Reviews (13)

informative and valuable!
This book - if I ever have the time to USE it - will be a VERY VALUABLE item in my library!

How to Sell Anything on eBay...and Make a Fortune
It wasn't the best out there, but there was some ok tips in there.
more of a guide on how to sell on ebay, no great insight on how to make a business out of it
If you're looking for a guide that explains the basics of selling items around the house on ebay, this will do fine for you.However, if you're interested in starting a profitable ebay business, you won't find any great information in this guide.The market price for many items on ebay is extremely low, so in order to turn any sort of a profit you'd need a way to purchase items far below retail, and even below some wholesale prices.In order to make much money on ebay, you'll need to find some pretty good supplier connections - and this book gives you no insightful information on how to do so.The title of the book would be more appropriate if they left off the "and make a fortune" part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. E-Commerce - Internet Marketing    5. Electronic Commerce    6. Internet auctions    7. Sales    8. Sales & Selling - General    9. eBay (Firm)    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Consumer guides & advice    12. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Food Industry Services    3. Restaurants    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    8. United States - South Atlantic - D.C.    9. United States - South Atlantic - Maryland   

Subjects:  1. Capsule Recordings Reviews    2. Consumer Guides    3. Genres & Styles - Jazz    4. Jazz    5. Music    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Reference    8. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    9. Music / Jazz   

Reviews (4)

The Neanderthal speaks
I am very flattered to be the Neanderthal she cites in her introduction so I have my bias. I have been reading her columns since they began. She taught me not be afraid to try new wines and to find wines that I like, which is the point of drinking wine. But she keeps my interest - week after week and through two books - with her incredibly witty, funny and instructive style. She's that teacher you had whose class you looked forward to because she made it fun and interesting. Her irreverence for wine snobbery equals her reverence for the wine. Her latest book has all the wit and wisdom in a very organized flow from front to back. You'll learn, but most importantly, you'll leave her pages unafraid of wine. I highly recommend the book and the column.

Chotzi, why aren't you 5 stars or 100 points, whichever comes first?
Another very funny, and knowledgeable, book on wine in a very crowded field of far too many mediocre wine books, mostly cluttered with cutsy girlie books on what is a wine, etc., and isn't a rosé cute, ad nauseum. Ol' Jen here, or rather in snowy Colorado, really knows her grapes and the wine made from them, and isn't modest about describing just what's what. Way to go, Jennifer. Keep up the good work (ethic) and flamboyant language. Some of us appreciate a well-turned phrase as much as a well-turned ankle.
A Must Have for Wine Lovers both Novices and Experts

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Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Consumer Guides    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. Humor    6. Wine And Wine-Making    7. Wine Buying Guides    8. Wine and wine making    9. Wine tasting    10. Cooking / Wine & Spirits   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Consumer Behavior - General    3. Consumer behavior    4. Consumers    5. Consumption (Economics)    6. Psychology    7. Social Psychology    8. Social aspects    9. Statistics    10. Consumer issues    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology    12. Sales & marketing    13. Social, group or collective psychology   

Reviews (8)

Very nicely written - but needs an update
This book is a bit dated. But since I am really a dummy in this area, it has been good to bone up my knowledge, as I gear up to buy and build up a audio home theater - I skipped most of the stuff on the video chapters as I don't plan a movie theater at home.
Must read for newbie
Three months ago, my wife suggested that we upgrade our 15 year old TV to a "home entertainment center".So off we go to the local store to look at options.Spoke to a couple of salesmen who were worse than useless.In frustration, I bought this book.After a quick and pleasant read, I felt that I had a reasonable understanding of the options one has when setting up a "home entertainment center."We now have a v-e-r-y nice component system that is a breeze to use.
Great for novices
Wish I'd bought this when I first started researching home theaters.I was a novice, having purchased only a couple of 27" analog sets in the past 15 years.Rather than starting with a book like this, I researched mine the time consuming way:talking to knowledgable friends; wasting time with sales droids at electronic stores, reading home theater magazines.About two months later things reached critical mass and I could finally make an informed decision.Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Electronics - General    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Stereo & Audio Equipment    5. Technology    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Technology / Electronics / General    8. Television technology   

Reviews (3)

Helpful Book
I found this book very helpful in helping me locate wholesale providers in software and games.Buying games at a discount or wholesale is an excellent way for me to test out games.If you expect to get a wholesale book that divulge valuable information on buying things that are of limited quality to the public for wholesale, then expect to pay thousands of dollars for a list provided by a consulting company or better yet, just cross your fingers, and hope for luck.This book is not about miracles, but it is a book offering a directory on companies who provide more common things that can be purchased wholesale or at a large discount.In that sense, if you are looking for that, get this book. I personally was happy enough with what I found in this book to give it a 5.

