Tax Filings Due Today

There has been a lot of talk about taxes in the last year with all of the political races, financial upheaval, and government spending. But today, for most Americans, we will know the answer to one thing – Pay or Refund?

I finished my taxes early on this year using Turbo Tax – as I have done for more years than I care to remember. Using the online version this year was a way to shake things up a bit – it had its pros and cons. In the end I could not help but to think that taxes and spending in our current times just leaves me shaking my head. Most people around me know that I am a proponent of The Fair Tax – a system of taxation that truly apportions to those that should pay as required. We may not see it in my lifetime, but I will hold out hope.

One final plug for my company – DealTaker.com – whether you are paying taxes or getting a refund, saving money for yourself, your family or your business is paramount. Check out the great deals that DealTaker offers each day online. The savings add up – even if our taxes don’t.

 

Finding Shopping Bargains Online

At DealTaker.com, we have coined the phrase “couponing 2.0″.  Before it used to be that individuals would deal with saving money in a behind the scenes, “clip the coupon” and passively use it sort of way.  Now, with the expansion of marketing efforts online, people are coming together to share deals, savings techniques, and tips on how to save more.  This is never more evident than during Black Friday each year after Thanksgiving when people share and find all kinds of great deals.  In this economy, that is now becoming an everyday occurrence.  Check out this news story just done on us that reinforces that notion…DealTaker on NBC5i – DFW

 

CheapTweet – Deals on Twitter

Those of you who know me know that social marketing and media is a big part of my life.  I tweet on Twitter.  I friend on Facebook.  I link on Linkedin.  Thanks to Kevin Koym, I met Hayes Davis today – he works for CheapTweet.  Now there is a way that e-commerce (specifically deals) can cross over to the social media realm in a usable fashion.  My company (DealTaker – a great place for online coupons) is proud to be one of the first members on CheapTweet.  And here is our badge to prove it -

 

It is Winter….

Dallas enjoys relatively moderate temperatures in the winter.  Sure we get an occasional snow here and there (1″ or less usually).  I have flown in and out of Dallas many times during the winter and have never actually seen a de-icing truck used there.  Today the temp dropped to 32 degrees just after noon.  And the performance began.  So, I snapped this pic from seat 9B on American flight 1180 just to show that those trucks do get used. 

After watching the military-like  precision efforts of the ORD ground crews through the winter of 2004, I have to say this was like watching ice skating on carpet.  But, in the end, American provided a safe plane and a good flight.

 

Video Fun and E-commerce

Working in e-commerce for a decade now has been a blast.  So much has happened, and so much is still to come.  It is interesting looking back as a ten year veteran that started not long after e-commerce and internet marketing originated and seeing what has changed and knowing I have been a part of some of the biggest pieces.  In tribute, my colleague Patrick Terrell and I created a video related to Affiliate Summit West 2009 that we attended in Las Vegas this last week.  Without further adieu -

This video is a spoof on Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly’s “you want us to host the Espy’s” video.  I’ll add this here as well because it is worth the extra two minutes to watch. 

 

Sprint Stores Get Customer Service

For four years, we have used Sprint for our cellular phone service.  Nothing extraordinary about the service that has made us stay, but it was easy to renew the last time and it seemed this time would be easy as well.

Sprint Cell Phones

Last month I received a retention offer to get a $50 credit to sign up for another two years.  That was much less than the 10% off per month that was offered last time.  So I asked for a renewal with the 10% off offer again.  The “retention representative” on the phone said that the offer was not available.  Because of that I said that I would be looking around at other carriers.

The next day, in the mail, I received a 10% off offer from Sprint (that supposedly was not available).  This was 12/15/08.  I called the number on the offer, waded through the littany of prompts, waited on hold for five more minutes, then got a message that said the office was closed for the holidays from 11/28 – 12/1.  OK!!  I waited a few more days and tried again – same result.  I tried by phone one more time on 12/29 – same result. 

This was obviously going nowhere.  I went to my local Sprint store.  There I met Brian Paige – Assistant Store Manager.  Despite the constraints of how Sprints retention programs work, Brian was amazing in how he worked to get the deal done.  He admitted that we needed to call someone in Sprint Retention because of certain rules, but he made the call on my behalf and let the representative know of my issues.  She (didn’t get a name) was not helpful at all.  She refused to provide the 10% off offer unless I faxed her the offer to prove I really had it (while I am in a Sprint store – hmmmm).  Finally Brian did what a smart and responsive “customer service” person should do – he went outside the box and made the deal happen.  The specifics of the work around are not important.  What is important is that Brian retained me as a customer – not because it was easy like last time but because he invested his time for Sprint to keep a customer.

