The great website debacle

Today is a sad day.  As you all know from my previous blogs, I've had some problems with my web host.  I posted my very hilarious email to them and I received a response some time ago, but forgot to post their email.

I've deleted it.  It would have to be one of the "best" responses I've ever seen and I can't even share it with you!  I've searched each and every folder in Outlook and the Sent folder... no luck.

Let me give you the general gist.

The response was the usual "We're sorry for any inconvience caused blah blah blah".  THEN (and I am NOT joking) I was told that considering the low costs I shouldn't expect a very high level of service!!!!!!!!!

are... you... freaking... kidding... me?

So, does that mean that the level of service you receive is in proportion to the cost of the item?  Be careful everybody... next time you go and buy a water the clerk has every right to just dump it over your head.  At McDonald's, they now launch their burgers out of cannons.  Heaven forbid if you buy a pizza on Cheap Tuesday.  You don't know WHAT the garnishes on top will be!!!

I'm not going to slander the people I'm hosting with, but let's just say you'd be Crazy to use them!

I've also since learned that to transfer the hosting I'll have to pay for everything again, so for now, I'm going to sit tight and try not to interact with them.  Worse than that... one of the items I purchased is completely unnecessary and FREE with Google.

That expense is going to be written off under "Education" expenses.  ie. Live and learn, people.  Live and learn.

Moving forward

Happy Friday everyone.  So much has happened and I've not blogged about it.  How dare I? 

Last night I did the prize draw for our "100 likers" campaign on Facebook.  Congratulations Lisa on winning a gorgeous Aden + Anais Organic Muslin Wrap.  I know Lisa's sister is due to have her first baby in a few weeks so it's perfect timing.

I received the first draft of my web design from the wonderful Anna at Design with style.  I can't wait to have it up and running.  At this stage, we're looking at a May launch, which leaves me plenty of time to find more wonderful things to sell on the site. Isn't this fun???  However, keep an eye on the Little Treasures Facebook page (www.facebook.com/littletreasuresbabyboutique) because I'll be adding items as I receive them to sell as Pre Launch Specials!

I've started to receive some gorgeous stock.  I've got some funky bibs from Bibska bibs and on the way are some stunning hand-knitted toys and hand crochet blankets from and the little dog laughed.  Come on Mr Postman - I want to get my hands on Mooki the Monkey.  Hmmm... going to have to find a high spot away from roving little fingers.

On a lighter note.  This wasn't light enough?  Nope... it gets even lighter (yep, I have conversations with myself now.  Saves time).  How about a Royal Wedding to put a smile on your face?  I wonder how many commemorative goods they'll sell this year?  Production in China must be going crazy! 

I personally like this little number... the Kate and HARRY commemorative mug.  Yes, I did get it right... somebody made a big boo boo and put Wills's brother Harry onto the mug.  Genuine mistake, joke mug or "elaborate spoof".  I'll leave it for you to decide.  If, however, you are over the royal wedding you can always lay your hands on a Royal Wedding Sick Bag.  Also know as "The Camilla".  Sorry, had to be done.

Thanks for reading

Panic stations everyone!!!

Okay... right... breathe...  where to begin?

I'm panicking.  I admit it.  I can't help it.  I'm now stressing because I don't know whether I spelt panicking correctly or not.  Spellcheck doesn't seem to have picked it up, but who knows.  Spellcheck doesn't always get it right!!!

Okay, I'm back.

As I said previously, I'm in a bit of a state.  For the last 2 days I had to go into work at the fruit shop.  I'm happy to help David out in his world, but my biggest problem is that when I work in the shop, I'm not near a computer!!!  It's absolute hell.  I can't fill out any spreadsheets, review competitor websites, sign on any more suppliers, research more products, read blogs, write blogs, check Facebook, add more stock to Facebook, write content for the website etc etc etc.  I have 17 lists going at the moment (seriously).  I don't shop, cook or clean anymore.

