05/01/2008 by admin.

First an overview:

Since we’re all now all supposed to be going green low energy saving light bulbs has popped up as one of the greatest bright ideas (no pun intended). They’re meant to be energy saving and money saving too! In essence, they use up to 80 per cent less electricity than a standard bulb, but produce the same amount of light. This is undoubtedly a phenomenon meaning you can be good to the environment as well as saving money.

Advances in technology mean that energy saving light bulbs is now available in a wide variety of fittings, shapes and sizes to suit all. They are fast becoming the norm and the recommended alternative to the outdated bulb.

Just recently the Environment Agency has called for more information to be made available on the health and environmental risks posed by low-energy light bulbs.

These bulbs actually contain a small amount of mercury (Mercury(IPA: /ˈmɜrkjʊri/), also called quicksilver, is a chemical element with the symbol Hg (Latinized Greek: hydrargyrum, meaning watery or liquid silver). Mercury is commonly used in thermometers, manometers, barometers, sphygmomanometers, float valves, and other scientific apparatus. There are in fact a few concerns about mercury’s toxicity have led to mercury thermometers and sphygmomanometers being largely phased out in clinical environments in favour of alcohol-filled, digital, or thermistor-based instruments.

The Environment Agency suggests more information is provided about the safe recycling of these products. It also wants clear and precise health warnings printed on all packaging and information exactly how to clear up smashed bulbs in our home.

There is, however, a toxicologist called Dr David Spurgeon that says “Because these light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury they could cause a problem if they are disposed of in a normal waste-bin. “

“It is possible that the mercury they contain could be released either into the air or from land-fill when they are released into the wider environment.”

“That’s a concern, because mercury is a well known toxic substance.”

Advice from the Department of the Environment states that if you accidentally smash a low-energy bulb in your home you’ve got to make sure that the room is vacated for at least 15 minutes, making sure not to vacuum any of the debris and taking care not to inhale the dust particles.

They basically instruct us to use rubber gloves when picking up the low energy bulb fragments and putting them into a sealed plastic bag, then taking it down to your local council for disposal.

A vacuum cleaner should not be used to clear up the debris, and care should be taken not to inhale the dust.

This is written by Joe Polanski Smith. If you’re interested in Environmentally Friendly Products for Sustainable Living check out Nigel’s Eco Store - eco stuff you’ll love or for more information check out

http://www.doeni.gov.uk/ni-ised_rohs_consultation_september_2007.pdf which is a consultation paper by the government.

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21/12/2007 by admin.

By using a free business plan template you can prepare the plan yourself and save your new company a lot of money. Although you can certainly hire a professional to prepare a business plan for your new business, consider this less expensive alternative.

One of the most intimidating aspects of starting any new business is developing a business plan.

A business plan is necessary for many reasons including management and finding the funding you need to get your venture off the ground.

There are many different free sample business plan templates online. It’s important to search for one that is reflective of the business you are starting. Obviously if you are launching a new craft business, a business plan template for a daycare business just wouldn’t work. You need a template that will work for you particular business focus.

If you are using a computer that runs on the Microsoft interface you’ll want a business plan template download that works in either MS Word or Excel. Excel can be somewhat tricky for someone unfamiliar with the program. However, it’s often the suggested program for spreadsheets so it’s very likely that you’ll have to adopt it at some point.

Once you’ve downloaded the template you’ll need to take a few moments to acquaint yourself with it. Although every program is different, you would do well to have all the business’s information close at hand so you aren’t wasting time searching for the relevant facts and figures.

There are several different parts to a standard plan that you’ll need to prepare. All of this can be done with the aid of a sample template. The parts are typically a strategy and marketing plan, profit and loss account, a balance sheet, a cash flow statement, cash balance graph, and operating ratios. An executive summary is probably the most important part. This may seem impossible to someone who has never prepared a business plan in the past, but the software walks you through each and every document.

Most programs will allow you to make adjustments as necessary. It’s a very good idea to start using the template soon after you decide to start the business as it allows you the chance to not only have ample time to prepare it, but also to get a feel for the program itself. Obviously as your business ideas change, that it will be reflected in the program.

