<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"  xmlns:isc="http://dtd.interspire.com/rss/isc-1.0.dtd">
	<channel>
		<title><![CDATA[@CloseoutDirect.com 1-888-809-9643 : Latest News]]></title>
		<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com</link>
		<description><![CDATA[The latest news from @CloseoutDirect.com 1-888-809-9643 .]]></description>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<isc:store_title><![CDATA[@CloseoutDirect.com 1-888-809-9643 ]]></isc:store_title>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Google is giving away free ice cream]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/29/Google-is-giving-away-free-ice-cream.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:10:12 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/29/Google-is-giving-away-free-ice-cream.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><!-- mceItemMediaService_youtube:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;Zbg8IOfdbA0&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:440,&quot;height&quot;:330} --><!-- do not directly edit this HTML, it will be overwritten by the mediaservice plugin -->
<object width="440" height="330">
<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbg8IOfdbA0?fs=1"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbg8IOfdbA0?fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="330"></embed>
</object>
<!-- /mceItemMediaService --></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><!-- mceItemMediaService_youtube:{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;Zbg8IOfdbA0&quot;,&quot;width&quot;:440,&quot;height&quot;:330} --><!-- do not directly edit this HTML, it will be overwritten by the mediaservice plugin -->
<object width="440" height="330">
<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbg8IOfdbA0?fs=1"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Zbg8IOfdbA0?fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="330"></embed>
</object>
<!-- /mceItemMediaService --></p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Major Google Change  Is Putting People Out of Business]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/28/Major-Google-Change--Is-Putting-People-Out-of-Business.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:34:49 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/28/Major-Google-Change--Is-Putting-People-Out-of-Business.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Major Google Change Is Putting People Out of Business</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DO YOU USE?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paypal ClickBank OneShopping Cart</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DO YOU COLLECT EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR SITE MANDATORY?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">IF YOU OWN A WEBSITE AND USE PAYPAL CLICKBANK OR 1SHOPPINGCART AND ADVERTISE ON GOOGLE&nbsp; YOUR DAYS FROM BEING CLOSED DOWN! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">THIS IS NOT AN AD! THIS IS REAL DATA YOU MUST READ </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">RED ALERT</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really, leading internet marketers are reporting this wide spread!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Details at</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.armandmorin.com/major-google-issue-affects/">http://www.armandmorin.com/major-google-issue-affects/</a></span></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Major Google Change Is Putting People Out of Business</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DO YOU USE?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Paypal ClickBank OneShopping Cart</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">DO YOU COLLECT EMAIL ADDRESS ON YOUR SITE MANDATORY?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">IF YOU OWN A WEBSITE AND USE PAYPAL CLICKBANK OR 1SHOPPINGCART AND ADVERTISE ON GOOGLE&nbsp; YOUR DAYS FROM BEING CLOSED DOWN! </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">THIS IS NOT AN AD! THIS IS REAL DATA YOU MUST READ </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">RED ALERT</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really, leading internet marketers are reporting this wide spread!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Full Details at</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.armandmorin.com/major-google-issue-affects/">http://www.armandmorin.com/major-google-issue-affects/</a></span></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 9/4/10 */
google_ad_slot = "1688494033";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Why Use EBAY Make More Money With Your Own Site Today]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/27/Why-Use-EBAY-Make-More-Money-With-Your-Own-Site-Today.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 05:53:51 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/27/Why-Use-EBAY-Make-More-Money-With-Your-Own-Site-Today.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Why I prefer selling e-commerce sites vs. ebay:<br /><br />1) the vast majority of online purchases are not conducted on ebay. <br /><br />2) I don't have to deal with the eBay feedback system.<br /><br />3) I don't have to deal with eBay's ever-changing rules and fee's.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">4) I can sell the same items for more money!</span><br /><br />5) Because I can sell things for more money, finding suppliers is <br />a *LOT* easier. No more worrying about hunting down a supplier, only <br />to find people selling the item on ebay for the SAME price (or less).<br /><br />6) I can control the purchase process - upsells &amp; crossells can often<br />double the average order size.<br /><br />7) using drop shippers is a lot easier. If something turns out to be<br />out of stock, I can simply issue a refund (or even give them the option<br />to back order it!). With eBay, this can quickly become a truely <br />nightmarish situation. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">8) If I wish too, I can avoid pay pal entirely. It's become *much* <br />easier to get your own merchant account for an online business. I know<br />it hard for most ebay'ers to believe, but 85% of online transactions <br />do NOT involve paypal.