Hello all,
I recently read John's book and found it extremely useful. I'm in the
process of forming a business but I'm quite new to international trade or
business in general (my day job is an engineer) so I thought I would join
the group to learn more. I have a few questions that hopefully someone can
shed some light on but first let me share some background on my business
idea.
I have come up with a concept that I believe has the ability to be very
popular (maybe even insanely popular) in places like Australia and New
Zealand among other places. This concept is probably one of the most unique
and original ideas I've ever had in my life (at least as best as I can
tell). My research shows the idea to be essentially unique and various
Australians that I've shared the concept with agree it could be very
popular.
Following John's advice in his book I haven't registered any trademarks or
patents but I do have unregistered trademarks on various phrases and images
in the designs. There are various ways I have thought of that I can make
money using this concept however I've decided to start off with the easiest.
I have created various design images based on this concept that I plan to
use to create custom products such as T-Shirts, mousepads, coffee cups, beer
glasses, baseball caps, etc. These products will be marketed to both locals
and tourists via gift and souvenir stores and catalogs in Australia and then
eventually New Zealand. I'm considering three options. 1) I buy from
manufacturer and sell to retailers 2) I buy from manufacturer and sell to
importers 3) I partner with manufacturer and share revenue. Any comments on
the advantages/disadvantages of these three business structures?
My research shows that a mousepad with one of my designs should retail for
at least $10USD. In the USA mousepads with designs sell for $10-$15 but a
bit cheaper in Australia because of the exchange rate. Assuming a retail
price of $10USD means that I should sell them for $5 and be able to buy them
with a landed cost of about $2.50. However, in fact I can buy them with my
design from Taiwan for only $0.75 landed in Australia in quantities of 5000.
Why is the manufacturer's cost so much cheaper than the retail price? It
seems to mean either I can mark them up almost 7x and make insane profits or
use the standard 100% markup and then let the retailer make all the big
profit. So how do you recommend dealing with a situation where the
manufacturer's cost is so cheap compared to the retail price? If this
concept is truly unique and popular should I be able to make more than the
standard 100%. I just don't want to be too greedy and mess things up. Am I
missing anything in my analysis?
Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John Teel
Saturday, January 7, 2006
Questions
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
Is there a simpler strategy? How about borrowing a page from Google's
playbook? They didn't change the PC nor the OS, they just downloaded
Google desktop (eventually, they will download an "application" that will
replace the entire virus-riddled Microsoft Windows).
In a similar way, could an existing "super-duper phone" customer download
an application from a third-party provider (you!) that would in effect,
allow the phone and operating system to run normally, but replaces the
entire screen with a simple set of jumbo phone numbers for those of us over
40? In addition, it would ignore button presses from all but the 'send'
and 'end' keys.
Companies already exist to download fairly complex games that take over the
screen and button functionality ( bluefrogmobile.com ); one would only need
to make this a permanent change to the phone.
This strategy sidesteps both the FCC and getting agreement from phone
providers and retailers.
At 01:18 AM 1/7/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>> OK... so the service providers and the govt is in the way...what is new?
>> If you do not like the
>> Honda Accord, you can add and substract endless parts and it is still
>> street legal. Kids do
>> this all the time... take it down to the VIN number and rebuild. So
>> cingular issues you a
>> phone for their service, and "Edward's Fine Electronics" rips out the guts
>> and puts it into a
>> workable phone for $149.95. I'm sold.
>It’s not as simple as taking Honda and gut it and than build to the likes
>of the US consumer, when it comes to wireless cell phone technology. There
>is customer facing technology which is handsets and cell phone hardware,
>which need to communicate with the backend network service provider’s
>networks like Cingular or others, to complete the call within cities,
>towns, states, nation and international. Now simple cell phones did exist
>in years 1997/8/9, 2000 but as time proceeded, so did backend network’s
>technology. Today Cingular is on GSM technology which is used worldwide.
>So the hand sets has also changed with built in modifiable data chip and
>complicated bells and whistles.
>
>I think what should be done is take 1997/8/9, 2000 handsehttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=878781244953948813#t technology and
>modify to work with GSM technology and market it. Why to reinvent the
>wheel, when simple ease of use technology already was invented before and
>thrown away to make room for bells and whistles technology? Just modify it
>to work with GSM networks. Nokia, Motorola, Qualcom and many other small
>cell hardware designers and manufacturer already have this earlier design
>blueprints.
