If you haven't figured out by now, I am a huge fan of online entrepreneur John Chow. Not only is he an inspiration for entrepreneurs everywhere, he's has a strong and truthful opinion (no BS), which I absolutely love. And he's very down to earth with a heart of gold.
Which brings me to a recent post of his about Invesp a PPC campaign company. In his post he share's this with his readers:
"A couple days ago Shoemoney and I decided endorsed ZK of Web Traffic ROI to win the Invesp Top Internet Marketer of 2009. We asked you to vote for ZK instead of us because we felt ZK deserve the win and with it, the recognition.
You guys did your part and within a few days ZK was crushing everyone in the contest.
However, it seems that Invesp wanted someone else to win and has removed most of ZK’s votes.
If you can’t trust Invesp to run a legit contest then how can you really trust them to run your PPC campaigns or optimize your conversions? What a bunch of douche bags!
Invsep. You just got on a shit list!"
After reading this, I must say wow. I cannot believe a company would go as far as rigging a contest! And while not all contests are as illegitimate as this one, it makes me wonder how many other companies actually rig contests to their advantage. I am sorry to see that ZK's votes were removed from the contest. I'm very sure if John Chow felt the way he did about ZK then there's definitely a good reason for it. Just as Invesp deserves the write up about their rigged contest!
I know when I hold contests on my blog I do not play favorites. Sure, I have friends and family members enter some of the contests I host, but they get the same treatment as the rest of my readers and are placed into a random drawing program that selects the winner. I know I would not want to be cheated out of any contest I enter! And it's a damn shame that Invesp would stoop so low!
2009-12-09
And the Winner of the Cheerios Books and Barnes and Nobel Prize Pack is....
Lysa of mafiaprincess.........
I want to thank everyone who entered this contest! I wish I could give out more than one of the same prize pack at a time because I know how exciting it is to be able to win!
I am hoping to have more giveaways in the near future which I'm very sure I will! So please feel free to check back with me for more goodies!
Again, a big thank you everyone who stopped by the enter the giveaway and a big thank you to cheerios and to myblogspark for allowing me to be a part of this opportunity!!
I want to thank everyone who entered this contest! I wish I could give out more than one of the same prize pack at a time because I know how exciting it is to be able to win!
I am hoping to have more giveaways in the near future which I'm very sure I will! So please feel free to check back with me for more goodies!
Again, a big thank you everyone who stopped by the enter the giveaway and a big thank you to cheerios and to myblogspark for allowing me to be a part of this opportunity!!
2009-12-08
2 hours Left For the Book Giveaway and a Little Holiday Humor!
Only two hours left until my contest ends for the Cheerios, books and the $25 Barnes and Nobel gift card giveaway! Contest ends at 1pm central time! This is an awesome prize pack that's sponsored by Cheerios and MyBlogSpark! Only 2 ways to win, so everyone gets a fair chance!
And while I can't guarantee this will come in time to use before Christmas, I would like to leave you with some holiday family safe jokes!!! I found them printed on the kids' school newsletter and couldn't resist sharing them! Enjoy!
What do elves learn in school? The elf-abet
What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents? Silent Night
What do you get when you cross a Snowman with a vampire? Frost Bite
And while I can't guarantee this will come in time to use before Christmas, I would like to leave you with some holiday family safe jokes!!! I found them printed on the kids' school newsletter and couldn't resist sharing them! Enjoy!
What do elves learn in school? The elf-abetWhat Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents? Silent Night
What do you get when you cross a Snowman with a vampire? Frost Bite
Warning! If You Shop Online For the Holidays You Need to Read This
A few weeks ago during Black Friday, I received a gift card that was for online use only. And if you've ever received a gift card by email then you know that there's a gift code sent to you that's needed in order for you to cash in on that card.
Not thinking anything of it, I typed the code into the website's claim box and prepared myself for some after Thanksgiving holiday shopping. But instead, what I got was a response stating that this gift code has already been claimed. My first thought was, "Well, maybe I entered it in wrong.", so I tried it again. This time I got Error, we cannot process this gift code. Please contact customer service.
By now I was slightly panicking because I'd planned on using that gift card for Christmas gifts for the kids. At the time we didn't have much Christmas money and what money we were saving we'd planned on using for gas for travel during the holidays to pick kids up, etc.
