property-sight

by Bunch & Duke

What You Need to Know About Party Wall Matters

What do you need to know about party wall matters? That depends… how much of a glutton for punishment are you? If you intend to tackle a construction project that involves a party wall matter by yourself, then what you’ll definitely need to know plenty about the complicated world of party wall matters. You can start with a free copy of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s handy 22-page Explanatory Booklet that we can provide you with a link to. But even that, as the booklet will tell you, is “not an authoritative interpretation of the law.” You’ll have to keep researching all the myriad details of your particular situation. For most people, this does not strike them as fun at all. And if you’ll likely ever do but one or two projects involving a party wall matter, then the huge investment of your time required to master the various regulations is probably not worth it. In any case, you (as the Building Owner ) cannot act as a Surveyor. You can serve the Notices but if the Adjoinming Owner dissents / disagrees then you will have to appoint a Surveyor in any case. But you can avoid much of the hassle by hiring a professional party wall surveyor at the outset and authorising them to act on your behalf throughout the entire process.

Whilst you can serve Notices, if they are not properly written and served then they could be invalid and all procedures that follow are null & void – you go back to square one.

Party Wall Matters

Anyone who carries out certain work involving a party wall, construction on a boundary or excavation for foundations close to an adjoining building anywhere in England and Wales is likely to need to consider the requirements of the Party Wall Etc Act of 1996. One of the most important requirements of the Party Wall Etc Act 1996 is that you must give notice to all Adjoining Owners, even if your construction work does not extend beyond the centre line of the Party wall. That is very important to note: even if you didn’t think you’re affected by the Act because all your construction appears to take place upon your property… you still possibly are. And once your neighbours are legally informed that you are carrying out work that could potentially affect their structure and property, they’re also going to feel much better about your project (and likely refrain from causing you potential delays) if they see that you have entrusted the Party Wall matters to a professional firm of Party wall surveyors.

The Party Wall Surveyor

London Party Wall Surveyors can assist you with your project from start to finish. We’ll perform the initial research to determine your specific job needs and give you a written estimate of costs. Our professional surveyors can prepare notices, liaise with your Architect, Engineer etc., and obtain the information neccessary to assist in putting an agreement in place in a timely manner. We’ll keep you advised of the progress of the party wall matters, and our experience in dealing with the issues that arise will help . If any issues do arise, you can rest easy that London Party Wall Surveyors will quickly respond to them.

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Tags: About, Know, Matters, need, Party, wall
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by raider3_anime

Do Video Production Companies Need to Know Web Video Marketing?

The business growth of online media today will require video production companies to expand their role beyond the traditional confines of simply technicians and creative professionals. They now need to consider themselves a valuable part of the actual marketing process for the video content they produce for their clients. With the Web and social media being a catalyst for video production professionals to assume more marketing responsibilities for their own company, clients, or simply looking for a competitive advantage in the job market.

How the Web Has Changed the Role of the Video Production Company.

Years ago, a lot of companies, including those heavily involved in e-commerce, would not have had the services of a video production company dedicated to the Web. Today, it’s not uncommon for non-media based companies to hire a small team dedicated to video production for their digital channels i.e. web, social, and mobile. All that online activity continues to produce an absolutely huge amount of continual, real-time market research, something that was rarely as available and as accessible with traditional media. That’s why companies with a strong online presence, and in highly competitive channels saw the need to respond quickly to this market research, by quickly an more efficiently producing video content across these channels that consumers have migrated to. To do that effectively, Corporations are now getting their video production partners working more closely and continuously involved in their actual marketing activities. The work of the video production company is no longer an afterthought; it’s now something that can be fully integrated into the marketing mix, even potentially taking a role in shaping the marketing messages, campaigns, and larger business strategy.

Is a Video Production Company Really Expected to Know Video Marketing?

Not all projects will require it, of course. There will always be a need for clear-cut technical specialists who’s job it is to follow instructions rather than to help shape ideas, but some jobs require a production company to form ideas, produce the video and push the marketing. There will be circumstances where a marketing background is not only a competitive advantage for a video production company, but a service requirement. A good production company needs to knows and understand the online market space and be active on networks like YouTube and Facebook, while knowing how to seed and search engine optimize their video content.

Early on in 2008 companies were happy to have video on the product page. Now, you have to analyze customer behavior with video to understand the impact each video has. Like what % of viewers watched the entire video? How often is the video being shared? It’s a constant process of learn-and-adapt, and it’s critical that the video producer be an integral participant toward that understanding.

