suruga-ya and amazon.jp you can use the “Add-to-Buyee” app but don’t worry, the sites are super easy to navigate, once you have figured out the basic stuff, it really isn’t a big deal. And believe me, these sites are worth checking out! You can find lots of rare treasures there and often they are being sold for a very reasonable price. But you have to be fast!

Goods/merchandise etc

Live goods and other merchandise are much harder to find. But it’s not impossible. First I’d check out CDJapan, while their selection isn’t as big as it used to be they still have a few pamphlets left in stock. I think you can also find a handful of old live goods there. Then of course you should take a look at the Space Craft Online Stores. Many things are already sold out but there’s still quite a lot to be found there. Beware though, Buyee doesn’t offer its services on these sites. You will have to use another proxy buyer (such as From Japan - I think their service is a bit pricey but they are reliable). You can also register on the fan club sites with an address from TENSO and make payments with your credit card (they DO accept foreign credit cards in the Space Craft online shops).

You will have a lot of luck finding merchandise on the sites that offer second-hand products. It pays off to check the sites frequently because new things are added almost daily (and older things will be sold out just as quickly). But like I said at the very beginning, make sure to write a “wish-list” and always compare prices. Sometimes paying the full price on CD-Japan will be your cheapest option but other times you will save a lot of money by buying a second-hand item (even with all the fees you can still make a good deal). Often a product will be sold for a super high price (usually because the item is rare), be sure to check on all other sites whether you can find a cheaper version!

Some final tips:

Add keywords to your searches if you are looking for something particular. For example, if you are looking for pamphlets, use “kalafina パンフレット”, or like @chibalein has mentioned, if you are just looking for merch and you are not interested in any of the CDs, then type “kalafina グッズ”. That’s very helpful if you are browing sites that offer a wide range of products (like Yahoo Shopping).

Never hesitate to order something if you want it, things are sold out SUPER QUICKLY!

Make sure to only make purchases during the office hours of your proxy service. There’s nothing more frustrating than to find something you have always wanted, to order it and to then be told by your proxy service that by the time they ACTUALLY wanted to buy the item, it was already out of stock so your order had to be cancelled.

Try to keep your packages as small and light as possible (as in, don’t order 5 hardcover pamphlets at once - unless you are ready to pay a lot of shipping). The bigger/the heavier your package is, the more you will be charged for shipping. Sometimes the cheaper shipping methods won’t even be available if your package exceeds a certain weight.

Some screenshots

I’ve prepared some screenshots so you can get an idea of what you have to expect.

The Buyee interface for Yahoo Shopping

When you click on an item, you will be able to add it to your shopping cart.

Once the item is in your shopping cart, you can choose a plan. I ALWAYS choose the Lite Plan. I have never had any issues. You pay the item price and the fee and then the order will be made. Buyee will buy the item for you and a few days later it will arrive at their warehouse. Then you can choose a shipping method (I usually go for SAL or Air Mail) and you can declare your order as gift. You pay for the international shipping (+ domestic shipping in some cases).

Here’s a screenshot of an item on Suruga-ya. This is the regular edition of the album so it’s not exactly special. But it’s still cheaper than buying it on CDJapan. You can use the Add to Buyee App to purchase the album.

[happyhourauto]

Top 5 Reasons To Sell Your Junk Car To Cash

What is the reason to dump your vehicle? The main reason to get rid of your car is the fact that it is only limited by the amount of repairs you can make. Every maintenance job will end up costing both time and money. It's not practical to take your car to the repair shop every time you need to get it started. This is not normal. However much you are in love with your possession, you should get practical examine your finances and then make a phone call.

If money is not an enough reason for you, then read on. We have given you the best reasons to sell your car wreckers Melbourne and start a new chapter in life. The reasons listed here all add to the point of finance that will assist you to make a choice at the point this article is over.

Not Including Key Features

You cannot keep riding an automobile that does not have critical features like airbags, a rearview camera, as well as parking cameras. Driving without all these may cause fatal injury. It is recommended to replace your vehicle if you have lost one of these features, or if the vehicle is outdated to include them all. Be aware that you can't sell a vehicle that is not equipped with these features as well. It is not a good option to drive an old vehicle. The best solution is to sell it and receive cash for it.

Unsafe Gas Mileage

A car that costs an arm and a leg for each mile isn't the best option. It's not rational to invest so much on a vehicle to travel around at a cheaper rate. You'll never be selling an automobile with a low mileage, because buyers want value for their dollars. Nobody wants to pay more in gas than they would for the car. Junk the car for cash and get the pleasures of a brand new car that has higher fuel efficiency. It is possible to save money on gas and then use the cash for other things like auto maintenance.

Miles

A car with a large amount of miles is not a vehicle that can be driven and cannot be sold. It is generally thought to be undesirable with excessive miles as it affects engine life. You should get rid of your vehicle when it has been used longer than 100,000 miles. It won't last for very long, and you'll be responsible for a lot of money if it is kept.

Accident

A mishap can never be fixed completely. No matter how much money you put into your car when it's involved in a serious accident you will have problems moving forward. It's nearly impossible to sell an accident car because buyers are often terrified by the information and the promises included in the deal. Junk for Cash companies do not have any concern for accidents or other problems. They are interested mostly in the metal of your car and will offer provide you with a significant amount of cash for your vehicle. Is your vehicle not drivable anymore? Well, you can still cash for cars and purchase an entirely new vehicle.