Plus, I'm not home to receive all the stock I've ordered.  So now I have to go to the worst Post Office in Brisbane to pick it up.  All that beautiful stock is sitting there calling for me and here I am blogging away like a fool!

Now, I'm not the busiest Mum out there.  Not by a loooong shot.  I've been thinking if I'm THIS bad now, how much worse is it going to get?  Then, a little ray of sunshine via Facebook! 

Heather Allard writes a blog called "The Mogul Mom".  She's funny and smart - a deadly combination with us entrepeneurial Mums (or Mumpreneurs if you like buzzwords). 

Anywho - Heather has written a blog called 7 ways For Mom Entrepreneurs to Save Time Money and Sanity.  You don't need to be an "Entrepeneur" and maybe she could have just written "7 ways for Mums to save time, money and sanity", or "7 ways for the average person to save time, money and sanity" but there are a couple of good hints and tips.   I could have done without knowing what underwear she wears and the makeup she uses, but if I find a couple of hours one day I might do a menu plan, I've tried it before but wasn't successful - this version seems easier in the long run.  I'm now kicking myself we didn't get a robot vacuum cleaner when we were living in Seoul.  Would be SO useful right now.  Plus, it'd keep the kids amused for hours - am I right?

Now, I'm going off to write my own time saving blog for you all.  It's called:

STOP READING OTHER PEOPLE'S BLOGS AND GET TO WORK!!! And other methods of being a highly efficient Mumpreneur.

I need to think of a really cool way of signing off...

Have a "treasureful" day??  That stinks worse than Cash's nappy!

I'll think about it, but for now - be good!

Regan

Facebook - we're on there!

The power of Facebook really is a wonderful thing.  Only 1 hour after "officially" launching on Facebook and we already have 16 likers!  A big thanks to my big sis, Kylie for roping in her friends.  Plus, I love the fact that I can sell my goods right there before I have my website up and running.  Maybe I need to start buying some more merchandise... now where's my credit card???

IT Problems

Anybody with a computer has been there.  You've got a problem, you ring a "help" desk, they treat you like a fool (generally telling you to re-boot - when does that EVER fix anything?) and then basically making out you're a complete twit just because you're having a problem with an area that they're expert in.  Really? If you came to my husband and I asking for helping picking out the perfect Paw Paw or Avocado would you expect us to treat you like a fool just because we know better?  No, you'd expect helpful advice with a smile and that's what you'd get.  I, fool that I am, expect the same.

I've decided to do my own website.  Yes, I know, I'm crazy and foolish but it's do-able and I'll save myself thousands in the process.  What I didn't count on, was having problems from the outset with the most basic of functions with my host company.  I've had enough, so in no uncertain terms I told the company what I think.  Below is the email I just sent through.  It's not very professional, but neither are they, so I'm stooping.  Enjoy - I'll keep you posted with the outcome.

"I’ve been trying for days to resolve an issue I have with FTP and I’ve been receiving nothing but half-hearted “help” and arrogance from your helpdesk.  After waiting for 15-20 minutes on hold yesterday it was finally answered with a really welcoming “Yeah?”.  I’m not kidding.  Who answers the phone like that?  Then upon telling the person on the “help” desk my problem and after he managed to get into the program I was having problems with he told me I must have made a mistake in typing.  What?  I told him the username, the IP and the password – spelling each one out and he’s telling me I’VE made the error?  Honestly where did you get this guy?

I decided to log the problem with your “help” email address.  The response I got back was somebody in IT issuing me a new password.  Did this guy even read my email?  Now I have to create a new password and wait 15 minutes before I can log back in again. 

I’ve wasted days on this now.  I’m trying to start up an new business, I’m a Mum of 2 and I also run another small business.  I don’t have time to deal with people treating me like an idiot.  I might not know a lot about computers and the internet, but I know enough to know when I’m being treated like a fool.

Can somebody please help me resolve my issue.  If I can’t sort it out by tomorrow (Friday 4^th March) I will be requesting a refund on the web hosting I have purchased through (name removed for privacy) and will be re-purchasing elsewhere."