Even more video production professionals, at least those working for or with companies having a strong online presence, are being assigned and increasing amount of duties involved within marketing. Video production professionals now need to consider which tools and technology can be leveraged to make video’s more interactive, more shareable, and more ‘shoppable.’

So what if you’re a video production company should you now expect to know and do all of these things for getting a job or a client gig? For most I will say not right now, but for a pool of applicants and vendors going after the digital media space I would say that’s certainly more likely. We now see evidence and heard from companies hiring that this could be where the job market and work expectations are going.

So here’s the conclusion we can draw right from the AMA’s own definition, perhaps the most well respected organization in all of marketing. ‘The process of creating and delivering a VIDEO product or service (which can include video content) for an intended audience would qualify as part of marketing activities.’ This is why I make the argument that today’s video production company is also a marketing partner. Marketing is propelled by some kind of creative and a video producer is responsible for getting that kind of creative in the form of video content to market.

When starting a production company, come up with a name, fill out a business license application, announce the company and register an Internet domain name. Decide whether a production company will be a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation with help from a filmmaker in this free video on making movies. Expert: Nathan Boehme Contact: www.nathans-reel.com Bio: Nathan Boehme is a writer, director and editor who currently lives and works in Los Angeles, Calif. Filmmaker: Nathan Boehme
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Tags: companies, Know, Marketing, need, Production, Video
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by Hopkinsii

Advertising Recruitment Specialists: Why do Jobseekers and Employers Need Them?

Perhaps you’re wondering why they’re so important. You may also ask how they work and how they can help you. Just so you know recruitment specialists are also professionals like you. Many of them have been around in the industry for a long time already and due to favorable responses from employers and jobseekers, they continue to operate even today.

So how do these recruitment specialists help employers? If you’re an employer, it sounds impractical to accept every applicant that comes to your door. You can just imagine the hundreds of jobseekers you have to entertain everyday and that’s just for a single vacancy. Do you have to go through all the troubles? For sure, it will eat up a lot of your time.

This is where recruitment specialists come in. They help employers find ideal candidates for their openings. For instance, if there’s an opening for 20 sales representatives, the employer will go directly to the recruiters to help them look for qualified individuals. The recruiters in return will go over their database of registered jobseekers and look for applicants that match your qualifications.

Now this is a lot faster since it saves you time having to interview all the applicants yourself. What you have to do as an employer is to wait for the list of applicants the agency will provide you with after a thorough screening of all of them. Once the applicants have been screened, you can now interview them.

What about the responsibilities of recruitment specialists to jobseekers? You know how challenging and tiring it is to find a job especially if you’re fresh out of school. You have to go over newspapers’ classifieds, surf popular jobsites in the internet or submit your application personally. The good news is you can now save yourself the trouble of job hunting by asking the services of recruitment specialists.

Recruiters are more than happy to help jobseekers like you in finding your dream job. All you have to do is submit your papers including your resume and application letter to the recruitment agency. However, you have to pay for their registration and processing fees. Once everything’s ready, you can wait for them to contact you in case a job match comes up.

Many recruitment specialists are also helping registrants in their interview. They provide skills training and tests to help you discover your inner capabilities. They also assist you in processing your papers in case you get hired. They can help you with your passport, work visa or permit, and many more.

Recruitment specialists can do a lot to employers and jobseekers alike. Just make sure you deal with one that’s trustworthy, legit, and with proven track record/

Tags: advertising, Employers', Jobseekers, need, Recruitment, Specialists, Them
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by Aine D

Outdoor Camping Gear You Need To Buy

If you are planning to have an outdoor adventure, you need to be prepared with your outdoor camping gear. It is not necessary to bring everything from your kitchen and bedroom to have a comfortable condition. All you need to have is the survival gear.

Depending on your adventure, you can have hiking gear and camping and hunting gear. For all outdoor adventures, you will need the essentials including footwear, clothing, backpacks, camping tents, campground cooking tools and accessories.

Most outdoor foot wear is camping boots and trekking and hiking shoes. For serious hikers and campers, REI has high-end products for backpacking boots. You can also check out the hiking shoes of The Walking Company for good options, if you are an enthusiast of urban treks. Most shoes of The Walking Company ensure comfort.

