eCommerce

Absolutely Amazing Auctions

For quite some time I have been fascinated by auctions. the bargains one can find at auctions, especially online ones, can be amazing. The latest and most exciting form of online auction site currently is SwipeAuctions. Their site is only small compared to some of the Mega Auction sites. This is an advantage as it has only got the best bargains that are not hidden by thousands of junk items.

The site is run as a so-called “Penny-Auction”. Bidders buy packs of “penny” bids and then make bids on the desired item. Item prices are raised by a cent (penny) a bid. The last person having made a bid when the time runs out is the successful buyer. The amazing thing is the often low very prices at completion.

Buying products from them was a joy, quick and easy checkout with a choice of payment methods. The delivery time was amazing and hassle-free. This was a change from the repeated and often frustrating orders from another more famous site.

The main reason for this excellent service is the new VIP Customer Service section. This is in addition to a FAQ and help section. Total hassle free auctions and no deadbeat sellers. About time!

Immigration and International removals

INTERNATIONAL REMOVALS
In my last post I gave several reasons why immigration to Australia had advantages for online commerce site owners being hassled by various authorities for their activities. since then I have had some of my overseas friends contacting me and saying that they are seriously considering the option. I decided to investigate for them the procedures needed to facilitate the shift.

Issues like passports, visas, work permits, housing are easily handled by most people via official Government sites,the only issue that isn’t is the international removals process. The hassles start with decisions about what belongings should be left behind, sold off, or given away. After deciding the amount of belongings being taken to your new home in a different country, then comes the hassles associated with international removals. International removals involves more than just a couple dozen cardboard boxes, bubble wrap and some duct tape. There often is a need for a shipping container or several wooden crates for the big items like furniture and white goods. Then there is also the problem ensuring adequate padding and coverings for the various items. Another problem is sealing against vermin during the journey. Custom declarations and insurance valuations for some items often require several days to arrange.

The usage of companies specialising in international removals in a professional manner will make all these and any other problems disappear. The ease of shifting using these companies makes what would be a total hassle into a pleasant business transaction. Hopefully the information provided by me to my overseas friends will see several making the big jump to becoming an Australian resident. In the past International removals ensured enough hassles that would have seen me not recommending it to anyone. Now with the use of professional international removals companies, I would recommend it to anyone thinking of shifting from one country to another.

Online restrictions and Immigration

North Carolina is the latest US State that has placed restrictions on online eCommerce sites doing trade.
Amazon.com has notified several of my US friends that their affiliate accounts have been closed until further notice.
The following was my reply to one of them.

Apply for immigration to AUSTRALIA
It has multiple advantages

  1. No STUPID State Sales TAXES (Australian Constitution Prohibits the Separate Aust. states from having state taxation)
  2. Wonderful Climate, beaches and Outback.
  3. We LOVE eCommerce, Gambling and Other types of Online Sites. We have the highest per capita rate of eBAY and Paypal usage in the world.
  4. Great People that speak US English (50 years of watching USA TV has done that. Doh!).
  5. NO IDIOT Governors , our Governors are appointed not ELECTED. They tend to be academics or respected professionals, not recycled snake-oil merchants or actors.
  6. HIGH rate of internet usage and recognition.
  7. High Standard of living. Universal Health Insurance and Social Welfare.
  8. Lots of Koalas,Kangaroos and Crocodiles.
  9. Environmentally Aware Government.
  10. No Dead Politicians on our Currency. We have pictures of people that have made a real contribution to our country, not some loser politician.

Hosting Hassles and Paypal Payments

I mentioned previously about shifting some of my sites from my previous Canadian Host. Due to delays and difficulties I have deferred that decision until next month. In the meantime I been investigating a replacement hosting for my little sites and subdomains. Looking through the vast array of available hosting companies I chose a company that is promoting a July only promotion. I thought great ,get a years worth of hosting for a reasonable price. After several hassles regarding the payment using Paypal eCheque (it was not a PayPal problem) and a couple phone calls to UK (Their promoted Aussie Support is NON-Existent) I now have the hosting up and running.

It just reinforced my previous concerns about eCommerce sites, especially hosting companies and their usage of paypal. I get totally frustrated by supposed Hi-tech sites that don’t offer paypal or have only limited usage. Come on guys, Lift your game. Web-Users love paypal. We don’t want a online site that only expects Credit Cards. Or that un-named site I visited recently that only offers Direct Deposits for payments. That site sells (probably not many) pre-made eCommerce sites that feature Paypal payments, but they don’t accept Paypal.