Product Trends: We test everything so you don’t have to.

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in Uncategorized by oz

Welcome to Product Trends Magazine, an online media outlet dedicated to testing the best (and worst) that the internet has to offer, so you can be sure of always getting the best deal. We try out everything, from insurance sellers to children’s books, mattresses to sporting goods, always with a single goal in mind.

We want you to save money, spend it wisely, and never get ripped off.

So have a look around, enjoy what we have to offer, and feel free to try some of the companies that get our highest five-star rating. We do!

Review: InsureMe.com insurance

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in insurance by oz


About InsureMe:
Getting quotes on car insurance, medical insurance, home insurance and more has never been easier. With our free service, enter your information once and you are instantly matched with the most competitive companies in the business. You’ll get back up to five quotes so you can compare and save.  At InsureMe.com, we shop your insurance so you don’t have to.

The big pitch: When you want a complete picture of the best health insurance, auto insurance, medical insurance and home insurance rates available to you, fill out our form now. You’ll find the insurance you need at a great rate.
InsureMe is one of many websites devoted to the business of health insurance, life insurance, business insurance, car insurance and long term care coverage that tell you they’ll get you a great rate, but in reality send your business to other providers.We don’t have any great problem with that, let’s be clear. There are many websites out there that will do a fine job of helping you find the lowest rate possible, after taking your details and figuring out the specifics. The catch here is that, when we tried it, we were only given one option, and no quote. If we wanted an  ‘online quote’, we were told to hit a button which took us elsewhere.

Now, let’s be very up-front about this - InsureMe.com is not a scam. They do what they claim, and help you find better insurance than what you might have, but with all the information they ask for, we expected a little more from the result.

Perhaps it was just our case where the options were one - perhaps you’ll get a whole page of options. But it wasn’t like we were asking for something that is difficult to find a lot of options on… health insurance for a 35 year old in New Jersey. We would have expected at least a dozen options, with prices. And we got one.

So, in reality, if you’re looking for something simple, where an insurer will call you with the relevant details later in the day and you don’t have to do much thinking about it all, InsureMe.com is a good option. But if you’re looking to  shop around a little…

The Product Trends rating: 2.5 stars. In the end, we expected to have a list of options and prices, and all we really got was the name of an agent who will probably be calling us real soon. That’s not a bad thing, per se,  InsureMe.com is a good option, but there are other insurance services out there that we’ve got more out of.

Review: Bidslammer eBay sniping service

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in ebay by oz

About Bidslammer: "BidSlammer is an eBay bid placement engine. You tell us which auctions you want to win, and we place your bids for you in the closing seconds of the auction. You avoid the emotional price escalation from you and other bidders. You can turn your computer off and let us take care of everything."

The big pitch: BidSlammer will snipe eBay bids for you with a 99.98% success rate and offer new users a free trial. BidSlammer has been opperating since 2001 and since that time they have won over two miillion items for over fifty thousand buyers. The concept is simple. Whether you’re a frequent eBay shopper, a collector or someone who just stumbled across an auction item they wish to buy, BidSlammer wants to help you buy that item for less money and with less stress.

Their ever growing list of user testimonials demonstrates the confidence consumers have in them. The idea of sniping is that eBay auctions are often won by people who place a bid in the last seconds of an auction. That way you only have to bid a few dollars more than what’s already posted, and nobody else has the opportunity to outbid you. Doing this yourself, however, requires an investment of patience and time and can often be quite frustrating. By using BidSlammer you avoid all of that because they snipe the bid for you. With no software to download, Bidslammer makes it easy to get started. Simply set up an account and then fill in the necessary eBay information. You decide what items you want, what you’re willing to bid for them and then let BidSlammer do the rest. As their service is run entirely online, you can control your bids from any online computer. One of the best features of this service is what they call “Bidgroups.” This is where you get some of the best help for the online auctions. If there are several auctions taking place for similar items BidSlammer allows you to group them together and it will be ready to snipe all of them but once you win one of the items, the rest of the bids are canceled. Anyone who has ever tried to win an item from multiple auctions before will instantly see the stress relief this offers. After looking around the web for similar services BidSlammer’s price seems to be the lowest. They also offer a more then fair payment system. There are no monthly fee and and they opperate with win-based pricing where you pay them 1% of your winning bid (25 cents if it’s under $10) to a maximum of $5! If you end up losing the auction, their fee is only 10 cents.

The Product Trends rating: Five stars. If you want to win online auctions without having to work for it then there’s really no reason not to try this service out. It’s truly an amazing product to explore. —Reviewed by Phil Pivnick

Review: Pro Sports Memorabilia

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in memorabilia, sports by oz

About Pro Sports Memorabilia: Pro Sports Memorabilia offers one of the largest selections of authentic sports collectibles around. Unlike some companies or individuals that specialize in sports memorabilia, Pro Sports Memorabilia only sells items that come directly from the athletes themselves.

The big pitch: Are you an avid sports fan who enjoys collecting an assortment of memorabilia? Perhaps you have a favorite team or player that you admire. While collecting sports memorabilia can be both exciting and rewarding, many buyers are often hesitant to make a purchase. How do you know you’re getting exactly what you’ve been promised? Buying sports collectibles can be expensive and not all dealers are trustworthy. Fortunately, sports fans from around the world can now turn to Pro Sports Memorabilia.

