Whatever Happened To “Seen But Not Heard”?

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Jeff

good idea jeff from goodbuyguys.comOver the last several weeks I have had the opportunity to visit a number of presentation spaces with installed sound systems-auditorium, lecture halls, churches, etc.

It is good to see that line array speaker cabinet technology is now widely embraced by system installers (both new and upgrades) and the overall improvement in sound quality is quickly evident.

What is also evident, unfortunately, is how ugly many of these installations are, especially those that are retrofitted into existing spaces.

I can understand how an installer (i used to do sound system installations myself) might think that a half dozen black speaker cabinets hung against a white or light colored background might look “beautiful”.  After all, he probably risked life and limb in a personnel lift to get the system in place and knows that the sound in the room has been dramatically improved.

How difficult would it have been to paint the new cabinets in a matching or complementary color?  Apparently, pretty difficult, since nobody does it.

I realize that I’m not just talking about a can of Krylon spray paint here, but the results of a good quality paint job can pay off for years.  A smart installer knows that he can gain a competitive advantage at bid opening time if his proposal is the only one that takes how the new speaker hang will look when the install is finished.

Metal speaker grills instead of fabric and recessed rigging hardware and connector plates both make doing a quality paint job easier and there is inexpensive spary equipment on the market that is easy to use.

Next time you are listening to one of these “in your face” sound system installations, close your eyes for a minute and see how much better it would sound if you could just hear it instead of seeing it.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are proud to feature speaker cables from Mitee Cables.

Posted in Pro Sound, audio visual, good business ideas | Tagged | Leave a comment

Google Personalized Search-My 2 Cents Worth

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jeff

spokesperson for goodbuyguys.comOur company has done well over the last ten years by building web sites and pages that adhered closely to Google’s guidelines for creating quality content.  We have worked hard to generate content that prospective users and purchasers of our products would find valuable and many other sites have linked to ours because they found our content worthwhile.

Now, it appears that Google is ready to put their ability to serve up truly relevant search content on the shelf in favor of providing search results that are tempered by what our friends may have searched for or what we may have looked for in the past.

This is Google’s latest attempt to take on Facebook in an arena that Facebook owns, and lots of Google users are unhappy about it.

Instead of seeing information that the internet as a whole values because of the quality of the content (what is on the page and who links to it) you are more likely to see results based on your friends and colleagues have searched for.

I like my friends, but they are not who I normally choose to turn to when I want the kind of search results I used to get on Google.  They are good people, but I don’t think of them as primary resources for the kind of information I am usually seeking.

What might be even more important is that Google has been quiet about what they are doing.  Most people don’t realize that their search results might be very different than someone across the office or in the next dorm room.

The result of this change in Google’s search code,  something that might well be called “Facebook envy” has reminded me that there are lots of other useful search engines available that now better meet my needs.

Google needs to get back to what made them so successful in the first place.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are proud to feature extension cords from Hosatech.

Posted in customer service, good business ideas, web development | Tagged | Leave a comment

This Will Heat Your House, But Only Once

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Jeff

spokesperson for byextensioncord.comThe arrival of cold weather also means the arrival of regular front page news stories about people burning down their houses through improper extension cord use.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

The use of electric space heaters with inadequate size extension cords or cables in poor condition creates a situation ripe for disaster.

Use of a cable too small for the amount of power that the heater draws means that much of the electricity consumed goes to heat generated in the extension cord, not in the heater.  Tucking the “too small” cord under a rug or behind a piece of furniture creates all the elements needed to start a house fire.

Extension cords in poor condition-frayed jackets, broken connectors, kinked cable-double the risk, as they can create both overheating and electric shock hazards.

If you use electric heaters, click here for a guide to choosing the correct size cable.

Click here for some tips on keeping your extension cords in good condition.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are proud to feature extension cords from Hosatech.