When I talked to customer service, I was told my biggest fear. The gift card had already been claimed and used. They then said they would look into the issue. So then I contacted the sender of the card because I wondered if maybe the same gift card was sent to more than just myself. I learned it wasn't.
So now I finally wondered, is it possible someone had hacked into my email account and stolen the code for their own personal use? Yes of course it was and I suddenly found myself angry that someone had stolen my kids' Christmas gifts! What was even worse was the fact that I'd also just read the fine print of the claim code for that card which stated the company was not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards!
My day had just went from fantastic, to worry, to pissed off -all in a matter of 30 minutes. So I did the only thing I could and went shopping for Christmas gifts offline. It was a much needed break out of town and lowered my stress level. Which by the way, I'd like to thank my father-in-law for dinner!
Then about a week later I decided to wrap up my holiday shopping for my husband on the same website I was planning to use the gift card. They had some really unique stuff and since my hubby is so darn picky, I figured this would be a great place to shop.
After placing my order with a credit card, I received a notice stating thank you for your purchase, your gift card balance is now..... So after recovering from a little shock, I called customer service who then stated that yes, my gift card balance was correct and the matter of the issue had been resolved. They gave me no other explanation other than that.
Then I checked my email not long after I'd made the phone call and discovered an email from them. In the email it said, the issue has been resolved since it looks like you were able to claim the code and use your gift card. Huh??? I'd never re-entered that code!
So even though I have the gift card back, it doesn't mean it really makes up for things. I mean yes, I should be happy I have the gift card. But, I spent more on 5 kids than on the hubby and there's still a remaining balance on the card. I can't simply use that card to make up for the gas money I used from the holiday travel account I was saving and I'm still not sure what exactly happened to the gift card.
Was there an error on their end and the card's balance just wasn't showing up or did someone really hack into my email account and steal the card's claim code and the company decided to reimburse me for it? Either way it has left me much more cautious to the fact that I won't be sending any online gift cards and I'd prefer not to receive them if at all possible (or if I do I'll be spending them immediately).
And for important email I've realized that no email address is safe. Even if it's for business use only. I learned that well after my experience with the holiday gift card. I had a twitter account user send me junk mail to my resume business email address which I don't give out to anyone but major companies that are hiring. Yet, somehow this individual had my email address. Hmm.
Everyone is out to make and steal a buck any way they can and it all boils down to, the easiest way to do that is through email. So please be careful when you're shopping online for the holidays! I don't like the idea of any child going without Christmas gifts all because of a greedy thief!
Please Note: This is a paid post sponsored by buy.com and payu2blog. Everything I have written above is true and thanks to this sponsored post and both of these companies I'll have a little more cash to add back to that travel account for the holidays!
Not thinking anything of it, I typed the code into the website's claim box and prepared myself for some after Thanksgiving holiday shopping. But instead, what I got was a response stating that this gift code has already been claimed. My first thought was, "Well, maybe I entered it in wrong.", so I tried it again. This time I got Error, we cannot process this gift code. Please contact customer service.
By now I was slightly panicking because I'd planned on using that gift card for Christmas gifts for the kids. At the time we didn't have much Christmas money and what money we were saving we'd planned on using for gas for travel during the holidays to pick kids up, etc.
When I talked to customer service, I was told my biggest fear. The gift card had already been claimed and used. They then said they would look into the issue. So then I contacted the sender of the card because I wondered if maybe the same gift card was sent to more than just myself. I learned it wasn't.
So now I finally wondered, is it possible someone had hacked into my email account and stolen the code for their own personal use? Yes of course it was and I suddenly found myself angry that someone had stolen my kids' Christmas gifts! What was even worse was the fact that I'd also just read the fine print of the claim code for that card which stated the company was not responsible for lost or stolen gift cards!
My day had just went from fantastic, to worry, to pissed off -all in a matter of 30 minutes. So I did the only thing I could and went shopping for Christmas gifts offline. It was a much needed break out of town and lowered my stress level. Which by the way, I'd like to thank my father-in-law for dinner!
Then about a week later I decided to wrap up my holiday shopping for my husband on the same website I was planning to use the gift card. They had some really unique stuff and since my hubby is so darn picky, I figured this would be a great place to shop.
After placing my order with a credit card, I received a notice stating thank you for your purchase, your gift card balance is now..... So after recovering from a little shock, I called customer service who then stated that yes, my gift card balance was correct and the matter of the issue had been resolved. They gave me no other explanation other than that.
