Selly Oak Jobcentre Enter A Brave New World

[electron99]

Yes i did look into this before when i tried to set up a business selling bongs and cannabis seeds.

 

Are you for real? The only reason people purchase cannabis seeds is to cultivate cannabis plants, which is illegal. No wonder you have an attitude problem wth authority; and I am sure CAG does not want to be even associated with people who have contemplated illegal activities.

 

You say your new business is within a month of starting. Why not ditch SeeTec and the Job Centre, and just go ahead and start trading.I suspect that if you find the expert advice you are looking for, if it is not what you want to hear, you would reject it out of hand.

 

One serious bit of advice (I have in my time started and run new businesses.)

Employ someone with customer facing skills otherwise you are doomed before you start.

[Norman1066]

Are you for real? The only reason people purchase cannabis seeds is to cultivate cannabis plants, which is illegal. No wonder you have an attitude problem wth authority; and I am sure CAG does not want to be even associated with people who have contemplated illegal activities.

 

Luckily i won't have to deal with many cretins in my chosen field. The people i deal with will be mostly educated, or seeking that education from me in regards to correct usage of the products.

 

Cannabis seeds are perfectly legal in the UK as they contain no cannabinoids. Indeed they are probably one of the richest sources of protein and essential human minerals you can find on the planet. In several states of the US, I believe presently 13 of them, cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes, as well as also completely legal in Canada. Cannabis, or more specifically THC has also been found to shrink brain tumours and lung tumours (I can produce facts to back this) in 80% of test cases, done on mice and rats. 20% had no effect whatsoever on the tumours. In 20% of cases the tumours were completely eradicated and the mice and rats made a complete recovery. Big Pharma, as we speak, are trying to synthesise cannabis so they can sell it themselves. Bongs and other paraphernalia are also legal. Indeed i even got a government grant to set it up.

 

You have no idea at all my ignorant little friend.

 

Are you really sure CAG doesn't want to be associated with people that have contemplated illegal activities? every single person on this forum has contemplated an illegal activity at one point or another. The owner(s) of the site wouldn't be able to talk to themselves... might as well shut it all down now. Let he who is without sin... I'm not religious at all, but those words are very true.

[MARTIN3030]

Quote;

every single person on this forum has contemplated an illegal activity at one point or another

 

Norman, I think this is a very strong and disproportionate response to the earlier posts,and quite rightly will be offensive to many.

Please do not judge our 250k + members on the basis of your arguements here.

I understand the points you were making,but to make statements like this is not the way to do it,and undoubtedly does nothing to keep the subject here on topic.

[Norman1066]

Quote;

every single person on this forum has contemplated an illegal activity at one point or another

 

Norman, I think this is a very strong and disproportionate response to the earlier posts,and quite rightly will be offensive to many.

Please do not judge our 250k + members on the basis of your arguements here.

I understand the points you were making,but to make statements like this is not the way to do it,and undoubtedly does nothing to keep the subject here on topic.

 

 

OK, I'll change it to... every adult in the world has contemplated an illegal activity at one time or another.

 

Isn't speeding an illegal activity? How about urinating in public? Going through a red light at 3am?

 

I'm not judging anybody, i'm stating a fact.

[electron99]

Cannabis seeds are perfectly legal in the UK as they contain no cannabinoids. Indeed they are probably one of the richest sources of protein and essential human minerals you can find on the planet. In several states of the US, I believe presently 13 of them, cannabis is legal for medicinal purposes, as well as also completely legal in Canada. Cannabis, or more specifically THC has also been found to shrink brain tumours and lung tumours (I can produce facts to back this) in 80% of test cases, done on mice and rats. 20% had no effect whatsoever on the tumours. In 20% of cases the tumours were completely eradicated and the mice and rats made a complete recovery. Big Pharma, as we speak, are trying to synthesise cannabis so they can sell it themselves. Bongs and other paraphernalia are also legal. Indeed i even got a government grant to set it up.

 

 

I was expecting this arguement.As a retired research chemist I probably know more about this than you do. Owning Cannabis seeds is not illegal, but it is a a criminal offence to cultivate any plant of the genus Cannabis by virtue of Section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

This was all I was saying in my last post.

 

I am withdrawing from this thread as I feel you are more intersted in your long standing vendetta against your local Job Centre, rather than advice on a new business.

 

If you ever get round to actually starting a business - I wish you luck.

[honeybee13]

Me too, unsubbing.

 

This thread is turning into the same talking shop as your one on the Benefits forum. It's just about your vendetta against the Selly Oak people, sadly. I agree with Electron.

[loopinlouie]

OK, I'll change it to... every adult in the world has contemplated an illegal activity at one time or another.

 

Isn't speeding an illegal activity? How about urinating in public? Going through a red light at 3am?

 

I'm not judging anybody, i'm stating a fact.

 

Dont judge us all by your moral standards and grow up.

 

unsubbing

[Norman1066]

I was expecting this arguement.As a retired research chemist I probably know more about this than you do. Owning Cannabis seeds is not illegal, but it is a a criminal offence to cultivate any plant of the genus Cannabis by virtue of Section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

This was all I was saying in my last post.

 

I am withdrawing from this thread as I feel you are more intersted in your long standing vendetta against your local Job Centre, rather than advice on a new business.

 

If you ever get round to actually starting a business - I wish you luck.

 

You're a retired chemist and you then back this up with information on English law? Having been involved in a business, that the government funded, don't you think I'd be aware of the law in this country? As well as the other countries in which I did business?

 

I do not have a long term vendetta against selly oak jobcentre, i couldn't care less about them... only in as much as they affect my life. Once that happens, then I care a lot.

 

Me too, unsubbing.

 

This thread is turning into the same talking shop as your one on the Benefits forum. It's just about your vendetta against the Selly Oak people, sadly. I agree with Electron.

 

Again there is no long term vendetta, and i find it surprising that just two threads, two individual and unrelated issues can be deemed a long term vendetta. My last issue with selly oak jobcentre was resolved in my favour and I won the appeals, all monies returned.

 

Dont judge us all by your moral standards and grow up.

 

unsubbing

 

 

Clearly you lack the understanding to differentiate between that which is legal and that which is moral/ethical/lawful.

 

parking on double yellow lines, actually doesn't hurt anybody. Not a criminal offence, or immoral, or unethical in any way shape or form... still illegal though, yes?

[madari]

edited

Edited April 19, 2010 by HSBCrusher
cag is not the place for political spam thank you.

[teaboy2]

You know when i read your original post today i thought i could offer you a lot of help, as i am a successful business man with my own company i have been through the process of setting up a business myself.

 

However right from the 2nd post on this thread, you showed your true colours. What Bigredbus said in the 2nd post was good solid advice, that was based on protecting you best interest and from any come back from the named person and named company (A private limited company, not a civil service) in regards to court action for libel etc. Of course Bigredbus wasnt to know that you had used false names for the person at seetec, yet you still attacked bigredbus nonetheless. You also then went on to attack almost everyone else that tired to help, just becuase they were asking questions! You may not be aware but in order for people to give good solid advice they need to ask certain questions in order to insure the advice they give is correct.

 

As for your business plans, sure you have a website, thats great. You also have suppliers and suppliers of packaging lined up, which is also great. you say you have distribution to the within the UK and to the US and canada. Well thats all very good, but have you put it all down on paper in a formal business plan along with a predicted cashflow forecast covering all your income and expenditure for the first 2 years of trading, or is it still all currently something that you have simply worked out in your head? because you say that within a month you could be trading, yet you lack the funds, when i can tell you now it can take anywhere between 2-6 months to secure the funding you need, and thats with a formal business plan. I've been there and done it mate so i know what am talking about.

 

Am also concerned as to your businesses nature, as you stated you had previously tried to start a buisness selling cannabis seeds and bongs! the fact you then go on to attack a person who questions the nature of such business morally, by using the defense of its not illegal to sell the seeds, whilst having already stated you had hoped to sell cannabis seeds and BONGS in the same sentence, kind of defeats the object of your defense, as you are clearly encouraging the buyers to smoke cannabis by providing a BONG as a product, although i agree it isnt illegal people still will question it morally and have everyright to do so. The meow meow drug was legal to sell, are you going to say that their was nothing morally wrong with selling or promoting that for human consumption when it was legal to sell, despite the deaths it caused (one of whom that was mentioned in the paper, i knew)? I doubt it. yet you were willing to promote and defend the use of cannabis, stating the benefits of its usage, yet completely ignoring the opposite effect its usage can have, which is why its an illegal substance in the first place.