Excellent Source
Just the portion on buying wholesale games and electronics is worth the price of this book.You would not be able to find some of these sources on the internet.I've tried before and that's why I got the book.An excellent source.

Make Buying Wholesale Easier
Some good advice about buying things at wholesale that every budget-conscious consumer and small business can use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    3. Consumer Guides    4. Personal Finance - General    5. Reference    6. Reference / Consumer Guides    7. Shopping    8. Wholesale trade   

Reviews (1)

Fighting Back
We've all been there. You've got a gripe against some company. It doesn't matter if they'rebig or small, you can't get satisfaction. And that's because everything has changed. They don't care about you. It's cheaper for them to blow you off and find a new customer than to treat you right. If you think the old adage about the 'customer always is right' is correct, think again. That's why Ron Burley's new book may be for you. Burley uses anecdotes and offers some savvy techniques to get you what you deserve. This isn't heavy reading for a long wintry night, but if you are tired of battling call centers in India or voice activated phone jail, UNSCREWED will help. It is what the smart consumer needs - tips on how to do battle. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Commerce    5. Consumer Guides    6. Consumer Protection    7. Customer Service    8. Finance    9. Fraud    10. Public Finance (General)    11. United States    12. Consumer issues    13. Reference works   

Reviews (5)

Excellent Resource!
Mr. Steuer has taken a complex topic and demystified it for the consumer and professional advisor alike.He covers all the bases in an unbiased review of life insurance and how we can benefit from it.
Good Material for the Novice Consumeror Experienced Adviser
An excellent tool for both the novice and "experienced" advisor. As one of the very few California Life and Disability Insurance Analysts, he is well qualified to write on the subject and the material reflects that competency.

Life Insurance- Useful for the consumer and practitioner
This is quite a useful reference both for the financial services professional and for the layperson with specific questions about life insurance. The question and answer format, user-friendly table of contents and reference tables make it easy to find the answers you are seeking. The writing is clear and easily understood. Life insurance industry jargon is explained in plain English.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Consumer Guides    3. Insurance - Life    4. Personal & Practical Guides    5. Reference    6. Insurance    7. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides   

Reviews (10)

Not your grandfathers NADAblue book
This book is great not just prices but a ton of knowledge that is extremely helpful... What to watch for and how to verify it... There are always those that try to get a little more than they deserve in any business... After reading this books hints and tips it is like you have twenty years experience in buying selling trading guitars... Many of my long time guitar experience friends are amazed when I come up with things that even they didn't know... Like serial codes that indentify what country their guitars were made... One of the biggest bang for the buck books I have bought in a long time...

Excellent Reference
I use this book as a reference in pricing. I have found it to be a very valuable tool for a starting point on pricing. Also, I have found it to be a very handy reference to locate model information without having to go to several sources. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in collecting or buying vintage guitars.

R is for Ripoff
Had to return this stinker fast.Very incomplete book for guitars alone, never mind their value (Which most are valued too low in here).Inexperienced author (not the guy on the cover), some kid.I could not believe how bad it was.Format is terrible, it's painful looking up a particular guitar.A Good book for this type of info is Vintage Guitar Price Guide.It is a four star book (still incomplete) - I've yet to see a five star on this subject.......?? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Handbooks & Manuals    3. Music/Songbooks    4. Musical Instruments - Guitar    5. Reference    6. String instruments   

Reviews (15)

Not buying a powerboat, but
I brought this book because I thought that I would be buying a powerboat. However after discussions with my wife I am now looking for a big yacht-a really major purchase!
New to Boating (A Year Ago)
I purchased this book a year ago at a point where I knew nothing about powerboats.Reflecting back... this was a really good book in that it explains everything you want to know (and don't want to know) about purchasing a powerboat.There are entire sections dedicated to helping you decide specifically what type of powerboat you may want as well as sections dealing with boat inspections, sea trials, and techniques for purchasing.
Quick Read, Fantastic Advice
This book is short and easy to read, but contains outstanding advice.It walks you through the process of figuring out what type of boat might work best for you, and then helps you locate and evaluate potential boats.The checklists were great - they helped us be very thorough in looking over boats, and helped us realize when we found a boat that was a great steal.In addition, the author walks you through the negotiating process and gave us tips that saved us hundreds of dollars.He deals with the emotions of the process, which was very helpful as well.We always negotiate on all our purchases, but some of the tips here were new to me and worked extremely well.I'd highly recommend this book to anyone thinking about buying a boat. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Consumer Guides    3. Motorboats    4. Power Boating    5. Purchasing    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Boating    10. Shipbuilding technology & engineering    11. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (14)

Great book to learn about car care.
Recently I attended a Saturday auto clinic that was held by a local repair shop. The technicians went over the basics of how to change a tire, inspect belts, check oil, and other general car care tips. At the end of the session I asked if they had any recommendations for a good book to continue learning about how to take care of my car. They suggested Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care, so I bought a copy. I like how this book sticks to the basic things that I need to know. It is definitely a good resource to have.