</span><br /><br />9) my livelihood is not entirely dependent on the whims of some <br />impossible to reach (and reason with) eBay employee.<br /><br />10) When I tell people I own several e-commerce businesses, they <br />look at me in awe and respect.. when I told them I sold on eBay, <br />they asked me how the job hunt was going :)&nbsp; <br /><br />Just some stuff to think about....&nbsp; want a good place to start?</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://my.iaffiliate.com/z/758/CD76/"><span style="background-color: #ff0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">&nbsp;WE ARE GIVING AWAY&nbsp; ANTI EBAY MONEY MAKING SITES TODAY IF YOUR INTERESTED PLEASE CLICK HERE</span></span></span></a></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="font-size: medium;">Why I prefer selling e-commerce sites vs. ebay:<br /><br />1) the vast majority of online purchases are not conducted on ebay. <br /><br />2) I don't have to deal with the eBay feedback system.<br /><br />3) I don't have to deal with eBay's ever-changing rules and fee's.<br /><br /><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">4) I can sell the same items for more money!</span><br /><br />5) Because I can sell things for more money, finding suppliers is <br />a *LOT* easier. No more worrying about hunting down a supplier, only <br />to find people selling the item on ebay for the SAME price (or less).<br /><br />6) I can control the purchase process - upsells &amp; crossells can often<br />double the average order size.<br /><br />7) using drop shippers is a lot easier. If something turns out to be<br />out of stock, I can simply issue a refund (or even give them the option<br />to back order it!). With eBay, this can quickly become a truely <br />nightmarish situation. <br /><br /><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">8) If I wish too, I can avoid pay pal entirely. It's become *much* <br />easier to get your own merchant account for an online business. I know<br />it hard for most ebay'ers to believe, but 85% of online transactions <br />do NOT involve paypal.</span><br /><br />9) my livelihood is not entirely dependent on the whims of some <br />impossible to reach (and reason with) eBay employee.<br /><br />10) When I tell people I own several e-commerce businesses, they <br />look at me in awe and respect.. when I told them I sold on eBay, <br />they asked me how the job hunt was going :)&nbsp; <br /><br />Just some stuff to think about....&nbsp; want a good place to start?</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://my.iaffiliate.com/z/758/CD76/"><span style="background-color: #ff0000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">&nbsp;WE ARE GIVING AWAY&nbsp; ANTI EBAY MONEY MAKING SITES TODAY IF YOUR INTERESTED PLEASE CLICK HERE</span></span></span></a></p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Earn High Amounts of Profit With Wholesale Jewelry]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/26/Earn-High-Amounts-of-Profit-With-Wholesale-Jewelry.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:34:03 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/26/Earn-High-Amounts-of-Profit-With-Wholesale-Jewelry.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.closeoutdirect.com">Wholesale jewelry</a> has really been a big hit in the market ever since its birth or introduction to the buying market. This is due to the practical reason that it is a known fact that it is very expensive to shop for jewelries. But ever since the word &lsquo;wholesale&rsquo; has been tagged with accessories like jewelry, bags, and other items, it became a common perception that it is also possible to buy jewelries in bulk and very affordable rates. It is your responsibility though to stay away from those who would sell you the fake ones. Better to settle for those who would tell you the truth about their products.</p>
<p>These days, more and more clients are now available in wholesale. Primarily, they may find that everything nowadays are sold in bulk like clothing, wholesale shoes and now even wholesale jewelry. In this way, people can now get their own set of jewelries at a very affordable price. The reason for this is that they can save more especially if the item is sold in bulk.</p>
<p>Aside from wearing them at a daily basis, they can have different style of jewelries that they can for any occasion. This is perhaps one of the rules when it comes to fashion. Not all clothing will be matched by one jewelry design. So if a woman would like to accessorize to impress, they should get more than one design and it is possible for them with wholesale</p>
<p>If you will look these days, different products are already at their expensive prices so getting expensive jewelries is not already a good option especially if they want to save money. No matter how beautiful they are in style they can already be out of the budget of every buyer.</p>
<p>The good thing about these wholesale items or jewelries is that they are also beautiful in their ways and can serve as good wholesale gift. The reason for this that they also have their own style that will match every need of the buyer. They have unique style that will surely satisfy the style desired by the clients.</p>
<p>Wholesale jewelry would be the items which you can give as gifts for a very important season like the holidays. You can also grab the concept of buy and sell and be a retailer instead of such a shop which offers jewelry. The most fashionable trends when it comes to jewelry sold in wholesale today would be the ones that have gemstones with them. Some still settle for the silver products which are classic jewelries sold in wholesale. Most of these are exported from Asian countries like Korea and some come from China.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">Wholesale Jewelry @CloseoutDirect.com</span></span></strong></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.closeoutdirect.com">Wholesale jewelry</a> has really been a big hit in the market ever since its birth or introduction to the buying market. This is due to the practical reason that it is a known fact that it is very expensive to shop for jewelries. But ever since the word &lsquo;wholesale&rsquo; has been tagged with accessories like jewelry, bags, and other items, it became a common perception that it is also possible to buy jewelries in bulk and very affordable rates. It is your responsibility though to stay away from those who would sell you the fake ones. Better to settle for those who would tell you the truth about their products.</p>