 

Now as i said i agree selling cannabis seeds and bongs are not illegal, but i and alot of others would have to question your morals and reasoning, such as inderictly or derictly promoting the use of an illegal drug in order to profit from it.

 

Of course am not saying your current business idea is the same, and therefore maywell be a perfeclty good and respectful business idea, and if so i wish you all the best and success with it.

 

However you seriously need to learn to accept contructive criticism and advice, otherwise your customers will walk away from you when you give them the same attitude treatment that you have given to some of those here, that have constructively criticised you aswell as given constructive advice.

 

You will not succeed in securing funding if you show the kind of attitude you have here to people that are trying to help you. because the key to securing funding is not just about a business plan, as it is just as equaling about you, and your ability to sell the idea and sell yourself to those that are looking at offering you funding, IF your not capable of selling both your idea and yourself to them, then am sorry but they'll just throw their copy of your business plan in the bin and wash their hands off you. No matter how good your idea and business plan is, as the way they'll see it is that the idea is good and so's the business plan but can we really belive this person with this kind of personality and/or attitude, going to beable to make it a success? answer is and always will be no! As its you their investing in not just your business.

 

you probably dont think you have an attitude problem, if so, then all i can suggest is you go compare your thread here to all the other threads on here, and then come back and tell me the what the difference is, because i can tell you now, the difference is your attitude and offensiveness in your replies to peoples posts.

 

Now i apologise for the bad grammer and odd spelling mistake, i am dyslexic and usually take more time and care in what am writing. But for this thread i make an exception, as given your attitude towards others that have tried to help you, i would simply be wasting my time correcting the grammer, when i could be spending that time helping someone that actually appricates the advice given.

 

And for the record before you respond with and an offense or attitude base response, this post is ment as contructive critism, so you might want to consider that very carefully before responding.

 

Personally if i was you, i would issue a grovel apology explaining your action being down to the fraustrations that you have had to face in your attempted to get a business started, as that is where i believe your attitude has come from.

[Norman1066]

However right from the 2nd post on this thread, you showed your true colours. What Bigredbus said in the 2nd post was good solid advice, that was based on protecting you best interest and from any come back from the named person and named company (A private limited company, not a civil service) in regards to court action for libel etc. Of course Bigredbus wasnt to know that you had used false names for the person at seetec, yet you still attacked bigredbus nonetheless. You also then went on to attack almost everyone else that tired to help, just becuase they were asking questions! You may not be aware but in order for people to give good solid advice they need to ask certain questions in order to insure the advice they give is correct.

 

You clearly do not know how to read properly. i did not verbally attack bigredbus. I made a witty comment. I suppose to the witless it could be termed a form of attack

 

Libel for telling the truth? hmm. I thought i'd actually have to be lying first. So even if that is what he meant it is still an insulting post... and as i've already said i found it sanctimonious. I responded with a witty comment, i then get the rest of the without-a-clue-brown-nose brigade throwing in their own valueless contributions. I responded in kind, like for like. Dealing with one ignorance after another... good job i have patience, eh.

 

For a company to gain taxpayers money they must offer some type of civil service. The government themselves operate as a business, they profit from our taxes and offer us a civil service. Anybody in their employ is automatically assumed to be performing some type of civic duty. it's a simple matter of perspective. Just like much of the basis for law, which is the reason there are so many words in the law books.

 

As for your business plans, sure you have a website, thats great. You also have suppliers and suppliers of packaging lined up, which is also great. you say you have distribution to the within the UK and to the US and canada. Well thats all very good, but have you put it all down on paper in a formal business plan along with a predicted cashflow forecast covering all your income and expenditure for the first 2 years of trading, or is it still all currently something that you have simply worked out in your head? because you say that within a month you could be trading, yet you lack the funds, when i can tell you now it can take anywhere between 2-6 months to secure the funding you need, and thats with a formal business plan. I've been there and done it mate so i know what am talking about.

 

If you read what i'd written mate, really read and not just read the follow up comments from other members with a brief scan of my own words... you would read (i'll repeat it again if you get this far that is) that I do not need any money. I NEED NO MONEY... did you read that? Please say yes. Honestly, some of you guys want to tell me i'm aggressive and have an attitude problem and you don't even read what I've written properly. maybe it's a level of understanding thing... i should get down off my high horse, drop my vocabulary and start explaining things really slowly. I got funding, i have friends and belief in a product that will probably change the world. In a world that's already changing to suit our products nicely. I am not alone... i just am in a way. I got to take care of the UK side, and hopefully europe in a couple of years.

 

You're right though, I haven't got an expenditure thing figured out, and this thing could be so much bigger than the money I have to put in right now... but i will do it anyway. I don't really need any help, it would just be nice. I'm a perfectly capable person and can solve any problem i set my mind to solving.

 

Am also concerned as to your businesses nature, as you stated you had previously tried to start a buisness selling cannabis seeds and bongs! the fact you then go on to attack a person who questions the nature of such business morally, by using the defense of its not illegal to sell the seeds, whilst having already stated you had hoped to sell cannabis seeds and BONGS in the same sentence, kind of defeats the object of your defense, as you are clearly encouraging the buyers to smoke cannabis by providing a BONG as a product, although i agree it isnt illegal people still will question it morally and have everyright to do so. The meow meow drug was legal to sell, are you going to say that their was nothing morally wrong with selling or promoting that for human consumption when it was legal to sell, despite the deaths it caused (one of whom that was mentioned in the paper, i knew)? I doubt it. yet you were willing to promote and defend the use of cannabis, stating the benefits of its usage, yet completely ignoring the opposite effect its usage can have, which is why its an illegal substance in the first place.

 

You have no idea why cannabis is illegal, so do not try and pretend that you do. You also have no idea obviously on the differences between legal and moral and like most sheep are utterly confused on the subject.

Do you know what the biggest killer on this planet is? It's the pharmaceutical industry, they kill more people every year than heart disease. You ever read the health warnings on a pack of paracetamol? They can actually cause the symptoms you are trying to cure, like headaches, nausea etc. Not good for the organs either. I could educate you so much on this subject it would make your head spin. You clearly, from your response, have no right to go there.

 

Now as i said i agree selling cannabis seeds and bongs are not illegal, but i and alot of others would have to question your morals and reasoning, such as inderictly or derictly promoting the use of an illegal drug in order to profit from it.

 

OK... let's talk about murdering thousands of innocent people just so that we can rob a country of its resources. You feel comfortable knowing that the only reason you can sit at your pc responding to some b/s on the web is due to people having to die so that you have the privilege? Or how about the legality of alcohol, responsible for most of the crime rate and anti social behaviour we have in this country.

 

Don't talk to me about morals when it is clear you do not know the meaning of the word.

 

Of course am not saying your current business idea is the same, and therefore maywell be a perfeclty good and respectful business idea, and if so i wish you all the best and success with it.

 

Yes this business is very respectable... we're entering a new age and my products will be just on time.

 

However you seriously need to learn to accept contructive criticism and advice, otherwise your customers will walk away from you when you give them the same attitude treatment that you have given to some of those here, that have constructively criticised you aswell as given constructive advice.

 

I'm always happy to hear constructive criticism... it's idiots i have a problem with. if a customer gives me the same attitude i've had from some of the members responding in this thread they can quite happily take their business else where... oh and by the way, pay more for the privilege. The reason for that is because i'm going to inject some truth into the market, a market i've been studying within for 4 years. I know it like the back of my hand, especially the customers. That's what I do, I tell the truth, no matter what... you will get the cold hard truth from me no matter what it is. Take it or leave, i couldn't care less.

 

You will not succeed in securing funding if you show the kind of attitude you have here to people that are trying to help you. because the key to securing funding is not just about a business plan, as it is just as equaling about you, and your ability to sell the idea and sell yourself to those that are looking at offering you funding, IF your not capable of selling both your idea and yourself to them, then am sorry but they'll just throw their copy of your business plan in the bin and wash their hands off you. No matter how good your idea and business plan is, as the way they'll see it is that the idea is good and so's the business plan but can we really belive this person with this kind of personality and/or attitude, going to beable to make it a success? answer is and always will be no! As its you their investing in not just your business.