Well worth the money
I am a high school tech teacher. I purchased this book as a resource for my junior classes. I am very impressed with the time and effort that as been spent on this book. If you are just starting out and want to learn more about your car than I suggest this book, you will not be disappointed. Perfect for anyone curious about cars.
I bought this book with my 16-year-old daughter in mind. Since she used half of her own hard earned money to make her first car purchase she is interested in knowing how to maintain it properly. She started asking me questions and I didn't know all the answers, so I decided to buy Auto Upkeep: Basic Car Care. I didn't want a book so mechanically complex that she wouldn't read it, so I'm glad I found this book! The pictures and illustrations are excellent. The author of Auto Upkeep simplifies complex automotive systems in a way that keeps her attention and mine. My 14-year-old son has also begun reading it! Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Repair & Maintenance    2. Consumer Guides    3. Driver Education    4. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / Repair & Maintenance / General    7. Handbooks, manuals, etc    8. Insurance, Automobile    9. Personal & Practical Guides    10. Reference   

Reviews (4)

this book has helped me to make up my mind to move back to NY
This book has helped me to make up my mind to move back to NY--helped me understand the byzantine system, and highlights specific schools that I would never have heard or read about otherwise.
A good place to start
I agree with both previous reviewers. I am so glad this book exists because there are many wonderful public elementary schools in NYC. (My son's at one!) But this book does not always contain the very latest information, such as a change in principals. (Principals are very important.) Use this book as a starting point and then talk with as many parents, teachers as you can for the latest developments in the schools you're considering.

Not as in depth as I wanted
Not as in depth as I wanted, but I had high expectations.Good as a starting point only, tends to repeat "common knowledge." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Administration - General    2. Directories    3. Education    4. Education / Teaching    5. Elementary    6. Elementary schools    7. New York    8. New York (State)    9. Parent Participation    10. Public schools    11. Consumer guides & advice    12. Primary / junior schools   

Subjects:  1. Automobile Buying Guides    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Buyer's Guides    4. Consumer Guides    5. Prices    6. Transportation    7. Used cars    8. Transportation / Automotive / Buyer's Guides   

Reviews (6)

Save Yourself Alot of Money
Here's a great way to feel better about getting older.You can save alot of money with the tips in this book.Some you may already know about but there's bound to be many you haven't heard of before.I am a legal aid attorney and owner of an online medical supply and equipment business and would recommend this book to my clients and customers.Of course, with any book like this, information can quickly become outdated so calling first is a good idea.

Perfect for road trippers too!
If you are going on an extended road trip, this book is a "must have" on your list.Whether you are traveling by auto or RV, staying in campgrounds or motels, eating in or eating out, this book has something for you.It would make a great companion to the ultimate road trip planning book, "Live Your Road Trip Dream".

Unbelievable Good Deals and Great Adventures.........
A nice compilation of deals available to all seniors, most already known if you have asked before buying or planning. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Consumer Behavior - General    4. Consumer Education    5. Discounts for older people    6. Reference - Guides (General)    7. Special Interest - Senior    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Travel Guides    11. Consumer issues    12. Travel / Reference   

Reviews (1)

Interesting but probably poorly understood by executives
A bit repetitive at times, perhaps because the author didn't have permission to discuss a lot of different client projects. I came away thinking that observational research (which includes interactions with consumers - not just watching them) is a sophisticated research and planning activity that only the most advanced corporations (e.g., General Mills, Xerox, Hallmark, P&G, Toyota) understand and hire for (or maybe they use their own in-house experts, something that Abrams discourages). I would also expect that it takes a lot of training and experience for someone to do this without unintentionally influencing the study - although Abrams reinforces the point that this is subjective and qualitative - and that is part of it's value. Sure seems like if a observational researcher can do this well, they could discover things that could change an entire industry (like the Palm Pilot or the Chrysler Mini-Van). Overall, I found the book to be "okay," the method itself - potentially ground-breaking. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Behavior    5. Consumer Behavior - General    6. Marketing    7. Marketing - Research    8. United States    9. Business & Economics / Marketing / General    10. Consumer issues    11. Market research    12. Research methods: general   

