50 States Classifieds

We are no longer accepting VMC Satellite / Dish Network affiliate ads

I was going through the new ads and approving (or disapproving) them, and found my first “bad user” of the day.   Anyone who takes the time to read the brief instructions and TOS before creating a listing knows that all of our ads are hand-screened before being posted, and that we really don’t like it when people spam us with a zillion identical ads.  Most people understand this instinctively without having to be told at all.

Today, we had yet another user spam us for VMC Satellite.  We decided to search for the company in Google as well as the BBB.org website, and found that there are a lot of customer complaints.  That, coupled with the high number of VMC Satellite affiliates we’ve had spam us regarding the Dish Network affiliate program, has caused us to decide not to allow any more affiliate ads for these companies.

Here are some of the things which influenced our decision:

Doing a BBB search for “VMC Satellite” returns two results:

VMC Satellite aka Simplexity, LLC
This is not a BBB Accredited business, but they have received a BBB rating of C :
Number of complaints processed by the BBB since the firm’s BBB file was opened in November 2007: 362
in the last 12 months: 271
Source: http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=y&compid=183237348

VMC Satellite
This is not a BBB Accredited business, but they have received a BBB rating of F :
Number of complaints processed by the BBB
in the last 36 months: 101
in the last 12 months: 1
Source: http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=y&compid=1013751

Dish Network VMC Satellite aka Dish Network Service LLC (National Service)
Searching for “Dish Network” at the BBB website returned way too many results to list.  However, they had over 6000 complaints in the first profile alone. We also found this:

Government Actions

On March 25, 2009 the U.S. Department of Justice, at the Federal Trade Commissions request, filed a complaint in U.S. District Court, Springfield Illinois division. Charges filed indicate the business is in violation of federal law prohibiting telemarketing sales rules. The matter is pending.

On July 16, 2009 Dish Network entered into an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the Attorney General of several different states. The Assurance settles charges the business violated do-not-call rules, failed to disclose terms and conditions including rebate information, processed debits without proper authorization and refused to accept responsibility for third party retailers and installers. Under the terms of the Assurance the business agreed to offer restitution to eligible consumers. The Assurance was for settlement purposes only and should not be considered as an admission of guilt or finding of violation of the law.

Consumer Refund Information:

DISH Network will offer restitution to eligible consumers who filed complaints with the Office of the Attorney General or with DISH Network between Jan. 1, 2004 and July 9, 2009. Additionally, consumers who file complaints with DISH Network, the Better Business Bureau or the Office of the Attorney General within the next 150 days could be eligible for restitution if they were victimized within the past two years. Consumers who are not satisfied with the company’s offer of restitution can file a claim to be judged by a third-party claims administrator.

Questions or complaints regarding the refund process can be addressed to DISH Network, L.L.C., Dispute Resolution Team, P.O. Box 9040, Littleton, CO 80120 or submitted via e-mail at CEO@dishnetwork.com.

For the complete Assurance:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MRAY-7TZJUW/$file/DishNetworkAVC.pdf

Source: http://www.bbb.org/denver/business-reviews/television-cable-catv-and-satellite/dish-network-in-englewood-co-6370

I was curious about what types of complaints consumers had lodged, and found the following examples in Google:

http://www.scamclub.com/reports/VMC-Satelite-4912.html

http://www.ripoffreport.com/Corrupt-Companies/VMC/vmc-satellite-dish-network-dec-98cx3.htm

So, until further notice, we will no longer allow VMC Satellite or other Dish Network affiliates to post ads on our website.

We may re-consider someday, but in the meantime, spamming us will not help your case.

New scam alert: free stuff that’s too good to be true

Selling your house? Free FSBO ads and free listings for Realtors!

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Whether your home is For Sale By Owner (FSBO) or listed with a real estate agency, chances are good that you could use some free advertising to draw more attention to your listing.

In these difficult economic times, many homeowners are making the decision to go the “For Sale By Owner” route.  Property prices have plummeted, and many people are reluctant to pay a huge commission to a real estate agent on top of their already significant property value loss.

On the other hand, in many places, if you don’t list your home with a real estate agent or real estate agency, then you may have a harder time attracting the attention of buyers.

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Shopping Tip: 15 Foods To Help You Lose

From “Good Housekeeping” Magazine

By Denise Foley

Want To Curb Your Appetite And Stop Sugar Cravings? Then Put These On Your Grocery List.

