Category Archives: Business

Dedollarisation is Really Happening Now.

I’ve written about Dedollarisation a few times in the past. A lot of people thought it nonsense and imagined the US dollar couldn’t be reduced in influence.

I wrote this article in 2015: Two for the Price of One: De-dollarise and Reduce American Hegemony. I correctly predicted that the US would have to be carefully handled during dedollarisation and it would go down kicking, screaming and lashing out and quite likely start a war while it was doing so. I was correct in that and the conflict the US ignited in Ukraine is testimony to that.… Click here to continue reading this article

Review: Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Clarkson’s Farm. What to Expect.

If you want to visit Clarkson’s Farm, aka Diddly Squat Farm Shop, we were there a few days ago so can give you the inside skinny together with a few thoughts.

Regular readers know that we’re big fans of Jeremy Clarkson and occasionally republish the odd article of his here on the site.

Many only know him from Top Gear, Grand Tour, or Clarkson’s Farm, but in fact, he cut his teeth as a writer. He writes for the Sunday Times, The Sun and has written many books (many of which are just his newspaper articles republished together – but still worth reading twice).… Click here to continue reading this article

Where to Buy a 30mph Speed Camera Sign

Buy a 30mph Speed Camera Sign

If you want to buy a UK specification combined 30mph and speed camera sign, we can point you to it.

On its own, a 30mph sign is of limited effect. Similarly, on its own, a camera sign is of limited effect. However, put the two together and psychologists say that the combined effect is a more effective call to action in the brain. That is why local authorities have started using the combined speed limit and camera sign.

You probably live on a road where the traffic is continually speeding, and you’re looking for a sign to slow them down.… Click here to continue reading this article

The Bank of England vs the banks of England – Negative Interest Rates

This article is from the Fortune and Freedom newsletter.

On 28 September, economists at the US central bank published some important research. It concluded that imposing negative interest rates is a bad idea.

Sure enough, two weeks later, the Bank of England asked our banks whether they’re prepared for negative interest rates…

Typical.

But what are negative interest rates? Are they really coming to the UK? And what do they mean for you?

That’s what we’ll tackle today. Start to, anyway.

Negative interest rates may seem bizarre or impossible. But, when central bankers are involved, the bizarre becomes a lot more possible.… Click here to continue reading this article

Taste of success at High Peak Business Club’s latest meeting

The latest meeting of High Peak Business Club took place on the morning of Friday, October 6.

The guest speaker was Raymond Reynolds, property and business development director of Greggs and his theme was Baking Up A Business. The club’s Edwina Currie reported: “Raymond Reynolds is Scottish and very tall. And slim – if he’s eating a lot of his firm’s pasties, he doesn’t show it.

“Changing roles after ten years as retail director, he now has “a wide portfolio of responsibilities.” He’s been with Greggs since the 1980s, so he’s seen it grow and adapt as the traditional High Street has come under pressure.… Click here to continue reading this article

Small Business Fed Up of Queuing at The Post Office?

Small business wondering if there is more to life than queuing at the Post Office counter?

Wondering which courier to use?

Been there – done that. Here are some pointers.

The post office or couriers are the two options.

Remember: For Highlands and UK islands always use the Post Office, they will always be cheaper. You’ll find the postcodes couriers surcharge online, IM, PO33, BT and some K Scottish ones. Couriers don’t want to go there so they charge more. PO is always cheaper on small boxes.

jess1

Parcel2go

We used to use parcel2go.com… Click here to continue reading this article

Landsbanki Guernsey Fiasco Ends after 8 Years. Depositors LOSE 8% in Unsafe “Haven”.

The Landsbanki Guernsey fiasco has been covered here before.

We covered it in these articles:

Landsbanki Guernsey Crisis – UK Government cover up and pressure to close protest websites.