Clothes are very important outdoor camping gear, because it can be cold at night when you are on highlands like mountain tops or hill tops. Be sure to bring with you a waterproof storm jacket. Check out Patagonia, Moosejaw and Backcountry.

Eastern mountain sports make quality backpack. Their products include daypacks, hydration packs and multi-day packs. Backpacks need to be durable because they hold and keep valuables. Camping tents provide shelter and protection for you when you are outdoors.

You will be shielded against the scorching heat of the sun, the pouring rain, and the rushing wind. Tents keep you guarded from pests like mosquitoes, noseeums and flies. They also protect your valuables like camp gear.

Outdoor camping gear would not be complete without your cooking tools. Whether you love cooking, preparing raw foods or opening canned goods, you will need to use fire. In most camp sites, a separate ground for cooking is prepared.

Be sure to bring a bag of charcoal, spatula, propane stove, few pots, skillet and you will never be hungry. You can bring meat for steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers and sandwiches. Among the camping accessories that you will need are the sleeping bags, compass and maps. You can also bring GPS.

Compass and maps are particularly important for people who visit a site for the first time or when there is no tour guide to provide directions. GPS devices are among the outdoor camping gear that is a product of technology innovation to make camping more convenient.

Sleeping bags and pads will not make you miss your bed at home. You will not have to sleep on hard ground as you can use cushions. You can choose inflatable pads or closed-cell pads. You will place your sleeping bag on top of the pads.

If you are new to camping or hiking, you should choose summer as the ideal season for you. If such is the case, you will not need an expensive sleeping bag for your outdoor camping gear. A lightweight rectangular sleeping bag will be comfortable for you.

If it is too warm, sleeping on top of it with a sheet or blanket is recommended. Of course, you need to bring pillow and blankets for a good night sleep. Hiking or camping is more enjoyable when you have complete outdoor camping gear.

Useful camping gear includes a tent, ground pad and an ax or hatchet. Pack proper camping gear and equipment with tips from a scoutmaster in this free camping video. Expert: Rusty Martin Bio: Rusty Martin is a Boy Scout leader who attended Scout Master training in 2006. Filmmaker: Evakay Favia
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Tags: Camping, Gear, need, outdoor
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by Steve Rhodes

Why Businesses need a Solution for Outlook Email Archiving

Ranging from business compliance to the performance of Outlook itself there are many reasons why in today’s world a company needs to look for a successful Outlook email archiving solution. There are a number of issues that businesses face with regards to email archiving and compliance below this article focuses on the more critical issues and some of the solutions to these problems. Whilst this article is focusing predominantly on businesses that use the Outlook and Microsoft Exchange systems much of what is discussed will be relevant to all businesses, particularly in the US and the UK.

Research has shown that the average worker can spend up to 90 minutes of every workday managing their mailboxes and performing archiving and data management tasks. This leads to loss of productivity to the entire business. Aside from the productivity issues most Exchange servers are only set to backup information once per day, meaning that any emails that have been deleted through the course of a day are not archived this can also be said to the auto archiving feature that Outlook has.  Also due to the way that the auto-archive feature works, finding a specific email that has been archived is incredibly laborious and time consuming.

There are several issues that need to be looked at with regard to the need for a good email archiving solution, these issues are outlined below.

Data flow over time

Before looking at any of the legal ramifications or performance problems of not having a good email archiving solutions it is important to first look at the points which create these issues.

Even smaller companies will generate massive amounts of emails over a long period of time.  This is caused by storage of emails and attachments, however part of the problem stems from having all versions of these emails stored for example: an email is sent out with a 1 MB attachment to every employee (30 people). Every reply to that email is also now being stored along with the original email text. Whilst the email sizes are not of any real significance at this point, over a period of a year with multiple instances of this example the storage required will add up, especially with taking into account the attachment being saved also.

Auto Archiving

Many businesses feel that they have no problems with archiving as they have the Outlook auto archiving in place for their company emails. This unfortunately is not as helpful as it may at first seem to be.  As mentioned earlier, any emails deleted prior to the auto-archive taking place are not archived.  This in itself provides massive issues with compliance which will be covered later. 

A common problem shared by all companies that rely on the Outlook auto archive tool is initially the build up of emails and more specifically the overall deterioration of performance from the Microsoft Exchange servers as a consequence of a large email volume.  As the Exchange servers fill with archived emails the system begins to slow and takes longer to perform each backup. The servers filling also increase the chance of a critical systems failure.

