Reviews (3)

Worth Every Penny!!!
My spouse and I have been trying to determine if we need long term care and, if so, which options were most important. After reading a number of (more expensive) books and articles, we finally found this book. Very hulpful!!!
My wife and I have been researching long term care insurance for several months. This book was the first to fully explain the things that we needed to know...and it was an easy read with little use of insurance jargon.

Note: From the Author
Purchasing a Long Term Care policy is an expensive, usually lifelong, decision. Once they purchase coverage, very few individuals allow it to lapse or replace it with a newer policy. The consumer's relationship with the insurer may span 20, 30, or even 40 years. Some of these years will be as a healthy premium payer, while others may be as a beneficiary. Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Consumer Guides    3. Insurance - Health    4. Insurance premiums    5. Insurance, Long-term care    6. United States    7. Insurance   

Editorial Review

Why are people shopping, and buying, the way they do? Read more

Reviews (7)

A Must Read for Anyone in Consumer Marketing
Too many "business" books are heavy on war stories, light on principles or organizing theory. They are fun to read, but light on "so what?" Lewis and Bridger meld theory and observations from their consulting practice to offer an actionable framework for understanding the forces driving consumer preferences. Soul.. Is A Strong Word..
Enjoyed this, also enjoyed "E-Customer" and "Why They Don't Buy" by Max Mckeown. ... Fascinating & full of interesting facts
This book was a really fascinating insight into why we buy things in the age of the Internet. It answers questions like: what do people really look for when making a buying decsion? What methods of selling work best with today's sophisticated consumers? and: Does market segmentation REALLY work? The photos weren't all that great, but otherwise its a pretty excellent book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Advertising & Promotion    3. Brand name products    4. Business & Economics    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. Business/Economics    7. Consumer behavior    8. Consumers    9. History    10. Marketing - General    11. Marketing - Research    12. Consumer issues    13. Economics    14. Sales & marketing management   

Reviews (7)

Incredibly useful and concise
I have been a buyer on ebay for a couple of years and would like to get started selling.Due to a combination of procrastination and lack of confidence I have not yet taken the leap.Well, now I have the confidence to try.All of my lingering questions were answered by this book.It doesn't walk you through getting started, that would be a waste since that info is available from so many other sources.But it does address things like determining when to start and finish an auction, how long to set the auction for, when to use Buy it Now or set reserve prices, etc.
Excellent Resource
My veiw is, you can never read enough books on the subject of eBay.There is always something new you can learn from any book on the subject.I am still an "amateur" but, things are looking good for an amateur...please critique me if you wish:
Clearly one of the better eBay books.
In attempting to get started on eBay as a seller, I read about 10 books.Most covered the same ground, in pretty much the same way.I appreciated Mr.Busch's approach and believe I got more out of this one book than the others that I read up till then.This book is very good. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Bks - Internet    3. Computer Books: Internet General    4. Computers    5. Internet - Web Site Directories    6. Internet auctions    7. eBay (Firm)    8. Computers / Internet / Web Site Directories    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Reviews (8)

Great Educational Resource!
I bought this book for our store reference.My staff became hooked, the information is solid and written in a way that reads like a book built for leisure. One critique;There could be more pictures in her book, although a cliche - a picture is worth a thousand (descriptive) words.I will buy more books from Ms Matlins, she has established herself as THE DEFINITIVE WRITER for gems and pearls.Thanks for the great reading material.Veronica, Ali'i Jewelry - Hawaii

Another Winner by Matlins!
If you love pearls--or just want to learn more about them--this is the #1 book to buy. I have Matlins 'Jewelry & Gems: The Buying Guide' which is very well worn from use, so I decided to start learning more about pearls with this book.
Fascinating! The Best I've Ever Read on Pearls.
This book covers everything anyone needs to know about pearls. It's filled with information that helped me finally realize what's important in selecting nice pearls, and why some are so much more expensive than others.I was so confused about them after talking to different jewelers that Iwasn't sure what to buy (and they are too expensive to make a mistake).This book was a godsend. And I love the pearls I finally bought...and knowthey will stay beautiful! Also, I never knew there were CULTURED abalonepearls, but I plan to look for them for my next treat to myself! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Jewelry    5. Pearls    6. Purchasing    7. Reference - General    8. Reference - Price Guides    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (2)