Then I checked my email not long after I'd made the phone call and discovered an email from them. In the email it said, the issue has been resolved since it looks like you were able to claim the code and use your gift card. Huh??? I'd never re-entered that code!
So even though I have the gift card back, it doesn't mean it really makes up for things. I mean yes, I should be happy I have the gift card. But, I spent more on 5 kids than on the hubby and there's still a remaining balance on the card. I can't simply use that card to make up for the gas money I used from the holiday travel account I was saving and I'm still not sure what exactly happened to the gift card.
Was there an error on their end and the card's balance just wasn't showing up or did someone really hack into my email account and steal the card's claim code and the company decided to reimburse me for it? Either way it has left me much more cautious to the fact that I won't be sending any online gift cards and I'd prefer not to receive them if at all possible (or if I do I'll be spending them immediately).
And for important email I've realized that no email address is safe. Even if it's for business use only. I learned that well after my experience with the holiday gift card. I had a twitter account user send me junk mail to my resume business email address which I don't give out to anyone but major companies that are hiring. Yet, somehow this individual had my email address. Hmm.
Everyone is out to make and steal a buck any way they can and it all boils down to, the easiest way to do that is through email. So please be careful when you're shopping online for the holidays! I don't like the idea of any child going without Christmas gifts all because of a greedy thief!
Please Note: This is a paid post sponsored by buy.com and payu2blog. Everything I have written above is true and thanks to this sponsored post and both of these companies I'll have a little more cash to add back to that travel account for the holidays!
2009-12-05
The Truth is
Many of the reviews/articles that I write to help companies out haven't been based on actual reviews lately. Instead, I've added a little story into the twist of things to give the company a fun edge rather than leave readers with a review or article that looks like a commercial. I mean seriously? How many of us sit through the commercial breaks during our favorite television shows or movies. I know I'm one that gets up and takes that break time to use the bathroom or get somethimg to drink. And of course now there's Tivo which allows you to fast forward through those commercial breaks!
Still, new rules and regulations are coming out where it seems like you must be truthful and positive about your reviews. No lying. I have to agree with that rule, actually. I won't lie about a product I've never used. If I'm interested in it, I will say so. If I've used it I will say so. But be positive about it when I hate that product? I don't think so! And for products I have no idea what they're like? I input them into stories and give those little unknown companies a chance, anyway. Everyone has to survive and make a living.
So now here I am once again with another review on adipex reviews and I'll tell you how I feel about diet pills.... It's good if you really need to lose weight, but in my opinion I do not believe that diet pills are the answer. And in some ways this website doesn't either. I say some because they approve of other diet pills.
And I'll tell you something else, the website link says that Adipex is FDA approved and the number one diet pill in america, yet they also say it's been sold under various names. Why disguise a diet pill if it really works? That would be a huge concern.
Here's another huge concern. Any chemical filled pill will always have side effects. This one includes shortness of breath, allergic reactions, extreme weight gain, swelling, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe headaches, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, uneven heartbeats, and seizures.
So there's the extreme weight gain issue. Hmm and they're supposed to help you lose weight? And then there's seizures and uneven heartbeats. Ohh and of course unusual behavior??? WOW. No thank you! I mean I know this world is insane enough as it is, but I don't want to see people eating dirt or wearing an ice cream cone for a hat.
Mother nature never intended for us to put harmful chemicals into our bodies, so why do it?
Still, new rules and regulations are coming out where it seems like you must be truthful and positive about your reviews. No lying. I have to agree with that rule, actually. I won't lie about a product I've never used. If I'm interested in it, I will say so. If I've used it I will say so. But be positive about it when I hate that product? I don't think so! And for products I have no idea what they're like? I input them into stories and give those little unknown companies a chance, anyway. Everyone has to survive and make a living.
So now here I am once again with another review on adipex reviews and I'll tell you how I feel about diet pills.... It's good if you really need to lose weight, but in my opinion I do not believe that diet pills are the answer. And in some ways this website doesn't either. I say some because they approve of other diet pills.
And I'll tell you something else, the website link says that Adipex is FDA approved and the number one diet pill in america, yet they also say it's been sold under various names. Why disguise a diet pill if it really works? That would be a huge concern.