>
>Only thing is, small fish would need investments and support from network
>services providers and motivation to bring back innovative/creative spirit
>that was the flagship during late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. If a network
>service provider blesses this project, FCC should not be the problem, they
>are all imbedded.
>
>grp
Friday, January 6, 2006
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
> OK... so the service providers and the govt is in the way...what is new?
> If you do not like the
> Honda Accord, you can add and substract endless parts and it is still
> street legal. Kids do
> this all the time... take it down to the VIN number and rebuild. So
> cingular issues you a
> phone for their service, and "Edward's Fine Electronics" rips out the guts
> and puts it into a
> workable phone for $149.95. I'm sold.
It’s not as simple as taking Honda and gut it and than build to the likes
of the US consumer, when it comes to wireless cell phone technology. There
is customer facing technology which is handsets and cell phone hardware,
which need to communicate with the backend network service provider’s
networks like Cingular or others, to complete the call within cities,
towns, states, nation and international. Now simple cell phones did exist
in years 1997/8/9, 2000 but as time proceeded, so did backend network’s
technology. Today Cingular is on GSM technology which is used worldwide.
So the hand sets has also changed with built in modifiable data chip and
complicated bells and whistles.
I think what should be done is take 1997/8/9, 2000 handset technology and
modify to work with GSM technology and market it. Why to reinvent the
wheel, when simple ease of use technology already was invented before and
thrown away to make room for bells and whistles technology? Just modify it
to work with GSM networks. Nokia, Motorola, Qualcom and many other small
cell hardware designers and manufacturer already have this earlier design
blueprints.
Only thing is, small fish would need investments and support from network
services providers and motivation to bring back innovative/creative spirit
that was the flagship during late 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. If a network
service provider blesses this project, FCC should not be the problem, they
are all imbedded.
grp
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
Until your product is on the market... try using the Nokia 2116i... very
simple... good reception... and dig this... it has a built in flash light too!
----- Original Message -----
From: grmail@gtctech.com
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Cc: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
John,
I had encountered very same issues with Cingular, to get me a simple
functional wireless cell phone and I was lucky to pick up one discontinued
Nokia model. I really wanted more simpler cell than that, but Cingular
was discontinuing these models I wanted, even though it was displayed on
the shelves.
In the past I had been in telecommunication and wireless technology sector
for many years and it is not hard to come up with the design of the cell
phone (hardware), which companies like Nokia, Motorola, LG, etc are
already manufacturing it today. Problem is the other large corporations in
US who are in cell phone service provider business. These companies like
Cingular, Sprint/Nextel, Vorizon etc have contracts with hardware
providers, so consumer have no control over what they want to buy, its up
to the service providers, what they want to shove the product onto the
hands of the consumer.
Also USA consumers may not be like other international consumers, when it
comes to bells and whistles on the cell phones, hence it seems what drives
these cell phone consumptions is the international hunger of bells and
whistles and manufacturers of hardware are more geared towards that,
rather than needs of US consumers. So if I, a small fish have to come up
with product for US consumers, I will not be able to market it through
these cell phone service providers in USA.
Grp
> Folks,
>
> Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it
> has the same
> problems... it does too much.
>
> First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
> screen is unreadable,
> but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see
> the color, let alone the
> print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to
> save battery. I can do text
> messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will
> never use. I could go on,
> but I'll get to the point.
>
> I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I
> was happy with ... a
> model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received
> phone calls. And an
> alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
> screen... and the battery
> lasted a long time.
>
> So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old,
> and she said, sorry, the
> old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
> complaints, and asked
> her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the
> best they could offer.
>
> She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
> complaint... her
> uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
>
> Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if
> so, there is a product
> here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but
> plain vanilla phone with
> NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry
> about nokia, they will
> never make such a phone.
>
> My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player
> for Christmas. Best Buy
> had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
> profitable. Real simple, updated
> cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but
> profitable.
>
> Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just
> move the sim card into
> and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first
> customer.
>
> John
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
OK... so the service providers and the govt is in the way...what is new? If you
do not like the
Honda Accord, you can add and substract endless parts and it is still street
legal. Kids do
this all the time... take it down to the VIN number and rebuild. So cingular
issues you a
phone for their service, and "Edward's Fine Electronics" rips out the guts and
puts it into a
workable phone for $149.95. I'm sold.