<p>These days, more and more clients are now available in wholesale. Primarily, they may find that everything nowadays are sold in bulk like clothing, wholesale shoes and now even wholesale jewelry. In this way, people can now get their own set of jewelries at a very affordable price. The reason for this is that they can save more especially if the item is sold in bulk.</p>
<p>Aside from wearing them at a daily basis, they can have different style of jewelries that they can for any occasion. This is perhaps one of the rules when it comes to fashion. Not all clothing will be matched by one jewelry design. So if a woman would like to accessorize to impress, they should get more than one design and it is possible for them with wholesale</p>
<p>If you will look these days, different products are already at their expensive prices so getting expensive jewelries is not already a good option especially if they want to save money. No matter how beautiful they are in style they can already be out of the budget of every buyer.</p>
<p>The good thing about these wholesale items or jewelries is that they are also beautiful in their ways and can serve as good wholesale gift. The reason for this that they also have their own style that will match every need of the buyer. They have unique style that will surely satisfy the style desired by the clients.</p>
<p>Wholesale jewelry would be the items which you can give as gifts for a very important season like the holidays. You can also grab the concept of buy and sell and be a retailer instead of such a shop which offers jewelry. The most fashionable trends when it comes to jewelry sold in wholesale today would be the ones that have gemstones with them. Some still settle for the silver products which are classic jewelries sold in wholesale. Most of these are exported from Asian countries like Korea and some come from China.</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="background-color: #ffff00;">Wholesale Jewelry @CloseoutDirect.com</span></span></strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Paypal and Itunes Major Fraud People Robbed This Am Beware]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/25/Paypal-and-Itunes-Major-Fraud-People-Robbed-This-Am-Beware.html</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2010 07:09:31 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/25/Paypal-and-Itunes-Major-Fraud-People-Robbed-This-Am-Beware.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>Reports are <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/action-line/ci_15817189?nclick_check=1">appearing<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> this morning about a major security hole in iTunes accounts linked to PayPal. At least one group of scammers has found a way to charge thousands of dollars to iTunes accounts through PayPal. One targeted customer told us, &ldquo;My account was charged over $4700. I called security at PayPal and was told a large number of iTunes store accounts were compromised.&rdquo; His email was filled with nearly 50 receipts from PayPall for $99.99 each. He was able to catch it before his bank disbursed funds to PayPal.</p>
<p>But others were <a href="http://twitter.com/gkasica/status/21906006013">not so lucky<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>. A quick search of Twitter and Facebook shows that the problem is not isolated. Joey Bruce on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Joey_Bruce/status/21913079830">laments</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Someone hacked my iTunes/paypal acct and drained everything from my bank account. Life is kicking me in the balls while I&rsquo;m down.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A search of public status updates on Facebook uncovers more people with the same issue:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Darn&hellip;what a day! Someone hacked into my itunes account and bought a crap load of downloads and emptied out my paypal account&hellip;.grrrrr. . . . Paypal is very cooperative but there is just about no way to get ahold of itunes. I did call paypal and they assured me that they had contacted itunes and it was going to be taken care of in my favor.</p>
<p>so apple/itunes had a security breach &amp; someone bought over $500 worth of music through my paypal account. just what i wanted 2 b dealing w/ while in San Diego! AWESOME!!!</p>
<p>Everybody watch your itunes account closely. I just got hacked for almost $1000.00 worth of software, videos and music. Hopefully paypal will refund it all. . . . This happened within the last few hours. Once transaction after another.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>AT least PayPal is aware of the issue, but it seems like the problem is on the iTunes side.</p>
<p>As Seen On Tech Crunch</p>
<p><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/23/paypal-itunes-fraud/">http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/23/paypal-itunes-fraud/</a></p>
<p><img class="__mce_add_custom__" title="paypal-email.jpg" src="https://store-6910d.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/paypal-email.jpg" alt="paypal-email.jpg" width="629" height="371" /></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>Reports are <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/action-line/ci_15817189?nclick_check=1">appearing<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> this morning about a major security hole in iTunes accounts linked to PayPal. At least one group of scammers has found a way to charge thousands of dollars to iTunes accounts through PayPal. One targeted customer told us, &ldquo;My account was charged over $4700. I called security at PayPal and was told a large number of iTunes store accounts were compromised.&rdquo; His email was filled with nearly 50 receipts from PayPall for $99.99 each. He was able to catch it before his bank disbursed funds to PayPal.</p>