Reviews (6)

An outdated reference guide
This book "covers" 103 substances and treatments for cancer.In that sense, it was "comprehensive" 12 years ago.However, it appears to be written primarily for the researcher, rather than for the cancer patient.All the references are to studies, almost all of which would be "gibberish" to the average cancer patient.
A Biased Viewpoint
Moss gives a good overview of many alternative treatments although the book is no longer current. My main criticism is that he is obviously biased in favor of alternative medicine. A search of the internet for information on the Gerson Diet, for instance, reveals a much more negative view of this treatment's effectiveness.

A Serious Effort To Discuss A Controversial Subject
Ralph Moss Presents us with a fairly serious discussion of various non-toxic cancer treatments. Each chapter is followed by a list of references.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative medicine    2. Alternative treatment    3. Cancer    4. Consumer Health    5. Diet / Health / Fitness    6. Diseases - Cancer    7. Health/Fitness    8. Popular works    9. Treatment    10. Consumer guides & advice    11. Medical / Oncology   

Reviews (7)

A superbly organized, authoritative, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow reference
Secrets Of The Gem Trade: The Connoisseurs Guide To Precious Gemstones by Richard W. Wise (Graduate Gemologist and President of R. W. Wise, Goldsmiths, Inc. with years of gemological study) is an impressive new reference for dedicated dealers and collectors of gems, gemstones, and other valued gemological items such as pearls. Introducing and descriptively exploring each and every gem covered in the easy-to-use reference, Secrets Of The Gem Trade contains an illustrated summary of each stone inclusive of its history and general information, hue and tone, saturation, which may be noticed as the finest, an understanding of the particular gems rarity, and the caution for synthetics and how to depict them, however dependant upon the stone there may be description of clarity, color fading, multi-color effect, etc. Secrets Of The Gem Trade is very highly recommended to anyone interested in gemology as a superbly organized, authoritative, comprehensive, and easy-to-follow reference.
Pleasant Surprise
This book doesn't contain the type of information I thought I wanted.But the more I read a section here & there searching for gem valuations, I discovered that this book is much better than a price guide (especially since I also bought "Jewelry & Gems The Buying Guide" by Matlins)- it's a history of colored gems, the regions in which they're mined, past & present, and a treasure trove of obscure yet relevant information, some of which I'm sure many jewellers are unaware.It's a lttle pricey but for someone with a genuine interest in gemstones, I think it's probably money well spent.

The book I was searching for.
In Secrets of the Gem Trade (The Connoisseur's Guide to Precious Gemstones) Richard Wise leads you through the swamps of the gem trade.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. General    4. Jewelry    5. Reference    6. Consumer guides & advice    7. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (26)

Back Dated Copy "The Third Edition " is available.
The Third edition has been out since 2004 so there isn't any need to still purchase the second edition unless you can get it cheaper!

High Quality Guide
Jarrett's Complete Guide to High-End Audio is a comprehensive treatment of the components of a high end system, delivered with humor and realism.He offers tips for putting together a system for several price ranges rather than simply the high cost system.Instead of discussing brand names the author provides a description of the qualities that make amplifiers, speakers, turntables and the like high-end, i.e. capable of delivering high quality sound.

Very informative book
If you are planning to purchase audio equipment
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Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Equipment and supplies    3. High-fidelity sound systems    4. Purchasing    5. Reference    6. Sound    7. Stereo & Audio Equipment    8. Stereophonic sound systems    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Consumer guides & advice    11. Music recording & reproduction    12. Reference / Consumer Guides   

Reviews (14)

Mis-leading title and expected more about scoring
This book doesn't follow through on analyzing the credit scoring process a the title suggests. It focuses mostly on court cases involving consumers and credit reporting companies instead of getting to the meat and potatoes of credit scoring. In short, it has some pretty enlightening information but not about credit scoring. I'd recommend Liz Weston's Your Credit Score and KE Varner's The Insider's Guide to Credit Repair for additional information.

Great
A great book with important and useful information!

Accurately simplifies a complex subject...
It is of little surprise here that reviewers trend towards either a 1 or 5 star extreme.This book assumes a sophisticated audience with deep interest in the subject matter - and for such readers, it provides sharp insight as to the nuances and reality of credit scoring, what a score means to consumers, and how scores and reports may be manipulated for better or worse by a variety of parties.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    4. Personal Finance    5. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    6. Personal Finance - General    7. Business & Economics / General    8. Credit & credit institutions    9. USA