The (Not so) Fascinating Life of Tabitha: Soapbox Sunday

Showing posts with label Soapbox Sunday. Show all posts

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Soapbox Sunday/Sharin the Love: Printable Converison Charts

Soapbox Sunday: Batteries and (Not so) Wordless Wednesday: Jared's Computer

First, I need to explain something before I launch into my rant.

This past Black Friday at Wal-Mart, they had a digital SLR camera bundle that I wanted so bad. I mean, so bad I was trying to think of every way possible to squeeze the cash out of the budgt to buy this thing. Yes, the idea of selling my kidney did enter my brain. I mean, I only need one, right? Why have two?

Anyway, I finally gave up because there was just no way to justify the expense.

Fast forward to Christmas and I open a gift from my husband and it's this really nice camera bag:

I have both my paternal and maternal grandfather's old SLR cameras (they are among my most prized processions as how many people can say they own something from both of their grandfathers?), so I thought my husband bought me this nice camera bag to put those SLR's in. It didn't even occur to me to open the camera bag until my husband says, "Um, open it."

So, I did.

And snuggled inside was the camera. I mean the camera. The very camera I contemplated selling my kidney to obtain. I was totally surprised. He totally got me this year. I had no idea what so ever. He had put it on layaway and been making payments on it all this time.

Ain't it pretty?!?

So, I take the camera out of the package and start to put it together so I can use it to take pictures of Jared getting his computer (I'll explain more about that later).

Here is where my rant starts. The camera has a rechargeable battery which I love. However, the battery was dead.

Really?? I mean, you pay a ton for these pretty new gadgets and of course you want to use it immediately but you can't because you have to charge the battery. Would it be so much trouble to include a charged battery? I was so disappointed that I had to wait to be able to use it and had to use my (now turdish) digital camera to snap pictures of Jared opening his computer.

Before I explain Jared's computer, I want to show everyone one of the things I got Steven. It is a tad bit silly (and after the surprise camera makes me look like a total cheap stake). Steven loves panda bears and Eeyore. So, I went on Build a Bear and made him this:

When he opened it, he said, "Oh, its an Eeyore!" To which I replied, "No, its not!" He took it out of the little Build a Bear house and responded, "Its a panda. Dressed as Eeyore."

Now, to explain Jared and his computer. Jared's current computer was one that my husband build like five years ago (way before we met me) and when he got his new one, he let Jared have the old one. While still a good computer, being five years old, it did have its limitations. It tended to overheat when Jared wanted to play Minecraft or World of Warcraft.

Jared so wanted a new computer (or upgrade the one he had) so that he would be able to play Minecraft and WoW.

Steven and I had already had planned and budgeted to get him a new one, but we didn't tell Jared. In fact, we told him there was no way we could afford one and he accepted it.

Steven and I decided that if we are going to get a new computer, we were going to get a good computer so we custom built an Alienware game computer.

So, we put the big box in front of Jared and he starts to open:

"This big box is mine?"

So, he has the wrapping paper off and I thought for sure when he saw the word "Alienware" he would know what it was.

By the look on his face, I could tell he was confused.

"Do you know what it is?" I asked him.

"No," He answers.

"Open the box."

(I know these pictures are all kinds of goofy, but I've been fighting with them for like ten minutes to get them to line up right and I give up. They will just have to be wonky.)

He pulls the computer out and look at it. Now, keep in mind the computer is one of the smaller more compact desktops so it is about half the size of a normal desktop tower.

He is looking at this thing and I can tell he is still confused.

"Do you know what it is?" I asked him.

"Um... is it an Xbox?" He replies.

I start rolling laughing.

"No, silly. Its a brand new computer!"

"Oh! Really?" And he look at it for a minute, pondering. He finally asks, "But will it play Minecraft?"

"Yes, son, your brand new custom made computer that makes mine and Steven's laptop looks like something Santa pooped out, will indeed, play Minecraft."

I guess we did too good of a job convincing him that he was not getting a new computer this year.

I told this story to my co-workers and "But will it play Minecraft?" has become the office joke.
Whenever someone asks a question, it is immediately followed by this question.

"Is the copier working?"

"I dunno, but will it play Minecraft?"

"Is the website up?"

"I dunno, but will it play Minecraft?"

Soapbox Sunday: Free Printable Calendar Links

So, not in the mood to get on my soapbox today.

Instead, here are some links for some free printable calendar and calendar creators.

http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/calendars/a/122900a.htm

http://www.calendarlabs.com/

http://www.wincalendar.com/2013-Word-Calendar.htm

Sopabox Sunday: Trolls

I really hate trolls.