In essence, on a massive scale this is what Apple is doing with their iPod
telephone. People
who carry iPods and Telephones wanted them integrated, and Apple has delivered.
the only hitch in this scenario is, I believe due to the malinvestment of the
dot com boom,
there are no high end electronics stores in USA,. except for Apple (they were
obliged to open
their own given the lack). Hmm...maybe sharper image would carry it...
brookstone...
Hammacher slchlemmer...ok..so there are some high end electronics stores.
I do a lot of teaching in Seattle and San Francisco area... and I am befuddled
how the
universal feeling is all electronics biz must be huge, instantly. I am told
time and again my
ideas are good, except they will not work in electronics. Of course there are
tens of
thousands of people in india and china exploiting this view held by americans,
all starting up
electronics biz from scratch, as american entrepreneurs wait for someone to
invest in the
idea. Sigh. We need custoemrs, not finance. and if this list is any test, the
customers are
there to be had.
John
On Thu, 5 Jan 2006 23:38:24 -0500 (EST), grmail@gtctech.com wrote :
> John,So if I, a small fish have to come up
> with product for US consumers, I will not be able to market it through
> these cell phone service providers in USA.
>
and
Yes, a simple wireless phone is a product that will solve a problem and find
a ready market. No doubt there are ready Asian handset suppliers and a
willing U.S. distribution network, but we also have a FCC that slows product
introduction. I not too familiar with the FCC Type Acceptance and the costs
associated with getting a cell phone approved for sale in this country.
Does anyone know about this?
Another way to approach this problem is to develop a Bluetooth device that
is separate from the handset but allows for easy dialing and easy-to-read
display. Still the bureaucrats at the FCC will be all over this product.
New Product Idea
RE: [spiers] New Product Idea
GRP is right, the cell phone providers would never touch such a product -
but the independent agents and big-box retailers would eat it up.
Kevin
_____
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
grmail@gtctech.com
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 11:38 PM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Cc: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
John,
I had encountered very same issues with Cingular, to get me a simple
functional wireless cell phone and I was lucky to pick up one discontinued
Nokia model. I really wanted more simpler cell than that, but Cingular
was discontinuing these models I wanted, even though it was displayed on
the shelves.
In the past I had been in telecommunication and wireless technology sector
for many years and it is not hard to come up with the design of the cell
phone (hardware), which companies like Nokia, Motorola, LG, etc are
already manufacturing it today. Problem is the other large corporations in
US who are in cell phone service provider business. These companies like
Cingular, Sprint/Nextel, Vorizon etc have contracts with hardware
providers, so consumer have no control over what they want to buy, its up
to the service providers, what they want to shove the product onto the
hands of the consumer.
Also USA consumers may not be like other international consumers, when it
comes to bells and whistles on the cell phones, hence it seems what drives
these cell phone consumptions is the international hunger of bells and
whistles and manufacturers of hardware are more geared towards that,
rather than needs of US consumers. So if I, a small fish have to come up
with product for US consumers, I will not be able to market it through
these cell phone service providers in USA.
Grp
> Folks,
>
> Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it
> has the same
> problems... it does too much.
>
> First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
> screen is unreadable,
> but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see
> the color, let alone the
> print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to
> save battery. I can do text
> messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will
> never use. I could go on,
> but I'll get to the point.
>
> I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I
> was happy with ... a
> model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received
> phone calls. And an
> alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
> screen... and the battery
> lasted a long time.
>
> So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old,
> and she said, sorry, the
> old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
> complaints, and asked
> her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the
> best they could offer.
>
> She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
> complaint... her
> uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
>
> Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if
> so, there is a product
> here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but
> plain vanilla phone with
> NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry
> about nokia, they will
> never make such a phone.
>
> My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player
> for Christmas. Best Buy
> had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
> profitable. Real simple, updated
> cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but
> profitable.
>
> Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just
> move the sim card into
> and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first
> customer.
>
> John
New Product Idea
RE: [spiers] New Product Idea
Hello John,
Having spent 20 years in the wireless business, from the early days of
14-pound 3 watt analog beasts to the micro-digitals, I've heard all the
complaints and all the requests. I can tell you that your new product idea
with regard to simple phones is right on the mark. I've had scores of
customers tell me they want their old-style installed handsets back so they
can use them easily while driving and I've had hundreds tell me their
parents will not use their cellular phones because they're too intimidating.
