Pearls have been known for their healing properties for centuries, particularly in traditional Asian medical systems. In these cultures, “medicine” deals with more than just physical ailments and cures, and substances like gold, silver and pearl powder are believed to have effects both physically and metaphysically.
Modern science has not discovered anything magical about pearls, but this does nothing to diminish their stature in people’s eyes. Pearls are said to give the wearer a sense of calmness and centeredness, and to promote faith, loyalty, truth and purity. They can especially enhance personal integrity. They have also been used in a number of cultures to help women connect with their “inner goddesses” and obtain the ultimate “feminine energy.”
Pearls have been used throughout medical history to help treat disorders of the digestive tract, muscular systems and the skin. Powders and potions containing pearls have also been developed to aid in fertility, as well as in easing the discomforts of the birthing process. Many cultures and societies have made similar claims for this lustrous gem.
The Chinese, for example, have depended on the healing properties of the pearl for centuries. They have used it to treat everything from simple eye ailments to serious heart problems, bleeding, fever and indigestion. To this day, the Chinese still use pearl powder as a skin whitener and a cosmetic, as do many other people around the world. In fact, the pearl is widely considered to be effective in controlling the skin conditions rosacea and acne.
Due to these natural properties, as well as its elegance and beauty, the pearl has been associated through the ages with the “matrix of life” itself. Proponents allege that the pearl helps to balance the human body’s natural rhythms and hormone levels with lunar cycles. There are also those that claim that the pearl can bring inner wisdom and help to strengthen and nurture the growth of love. Pearls are thought by others to have very strong “magnetic” powers and have been used in “gem therapy” to strengthen nerves, the adrenal glands, the spleen and muscle tissue.
The pearl’s magical properties are said to allow a person to open up and find the meaning and the purpose of one’s “true self.” They are believed to enlighten the mind and inspire the mood, while helping the wearer to learn to love herself more and, in turn, help her love others more, as well. True or not, these are wonderful and inspiring thoughts to share with the world, and the pearl can help the wearer project any and all of these mystical traits in a practical way, by focusing the mind on these positive attributes, real or not.
Pearls are not just gems. They are a veritable storehouse of good will and positive, uplifting feelings. The real magic is in beholding their beauty and seeing them as reminders of “all things good and true.” Now, doesn’t that sound like a gem worth wearing?
Vic’s Fine Jewelry is located in the Diamond District of New York. Visit them online today and shop for the finest quality Tahitian pearl pendant, multicolored gemstones or Tahitian rings. Take full advantage of their large selection, quality merchandise and wholesale pricing.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Five Tips for Buying Jewelry Wholesale
You want to buy a piece of jewelry. Not just any old piece of jewelry will do, either. You want something different and unique. You aren’t interested in some run-of-the-mill, see it in every shop and catalog item. It’s got to be special. It’s got to be high quality. And you know it’s going to be expensive. Buying jewelry wholesale can deliver everything you’re looking for – unique, high quality jewelry with an added bonus: a fraction of the cost of retail. So, just how do you go about buying jewelry at wholesale prices? The following five tips can get you started and well on your way to becoming a satisfied wholesale jewelry customer.
Wholesale Buying Tip #1
You first need to find out what you have to do to qualify to buy jewelry wholesale. Sometimes a vendor’s license is required. Most times, but not always, bulk buying is a necessity. Often, you will have to deal with sellers in overseas countries. Each of these qualifications poses different challenges and hurdles to over come. Vendor’s licenses often come at a price. Can you afford the licensing fees? Vendors are most often required to submit tax forms every so often. Do you know what forms you need, how to properly complete them and where they should be returned? Do you have the time for forms and other paperwork? Bulk buys may not be your thing, especially if you are only searching for that perfect engagement ring or sweet sixteen gift. There are online suppliers that will sell single pieces, as well as jewelry fair or show vendors, but they require a bit of digging to find and contact. Do you have the time to Google through hundreds of websites to find the one that will sell you just one of whatever it is you’re looking for? Many overseas vendors sell at wholesale prices. When dealing with foreign sellers, several things must be taken into consideration – pricing, currency and shipping. What currency are the prices listed? That great ring may in fact cost closer to $4000 if the price listed is £2000. How will your payment be made? Most online sellers do accept credit cards or PayPal, but there are sometimes extra charges for handling “foreign” accounts. Lastly, consider shipping. How long will it take for your item to arrive? Can it be insured? Are the shipping charges going to negate your savings over retail prices?
