Fake Cosmetics Could Pose Risks to Your Health

Counterfeit cosmetics, designed to look like top-name brands, trick thousands of shoppers into buying what seems like a great bargain.

But as well as being fooled into paying money for rubbish, buyers could also be placing themselves at risk. It turns out that some of these fakes are downright dangerous.

Just to make things worse, some of these bogus products that are sold online, at flea markets and even mall kiosks, are actually priced near the level of the genuine item, making it less likely that buyers will get suspicious.

The fakes include not only makeup but also hair-styling products and accessories like makeup brushes.

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©Copyright Audri and Jim Lanford. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission.

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Beware of Sky-High Interest Workplace Loans

Are workplace loans going to take the place of payday loans, charging outrageous rates of interest to the very people who can least afford them?

That's a fear some observers are expressing after publication of several online reports about the growth in this "shadow lending" market.

We've already covered payday advances in one of our earlier issues about predatory lending, How to Avoid Predatory Lending Scams.

And we told you about another recent worrying development -- short-term advances on pension payments, charging up to 100% annual interest rates, in Alerts Sounded on Pension Loans, eBay Scams and TV Casting. 

Click here to read the full article.



©Copyright Audri and Jim Lanford. All rights reserved.

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WHAT DO YOU SAY AFTER HELLO?

In the Get Clients Now! approach to marketing and sales, I put considerable emphasis on talking to people. But for many self-employed professionals, this poses a problem. 

What, exactly, do you SAY when you speak to prospects and networking contacts? How do you get a conversation going that leads to ultimately closing a sale? Here are some suggestions for where to begin a productive marketing conversation.

Cold Call to a Prospective Client

Do say: "I'm calling you because Jane Jones suggested you," or "I admire your work (book, article, interview, speaking topic, etc.)," or "We're both members of the ABC organization," or "We both went to (or taught at) the XYZ school," or "I'm going to be in your area next month," or "What I've read (or heard) about you suggests you may be interested in what I offer."

Tell the prospect why you chose to call him or her in particular. Don't let prospects think you simply looked them up on a list (even if you did).

Don't say: "I'm just calling to introduce myself." Why should they care?

Warm Call to a Prospective Client

Do say: "I'm calling to talk about your interest in my services," or "I've been thinking about your problem and I have some ideas for you," or "I'll have some open hours on my calendar next month. Would this be a good time to start your project?" or "I ran across an event (person, organization, book, article, etc.) I thought would interest you."

Give a straightforward reason for contacting a prospect that feels authentic to you. Don't dissemble. It's absolutely fine to tell a prospect you're calling to see if he or she is ready to work with you.

Don't say: "I'm calling just to see how you're doing." That's not really why, and your prospect knows it.

Networking at an Event

Do say: "Hi, I haven't met you yet," or "Are you a member of this group?" or "Have you heard this speaker before?" You can approach any stranger at the event with a simple opening line like this. Then introduce yourself by name and profession, and ask the other person what they do.

Don't say: "Isn't it hot today?" or "How about those Giants?" Networking time is precious, don't waste it with unrelated chit-chat.

Networking Cold Call

Do say: One of the why-I-chose-you openings suggested for cold calls to prospective clients, followed by "I'd like to talk to you about how we could help each other get more business."

Don't say: "I'd like to pick your brain," or "I'm wondering if you could refer me some clients," or "I'd like to talk to you about a business opportunity."

Networking Warm Call

Do say: "We met at the ABC event," or "We're both members of the XYZ group," or "Sam Smith introduced us," followed by "I'd like to get to know you better. Perhaps we could be of benefit to each other."

Don't say: "I'd like a few minutes of your time," or any of the don'ts listed for networking cold calls.

Face-to-Face Meeting with Prospect

Do say: "I'd like to find out more about what you need, tell you what I offer, and see if there's a possible match between us." Get to the point. Your prospects are busy and so are you.

Don't say: "I'd like to tell you about my services," or "I'm here just to find out what your needs are." Neither of those objectives are of much benefit to your prospect. 

Face-to-Face Networking Meeting

Do say: "I'd like us to take some time today to learn about each other's work. Perhaps we could serve as referral sources for each other."

Don't say: A whole bunch of small talk without ever getting to the point of the meeting. Don't let the other person do this either.

Talking to people isn't as difficult as we sometimes think. Use some of these pointers for getting past that awkward hello, and you'll soon be conversing your way to more business.

Copyright © 2014, C.J. Hayden

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Just How Green Are Those "Green" Products?

We're all used to seeing "biodegradable" on labels these days and it makes us feel good to buy green products.

But, as we sometimes find in the scambusting world, all is often not what it seems.

Along with other green tags, like "organic" and "recyclable," a declaration that a product is biodegradable may conceal all kinds of qualifications or may even be untrue.

For instance, consumer trading standards officials recently discovered an Oregon producer of disposal diaper liners and baby wipes that was making allegedly deceptive claims about its products' environmentally friendly credentials.

Click here to read the full article. 

Let me know if you are looking for truly green products I can direct you where to shop for them.  I have been using them for years.  Just email me at: barb2birds@gmail.com 
Subject line:  Where can I shop for Truly Green Products?



©Copyright Audri and Jim Lanford. All rights reserved.

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Stolen Goods Online: 8 Red Flag Warning Signs

You might have seen news reports a few weeks ago about Federal authorities charging three people in connection with the sale of more than $7 million of stolen goods on eBay.

The scale of the alleged crime might have been surprising -- it was said to have run for 10 years and netted around $4 million -- but there's certainly nothing unusual about the sale of stolen items online.

Online shoppers find themselves victims of this crime every day and police have specially trained squads who constantly scrutinize sales sites looking for the proceeds of burglary and theft.

Click here to read the full article. 


©Copyright Audri and Jim Lanford. All rights reserved.

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