<p>But others were <a href="http://twitter.com/gkasica/status/21906006013">not so lucky<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>. A quick search of Twitter and Facebook shows that the problem is not isolated. Joey Bruce on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Joey_Bruce/status/21913079830">laments</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Someone hacked my iTunes/paypal acct and drained everything from my bank account. Life is kicking me in the balls while I&rsquo;m down.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>A search of public status updates on Facebook uncovers more people with the same issue:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Darn&hellip;what a day! Someone hacked into my itunes account and bought a crap load of downloads and emptied out my paypal account&hellip;.grrrrr. . . . Paypal is very cooperative but there is just about no way to get ahold of itunes. I did call paypal and they assured me that they had contacted itunes and it was going to be taken care of in my favor.</p>
<p>so apple/itunes had a security breach &amp; someone bought over $500 worth of music through my paypal account. just what i wanted 2 b dealing w/ while in San Diego! AWESOME!!!</p>
<p>Everybody watch your itunes account closely. I just got hacked for almost $1000.00 worth of software, videos and music. Hopefully paypal will refund it all. . . . This happened within the last few hours. Once transaction after another.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>AT least PayPal is aware of the issue, but it seems like the problem is on the iTunes side.</p>
<p>As Seen On Tech Crunch</p>
<p><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/23/paypal-itunes-fraud/">http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/23/paypal-itunes-fraud/</a></p>
<p><img class="__mce_add_custom__" title="paypal-email.jpg" src="https://store-6910d.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/paypal-email.jpg" alt="paypal-email.jpg" width="629" height="371" /></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/23/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0200644719";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[Why Do You Give A Crap About What People Think About You]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/24/Why-Do-You-Give-A-Crap-About-What-People-Think-About-You.html</link>
			<pubDate>Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/24/Why-Do-You-Give-A-Crap-About-What-People-Think-About-You.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="__mce_add_custom__" title="finger-200x100.jpg" src="https://store-6910d.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/finger-200x100.jpg" alt="finger-200x100.jpg" width="200" height="100" /></p>
<p><strong>Let me ask you a question. When someone talks shit about Joe Richey or CloseoutDirect, either to his face, or online, or wherever. Do you think he really gives a crap?</strong></p>
<p><strong>I&rsquo;m betting no. In fact, I know I&rsquo;m right.</strong></p>
<p><strong>So why is that?? Because people like&nbsp;Joe understand that with fame comes hate. With success, comes jealousy. When you are on the top, there&rsquo;s always a certain amount of people who want to see you crash to the bottom. Human beings are sick in the head that way, right?</strong></p>
<p>I&rsquo;m betting no. In fact, I know I&rsquo;m right.</p>
<p>So why is that?? Because people like&nbsp;Joe understand that with fame comes hate. With success, comes jealousy. When you are on the top, there&rsquo;s always a certain amount of people who want to see you crash to the bottom. Human beings are sick in the head that way, right?</p>
<p>So I&rsquo;m asking you again. Why do you give a crap about what people think about you?</p>
<p>Success is what matters, nothing else. We live in a results based economy. The winners, online or offline, are the ones who can consistently rise above the rest and get noticed in a unique and clever way, who then take that attention and craft it into revenue of some type. The losers&hellip; well, the losers are the ones who choose to sit back and not try to stand out. Not try to be different. Not try to think creatively.</p>
<p>I once worked with a company that was 6-months from going bankrupt. They called me as marketing help in as a last hope to help them make one big final push to stop their downward spiral. Their competition had been eating their lunch for years and years with creative and clever, and sometimes outrageous, marketing ideas and campaigns. They fully understood why they were losing, yet, when I responded with a litany of unique and outrageous ideas as a direct counter-punch, they flatly refused.</p>
<p>Good think I took my fee up front, because 8-months later they shut the doors and let everyone go and declared bankruptcy.</p>
<p>Why? Because they were more worried about what people thought of them than about making money and being successful. The executive team&rsquo;s ego was standing directly in the way of success. The CEO was like the captain of the Titanic, refusing to believe that the ship was sinking and what he thought would work didn&rsquo;t.</p>
<p>What a huge mistake.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s gut check time for your brand or your business. I don&rsquo;t care if you&rsquo;re a one-person team sitting in your underwear in your basement, or a small business with 50 employees, or a Fortune 100 company. It just doesn&rsquo;t matter. It&rsquo;s time to decide if you are in business to worry about what people think about you, or, if you&rsquo;re in business to make sales, leads and publicity. Money!</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s a little exercise to get you started thinking in the right direction. I learned this from one of my favorite marketing books of all time called Marketing Outrageously by Jon Spolestra. Take out a piece of paper and write down the craziest, most messed-up, outrageous ideas you can think of. Remember, you don&rsquo;t actually have to put them in action, or even tell anyone else about them. You just have to write them down.</p>
