Power Sellers Unite

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 16923 Location: Texas

Britain's online retailers have suffered a monthly traffic fall for the first time since records began three years ago, researchers claim.

Research firm Hitwise claims internet traffic to online retailers fell 0.5% in October compared with the same month in 2007, suggesting the downturn in consumer spending has begun to affect the previously fast-growing online sector.

Although weekly online traffic has declined year-on-year in the past, this was the first time it had fallen across a full month.

"Up until now, online retail has been surviving the economic downturn, but this month's data proves that the sector is not immune," says Hitwise's director of research Robin Goad.

Despite this, supermarkets still appear to be benefiting, with internet traffic to the major grocers up 10% year on year. And soaring demand for second hand goods proved a boost for classified retailers, who enjoyed a 47% jump over the same period.

more.. link to news article

reverendcolin · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 38

We still haven't seen the credit card debacle.

If the Christmas retail numbers are good or even fair, it will be due to the credit cards people are making minimum payments on.

The new year will bring on bankruptcy like never before.

Will we bail out the banks that have screwed so many with credit cards?

SneekerIsOnline · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 263 Location: Blackpool

Don't let the credit crunch cramp your lifestyle :!:

1. Plan a week's worth of meals, make a list of ingredients, and shop for these items only - that way, no food will go to waste and you'll be less tempted by unnecessary goodies.

2. Don't accept the first call package suggested by your mobile phone company. They pitch them at a level where you are likely to exceed the quota of calls and texts so that you then pay swingeing extra call costs. Go for one that costs slightly more but gives a margin of error.

3. Cycle to work

4. Look for the logo. When buying new electrical appliances, look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo - a blue wedge - which indicates an efficient appliance that will be cheaper to run. Replacing an old, inefficient fridge-freezer could save you a fortune every year.

5. Change credit cards. If you have debts, switch them to a ''balance transfer offer" that stays at a low interest rate until the debt is repaid. It saves the effort of making repeated applications for short-term 0 per cent deals.

6. Buy kitchenware from catering suppliers rather than department stores. It's markedly cheaper.

7. Make your own birthday cards. Much nicer anyway.

8. Make your own compost, using fruit and vegetable peel and scraps, tea bags and coffee grounds (but no proteins, like eggs), then you won't have to buy it from the garden centre.

9. Circulate the books you've read among your friends. That way, you declutter your house, and will get good tips on what's worth reading.

10. Freshen up your furniture. Instead of upgrading your tatty Ikea sofa for a 2008 model, invest instead in some slipcovers.

11. Hire CDs from your local library

12. Try music before you buy. Instead of forking out for an entire album on iTunes, listen to the 30-second preview snippets and only buy the tracks that appeal.

13. Always book rail travel in advance.

14. Find out how safe your savings are. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme covers the first £35,000 of savings you have in any financial institution, should it go bust, but this isn't as simple as it sounds. For full details, visit www.moneysavingexpert.com/safesavings

15. Get that 60s mini out of the attic. Pull it right up and wear like a tube top with a below-the-knee skirt or cigarette trousers.

16. Mend and make fabulous. Save laddered tights to wear under trousers or with boots, revitalise tired T-shirts with coloured tie-dyeing, and replace broken handbags with your boyfriend's funky guitar-strap.

17. Ask for freebies. The smarter the department store, the more generous its beauty hall will be with free samples (for those who show enough interest in its products).

18. Re-use teabags, yep seriously. You could get upto 3 cups of tea with 1 teabag!

19. Bring your own lunch to work instead of eating out to lunch all the time. Tip from: Nikkicute. Thanks Nikkicute.

20. Drop the home phone line and use Cellphone. (Save line-rental fee every month) Tip from: reverendcolin. Thanks reverendcolin.

21. Grow your own vegetables. Tip from: diesel_parts. Thanks diesel_parts.

SneekerIsOnline · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 263 Location: Blackpool

:idea: I will update this as often as I come across any tips.
:idea: If you have any tips to beat the credit crunch then add them here, please. A little does go along way :)
:!: Sources: Telegraph UK - Moneysavingexpert.com
:!: Tip contributors: sneekerisonline Nikkicute reverendcolin diesel_parts

Nikkicute · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 878

Thanks :!:
Great list.

Hmmm
Well i decided I should bring my own lunch
to work instead of eating out to lunch all the time.

How's that?

reverendcolin · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 38

That's a good start.

I'm thinking about rolling the SLK. It's the only major debt load I have except for business.

The wife and I have considered dropping the home phone line too. Just use the cell phones. I know several that have done so already.

Considering my pension plan is a 9mm and a ski mask... :D I'll have to cut a few corners.

Nikkicute · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 878

reverendcolin wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
Considering my pension plan is a 9mm and a ski mask... :D I'll have to cut a few corners.