Posted in extension cords, good business ideas | Tagged | Leave a comment

Question: Who’s Your Daddy? Answer: Not GoDaddy

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Jeff

spokesperson for goodbuyguys.comOnline host and domain registrar Godaddy.com is staring down the barrel of a gun, held collectively by its customers who are unhappy with the internet giant’s waffling response to the pending “Stop Online Piracy Act” now moving through Congress. Godaddy has changed its position several times, apparently due to customer unhappiness with its support of this legislation, but still faces a customer boycott over the companies unwillingness to stand up and fight for an unrestricted internet.

Today, Dec. 29, has been proposed as boycott Godaddy day, and thousands of customers are threatening to leave Godaddy in the dust and move their hosting and registrar accounts to someone else.

H.R. 3261, the Congressional bill, is bad legislation and threatens to remake the internet at its core.  It would allow a major transfer of internet control to a few major players and allow those who claim control of digital intellectual property to shut down small time web sites without due process.

We currently have in excess of three hundred domains registered with Godaddy and use them to host many of our sites.  We’re ready to see them in our rear view mirror if they don’t step up and get this right, and do it quickly. If  you are a Godaddy customer and want to put pressure on them to stand up and fight for their customers, give them a call at 480-505-8877.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are proud to feature extension cords from Hosatech.  We believe that a free and open internet is the key to job growth, economic development and more opportunity for everyone.

Posted in customer service, good business ideas, web development | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Tis The Season To Be Careful

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Jeff

spokesperson for goodbuyguys.comEvery holiday season seems to bring a tragic story of a young child who choked on the battery contained in a new Christmas toy.  A few simple precautions can make this story a tale from the past.

Particularly dangerous are the small “button” type batteries that power many toys and electronic devices.  They are small enough for a child to easily put into their mouth and they look just enough like something edible to make this scenario a likelihood.

Look for toys that have a screw cover for the battery compartment that can only be opened with a small screw driver and make sure that the door is securely latched before giving the toy to the child.

Check to see if the batteries are already installed in the device.  Toys that have loose batteries in the packaging are particularly dangerous, since they can be overlooked when the package is opened and then found later by the child.

Finally, double check to make sure that there are no spare batteries included with the device.  What might seem like a generous act by the manufacturer demands extra diligence on the part of the parent in order to make sure spares go into a safe storage location.

Wishing you and yours a joyous season from The Good Buy Guys.  You can see your holiday greeting by clicking here.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are prod to feature extension cords from Hosatech.  Our Duracell Procell batteries are the real thing and we sell them “Satisfaction Guaranteed”.

Posted in batteries, customer service, good business ideas | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Battery Recycling Finally Lands In The Right Laps

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Jeff

The Wall Street Journal’s online publication, Market Watch, reports that the  presidents of the five major alkaline battery manufacturers in the United States met last week in an attempt to move forward a major initiative on consumer battery recycling.

This is not news in itself, but the willingness of these CEO’s to make a commitment to have a program in place in 2013 is a very positive development.

The presidents of Duracell, Energizer, Kodak, Rayovac and Panasonic began discussions in 2010 regarding getting a nationwide recycling program in place and now finally seem willing to commit to a date for a program roll out.

Certainly, the logistics and science in getting a program into place are complicated, but it is hard to see how plans and discussions could be going into their fourth year.

We would love to be able to point our customers towards a reliable recycling option in their community, regardless of where they live.

Check back here and also at Recyclebattery.org to track their progress.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are prod to feature extension cords from Hosatech.  Our Duracell Procell batteries are the real thing and we sell them “Satisfaction Guaranteed”.

Posted in Pro Sound, Pro lighting, Uncategorized, customer service, good business ideas | Tagged , | Leave a comment

‘Tis The Season To Be Wary

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Jeff

spokesperson for goodbuyguys.comI’m listening to a Wall Street Journal podcast about counterfeit merchandise, and am reminded that Christmas is high season for the sale of counterfeit batteries.