When I read John's product idea message I really felt like he was talking to
me.
Yes, a simple wireless phone is a product that will solve a problem and find
a ready market. No doubt there are ready Asian handset suppliers and a
willing U.S. distribution network, but we also have a FCC that slows product
introduction. I not too familiar with the FCC Type Acceptance and the costs
associated with getting a cell phone approved for sale in this country.
Does anyone know about this?
Another way to approach this problem is to develop a Bluetooth device that
is separate from the handset but allows for easy dialing and easy-to-read
display. Still the bureaucrats at the FCC will be all over this product.
Kevin
_____
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
John Spiers
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 12:13 PM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [spiers] New Product Idea
Folks,
Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it
has the same
problems... it does too much.
First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
screen is unreadable,
but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see
the color, let alone the
print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to
save battery. I can do text
messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will
never use. I could go on,
but I'll get to the point.
I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I
was happy with ... a
model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received phone
calls. And an
alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
screen... and the battery
lasted a long time.
So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old, and
she said, sorry, the
old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
complaints, and asked
her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the
best they could offer.
She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
complaint... her
uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if so,
there is a product
here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but
plain vanilla phone with
NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry
about nokia, they will
never make such a phone.
My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player for
Christmas. Best Buy
had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
profitable. Real simple, updated
cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but
profitable.
Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just move
the sim card into
and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first
customer.
John
Thursday, January 5, 2006
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
John,
I had encountered very same issues with Cingular, to get me a simple
functional wireless cell phone and I was lucky to pick up one discontinued
Nokia model. I really wanted more simpler cell than that, but Cingular
was discontinuing these models I wanted, even though it was displayed on
the shelves.
In the past I had been in telecommunication and wireless technology sector
for many years and it is not hard to come up with the design of the cell
phone (hardware), which companies like Nokia, Motorola, LG, etc are
already manufacturing it today. Problem is the other large corporations in
US who are in cell phone service provider business. These companies like
Cingular, Sprint/Nextel, Vorizon etc have contracts with hardware
providers, so consumer have no control over what they want to buy, its up
to the service providers, what they want to shove the product onto the
hands of the consumer.
Also USA consumers may not be like other international consumers, when it
comes to bells and whistles on the cell phones, hence it seems what drives
these cell phone consumptions is the international hunger of bells and
whistles and manufacturers of hardware are more geared towards that,
rather than needs of US consumers. So if I, a small fish have to come up
with product for US consumers, I will not be able to market it through
these cell phone service providers in USA.
Grp
> Folks,
>
> Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it
> has the same
> problems... it does too much.
>
> First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
> screen is unreadable,
> but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see
> the color, let alone the
> print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to
> save battery. I can do text
> messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will
> never use. I could go on,
> but I'll get to the point.
>
> I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I
> was happy with ... a
> model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received
> phone calls. And an
> alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
> screen... and the battery
> lasted a long time.
>
> So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old,
> and she said, sorry, the
> old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
> complaints, and asked
> her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the
> best they could offer.
>
> She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
> complaint... her
> uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
>
> Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if
> so, there is a product
> here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but
> plain vanilla phone with
> NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry
> about nokia, they will
> never make such a phone.
>
> My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player
> for Christmas. Best Buy
> had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
> profitable. Real simple, updated
> cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but
> profitable.
>
> Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just
> move the sim card into
> and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first
> customer.
>
> John
O Dear ! New Product Idea
RE: [spiers] O Dear ! New Product Idea
Several years ago I gave my 80+ year old parents a cell phone. It has no
keys except one large red button, uses AA batteries, seems to work with any
carrier and only dials 911. Since 911 calls are free, there is no monthly
fee. They show it off to their senior friends who all want one.
It sounds like what we all want is one step up from this.
Keith
_____
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
pete & beth
Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 3:55 PM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spiers] O Dear ! New Product Idea
Funny. I tried to give a cell phone to my mother( she's 80) who still
drives a lot. She couldn't figure out how to use it. Now if it only had
a rotary dial...
John Spiers wrote:
>
>http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/images/
>
O Dear ! New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] O Dear ! New Product Idea
Funny. I tried to give a cell phone to my mother( she's 80) who still
drives a lot. She couldn't figure out how to use it. Now if it only had
a rotary dial...