Thirty billion a year — that’s about how much Americans spend on slim-down products, many of which don’t even work. A better way to get real weight-loss results? Go grocery shopping. New research points to more than a dozen foods, from beans to beef, that can help you fight hunger, kick your candy addiction, boost your metabolism-and ultimately shed pounds. And some of these superfoods deliver health bonuses too.

1. Eggs. Skip the bagel this morning. Eggs, which are full of protein, will help you feel fuller longer-a lot longer. A multicenter study of 30 overweight or obese women found that those who ate two scrambled eggs (with two slices of toast and a reduced-calorie fruit spread) consumed less for the next 36 hours than women who had a bagel breakfast of equal calories. Other research has shown that protein may also prevent spikes in blood sugar, which can lead to food cravings.

2. Beans. You’ve probably never heard of cholecystokinin, but it’s one of your best weight-loss pals. This digestive hormone is a natural appetite suppressant. So how do you get more cholecystokinin? One way, report researchers at the University of California at Davis, is by eating beans: A study of eight men found that their levels of the hormone (which may work by keeping food in your stomach longer) were twice as high after a meal containing beans than after a low-fiber meal containing rice and dry milk. There’s also some evidence that beans keep blood sugar on an even keel, so you can stave off hunger longer. Heart-health bonus: High-fiber beans can lower your cholesterol.

3. Salad. Do you tend to stuff yourself at meals? Control that calorie intake by starting with a large salad (but hold the creamy dressing). In a study of 42 women at Penn State University, those who ate a big, low-cal salad consumed 12 percent less pasta afterward-even though they were offered as much as they wanted. The secret, say researchers, is the sheer volume of a salad, which makes you feel too full to pig out. Health bonus: A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who ate one salad a day with dressing had higher levels of vitamins C and E, folic acid, lycopene, and carotenoids-all disease fighters-than those who didn’t add salad to their daily menu.

4. Green tea. The slimming ingredient isn’t caffeine. Antioxidants called catechins are what help speed metabolism and fat burning. In a recent Japanese study, 35 men who drank a bottle of oolong tea mixed with green tea catechins lost weight, boosted their metabolism, and had a significant drop in their body mass index. Health bonus: The participants also lowered their (bad) LDL cholesterol.

5. Pears. They’re now recognized as having more fiber, thanks to a corrected calculation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. At six grams (formerly four grams) per medium-size pear, they’re great at filling you up. Apples come in second, with about three grams per medium-size fruit. Both contain pectin fiber, which decreases blood-sugar levels, helping you avoid between-meal snacking. This may explain why, in a Brazilian study that lasted 12 weeks, overweight women who ate three small pears or apples a day lost more weight than women on the same diet who ate three oat cookies daily instead of the fruit.

6. Soup. A cup of chicken soup is as appetite blunting as a piece of chicken: That was the finding of a Purdue University study with 18 women and 13 men. Why? Researchers speculate that even the simplest soup satisfies hunger because your brain perceives it as filling.

7. Lean beef. It’s what’s for dinner-or should be, if you’re trying to shed pounds. The amino acid leucine, which is abundant in proteins like meat and fish as well as in dairy products, can help you pare down while maintaining calorie-burning muscle. That’s what it did for 24 overweight middle-aged women in a study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Eating anywhere from nine to 10 ounces of beef a day on a roughly 1,700-calorie diet helped the women lose more weight, more fat, and less muscle mass than a control group consuming the same number of calories, but less protein. The beef eaters also had fewer hunger pangs.

8. Olive oil. Fight off middle-age pounds with extra virgin olive oil. A monounsaturated fat, it’ll help you burn calories. In an Australian study, 12 postmenopausal women (ages 57 to 73) were given a breakfast cereal dressed either with a mixture of cream and skim milk or half an ounce of olive oil and skim milk. The women who ate the oil-laced muesli boosted their metabolism. Don’t want to add olive oil to your oatmeal? That’s OK-it works just as well in salad dressings, as a bread dip, or for sautéing.

9. Grapefruit. It’s back! A 2006 study of 91 obese people conducted at the Nutrition and Metabolic Research Center at Scripps Clinic found that eating half a grapefruit before each meal or drinking a serving of the juice three times a day helped people drop more than three pounds over 12 weeks. The fruit’s phytochemicals reduce insulin levels, a process that may force your body to convert calories into energy rather than flab.