 

I think you'll actually be very surprised at my communication skills and be very surprised at the people i actually share communications with. If i come across somebody like yourself then i don't need your money, keep it. Seriously, i'd rather go without than lower myself to begging anyway, or creeping, brown nosing, whatever you want to call it.

 

you probably dont think you have an attitude problem, if so, then all i can suggest is you go compare your thread here to all the other threads on here, and then come back and tell me the what the difference is, because i can tell you now, the difference is your attitude and offensiveness in your replies to peoples posts.

 

If i ever happen to do a search for information and i land at another thread then i will read it. Maybe I'll even make comparisons and save them in a file for you... Until that happens though, I don't think i will... thanks.

 

Now i apologise for the bad grammer and odd spelling mistake, i am dyslexic and usually take more time and care in what am writing. But for this thread i make an exception, as given your attitude towards others that have tried to help you, i would simply be wasting my time correcting the grammer, when i could be spending that time helping someone that actually appricates the advice given.

 

Not that old chestnut... what makes you think I'd say anything about your spelling or grammar? I really don't need to stoop so low when what you actually say gives me enough ammunition. Don't flatter yourself.

 

And for the record before you respond with and an offense or attitude base response, this post is ment as contructive critism, so you might want to consider that very carefully before responding.

 

Yeah... course it is

 

Personally if i was you, i would issue a grovel apology explaining your action being down to the fraustrations that you have had to face in your attempted to get a business started, as that is where i believe your attitude has come from.

 

Although admittedly setting up a new business is stressful, I manage quite well in the stress department... as in i never let it affect me. This is the reason i can patiently repeat myself numerous times in one thread.

 

Thanks for all your advice, and... ahem... your constructive criticism.

[loopinlouie]

Norman you are ignorant and hope people here, give you no more time.

[teaboy2]

You clearly do not know how to read properly. i did not verbally attack bigredbus. I made a witty comment. I suppose to the witless it could be termed a form of attack

 

Libel for telling the truth? hmm. I thought i'd actually have to be lying first. So even if that is what he meant it is still an insulting post... and as i've already said i found it sanctimonious. I responded with a witty comment, i then get the rest of the without-a-clue-brown-nose brigade throwing in their own valueless contributions. I responded in kind, like for like. Dealing with one ignorance after another... good job i have patience, eh.

 

I think the qoute below for post number 5, that was clearly a response directed at bigredbus post in post number 2, is offensive especially when you look at your post in post number 7, where you clearly state in response to Honeybees defense of Bigredbus the following

 

He didn't come across like that. If he wanted to help then he would have had something to say about my post as a whole.

 

Instead he gave out the order like he owns the site. I actually thought he was a moderator or administrator. I can understand one of them making a post like that.

 

He also said... any names and/or companies.

 

This whole country is a company. The Police Service is a company and so is every council in this country.

 

For me not to mention the inadequacies of Seetec would leave no point in posting in the first place.

 

I'd absolutely love the perpetrators to follow me around, they can try and use what they like... I have the biggest weapon of all, THE TRUTH.

Qoute from post number 5, that was in response to bigredbus post number 4

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigredbus

Excellent... thank you...

 

I've just noticed that you're only a basic account holder. You up for a forum monitor job?

 

or do you prefer to sit in the shadows waiting for people to break the rules where you then leap out like Batman and save the day?

 

As for the libel aspect, well only you know weather your telling the truth or not, and it may well be that your telling little sporkies to us in regards to the truth, just so you would come across better to us. So the whole point of not including personal information in your post about you or about others, is to protect you in the event that what you claiming as the truth on the forum is the truth, may not actually be the truth in reality. in which case you can be done for libel and you wouldnt be the first to fall into that trap. Thats why regardless of weather you are claiming its the truth or not, their is a general understanding in this forum that you do not include names of other person's.

 

As for bigredbus post in post number 4. Had it not occured to you that he maywell have made the post in post 2 as an advisory in light of what i said above, prior to thinking over your problem before issue a full post advising you on your issue. Or do you seriously expect us all to read your about your problems and click or fingers and magically come up with a solution for you without having to think it over?

 

 

For a company to gain taxpayers money they must offer some type of civil service. The government themselves operate as a business, they profit from our taxes and offer us a civil service. Anybody in their employ is automatically assumed to be performing some type of civic duty. it's a simple matter of perspective. Just like much of the basis for law, which is the reason there are so many words in the law books.

 

Incorrect, i make money from taxpayers everyday mate, and my company does not provide a civil service, far from in fact. End of the day seetec are providing a product like any other company that product being a service to the goverment (as the goverment pays them for their product) not the public, to help the unemployed back into work, in return the government pay them for every product they receive, which in this case would be payment for every unemployed person they find work for which would be a fulfillment of the service they provide as their product. It is not a civil service, as a civil service is provided by a goverment body not a business that is a private buiness within its own rights, and seetec is a privately owned limited company and therefore not a goverment body, hence why they are called SEETEC GROUP LTD. i don't see civil services like the MOD being called MINISTRY OF DEFENSE LTD! do you?

 

you are getting your lines crossed between goverment line and the private sector line, and wrongly assuming them to be the same, just because a limited company is provided a service to the govermentin which the unemployed happen to benifit from.

 

 

 

If you read what i'd written mate, really read and not just read the follow up comments from other members with a brief scan of my own words... you would read (i'll repeat it again if you get this far that is) that I do not need any money. I NEED NO MONEY... did you read that? Please say yes.

 

YES... there i said it, happy now? However your comments in that post is contradictary of the situation your issue is about. IF you are in no need of money, then why you still on JSA. you have a business plan and claim you have everything worked out to start the business, and have the money to start. Yet here you are complaining, about the way Seetec and your jobcentre have treated you, when you clearly state all you need is advice and can start the business within a month. Well am sorry i dont believe that becuase of 2 reasons

 

The first being that, you clearly havent done your homework and done any serious research in to starting a business, if you had you'd have been in touch with business link who would have provided you with the advice you need for free. So in my opinion all you have is an idea and a rough idea of the start up cost.

 

The second reason is because you state in post number 22 that you have the BASIC start up costs and a like for like amount from an outside funding source would be useful as it would enable you to have more then the current 4 products you have. You are basing your finance of the business start up on basic costs and no doubt, clearly maxing out what available cash flow you have with all the grand plans you have. Having funding for start up is good but it in no way prepares you financially for the costs of running the business. its sounds to me as though you are going to go through the majority of all your available funds, in just starting up the buisness. If so then your treading on very dangerous grounds, that alot of start up businesses have operated on and failed on as a result. You seriously need to have some reserve funds to cover the cost of running the business for at least the first 6 months, as no business is an over night success or an instant profit making business, and i am geussing your business is based around internet affilate marketing model, that a hell of alot of tried and failed at. Even i tried it a few years back before i started this business, because i soon realised there was only one winner and that was the person at the top of the affilate pyramid, regaless of what the product is or how much internet marketing of your website and/or product you do. As your targetting a passive customer bases, passive because they are more likely to walk straight on pass your adverts etc due to having no interest and even if they do goto your website, whats your method of sealing the sale? you havent got one your basing your business on nothing more then a hope they will buy. You need a more direct point of contact to generate sales, do you have that? i sure hope you do. becuase you should seriously consider contacting possible customer directly (yes thats a free bit of advise for you)

 

You say you will supply wholesale and retail, therefore being in direct competition of your wholesale customers that would be reselling your products at retail! I suggest you think carefully about that and operate more to the wholesale side then to general retail, otherwise you will lose your wholesale customers. Also back to the issue of funds again. As you are on JSA then you clearly can not have savings of more then £6,000 - £8,000 if you have then you wouldnt be entitled to JSA. Now i dont know what your product is or what the costs of the products are to you, but i know from my experince that one single bulk whosale order can cost me anywhere from between £1,000 to the biggest order so far costing £15,000. the individual product price being between £25 up £150. then you got your VAT on top of that, all that just for one order. you need to know what QTY customers will order when in bulk, and ensure you have the funds to cover that. So its not just about having funds for start up.

Honestly, some of you guys want to tell me i'm aggressive and have an attitude problem and you don't even read what I've written properly. maybe it's a level of understanding thing... i should get down off my high horse, drop my vocabulary and start explaining things really slowly. I got funding, i have friends and belief in a product that will probably change the world. In a world that's already changing to suit our products nicely. I am not alone... i just am in a way. I got to take care of the UK side, and hopefully europe in a couple of years.