<p>Now, pick a few of them and float them to some of your friends or family and see what they say. As Jon says in his book, and I&rsquo;m paraphrasing here, &ldquo;You know how I know when an idea is good? When I tell it to a room full of people, half the room laughs their asses off, and the other half cringes in horror. When I get no reaction, I throw it in the trash.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Once you&rsquo;ve found the idea to try, either give it a shot, or stick it back in your pocket for another day. But remember, it&rsquo;s not what people think about you or your business. It&rsquo;s really all about whether they buy or not. Or are you telling me you work all those hours just for the fun of it?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shoemoney.com/2010/08/11/why-do-you-give-a-crap-about-what-people-think-about-you/">http://www.shoemoney.com/2010/08/11/why-do-you-give-a-crap-about-what-people-think-about-you/</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img class="__mce_add_custom__" title="finger-200x100.jpg" src="https://store-6910d.mybigcommerce.com/product_images/uploaded_images/finger-200x100.jpg" alt="finger-200x100.jpg" width="200" height="100" /></p>
<p><strong>Let me ask you a question. When someone talks shit about Joe Richey or CloseoutDirect, either to his face, or online, or wherever. Do you think he really gives a crap?</strong></p>
<p><strong>I&rsquo;m betting no. In fact, I know I&rsquo;m right.</strong></p>
<p><strong>So why is that?? Because people like&nbsp;Joe understand that with fame comes hate. With success, comes jealousy. When you are on the top, there&rsquo;s always a certain amount of people who want to see you crash to the bottom. Human beings are sick in the head that way, right?</strong></p>
<p>I&rsquo;m betting no. In fact, I know I&rsquo;m right.</p>
<p>So why is that?? Because people like&nbsp;Joe understand that with fame comes hate. With success, comes jealousy. When you are on the top, there&rsquo;s always a certain amount of people who want to see you crash to the bottom. Human beings are sick in the head that way, right?</p>
<p>So I&rsquo;m asking you again. Why do you give a crap about what people think about you?</p>
<p>Success is what matters, nothing else. We live in a results based economy. The winners, online or offline, are the ones who can consistently rise above the rest and get noticed in a unique and clever way, who then take that attention and craft it into revenue of some type. The losers&hellip; well, the losers are the ones who choose to sit back and not try to stand out. Not try to be different. Not try to think creatively.</p>
<p>I once worked with a company that was 6-months from going bankrupt. They called me as marketing help in as a last hope to help them make one big final push to stop their downward spiral. Their competition had been eating their lunch for years and years with creative and clever, and sometimes outrageous, marketing ideas and campaigns. They fully understood why they were losing, yet, when I responded with a litany of unique and outrageous ideas as a direct counter-punch, they flatly refused.</p>
<p>Good think I took my fee up front, because 8-months later they shut the doors and let everyone go and declared bankruptcy.</p>
<p>Why? Because they were more worried about what people thought of them than about making money and being successful. The executive team&rsquo;s ego was standing directly in the way of success. The CEO was like the captain of the Titanic, refusing to believe that the ship was sinking and what he thought would work didn&rsquo;t.</p>
<p>What a huge mistake.</p>
<p>It&rsquo;s gut check time for your brand or your business. I don&rsquo;t care if you&rsquo;re a one-person team sitting in your underwear in your basement, or a small business with 50 employees, or a Fortune 100 company. It just doesn&rsquo;t matter. It&rsquo;s time to decide if you are in business to worry about what people think about you, or, if you&rsquo;re in business to make sales, leads and publicity. Money!</p>
<p>Here&rsquo;s a little exercise to get you started thinking in the right direction. I learned this from one of my favorite marketing books of all time called Marketing Outrageously by Jon Spolestra. Take out a piece of paper and write down the craziest, most messed-up, outrageous ideas you can think of. Remember, you don&rsquo;t actually have to put them in action, or even tell anyone else about them. You just have to write them down.</p>
<p>Now, pick a few of them and float them to some of your friends or family and see what they say. As Jon says in his book, and I&rsquo;m paraphrasing here, &ldquo;You know how I know when an idea is good? When I tell it to a room full of people, half the room laughs their asses off, and the other half cringes in horror. When I get no reaction, I throw it in the trash.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Once you&rsquo;ve found the idea to try, either give it a shot, or stick it back in your pocket for another day. But remember, it&rsquo;s not what people think about you or your business. It&rsquo;s really all about whether they buy or not. Or are you telling me you work all those hours just for the fun of it?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.shoemoney.com/2010/08/11/why-do-you-give-a-crap-about-what-people-think-about-you/">http://www.shoemoney.com/2010/08/11/why-do-you-give-a-crap-about-what-people-think-about-you/</a></p>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/20/10 */
google_ad_slot = "7879795913";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[eBay Launches Cashback Program With PayPal]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/22/eBay-Launches-Cashback-Program-With-PayPal.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 14 Aug 2010 06:20:10 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/22/eBay-Launches-Cashback-Program-With-PayPal.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>eBay is <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20100813005767&amp;newsLang=en">launching<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> its rewards program today: <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/rewards/faq.html">eBay Bucks<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>, which allows any eBay shopper who lives in the U.S. and is a registered member of the marketplace, to earn 2 percent cash back on most items purchased through the site with PayPal.</p>