Once you have completed the business plan it’s now ready to present to potential investors. It’s a good idea to have a trusted friend or relative who is savvy in business have a look over it first. This way they’ll be able to point out any inconsistencies or problems they see. Remember that any business plan can be adjusted and should be adjusted as the business grows and changes.

For more useful information on writing business plans and sample templates for many types of small businesses, go to http://www.businessplans4u.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oscar_Zhang

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20/12/2007 by admin.

There are a lot of internet gurus out there that keep going on about how page rank for your website os soooooo important.

There has been a study by Jon Ledger that actually exposes this massive myth.

Google is seen as the Holy Grail of internet marketing on the web and the basis why so many people want fine tune their seo techniques. Rank well in
Google and your profits are pretty much set.

But there is SO MUCH bogus information out there, often coming from
the “gurus” themselves.

On January 9th, 2008, Jonathan Leger is releasing a new f.ree report
that completely obliterates the following myths about Google (and then
goes on to show you what DOES work):

Myth #1: Google Knows All and Sees All
Myth #2: Google Will Not Rank Duplicate Content
Myth #3: You Must Get Links From Related Subject Sites to Rank
Myth #4: Your Site Must Focus On One Subject To Rank
Myth #5: High PageRank Means Good Rankings
Myth #6: To Maintain Good Rankings, You Must Add New Content

..and..
MYTH #7: THE BIGGEST MYTH: Ranking In Google Is Hard!

Jon’s site is in pre-launch now, but if you sign up early you will get
a sample chapter full of proof and details.

And did I mention he’ll pay you for referring other people to this
powerful f.ree report? And that he’ll pay you for anyone THEY refer
as well (even while it’s in pre-launch)? Find out more about that
when you download your sample chapter from: We Recommend

Click Here To Download FREE Chapter

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05/12/2007 by admin.

Free Window Cleaning Tips

Traditional Window Cleaning Tips
 
1. Use The Right Tools - First of all, use the right tools. Seems like a silly point to start off with. Trust me, there are so many people that start out and use the wrong tools in this business. If you can, use a professional squeegees, soap and applicators.

2. A Clean Scrubber – There are many window cleaners that start the job off with a dirty scrubber. Make sure it’s a clean scrubber or lamb’s wool applicator, sponge and/or porcupine cleaner. Put it this way - a dirty applicator can leave dirt behind on the window and a very unhappy client. All you need to do is rinse the scrubber frequently, if you are cleaning several windows - especially the really dirty windows.

3. Holding the Squeegee Correctly – Try and hold the squeegee at an angle so the water runs down the glass; I’d say a 45 degree angle. You don’t want water flowing from both ends of the squeegee.

4. Have A Selection Of Channel Sizes or Squeegees – Throughout your window cleaning round, you’re going to tackle many different types of windows coming in all shapes and sizes. Having a wide selection of channels or squeegees will help you no end.

5.Wipe the Blade - After each squeegee stroke, always wipe the rubber blade with your lint free cloth. Placing a wet squeegee on the glass will leave a blade mark. You will get good at quickly wiping the blade.

6. Don’t Cut It In Too Close – Try to overlap each squeegee stroke by about 1½ inches if you can. Angle your squeegee so the water flows towards the wet window surface on the window, don’t cut in on the clean and dry area.

7. Be Conservative With The Water – What does that mean? Try not to use too much water when you’re applying the scrubber to the surface. I know it’s easier said than done, try practicing at home or on a friend’s window to get this technique just right. You actually want the dirt to come off the window with this solution, but not too much that you’ve got your own water shower going on leaving water on the sills!

8. Shake The Mop/Scrubber – When you’re cleaning windows outside, get rid of the excess water by shaking the scrubber in an upward/downward motion away from any windows. This will ensure the right amount of solution being applied to the surface.

9. Use Less Water Inside – If you’ve got a window cleaning job inside, use even less water than you would outside for obvious reasons.

10. Remove The Clutter – If you are cleaning inside, always remember to clear all items and clutter from the window sills (better still, ask your clients to do it). This makes your job ten times easier and allows a better clean.