No, I don't mean these trolls:

Or these:

I mean these trolls:

In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as a forum, chat room, or blog, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion. The noun troll may also refer to the provocative message itself, as in: "That was an excellent troll you posted."
While the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, media attention in recent years has made such labels subjective, with trolling describing intentionally provocative actions and harassment outside of an online context. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."^{- Wikipedia}

Soapbox Sunday: Alexa Rating

Ok, I will admit, I don't know a whole lot about this whole Alexa rating thing other than I should care because I am supposed to have a low score.

What happened to the good old fashion "Do you like me? Check YES or NO" note. Or better yet, hey you like me? Great. Click the Follow Me button.

What's next? An Olympic sport? And the Gold for Top Blogger goes too....

Blargh. That's what I say to it. But, of course, as soon as I finish this I will start researching how to get my score where it "should be".

......sigh......

Soapbox Sunday: 'Tis the Season

Well, its been a long week.

We've been having some "hiccups" at work and I am applaud at the way people have handled it.

Without going into a lot of detail, we launched a new website and we have ran into a lot of unexpected issues.

The public outcry to the issues have been unflipingbelievable.

People have gone onto our website and made such comments how we all should be fired, be ashamed of ourselves, and drug into the street and shot.

Really? What kind of hatred do you have in your soul that would warranty such words on a public forum? I know the words were spoken in anger and frustration but we are in an age where you can no longer say words like that.

If it were up to me, the author would be permabanned from the site.

**********************************************************************************

It’s not just with my work either. I was in the convenience store earlier trying to purchase me a drink to bring with me to work and the man in front of me, unhappy with the answer he got from the cashier, looked at him and said, “I hope you get robbed and shot tonight.”

I was so applaud that someone could wish that on a complete stranger that tears came to my eyes. I just can’t fathom the idea that a person has that much hatred and unhappiness in their being, could inflicted such cruel words to another human being.

It’s madness!

I think the whole population has taken a side road into crazy town.

Soapbox Sunday: Mean People

It is getting to the time of the year that I love and hate at the same time.

I love it because its the holidays and its about spending time with friends and family and eating yummy food until you want to explode.

I hate it because people seem to grow a since of entitlement and their patience goes down to zero.

Holidays seem to bring out the worst in people in a time when everyone should be happy and caring and understanding.

Yeah, right. Maybe in a perfect world painted by Norman Rockwell.

I hate being in a customer service position during this time of year. People are mean. No, mmmmmmmeaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnnnn, like Grinch mean.

Come on, people, calm down and be nice to each other! We are all human beings. Don't ruin the holidays for someone else because you have a crappy attitude.

Remember, even the Grinch's heart grew three times bigger!

Soapbox Sunday: Food and Money

Just a quick and random thought:

How come when you are broke, you can think of all kinds of food that would be so good to eat but when you have money, nothing sounds good??

Soapbox Sunday: Christmas Music

You know what really irritates me?

Its not even Thanksgiving yet and the radio stations are already playing Christmas music 24/7. Is there even enough Christmas music on this planet to play for that length of time?!

This is the time of year I am thankful for my iPhone and its:

I suppose if you like Christmas music than the thought of it non-stop for almost two months is exciting. Me, not so much. Unless its this guy:

Oh, man.I could listen to him all day. Seriously. His voice never gets old. He could command me to do anything simply by singing it... ok... I'm over it.

Just listen to this... I mean... How can you not melt?!? Ok... I'm over it.. Honestly...

Or this guy:

But that's it. No more!

Well, ok, this next one is considered Christmas music....

But, THAT IS IT!! I mean it!! No more!! I guess I'm the Grinch or Scrooge.

Bah! Humbug!

Soapbox Sunday: Politics in the workplace

This one is going to be short and sweet because, frankly, I am sick to death of politics!

The short of my rant is DO NOT BRING IT TO WORK!

Bold it,underline it, italicize it, headline it

I do not care what your opinions are. As Americans, we have the luxury of having a choice. I do not care if you agree with me or not. I do not care if you like it or not. I do not care if you agree with the outcome.

Lastly, my opinion is my own. Get it? MY OPINION!

Please, please, please do not bring it to work. You are only asking for trouble and you are opening a can of worms, I promise you, you do not want to be opened.

Thank you, that is all.

Soapbox Sunday: Greed

Have you been had the feeling where you can't decide if you are seriously angry.. no.. pissed off...or your feelings are just really really hurt?

