Cyber Shopping Simplified

I’m sure you heard the big news . . . the Monday after Thanksgiving has now been officially christened “Cyber Monday”. Online shopping is now even more popular. But who is out there in cyberland, the WWW universe, the ever-so-huge internet to help you navigate your way? Who is helping you avoid the common pitfalls that so many online buyers fall into? For today, I am. (You can thank me later.) We will use Scavengeinc.com as a model for our discussion, but the pointers given, if heeded, will help your online shopping experiences be pleasant and successful instead of stressful and upsetting. Here are the five areas where most boo-boos are made :

1. Billing address doesn’t match the credit card. Your credit card company has an address on file for the card you are using. The address you enter on the “Billing Address” line during checkout absolutely must match what your credit card company has on file or else your order is dead in the water. This is not necessarily where you want the package shipped, or even where you may be at the moment. It’s where the bill or statement is sent every month. Sounds simple, and it should be, but it is the most common mistake made.

2. CVV code. So many people have no clue what this is. Let me tell you what it is not. It is NOT the last 4 digits of your phone number, it is not the last 4 digits of your social security number, not your birthday, not your lucky number, and not the number of children in your family. And, most importantly it is NOT the last 4 four digits of your credit card number. Let that sink in. It is on the back of your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit card. It’s the last three digits in black ink usually on the right hand side. On your American Express, it’s the four numbers on the front of the card to the right, up above the credit card number. Scavengeinc.com gives you pictorial examples if you need them. This is a security measure by the credit card companies. Again messing this up will end your shopping experience just like that.

3. Shipping addresses that don’t exist. This seems like a joke, I know, but it seems many people aren’t sure where they live or where they want their package shipped. (This seems to happen mostly with students away at school). Simple fix – if you are having the package shipped to you, walk outside, look at the address on the front of your home sweet home and - presto! – that’s the one you enter in the shipping address. If you’re in a dorm, go talk to your resident advisor (they get paid to know this sort of valuable info). Basically whether you are shipping it to yourself or to someone else, ask or look and just make sure you’ve got it right before you type it into the “Shipping Address”.

4. Check the sizes. On every product page on Scavengeinc.com there is a link that says “View Size Charts.” It’s a real link. It’s not a cruel joke. It will tell you what size you should or shouldn’t order. Now be forewarned – if you are usually a size 8, you aren’t going to suddenly fit into a size 0 – nope, ain’t gonna happen.

5. When will it arrive? Now think about it – you are on your computer, clicking and shopping away. Your order has to be picked and packed. Then it has to be picked up by the delivery person (USPS or UPS) and then it has to make its way to you. Now with Scavengeinc.com your order is going to go out the same day IF it is placed before 2:00 p.m. PST. So if you order at 8:00 p.m. and want it the next morning, you have to realize the UPS man is sleeping and won’t get your package onto his truck until the next day. So pay special attention to those shipping times. No matter how big your event is and how badly you may need your item, online stores cannot make miracles happen – not even Scavengeinc.com.

Weird little things

Yes, yes, yes, Scavengeinc.com is indeed mainly about costumes and lingerie. No doubt about it. But have you ever taken the time to notice all the other fun and weird stuff offered for the betterment of your life and the advancement of mankind in general?? Well, you can consider this your own personal (very short, very FREE) guided tour to some of my favorite weird, little things offered on the website. Okay, you won’t actually find a category called “weird little things.” It has the nice, professional sounding title of “Gifts and Novelties.” You’ll see that there are several categories of merchandise that have items that make great stocking stuffers, gag gifts, or just fun little things to get for yourself – things that bring a smile every time you look at them. What Simpsons fan wouldn’t want a talking pizza cutter? And I guarantee, you aren’t going to find that at Bed Bath and Beyond. How about a whole bendable set of Family Guy characters? They are so perfect for the desk at the office, the mantle over the fireplace or strategically placed on top of your computer monitor or TV.

Now for those of us lucky enough to have lived back in the good old days (the 1970’s) there’s plenty of great gifts to bring back great memories and laughs. There’s Gumby and Pink Panther merchandise, but my personal favorites are found in the “Bendable Toys and Keychains” section – like a bendable Mr. Bill (you know you’ve missed him), or a bendable Speed Racer (gotta love those flare-legged white pants of his), or a bendable Tony the Tiger (it’s grrrrrreat!).