This article has been written by Joe Polanksi-Smith http://www.firstchoicemarketing.co.uk/Window_Cleaning_Tips.html who is the man behind the famous Advanced Window Cleaning EBook and AdvancedPro Window Cleaning eBook found at http://www.firstchoicemarketing.co.uk/AdvancedPro_Window_Cleaning_eBook.html.

He is also a keen contributor to http://howtostartyourownbusinesstoday.com that’s a new blog for people wanting to start their own business.

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02/12/2007 by admin.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR WINDOW CLEANERS

1. Always call the client the day before the clean. This also helps as most people will have a lock on their gate. Calling them the night before enables them to remove the lock for you.

2. Always be kind and courteous when speaking to your clients. These people represent your bread and butter and will more than likely refer you to friends and family.

3. Try to close all gates or garages after you’ve finished cleaning. If there’s one thing that upsets people more is this. Not only that, you’re prospective client across the road will be watching. You leaving the gate open isn’t going to impress them.

4. If you find the back gate is locked. Don’t worry. Just clean the front of the house and charge them half the clean price. Your client will not only be embarrassed, they’ll send you your money fast to try to paper over their embarrassment. This will allow you some revenue, even though it only half what you normally get. Better than nothing!

5. If the back door has a small pane of glass and is filthy. Take time out to clean it with your window cleaning spray. This will take you seconds, but your client will certainly notice it and you’ll be in their good books.Note: Throughout my EBook you’ll probably be amazed and surprised just how many things I do for FREE. Trust me. This will pay you dividends in the long run. It’s nice to take on new clients. It’s even better to be referred by your clients costing you nothing in the process. Studies show that referred clients are more than likely to pay more for your service and will more than likely refer you again and again and again. This is the key to growing your window cleaning without spending £000’s on advertising.

6. Unfortunately, you’re going to get a few cancellations. Don’t worry; this is normal and nothing to fear. However, for each cancellation you receive. Call the client and ask them why they want to cancel. Some of you out there may be a little scared in calling clients that want to cancel. In my experience it is normally a misunderstanding and something that can be put right. Sometimes clients don’t understand why their windows are still wet, even though you explained it to them. Simply use the letter provided in my “Stationary Kit” which explains the use of the water fed pole. This has saved my bacon more than once!I once had a client ring and cancel my services because she only wanted her windows cleaned every 3 months. Now, instead of telling me this she just cancelled. I rang her back and after getting out of her the reason for the cancellation, agreed to do them every 3 months. If I had just accepted the cancellation I would have lost 4 x £18. In my book you can actually gain clients by keeping the ones that may have cancelled. It’s much easier and cheaper to keep an existing client than spend money on marketing for new ones.

7. On the odd occasion, a client will ask you to clean the fascia at the front of the property. Use your common sense with this one. If it is relatively small, agree to clean this one time for free and let them know you’ll have to charge next time. If you charge for this service straight away, you may alienate your client and upset them. They don’t really want to pay for the first clean, but are more than happy to pay for further cleans. If it’s going to take you longer than a couple of minutes then I would charge. (Water fed pole users).

8. There a few porches or upvc fascias that are located at the front of the house and are quite small. If you have the time, just clean these at the same time you’re cleaning the windows for FREE and let your client know. This will only add 10 minutes onto your time, but your client will really appreciate it. Why should you do it for free and not charge them? Referrals referrals referrals. This again, is your choice. You can charge them if you like, but what you’re trying to do is build a solid business based on your existing clients referring you.

9. Clean and polish outside letter boxes for FREE. You’ve those external post boxes on a house (basically so the dog doesn’t chew letters and papers). Same principle. This will take you seconds and your client will appreciate it. People love getting things for FREE that they didn’t ask for. If you’re regular and offer a good service you’ll have these clients for years.

10. If you are window cleaning with a water fed pole, why not offer conservatory cleaning too! I know I mentioned it in an earlier chapter. At least 10% of your client base must have conservatories. Offer to give them a free trial by cleaning a section of it! I guarantee they’ll want it clean after your demonstration. (Water fed pole users).