Outlook saves all email data as .pst files when it archives the old emails. Many .pst files will be created over time as bulk archives are created over a period of time. How often this happens depends on the specific settings a company has organised themselves and how many emails the company has sent and received within specifically set parameters. These parameters would be determined by the company’s individual settings.  The more data stored on a .pst file the slower the servers and Outlook will function for their various daily tasks such as a backup.

A more pressing concern with the way that Outlook auto archive functions however is that bulk email packages are saved as .pst files, specifically a maximum storage per file of 20 GB. 20 GB of space can store thousands of emails; if a .pst file is corrupted the information on every one of those emails can potentially be lost forever.  Aside from the difficulty for an individual to navigate these files to locate specific emails when called upon to do so, if the files are lost this can provide very costly issues with regard to compliance.

Compliance

The issues of compliance covers multiple different points that will affect companies to different degrees depending on what countries they are in or do business with. That said all of these points are worth understanding as the laws are quickly changing world wide to cover the issues raised by emails being regarded as legal documents. Whilst the specifics below are predominantly for the UK, other countries will have similar laws with different specifics laid out.

Freedom of Information Act 2000 (UK)

The public have the right to ask for copies of emails from public authorities. The authorities then have 20 days in which to provide the copies.

Data Protection Act

Individuals have the right to request for copies of personal data held about them by an authority or company. The authority or company then has a 40 day time frame for compliance; failure to comply can lead to heavy fines.

Employment Tribunals

The highest possible award at a tribunal for unfair dismissal in the UK is £66,200. With more communication in the places of work happening via email, companies need to ensure that they have easy access to all possible evidence available to protect themselves

Court Actions

A wronged party has 6 years from the date that a contract has been breached or a civil wrong committed to bring a court action. With emails potentially being used by either party it is necessary for a company or organisation to be able to access any information required that was stored within those previous 6 years. This means it is paramount that an organisation has the best possible email archiving system available to them.  The system the organisation uses can make the difference between winning and losing a court action.  Furthermore inability to provide requested evidence can result in heavy fines depending on the nature of the court action, thus having the ability to store and easily find the information could avoid these fines before a court action ever reaches a court.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act

This is a piece of US legislation also affects any company outside of the US which is listed on NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange, including subsidiaries of US companies that are themselves based outside of the US. The Act states that any transactional data meet the requirement of the Act.  Furthermore the Act sates over several sections that an organisation’s IT department is obligated to be able to provide any and all electronic data pertinent to a potential case during the discovery period in the event of a lawsuit or investigation.  Simply put an organisation must be able to provide copies of any electronic data as requested during the discovery period, the period prior to a case where evidence is collected to prepare for the legal proceeding, to a legal action.  Failure to provide the evidence in the discovery period results in heavy fines which are weighted against the nature of the legal proceeding.

The Solution

Most of the problems outlined above are not new and have been occurring for years, however with the exponential increase in the use of computers and by extension email these problems have begun to be far more severe and obvious.  The only possible solution is for a company to utilise an email archiving solution. The qualities one should look for in an email archiving solution, as outlined by the problems listed above, are as follows:

Can function independently from the Outlook’s auto archive facility Allows for settings to be standardised with capacity for users to create and archive new email folders with ease A program that does not rely on storing emails in bulk but instead saves each email individually so as to avoid the issues of file corruption. However still provides the functionality to archive files at the same time A solution that allows for customised archiving structures allowing companies to tailor how and where the files are saved. A solution which allows for deletion upon archiving of the emails from Outlook to again avoid high email volume effecting Microsoft Exchange servers Intuitive design to negate the need for training or complications prior to use of the solution. A solution that saves emails in a format that is readable independently of Outlook

It is important that all these criteria be met at the very least when looking for a solution to email archiving with Outlook to avoid all of the problems listed above. In the end avoiding these problems could save your business time and money and avoid the issue of decreased productivity from staff spending too much time organising mailboxes.

MsgSave is an Outlook add-in designed to tackle all of the afore mentioned issues and many more. MsgSave is offered in 3 different versions to meet your specific needs. MsgSave is a product of Sarcophagus a leader in IT business solutions.

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Tags: Archiving, Businesses, Email, need, Outlook, solution
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What type of Electronic Whiteboard do you need?

Electronic whiteboards are becoming the new standard in classrooms and meeting rooms, in the 21st century. They take presenting, teaching and learning to new levels of interactivity.