Wholesale Buying Tip #2
Once you make the decisions that wholesale buying, is in fact, for you, your next decision should be where to buy. Again, a Google search can be most helpful in finding just the right vendors for you. Notice I said vendors, not just vendor. You want to comparison shop. Find similar pieces on several sites and compare their prices, their shipping policies and prices, and their return policies. If one or two sites stand out above the rest, then you can feel assured that you will be dealing with a reputable company. Just as you wouldn’t necessarily buy that special piece of jewelry from the local con artist pawn broker, you don’t want to deal with a slick Internet snake oil salesman, either. Most quality dealers’ sites will be listed with Better Business Bureaus, professional associations or other quality assuring organizations. If you aren’t familiar with a site’s accreditations, perform a Google on them too. Also, be sure that you are dealing with a “real” wholesaler. Most will ask for either your vendor’s license number, or a tax identification number. If a site doesn’t ask for these, flee as fast as you can close the site. An informed buyer is a happier buyer.
Wholesale Buying Tip #3
Be sure that the merchandise you are buying is the real deal. Educate yourself on how jewelry is made. Plated jewelry isn’t as high a quality as vermeil jewelry, which isn’t as good as solid jewelry. Become familiar with the terminology used to describe jewelry, too. Know what vermeil is. Learn the difference between a simulated gemstone and a chemically enhanced one. Don’t be fooled by imitations or wannabes. Don’t be afraid to ask question, either. If you can’t figure out an item’s description in the online catalog, contact the seller. A reputable seller will reply, hopefully with an answer to your query. If not, find someone else. If you are looking for a special, unique piece, you want it to be a quality piece, not a half-priced knock-off.
Wholesale Buying Tip #4
You’ve straightened out all you paperwork and become a wholesaler. You’ve searched out the sites that sell only quality stuff. You can spot a simulated emerald from the real thing at a hundred paces. Now, you’re ready to go shopping. Don’t buy the first piece that catches your fancy. Again, comparison shop. You may be able to find the item, or something very similar available somewhere else. Maybe even retail or from an auction site. And it may just be less costly somewhere else. Don’t just compare prices, either. Compare shipping, return policies, customer ratings and feedback comments. In short, narrow down your purchase to the best possible choice. It’s a lot of facts to juggle, I know. In the end, though, all your hard work will be worth it.
Wholesale Buying Tip #5
Find yourself at least one reputable local seller to deal with in cases of cleanings and repairs. Most wholesalers don’t offer repair services, and even the highest quality piece can suffer an unexpected break or bend. You certainly don’t want to have to pay shipping just to get your jewelry cleaned, either. A local retailer with a friendly face to go along with the service is a necessity.
Buying jewelry wholesale needn’t be a chore or a bore. It can be a rewarding and fun experience. You just need to be prepared for the adventure and ready for anything!
International-Silver.com is your one stop resource for quality wholesale body jewelry and more. Visit us online for a wide range of sterling silver, stainless steel, tungsten and titanium body jewelry.
Wholesale Buying Tip #1
You first need to find out what you have to do to qualify to buy jewelry wholesale. Sometimes a vendor’s license is required. Most times, but not always, bulk buying is a necessity. Often, you will have to deal with sellers in overseas countries. Each of these qualifications poses different challenges and hurdles to over come. Vendor’s licenses often come at a price. Can you afford the licensing fees? Vendors are most often required to submit tax forms every so often. Do you know what forms you need, how to properly complete them and where they should be returned? Do you have the time for forms and other paperwork? Bulk buys may not be your thing, especially if you are only searching for that perfect engagement ring or sweet sixteen gift. There are online suppliers that will sell single pieces, as well as jewelry fair or show vendors, but they require a bit of digging to find and contact. Do you have the time to Google through hundreds of websites to find the one that will sell you just one of whatever it is you’re looking for? Many overseas vendors sell at wholesale prices. When dealing with foreign sellers, several things must be taken into consideration – pricing, currency and shipping. What currency are the prices listed? That great ring may in fact cost closer to $4000 if the price listed is £2000. How will your payment be made? Most online sellers do accept credit cards or PayPal, but there are sometimes extra charges for handling “foreign” accounts. Lastly, consider shipping. How long will it take for your item to arrive? Can it be insured? Are the shipping charges going to negate your savings over retail prices?