This article has been written by Joe Polanksi-Smith who is the man behind the famous Advanced Window Cleaning EBook and AdvancedPro Window Cleaning eBook found at http://www.firstchoicemarketing.co.uk/AdvancedPro_Window_Cleaning_eBook.html. He is also a keen contributor to http://howtostartyourownbusinesstoday.com that’s a new blog for people wanting to start their own business.

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29/11/2007 by admin.

The page shows you the latest business and economy news.

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28/11/2007 by admin.

Window Cleaning Poles/Water Fed Poles Are They Here To Stay? 

Introduction 

Window cleaning poles. Also commonly known as water fed poles are fast becoming the industry standard in window cleaning.

The old traditional method of using a bucket and squeegee etc is being less used as window cleaners find the overall safety and flexibility window cleaning poles give you.

Window cleaning used to be an art form, basic in its execution, though, many tried and failed.

Most falls to window cleaners involve the use of portable ladders large and small that are basically mounted on top of vehicle. In recent years figures for accidents reported to HSE and local authorities show that between two and seven window cleaners have been killed each year in Great Britain and about 20-30 suffer major injuries as a result of falls involving ladders.

As you can expect, this is a relatively small problem as accidents go. Not if you’re a window cleaner though. A great deal window cleaners suffer less serious injuries that result in several days off work.

The man in the street would probably relish a few days off here and there, but not if you’re a window cleaner who is self employed and doesn’t receive any sick pay.

What’s The Solution?  

The window cleaning pole/water fed pole

What is a window cleaning pole/water fed pole? 

A window cleaning pole/water fed pole is basically an extended carbon fibre (or other materials) pole that is made in sections that extend. You can generally get them in various sizes from 10ft to 45ft and higher, though it is considered a little pointless going higher as they are less effective. The process of and methodology behind the pole is where pure water is pumped through a hose reel, up the telescopic window cleaning pole/water fed pole and passes through jets. These jets are located in the brush that is found at the top of the window cleaning pole. These jets spray a light stream onto the surface of the glass and the operator just agitates glass loosening the dirt. With simple upwards and sideways movements the glass is clean in a matter of seconds.

Any dirt or dust particles held within the glass are simply flushed away by the constant stream of water from the jets.

Can you use normal tap water to wash a window? 

The simple answer is yes. Well, yes and no actually. You can get your window clean using normal tap water, but the water has calcium particles and lots of impurities that would be left on the glass once the water dries. You would have that milky white effect where you’d be able to write your name. Not what I would call a clean window.

Pure Water You Say? 

By pure water I mean of distilled water or de-mineralised water. This water doesn’t exist naturally. It has to be made by using a process of de-ionised resin vessels, pre filters, filters and water softeners. It’s quite a simple process and pure water can be made either in a van, office or even your home. My pure water system is nicely packaged in my garage at home.

When this pure water is applied to the glass by way of the window cleaning pole/water fed pole, there is no mineral content or calcium etc; thus, when it dries on your glass your windows are perfectly clean since the pure water has been able to absorb the dirt.

Flexibility 

Window cleaners using these poles can now reach those hard to reach places with ease and without any risk. Since they don’t need to use ladders anymore, window above conservatories and extensions are a breeze. Windows that are 3 and 4 storeys up can now be cleaned with ease. These poles also allow you to clean window frames and window sills at the same time which gives the client an extra service and allows the window cleaner to obtain more work!

How Much Should You Pay? 

The prices on these window cleaning poles is coming down dramatically as I write. There are a few companies you can check out below:

Pure Freedom - www.purefreedom.co.uk (Who I Use)

Window-Tools - www.window-tools.com

Streampole - www.streampole.co.uk

To name a few. There are many more, just simply log onto Google and type in “window cleaning pole/water fed pole” into the search box and see what you find.

To summarise. The window cleaning pole/water fed pole is here to stay. With safety issues in mind and the general flexibility they give you. Window cleaners around the world are throwing the bucket and squeegee away a switching to this new method.

This article has been written by Joe Polanksi-Smith who is the man behind the famous Advanced Window Cleaning EBook and AdvancedPro Window Cleaning eBook found at http://www.firstchoicemarketing.co.uk/Advanced_Window_Cleaning_eBook.html He is also a keen contributor to http://howtostartyourownbusinesstoday.com that’s a new blog for people wanting to start their own business. 

