Bending the Rules

When it comes to business, many people will do anything for a sale. 

Stay at home moms that want to be able to be at home with their children often will begin a home based business in today's world of party planners and online shopping. Most cloth diaper retailers are parents like myself. I chose to start a business because I'm passionate about my products and I love meeting new people and helping others choose a greener lifestyle. 

I have learned a lot in the past 6 months of owning Bum Luxury. First, it's not nearly as simple as one might think to have an online store. Second, I can't be everything to everyone. I have a lot of work to do to make my way to the top so I need to focus on what's important to me. Is it the cheapest price, best customer service, largest selection, etc.? To me, customer service is the most important. Like I've said in the past, I'm a cheapskate, but I would rather pay for great service than get a deal from someone who knows nothing about the product or could care less about me as a customer. 

Also, in the world of retail, there are MSRPs: Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. I have to sign a contract that says I will maintain MSRP and can only have sales at a maximum percentage off. Advertised sales must also be approved by the manufacturer. I can always mark the product up, but to keep the product at a fair market value, retailers are all on the same page. 

In the last six months, I've only come across three people that are obviously marking products below MSRP to gain a sale. Not too bad when you consider how many people sell cloth diapers. The first time, I nicely emailed the girl and let her know that she was breaking the manufacturer's contract. This was on Facebook and she decided to block me. That didn't go so well. So, with the advice of more seasoned retailers, the next time I saw this happening, I just contacted the manufacturer. I received an email back that the situation had been taken care of. The girl was warned-maybe it was an honest mistake. 

I have mentioned before that I'm a part of some great swapping groups for cloth diapers on Facebook. There's a girl in my favorite group that constantly marks products under MSRP and sells them openly at her prices to the over 1000 members. I do not share any products with her, so I am not familiar with her contracts. Apparently, other people were aware and reported her. Those manufacturers decided to cut her as a retailer-she broke her contract. 

WOW! The retaliation began. Everyone couldn't believe someone would report her to the companies for marking her products a few dollars lower than she was allowed. It didn't matter that she signed a contract, that she was potentially taking business from honest retailers that support their families with the business, or that she was sharing information about the wholesale pricing with non retailers. People actually said it's okay to 'bend' the rules.

Of course I spoke up. I explained why MSRPs are set and that as a retailer, she had to sign a contract, blah blah blah. I stated the facts and got booted. Kicked to the curb. I'm swimming with the fishes. 

My feelings were hurt at first, but I am so glad that I have the guts and courage to speak my mind when I know people are being dishonest. I would rather keep my values and know I did the right thing, than sit on the sidelines and watch the drama unfold and pretend these people are right. 

I believe everything happens for a reason and hopefully I will have more time to blog now that I won't be on my favorite swap group. Oh, and karma is a B. 

 

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Yuck! I can't believe I did that.

Last night we got home from our mini San Diego vaca at around 11pm. Not too late, but it was an exhausting, constantly on the go kind of trip. I changed Baby J, got her some water, went to the restroom and put her to bed. She went down well and Lee and I did, too. 

This morning, Baby J wakes up in a happy mood, which was a bit of a surprise since her schedule has been so off lately. We go about our normal routine: change, snuggle and read some mail, play with toys-(or really items that she shouldn't play with-my cell phone, the on/off button on the TV-but she does because it's early and I'm tired,) eat some breakfast, you know-the whole bit. We are both happy to be at home.

Baby J comes to me after playing with Dad for a few and I change her diaper. It smells like ammonia and I'm thinking to myself, "Why does this diaper smell? Crap, if I have to figure out a new washing routine..." Then I fix her up and put her to sleep for a morning nap. I was amazed she went down well. Again, she's been off and I just haven't been able to figure out her new nap schedule. Yay! I can't get some things done on the computer!

Then I went to put her diaper in the pail. Hmmm...that's odd, it has a doubler in it. I don't remember putting a doubler in it this morning...OH NO!! Gross!! That diaper was dirty when I put it on her. It was the diaper I took off of her last night. Oh yuck yuck yuck! My poor Baby J. :( Not getting the mom of the year award any time soon.

That's my epic fail for the day. What's yours?

Many uses for Microfiber

So you've decided to upgrade your diaper inserts to hemp or bamboo and you aren't sure what to do with all of the extra microfiber you have lying around your house. You could sell it at a discounted rate to other cloth diaperers looking for a deal or you could keep it and use it in a new way. 

I personally have a ton of microfiber inserts. I remember when I first started cloth diapering, my husband, Lee would try to take my inserts to use on his toys in the garage. He would feel them and say how nice they were and when Baby J is potty trained, he would be taking them all for personal use. I, of course, just roll my eyes. 

First, you can buy microfiber for that kind of stuff fairly inexpensively at Costco. Yes, they aren't nearly as plush and nice, but they work for the job. Second, he's not going to mess up and dirty my nice, white microfiber inserts. That's for Baby J to do!

In the last few months, Baby J has decided she likes to be naked and go streaking through the house. More times than not, she decided to freely urinate somewhere along the way. We have a ton of tile, so I've been fortunate for easy clean-ups. The best way to clean this is her extra inserts. That microfiber soaks it right up. Unlike the ShamWow.

Side note: it doesn't work. I saw this awesome demonstration once and the guy spilled an entire soda and up it went into that cool cloth. When I got home, I wanted to show Lee how cool it was (because, yes, I bought it) and proceeded to spill an entire drink on the counter. Needless to say, it didn't go as planned and the only thing I use those Sham Wow things for now is to dry Chloe, our pup, after a bath.