Black Powder Compendium
The author (S. Fadala) is a recognized expert in the area of black powder shooting sports. The manual is well planned, referenced and provides a progressive experience in the use and feeding of black powder firearms. All areas of loading and shooting are represented in the manual. However, as might be expected, emphasis is placed on the rifle and pistol loads. Unfortunately, this does not carry over to the muzzle loading shotgun(s). This is an area that requires further work and shooters in this discipline might feel slighted.

blackpowder Bible
Fadela has done it again. This seminal work, now in its third edition is updated and better than ever. Anyone, who uses a blackpowder rifle , pistol or shotgun should be equipped with this due to its sheer range of information.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Consumer Guides    3. Firearms & Weapons    4. Firearms And Gunsmithing    5. Handbooks & Manuals    6. Metallurgy    7. Reference - Price Guides    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Small firearms, guns & other equipment   

Subjects:  1. Catalogs    2. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    3. Consumer Buying Guides    4. Consumer Guides    5. Consumer education    6. Luxuries    7. Reference    8. Shopping    9. Reference / General   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Behavior - General    5. Consumer Economics (General)    6. Consumer education    7. Economics - General    8. Finance, Personal    9. Investments & Securities - General    10. Personal Finance - General    11. Consumer guides & advice    12. Macroeconomics   

Reviews (1)

She Gets It
As someone who has been in retail for 20 years, I get tired of authors showing businesses manipulating, deceiving and hoodwinking the public to create demand.The reality is far more complex and what most businesses really do is spend enormous energy trying to figure out what consumers want so they can give it to them.Blaszczyk understands this.The book is series of case studies in the glass and ceramics industries that show the intersections between R&D and marketing, retailers and manufacturers, and creative types and middle managers, all of which is dedicated to trying to figure out what consumers want in an endless feedback loop.While the focus of the book is on the 19th and early 20th centuries, the examination of the process of innovation is timeless. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Advertising & Promotion    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Industries - General    6. United States - General    7. Consumer issues    8. Cultural studies    9. Economic history    10. Manufacturing industries    11. Retail sector    12. USA   

Reviews (23)

Cool, very cool book....
Loved the tips on sniping...although, many buyers can't stand people who do that.I won a t.v./dvd combo for $30. no shipping because it is in my area and I can pick it up.Also, another tv/dvd/vcr combo toshiba 24", that I sniped for $197.I paid no shipping because this one I was close enough to pick up, too.I saw this last tv set for over $300 buck in BestBuy...is that a deal or what.I love eBay.And I know for a fact those other tv's are worth way over $30 bucks, as well.I already have people in my local area who agreed to pay me $85 dollars for it and I haven't even picked it up, yet.$55 dollar profit without doing much...not bad.I love sniping...it's fun!
Good for volume sellers
One of my favorite activities in my spare time is buying and selling on eBay.It has quickly become the world's largest virtual mall of just about everything you can possibly think of.When I received this book I was eager to learn some of the "tricks of the trade" and found a lot of useful material, albeit some of it is geared towards power sellers and not the average user.
One of the best eBay books
This book is great. It contains a wealth of information that is not found in other books. It is probably not the best book to read first if you are just starting out, because it can make eBay seem a bit overwhelming. This book is worth buying.
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Subjects:  1. Auctions    2. Business & Economics    3. Computer - Internet    4. Computer Books: Internet General    5. Electronic Commerce    6. General    7. Internet - General    8. Internet auctions    9. Internet resources    10. eBay (Firm)    11. Consumer guides & advice    12. World Wide Web (WWW)   

Reviews (1)