You're missing a title

If you are driving an old vehicle that is not registered with a title or you have lost it in some place, you might be in danger sooner or later. A title - fewer vehicles are able to be sold since buyers won’t like the idea that they cannot register the vehicle under their name. This solves the issue. After that, you will find cash for scrap cars Melbourne along with all paperwork as well as title deeds.

Looks bad

Are you worried that your car looks terrible, because of the splattered paint and the countless dents that are visible along the sides? Sell it. But no-own will buy it unless you get the paint job done on it. This means that you'll need to spend several hundred dollars before you are able to make a profit from your vehicle. It is not a guarantee you'll receive an acceptable price once you've adorned your car. Do your math, and if it works out, sell the car to a cash for junk business. They will take your car in its current condition and give you a huge price.

Dead Car

A car that is dead is neither a loss or a profit. It may not be expensive to keep your car in a display on your property. If you consider it, junking it can result in cash. Cash for Junk companies buys old vehicles that haven't used in years. They can buy cars, trucks and motorcycles as well as SUVs. They'll give you a cash-for-cars offer in a matter of minutes and tow your car for no cost.

Cash

The last thing to mention is should you be in search of cash fast then you can do it by junking your car to a firm. Most of the time they will offer the appropriate amount of money in advance. It is one of the easiest ways of getting money when you need it.

It is practical to sell your car to get cash. It's normal to bind a car to your heart, but it is not wise to do it if you are unable to manage to maintain the vehicle in good condition. Instead, contact an auto salvage company to get cash and buy an entirely new car.

Junk Cars

Ph: 042 0800 014

Email: info@junkcar.com.au

Address: 29 first Ave sunshine Vic 3020

[satinboutique0]

The Benefits of Satin Sheets

When it’s time to buy new sheets for your bedroom, don’t be fooled into buying a set based on price alone. Bed sheets come in a variety of materials and thread-count, but like most things in life, you get what you pay for; and when it comes to a good night’s sleep, a little extra green can equal a lot more comfort.

Common Types of Sheets

Bedroom sheet sets come in a variety of materials and blends from the inexpensive to the luxurious. Below is a breakdown of the most common materials used to make sheet sets.

POLYESTER

This man-made fiber is inexpensive, but is typically stiff and scratchy, possibly because polyester is made from the same polymer used in producing plastic drinking bottles. It is hardly ever used on its own, but blended with cotton or other inexpensive materials.

COTTON

This durable and affordable fabric is the most common choice for bedding, because it is not only easy to wash, but also soft and breathable.  Cotton comes in a number of varieties, including:

Egyptian cotton: The most expensive type of cotton is grown and harvested in North Africa. It has extra-long fibers and produces incredibly soft and smooth fabric.

Pima cotton: Grown in the southwest United States, Pima cotton has fibers that vary in length from medium to extra long, making it an ideal choice for bedding.

Upland cotton: Unless otherwise specified, most cotton products are made from Upland cotton, which is produced in the Americas. It is not as soft as the other varieties, and therefore often used in cheaper or bargain sheet sets.

FLANNEL

Often used to make warm, plaid shirts, flannel is a cotton that has been combed so that the fibers fluff up. This soft fabric traps in body heat and is a great choice for colder weather.

BAMBOO

Sheets labeled as “bamboo” are really rayon. Bedding made from actual bamboo are stiff and rough. The silky, durable sheets that are sold as “bamboo” are produced by processing bamboo pulp with harsh chemicals that are harmful to the environment

TENCEL®

A brand of fabric which uses eucalyptus tree pulp and is all that bamboo sheets claim to be. Tencel is environmentally-friendly, naturally-antimicrobial, easy to care for, and incredibly soft. It requires less water, energy, and chemicals than cotton does.

SILK

A luxurious fabric that is soft, silky, and sexy. Made from silkworms, it is naturally hypoallergenic. However, a single thread of silk requires thousands of silkworms to produce, making this fabric highly expensive. It is also a delicate choice that is difficult to wash and keep.

SATIN

While soft and smooth like silk, satin is not a natural fabric like it. Satin is a weave that is traditionally made to be glossy on one side and dull on the other. It can be made out of silk or a combination of other fabrics, including nylon, rayon, and polyester. Charmeuse, for instance, is a satin that is made using finely-woven polyester.

Satin Pillowcases for Perfect Hair

There are many reasons for choosing satin sheets, but individuals who are concerned about the look and health of their hair tend to select satin pillowcases. Charmeuse satin is durable and drapes well, but those with beautiful locks find that this material maintains their hair’s natural oils. It also causes less friction during a night of sleep, even when tossing and turning, so hair is less frizzy upon waking than it would be with other fabrics or materials.

The Elegance of Satin Sheets

Satin bed sheets provide a lavish look and feel. The glossy shimmer creates an elegance appearance, and the opaque side prevents the slipping and shifting that is found in pure silk. A bedroom can be transformed simply with a set of new satin sheets.

Whereas flannel is a winter staple, satin is a must-have for spring and summer months. It is cool and refreshing against the skin, adding just enough warmth without overheating the body.

Supplementing one’s decor with satin bedding not only adds to the style of the room, it increases the comfort level. Satin is soft and smooth, creating a peaceful sleeping area. It is gentle against the skin and an economical choice with a luxurious outcome.

Satin Boutique

offers

custom satin bedding

and

luxury satin lingerie

at an affordable price. 100% silk lingerie, beautifully handcrafted to indulge! Our vintage-inspired silk bras, lace underwear, corsets, and lounge wear will elevate your wardrobe. Made in USA. Worldwide Shipping Available.