10. Cinnamon. Sprinkle it on microwave oatmeal or whole-grain toast to help cure those mid-afternoon sugar slumps. Research from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture found that a little cinnamon can help control post-meal insulin spikes, which make you feel hungry. Health bonus: One USDA study showed that just a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon a day lowered the blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

11. Vinegar. It’s a great filler-upper. In a Swedish study, researchers found that people who ate bread dipped in vinegar felt fuller than those who had their slices plain. The probable reason: Acetic acid in the vinegar may slow the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine, so your tummy stays full longer. Vinegar can also short-circuit the swift blood-sugar rise that occurs after you eat refined carbs such as white bread, cookies, and crackers.

12. Tofu. It seems too light to be filling, but a study at Louisiana State University showed that tofu does the job. Researchers tested it against chicken as a pre-meal appetizer for 42 overweight women-and the participants who had tofu ate less food during the meal. The secret: Tofu is an appetite-quashing protein.

13. Nuts. Yes, they are fattening: A handful of peanuts is about 165 calories. But research shows that people who snack on nuts tend to be slimmer than those who don’t. A study from Purdue University found that when a group of 15 normal-weight people added about 500 calories worth of peanuts to their regular diet, they consumed less at subsequent meals. The participants also revved up their resting metabolism by 11 percent, which means they burned more calories even when relaxing. Health bonus: Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. And researchers at Loma Linda University recently found that eating 10 to 20 whole pecans daily can reduce heart disease risks.

14. High-fiber cereal. Studies show that you can curb your appetite by eating a bowl for breakfast. But how well does it really work? Researchers at the VA Medical Center and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis tested the theory against the ultimate diet challenge: the buffet table. They gave 14 volunteers one of five cereals before sending them out to the smorgasbord. Those who’d had the highest-fiber cereal ate less than those who didn’t have as much fiber in the morning. Try General Mills Fiber One (14 grams per serving) or Kellogg’s All Bran With Extra Fiber (13 grams per serving).

15. Hot red pepper. Eating a bowl of spicy chili regularly can help you lose weight. In a Japanese study, 13 women who ate breakfast foods with red pepper (think southwestern omelet) ate less than they normally did at lunch. The magic ingredient may be capsaicin, which helps suppress appetite.

Meet Our Sellers: John from ElectroForensics.com

This is part two in the “Meet Our Sellers” series, written by Jessica Franke from Green Web Design.

In this installation, I would like to introduce you to a very good friend of mine who is located in in Tucson, AZ. John Roberts, the owner of ElectroForensics.com, isn’t just a computer geek.  He can also install and service Local Area Networks, alarm systems, home theater systems, and more.

I had the pleasure of meeting John 3 years ago, when he started dating one of my closest friends.  I lived in Arizona for several years as a kid, and one of my favorite places has always been the San Xavier Del Bac mission in Tucson, so we got to talking about living in Arizona.  We found that we had lots of other stuff in common as well.  After they left for Tucson, I found that I spent almost as much time talking to John on the phone as I did to my friend.  Not only is he just about the easiest guy in the world to get along with, he can more than hold his own in technical discussions about a huge variety of topics.

Here is an excerpt from his professional website:

Electroforensics is the art and science of not only finding an electronic or electromechanical failure, but also finding out what went wrong and why, and implementing modifications to prevent it from happening again.

Specializing in

• Troubleshooting / Diagnostics and repair of
• Sound systems – home entertainment, PA and audiophile.
• large format printing equipment
• digital to analog interfaces
• electromechanical systems
• large and small scale commercial and residential electrical systems
• IT and Infrastructural (electrical, tel co, internet and network)
• security and surveillance systems
• Radio interference detection

Consulting :

• Does your potential new facility suit your company’s technical needs?
• I can help you choose the equipment to meet all of your multimedia needs.
• Reputable contractor referrals.

If you need a knowledgeable, versatile, reliable IT  person in Tucson, Arizona, you need to visit ElectroForensics.com to learn more about John and what he can do for your business.

Meet Our Sellers: Matt from Digital Marauders

I was looking through my facebook friends list the other day, noticing all of these talented people that I know who are self employed and doing fascinating things with their lives and their businesses, and I was thinking I should do a “Meet Our Sellers” series, where I showcase some of the other companies that I work with and the other small business owners that I know.  This is the first installment.