Here's another huge concern. Any chemical filled pill will always have side effects. This one includes shortness of breath, allergic reactions, extreme weight gain, swelling, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe headaches, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, uneven heartbeats, and seizures.
So there's the extreme weight gain issue. Hmm and they're supposed to help you lose weight? And then there's seizures and uneven heartbeats. Ohh and of course unusual behavior??? WOW. No thank you! I mean I know this world is insane enough as it is, but I don't want to see people eating dirt or wearing an ice cream cone for a hat.
Mother nature never intended for us to put harmful chemicals into our bodies, so why do it?
2009-12-01
And the Award Goes to.......Me!
So apparently I'm getting this great Heartfelt Blog Award from Lauren of Think Spin and I have no idea why! But thank you and ain't the award perrtty! If you have not already visited Lauren's blogs, it's an absolute must. She's seriously aka funny!!!
Now my biggest problem is I'm supposed to errm pass this award along to up to nine other deserving blogs. But, I just can't pick nine or less!!! There are so many great blogs out there that it's difficult to choose just nine.
I mean to name a few there is Momfile, Think Spin, John Chow, Word Vixen and the list goes on and on and on and on.........
Win a Prize Pack of Books, Barnes and Noble $25 Gift Card and Cheerios Cereal!
This is a biggy folks! Thanks to the Cheerios 100,000 Book Giveaway program and Myblogspark I just received a box of goodies including:
- a box of frosted cheerios
- 5 children's books
- a $25 Gift Card from Barnes and Noble
And guess what? I am also giving away that same prize pack to one of my readers thanks to Cheerios and Myblogspark! But first let me tell you a little bit about the Cheerios 100,000 Book Giveaway program.
What Cheerios is doing is offering 20,000 books to five lucky states and you can help for free! The top five states (Oklahoma is currently #1) who receive the most votes will get 20,000 books for their state.
If you're interested in helping out you can visit www.FirstBook.org/Scieszka. From there you'll be asked a series of questions that you and your child can answer. They're simple questions from a different children's books. For every answer you get right you can cast your vote for the state of your choice.
While this is optional for you to enter and win the giveaway, I will give an extra entry if you vote and tell me the correct answer for the question of:
"In Playtime in Trucktown, how many spare tires should Gabriella watch out for?"
But you'll also need to leave me a comment telling me what your email address is in order to enter this giveaway.
That's it, only 2 ways to win. I'm making this simple and easy this time around. However, you must be a U.S. Resident to win. Contest ends at: 1pm central time Tuesday December 8th. Good Luck!
2009-11-30
Blogging Away Debt and Why I'm No Longer Following Them
When I first became interested in following blogs, one of the major blogs that I followed was "Blogging Away Debt." At that time it was an awesome blog because the writer would give an inside look at her family's debt and how they were paying it off. It was one of the few blogs that I actually read each and every day in my inbox. I'd even won Quicken from a drawing on one of her posts.
Then when she'd cleared her debt and another writer took over I figured I'd stick around and see what the new writer had to say. As it turns out she didn't have much to say about debt and actually paying it off and that's very disappointing to me. Her posts were more about her worries of catching a virus, staying in shape and so forth.
Now don't get me wrong, I feel for her when it came to some of those issues, but to me, working out has nothing to do with paying off debt as she'd tried to argue in her defense that it was. What I was looking for was details on paying down the debt and how specifically they're doing it. She hasn't been doing that and I fear she never will, so I unsubscribed from the blogging away debt's blog.
And at first I thought I would feel a little guilty, but actually, it's a breath of fresh air and now it's one less daily email that's a waste of space and time in my box. Yeah!
Then when she'd cleared her debt and another writer took over I figured I'd stick around and see what the new writer had to say. As it turns out she didn't have much to say about debt and actually paying it off and that's very disappointing to me. Her posts were more about her worries of catching a virus, staying in shape and so forth.
Now don't get me wrong, I feel for her when it came to some of those issues, but to me, working out has nothing to do with paying off debt as she'd tried to argue in her defense that it was. What I was looking for was details on paying down the debt and how specifically they're doing it. She hasn't been doing that and I fear she never will, so I unsubscribed from the blogging away debt's blog.
And at first I thought I would feel a little guilty, but actually, it's a breath of fresh air and now it's one less daily email that's a waste of space and time in my box. Yeah!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