This is the New York guide I've been looking for.
This is a great guide for finding GREAT stuff.It contains some standard information about sample sales, Opera tickets and hair salons.What sets this book apart is the information about finding and furnishing an apartment.The fabric and furniture suggestions are the best I've found in any shopping guide, plus these places do indeed exist AND so do the prices. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Guidebooks    3. New York (N.Y.)    4. New York Region    5. Shopping    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    9. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    10. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)   

Subjects:  1. Consumer    2. Consumer Protection    3. Law    4. Law and legislation    5. Legal Reference / Law Profession    6. Regulation Of Industry    7. Taxation    8. United States    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. Financial, taxation, commercial, industrial law    11. Social issues   

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Catalogs    3. Consumer Guides    4. Prices    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Trawlers (Vessels)    8. United States    9. Yachts    10. Consumer guides & advice    11. Motor / power boating & cruising    12. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (6)

Great Book!
Even though this book was published in 1996, the information is very up to date and very helpful. It provides a realistic look at grad school.

Very Useful for Those Contemplating and Pursuing Grad Study
The Spanish have a colorful saying, `Antes de te cases, mira lo que haces', which literally means- before getting married, look at what you are doing.Figuratively speaking, this expression is a Latin version of our own cautionary admonition- look before you leap. Helped a great deal
I got this book when I was a senior in college and thinking about grad school. I didn't know what to expect and the book offered a great overview. I really liked the quotes from other grad students, too. I would definitelyrecommend this book to anyone who's trying to make a decision about gradschool and wants the inside track. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. College Guides    2. College Life    3. General    4. Graduate Departments And Schools    5. Graduate School Guides - General    6. Graduate students    7. Graduate work    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Higher    10. Reference    11. Students & Student Life    12. Study Aids    13. Study Methods For College Students    14. Study skills    15. Test Prep    16. United States    17. Universities and colleges    18. Advice on education    19. Consumer guides & advice   

Reviews (24)

Well-written, clear, and easy to read!
I liked the way Newman clearly explained ideas that a few of the diamond sales people I encountered were unable to explain.This book has lots of information that I didn't find elsewhere. The jewelry store owner I finally bought my diamond from actually uses certain chapters in this book to train his staff!! Excellent book.

Abook that rocks for diamond ring buyers!
I personally found this book well written and informative. Every chapter covers the basics and gave me enough confidence to make a decision while understanding what our jeweler was talking about. The content is quite easy to grasp and the pictures are enjoyable. This book actually helped me to select an appropriate setting for my anniversary ring, see chapter 12: V-tips for marquise stones. I also found the chapter on clarity & trasparency very clear and to the point. The writer is indeed experienced and knows how to explain this diamond subject to us! After reading this one, I also bought the Diamond Handbook by Newman to acquire more knowledge. Anyone shopping for a diamond ring should get this book before your next trip to your jewelry store, it's flawless!

Pretty Pictures
If a picture is worth a thousand words then there are more than enough pictures to make this book worth borrowing. However the prestine touched up photographs serve no purpose in the real world when shopping for a diamond.It is unlikely you will ever see a diamond presented to you with the kind of studio lighting needed to make the photographs in the book worth while. I have been in the diamond world for my whole adult life and believe the worst thing you can do to a customer is give him a false sense of confidence. The book fails to mention the severe diamond shortages of 2005, the GIA bribery scandle and the latest consumer scams like annealing. The purpose of any "how to Book" is to give all the facts a customer needs to know to make an intelligent decision. This one falls so short your almost better off just winging it or buying from an on line consolidator.There are other "How to Buy a Diamond" books that don't cut corners and tell it like it really is.Only borrow this one if you like to look at pictures and don't read the articles. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Diamonds    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. Purchasing    5. Rings    6. Rocks & Minerals    7. Consumer guides & advice    8. Jewellery & jewellery-making    9. Reference    10. Consumer Guides    11. Antiques & Collectibles    12. Jewelry   

Reviews (1)