I have heard that customer service will die in the next few years.  I just hope that there are more Brian Paiges out there to help keep it alive.

 

My Two Favorite Holiday Cards of 2008

For one year of my professional career, greeting cards were my life.  Working at CardsDirect.com, every time I got a card I quickly flipped it over to see the manufacturer hoping that someone had thought to buy from CardsDirect.  This holiday season, we got a lot of cards, but for a change we just enjoyed them for the message they brought and the memories shared.  The friends, families and colleagues we have in our lives are amazing – we are truly blessed.  From all the cards received, I have picked out two – both hand made – that I wanted to share with all.

The first is from our dear friend, amazing designer, and inspirational personality – Liz Wain.  For those who do not know Liz, I had the pleasure of working with her about 4 years ago where we cultivated an enduring friendship.  Liz Wain Designs (mostly top of bed, linens, and some furniture) gathered quite a following in the late 90’s – early 00’s and could be found at Neiman Marcus, Barney’s and more.  We have some Liz Wain originals in bedding for our kids.  Now, we have a Liz Wain original greeting card – a business she needs to get into!!  Made out of recycled, corrugated cardboard and adorned with a hand cut piece of denim symbolizing peace, it is simple and sophisticated – and now treasured.

The second card is also hand crafted and comes from a family we have gotten to know in the last year.  I wish I could share who it is, but he works for an aforementioned card company and handcrafted cards are akin to a Pepsi executive drinking Coca-Cola.  With real buttons on the snowmen and hand glued ribbons and papers, it is a keeper.

 

Review of Cyber Monday ‘08

In 2008, as I have mentioned in prior posts on Cyber Monday, retail and online shopping are under an intense microscope for performance.  I was interviewed by a local station (Fox4 News Dallas) along with an offline retailer to get a take on how things were proceeding.  As you will see below, we were pleased with traffic and performance – and deals are to be had everywhere.

 

Retail is Pulling Out All The Stops – Black Friday II, Green Monday, what’s next?

I got an e-mail from  Buy.com  the other day.  Nothing special about that.  I get one from them everyday.  They always have one offer that is compelling enough that I allow them to continue to market to me.  Plus, I am still in awe of how they handled the passing of Darin Fralick.  Anyway, the title of the e-mail was “Black FridayII” – as if one Black Friday is not enough.  Interesting approach, but the sequel is never as good as the original.

Now, this week, I am also seeing references to “Green Monday” – so new apparentlythat Wikipedia does not even have a definition yet (at least for the online shopping verison).  The suggestion is that while “Cyber Monday” is big for online shopping, “GreenMonday” is bigger because it is actually the bigger sales day as people close in on final purchases.  According to DealTaker.com, this is also the point where “merchants begin to message urgency“.

I will be curious to see which day is picked as the next fulcrum to help tip the sales into the retailers favor – “Buy Now Thursday”, “Spend, Spend Saturday”.

 

Black Friday is BIG – Cyber Monday is BIGGER

Now that the holiday season is officially here for 2008 (Yes, it is a late Thanksgiving by most years’ standards) the two biggest shopping days of the year happen in the next 96 hours. Those days are Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  Being around retail the last 10 years or so, I know how big of a time this is for retailers big and small.  This year has an even bigger feel to it with the economic conditions that are provoking some retail companies either into bankruptcy or contemplating it.

Much earlier than usual, I have seen Black Friday Ads popping up all over the place.  Notably, I have also heard less claims of legal action against websites posting “leaked” ads this year.  I think that definitely signifies that retailers are willing to accept all help in marketing at all costs.  Sites like DealTaker.com that conglomerate ads into one spot are a great way for shoppers to plan for the big shopping day in the stores.  Stores like JCPenney, Sears, Toys R Us, and others have ads that are posted with some really good deals.

Not being one to go from store to store on the busiest day of the year, I tend to wait for Cyber Monday and all the great deals that will be had that day as well.  Instead of fighting everyone for parking, the last Wii, and a spot in line at the food court, I will sit at my desk and price comparison shop and find even better deals.  Most of those items will then be shipped right to me or my intended recipient (often with Free Shipping).

Alas, a Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Eat well, shop hard, and enjoy those around you.