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27/11/2007 by admin.

How To Start Your Own Coffee Shop

Just some of the questions you should ask yourself and further questions you want answered can be found in the link below

Are you suited to this type of business?

What formal training do you need?

Who are your customers likely to be?

Who will you be competing against?

What are the key issues affecting the market?

How can you promote this enterprise?

What start up costs can you expect?

What are the legal issues to consider?

 How To Start Up Your Own Coffee Shop

Further information:

This profile explains how to start up a coffee shop in the UK. It explores the personal aptitudes and training required to run this type of business, and looks at ways to find customers and identify competitors. The legal requirements are reviewed and potential start up costs are estimated. Finally, it lists contact details for a number of sources of further information.

A coffee shop is a food venue that offers a range of specialist coffees, such as cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, mochas, iced and flavoured coffees. It may also sell other hot and cold beverages - such as tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices and smoothies, and even alcoholic beverages - as well as a limited range of food such as pastries, cakes, muffins and sandwiches.

Coffee shops often comprise a separate walk-in area with bar stools for customers on the go, and a lounge area with chairs and sofas for those wanting to take a break. Coffee shops are often located on high streets in city and town centres, catering for passing trade from tired shoppers, tourists and office workers.

How To Start Up Your Own Coffee Shop Info

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world.

When you walk past a coffee shop the aroma is very tempting and can lure you inside. Setting up the atmosphere to attract the customers from outside is an important start to the process of getting a successful and rewarding business.

Planning

Having a good business plan will go a long way towards being successful in business. It is not the magic that ensures success, but it can help to ensure that you are on the right track when starting out. Plan properly and get the advice that can help you set up correctly. Without a plan you can easily miss vital stages and this can be heartbreaking when the chips are down and you haven’t done your homework. Competition is another area that you may need to look at seriously. Look around for other sellers of the coffee products especially look at businesses other than coffee shops that may have a little cafe bar selling one particular product.

Suppliers

Get your suppliers right early and ensure that they can deliver to you the right products at the right time. The suppliers are critical as no products readily available at your shop and you have nothing to sell. Customers won’t come back if they get a bad experience and you quite often only get on chance to be the best in the business. Any slackness and you will lose out badly. There is a chance that bad service spoken by word of mouth can become detrimental to you business. It hard enough just to start a business without having to fix bad service and delivery.

Product

Test your product and get to know it. When a customer comes in and asks for a recommendation, you can truthfully give them one and a reason why. This will give you a better chance of selling the product. Dont’ be afraid to specialise in something as it can become a unique selling item and may become the main drawcard of the business. Have good quality products and don’t skimp just to save a few dollars. Customers want good value for their money and you should always strive to deliver this.

Take the time to research the business. A guide can be found by going here. Click Here! This has been developed to help you get the business right the first time and shows you the pitfalls and snares that can occur along the way. More general information about coffee can be found by visiting Coffee Information

If you are thinking of starting a small restaurant, you may want to look into a coffee shop franchise. A Starbucks franchise may be just what you have been looking for. The over 600,000 independent restaurants in the United States with their personalized menu, advertising strategies, and special clientele, could learn something from Starbucks.

Starbucks began as a small coffee shop in Seattle, and has grown into an international phenomenon. They boast nearly $8 billion in yearly sales, and have more than 12,000 worldwide retail outlets. They do not serve flavored coffees or have other food service gimmicks. They simply serve coffee. This small restaurant keeps everything simple, the cups are even made of recycled paper.

Starbucks works hard to convey a certain image. They want people to realize that coffee isn’t simply something to wake them up, it can do a bit of good. This small restaurant does it’s part to help out in the community by volunteering their fare for local events.

The success of this small restaurant is also attributed to the proper treatment of their employees. They realize that friendly and people oriented servers are critical to the success of any business. You need to think of your employees as an extended family. Health benefits are available to any Starbucks employee who works at least 20 hours a week and has been with the company for more than the 90 day trial period.