Landsbanki Guernsey Depositors

Guernsey Commissioner’s Meeting 19th Jan 2011 about failed Landsbanki Islands Icelandic Bank

Landsbanki Guernsey Depositors To Get Another 17.5% Of Their Money Back

The short version is that Landsbanki Guernsey collapsed in 2008. Now we are in 2016, the official liquidation is finally concluded and the depositors have lost 8% plus 8 years compound interest.

Guernsey had ZERO depositor protection.… Click here to continue reading this article

Where To Get Long Stainless Steel Barbecue Skewers BBQ

Where to buy long stainless steel Russian barbecue skewers.

Where to buy long stainless steel barbecue skewers? Finding good quality long barbecue skewers in the UK can be a drag. But you are in the right place to find out more.

BBQ skewers are a sector of the market that cheap Chinese manufacturers and ‘pile em high, sell em cheap’ eBay and Amazon merchants have been all over for some time.

Finding the good stuff at the right price among all the cheap rubbish out there can be hard.

If you want long stainless steel barbecue skewers, you want stainless steel.… Click here to continue reading this article

Want the VAT Number of Tameside MBC?

So you want the VAT number for Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council?

So did I, they had billed me for an item I decided should have included VAT, and my accountant asked me to obtain the VAT number.

Easier said than done.

It took me some extensive searching to find it.

If you call them, they wont tell you.

There are no reverse search VAT number directories.

You can only check the validity of a VAT number you have. Not the other way around.

However, I am quite resourceful, so I eventually got it, and to be sure, I checked it with the EU VAT validation website.… Click here to continue reading this article

The Realities of Expat Living in Moscow 2016

The main thing about living anywhere in the world is your attitude.

How easily you can adapt to living outside your “comfort” zone, to how willing you are in accepting a new reality.

There are advantages and disadvantages to living anywhere. I think this goes without saying, but I obviously have to say it to put things into perspective for some.

I have often said that you cannot compare Russia to the established Western world. One has emerged from 75 years of Communism, not to mention a whole host of tragic historical and cultural norms, to a meshing of free market policies and a new world order in the 21st century.… Click here to continue reading this article

Parcel2go and Hermes (Evri) Overweight Parcel “Extra Payment Required” Rip Off.

Have you had the “Extra Payment Required” email from Parcel2Go or Evri?

As online sellers, we access the services of Hermes/myHermes (2022 edit – now Evri) sometimes direct, and sometimes through parcel2go.com – depending on which platform we are booking from.

Years ago, everyone used to book everything at 0.99kgs and anything up to about 3kgs would go through without a hitch. That was never going to last.

In the last 18 months, Hermes has started routinely weighing everything, so weights must be accurate. No big deal and not rocket science to make sure which band your parcel falls into, right?… Click here to continue reading this article

Russian Ukrainian Adventures Forum Newsletter – Summer 2015

Russian Ukrainian Adventures Forum Newsletter – Summer 2015.

Hello,

It has been over a year since we sent out a newsletter, so we thought one was long overdue.

We would like to bring you up-to-date on the changes at RUA the last year.

The Forum Has Changed Direction a Little to Include More Travel, Culture, News and Politics.

The site was stuck in what is a dying and declining niche. When the site first started back in the mid naughties, it was firmly aimed at what some termed the “mail-order bride” niche.… Click here to continue reading this article

Dyson Hand Dryer AB01 and AB03 Filters.

Looking to buy a Dyson Airblade hand dryer filter?

We can point you in the right direction.

You have maybe called up Dyson and found out that they want a gallon of blood, your liver, all your personal information, machine serial numbers and then, after all that, they will refuse to sell them to you.

It has been the case for some time that Dyson refused to supply even the the trade with any Dyson Airblade hand dryer spares, as was noted in this article.

In recent months, Dyson have declined to supply the after-market, Dyson spare part sellers and machine refurbishers with Dyson spares for Airblade hand dryers.

… Click here to continue reading this article

Dyson DC24 Buyers Guide

So you have decided you want a Dyson DC24? The baby ball?