That sounds more like a retirement plan to me.
A very long retirement.
Good luck :!:

dlrane · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 2406

Just make your church located in an impoverished area, and Nobama and company will foot the bill fer ya, and that's the Gospel Reverend!!! :lol:

SneekerIsOnline · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 263 Location: Blackpool

New added tips:

19. Bring your own lunch to work instead of eating out to lunch all the time. Tip from: Nikkicute.

20. Drop the home phone line and use Cellphone. (Save line-rental fee every month) Tip from: reverendcolin.

Thanks Nikkicute and reverendcolin

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 16923 Location: Texas

RC: "Considering my pension plan is a 9mm and a ski mask... I'll have to cut a few corners."

ROTFLMAO @ Colin!! It's becoming just that with so many companies laying off workers with little to offer in the way of pensions :shock:
Everytime I turn on my TV I see folks robbing from one another. Just today a 75 year old man was beaten with a hammer for his social security check, which he'd just cashed. BTW, he diea a short time later in the hospital :( I worry about my parents who are in that same age group yet they live out in the country with neighbors who keep an eye on them.

Times are tough now and I fear they might not get better anytime soon.

Thank you sneeker for the $$ savings tips!!! We're all going to have to tighten our belts like our ancestors did waaaay back when IMHO, especially if we are to succeed and MAKE OUR OWN in this economy IMHO.

LurkeyLou

elgato wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Britain's online retailers have suffered a monthly traffic fall for the first time since records began three years ago, researchers claim.

Research firm Hitwise claims internet traffic to online retailers fell 0.5% in October compared with the same month in 2007, suggesting the downturn in consumer spending has begun to affect the previously fast-growing online sector.

Although weekly online traffic has declined year-on-year in the past, this was the first time it had fallen across a full month.

"Up until now, online retail has been surviving the economic downturn, but this month's data proves that the sector is not immune," says Hitwise's director of research Robin Goad.

Despite this, supermarkets still appear to be benefiting, with internet traffic to the major grocers up 10% year on year. And soaring demand for second hand goods proved a boost for classified retailers, who enjoyed a 47% jump over the same period.

more.. link to news article

Grocers are enjoying traffic increases as restaurants see traffic decline. Getting worse with the business closings, layoffs and peoples' hours cut back.

The soaring demand for second-hand goods is where eBay had a chance to muddle through the economic downturn alright. But like so many businesses, greed bloated the enterprise. If they'd have put vintage, used and handmade on auction and the mass produced stuff on eBay express they might be doing much better. Don't believe me? Go by shopgoodwill.com and notice that 90% of the items have bids. People are shopping.

BTW - this morning, during a financial forecast on the retail sector an analyst warned consumers: "When you're shopping online don't pay for shipping. They're giving this stuff away, so shop for the deals. Do not pay for shipping." Gee, thanks lady.

I expect to start receiving e-mails from customers along with a picture of an automatic and a demand that I send the stuff, my watch, rings and all my money, too! :butt:

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4026 Location: Wi

I dropped the "land line" phone last winter when it seemed 95% of the calls I got on it were just junk sales calls. The fact that our cell service had improved where we live sealed the deal.

If possible, it helps to get all the cell phones in your house on the same company on a "family" plan. Even if all the features of 1 plan aren't the cheapest, usually the bundle will save you on the total. At least it has for my 2 cells. The other thing is your cell bill should be considered "work related" for tax purposes, whereas the "home phone" may not be.

The nice thing about dropping that , besides 1 less bill, was I didn't get ANY of the numerous political calls. Mom was going nutz with all the calls especially during the last week.

Why any candidate would think that irritating a potential voter with call after call would improve his chances of being voted for is beyond me. If I got all those calls, I would be more likely to vote for his opponent. The problem was BOTH sides were doing it.

I also got a "deal" from my cable company by going to the office to pay my bill and ask what I could eliminate from my service that I didn't need. They gave me some kind of "6 month special" that dropped my bill by about $25 at that time. Unfortunately it seems like my bill has gone up by at least $5 / month the last several months for no reason I can figure out.

Carol

diesel_parts · Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 723

I live in east Texas in a rural area. We are used to hard times so this is no big deal for me. I already have my winter garden in the ground. Planted Turnips, Carrots, Collards, Hot Peppers, Green Peas, Cabbage and Lettuce.

I know many folks live in an area where a winter garden is not practical but if you can then plant one.

I do everything I can for myself and if I can't buy for cash I just do without.

We can get thru this one as we have all the other downturns.

I did take a note on the fact that if the US is in a recession then the whole world is in a recession.

goodstuff4you

This one is so obvious but so overlooked.

Redeem Restaurant Survey Forms. No personal info needed on most.

Out here in California a lot of restaurants have survey forms on the bottom of receipts. I have been using a lot of these recently.

I go to one place almost every night and have appetizers for dinner and probably 85% of the time I have a very small (my drink) or no bill. I just have to leave a tip. I do treat the staff very well so I usually end up with someones Survey slip they did not take that is how I get so many.
Being Nice can go a Long way sometimes.

dlrane · Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 2406

Always catch more flies with honey as opposed to vinegar. Good info and thinking. :D