 

Your kidding yourself! let me geuss you came a cross a group of people advertising a new product claim it will change the world and all this and all that and then asking for you to invest money and your time as a affilate to their business. I've heard it 1,000 of times ive seen 1,000 of times ive seen people fail at it 1,000s of times, i was among the same group of people myself a few years back. its all hype and is nothing more then a quick profit making scheme by the people at the top of the affilate pyramid. you've read the info, they got you hooked and believing in a dream of success and riches beyound your wildest dreams, they had picture of mansion on the website implying one day you could have one just like it. Serious mate, you say you got funding (start up) and friends and you belief in the product, so what, doesn't mean your business will automatically be a success, friends are going to stop your business failing! having funds to for start up doesnt gaurantee the business will not fail! having belief in a product doesnt mean your business will be a success, as alot may not share your believe in the product, thats why 95% of new products fail to live up to the hype or fail completely. yeah the world maybe changing to suit your product nicely at the moment, but that doesnt mean it will stay that way neither does it gaurantee the products success, it quite simply nothing but hyped up marketing ploys.

 

 

 

You're right though, I haven't got an expenditure thing figured out, and this thing could be so much bigger than the money I have to put in right now... but i will do it anyway. I don't really need any help, it would just be nice. I'm a perfectly capable person and can solve any problem i set my mind to solving.

 

well arguments aside that is a good thing to hear, am willing to help you if you want the help. But if i am right about your business model being an product based on affilate marketing scheme, then you seriously need to do some consideration, because i really dont want you to fail and end up losing all your money. Perhaps you can find similar products and use a more direct marketing approach that also involves contact customers directly , that is proven to be more profitable becuase it can take weeks to get one sale on an affilate based product through a website, where the direct contact approach can generate sales on a daily basis.

 

i admit i maybe wrong about your business model, but going by what you said about the website, having affilate links on the site, posting links in forums or to their admins and the you saying you will be cover the UK and hopefully the Europe in a couple of years, clearly says to me your working as an affilate of someone or company that is based in the States. If i am wrong i apologise and hold my hands up, bu that aside you still need more then just start up funding, and a more direct approch to marketing. Either way ill be happy to advise. but without knowing the business model it would be diffcult to advise accordingly to the business operations aspects etc

 

 

You have no idea why cannabis is illegal, so do not try and pretend that you do. (And who are you to tell me what i do and do not know, sorry but are you GOD, or do you have an all seeing eye that allows you see or know exactly what everyone else in the world does or does not know? NO i didnt think so. so don't try telling me what i do or do not know)You also have no idea obviously on the differences between legal and moral and like most sheep are utterly confused on the subject. (so am a sheep am i now? really have you stoop to such low depths which you claimed later in your post you would stoop too? certainly sounds like it! baaa).

Do you know what the biggest killer on this planet is? It's the pharmaceutical industry (yet you condone the same kind of drug making methods and illegal drug industry by condoning the use of cannabis!), they kill more people every year than heart disease. You ever read the health warnings on a pack of paracetamol? They can actually cause the symptoms you are trying to cure, like headaches, nausea etc. Not good for the organs either. I could educate you so much on this subject it would make your head spin. You clearly, from your response, have no right to go there.

 

You are forgetting that each and every individual has different medical issues, the pharmaceutical industry NOT responsible in anyway for any deaths that in 99% cases is due to an underlying medical issue. They infact save lifes, cancer patients, MS patients, HIV sufferers, People suffering depression and other serious psycological issue (An effect cannabis can have), Drug addicts (funny that isnt it), trauma patients, diabetics, ME suffers, do you want me to go on because the list is bloody endless mate! So do not tell me i have no right to go there, when you clearly are condoning the use of cannabis and accusing the pharmaceutical industry of being the biggest killer on the planet as your way of defending your condoning of the use of illegal drugs as being morally acceptable, even though you know the use of illegal drugs is directly link to more deaths then that of legal drugs that are for human consumption! in fact i think you find such accusations would leave you open to lible action from the pharmaceutical industry, as you are clearly accusing all companies in the industry of manslaugther, which is untrue.

As for legal and moral, i understand the difference perfectly and i did not say in anyway that all illegal acts are immoral nor did i say all legal acts are morrally acceptable, so please dont start stating untruths, about my understanding or believes about such things when i had not given you any reason to question my understanding of them. Just because i view the use of cannabis as or the promoting of it use as immoral, does not reflect what level my understanding of the difference between legal and moral is. In fact it is my opinion that the use and/or promoting of illegal substances is immoral and you nor anyone else has the right to dictate to me what i should or should not view as morally acceptable or not! To you it is morally acceptable, thats you opinion, but that does not give you the right to question mine or anyone else opinion on the matter, does it! And i think you find that i did not question your opinion on moral's as i did infact say and i qoute first two sentences from post number 35 para 4

 

Am also concerned as to your businesses nature, as you stated you had previously tried to start a buisness selling cannabis seeds and bongs! the fact you then go on to attack a person who questions the nature of such business morally, by using the defense of its not illegal to sell the seeds, whilst having already stated you had hoped to sell cannabis seeds and BONGS in the same sentence, kind of defeats the object of your defense, as you are clearly encouraging the buyers to smoke cannabis by providing a BONG as a product, although i agree it isnt illegal people still will question it morally and have everyright to do so.

 

but in the qoute above i simply gave my opinion of the defense you provided when you were earlier confronted with a another persons post expressing there opinion in regards to the question over the morality of cannabis use. i then later in the same paragraph asked you if you thorught the use of the legal drug meow meow (which was not developed for human consupmtion but for plant food) that has resulted in deaths one oh whom i knew, was morally acceptable. So far you have completely ignored the question. Instead attacked me and accused me of not knowing the difference of legal and moral. in fact i only made a speculative statement, which was, "i and alot of others would have to question your morals and reasoning, such as inderictly or derictly promoting the use of an illegal drug in order to profit from it." in no way was that a question in regards to your opinion on morality, but in fact a statement that i and anyone else would have serious concerns as to your questionable business model and reasoning and moral believes, and therefore entitled to ask where your morals lie, not question your actual believes on the morality issue, regardless of which side of the fence your morals lie.

 

OK... let's talk about murdering thousands of innocent people just so that we can rob a country of its resources. You feel comfortable knowing that the only reason you can sit at your pc responding to some b/s on the web is due to people having to die so that you have the privilege? Or how about the legality of alcohol, responsible for most of the crime rate and anti social behaviour we have in this country.

 

hypothetical arguments! surely is that the best defense you have. For a start you have no prove to back up the first claims of murdering innocent people just so we can rob their resources, (Seriously conspiracy theorist comes to mind here) As for alcohol, well thats simple! Some abuse it and drink more then they can handle (irresponsible drinking) and end up becoming aggressive and suffer alcohol related illnesses later in life. However those who drink responsibly do not neither are they as likely to suffer from alcohol related illness as a result. where illegal substance do have health related side effects regardless of weather used responsibly or not! Perhaps the reason for your attitude and offensiveness is a sign or paranoria caused by smoking to much cannabis, the fact your take what a conspiracy theorist say's serious enough that you are actually willing to use it to back up your arguement, when such theories are nothing but hypothical, proves how paranoid you are about what is going on behind closed doors.

Don't talk to me about morals when it is clear you do not know the meaning of the word.

 

ERR yeah.... Whatever! i think i clearly have a better understanding of morals when you consider your understanding of morals has clearly been damaged by your paranoid believe in another person's hypothical theories. which probably explains why you think the goverment and everyone else is against you too, when really they all trying to help you but its you that refuses to accept their help even when you ask for it!

 

 

Yes this business is very respectable... we're entering a new age and my products will be just on time.

 

yes and as i said before i hope it works for you.

 

 

 

I'm always happy to hear constructive criticism... it's idiots i have a problem with. if a customer gives me the same attitude i've had from some of the members responding in this thread they can quite happily take their business else where... oh and by the way, pay more for the privilege. The reason for that is because i'm going to inject some truth into the market, a market i've been studying within for 4 years. I know it like the back of my hand, especially the customers. That's what I do, I tell the truth, no matter what... you will get the cold hard truth from me no matter what it is. Take it or leave, i couldn't care less.