Now, to be honest, there has been a few occasions where Baby J has peed on the carpet. Microfiber nicely pulls it all out and no one would ever know a kid once went to the bathroom there. It's dry right after! 

Recently, I decided it was time to really clean the floors. Our tile really shows every little spot of dirt, so I knew it was needed. I have the Hoover Floor Cleaner and loved it on my old tile, but here at the new house, the tile stays wet longer and with a toddler running around, it's a bad combination. 

I decided to use microfiber inserts and skate around on them to dry the floor. Not only did they dry it quickly and show me how dirty it still was, but I got a great thigh workout! It's my go to way to clean spills now. You might think I'm kidding, but I'm not. It's too hot to get real exercise right now!

Cleaning with microfiber is great because you don't need to use chemicals-the microfiber attracts all the dust and grit. Have you seen the commercial for the new Libman Freedom Mop? It uses reusable microfiber and allows you to add your own cleaning concoction. Sounds like people are catching on.

Microfiber is also used to make clothing, bedding, glass cleaner towels and more. You might be amazed to find how much microfiber you have around your home!

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Walking the Line (with the HOA)

I've always wanted a pool. I was born a fish-I am a Pisces after all-and I love to swim. As soon as March comes around, I want to be able to get in a big puddle of water and just float around. I know March seems a little early to some, but I do live in Phoenix and even if it's cold, I just can't help myself. The water calls my name. Kinda like chocolate does... 

My absolute most favorite thing about our new house is the pool. Finally! I have my own personal place to swim around. Now that's luxury! However, like most things in life, it does have a downside. When you don't have a clothesline and it's monsoon season in the desert, diapers, wipes and liners just seem to find their way into my swimming area.

A Blueberry pail liner I found floating in the pool a few mornings ago.

This poses two threats: 1. An item could clog the pool filter and really mess things up for me and 2. The chlorine in the pool has the potential to ruin the PUL in my pocket diapers. Conclusion: I need a clothesline. Again, there is an obstacle I have to overcome: our HOA. It clearly states that clotheslines are not allowed. However, even though I'm a goody goody for the most part, I feel that this rule can be bent a bit and it needs to be! So, I bought a retractable clothesline. 

This is how I have always had to dry my diapers.

And the table works great, too.

My husband installed it the other day, and I was really ready to use it-I already had clean diapers that needed to be dried, unfortunately, I didn't have any clothespins, so out on the lawn furniture they went. 

When it's not in use, I can fold it against the wall. The HOA can't hate on this, right?

When I'm ready to use it, I just turn the line holder out.

Then I pull out the line and attach it to the hook on the other end of the patio.

I was able to get to the store that day and get my clothespins. I had also bought groceries and happened to bring home some delicious gyros for dinner. On the way home, Lee, my husband observed the clouds over the mountains and I wished for a storm to come-a good TX style storm with thunder, lightning and some heavy rain. He laughed at me and said that will never happen. I shrugged, knowing he was probably right. 

When we are home and sitting down to eat, I notice the wind has really started to pick up. From my seat at the table, I looked towards the front of the house and it looked liked another haboob was coming our way. Lee and I decided to go take a look out back. Holy smokes-the wind was crazy and all of a sudden the hail starts coming down. Wow! I got my wish. Then I notice my poor diapers getting blown around and hailed on. I say, "Oh no! My diapers!" and Lee says, "Screw your diapers! The Jeep!" as he runs out to the garage.

Oh. Our new car that hasn't been parked in the garage yet because it's been overtaken by Lee's toys is getting hailed on. Crap. 

Well, ten minutes later, the Jeep is in the garage and the storm is over. We finish eating our dinner and then go out back to assess the damage. My diapers are everywhere. There's a lawn chair in the pool and the floaties are missing. We find one on the side of the house and another is in the neighbors backyard. I still haven't headed over there to ask for it. You'd think they might just toss it back over...

As I collect my diapers to be washed again, I am just excited that I will finally get to hang them on my own line and look at the cute cloth drying in the sun!

The next morning.

The grill moved about 10 feet closer to the lawn furniture during the storm.

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Meet Me on Monday Week 14

Meet Me on Monday Week 14

Blogging is a funny thing...we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, "who is this person!?" I know them...but yet I don't know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to "meet" each other! 

Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!! Java will add a linky so we can follow who participates and get to know them better!! Be sure to link the POST and not just your whole blog!! 

Questions:

1.  What are you wearing right now?

Well, since it's late at night I'm only wearing a shirt and some panties. :) Oh, and my glasses. If I only could have a glass of wine...

(I'll let you use your imaginations on this photo...)

2.  Do you have any freckles?

Yes, on my shoulders from the sun.

This is not my shoulder, but it's similar enough.

3.  What is your favorite Lifesaver flavor?

I haven't had a life saver in years! I used to love them. I have no idea what the flavors are, but I would go with red.

Now I wish I had some...

4.  What is the last movie you saw in the theater?

Fast Five. Yes, it's been awhile since I've been to a movie. I wouldn't have normally seen that in a theater-I would have waited until it came out on video, but I had a babysitter and I wanted some popcorn!

Best theater popcorn! Plus, if you buy a $25 gift card, you get a free medium popcorn coupon. Then use your giftcard to pay for your movie and drinks. We just reload our giftcard each time and therefor save $5. Oh, and Harkins has the Loyalty Cups-only $1 refill! That's my way to save! :)

5.  Would you rather live without TV or without music?

TV without a doubt! I love music! My life is a song that hasn't been written yet. :)

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