Importers and unscrupulous retailers can dramatically boost their bottom line by taking a low quality battery and rebranding/repainting it with the graphics from a more expensive brand.

It can be difficult to spot a counterfeit, but here are a few clues.

All major battery manufcaturers (Duracell, Procell, Everready, etc.) always include an expiration date printed directly on the battery.  Counterfeits often don’t include this info so that the product will have a longer perceived shelf life

Quality painting on a round surface is an expensive process.  Batteries that have a brand name but low resolution graphics are probably bogus.

Major manufacturers control their distribution chain carefully.  It is highly unlikely that someone selling batteries on a street corner in a large city is part of this chain.  Batteries sold this way are usually counterfeits.

Counterfeit batteries will not only have a shorter life than the real thing, but are more prone to leak acid which can quickly destroy expensive electronics and can be a serious health hazard if it gets on your skin or in your eyes.

Legitimate branded batteries are more expensive for a good reason.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are prod to feature extension cords from Hosatech.  Our Duracell Procell batteries are the real thing and we sell them “Satisfaction Guaranteed”.

Posted in branding, customer service, good business ideas | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

A Good Extension Cord Is Forever

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Jeff

tex talks about extension cords-buyextensioncord.comAs I began to dig through Christmas decorations in the garage, i was struck by how much I just decided to throw away.  Strings of twinkle lights are tough to untangle, almost impossible to fix when a lamp burns out and much less efficient than new led lamps.  They just aren’t worth the time it takes to fix them and new ones are really inexpensive.  Out they go.

The only constant in 30+ years of outdoor decorating is my extension cords.  I have many that date back to the 1970′s and they are as functional and useful as the day they were bought.  The only real change, based on the price of copper, is that now they are worth a small fortune.

A little extension cord care can mean that a well made extension cord can last a lifetime.

Proper coiling, storing in a dry place out of sunlight and keeping the cable away from sharp objects is all it takes.

Click here to watch a video on proper cable coiling.

Click here for some tips on extension cord care.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are proud to feature extension cords from Hosatech.

Posted in extension cords | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Customer Service – It’s Not About “Nice” Anymore

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Jeff

Lately, it seems that we are having to spend just about as much time managing relationships with our suppliers as we spend with our customers.  It shouldn’t be that way, but you do what you have to do.

One of the things that always surprises me when we have issues with suppliers is how some of them seem to think that being “nice” to us, their customer, is what is really important.  That might have been the case in the day of the business lunch and the phone order, but electronic communication has pushed “nice” to the back burner, particularly when a supplier thinks that being polite can take the place of being informed.

It’s really difficult to be tough with a supplier when they think that kind words and thoughtful pauses can make up for not being able to tell me the status of my order or why i was shipped the wrong product.

What we want is information.  One of the greatest things about electronic communication is that it’s easy to set a business like tone without being compromised by someone’s attempt to “nice” their way out of a situation when they don’t have the answer you want.

In this day and age, being a good “listener” really means that you are a good reader.  We like it that way.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Shurtape gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands.

Posted in customer service | Leave a comment

Cold Wind Blowing? Here’s The Best $6.19 Investment You Can Make!

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Jeff

spokesperson for goodbuyguys.comThanksgiving around here usually ushers in the first period of really cold weather. Winter may not be here yet, but you get some hints about what is around the corner.

There is no single better winter-proofing product than a roll of duct tape.  Duct tape is both sticky and malleable, so it is ideal for patching small, hard to reach air leaks.  Whether around a window, along a foundation, or in your attic, a strip or two of duct tape can quickly pay for the whole roll in heating savings.

Modern duct tape is available in lots of colors which make it much easier to match interior paint and exterior siding.

While it won’t last forever, the coating and adhesive of good quality duct tape will last the winter and the vinyl backing creates a seal that both stops air flow and repels water.

GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries,  Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands. We are your source for high quality Nashua 398 duct tape.

Posted in duct tape, good business ideas | Tagged | Leave a comment