<p>Consumers can earn &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; made both on eBay&rsquo;s website and via its many mobile apps. The catch-users have to redeem &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; towards other purchases on the marketplace. Rewards money is accumulated during a three month period and at the end of each period, an eBay Bucks certificate is issued to consumers, who then have 30 days to redeem their eBay Bucks towards purchases with PayPal on eBay.com.</p>
<p>I was curious which purchases are excluded from earning rewards. eBay says that the Bucks program excludes all purchases from Classifieds, Business &amp; Industrial Capital Equipment, Real Estate, and eBay Motors categories (except Parts &amp; Accessories in eBay Motors). eBay has been implementing Bucks through a pilot program over the past year and says that consumers enrolled in eBay Bucks spent five times more on eBay than those not participating in the program.</p>
<p>Cashback programs haven&rsquo;t had the greatest success in the past. Bing <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/04/microsoft-shutters-bing-cashback/">shuttered</a> Cashback recently due to lack of traction. eBay&rsquo;s offering would certainly be used by loyal customers but it&rsquo;s unclear if it will be able to bring outside traffic to the marketplace.</p>
<p>The fact that U.S. eBay sales are <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/21/ebay-q2-revenue-hits-2-2-billion-paypal-adding-one-million-new-accounts-each-month/">showing weakness</a> and not growing as rapidly as international sales could be a possible reason for the rewards program&rsquo;s exclusivity to the U.S</p>
<p>eBay is <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20100813005767&amp;newsLang=en">launching<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> its rewards program today: <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/rewards/faq.html">eBay Bucks<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>, which allows any eBay shopper who lives in the U.S. and is a registered member of the marketplace, to earn 2 percent cash back on most items purchased through the site with PayPal.</p>
<p>Consumers can earn &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; made both on eBay&rsquo;s website and via its many mobile apps. The catch-users have to redeem &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; towards other purchases on the marketplace. Rewards money is accumulated during a three month period and at the end of each period, an eBay Bucks certificate is issued to consumers, who then have 30 days to redeem their eBay Bucks towards purchases with PayPal on eBay.com.</p>
<p>I was curious which purchases are excluded from earning rewards. eBay says that the Bucks program excludes all purchases from Classifieds, Business &amp; Industrial Capital Equipment, Real Estate, and eBay Motors categories (except Parts &amp; Accessories in eBay Motors). eBay has been implementing Bucks through a pilot program over the past year and says that consumers enrolled in eBay Bucks spent five times more on eBay than those not participating in the program.</p>
<p>Cashback programs haven&rsquo;t had the greatest success in the past. Bing <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/04/microsoft-shutters-bing-cashback/">shuttered</a> Cashback recently due to lack of traction. eBay&rsquo;s offering would certainly be used by loyal customers but it&rsquo;s unclear if it will be able to bring outside traffic to the marketplace.</p>
<p>The fact that U.S. eBay sales are <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/21/ebay-q2-revenue-hits-2-2-billion-paypal-adding-one-million-new-accounts-each-month/">showing weakness</a> and not growing as rapidly as international sales could be a possible reason for the rewards program&rsquo;s exclusivity to the U.S</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/14/10 */
google_ad_slot = "4653825202";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>eBay is <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20100813005767&amp;newsLang=en">launching<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> its rewards program today: <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/rewards/faq.html">eBay Bucks<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>, which allows any eBay shopper who lives in the U.S. and is a registered member of the marketplace, to earn 2 percent cash back on most items purchased through the site with PayPal.</p>
<p>Consumers can earn &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; made both on eBay&rsquo;s website and via its many mobile apps. The catch-users have to redeem &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; towards other purchases on the marketplace. Rewards money is accumulated during a three month period and at the end of each period, an eBay Bucks certificate is issued to consumers, who then have 30 days to redeem their eBay Bucks towards purchases with PayPal on eBay.com.</p>
<p>I was curious which purchases are excluded from earning rewards. eBay says that the Bucks program excludes all purchases from Classifieds, Business &amp; Industrial Capital Equipment, Real Estate, and eBay Motors categories (except Parts &amp; Accessories in eBay Motors). eBay has been implementing Bucks through a pilot program over the past year and says that consumers enrolled in eBay Bucks spent five times more on eBay than those not participating in the program.</p>
<p>Cashback programs haven&rsquo;t had the greatest success in the past. Bing <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/04/microsoft-shutters-bing-cashback/">shuttered</a> Cashback recently due to lack of traction. eBay&rsquo;s offering would certainly be used by loyal customers but it&rsquo;s unclear if it will be able to bring outside traffic to the marketplace.</p>
<p>The fact that U.S. eBay sales are <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/21/ebay-q2-revenue-hits-2-2-billion-paypal-adding-one-million-new-accounts-each-month/">showing weakness</a> and not growing as rapidly as international sales could be a possible reason for the rewards program&rsquo;s exclusivity to the U.S</p>