John Spiers wrote:
O Dear ! New Product Idea
Vic,
Another on the list sent me an example of a solution to our problem... but this
just won't do
for me. I recommend you all look at this, it is a REAL product...and if this can
sell...well...
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/7830/images/
John
On Wed, 4 Jan 2006 15:51:45 -0800, "Vic Uhlik"
> John,
>
> Exactly, My wife and I would love a cell phone that was simple with only
> the basics. Also I would like a computer which was simple too!
>
> Vic Uhlik, senior - age 74
HTS updated schedule online?
Re: [spiers] HTS updated schedule online?
Mary,
I simply took
HTS: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2002.asp
and changed the years to
HTS: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2003.asp
HTS: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2004.asp
and they came up with YTD July info in each case...does this do the trick?
John
On Wed, 4 Jan 2006 20:31:16 EST, tiananmentrading@aol.com wrote :
> Hi John!
> Thanks for all the great emails and insight... Do you know if there is an
> updated HTS search schedule online available? I can't find it and use this one
> from 2002 alot, but I should get more current.
>
> HTS: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2002.asp
>
> Thanks & happy new year!
> Mary
>
>
> Mary Morrison
> Mooncakes/Tiananmen Trading, Inc.
> Coral Gables, Florida 33134
> Tel: 786.552.1311
> Fax: 305.774.4633
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
New Product Idea
Re: [spiers] New Product Idea
John,
Exactly, My wife and I would love a cell phone that was simple with only
the basics. Also I would like a computer which was simple too!
Vic Uhlik, senior - age 74
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Spiers"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 9:13 AM
Subject: [spiers] New Product Idea
> Folks,
>
> Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it
> has the same
> problems... it does too much.
>
> First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
> screen is unreadable,
> but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see
> the color, let alone the
> print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to
> save battery. I can do text
> messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will
> never use. I could go on,
> but I'll get to the point.
>
> I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I
> was happy with ... a
> model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received
> phone calls. And an
> alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
> screen... and the battery
> lasted a long time.
>
> So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old,
> and she said, sorry, the
> old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
> complaints, and asked
> her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the
> best they could offer.
>
> She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
> complaint... her
> uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
>
> Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if
> so, there is a product
> here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but
> plain vanilla phone with
> NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry
> about nokia, they will
> never make such a phone.
>
> My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player
> for Christmas. Best Buy
> had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
> profitable. Real simple, updated
> cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but
> profitable.
>
> Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just
> move the sim card into
> and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first
> customer.
>
> John
HTS updated schedule online?
Hi John!
Thanks for all the great emails and insight... Do you know if there is an
updated HTS search schedule online available? I can't find it and use this one
from 2002 alot, but I should get more current.
HTS: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2002.asp
Thanks & happy new year!
Mary
Mary Morrison
Mooncakes/Tiananmen Trading, Inc.
Coral Gables, Florida 33134
Tel: 786.552.1311
Fax: 305.774.4633
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
New Product Idea
Folks,
Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone, but it has
the same
problems... it does too much.
First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program it). The
screen is unreadable,
but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot even see the
color, let alone the
print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns off to save
battery. I can do text
messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I will never
use. I could go on,
but I'll get to the point.
I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last phone I was
happy with ... a
model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and received phone
calls. And an
alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and white
screen... and the battery
lasted a long time.
So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the old, and she
said, sorry, the
old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran down my
complaints, and asked
her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had was the best
they could offer.
She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact same
complaint... her
uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping him off.
Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to me if so,
there is a product
here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim card, but plain
vanilla phone with
NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont worry about
nokia, they will
never make such a phone.
My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record player for
Christmas. Best Buy
had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very profitable.
Real simple, updated
cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand, but profitable.
Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can just move the
sim card into
and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your first customer.
John
Monday, January 2, 2006
Cancelling AOL
RE: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
Hi Todd,
Here's an example of a monthly bill I've received:
Premium Unlimited Plan $24.99
FET Tax $0.75
Regulatory Recovery Fee $1.50
Total Amount $27.24
So, taxes are only a couple of bucks. That's it! :) The only
additions to the bill would be the charged minutes if you make
international calls and directory assistance charges (which by the way
isn't cheap...costs 99 cents per call).