 What is an Electronic Whiteboard?

An electronic whiteboard allows material to be presented or displayed from a computer. Images, slides, text and even video can be displayed on an electronic whiteboard. Electronic whiteboard technology then allows for the teacher or presenter to interact with that image. For example, notes can be written on the electronic whiteboard adding information to the image presented. Electronic whiteboard technology can then capture that information and store it. Electronic whiteboards provide many useful applications in both business and classroom settings.

 Thermal Electronic Whiteboard

Thermal electronic whiteboards allow the user to write, and print in black and white only. Each thermal electronic whiteboard comes with a printer attached and the images captured on this electronic whiteboard are then printed on thermal paper. This provides ease of use, but presentations on thermal electronic whiteboards often lack flair as they can only be seen in black and white. The PLUS BF-041S Electronic Whiteboard is a good example of a thermal electronic whiteboard. It is a freestanding electronic whiteboard unit with the ability to be mounted and contains a printer.

 Color Electronic Whiteboard

Color electronic whiteboards can add pizzazz to presentations by introducing color. These electronic whiteboards can also be called copy boards. Using this technology, images are captured on the electronic whiteboard in color. These images can then be stored and either printed or distributed electronically. The PLUS M11s Electronic Whiteboard is a good choice for a color electronic whiteboard. It can be connected directly to a PC and images can be stored there or printed and distributed. Images stored on the computer from the electronic whiteboard can be further edited.

 Portable Electronic Whiteboards

A portable electronic whiteboard is an alternative solution to a standard electronic whiteboard. Using a system such as eBeam, it is possible to turn any whiteboard into an electronic whiteboard. Simply attach the eBeam receiver to the whiteboard and connect the receiver with a USB cable to your computer. This system is quick and easy to set up on any whiteboard and it is easy to transport. The Quarter IdeaShare Q8000 Portable Whiteboard Capture System includes a receiver, mounting systems, electronic pens, dry-erasure markers, software and USB cable. These come with a carry bag for ease in portability. Portable electronic whiteboard systems are an economical alternative to standard electronic whiteboard systems.

 Electronic whiteboards are setting the standard in presenting in both business and classroom settings. New schools being built include electronic whiteboards in each classroom. Electronic whiteboard sales have reached nearly billion dollars. Teachers are developing new teaching strategies utilizing interactive whiteboards and are finding excellent results in student learning. Electronic whiteboards have a positive effect on the motivation and attention learners have toward their subject.     While electronic whiteboards might once have been the wave of the future in classrooms and business settings, this is a technology that is here to stay.

For more information about electronic whiteboards, please visit iShopit.com

Related Whiteboards Articles

Tags: electronic, need, Type, Whiteboard
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Haberdashery supplies which you always need (such as hemming tape!)

Finding a local haberdashery isn’t always easy and with fewer haberdashery departments in larger stores you may be struggling to find some products that most people need even for basic jobs. Wundaweb is one of these products. This very popular product is a brilliant time-saving item, made of a fine, fusible fleece which bonds fabrics together quickly & easily, providing a natural firmly-joined finish (and saving you a lot of time and effort!)

We now have a new addition to the Wundaweb range with the Jumbo pack of Wundaweb 20m x 20mm (also available in 10 metre strip x 22mm wide size). This provides great value and is also available as a multipack so saving you even more money! Ideal for Dresses, Skirts, Trousers, Curtains and much more, this easy hemming, no sewing is very popular with our customers.

One customer recently wrote about Vilene Extra Strong Wundaweb:

“Excellent product range. Easy to use and very effective”

Gina Roberts – Author

This extra strong version is suitable for heavier fabrics & areas that require an extra strong bond. Ideal for hems on Jeans, Work wear Combat & Canvas fabrics, Soft Furnishings, Craft applications & applying the trims.

I recently wrote about the ways I was making use of the new Velcro® products (such as the Sew & Stick Tape for attaching a blackout blind), but it’s also really useful to have certain items in your sewing kit for dressmaking and repairs. I’ve already mentioned the Hem Fix Kit, which is ideal for instant repairs, but Sew on Tape (plus Anti Snag Sew On Tape) and Iron on Tape are also great for use at home when you don’t need an instant fix.

The Velcro® Sew on Tape is ideal for many Home Furnishing and Dressmaking tasks. It can be used for hand or machine sewing of soft furnishings, garments and more round the home.  Each pack contains 20 mm x 1 metre and is very long lasting and durable.