 

Well clearly you are not able to accept constructive critism, otherwise you would have appricated the input i put into my last post, given my knowledge, experience, and expertise. Which i would have thought was made quite clear when i said i was a businessman and owner of my own company. As for your attitude toward customer that contact you complaining, then your going to have a problem, because alot can be very annoyed when they call in to complain about your company or product, so turning round to them and telling them TOUGH ****, isnt goint to work mate, not to mention the fact that you are clearly unware of the legal issues involved in dealing with customers in such away, regardless of weather they have purchased a product from you or not. So the couldnt care less attitude wont get yu very far when your faced with a legal proceedings against you. You clearly have not done your homework in regards to want involved in starting and operating a business and as a result your jumping into the deep end thats full of bloody sharks ready to eat you up mate! Yes you may have studied the market for 4 years, so what, it may help your knowledge in the market but it doesnt make you the right material for running a business!

 

 

 

I think you'll actually be very surprised at my communication skills and be very surprised at the people i actually share communications with. If i come across somebody like yourself then i don't need your money, keep it. Seriously, i'd rather go without than lower myself to begging anyway, or creeping, brown nosing, whatever you want to call it.

 

I never offered you any financial help, i only othered to advise! so that kind of answers that one. oh and yes you seriously need the advice mate and as for "IF I COME ACROSS SOMEONE LIKE YOURSELF THEN I DONT NEED YOUR MONEY". Talk about childish attitude. You dont even know me, but because i gave you constructive critism, which can be the best form of advise it some case, you think the worlds better or without the likes of me! How sad and pathethic!

 

 

If i ever happen to do a search for information and i land at another thread then i will read it. Maybe I'll even make comparisons and save them in a file for you... Until that happens though, I don't think i will... thanks.

 

Shame, you probably have learnt how to be a better people person if you had. oh well not my problem i won't lose any sleep over it the fact you have turned some of the most knowledgable peoples attempts to help flat in their faces, not a good way of making friends is it really!

 

 

 

Not that old chestnut... what makes you think I'd say anything about your spelling or grammar? I really don't need to stoop so low when what you actually say gives me enough ammunition. Don't flatter yourself.

 

oh am not flattered, it was an apology to those reading my post and not an apology addressed directly to yourself! And i hardly believe that what i have said gives you enough ammunition at all, as it clearly does the opposite. Even more so when you responded with such nonsense as an attempt to argue.

 

 

 

Yeah... course it is

 

And clearly you jumped the gun and into the deepend, without consideration of the consquence's of ignoring such critism!

 

 

 

Although admittedly setting up a new business is stressful, I manage quite well in the stress department... as in i never let it affect me. This is the reason i can patiently repeat myself numerous times in one thread.

 

Thanks for all your advice, and... ahem... your constructive criticism.

 

Actually thats nothing to do with having patience or the ability to manage stressful situations, It more like your right everyone else is wrong syndrome, its more an obessive tendency to dismiss what others say in an attempt to prove your wright, then when people stop post responses you falsely believe you are in fact right or have won the battle, when really you are wrong and have lost!

 

NOw lets see just how ready you are for starting a business with a few simple questions

 

Have you got Liability insurance covering both yourselve and the consumer?

 

Have you got legal insurance?

 

Have you got proper insurance to cover the property in which the business will be operating on (home insurance is no use as it wont cover your business assets)?

 

Have you got a written set of terms and conditions that comply with sales of goods act and includes distance selling?

 

If your home is your business premises, do you have permission to use you home to run a business from from your landlord/council?

 

Have you spoken to the council about business rates you may have to pay?

 

Have you got contacted the information commissioners office to see whether to would need to register with them to store certain types of personal information you may which to store?

 

Have you got an accountant, or do you know how to do you own buisness accounts effectively?

 

Have you registered for VAT? (in retail or wholesale it better to be registered regardless of your annual turnover)?

 

If your planning on taking on staff, do you written contracts ready and written statments ready?

 

Do you have a health and safety cerificate and displayable poster, for if you are taking on staff?

 

Have you checked about registering self employed and compared the difference between being a sole proprietor or registering as a limited company? Do you even know which one is more suitable for you?

 

Are all your accounts set up and ready? (includes accounts with banks, suppliers and any other relevant accounts associated to the business)

 

Have you got a written product warranty and gaurantee to give to your customers?

 

have you got a company logo and name and letter templates the include logo, company name, address, telephone, fax, email, Vat number, and states you as the prorietor if your sole proprietor? (all are lagl requirements for external company documents)

 

Have you got an effective filling system to store paper documents, such as copies of customer invoices,statments etc, basically all documents in paper form for upto 6 years and is in complience to the Date protection and data storage laws and regulations?

 

There just a few questions mate, theres a hell of alot more to it then just whats within the above questions, but i dont have time to list everything. But at least it will give you so sort of an idea of what you need to look into and add any additional cost's they may result into your cashflow forecast in your business plan.

 

Now arguements aside i am willing to help you inan advisroy capacity, if you agreed to putting aside our differences of opinion?

 

If not then dont bother replying to my post as i wont be posting in this thread any further, if you can not put aside or diffences!

Edited April 20, 2010 by teaboy2

[Norman1066]

NOw lets see just how ready you are for starting a business with a few simple questions

 

Have you got Liability insurance covering both yourselve and the consumer?

 

Have you got legal insurance?

 

Have you got proper insurance to cover the property in which the business will be operating on (home insurance is no use as it wont cover your business assets)?

 

Have you got a written set of terms and conditions that comply with sales of goods act and includes distance selling?

 

If your home is your business premises, do you have permission to use you home to run a business from from your landlord/council?

 

Have you spoken to the council about business rates you may have to pay?

 

Have you got contacted the information commissioners office to see whether to would need to register with them to store certain types of personal information you may which to store?

 

Have you got an accountant, or do you know how to do you own buisness accounts effectively?

 

Have you registered for VAT? (in retail or wholesale it better to be registered regardless of your annual turnover)?

 

If your planning on taking on staff, do you written contracts ready and written statments ready?

 

Do you have a health and safety cerificate and displayable poster, for if you are taking on staff?

 

Have you checked about registering self employed and compared the difference between being a sole proprietor or registering as a limited company? Do you even know which one is more suitable for you?

 

Are all your accounts set up and ready? (includes accounts with banks, suppliers and any other relevant accounts associated to the business)

 

Have you got a written product warranty and gaurantee to give to your customers?

 

have you got a company logo and name and letter templates the include logo, company name, address, telephone, fax, email, Vat number, and states you as the prorietor if your sole proprietor? (all are lagl requirements for external company documents)

 

Have you got an effective filling system to store paper documents, such as copies of customer invoices,statments etc, basically all documents in paper form for upto 6 years and is in complience to the Date protection and data storage laws and regulations?

 

There just a few questions mate, theres a hell of alot more to it then just whats within the above questions, but i dont have time to list everything. But at least it will give you so sort of an idea of what you need to look into and add any additional cost's they may result into your cashflow forecast in your business plan.

 

Now arguements aside i am willing to help you inan advisroy capacity, if you agreed to putting aside our differences of opinion?

 

If not then dont bother replying to my post as i wont be posting in this thread any further, if you can not put aside or diffences!

 

I could easily run through each of your remarks, and counter them easily. Although i'll only remark on the parts where you say that I am lying.. as you have been exceptionally helpful in the quoted part above.

 

I am secretive because it is a secretive industry... I will be able to sell products wholesale and retail by the tonne cheaper than the current market that relies on the wonders of science, or rather the lack of understanding by the end user, to bump up the price.

 

Yes you're correct in that I only have the basic start up costs for 4 products when the scope is for much much more. However we have devised schemes, as in the affiliate scheme and also a real world affiliate scheme. Basically we sell small say £100 wholesale packages for sellers on ebay etc to buy our products and turn them over at a profit. There are also partner companies where our products can be applied to their products with mutual benefits for all. There is so much scope with this business, including even maybe selling the products to local councils.

 

As far as I'm aware you don't actually need to be completely skint to claim JSA. I've been claiming it for just over a year and looking for a way out ever since.

 

Of course not enough to last me 6 months. I will sell right away, door to door if I have to... isn't that what it's all about? I do have a plan of action, and I'll just have to try and survive. What else can I do?

