By Jason Bacot

Locksmiths in Chicago are making big business in more ways than one. While there are numerous legitimate, skilled, properly-trained locksmiths who make their honest living by serving the men and women of Chicago for all their security and safety needs, plus emergency lock-and-key situations, some unscrupulous characters take advantage of the trust that many people give their locksmiths to make quick, easy bucks.

In recent years, various scams and cases of frauds had been discovered to be using the profession of locksmithing to swindle people off of their hard-earned money. Various public service organizations and associations of locksmiths in Chicago are trying to fight these scams at the legislative level, but they are also embarking on an aggressive information campaign that will help the general public to be aware – and thus, to avoid becoming victims to these type of illegal operations.

SCAM 1: Incredibly affordable offers, which turns into a nightmare of overcharges. Many people who have reported getting scammed by people pretending to be Chicago locksmiths or by locksmiths looking for a quick cash said that they were lured by unbelievably low deals, which are sometimes 70 percent lower than average rates. When people in need of locksmith services calls, they were misled into thinking that the offers are actually the best choice in terms of prices. They soon realize, however, that they were being led a merry chase by the scammers, as the list of materials and service charges pile up. Oftentimes, the service rendered by the fraudulent “locksmiths” succeeded in nothing but aggravating the usually minor problems the customers had with their locks and keys.

SCAM 2: Internet ad hogs. Many people from Chicago had also reported instances of being overcharged by companies that they found through the Internet. During police investigations, it was discovered that the numerous locksmith companies hogging the Internet with their advertisements are just dummies for one or two big companies that lure costumers with unbelievable promos, then overcharges them by 200 to 400 percent of the original price quote after the service is completed.

SCAM 3: Blackmailers. Other locksmith frauds go beyond overcharging. When customers occasionally refuse to pay the overcharges, these unscrupulous characters try to finagle money from their victims by threatening to call the police, accusing the customers with theft. Few people can withstand such threats, and elderly people or very young students living away from adult supervision are particularly vulnerable to this type of locksmithing scam because they usually shy away from any involvement with the police or the inconvenience that this might bring.

SCAM 4: Locksmiths by day, burglars by night. Many people across Chicago had also reported instances when they had to call for the services of a locksmith and they decided to settle for one that is nearest or which seemed to have the best price. Unfortunately, they later find that their locks were never fixed and/or that people who turn out to be the very same locksmith they hired (and sometimes, a cohort or two) had broken into their property and took valuable items or cash. Other times, the fraudster will secretly make copies of the key to vaults or houses or cars in order to break in at a latter time.

About the Author: Jason Bacot – If you need any Car Locksmith work in Chicago, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: Omega Locksmith 4329 W 26th ST. Chicago, IL. 60623 773-277-5625 OmegaLocksmith.com

Source: isnare.com

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By Trevor Richards

Launching a new product to your customers and potential customers requires meticulous planning and execution. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Advertising

Begin advertising your new product several weeks before its launch. That way you build anticipation which helps spread the news via word of mouth too, beyond your existing customer base. Some items, like children’s toys, should only be advertised once they are in shops so they can be bought shortly after seeing an advert.

Determine demand – you don’t want to over- or under-shoot your initial product run. Consider whether or not informing your customer base of how many products will be available from the first run will increase anticipation and demand – ‘Limited Run’ is often a great selling point.

Inform the media via carefully scheduled press releases that focus on a unique selling point or quirky story to your product launch. Consider using a public relations agency to advise you here.

Hold a launch party

A launch party is a brilliant way to introduce a new product to existing customers and draw in potential new customers. It will also generate publicity for your company and the product.

However, if the launch misses its mark, it can be a very expensive investment so enlist the help of event management experts.

There are plenty of event planners out there specialising in this sort of event.

Ask yourself these questions and gear the vent to achieving the answers.

What are you trying to achieve?

Who do you want to impress?

Are you expecting to walk away with contacts or actual orders?

Successful event management requires proper budgeting. Your budget should be less than 10% of expected sales of your new product.