Wholesale Buying Tip #2
Once you make the decisions that wholesale buying, is in fact, for you, your next decision should be where to buy. Again, a Google search can be most helpful in finding just the right vendors for you. Notice I said vendors, not just vendor. You want to comparison shop. Find similar pieces on several sites and compare their prices, their shipping policies and prices, and their return policies. If one or two sites stand out above the rest, then you can feel assured that you will be dealing with a reputable company. Just as you wouldn’t necessarily buy that special piece of jewelry from the local con artist pawn broker, you don’t want to deal with a slick Internet snake oil salesman, either. Most quality dealers’ sites will be listed with Better Business Bureaus, professional associations or other quality assuring organizations. If you aren’t familiar with a site’s accreditations, perform a Google on them too. Also, be sure that you are dealing with a “real” wholesaler. Most will ask for either your vendor’s license number, or a tax identification number. If a site doesn’t ask for these, flee as fast as you can close the site. An informed buyer is a happier buyer.
Wholesale Buying Tip #3
Be sure that the merchandise you are buying is the real deal. Educate yourself on how jewelry is made. Plated jewelry isn’t as high a quality as vermeil jewelry, which isn’t as good as solid jewelry. Become familiar with the terminology used to describe jewelry, too. Know what vermeil is. Learn the difference between a simulated gemstone and a chemically enhanced one. Don’t be fooled by imitations or wannabes. Don’t be afraid to ask question, either. If you can’t figure out an item’s description in the online catalog, contact the seller. A reputable seller will reply, hopefully with an answer to your query. If not, find someone else. If you are looking for a special, unique piece, you want it to be a quality piece, not a half-priced knock-off.
Wholesale Buying Tip #4
You’ve straightened out all you paperwork and become a wholesaler. You’ve searched out the sites that sell only quality stuff. You can spot a simulated emerald from the real thing at a hundred paces. Now, you’re ready to go shopping. Don’t buy the first piece that catches your fancy. Again, comparison shop. You may be able to find the item, or something very similar available somewhere else. Maybe even retail or from an auction site. And it may just be less costly somewhere else. Don’t just compare prices, either. Compare shipping, return policies, customer ratings and feedback comments. In short, narrow down your purchase to the best possible choice. It’s a lot of facts to juggle, I know. In the end, though, all your hard work will be worth it.
Wholesale Buying Tip #5
Find yourself at least one reputable local seller to deal with in cases of cleanings and repairs. Most wholesalers don’t offer repair services, and even the highest quality piece can suffer an unexpected break or bend. You certainly don’t want to have to pay shipping just to get your jewelry cleaned, either. A local retailer with a friendly face to go along with the service is a necessity.
Buying jewelry wholesale needn’t be a chore or a bore. It can be a rewarding and fun experience. You just need to be prepared for the adventure and ready for anything!
International-Silver.com is your one stop resource for quality wholesale body jewelry and more. Visit us online for a wide range of sterling silver, stainless steel, tungsten and titanium body jewelry.
Escape to a Hawaiian Wedding
Hawaii is undoubtedly the première wedding destination on planet earth. Whenever you vibrate the sound “Hawaii” to anyone, anywhere in the world, it immediately invokes visions of heaven in their minds. And what better place could there be for a wedding than heaven? One of the divine qualities of heaven is the complete absence of stress.
Unfortunately, no place on this earth is totally free from stress, but Hawaii comes pretty darn close. Start with the fact that it is a place of eternal springtime. The temperature only varies about 8 degrees Fahrenheit from summer to winter. So it’s never hot, and never cold - always just perfect… upper 70’s to mid 80’s Fahrenheit.
Hawaii has so much to offer in terms of gorgeous wedding locations. For example, there are pristine white or black sand beaches, lush tropical gardens with cascading waterfalls, mountain top cliffs with scenic overviews, and weddings at sea aboard a variety of luxury sailing yachts.
Obtaining a Hawaii wedding license is a piece of cake. All that is required is $60 in cash and a photo I.D. You do not need to have any type of blood work, nor produce a birth certificate or divorce records. Also, there is no waiting period. Conveniently, witnesses are not required in Hawaii. This is great news if you want to just sneak off and elope. Marriage licenses are obtained from the Hawaii State Department of Health. The entire procedure usually takes only around thirty minutes.