<p>eBay is <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&amp;newsId=20100813005767&amp;newsLang=en">launching<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a> its rewards program today: <a href="http://pages.ebay.com/rewards/faq.html">eBay Bucks<img id="snap_com_shot_link_icon" class="snap_preview_icon" style="background-image: url(http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/theme/silver/palette.gif); position: static; min-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 14px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; background-repeat: no-repeat; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; max-width: 2000px; background-position: -1128px 0px; float: none; height: 12px; visibility: visible; max-height: 2000px; vertical-align: top; top: auto; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; padding-top: 1px; left: auto; cssfloat: none; border: 0px;" src="http://i.ixnp.com/images/v6.40/t.gif" alt="" /></a>, which allows any eBay shopper who lives in the U.S. and is a registered member of the marketplace, to earn 2 percent cash back on most items purchased through the site with PayPal.</p>
<p>Consumers can earn &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; made both on eBay&rsquo;s website and via its many mobile apps. The catch-users have to redeem &lsquo;eBay Bucks&rsquo; towards other purchases on the marketplace. Rewards money is accumulated during a three month period and at the end of each period, an eBay Bucks certificate is issued to consumers, who then have 30 days to redeem their eBay Bucks towards purchases with PayPal on eBay.com.</p>
<p>I was curious which purchases are excluded from earning rewards. eBay says that the Bucks program excludes all purchases from Classifieds, Business &amp; Industrial Capital Equipment, Real Estate, and eBay Motors categories (except Parts &amp; Accessories in eBay Motors). eBay has been implementing Bucks through a pilot program over the past year and says that consumers enrolled in eBay Bucks spent five times more on eBay than those not participating in the program.</p>
<p>Cashback programs haven&rsquo;t had the greatest success in the past. Bing <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/06/04/microsoft-shutters-bing-cashback/">shuttered</a> Cashback recently due to lack of traction. eBay&rsquo;s offering would certainly be used by loyal customers but it&rsquo;s unclear if it will be able to bring outside traffic to the marketplace.</p>
<p>The fact that U.S. eBay sales are <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2010/07/21/ebay-q2-revenue-hits-2-2-billion-paypal-adding-one-million-new-accounts-each-month/">showing weakness</a> and not growing as rapidly as international sales could be a possible reason for the rewards program&rsquo;s exclusivity to the U.S</p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[UPS Driver and Wife Team Up to Steal Packages and Sell Merchandise on eBay]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/20/UPS-Driver-and-Wife-Team-Up-to-Steal-Packages-and-Sell-Merchandise-on-eBay.html</link>
			<pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2010 06:47:25 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/20/UPS-Driver-and-Wife-Team-Up-to-Steal-Packages-and-Sell-Merchandise-on-eBay.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p><strong>CAPE CORAL, Fla. (CBS/AP)</strong> What can brown do for you? In the case of a former UPS driver and his wife accused of stealing packages from his employer and reselling their contents on eBay, it can get you probation or even jail time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The couple pleaded no contest on Monday in Cape Coral, Florida.</p>
<!--pagebreak-->
<p>&nbsp;Craig Podleski, 39, was charged with larceny of interstate commerce of more than $50,000 and sentenced to five years in prison.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Cheryl Podleski, 43, was charged with trafficking of stolen property and sentenced to five years probation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The couple was arrested in August 2009 after Cheryl turned her husband into the authorities. Police later discovered that she was helping her husband sell the stolen goods online and was taken into custody as well, reports CBS affiliate <a href="http://www.winknews.com/News/2010-08-09/Podleski-couple-pleads-No-Contest">WINK</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The former UPS driver is believed to have stolen more than $250,000 worth of items including rifles, handguns, flat-screen televisions, radios, samurai swords, watches, stereos, cigars and a marble-top kitchen island. The real mystery now is, how did no one see him steal a package the size of a marble-top kitchen island?</p>
<p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013230-504083.html">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013230-504083.html</a></p>
<!-- body end -->
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p><strong>CAPE CORAL, Fla. (CBS/AP)</strong> What can brown do for you? In the case of a former UPS driver and his wife accused of stealing packages from his employer and reselling their contents on eBay, it can get you probation or even jail time.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The couple pleaded no contest on Monday in Cape Coral, Florida.</p>
<!--pagebreak-->
<p>&nbsp;Craig Podleski, 39, was charged with larceny of interstate commerce of more than $50,000 and sentenced to five years in prison.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Cheryl Podleski, 43, was charged with trafficking of stolen property and sentenced to five years probation.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The couple was arrested in August 2009 after Cheryl turned her husband into the authorities. Police later discovered that she was helping her husband sell the stolen goods online and was taken into custody as well, reports CBS affiliate <a href="http://www.winknews.com/News/2010-08-09/Podleski-couple-pleads-No-Contest">WINK</a>.</p>
<p>&nbsp;The former UPS driver is believed to have stolen more than $250,000 worth of items including rifles, handguns, flat-screen televisions, radios, samurai swords, watches, stereos, cigars and a marble-top kitchen island. The real mystery now is, how did no one see him steal a package the size of a marble-top kitchen island?</p>
<p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013230-504083.html">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20013230-504083.html</a></p>
<!-- body end -->
<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