You know your market. You know your business. You know your product. But do you know marketing? If you’ve got a marketing department get them involved from the start.

If not, consider hiring a marketing company as well as an event management company to help with appearing unique.

Explain in detail what the image for your company and this product is. If it’s a luxury product or brand, your event should reflect that.

Be sure to invite your best customers – even if your new product may not be relevant to them. These people have a history with you and an invitation will make them feel special and so more loyal than ever. They can also attest to your good products, customer service and general standing.

Invite the press – this is a no-brainer, you’ll need the publicity!

Invite the people that you wish were your customers – again, they’ll feel special and therefore more likely to buy from you.

Send press releases out at regular intervals before the event. Say, 60 days before, 30 days before, and a last one 15 days before.

Be sure to mention and special guests, offers or giveaways you have planned.

Promote Your Product Online

Create a website or extend your existing one so that the curious consumer can learn all about your product. Spread the word using social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. If you can, send out free samples to specialist websites and bloggers so they can review your product – make sure they work though!

Above all, pay attention to detail and your product launch will go smoothly, resulting high sales and customer satisfaction.

About the Author: Trevor Richards is writing on behalf of OWL Event Management, specialists in

event management

and planning.

Source:

isnare.com

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Debt collection-Facts vs. force

by

Francis Mwendo

The title debt collector’ is self-explanatory and clearly states what such a person does. If you owe money to a lender and there has been a delay in payments over the past few months the lender may choose to either use their in-house service or employ a specialized debt collection service provider.

If it is a third party i.e. a specialized collection agency, they usually purchase your debts for less than you owe from your lender and then the debt becomes theirs. Therefore, they then have vested interests in settling the same.

Having a debt collector knocking on your door or receiving his call a number of times a day can be distressing. There is however a way out to the problem. Put in one word it is awareness’. An awareness of your rights and safeguards. This will control the debt collectors and not the other way around.

Debt collectors while doing their job may tilt towards being forceful and intimidating. As a defaulting borrower, you are already on a back foot. However, you can still stand firm and not give in to their demands. Here’s how:

The job of a debt collector is to advise you that you owe some monies. He cannot threaten abuse or intimidate you by threats of harm or police action. A debt collector may establish contact with the borrower in person, via sealed mail, telephone, fax or a telegram. He can not use a postcard as it can be read by anyone. He cannot also call before 8 a.m. and after 9 p.m., unless you agree on a time.

The first call from the debt collection agency has to be followed up by a written statement clearly stating your creditor’s name, the actual amount owed and what action he can take if you do not acknowledge the money owed. This written letter must be accurate and have no false information.

Also note, the debt collector cannot contact your relatives, friends, neighbors etc unless to obtain your contact information. In such circumstances he cannot inform them that you are in debt. You are entitled to your privacy even if you are in default.

Remember you cannot and should not force the debt collectors to coerce you into making payments as per their demands. A number of collection agencies work on the premise that the best way to get the payment is to make sure that it becomes number one on your priority list. While you know you owe the monies, you have to ensure that you clearly prioritize your finances. If there is a greater and pressing need for your money, like for medicines or food then you must allocate the funds accordingly.

You can choose to directly negotiate with the debt collector or appoint an attorney instead. If you deal directly, do not feel compelled to offer private information that can be misused to force payments from you. E.g. where you work, your personal account information and the like.

Always seek written communication from the debt collector instead of phone conversations. This will put pressure on the collector to be polite and accurate in his dealings with you. All agreed terms and conditions would also be clearly outlined. The original amount owed along with any interests and fees, should also be clearly mentioned. It is also a good idea to tape your phone conversations after having explicitly informed the collector when he calls that the same is being recorded.

If your debt collector continues with his forceful methods you have a right to redress. You can complain to the concerned authorities within your jurisdiction and obtain relief.

The best way to counter force is through knowing the facts and standing firm on them.