A common question is, “Are weddings performed in Hawaii recognized elsewhere. The answer is affirmatively, YES! In fact, Hawaii weddings are recognized everywhere in the civilized world. Besides the marriage license issued by the State of Hawaii, some countries in Europe require an apostille. This is obtainable from Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor’s Office for an additional dollar.
Hawaii has six main islands to choose from; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the big island, Molokai, and Lanai. All the islands have wedding companies ready, willing, and able to tie the knot. Oahu and Maui are undoubtedly the two most popular.
Oahu, also called “the gathering isle” is Hawaii’s capital island. The beautiful city of Honolulu is located on Oahu, as is the infamous Pearl Harbor as well as Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center. Oahu is endowed with Hawaii’s most spectacular and world renown surfing beaches like Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Bonsai Pipeline, just to name a few. Oahu offers the most bang for your wedding buck as the prices seem to average well below the other islands.
Maui, also called the “Valley Isle”, is a popular wedding destination and a beautiful island. Maui is most famous for its extinct crater, Haleakala, meaning house of the sun. Maui has many nice beaches but because it is a younger island than Oahu, their beaches pale in comparison. If you are shopping for price, weddings on Maui are at the higher end of the curve.
The Big Island is also called the “Orchid Isle” due to the proliferation of commercial orchid greenhouses. Curiously, the big island is technically named “Hawaii” which is also the name of the state. Since this is so incredibly confusing, everyone just calls the isle of Hawaii, “the Big Island… and rightfully so. The Big Island is bigger than all the other islands combined. The Big Island is most famous for its active volcano, Kilauea. It is also the best place on our planet for observing stellar bodies. The Big Island is Hawaii’s youngest island so if you are looking for nice beaches, don’t even think about it. Geologically speaking, the Big Island is just a baby and has not had enough time to produce nice beaches.
Kauai is Hawaii’s northern most island. It is also called the “Garden Isle”. Kauai is where most of Jurassic Park was filmed. This is absolutely a beautiful island- but be ye forewarned. Kauai is the wettest place on earth. The average annual rainfall is in excess of 400 inches per year. That’s wet! If you are considering Kauai for your wedding destination, avoid the rainy season… mid-October thru the first of May.
Molokai and Lanai are smaller islands and the least visited. Molokai, also called “the friendly isle”, is well known for its historic leper colony. Molokai also boasts the highest sea cliffs in the world.
Lanai, nicknamed “the pineapple isle”, is Hawaii’s smallest island. It’s very laid back and there isn’t a heck of a lot to do. This is the island Bill Gates chose for his wedding.
Here’s the bottom line: If you want to have a typical “been there, done that”, expensive and stressful wedding, then a home town wedding is for you. On the other hand, if you really want to break free from the norm, and embrace your sacred nuptials in a serene tropical paradise – then escaping to Hawaii may well be for you!
Plan your hawaii wedding on the white sand beach across from Pukalani Falls. Visit Rev./Capt. Howie Welfeld online at Hawaii Weddings.com for all the details to planning a spiritual and unique wedding. Cheap Checks
Unfortunately, no place on this earth is totally free from stress, but Hawaii comes pretty darn close. Start with the fact that it is a place of eternal springtime. The temperature only varies about 8 degrees Fahrenheit from summer to winter. So it’s never hot, and never cold - always just perfect… upper 70’s to mid 80’s Fahrenheit.
Hawaii has so much to offer in terms of gorgeous wedding locations. For example, there are pristine white or black sand beaches, lush tropical gardens with cascading waterfalls, mountain top cliffs with scenic overviews, and weddings at sea aboard a variety of luxury sailing yachts.
Obtaining a Hawaii wedding license is a piece of cake. All that is required is $60 in cash and a photo I.D. You do not need to have any type of blood work, nor produce a birth certificate or divorce records. Also, there is no waiting period. Conveniently, witnesses are not required in Hawaii. This is great news if you want to just sneak off and elope. Marriage licenses are obtained from the Hawaii State Department of Health. The entire procedure usually takes only around thirty minutes.
A common question is, “Are weddings performed in Hawaii recognized elsewhere. The answer is affirmatively, YES! In fact, Hawaii weddings are recognized everywhere in the civilized world. Besides the marriage license issued by the State of Hawaii, some countries in Europe require an apostille. This is obtainable from Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor’s Office for an additional dollar.