 

This isn't something i've just walked into... this started out as simply an area of interest 4 years ago. Then an opportunity lands in my lap. It's perfect. I'm going to refrain from answering your other comments, simply to save further argument. suffice to say I agree that we disagree on certain things.

 

Now i have to scroll up too far. I'll go through your checklist and answer honestly in next post.

[Norman1066]

NOw lets see just how ready you are for starting a business with a few simple questions

 

Have you got Liability insurance covering both yourselve and the consumer?

 

No... I didn't think I needed it if I didn't have a shop or market stall. The product will be delivered to the retailer or end user by freight.

 

Have you got legal insurance?

 

No. Do I need it?

 

Have you got proper insurance to cover the property in which the business will be operating on (home insurance is no use as it wont cover your business assets)?

 

I shouldn't have to actually touch any of the products myself. They will be moved from one company to another and stored.

 

Have you got a written set of terms and conditions that comply with sales of goods act and includes distance selling?

 

I could get one of those easily? Maybe cut n paste a template from the web?

 

If your home is your business premises, do you have permission to use you home to run a business from from your landlord/council?

 

would my home still be classed as my area of business even though no products ever land here?

 

Have you spoken to the council about business rates you may have to pay?

 

For running a business from home? Technically i'll be running it from home... i think.

 

Have you got contacted the information commissioners office to see whether to would need to register with them to store certain types of personal information you may which to store?

 

I would only store information with the request of the individuals the information concerns. Are you sure i'd need to get permission to store information freely provided and given permission for? That one sounds strange to me. I'd better phone them about my little black book .

 

Have you got an accountant, or do you know how to do you own buisness accounts effectively?

 

I'm adept at handling things like accounts... although as the business grows from its paltry beginnings an accountant would certainly be necessary.

 

Have you registered for VAT? (in retail or wholesale it better to be registered regardless of your annual turnover)?

 

No... i fail to see why it is necessary below the threshold?

 

If your planning on taking on staff, do you written contracts ready and written statments ready?

 

No exact staff will be needed unless one day we are large enough to lease a premises or maybe a small store.

 

Have you checked about registering self employed and compared the difference between being a sole proprietor or registering as a limited company? Do you even know which one is more suitable for you?

 

No i don't know which one is more suitable, i just pick sole trader and figure i can change it afterwards.

 

Are all your accounts set up and ready? (includes accounts with banks, suppliers and any other relevant accounts associated to the business)

 

I have a business account that i've maintained for 2 years. I do not have any of the suppliers' bank details yet.. although i'm sure they are freely available. I am yet to sort out a payment provider... although i will most likely pay for a high risk provider to use until such a time as I can qualify for something better.

 

Have you got a written product warranty and gaurantee to give to your customers?

 

Not yet.

 

have you got a company logo and name and letter templates the include logo, company name, address, telephone, fax, email, Vat number, and states you as the prorietor if your sole proprietor? (all are lagl requirements for external company documents)

 

Yes we have a company logo.. also an excellent brand. easy to remember, hammers the point home. templates are all being taken care of alongside all of those little things. when it comes down to the to-do list those are things at the bottom.

 

Have you got an effective filling system to store paper documents, such as copies of customer invoices,statments etc, basically all documents in paper form for upto 6 years and is in complience to the Date protection and data storage laws and regulations?

 

No... couldn't i just keep it electronic and print them off if ever needed?

 

There just a few questions mate, theres a hell of alot more to it then just whats within the above questions, but i dont have time to list everything. But at least it will give you so sort of an idea of what you need to look into and add any additional cost's they may result into your cashflow forecast in your business plan.

 

Now arguements aside i am willing to help you inan advisroy capacity, if you agreed to putting aside our differences of opinion?

 

Despite what you think, I didn't come here to fight... i came to rant about unfair treatment. Isn't that what this place is for?

[teaboy2]

I could easily run through each of your remarks, and counter them easily. Although i'll only remark on the parts where you say that I am lying.. as you have been exceptionally helpful in the quoted part above.

 

I am secretive because it is a secretive industry... I will be able to sell products wholesale and retail by the tonne cheaper than the current market that relies on the wonders of science, or rather the lack of understanding by the end user, to bump up the price.

 

Yes you're correct in that I only have the basic start up costs for 4 products when the scope is for much much more. However we have devised schemes, as in the affiliate scheme and also a real world affiliate scheme. Basically we sell small say £100 wholesale packages for sellers on ebay etc to buy our products and turn them over at a profit. There are also partner companies where our products can be applied to their products with mutual benefits for all. There is so much scope with this business, including even maybe selling the products to local councils.

 

As far as I'm aware you don't actually need to be completely skint to claim JSA. I've been claiming it for just over a year and looking for a way out ever since.

 

Of course not enough to last me 6 months. I will sell right away, door to door if I have to... isn't that what it's all about? I do have a plan of action, and I'll just have to try and survive. What else can I do?

 

This isn't something i've just walked into... this started out as simply an area of interest 4 years ago. Then an opportunity lands in my lap. It's perfect. I'm going to refrain from answering your other comments, simply to save further argument. suffice to say I agree that we disagree on certain things.

 

Now i have to scroll up too far. I'll go through your checklist and answer honestly in next post.

 

I wasn't actually saying you were lying, what i said about what your buisness was was based on my thoughts of what you had stated about website affilate links etc. Which did sound familarly like an affilate marketing scheme, where only the guy at the top makes any real money. i also did state that i might be completely wrong about what i thought your business was too.

 

I must admit though what you have said above about your products intrigues me, obviously i appreciate you wanting to keep your details of your buisness idea secret in order to protect it, which is perfectly understandable, as i was the same myself when i was going through what you are now going through. But what intrigued me was when you said your products could be applied to other products and sold to local councils. Now clearly i dont know what your product is, but one of the products my company supply is printer consumables (re-manufactured ones only) which are also applied to other products (printers) obiviously, and we specialise in supplying goverment bodies. so what you have said above certainly makes your buisness idea (whatever it actually is) more feasable in that sense, and certainly alot more interesting too me for obivous reasons.

 

Anyway at the end of the day regardless of disagreements, we both have common goals, to get your business up and running. My goal is to help you do it by providing the advice you need (as it is to help everyone on here that needs help on something i can help them with), and your goal being wanting the advice to help get your business started and hopefully make it a success.

 

ill respond to yours answer in a seprate post, like you yourself have done.

[teaboy2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaboy2

NOw lets see just how ready you are for starting a business with a few simple questions

 

Have you got Liability insurance covering both yourselve and the consumer?

 

No... I didn't think I needed it if I didn't have a shop or market stall. The product will be delivered to the retailer or end user by freight.

 

All business providing a product to the consumer need public liabilty insurance. Although your supplier maybe shipping the order directly to the customer, the fact remains that as you have purchased the product from the supplier and then sold it to the customer, it is you that is responsible for any liability in the event your customer is injured by your product or your product damages the property belonging to the customer. The suppliers liability insurance covers them in the event you yourself as the suppliers customer is injuried etc, but does not cover your customers.

 

Put it this way if a customers is injuried etc by the product they bought from you, who do you think they will claim against? it will be you! Hence the next question about legal insurance.

 

 

Quote:

Have you got legal insurance?

No. Do I need it?

 

Yes.. in the event a customer puts a claim in against you the legal insurance will cover all your legal costs regardless of if you won or lost. So if a customer puts a claim in against you for personal injury (public liability) and took you to court, and you lost. The legal insurance would cover your court costs, and the liabilty insurance will cover the compensation you are ordered to pay to the customer.

 

Quote:

Have you got proper insurance to cover the property in which the business will be operating on (home insurance is no use as it wont cover your business assets)?

I shouldn't have to actually touch any of the products myself. They will be moved from one company to another and stored.

 

Ok thats fine, as i take it your using your own personal assets (computer) which will be covered by your home insurance i presume! but you will need to chack with them to make sure your personal assets that you will be using to run your buisness will still be covered, just to be on the safe side!

 

Quote:

Have you got a written set of terms and conditions that comply with sales of goods act and includes distance selling?

I could get one of those easily? Maybe cut n paste a template from the web?

 

Yes you could do that, but you will have to personalize it and include liability terms etc. Either way its always best to get it checked by a solicitor that deals in such fields, You may want to do this at the same time you write up your warranty and gaurantee statments, to kill to birds with one stone, so to speak.

 

Quote:

If your home is your business premises, do you have permission to use you home to run a business from from your landlord/council?

would my home still be classed as my area of business even though no products ever land here?