Want to make it even easier? For those who don’t want to (or can’t) sew… try the Velcro® Iron on Tape which is great for non-sew applications. Ideal for repairing and making clothes – use it instead of Buttons & Zips. Each pack contains 16mm x 1 metre.

In preparation for the big Spring Clean Up you may want to think about starting the long overdue task of storing away everyday items in the kitchen, under the stairs, in cupboards, the garage or shed.

Check back later in the week when I’ll run through many household products that are becoming increasingly difficult to find on the high street… why spend all your time looking for these products when you can find them all from the comfort of your own home?

If you have any suggestions of products you too are finding difficult to find please Contact Us and let us know… with customer feedback we can continue to build our range of products and continue to provide our customers with what they want!

Tags: always, Haberdashery, hemming, need, such, supplies, tape
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by -mrsraggle-

Prom Dresses From Overseas Auction Sellers: Five Things You Need To Know

Browse online auction sites and you’re sure to be amazed by the number of bargain prom dresses being advertised. However many people fail to factor in shipping charges, customs duty and VAT before purchasing a gown and end up with a prom dress which costs more than they expected. In addition to this, buying overseas may make it harder to get a refund if you receive a gown that does not match the description.

The purpose of this article is to highlight some of the things to bear in mind when buying prom dresses from overseas auction site sellers.

1. They may be making money on the shipping charge, not the purchase price

Does the price of the gown seem too good to be true? Many sellers offer a very low price on prom dresses and make their money from charging very high shipping charges. They do this because they know that many consumers will focus on the purchase price, treating the shipping price as an incidental cost. In some cases, by the time you’ve added on shipping costs, you can end up paying more than three times as much as you expected.

What to do: Many people focus on the bargain purchase price and try to put the postage price out of their mind. When ordering a prom dress from overseas the cost of shipping becomes part of your cost of purchasing the item. Always check the postage price and calculate the total amount that ordering this dress will cost you before making the decision to buy.

2. Overseas Prom Dresses will cost you 30% more than you think

If you’re importing a prom dress into the UK from a county outside of Europe you will be charged VAT and Customs Duty by HMRC if the amount you pay (for the item, shipping included) is over £70. VAT and Customs Duty are calculated based on the shipping and purchase cost. Once added on these taxes will normally increase the price of prom dresses by around 30%. This means if you pay £50 for the dress and £70 for delivery the total you will end up paying will not just be £120, it will be close to £160.

What to do: Contact HMRC for advice on how to work out the VAT and customs prom dresses attract.

So let’s say you receive a gown and wish to return it.  What are your options with regards to prom dresses which don’t fit or don’t meet their descriptions?

3. It will cost you money to return the Dress

If the factory agrees to let you return your prom gown then don’t forget that you’ll be the one who has to pay out for international postage to send it back to them.

What to do: Ensure that you bear this risk in mind when purchasing your gown

4. You may find UK law unenforceable

What happens if the factory refuses to allow you to return an item? If you were buying from a UK seller you have the options of contacting Trading Standards or taking the seller to small claims court. However, while UK law is enforceable in the UK, you may find it very difficult to enforce if you’ve bought prom dresses overseas.

What to do: Be aware of the risks involved; the greatest protection you have are therefore the threat of negative feedback or using a protected payment method.

5. Raising a dispute may not be successful

If worse comes to worst and the seller won’t refund your money for a dress which doesn’t match the description then you have two options. You can either threaten the seller with negative feedback or (if you’ve used a secure payment method) you can raise a dispute. However do bear in mind that such disputes are often difficult to settle and it is by no means a guarantee that you will definitely get your money back.

Buying prom dresses overseas from online auction sellers not only has hidden customs and VAT costs, it also has inherent risks. Be aware that buying abroad often means paying high shipping costs, customs duty, VAT and can affect your ability to return an item with which you are not satisfied. With this in mind you will be in a position to make an informed decision about whether the costs and risks involved in buying from an overseas seller make it a good option for you.