Dyson no longer produce them new, but they are a great reconditioned/refurbished buy if you get it right.

Before I explain to you where to get one from, you should make sure a DC24 is for you.

Dyson marketed the DC24 at everyone. Families with big houses, people with cats and dogs, people with kids, etc.

However, in the real world, that isn’t entirely accurate.

The DC24 is a small, lightweight machine. They weigh just 11.7 pounds in old money.… Click here to continue reading this article

Selling Online to Americans and Canadians: The Pitfalls.

If you are a UK online seller and want to sell into the USA, this article is for you. Selling into the US from the UK is full of pitfalls.

We all love selling online, don’t we? Especially in the UK.

America and Canada are potentially important markets to look at, as there are over 330 million people there. So we want to sell online to Americans, right? (And for simplistic purposes, we include Canada in the term ‘America’ and ‘Americans’ from here on in.)

However, selling from Europe or Australia to Americans can be fraught with problems.… Click here to continue reading this article

Range Rover Sport Dash Non-Slip Mat fits under Sat Nav – No More Flying Keys!

Looking for a Range Rover Sport Dash non-slip mat fits under the Sat Nav?

You are in the right place (USA, Australia, NZ and Canada readers see >here< instead).

Range Rover Sport models produced between 2005 and 2009 don’t have too much storage space in the cabin. So one must utilise every little bit of space in there!

Under the navigation screen is a little shelf. That little shelf is normally smooth, which means if you put anything on it, it comes flying off.

However, Land Rover do make a little mat to go on there, it looks like this.… Click here to continue reading this article

How Dyson Tries to Control the After-Market – The Future of Refurbished Dysons

This is from a Dyson trader in a member-only forum in the Dyson after-market business, and re-posted here with permission for comment:

I think the window of opportunity for large scale refurbing of machines is coming to an end. I’ll explain why I think that and we’ll maybe discuss.

When James Dyson had the reigns of the company instead of Max Conze and the bean counters as we have now, they made good products that lasted. Great for consumers and folks like us who refurb stuff, but bad for the long term growth of Dyson.… Click here to continue reading this article

Disponibilité de Dyson DC01 Pièces de rechange

Retour en 2011, nous avons ici à Dyson Medic signalé sur le de DC01 Pièces.

Nous avons souligné que Dyson a tiré la prise sur toutes les pièces de rechange d’approvisionnement pour le DC01 et DC02 tout à fait, et même, dans certains pays, nous savons qu’ils ont envoyé ce qui restait des pièces de rechange pour les fins de destruction à des entreprises spécialisées.

La question Dyson face était semblable à ce que Volvo avait une fois: Certains modèles ont été conçus si bien que les propriétaires étaient enclins à avoir tout simplement faire réparer pendant de nombreuses années.… Click here to continue reading this article

Car Sales: Do Gentlemen’s Agreements Apply?

Car Sales: Do Gentlemen’s Agreements Apply? Is your word your bond?

What if you are offered much more money for what you are selling?

What if as a buyer, a much better deal just fell in your lap?

A guy recently said to me about a car transaction: “I’m old school and for me trust is everything, even if no deposit was given” – This was a guy who had agreed in principle to buy a car over the telephone and email. The seller sold the car to someone else while this guy was making arrangements to collect it and pay.… Click here to continue reading this article

Post Office Refusing To Accept PPI Mail.

The purpose of this post is to name and shame a Post Office.

Windmill Lane Sub Post Office.
697 Windmill Lane,
Dane Bank, Denton,
Manchester
M34 2ET
0161 336 3810

The branch is run by a nervous looking chap called Peter, together with another middle aged lady and an elderly lady.

This was one of the Post Offices we used to use each day to send business mail. My spend was between £20 and £100 per day there. I have been using them on and off for years.

When one spends at that kind of level in the Post Office, the time has way passed to move onto what is called PPI.… Click here to continue reading this article