 

possibly but it depends on many things and full extent nature of the business and what impact it will have on yur neighbours and surrounding area and property, So you need to speak to your landlord/council to make sure. So they can only really answer that question.

 

Quote:

Have you spoken to the council about business rates you may have to pay?

For running a business from home? Technically i'll be running it from home... i think.

 

Its the same as above it all depends on the full extent and nature of the business and what impact it will have. So again you would need to speak to the council about it. But dont worry they are friendly and helpful in my experience, and you will go back home with a smile on your face aswell. Basically its a vitally important bit of information you need to find out, and same with weather your allowed to operate a business from your home or not, because if you dont find out and you get caught out, it can be very costly and be a very long legal process. so its certainly worht the time popping down to see them and asking the questions, and make sure they put it on paper too (just to cover your back).

 

Quote:

Have you got contacted the information commissioners office to see whether to would need to register with them to store certain types of personal information you may which to store?

I would only store information with the request of the individuals the information concerns. Are you sure i'd need to get permission to store information freely provided and given permission for? That one sounds strange to me. I'd better phone them about my little black book .

If your only planning on storing Names, address, telephone/fax numbers and email address, plus any history of past transaction between them and yourself. Then no you dont need to register.

 

However if you intend to store information such as bank details, card details, medical details etc, then yes you most likley will have to register.

Dont worry it when you have a card processing system setup, it wont effect you either. So chances are no you will not need to register.

 

But that doesnt mean the law and regulations wont apply to you, as they still do. So keep your black book locked somewhere safe lol

 

Quote:

Have you got an accountant, or do you know how to do you own buisness accounts effectively?

I'm adept at handling things like accounts... although as the business grows from its paltry beginnings an accountant would certainly be necessary.

 

Thats fine, you main find software like microsoft small business accounting software very useful for doing your accounts on.

 

Quote:

Have you registered for VAT? (in retail or wholesale it better to be registered regardless of your annual turnover)?

No... i fail to see why it is necessary below the threshold?

 

Thats fine if your predicted sales are below the threshold. but as you said you haven't yet done a predicted cashflow forecash for the business, i would advice that if your predict cash flow (when completed) shows your turn over to be equal to or more then the threshold, that you do register for VAT regardless.

 

Also being VAT registered not only means you pay VAT on all the sales you make but you can also reclaim VAT from all expenses where you have been charged VAT. Being registered also allows your customers (particularly wholesale customers) to reclaim the VAT they paid when purchases from you, which acts as an additional sales incentive for them to buy from you.

Also when people see you are VAT registered it also reassures them that you are a reputable company, and are more likely to purchase from you even if they themselves are not VAT registered customers. SO there is the benefit of additional sales and profit for being VAT registered regardless of what your annual turnover is.

Quote:

If your planning on taking on staff, do you written contracts ready and written statments ready?

No exact staff will be needed unless one day we are large enough to lease a premises or maybe a small store.

 

Thats fine.

 

Quote:

Have you checked about registering self employed and compared the difference between being a sole proprietor or registering as a limited company? Do you even know which one is more suitable for you?

No i don't know which one is more suitable, i just pick sole trader and figure i can change it afterwards.

 

Sole proprietor carries alot more financial risk, where as being a limited company yourself personally will not be liable for the company debts if the business was to fail, althought you will need to have a person registered as a director and one as a company secretary, but these can be friends or family, so long as they have no outstanding criminal convictions.

 

You will find more information at the link below, simply scroll down to where it says covered in this guide and click the relevant links for information and guides that are relevant to the link you click.

 

Legal structures: the basics | Business Link

 

Quote:

Are all your accounts set up and ready? (includes accounts with banks, suppliers and any other relevant accounts associated to the business)

I have a business account that i've maintained for 2 years. I do not have any of the suppliers' bank details yet.. although i'm sure they are freely available. I am yet to sort out a payment provider... although i will most likely pay for a high risk provider to use until such a time as I can qualify for something better.

 

Good glad to see you got a bank account already, as that safe you some time. As for suppliers i was refering to having a account with the supplier not having the suppliers bank details (sorry if i wasnt clear). So to you have credit account set up with the supplier or a cash with order account set up with them? or does it vary for each supplier?

 

As for payment provider, i can probably help you with that, if you can give me more details about how you would like to accept payments (i.e via website, over the phone etc) you may PM if you prefer to do so about the payment provider issue!

 

Quote:

Have you got a written product warranty and gaurantee to give to your customers?

Not yet.

 

Again same as the Terms and Conditions basically, do them both at the same time and get them checked over by a solicitor.

 

Quote:

have you got a company logo and name and letter templates the include logo, company name, address, telephone, fax, email, Vat number, and states you as the prorietor if your sole proprietor? (all are lagl requirements for external company documents)

Yes we have a company logo.. also an excellent brand. easy to remember, hammers the point home. templates are all being taken care of alongside all of those little things. when it comes down to the to-do list those are things at the bottom.

 

Maybe so but they are vital and very useful to have when presenting your business plan. So its good to see their being worked on.

 

Quote:

Have you got an effective filling system to store paper documents, such as copies of customer invoices,statments etc, basically all documents in paper form for upto 6 years and is in complience to the Date protection and data storage laws and regulations?

No... couldn't i just keep it electronic and print them off if ever needed?

 

Yes you could, thats exactly what my company does. all paper work is stored electronically and backed up on a daily basis at the end of each day. even our invoicing system is electronic we dont print out invoices and post them when we have an email address to send them too. Microsoft office small business account also has invoice feature to make invoices and send them electronically or print them out so that be a great little software package for you as it does your accounts and invoicing all in one aswell as your financial reports.

 

As your business grows though you may want to switch to using software such as ACT from Sage, to manage your customer contacts data etc and automate the accounts with other software that they provide, and dont worry they can set it all up for you and hopefully transfer your existing data into the new software. making everything from invoicing and accounting mostly automated. And of course theres other companys other then Sage that provide similar software packages.

 

But for now just stick with the small software like microsoft small business acconting. Or if you prefer by spreadsheet etc which is actually more work for you.

Quote:

There just a few questions mate, theres a hell of alot more to it then just whats within the above questions, but i dont have time to list everything. But at least it will give you so sort of an idea of what you need to look into and add any additional cost's they may result into your cashflow forecast in your business plan.

 

Now arguements aside i am willing to help you inan advisroy capacity, if you agreed to putting aside our differences of opinion?

Despite what you think, I didn't come here to fight... i came to rant about unfair treatment. Isn't that what this place is for?

 

I understand that, but you misunderstood certain Bigredbus's intentions in regards to the post they responded with, and as result of your response to the post, what you said as offensive or insultive, which it was really! But i can understand your frustration, and with hindsight you may have been a bit more accomadating towards bigredbus. Because the whole sequence of events that followed, all originate form your post responding to Bigredbus.

 

But anyway that all been said and done now and its for you and others on the thread to sort out your difference, as as far as am concern we have already done that, and should not allow disagreements get in the way. And i am geussing we agree on that

 

Also i dont know how old you are but if you are below the age of 30 you may qualify for a start up loan from the princes trust the maximum amount being £4,000. along with the loan they wil provide you with a buisness advisor for free for a year maybe more

Edited April 21, 2010 by teaboy2

[honeybee13]

Norman, I've only looked at your thread again because teaboy asked me to. I hope he can help you with your business going forward, which is kind of him.

 

With regard to your comment about the forum being the place for a rant, I'm not sure it is. Have you looked at the Bear Garden on this site? I think it might be the place to have your say. This forum is not the place to argue with everyone who tries to help you.

 

HB

[Norman1066]

 

All business providing a product to the consumer need public liabilty insurance. Although your supplier maybe shipping the order directly to the customer, the fact remains that as you have purchased the product from the supplier and then sold it to the customer, it is you that is responsible for any liability in the event your customer is injured by your product or your product damages the property belonging to the customer. The suppliers liability insurance covers them in the event you yourself as the suppliers customer is injuried etc, but does not cover your customers.

 

OK, something else I can add to the costs then.

 

Put it this way if a customers is injuried etc by the product they bought from you, who do you think they will claim against? it will be you! Hence the next question about legal insurance.