Tags: Auction, Dresses, Five, From, Know, need, Overseas, Prom, sellers, Things
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by Augapfel

I Need a New Boiler. What do i need to know

If you have ever need to upgrade your boiler you will know what a nightmare it can be having to choose what  New Boiler you need for your home.  What brand do I need?  Where should I put it?  How long will it last?  The questions are almost as serious as buying a new car or buying a home.  Purchasing a new boiler is after all a capital purchase, and serious consideration needs to be given in selecting the right brand and where it is going to be sighted.  Kitchen, Bedroom, or Loft, there are loads of spin off questions that come from the need for a new boiler.  First of all don’t worry,  there are hundreds of heating engineers that are highly qualified that can help you with your problem and if you are cold and have no hot water, dont get forced into decisions without assessing the options first. The old saying react in haste repent in lesiure is a true statement when choosing and installing a new boiler.

There are normally two types of customer that we come accross that need a new boiler.  1. Customers that need to have a boiler installed yesterday.  2. The customer thats planned their installation carefully because they know that there old boiler has been costing allot of money to run.

In both cases the questions will start to come and go .  So firstly get a pen and a piece of paper and write down what questions arise,  that way when you need to remember them, you have a record of your thoughts to dicuss with your installer.

There are considerations that you need to think about and there are some things that are taken out of customers hands due to Building regulation compliance ,so ill try to be brief so you can get an idea of what things customers can focus on to discuss.

Its important to identify what system you have!

Do I have a hot water cylinder?
Do I have Tanks in the loft, and how many tanks there are?
Do I have a room thermostat?
Do I have a programmer?
Do I have Thermostatic radiator valves?
Do I have a power shower

By finding out the answers to the above questions will help simplify what you need to discuss with your installer  Remember The size of your house is a large consideration when you have a property that is larger than three bedrroms. Purely because normally a 3-4 bed house starts to have other bathrooms and en suits,  more hot water taps than are found in a 2-3 bed home. thus the need for a larger volume of water being supplied to the hot taps. to avoid flow reduction if multiple taps are turned on.

Hot Water Cylinders.
If you have a cylinder in your home you will either have a fully pumped or gravity system an S-plan or C-plan system installed.
Here we go you may think?,  Not so.  If you have a cylinder in your home and its a three bedrromed house then 90% of our customers opt to have a Combination boiler installed in their home (On the whole they are far more efficient).  Its normally being upgraded from either of the systems that i mentioned above. So try to relax and discuss with your installer what you think you need.  He will explain what system you have when he call to give you a quote and survey your home.

Tanks in the loft.
If you have tanks in the loft or above your boiler and system, you have a few considerations for them.  Any exposed tank ie a tank without a sealed lid on it has to be upgraded so that it is sealed,  Galvanised tanks have to be removed so check what type of tank you have .  You have to have whats called a By law 30 kit to both tanks installed so if your opting to keep your existing system design and just get your boiler upgraded then water by laws state to all installers that this has to be done.

Room Thermostats.
You may have a room thermostat in your home thats been installed with your central heating system, or you may have had it installed after an old one has broken down.  You may not have one at all.  If you are thinking of just upgrading your old boiler again you have to consider a room thermostat.  Under current building regulations your new boiler has to have whats called a boiler interlock.  That is the control of heat by a combination of room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valve controls.  Your installer will tell you more about this but if you have not got them,  you will need to have them installed so that you system conforms to current building regulations.   Having them installed will help save huge amounts of gas and reduce that monthly gas bill considerably.

Thermostatic radiator valves.
Thermostatic radiator valves come in many shapes and orientations but the most common feature is a control that regulates the temprature of the heat that is in the room.  either by detecting the radiator panel temprature or the ambient temprature of the room the radiator is installed in.  As i explained in room thermostats these are mandatory if your system does not have them and they will help save you around £300.00 in gas anually.

Do i have a Power Shower.
This is where carefull consideration needs to be given.  If you are in a 2-3 bed house and you have a power shower and think.  I can not have a combination boiler because i have that type of shower you would be wrong.  Combination boilers come with many different flow rates some offer up to 19.1 ltrs a minute and still provide enough heat for the heating system and hot water.  With a combined incoming cold mains flow and the hot water flow  you should experience a combined flow rate through your shower in excess of 24 ltrs per minute.  You will find that your shower pump provides water flow rates of around this mark,  so upgrading your system to a combination boiler (certain checks have been made) could still provide the hot water you need for your shower to operate without the noise and electricity from the pump.

Will it be Combination or System Boiler

This is the inside of a normal system boiler.  All of its main controls are on the panel at the front of the boiler and its system controls are ouside the boiler.