Hawaii has six main islands to choose from; Oahu, Maui, Kauai, the big island, Molokai, and Lanai. All the islands have wedding companies ready, willing, and able to tie the knot. Oahu and Maui are undoubtedly the two most popular.
Oahu, also called “the gathering isle” is Hawaii’s capital island. The beautiful city of Honolulu is located on Oahu, as is the infamous Pearl Harbor as well as Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Center. Oahu is endowed with Hawaii’s most spectacular and world renown surfing beaches like Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, and Bonsai Pipeline, just to name a few. Oahu offers the most bang for your wedding buck as the prices seem to average well below the other islands.
Maui, also called the “Valley Isle”, is a popular wedding destination and a beautiful island. Maui is most famous for its extinct crater, Haleakala, meaning house of the sun. Maui has many nice beaches but because it is a younger island than Oahu, their beaches pale in comparison. If you are shopping for price, weddings on Maui are at the higher end of the curve.
The Big Island is also called the “Orchid Isle” due to the proliferation of commercial orchid greenhouses. Curiously, the big island is technically named “Hawaii” which is also the name of the state. Since this is so incredibly confusing, everyone just calls the isle of Hawaii, “the Big Island… and rightfully so. The Big Island is bigger than all the other islands combined. The Big Island is most famous for its active volcano, Kilauea. It is also the best place on our planet for observing stellar bodies. The Big Island is Hawaii’s youngest island so if you are looking for nice beaches, don’t even think about it. Geologically speaking, the Big Island is just a baby and has not had enough time to produce nice beaches.
Kauai is Hawaii’s northern most island. It is also called the “Garden Isle”. Kauai is where most of Jurassic Park was filmed. This is absolutely a beautiful island- but be ye forewarned. Kauai is the wettest place on earth. The average annual rainfall is in excess of 400 inches per year. That’s wet! If you are considering Kauai for your wedding destination, avoid the rainy season… mid-October thru the first of May.
Molokai and Lanai are smaller islands and the least visited. Molokai, also called “the friendly isle”, is well known for its historic leper colony. Molokai also boasts the highest sea cliffs in the world.
Lanai, nicknamed “the pineapple isle”, is Hawaii’s smallest island. It’s very laid back and there isn’t a heck of a lot to do. This is the island Bill Gates chose for his wedding.
Here’s the bottom line: If you want to have a typical “been there, done that”, expensive and stressful wedding, then a home town wedding is for you. On the other hand, if you really want to break free from the norm, and embrace your sacred nuptials in a serene tropical paradise – then escaping to Hawaii may well be for you!
Plan your hawaii wedding on the white sand beach across from Pukalani Falls. Visit Rev./Capt. Howie Welfeld online at Hawaii Weddings.com for all the details to planning a spiritual and unique wedding. Cheap Checks
Business Crucial Do’s And Don’ts To Providing Quality Online Customer Service
When it comes to the so-called real world of commerce, and the ups and downs of the shopping experience in a “brick-and-mortar” store, a customer usually has the opportunity to hunt down a salesperson to help them with their questions and concerns. On the Internet, the so-called virtual world, that is not clearly a viable option. So how can online businesses provide quality customer service while doing all the other zillion things required of an online company? Truth be told, it might not be as difficult as you think.
There are many ways to keep customers satisfied with solid customer service skills that do not take a lot of hard work or waste time. Instead of making a list with “do” on one side and “don’t” on the other, let’s just work through this subject logically, starting with what successful companies are really doing to keep their customers satisfied. The major no-no’s will be highlighted too, of course, with examples from both online and offline businesses. The things learned in the real world can usually be adapted, sometimes quite easily, for use in the virtual one.
From chatting to mining
One of the most effective ways that many companies provide top-level service is with the “live chat,” which is at the top of any net company’s “do” list these days. In a live chat, the customer can interact directly, in real time, with your customer service representative (CSR), just like on a phone call – except they are communicating with their computers, with the customer typing in questions that the CSR can answer in a matter of seconds.
A slightly more controllable version of the instant message systems, like AOL Instant Messenger, a live chat session is becoming a very important tool for online retailers. Live chat also provides the raw material for another important member of the “do” list, since the text messages can be easily archived and used for various sorts of “data mining” projects.