 

Point taken

 

 

Thats fine if your predicted sales are below the threshold. but as you said you haven't yet done a predicted cashflow forecash for the business, i would advice that if your predict cash flow (when completed) shows your turn over to be equal to or more then the threshold, that you do register for VAT regardless.

 

I'm still wary of doing that as it would mean i'd need to collect VAT for the government which would force my prices up by an extra 17.5%... no problem, actually, come to think of it. I could do that. I really don;t know how this is going to go, I know i will do well, but the potential is there to do amazing in the first year. it's a difficult one, so i'd rather remain pessimistic, then it's a surprise. surely our kind and merciful government would allow me to register and pay after such an unexpected eventuality?

 

Sole proprietor carries alot more financial risk, where as being a limited company yourself personally will not be liable for the company debts if the business was to fail, althought you will need to have a person registered as a director and one as a company secretary, but these can be friends or family, so long as they have no outstanding criminal convictions.

 

hmmm. I have a few friends involved in this already... limited sounds the way to go. Thank you for that. It can be hard to get your head around everything.

 

 

Good glad to see you got a bank account already, as that safe you some time. As for suppliers i was refering to having a account with the supplier not having the suppliers bank details (sorry if i wasnt clear). So to you have credit account set up with the supplier or a cash with order account set up with them? or does it vary for each supplier?

 

ah i see what you mean.. no i don't have a credit account with the suppliers. I haven't asked for one yet. I have been in constant discussion with the two that i have chosen and they would rather sell in much larger amounts than i am prepared to buy, but at the end of the day people rarely say no when you make an offer... and they have agreed to ship me any amount that I want, reasonable amount of course. I haven't set up any type of account with the suppliers yet. I'm waiting till i make the first order for that. although it will almost certainly only be a cash with order account anyway until I have built up some more trust with them.

 

Again same as the Terms and Conditions basically, do them both at the same time and get them checked over by a solicitor.

 

OK, solicitor... another cost, lol. hopefully i can find one that charges by the minute.

 

As your business grows though you may want to switch to using software such as ACT from Sage, to manage your customer contacts data etc and automate the accounts with other software that they provide, and dont worry they can set it all up for you and hopefully transfer your existing data into the new software. making everything from invoicing and accounting mostly automated. And of course theres other companys other then Sage that provide similar software packages.

 

Yes I'm aware of those software packages. I'll definitely need to pick one up though.

[389shell]

Excellent advise from teaboy there.

 

With regards to advice about VAT etc. have you thought about Twitter? You can search for business advice centres, become a follower of theirs' and then twitter about the advice you need, sounds a bit whacky but it just might get you that free advice you are looking for. Maybe offer to advertise a 'thanks to with a link' for a couple of months on your website in return.

 

Sorry it's not advice in the league of teaboys, but more feathers' for the pillow and all that. I wish you the best of luck for your business, been there and done that with the jobcentre, we ended up doing it alone.

[389shell]

Also wanted to add, my hubby was a sole trader and due to a couple of customers' not wanting to pay his credit file got trashed and affected new suppliers accounts. After a few more months he went Ltd. and it was the best move he made.

[Norman1066]

Excellent advise from teaboy there.

 

With regards to advice about VAT etc. have you thought about Twitter? You can search for business advice centres, become a follower of theirs' and then twitter about the advice you need, sounds a bit whacky but it just might get you that free advice you are looking for. Maybe offer to advertise a 'thanks to with a link' for a couple of months on your website in return.

 

Sorry it's not advice in the league of teaboys, but more feathers' for the pillow and all that. I wish you the best of luck for your business, been there and done that with the jobcentre, we ended up doing it alone.

 

Actually yes, twitter is a part of the plan.. only it will be us giving out the advice and people hopefully picking up on our keywords. Or more specifically, my keywords. Although a friend of mine is currently in SEO training and is a professional web designer, not cheap so we have the internet pretty much covered from every angle... right down to server operation if needed. we also have a forum on the website and a social networking section all ready to go. the idea of course to build a community of loyal customers who we will pay back with discounts, competitions etc. Plus there will always be an expert on hand to discuss any problems they may be having, even personal ones, if it comes to it. Another area i forgot to mention is charity. I'd like to give something like 5% of profits to a charity organisation concerned with rejuvenating african farmland. I may set this charity up myself to be sure all the money goes where it's supposed to. Not necessarily African, but any country suffering the 3rd world civilisation. This could help with sales, but genuinely will help people in the 3rd world.

 

although i see i've missed your point... lol. You mean advice for getting the business off the ground. I see that now. Yeah, that's a consideration too.

 

I'm not quite alone, but I am in regards to being the person who has to run everything. I've got help, just not of the monetary type.

 

I had to sign on again yesterday, i hate walking into that place (any jobcentre i must add would make me feel the same way, 'that place' is a generalisation). I again asked the advisor for some advice and was told the same thing, it's out of their hands. he then proceeded to give me some completely unrelated advice but he mentioned a word i could pick up on to make him feel he'd actually helped me and got out of there. Looks like I may have to go it alone.

[389shell]

Lol, looks like I was teaching you to suck eggs.

 

We ended up firing off a letter to the jobcentre manager after one advisor told my hubby that in order for him to get a job I would either have to quit my lowly part time job or get a childminder for half an hour (my wage was quite good at the time with plenty of prospects), they though asking for a 5pm finish time was unreasonable as I started work at 6pm (engineering industry - still works in the dark ages anyway, 5pm is not unreasonable, he works these hours now in employment), this was on his first visit, it was the unhelpfulness that prompted him to set up a business of his own.

 

Sounds like a massive business you are planning to building up, once more good luck, I wish you success.

Edited April 21, 2010 by 389shell
bit more info

[teaboy2]

Actually yes, twitter is a part of the plan.. only it will be us giving out the advice and people hopefully picking up on our keywords. Or more specifically, my keywords. Although a friend of mine is currently in SEO training and is a professional web designer, not cheap so we have the internet pretty much covered from every angle... right down to server operation if needed. we also have a forum on the website and a social networking section all ready to go. the idea of course to build a community of loyal customers who we will pay back with discounts, competitions etc. Plus there will always be an expert on hand to discuss any problems they may be having, even personal ones, if it comes to it. Another area i forgot to mention is charity. I'd like to give something like 5% of profits to a charity organisation concerned with rejuvenating african farmland. I may set this charity up myself to be sure all the money goes where it's supposed to. Not necessarily African, but any country suffering the 3rd world civilisation. This could help with sales, but genuinely will help people in the 3rd world.

 

although i see i've missed your point... lol. You mean advice for getting the business off the ground. I see that now. Yeah, that's a consideration too.

 

I'm not quite alone, but I am in regards to being the person who has to run everything. I've got help, just not of the monetary type.

 

I had to sign on again yesterday, i hate walking into that place (any jobcentre i must add would make me feel the same way, 'that place' is a generalisation). I again asked the advisor for some advice and was told the same thing, it's out of their hands. he then proceeded to give me some completely unrelated advice but he mentioned a word i could pick up on to make him feel he'd actually helped me and got out of there. Looks like I may have to go it alone.

 

Lol i had to laugh reading that after you got through all that typing to realise that you had completely missed his point.

 

I have seen your other post above aswell but i dont have time to reply in full to it now, got to get ready for an early start in the morning, So in the mean time, if theres anything else your not to sure about just ask away, and ill respond in full in the morning.

 

Oh and your not alone, ill be more then happy to help you all the way.

 

And 389shell - Thanks for the compliment.

[teaboy2]

Lol, looks like I was teaching you to suck eggs.

 

We ended up firing off a letter to the jobcentre manager after one advisor told my hubby that in order for him to get a job I would either have to quit my lowly part time job or get a childminder for half an hour (my wage was quite good at the time with plenty of prospects), they though asking for a 5pm finish time was unreasonable as I started work at 6pm (engineering industry - still works in the dark ages anyway, 5pm is not unreasonable, he works these hours now in employment), this was on his first visit, it was the unhelpfulness that prompted him to set up a business of his own.

 

Sounds like a massive business you are planning to building up, once more good luck, I wish you success.

 

They clearly dont know about rights to flexible working time then do they! the muppets! Half of them are no more qaulified then the rest of us.

 

Your husband should have turned round and said "in order for me to get a job why don't idiot jobcentre workers like you quit, so decent mature and intelligent people like me can have you job instead" lol

 

Would have loved to see the jobcentre workers face if your husband had turned round and said that lol.