google_ad_client = "pub-8654716450284832";
/* 336x280, created 8/11/10 */
google_ad_slot = "0618440304";
google_ad_width = 336;
google_ad_height = 280;
// &91;&91;></script>
<script src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type="text/javascript"></script>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[BEEN SUSPENDED BY EBAY OR PAYPAL]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/19/BEEN-SUSPENDED-BY-EBAY-OR-PAYPAL.html</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:33:59 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/19/BEEN-SUSPENDED-BY-EBAY-OR-PAYPAL.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>BEEN SUSPENDED BY EBAY OR PAYPAL.... WANT A NEW ACCOUNT WITH NO HASSLE FOLLOW THESE STEPS!</p>
<p>You will need the following items:<br /><br />1. a green dot prepaid visa or master debit card from Walgreens or any place you can get one. Load 20.00 on it,.this also provides you with a savings account to become eBay PayPal verified. NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO eBay or PayPal. do not ever become ID verified!!!!<br /><br />2. go to Radio Shack and buy your self a Magic Jack, and chose a phone # from an area code other than the one you live in. You get a phone #, and voice mail for 1 year each additional year is 20.00. <br /><br />3. You will need a post office box or a mailbox of some type for an address. Go to a UPS store, and they will forward your mail to your current address or you can pick it up.<br /><br />4 You will need to make a new email account for each new eBay or PayPal account you make. go to yahoo or hotmail they are they good ones stay away from gmail ebay thinks that is where a lot of the Africa scamers come from.<br /><br />5 Make your new PayPal and eBay account once you have all the above items.<br /><br />6. now you want to become a seller and you want an eBay store but you need a minimum of a 10 positive feedback or higher. so you go on ebay with your new account and you buy what we call feedback fillers they are item such as e books how to guides for 1.00 or less and you get positive feedback every time this should be done over a few days do not do it all in one day.<br /><br />Ok, now you have your eBay store, you have a verified PayPal and eBay account. You are ready to open your eBay store. You want to start out small, list only a few items that will sell.<br /><br />Make sure you make the customer happy. Nickel and dime them to death, you are going to lose a bit in the new start up as a new seller, but later you will reap the benefits. Getting that first 100 feedback score is the hardest this is when eBay has all the limits on your account once your at 100 positive feedback unless you piss too many customers off you, will never get shut down and as long as you do not merge your suspended information with your new information you, will never get suspended.<br /><br />Total cost to maker a new eBay and paypal account: $100.00 investment.<br />Name withheld</p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>BEEN SUSPENDED BY EBAY OR PAYPAL.... WANT A NEW ACCOUNT WITH NO HASSLE FOLLOW THESE STEPS!</p>
<p>You will need the following items:<br /><br />1. a green dot prepaid visa or master debit card from Walgreens or any place you can get one. Load 20.00 on it,.this also provides you with a savings account to become eBay PayPal verified. NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO eBay or PayPal. do not ever become ID verified!!!!<br /><br />2. go to Radio Shack and buy your self a Magic Jack, and chose a phone # from an area code other than the one you live in. You get a phone #, and voice mail for 1 year each additional year is 20.00. <br /><br />3. You will need a post office box or a mailbox of some type for an address. Go to a UPS store, and they will forward your mail to your current address or you can pick it up.<br /><br />4 You will need to make a new email account for each new eBay or PayPal account you make. go to yahoo or hotmail they are they good ones stay away from gmail ebay thinks that is where a lot of the Africa scamers come from.<br /><br />5 Make your new PayPal and eBay account once you have all the above items.<br /><br />6. now you want to become a seller and you want an eBay store but you need a minimum of a 10 positive feedback or higher. so you go on ebay with your new account and you buy what we call feedback fillers they are item such as e books how to guides for 1.00 or less and you get positive feedback every time this should be done over a few days do not do it all in one day.<br /><br />Ok, now you have your eBay store, you have a verified PayPal and eBay account. You are ready to open your eBay store. You want to start out small, list only a few items that will sell.<br /><br />Make sure you make the customer happy. Nickel and dime them to death, you are going to lose a bit in the new start up as a new seller, but later you will reap the benefits. Getting that first 100 feedback score is the hardest this is when eBay has all the limits on your account once your at 100 positive feedback unless you piss too many customers off you, will never get shut down and as long as you do not merge your suspended information with your new information you, will never get suspended.<br /><br />Total cost to maker a new eBay and paypal account: $100.00 investment.<br />Name withheld</p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title><![CDATA[TechCrunch.com Is Sweet]]></title>
			<link>http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/18/TechCrunch.com-Is-Sweet.html</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:24:57 +0000</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.closeoutdirect.com/news/18/TechCrunch.com-Is-Sweet.html</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[<p><strong>For those that havnt been to <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com">http://www.techcrunch.com</a> &nbsp;you should check it out. We enjoy the content they post on internet trends and news!</strong></p>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>For those that havnt been to <a href="http://www.techcrunch.com">http://www.techcrunch.com</a> &nbsp;you should check it out. We enjoy the content they post on internet trends and news!</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