It may not be easy to offer a health care plan, with the way health care cost keep rising. There are other ways to give perks to your employees too. Small restaurants can offer a server the chance to move up to a management position, when one becomes available. Some smaller restaurants may even offer small profit sharing opportunities to their best employees.

If employees are not happy with working conditions and pay, they will find a better job. When you want to keep those friendly, energetic, workers, you need to make sure it is worth their while to stay. Your employees are a big part of your customer base. If a customer encounters an unfriendly and snippy server, nine times out of ten they will not return to your establishment. They will also tell others about the poor service and unfriendly atmosphere. You surely can’t afford to have that happening on a regular basis.

If you would rather not open a coffee shop, there are plenty of other choices both in and out of a franchise situation. You may choose Taco Bell, Burger King, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Arby’s, or any of the franchise opportunities that offer a smaller restaurant or fast food setting. You can also open your own diner, or specialty food restaurant and keep it on a smaller level.

Let’s face facts– everybody eats, and because they do, there will always be a market for even the smallest of restaurants, as long as the food is popular to the region, and high quality. Offer incentives to your valued customers and employees and serve up something delicious. You will see your satisfied customer’s smiling faces, time and time again.

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27/11/2007 by admin.

HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN 

Formulating a business plan has got to be the single most important things you need to do when starting up a new business. A business plan helps you to successfully set targets, collate all your ideas, plan for the future of your enterprise, and verify that your idea for a business is realistic and workable.

The business plan is an essential tool in attracting funding to get started. It is a dynamic document that should be reviewed regularly in order to monitor and measure the performance of your business.

This factsheet describes what a business plan should include, how you should go about writing one and what you will achieve by doing so. It includes hints and tips as well as sources of further information. It is aimed particularly at start up businesses that need to raise funding, but the principles stated are equally valid for established businesses looking to grow.

Click on the link below to find out how easy it is: -

How To Write A Business Plan

When you begin writing a business plan, you should be clear about who is going to read it. This strangely affects the final business plan. For example if you need to write a business plan for an investor it should be at least 15 to 30 pages long containing detailed analysis and facts and figures to help support the assumptions.

After deciding upon the kind of funding the business requires, what is needed is research. A “business plan research” engulfs a few key areas. This includes an insight from experience and observance of the industry you decide to enter. This data is backed by published data and field research. Published information may be collected from any library or the internet; the topics may include market growth, customer profiles etc. interviews of the customers, the competitors etc falls under field research.

As the research is started, make a file containing the notes and printouts.

The research must begin with an overview of the industry. This helps you avoid answering embarrassing, basic questions. The field research must be started only once a good grasp over the fundamentals of the industry are held and there is a need to answer questions that are difficult to answer

After this the process of analysis begins.

The financials must be started once an average of industry ratios is found for your business. Close work with the accountant can help in developing projections that are realistic.

Once all the sections of the plan are completed, you may include a summary. The key points must be highlighted.

Do remember that you have got but one shot at doing this well. Don’t forget to revise the entire plan. You can also ask other people for a feedback. Make sure that you edit and proofread many times.

Writing a business plan is not the easiest job, following these few steps will ensure that your business has a good chance at funding and sure shot success even in the future.

For more details please visit: How to Write a Business Plan and How to write a Business Plan Proposal

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27/11/2007 by admin.

Do your bit for the environment.

We’ve all got them knocking around in a bedroom drawer, kitchen cupboard etc. Instead of leaving them there collecting dust, why not send them to a company that’ll buy them from you.

 There are several companies around that offer this service. The best I could find was Mazuma.

How it works?

You enter your model into their ‘Quick Search’ box, or if you prefer, simply click on the manufacturer and choose from the list.

Tell them what you’ve got.

Having selected your phone(s), you enter your details and send them your order. (You can also print your order.) You may wish to check its progress - you can track it in the ‘My Account’ section of their site.

They send you a Freepost envelope.

They don’t hang around you’ll receive a confirmation letter, delivery note and Freepost envelope within 48 hours of your order.

send them your phone.

Place your phone(s) in the Freepost envelope and send them to Mazuma.

They check the order.
Upon receipt of your phone(s), they check that the delivery is complete and that all phones are in working order.

That’s it. It couldn’t be more easier than that.

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