I have accumulated a large number of friends who are my fellow web designers, programmers, technicians, and other assorted geeks throughout the years.  We each have different specialties and talents, which naturally leads us to call upon each other for input, collaboration, assistance, or just to talk shop with someone else who speaks our language from time to time. This is where I will be starting.

Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to Matthew Ramirez from Digital Marauders and Touch Clothing.  Matt and his crew make awesome eCommerce shopping cart websites as well clothing.  They specialize in the fashion and music industries.

Here’s an excerpt from his business website, Digital Marauders

We are a think tank. A cutting edge design house. We are a group of artists who are passionate about the look and feel of the world around us. We love to skate and ride fixed gear bikes on our way to a red carpet fashion event. We enjoy the movement and progression of art and the vibrations of the music that passes though our office floors. It is our goal to help bring your passions, your vision and your dreams to life. To effectively convey your vision and imagination to your customers and clients; to help you meet your goals; to help you become a Digital Marauder.

As if all of that wasn’t impressive enough, in 1998, he and his friend Amadeus (both of them talented DJ’s in the rave scene in the 90’s, which was also one of my passions at the time) started Touch Clothing. Here is an excerpt from their website:

Despite living in a world that allows people to stay connected in coutless ways, human interaction is on the decline.  We are increasingly losing touch with our true nature and our surroundings, often suffocated by the burden of work, money, and the drone of mass media.  Touch Clothing derives its strength from a tight knit family of loyal supporters.  Our designs represent an attempt to share this vision with the world. Join the Touchcrew and always stay true and loyal to friends and family.

I met Matt a few years ago, through our mutual client, Viktor Viktoria, who will need no introduction if you’re from Milwaukee and like fashion.  We also share a common client in the Brooklyn based Music Skins,  who make durable vinyl protectors for iPods and other electronic devices.  I will be doing blog entries about both of these fascinating companies in the near future, so I’ll just leave it at that for now.

Digital Marauders is responsible for the gorgeous designs of both of the above websites.  I came to the team after the sites were already open for business.  Viktor Viktoria was looking for a local Milwaukee online marketing company that could also provide some support and design services when needed.  Music Skins was also looking for an online advertising company who had the technical skills to work on their website when needed.  Since Matt & I were already working on Viktor Viktoria togther with great results, he recommended me to Music Skins as well.  The rest, as they say, is history!

As is often the case in this increasingly digital world, though we’ve looked through each others’ photo albums on facebook and could recognize each other on the street, and despite the fact that we’ve been working together via email, phone, and ftp for almost 3 years, I haven’t met Matt in real life yet.   I think that a visit to New York will be in my near future.  Not only will it be great to someday finally meet my co-worker; I’d also love to hang out in some out of the way corner of his office and see what it’s like to be a new york fashion and web designer for a day.

It has been my pleasure to introduce you to my friend Matt in NYC.  If you need an eCommerce shopping cart website that is professionally designed by a very talented group of geeks, check out Digital Marauders.  If you need awesome clothes, check out Touch Clothing.

Good Causes: Help Erik and Anna

As our regular users know, 50 States Classifieds likes to help small businesses and individuals, usually via Kiva or other charities, when we have anything left over after paying the hosting, bandwidth, and other bills for the classifieds.

I was just approving some new ads and came across this ad, posted by user remodeling.

Erik is an out of work carpenter who would prefer employment in his community (Maui, Hawaii)  (no internet get rich quick schemes!) but until he finds such an opportunity, he would really appreciate a donation of $1 or more so that he can hopefully raise enough money to avoid being evicted with his 9 year old daughter until he can find employment and get back on his feet.

On behalf of the users of 50StatesClassifids.com, I have sent a $25 donation.  Please consider sending a few dollars if you can.  He listed a website in his ad where you can learn more about him and make a donation.

If you live on the Hawaiian island of Maui and have need of a skilled carpenter, please consider hiring Erik for your next carpentry project.

50 States Classifieds is helping small businesses. Join us!

Thanks to the gracious users of 50StatesClassifieds.com Premium features, we were able to lend $157.50 to several small woman owned businesses via Kiva.

If you would like to join our Kiva team, visit:

http://www.kiva.org/community/viewTeam?team_id=865

Are you a Kiva user? Join my team!

Have you thought about what comes after the merchant account?