That's about it. One more cost you should know about is if you switch
to someone else within a year they would charge you a $39.99
termination fee. That's kind of a bummer and I don't really like that.
But, it's much more fair than the penalty you'd be charged if you quit
Packet8. Speaking of which, I compared Vonage with:
http://www.packet8.com
http://www.lingo.com
You might benefit from comparing those as well.
Lastly, another really cool thing about Vonage (which I hope they don't
end anytime soon) is their referral benefits program. If you refer
someone to Vonage and they sign up and use it for at least 3 months,
they will receive the 1st month free (can already get that anyway) and
YOU CAN GET TWO MONTHS FREE (up to $50/month). So, if you are
interested in Vonage let me know and I'll email you a referral link.
(and I would be very thankful to you! :-) )
Also, if other people in the group are interested in trying Vonage
whenever I'd suggest people to refer each other so that as a whole our
group saves some good money. More power to us!!
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'd be happy to answer.
Thanks!
Victor
--- Todd Silverstein
> I’m with a company called Mpower. There rate is $26.00 unlimited
> calling;
> but the taxes almost double the bill.
>
> I've seen the Vonage commercials and was wondering if you can tell me
> how to
> find out about all the taxes that will be charged at the end of my
> billing
> with Vonage.
>
> Thanks.
> Todd Silverstein
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On
> Behalf Of
> sourcesf
> Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 3:14 PM
> To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
>
> Regarding the phone service, I was so disenchanted with SBC that I
> switched to Vonage (may be the same as your reference to Comcast)
> while
> keeping my same number. http://www.vonage.com
>
> My monthly bill is only around $27 after taxes (flat rate) and I have
> unlimited free long distance calling throughout the US and Canada.
> Int'l rates are very good as well and the quality is basically the
> same
> as on my regular old phone line. However, if I wanted to make long
> calls China for example, I would still use a Chinese calling card.
> Vonage charges 6-10 cents depending on the city (4 cents in HK), but
> a
> calling card can be as cheap as 1.8 cents per minute with no
> connection
> fee.
>
> This may not be for everyone though. An internet broadband connect
> is
> required (maybe a lot of us already have that, not sure). Also, if
> the
> local power or your internet service goes down so does your phone
> connection.
>
> The pluses for me are actually more than the price, however. Not
> only
> can I manage my account bill and activity online easily. I also get
> several of the services my local phone company would charge extra to
> me. Also, I can temporarily setup call forwarding to my cell phone
> (or
> whatever) whenever I'm away OR I can have incoming calls
> simulaneously
> ring to my cell or other phones to ensure that I receive important
> calls.
>
> The last cool thing I wanted to mention is that I can bring my Vonage
> phone adapter with me on Int'l trips and connect it to anywhere (like
> my hotel) that has an internet connection. I can make and receive
> calls as if they are local to my home! To me, this is the coolest
> part
> (although I haven't had the chance to do this yet).
>
> So, I apologize for the long message. But, I'm happy to do anything
> that bypasses monopolistic pricing companies. So, for me Vonage is a
> nice solution at the moment. As things will certainly continue to
> change rapidly in this industry, we'll see what comes about.
>
> Take care,
> Victor
>
> --- John Spiers
>
> > Folks,
> >
> > I am tidying up at year end, and I am getting rid of aol.com, a
> > service I've been with from way
> > back... but now they have gotten so bad, my main complaint is for
> $24
> > they make me wait a
> > long time to load ads before I can see my email... so if you have
> an
> > email for me, make sure it
> > is john@johnspiers.com...wileyccc@aol.com is going away.
> >
> > Also years ago, I got very cheap long distance thru aol, via
> > www.talk.com. I checked my
> > account today and learned I have been paying about $45 in taxes
> EACH
> > MONTH for 2 or 3
> > dollars in long distance service. Well, since I've switched to
> > comcast for long distance, and
> > contracted a flat rate, I don't think I'll get nailed again. In
> case
> > you find this unbelievable, I've
> > posted the bill at the group website...
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiers/files/ ...
> >
> > Apparently, every govt entity is piling on taxes on telephone bills
> > for new, unnoticed
> > revenues.
> >
> > Well, I'll be saving some $600 this coming year cancelling
> > talkamerica long distance... you
> > may want to examine your telephone bills closely.
> >
> > John
Cancelling AOL
RE: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
I’m with a company called Mpower. There rate is $26.00 unlimited calling;
but the taxes almost double the bill.