Turning text into tools
When large numbers of CSR contacts are examined for patterns, you can end up finding out about product problems, billing discrepancies and other anomalies, as well as develop training material for other CSR’s. Recordings of phone calls are much more difficult to “repurpose” into usable information. And there’s a “don’t” for you, too – don’t even try archiving phone calls, there’s no point, except to satisfy certain legal requirements under special conditions.
Another critical customer service tool is order tracking, which goes hand in hand with live chat in many of the well-integrated CSR systems being used today. Modern databases and computers can provide CSR’s with masses of information about the customers, their accounts, purchases, problems, warranties, payment history and everything else. Just having piles of data does nothing for you, however, so one of the less talked-about crucial things to do is have a great programmer and IT expert in the firm to make all the data usable for service operations.
Human and computer support
Support ticket applications, another good “do” list entry, are pretty straightforward. When customers visit your site with a problem to resolve, they can simply click a support link and will be asked to enter the pertinent order information. The support software will forward your customers’ responses, as well as the other related and necessary information you need to resolve the issue. The final resolution for your customers can be e-mailed in full, or the customer can be sent an e-mailed link with which to log back into the support area. Either way, they will receive a swift response, including all the proper return or exchange instructions. This system is particularly useful if you have a large number of customers.
Up close and personal
If all else fails, of course, there is always the telephone. Although it can be expensive and somewhat time-consuming to offer full-time phone support, sometimes it really is the best way to stay “up close and personal” with customers and clients. On the phone, often you can work out in two or three minutes what it might take several chats sessions or multiple emails to achieve. Offering at least some phone support is another important member of the “do” list, and “don’t” forget it.
Customers do appreciate live phone support because it adds the personal touch to an e-business. The fact is, the things you “don’t” do in offline customer support are the same things that online businesses should avoid. You do not want to antagonize your customers, make them wait when they shouldn’t, promise what you can’t deliver or ignore their feelings. In the “human to human” part of the business equation, what you do online to service your customers isn’t really that different from what any traditional, storefront business would do for customer support. Take care of your customers, they will keep coming back to take care of business. That’s the bottom line.
Visit Patch Superstore.com and browse through the gallery of embroidered patches to obtain an idea for your custom patches. Everything from Boy and Girls Scout patches, to Police and Fire department patches, and more.
There are many ways to keep customers satisfied with solid customer service skills that do not take a lot of hard work or waste time. Instead of making a list with “do” on one side and “don’t” on the other, let’s just work through this subject logically, starting with what successful companies are really doing to keep their customers satisfied. The major no-no’s will be highlighted too, of course, with examples from both online and offline businesses. The things learned in the real world can usually be adapted, sometimes quite easily, for use in the virtual one.
From chatting to mining
One of the most effective ways that many companies provide top-level service is with the “live chat,” which is at the top of any net company’s “do” list these days. In a live chat, the customer can interact directly, in real time, with your customer service representative (CSR), just like on a phone call – except they are communicating with their computers, with the customer typing in questions that the CSR can answer in a matter of seconds.
A slightly more controllable version of the instant message systems, like AOL Instant Messenger, a live chat session is becoming a very important tool for online retailers. Live chat also provides the raw material for another important member of the “do” list, since the text messages can be easily archived and used for various sorts of “data mining” projects.
Turning text into tools
When large numbers of CSR contacts are examined for patterns, you can end up finding out about product problems, billing discrepancies and other anomalies, as well as develop training material for other CSR’s. Recordings of phone calls are much more difficult to “repurpose” into usable information. And there’s a “don’t” for you, too – don’t even try archiving phone calls, there’s no point, except to satisfy certain legal requirements under special conditions.
Another critical customer service tool is order tracking, which goes hand in hand with live chat in many of the well-integrated CSR systems being used today. Modern databases and computers can provide CSR’s with masses of information about the customers, their accounts, purchases, problems, warranties, payment history and everything else. Just having piles of data does nothing for you, however, so one of the less talked-about crucial things to do is have a great programmer and IT expert in the firm to make all the data usable for service operations.
Human and computer support
Support ticket applications, another good “do” list entry, are pretty straightforward. When customers visit your site with a problem to resolve, they can simply click a support link and will be asked to enter the pertinent order information. The support software will forward your customers’ responses, as well as the other related and necessary information you need to resolve the issue. The final resolution for your customers can be e-mailed in full, or the customer can be sent an e-mailed link with which to log back into the support area. Either way, they will receive a swift response, including all the proper return or exchange instructions. This system is particularly useful if you have a large number of customers.