Oh there’s just so much more than I can cover in today’s short tour. But feel free to wander about the site for yourself. You’ll find something to make you laugh or something that would be “just great” for your buddy so & so. And anything that makes us laugh is a very good thing and makes life that much better.

Thanksgiving Recipe

Thanksgiving --- you know that thoughts of food just danced their way through your head. Well, we have a special Thanksgiving recipe we want to share with you – one that is flexible enough to work with a few different crowds, and uses only the ingredients you feel like getting. Let’s start with work – you know those office Thanksgiving potlucks. Bring whatever food item you feel like – our recipe really has nothing to do with that. Get yourself a nice Indian outfit. You can go very conservative or get one with a bit more flavor. Just make sure you get all the good accessories – a feathered headdress, beaded bracelets, peace pipe, and tomahawk. Now wear this into the office potluck carrying whatever dish you are contributing. You are guaranteed to make the event fun and memorable. Now you can use this same recipe at your family gathering maybe add a few Indian and pilgrim decorations to the table and you are one your way to starting a new family tradition – soon your Thanksgiving dinner gathering will be the event of the year.

Now this recipe can be modified slightly and be used as a romantic “dessert” as well. All you have to do is use only the Indian headdress and the accessories. You may want to go all out and use some costume makeup or body paint add some nice “war paint” designs to really spice up the look. Do all of this after all the guests have gone and the kids are all tucked away – this part of the recipe is really just for two. You can stroll into the bedroom carrying some sort of dessert or -nothing at all, utter some nice Indian-sounding phrase, and I’m positive somebody will really be thankful.

The WOW effect

How many shopping days until Christmas?? Oh such stress . . . and mainly when thinking about that special someone . . . that significant other in your life (hereafter known as "S.O"). You don't want to be predictable or get just any old thing for your S.O. You want something with "WOW effect." You know that look in their eyes that says WOW and "Oh my gosh" and leaves them just about speechless with just a happy, awestruck grin on his or her face. Well forget sweaters, and electronics, and jewelry. Give your S.O. something he/she will remember and really appreciate. Nothing does this better than a little surprise, something unexpected.

Your S.O. would be thrilled to come home or into a room and find you in something other than your comfy jammies --- how about a Strapless Santa Costume?? Now that would have the WOW effect. Or if you’re thinking something a bit more low key, how about just reindeer antlers or just a nice velvet Santa hat AND NOTHING ELSE as you walk into the room. Oh yeah – definite WOW effect there. Try it out this Christmas season and you’ll see. This will be the gift your S.O. will remember and be hoping for next year.

Don't forget Thanksgiving

So I was walking down the street a couple of days ago . . . and this is just less than two weeks since Halloween . . . and what do I see decorating store windows?? Pilgrims, turkeys, indians? No! It's all Christmas -- it's Santa, it's snowflakes, it's snowmen, elves, and brightly wrapped gifts! What happened to Turkey Day?? I mean, isn't that a pretty major holiday? It is for me -- I get two whole days off work, that makes it major. (Not to mention all of it's glorious roots as far as the founding of our country goes and of course the FOOD!)

We get all worked up for Halloween - most of us dawned a costume, went to a party, or maybe even dressed up at work. Are we really ready to jump straight to Christmas? Not me. Why not have some fun and celebrate every holiday -- especially at this time of year. I'm going simple yet high on the fun scale. I've got my Gobbler hat already to go -- can't wait to see the looks of people on the street, those at work, and the relatives when they see my Thanksgiving spirit with my turkey perched atop my head!

Who will be unwrapping you for Christmas?

What to get for that special someone. You want it to be fun, you want it to be different, you want it be sexy. Something truly unique that they will really appreciate. What better way to go than to give yourself to your partner with just the right wrapping. There's so many sexy, fun Christmas "Costumes" and Christmas Lingerie to choose from, you'll want to celebrate more than just one night. There's nothing better than the look on his/her face when you come walking in the room, that of course, has already got the candle light going, dressed as Miss Sexy Claus or Christmas Elf or in just a sexy Christmas Thong. This will be the gift he will really remember and will love unwrapping.