Francis Mwendo is an Internet consultant, publisher and marketer focusing on Debt/Loans items. To FIND cutting-edge products on Debt Consolidation Services, primarily, Payday Loans, and Student Loans Consolidation, VISIT THIS SITE: —

loans-2day.com

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Debt collection-Facts vs. force}

By Melissa Brewer

If you’ve been looking for a virtual secretary job or online data entry job, and haven’t had any luck, you may have considered starting your own virtual assistant business. A virtual assistant works for themselves – and creates their own client base. If you want to work from home and have more control over the amount you earn, the types of projects you accept, and the number of hours you work, then starting a virtual assisting business may be the right work at home option for you.

In order to become a virtual assistant, you will need a computer with a reliable Internet connection, fax machine, dedicated phone line, and the ability to market your services effectively.

Vital Skills for Virtual Assistants

Virtual assistants provide services that traditional secretaries do not. These include technical writing, editing, desktop publishing, and web design. Even though you may not possess these skills, if you’ve worked as an administrative assistant or you have experience in business writing, marketing, public relations, event planning, or legal experience, you should be able to use these skills when promoting your business. Many of your virtual assisting clients may need your help with email inquiries and content management – basically, a person to handle their daily small tasks while they focus on their main jobs. A good dose of web-savvy is a great launching point for a virtual assistant business.

Traditional secretarial skills like typing, transcription, monitoring email, setting up meetings, updating calendars, and reviewing documents are also needed by those too busy to do this type of work themselves. Depending on your prior experiences, you may be able to offer a wide variety of services to prospective clients. Keep in mind that you can also learn new skills once your business is up and running – don’t be afraid to ask your potential clients what daily web chores they could do without on a daily basis.

Finding and Retaining Virtual Assisting Clients

Virtual assistants market themselves in many different ways, and you’ll want to find what works for you. Like most small businesses, marketing your services is important if you want to maintain a certain level of income. Using the Internet to conduct searches in online classifieds, joining social networking groups, freelance job sites, and contacting people you know are all ways to find work.

A great place to find prospective clients is LinkedIn.com – an online networking community for business professionals. You can give and receive recommendations and target businesses in your area of expertise by answering questions and participating in groups.

Offline promotions can offer just as much business as your online marketing campaign. This may mean taking out an ad in your local newspaper, networking with people you already know, going to conferences and other functions to meet people in need of your services, or making phone calls to companies you believe could benefit from your services.

Once you have a steady stream of clients, you should continue your marketing efforts by attending social functions, updating your website if you have one, and making phone calls to companies in your area who might need your services. Unlike other jobs you’ve had in the past, clients who use your services will come and go, so you need to be prepared to find new clients at any time.

Average Income and Terms of Payment for VA’s

If you live in an urban area, you will probably earn more than someone who lives in a rural area because the need for virtual assistants is less. The average virtual assistant earns $20.00-$25.00 per hour and works at least 20-30 hours a week. You can choose to be paid weekly, bi-weekly, per project, or you can work with clients on a retainer. A retainer, commonly used in the legal profession, is paid by the client in order to secure your services. A monetary amount is agreed upon by the client and the business owner for a set number of hours during the month. If you work fewer hours, you get to keep the full retainer. If you work over the set amount, then you can invoice the client for any extra hours worked.

Because you are the owner of a small business, you will be responsible for health care, retirement funds, and other expenses that an employer usually pays their employees.

Becoming a virtual assistant may mean working long hours in the beginning until you have enough clients. You may also have to work occasionally in the evening, on weekends, and during holidays.

Virtual Assistance: The Future of Virtual Secretaries

Currently, there are 3,000 to 5,000 virtual assistants working worldwide. The number keeps getting bigger as more companies take advantage of the services offered by those who want to work from home.

If you want to start a virtual assisting business, creating a sound business plan, having enough in savings to pay for living costs until you begin earning a steady income and aggressively marketing your services to various industries are all important to your success. But once you establish yourself, there are many opportunities to be had in this profession.

About the Author: Want to learn more about virtual opportunities? The Little White eBook of Homeshoring Jobs profiles 180+ companies that regular hire home-based workers for inbound and outbound callers, customer care, and tech support. All readers get free updates!

Source: isnare.com

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