Up close and personal
If all else fails, of course, there is always the telephone. Although it can be expensive and somewhat time-consuming to offer full-time phone support, sometimes it really is the best way to stay “up close and personal” with customers and clients. On the phone, often you can work out in two or three minutes what it might take several chats sessions or multiple emails to achieve. Offering at least some phone support is another important member of the “do” list, and “don’t” forget it.
Customers do appreciate live phone support because it adds the personal touch to an e-business. The fact is, the things you “don’t” do in offline customer support are the same things that online businesses should avoid. You do not want to antagonize your customers, make them wait when they shouldn’t, promise what you can’t deliver or ignore their feelings. In the “human to human” part of the business equation, what you do online to service your customers isn’t really that different from what any traditional, storefront business would do for customer support. Take care of your customers, they will keep coming back to take care of business. That’s the bottom line.
Visit Patch Superstore.com and browse through the gallery of embroidered patches to obtain an idea for your custom patches. Everything from Boy and Girls Scout patches, to Police and Fire department patches, and more.
The Evolution of the Dress
Evolution isn’t just about life forms going from single- to multiple-cell organisms, or a monkey’s uncle turning into your Uncle Bob after a few eons. Evolution is “a gradual process in which something changes into a different and usually more complex or better form,” meaning that both living things and man’s inventions become more sophisticated over time. Can we apply a non-organic Theory of Evolution to the development of the dress? Certainly. Why not?
The dress, or something like it, has been an important feature in the wardrobe of women throughout all societies in recorded history. In addition to the obvious function of providing protection and warmth, dresses became a symbol of a woman’s beauty and feminine nature, too, as societies matured and the march of progress continued. Dresses have helped women shape their own individuality as well as aided them in communicating their identity to others.
In industrialized Western nations over the past 150 years or so, women have developed the confidence to work for better social standing and win their full rights. This same process is taking place in non-Western cultures today, as well, although at a slower rate and against the resistance of some male fundamentalists, particularly in Muslim countries. It is instructive to note how some religions and cultures use dress codes for women to control and restrict them.
Other roles for dresses
There were many functions for the dress originally and, as we have already seen, in certain cultures and religions they are still especially important for women. We may be able to predict, at least generally, women’s progress in the world’s remaining authoritarian cultures and societies by recalling their fashion evolution in Europe over the centuries.
Beauty and seduction were seen as vital attributes of the dress for women in Europe for hundreds of years. Even in the so called polite society of the 17th and 18th centuries the way a dress was made was of great importance in attracting the attentions of a significant other. The more outlandish and decorated the dress the better, although for the most part, the dresses were extremely uncomfortable and at times painful to wear. Women still wanted to look as attractive as possible even under those extreme circumstances. Bodices and corsets were considered painful, but hourglass figures “poured” into eye-catching fabrics were also considered quite beautiful. Ideals of beauty also were subject to change over time, even within the same culture(s).
Status symbols
Identification with a woman’s particular social class is clearly a very important purpose of dresses. The more expensive the gown, the more obvious it would be that a lady would have a place in high society. Conversely, a plain, worn or tattered dress would certainly ascribe to a woman a lower social standing. Through dresses a woman was able to establish herself at the level of society where she fit in by reason of her birth. Only the richest women had the best and most beautiful dresses.
Today in the West, it seems to be the same in most cases, but that may be a surface observation. Although not everyone can afford to wear Prada, Vera Wang or Gucci dresses, there are many high-quality “knock-offs” and quality, less-expensive brands that can still supply status to the wearer. The names are important, of course, but quality in construction and plain old “wearability” are also valued by women today.
Behind the fashion
Ceremony or ritual is another importance of dresses for a woman and is the real (but unstated) purpose for many occasions and special events. Wedding dresses help to signify a women’s transition from being single to becoming a wife. That’s an important evolution in itself. Other cultures that perform different rituals or ceremonies find the dress an important symbol of the woman because it is a reflection of being feminine and beautiful.
Modesty was another commonly cited purpose for dresses. For nearly 500 years, until the loosening of gender barriers in the West over the past 100 years, even women who were quite wealthy were still expected to dress a certain way. Women, of course, were to behave, speak and carry themselves according to what society saw fit. For most of those centuries, one never saw women in any dress that was revealing in any way, and hardly any of the dresses showed their skin either. Of course, the definition of modesty varies greatly from place to place, and obviously generation to generation. These days even though modesty is still a part of many cultures and religions, dresses have adapted to the new era and have become almost limitless in design and shape and can be found in almost any style and pattern.