I've seen the Vonage commercials and was wondering if you can tell me how to
find out about all the taxes that will be charged at the end of my billing
with Vonage.
Thanks.
Todd Silverstein
-----Original Message-----
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
sourcesf
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 3:14 PM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
Regarding the phone service, I was so disenchanted with SBC that I
switched to Vonage (may be the same as your reference to Comcast) while
keeping my same number. http://www.vonage.com
My monthly bill is only around $27 after taxes (flat rate) and I have
unlimited free long distance calling throughout the US and Canada.
Int'l rates are very good as well and the quality is basically the same
as on my regular old phone line. However, if I wanted to make long
calls China for example, I would still use a Chinese calling card.
Vonage charges 6-10 cents depending on the city (4 cents in HK), but a
calling card can be as cheap as 1.8 cents per minute with no connection
fee.
This may not be for everyone though. An internet broadband connect is
required (maybe a lot of us already have that, not sure). Also, if the
local power or your internet service goes down so does your phone
connection.
The pluses for me are actually more than the price, however. Not only
can I manage my account bill and activity online easily. I also get
several of the services my local phone company would charge extra to
me. Also, I can temporarily setup call forwarding to my cell phone (or
whatever) whenever I'm away OR I can have incoming calls simulaneously
ring to my cell or other phones to ensure that I receive important
calls.
The last cool thing I wanted to mention is that I can bring my Vonage
phone adapter with me on Int'l trips and connect it to anywhere (like
my hotel) that has an internet connection. I can make and receive
calls as if they are local to my home! To me, this is the coolest part
(although I haven't had the chance to do this yet).
So, I apologize for the long message. But, I'm happy to do anything
that bypasses monopolistic pricing companies. So, for me Vonage is a
nice solution at the moment. As things will certainly continue to
change rapidly in this industry, we'll see what comes about.
Take care,
Victor
--- John Spiers
> Folks,
>
> I am tidying up at year end, and I am getting rid of aol.com, a
> service I've been with from way
> back... but now they have gotten so bad, my main complaint is for $24
> they make me wait a
> long time to load ads before I can see my email... so if you have an
> email for me, make sure it
> is john@johnspiers.com...wileyccc@aol.com is going away.
>
> Also years ago, I got very cheap long distance thru aol, via
> www.talk.com. I checked my
> account today and learned I have been paying about $45 in taxes EACH
> MONTH for 2 or 3
> dollars in long distance service. Well, since I've switched to
> comcast for long distance, and
> contracted a flat rate, I don't think I'll get nailed again. In case
> you find this unbelievable, I've
> posted the bill at the group website...
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiers/files/ ...
>
> Apparently, every govt entity is piling on taxes on telephone bills
> for new, unnoticed
> revenues.
>
> Well, I'll be saving some $600 this coming year cancelling
> talkamerica long distance... you
> may want to examine your telephone bills closely.
>
> JohnRE: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
I’m with a company called Mpower. There rate is $26.00 unlimited calling;
but the taxes almost double the bill.
I've seen the Vonage commercials and was wondering if you can tell me how to
find out about all the taxes that will be charged at the end of my billing
with Vonage.
Thanks.
Todd Silverstein
-----Original Message-----
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
sourcesf
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 3:14 PM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
Regarding the phone service, I was so disenchanted with SBC that I
switched to Vonage (may be the same as your reference to Comcast) while
keeping my same number. http://www.vonage.com
My monthly bill is only around $27 after taxes (flat rate) and I have
unlimited free long distance calling throughout the US and Canada.
Int'l rates are very good as well and the quality is basically the same
as on my regular old phone line. However, if I wanted to make long
calls China for example, I would still use a Chinese calling card.
Vonage charges 6-10 cents depending on the city (4 cents in HK), but a
calling card can be as cheap as 1.8 cents per minute with no connection
fee.
This may not be for everyone though. An internet broadband connect is
required (maybe a lot of us already have that, not sure). Also, if the
local power or your internet service goes down so does your phone
connection.
The pluses for me are actually more than the price, however. Not only
can I manage my account bill and activity online easily. I also get
several of the services my local phone company would charge extra to
me. Also, I can temporarily setup call forwarding to my cell phone (or
whatever) whenever I'm away OR I can have incoming calls simulaneously
ring to my cell or other phones to ensure that I receive important
calls.