I find myself in this very predicament.

I made an offer to all of my writer friends to send me something that they have written and I would post it here on my blog and feature them as a special guest writer. (I will extended this offer to anyone reading this.)

I made this offer as a gesture of good will and friendship.

Now, if someone would have made this offer, I would jump on it. Still would. What a great way to network, promote, and get my name out there.

I do realize my little blog may not be read by a ton of people, but I devote a lot of time to this thing and frankly I am so proud of my own little spot on the internet that I could have pictures of it in a wallet and show it off with my kid's picture.

I got two responses to my offer.

The first one was a request to read their book and write a review. This could have been a great idea, expect his book is about Hitler and this is a family orientated blog. It would not benefit either of us.

The second response is the one that has put me into my mood.

For starters, the first response I got was, "I thought you only offered this to me. I thought I was special." I responded, "Well, send me something to post and then you will be special."

A little bit of times passes and then I get this message, "Will I get paid?"

I guess this is a legitimate question, but it annoyed me.

The converstation continues:

"No. I don't get paid for doing it [the blog]. It's publicity [for you]."

I thought this was a good response. I'm not making any money keeping this blog. Its about me having fun, entertaining other people (or at least trying) and keeping my writing in practice.

"Food doesn't come from publicity."

Again, I suppose he has a point, but the whole point of this was to offer my friends a chance to show off something of theirs.

I am hurt or pissed or both and then I send this last final message:

"Well then nvm cause I don't paid so I'm not paying anyone. It was meant to be a nice gesture."

Oh well, lesson learned. Moving on....

Soapbox Sunday: MJ

I don't feel like getting on my soapbox today, so instead, here are two short clips of me playing with MJ.

She likes to stick her paws under the door anytime you have it closed, so I thought I would stick my "paws" back at her.

She also LOVES to play with cotton swabs and if I don't keep them out of reach she will steal them.

And since I have now figured out how to do this (posting videos) I might just do it more often (uh-oh)!

Soapbox Sunday: How to Become a Mystery Shopper and Not Get Scammed

I have been doing mystery shopping for years for extra cash in my pocket. With so many scams out there, it is hard to tell what it legit and what is not. I will tell you how I got started and what you need, what to expect, and how not to get scammed.

What is this mystery shopping stuff anyway?

Companies need a way to find out how their store and employees are doing in terms of customer service. To do this, they will turn to a company that provides mystery shoppers to go out to their location and shop them. The mystery shopping company then needs to hire people to go do the shopping and then report back to the mystery shopping company about their experience who then gives the data (and a bill) to the company that hired them. The mystery shopping company hires people to be independent consultants for them. You are not considered an employee, you cannot list them as an employer, and you will have to sign documents stating that you understand this. This is no different than if you sold Avon, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc.

Without using major corporation names, I will give you an example. Henry Fan’s House of Fans is a large corporation and they need to monitor how well their employees are treating their customers. So, Mr. Fan calls up I Shop For You, a company that will provide Mr. Fan with data on his employees. I Shop For You posts an ad stating that they need a mystery shopper and Suzy Q applies and is given the assignment. She goes and does the assignment and fills out of her paperwork and submits it to I Shop For You to get paid. I Shop For You pays Suzy Q for the job and then takes all of the data and submits it to Mr. Fan (along with a bill for their services).

How do I not get scammed?

The most important statement I can make, is NEVER pay a company for an assignment. There are way too many opportunities out there to have to pay for them. The point of this is to make money, not give it away. I have been mystery shopping for almost ten years and I have never had to pay a company to start mystery shopping for them.

When first signing up a company, always do your homework. Do an internet search for them. If they have scammed someone in the past, you will be able to find a thread of negative comments.

You will be getting paid, so a company asking you to fill out tax information is common. They are required to report your earnings just as an employer would. If they do not ask for tax information, be very leery.

Never give your credit card or banking information to a company. They should not be charging you for anything, therefore a credit card is not needed. If they need to prove your identity (and they will), you can submit a picture ID (I usually submit a copy of my drivers license). Companies should be paying you with a paper check or PayPal and would not need your banking information. I would never give out that information. If the company can not pay me with a paper check or with PayPal, I tell them no thanks and keep going.

If something does not seem right, odds are, it isn’t right.

What do I need?

To start mystery shopping, you will need a computer, internet, printer, scanner, and in most cases a Paypal account. These are things you MUST have. Sorry, there is no way around it.

You HAVE to have a scanner to be able to scan the proof of your shop to the company paying you (explained here in just a bit).