An excellent starting point to understanding your phone system...
So where was this book when I started working for Enron Broadband???I could have used it...Telecom For Dummies by Stephen P. Olejniczak.
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Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Telecommunications    7. Postal & telecommunications industries    8. Technology / Telecommunications   

Reviews (8)

A portal to another time
This book is utterly fascinating for those who hold any sort of interest in bygone times. While not a step-by-step guide, it inadvertantly thrusts the reader into the role of a home owner of limited means in the late 1800s. You find yourself shopping, suckered in by the richly worded item desciptions and enticed by the promises of "best on the market," "guaranteed for a lifetime," and "will cure all diseases of the nervous system."
19th century gem
It is truly a window into the era of Queen Victoria and rural american life.

Good Book
A nice reproduction of the original catalog. Very handy as a reference work for identification of old tools ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americana    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Bibliographies & Indexes    4. Catalogs    5. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Manufactures    8. Reference - General    9. Sears, Roebuck and Company    10. Antiques & Collectables    11. Bibliographies, catalogues, discographies    12. Consumer guides & advice    13. Social history    14. USA    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Editorial Review

Every industry has its lemons and, in the software industry, lemons can cause big problems for you if you are unfortunate enough to install them. Read more

Reviews (5)

good book for failures
can you send this book formy testing purpose pleasesend me the details if possiable. or it is available to buy from mumbai-Thane ( india) i am interesting to buy this book asap. good book for failures
can you send this book formy testing purpose pleasesend me the details if possiable. or it is available to buy from mumbai-Thane ( india) i am interesting to buy this book asap. A good basis for understanding what to do about bad software
This book talks about the common experience of buying and trying to use software which has defects or does not meet our needs. It sets out what you can do about this and what you should rightfully expect (and what not). Asa practitioner myself I see such a book as important not only for theconsumer but also for everyone who produces software.Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computers    3. Computers - General Information    4. Consumer Protection    5. Information Management    6. Information Technology    7. Internet - General    8. Programming - Software Development    9. Programming Languages - General    10. Software Quality Control    11. Software failures    12. Computer Programming    13. Computer Software Packages    14. Consumer guides & advice    15. Systems management   

Reviews (2)

Before you go to a restaurant . . .
"The Ethnic Food Lover's Companion" is a great book if you like to go out to "ethnic" restaurants.("Ethnic", i.e., "foreign food" restaurants).In easy-to-read chapters it gives you information about culture, gastronomy, and history for most of the world's great cuisines: Europe (France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Russia, etc.); Africa (North Africa, Ethiopia, West Africa); Middle East; Greece and Turkey; India; Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.) Asia (China, Japan, Korea); Americas (Mexico, Caribbean, Brazil, Peru, etc.).There are descriptions of typical flavorings, cooking methods, and dishes.Highly interesting and recommended.

Intelligent, witty and entertaining!
This book is a must-have for any lover of ethnic cuisine as well as all the "foodies" that enjoy the inside scoop on the American dining scene. Eve Zibart provides bacground, cultural tips, recipes, and recommended dishes from ethnic cuisine from around the world. Her writing style is intelligent yet witty and always accessible. The practical tips alone are worth the price of the book. How do you use chopsticks? How do you eat Ethiopian food? This book is a delight from cover to cover and a valuable addition to any food lovers library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Cookery, International    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Food    5. History    6. Reference    7. Regional & Ethnic - International    8. Cooking / Ethnic   

Reviews (1)

great book!a little vauge at points
This was a great book that describes the good and BAD point of buying a horse which opened my eyes and told me i need to think harder about buying a horse before i purchase one.Great book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buying    2. Horses    3. Horses - General    4. Pets    5. House & Home / General   

Subjects:  1. Comparative    2. Consumer    3. Consumer credit    4. Consumer protection    5. International - General    6. Law    7. Law and legislation    8. Legal Reference / Law Profession    9. Product safety    10. Comparative law    11. Consumer issues    12. Consumer law