The last cool thing I wanted to mention is that I can bring my Vonage
phone adapter with me on Int'l trips and connect it to anywhere (like
my hotel) that has an internet connection. I can make and receive
calls as if they are local to my home! To me, this is the coolest part
(although I haven't had the chance to do this yet).
So, I apologize for the long message. But, I'm happy to do anything
that bypasses monopolistic pricing companies. So, for me Vonage is a
nice solution at the moment. As things will certainly continue to
change rapidly in this industry, we'll see what comes about.
Take care,
Victor
--- John Spiers
> Folks,
>
> I am tidying up at year end, and I am getting rid of aol.com, a
> service I've been with from way
> back... but now they have gotten so bad, my main complaint is for $24
> they make me wait a
> long time to load ads before I can see my email... so if you have an
> email for me, make sure it
> is john@johnspiers.com...wileyccc@aol.com is going away.
>
> Also years ago, I got very cheap long distance thru aol, via
> www.talk.com. I checked my
> account today and learned I have been paying about $45 in taxes EACH
> MONTH for 2 or 3
> dollars in long distance service. Well, since I've switched to
> comcast for long distance, and
> contracted a flat rate, I don't think I'll get nailed again. In case
> you find this unbelievable, I've
> posted the bill at the group website...
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiers/files/ ...
>
> Apparently, every govt entity is piling on taxes on telephone bills
> for new, unnoticed
> revenues.
>
> Well, I'll be saving some $600 this coming year cancelling
> talkamerica long distance... you
> may want to examine your telephone bills closely.
>
> John
Sunday, January 1, 2006
Cancelling AOL
Re: [spiers] Cancelling AOL
Regarding the phone service, I was so disenchanted with SBC that I
switched to Vonage (may be the same as your reference to Comcast) while
keeping my same number. http://www.vonage.com
My monthly bill is only around $27 after taxes (flat rate) and I have
unlimited free long distance calling throughout the US and Canada.
Int'l rates are very good as well and the quality is basically the same
as on my regular old phone line. However, if I wanted to make long
calls China for example, I would still use a Chinese calling card.
Vonage charges 6-10 cents depending on the city (4 cents in HK), but a
calling card can be as cheap as 1.8 cents per minute with no connection
fee.
This may not be for everyone though. An internet broadband connect is
required (maybe a lot of us already have that, not sure). Also, if the
local power or your internet service goes down so does your phone
connection.
The pluses for me are actually more than the price, however. Not only
can I manage my account bill and activity online easily. I also get
several of the services my local phone company would charge extra to
me. Also, I can temporarily setup call forwarding to my cell phone (or
whatever) whenever I'm away OR I can have incoming calls simulaneously
ring to my cell or other phones to ensure that I receive important
calls.
The last cool thing I wanted to mention is that I can bring my Vonage
phone adapter with me on Int'l trips and connect it to anywhere (like
my hotel) that has an internet connection. I can make and receive
calls as if they are local to my home! To me, this is the coolest part
(although I haven't had the chance to do this yet).
So, I apologize for the long message. But, I'm happy to do anything
that bypasses monopolistic pricing companies. So, for me Vonage is a
nice solution at the moment. As things will certainly continue to
change rapidly in this industry, we'll see what comes about.
Take care,
Victor
--- John Spiers
> Folks,
>
> I am tidying up at year end, and I am getting rid of aol.com, a
> service I've been with from way
> back... but now they have gotten so bad, my main complaint is for $24
> they make me wait a
> long time to load ads before I can see my email... so if you have an
> email for me, make sure it
> is john@johnspiers.com...wileyccc@aol.com is going away.
>
> Also years ago, I got very cheap long distance thru aol, via
> www.talk.com. I checked my
> account today and learned I have been paying about $45 in taxes EACH
> MONTH for 2 or 3
> dollars in long distance service. Well, since I've switched to
> comcast for long distance, and
> contracted a flat rate, I don't think I'll get nailed again. In case
> you find this unbelievable, I've
> posted the bill at the group website...
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiers/files/ ...
>
> Apparently, every govt entity is piling on taxes on telephone bills
> for new, unnoticed
> revenues.
>
> Well, I'll be saving some $600 this coming year cancelling
> talkamerica long distance... you
> may want to examine your telephone bills closely.
>
> John