I highly recommended getting an email address that you will only use for mystery shopping communication. This allows you to save the room in your personal email address as well as ensure you do not overlook a potential assignment.

You will also need to have the ability to act out a scenario that the company you are shopping for gives you. For example, when I go to shop a cell phone store, I am told that I am a busy soccer mom who is looking for a better way to keep in touch with my child’s team. I have to stay in character and in no way tell the person helping me I am a shopper or give them an idea I am mystery shopping them.

How much do I get paid?

Odd are, you will NOT make enough money to do it full time. Not only is it dependent on the availability of shops in your area, but the time to get paid for the shops can be lengthy. I have gotten paid in as quick as two weeks and as long as six weeks.

Some companies put limits on the amount of times you can shop certain places. For example, one company I shop for will only let you visit one certain company once every six months. They do this to prevent the chance the employees will figure out you are a mystery shopper.

You will have to verify that you completed the shop. This may include getting a receipt, business card, and/or a picture of the location you shopped (taken discreetly of course).

In some shops, you are required to make a purchase to prove you completed this shop. This could something as small as a soda, candy, etc. This purchase is usually refunded back to you when you get your payment or the pay for doing the shop includes expenses.

Sometimes you can get restaurant shops where you are only paid by reimbursing you what you paid for your meal. I, personally, love these because it means I get to have a free meal. Yes, you do have to pay for the meal up front, but you are reimbursed for the purchase.

I have another shop I do that I get back a set amount for doing the shop plus a reimbursement up to X amount. I love these too. Not only am I getting paid for my shop, but I am getting an item of my choice for free.

How much you get paid for each shop varies by company and by assignment. The good thing about doing this is you get chose if you want to accept the assignment or not.

Keep in mind, some companies will dock your pay or revoke your privileges to shop for them if you repeatedly are late turning in shops, cancelling shops, or not following the directions. If you agree for an assignment, make sure you are able to do the shop.

Most companies prefer to pay their shoppers by PayPal and will not mail out a check. I have worked with some that give you an option, but charge you a fee for a paper check. It does take longer to receive your pay if you opt for a paper check. PayPal is the way to go.

You also need to keep in mind that there are other people also fighting for the same assignments you want, so you need to check the job board daily. I have the links to all my companies saved on my internet browsers bookmark toolbar and I check them when I first get up and throughout the day when I have a chance.

Ok, I got it. So, tell me, where do I go to get assignments?

The very step is go to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) and check out their job board (I will provide the link at the end). The MSPA is the go to place for anything mystery shopping. They provide classes (for a fee) so you can become a certified mystery shopper. (I have never done this, because in the small area I mystery shop it has never been necessary. If you live in a larger town where more people are competing for the same jobs, you might get a little more boost if you were certified. Some companies might require MSPA certification. This is something you can decide to do or not to do, depending on your situation.)

I only use this job board to find my shops because I know MSPA would only list assignments that are legit so I know I can trust them.

When you are on the MSPA job board, do a search for your zip code and you will see a list of companies needing shoppers. You click on the assignment, apply, and wait to be accepted. You are not always guaranteed to be accepted by the company.

A good rule of thumb is to extend your search area out to a larger range to show you a list of other companies in your area hiring shoppers. Then click on the assignment and go to the company’s webpage and apply to be a shopper, not for that particular assignment. They might not have anything in your area right at that moment, but if you apply and get accepted, they will email when they do have opportunities in your area or you will get access to their job board so you can search directly with them.

Once you have completed your first few assignments successfully and you earn the trust of your hiring company, they will call you and offer you positions first before anyone else. You will also have the opportunity to complete assignments that they might not offer to the general public that has more pay. In these cases, you might be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. If you do not feel comfortable in doing so, be honest with them and tell them the real reason you are declining the offer. Do not offend them by simply saying no and not offering an explanation.

My Final Words

To sum it all up, mystery shopping can be fun and a great way to earn some extra cash, but you do need to take it seriously. It is a job. You are getting paid. The company you are shopping is paying good money for your data and it needs to be honest and non-biased.

You need to follow the directions given to you. You need to complete your assignments on time and professionally. You need to treat each assignment as you would your regular job. If you go into this thinking it will be easy, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Trust your gut. If something does not feel right, then odds are it is not right. It is better to say no then get scammed.

Links

The MSPA homepage can be found at http://www.mspa-global.org/en/.

The MSPA job board can be found at http://mspa.jobslinger.com/exec/sfs/jobboard.