The evolution of the dress and the evolution of life are explained in the same way. The dress has gradually become better over time because it is no longer represents how a woman is defined or how she’s placed into society, It has evolved into an expression of freedom, allowing the wearer to be “herself” and to just be natural. That’s what makes a woman – a fully evolved one, at least!At Melissa Beth Designs we offer a fashionable laptop bag for every situation. A full range of laptop sleeves and totes armed with bold colors are also our hot items. Visit us online for a variety of designs that won’t go unnoticed.
The dress, or something like it, has been an important feature in the wardrobe of women throughout all societies in recorded history. In addition to the obvious function of providing protection and warmth, dresses became a symbol of a woman’s beauty and feminine nature, too, as societies matured and the march of progress continued. Dresses have helped women shape their own individuality as well as aided them in communicating their identity to others.
In industrialized Western nations over the past 150 years or so, women have developed the confidence to work for better social standing and win their full rights. This same process is taking place in non-Western cultures today, as well, although at a slower rate and against the resistance of some male fundamentalists, particularly in Muslim countries. It is instructive to note how some religions and cultures use dress codes for women to control and restrict them.
Other roles for dresses
There were many functions for the dress originally and, as we have already seen, in certain cultures and religions they are still especially important for women. We may be able to predict, at least generally, women’s progress in the world’s remaining authoritarian cultures and societies by recalling their fashion evolution in Europe over the centuries.
Beauty and seduction were seen as vital attributes of the dress for women in Europe for hundreds of years. Even in the so called polite society of the 17th and 18th centuries the way a dress was made was of great importance in attracting the attentions of a significant other. The more outlandish and decorated the dress the better, although for the most part, the dresses were extremely uncomfortable and at times painful to wear. Women still wanted to look as attractive as possible even under those extreme circumstances. Bodices and corsets were considered painful, but hourglass figures “poured” into eye-catching fabrics were also considered quite beautiful. Ideals of beauty also were subject to change over time, even within the same culture(s).
Status symbols
Identification with a woman’s particular social class is clearly a very important purpose of dresses. The more expensive the gown, the more obvious it would be that a lady would have a place in high society. Conversely, a plain, worn or tattered dress would certainly ascribe to a woman a lower social standing. Through dresses a woman was able to establish herself at the level of society where she fit in by reason of her birth. Only the richest women had the best and most beautiful dresses.
Today in the West, it seems to be the same in most cases, but that may be a surface observation. Although not everyone can afford to wear Prada, Vera Wang or Gucci dresses, there are many high-quality “knock-offs” and quality, less-expensive brands that can still supply status to the wearer. The names are important, of course, but quality in construction and plain old “wearability” are also valued by women today.
Behind the fashion
Ceremony or ritual is another importance of dresses for a woman and is the real (but unstated) purpose for many occasions and special events. Wedding dresses help to signify a women’s transition from being single to becoming a wife. That’s an important evolution in itself. Other cultures that perform different rituals or ceremonies find the dress an important symbol of the woman because it is a reflection of being feminine and beautiful.
Modesty was another commonly cited purpose for dresses. For nearly 500 years, until the loosening of gender barriers in the West over the past 100 years, even women who were quite wealthy were still expected to dress a certain way. Women, of course, were to behave, speak and carry themselves according to what society saw fit. For most of those centuries, one never saw women in any dress that was revealing in any way, and hardly any of the dresses showed their skin either. Of course, the definition of modesty varies greatly from place to place, and obviously generation to generation. These days even though modesty is still a part of many cultures and religions, dresses have adapted to the new era and have become almost limitless in design and shape and can be found in almost any style and pattern.
The evolution of the dress and the evolution of life are explained in the same way. The dress has gradually become better over time because it is no longer represents how a woman is defined or how she’s placed into society, It has evolved into an expression of freedom, allowing the wearer to be “herself” and to just be natural. That’s what makes a woman – a fully evolved one, at least!At Melissa Beth Designs we offer a fashionable laptop bag for every situation. A full range of laptop sleeves and totes armed with bold colors are also our hot items. Visit us online for a variety of designs that won’t go unnoticed.
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