Because of building regulations you would have to have installed with this boiler the following from the top of your system to the bottom:

Upgrade tanks and By Law 30 kits.**
Install 3 port valve kit or S-Plan System.**
Upgrade old cylinder.
Re Orientate existing pipework.**
Install Room Thermostats.**
Install Thermostaatic Radiator Valves.**
Upgrade Gas pipe to boiler ( Not in all cases)
Install condensate pipework from new boiler to drain**
Install flue basket If situated below 1.8m outside.**
Exterior components not under Manufacturer guarantee.

This is the inside of a combination boiler, you will have noticed from the picture

above that all of its controls are outside the boiler but on this boiler all of the controls are on the inside there are only a few considerations that we need to take into consideration to have one of these installed

Gas Supply needs upgrading
Install condensate pipework from new boiler to drain.**
Install room thermostat.**
Install Thermostatic Radiator Valves.**
Remove excess pipework and seal system.*
Can Be re sighted easily.
More flueing options.
Higher combined efficiency.
All components under  manufacturer guarantee.

Choosing controls that are Effective and look ok too.

Installing efficient controls that are not only effective but pleasing to the eye are the best controls that you can choose.  If you are spending the time to have your system upgraded then its common sense to choose something thats not an eye sore.  some controls such as this Easy stat from Alpha have a radio device on the left of the picture that fits neatly into the boller .  It communicates with the Easy stat by radio frequency and it can be sited up to 60 meters away from the boiler, it operates through walls and does not need line of site to work.  When having a thermostat like this installed meens less wiring.  Means less over all cost.

The Costs.

The cost of a new replacement system boiler taking into consideration the nessacery upgrades that have to be done are between £2100.00 – £4000.00 depending on the upgrades that need to be applied,  if you are lucky and you have all the controls that are needed to comply with building regulations then you could expect your system to be installed for under £2000.00  obviously prices will differ depending on when and who you get to install it.  Be sure of one thing whoever you get to install it.  They have to be Gas Safe Registered and they have to have part L for registering there appliance with your local building regulation department.  If they are not registered part L compliant then expect to get a bull from building control for around £200.00 for registering your product.

A combination system up to around 35KW fully installed is around £2000.00 – £3600.00 depending on flue type and control set.  these systems are far more efficient so you will recover installation costs alltot quicker than you would a system boiler.  guarantees range from 3,5 and 10 years with the prices given above and all the boilers have to have a Gas Safe Registered engineer to install them again they also need top be Part L compliant.

Remember VAT goes up to 20% in 2011

Have your boiler installed by us before the VAT increase  and we will give you up to £100 in Marks & Spencer vouchers.  You will also receive A Free Adey Magna Clean or A Free Fernox TF-1 Filter to increase the life of your boiler.  Fully installed free of charge

Tags: Boiler., Know, need
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by chiaraogan

Why you need an acid-free, pH neutral storage box for your wedding dress

Some people may think that a large plastic bag or any old storage box will do when it comes to properly storing a wedding dress, but the fact is that you need to use an acid free pH neutral storage box for your wedding dress to keep it it in the most optimal condition. Why?

Acids Destroy Fabric The acids in the cardboard box will damage the fabric over time. The point of storing your dress is so you can have it perfect condition in however many years, to pass on to a daughter or a sister, or maybe even wear it again when it is time to renew your vows.

Why pH Neutral? Even if they aren’t acidic, the boxes may have a reverse alkalinity which may also work to damage and discolour the fabric. This is why it is very important to make sure that the box you store your dress in is not only acid free but pH neutral. This will keep the box from causing any damage to the dress.

Viewing Window or No Viewing Window No viewing window, because light will cause the fabric to discolour. When you are looking for a wedding dress storage box, make sure that in addition to being acid free and pH neutral, the box has no windows to let light in.

Once you have selected the proper box for your dress, remember not to use tissue paper inside (unless it is pH neutral!) the box to cushion the dress, because with the right box, you should not need the tissue paper. Also remember to clean the dress and allow it to dry completely before storing it to ensure that it will be in the best condition possible later.

Temperature fluctuations could also cause damage to the fabric, so the place where the box is stored should be a fairly consistent temperature year round. Store in a dry, dark place to prevent discolouration. Take time to inspect the dress each year to ensure there are no new stains and admire its beauty. So, the key is a pH neutral wedding dress box.

Tags: acidfree, Dress, need, neutral, Storage, Wedding
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