All items sold by the company are officially licensed by the MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL. No matter what type of product you wish to purchase, you can rest assured your item is authentic. Over the years, Pro Sports Memorabilia has established an ongoing relationship with several famous athletes including Dan Marino, John Elway, and Vince Carter. This allows them to provide customers a constant supply of some of the best sports memorabilia available.

The company offers a wide selection of sports collectables including those from some of the less popular sports such as tennis, soccer, or boxing. Whether its photos, clothing, or autographed game balls that you desire, Pro Sports Memorabilia can provide you with the items you need. They even carry a number of NASCAR items for racing fans. Whether you collect sports memorabilia for yourself or your business, Pro Sports Memorabilia can provide you with top quality name brand items that have the endorsement of both the players and the establishments. You’ll no longer need to be concerned about an item’s authenticity.

At Pro Sports Memorabilia, all signature items are obtained from athlete appearances. Pro Sports Memorabilia have a number of popular autographed items that make the perfect incentive award for companies to give their employees. Whether you’re looking to boost overall morale or just award the outstanding achievement of one individual, Pro Sports Memorabilia can provide you with a number of affordable gifts to choose from. Instead of the usual ink pen or mug, why not give your employees a gift that they’ll truly appreciate?

Company rating: Pro Sports Memorabilia is one of the most trusted names in the sports collectables industry. They offer authentic quality items from a number of different sports. Best of all, purchases can be made 24 hours a day via their website or toll free number. In addition, most in stock items will ship the next business day. Four and a half stars.

Review: Magmall magazine subscriptions

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in entertainment, magazine by oz

About Magmall: Would you like to save money on some of the most popular magazines in circulation today? If you’re like most people, you probably have at least a couple of magazines that you subscribe to on a regular basis. If fact, most individuals would like to order more magazines if they had the extra time and money to spare. Although they can’t provide you with more time, the staff at Magmall can help you to save with some of the lowest prices around on magazines subscriptions. At the Magmall, you can save up to eighty-five percent on a large selection of over one thousand different magazines. With rates as low as this, you can’t afford not to shop here.

The big pitch: Shopping at the Magmall is both simple and smart. Whether you’re purchasing your favorite magazine titles, buying magazines for office employees, or selecting a gift for a friend, Magmall’s is the place to get some of the lowest prices on magazine rates around.

If fact, most customers who shop at the Magmall will agree that managing their magazine subscriptions couldn’t be any easier. Why trouble yourself with mailing in payments when you can now manage all of your subscriptions online? After selecting your favorite titles, all you need to do is fill out the short information request form located at their website. Ordering and saving on magazine subscriptions couldn’t be any easier. In addition to saving a bundle on rates, Magmall also enables you to renew your subscriptions online at the end of the year or whenever your term expires. In fact, they will even send you a friendly reminder when your subscription is about to expire.

For business customers the savings are endless. The Magmall is happy to provide companies will all the support they need in ordering magazines for their business. After signing up, the Magmall will send your company a welcome package that entails all of the different ways that orders can be placed. Whether you order online, by fax, or mail order, you won’t be disappointed by the magazine rates offered.

If you’re searching for the perfect gift idea, the Magmall will provide you with a free gift card on all gift orders processed. For friends or family members that are difficult to buy for, a gift certificate from the Magmall is the perfect choice. Gift certificates are available in denominations ranging from $10 to $250.

Product Trends rating: When it comes to magazine subscription rates, the prices at the Magmall can’t be beat. In addition to saving a lot of cash, the friendly staff at this company is more than happy to assist you with any concerns you may have while placing an order. Since the company was founded in 1984, Magmall has been providing customers with excellent service and low prices on some of the most popular magazines around. Four stars.

Review: Magazania magazine subscriptions

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in entertainment, magazine by oz

About the company: Magazania is your one stop shop on the Internet for all of the magazines you desire. Since 1997 they have been providing the online community a place to purchase and subscribe to hundreds of different magazines. No matter what your tastes, Magazania offers reading material on a variety of different subjects and interests. Currently they have over 1500 different magazines for readers to choose from. Whether shopping for yourself, your child, or a gift for a friend, you’re bound to find magazines that will delight readers of all ages.

The big pitch: How many magazines do you currently subscribe to? Whether the answer is five, ten, or too many to count, wouldn’t it be much easier to do all of your ordering in one place? Why bother with the hassle of sending subscription payments to several different companies, when you can complete all of your orders and make payments in the same place?

At Magazania, all customers need to do is register for an account and select the magazines that interest them. In addition, you’ll be able to browse through hundreds of different magazines to compare styles and prices. From computers, to religion, to alternative health, Magazania has a wide selection of periodicals designed to please a variety of interests.

Besides the headache of having to mail out payments, it can also be confusing trying to remember when magazine subscriptions expire. If you’re like most people, you’re constantly sending out payments for different subscription invoices. By ordering through Magazania, you can purchase several different magazines at once. This in turn will make all of your magazines renewals due around the same time. In fact, once you order from Magazania, there is no need to send payments elsewhere. When a magazine reaches the end of its subscription period, simply log on to your online account and renew. Ordering and paying for magazines has never been simpler.

Magazania offers customers the convenience of paying for magazines via credit card or PayPal. Whether you prefer to have the amount charged to a credit card or deducted from your personal checking account, at Magazania the choice is yours. Many customers find it convenient to have the amount withdrawn from their account. This eliminates the need for writing a check.

Product Trends rating: Magazania offers magazine lovers the convenience of purchasing all of their reading materials in the same location. Their huge selection of magazines makes great gift ideas for both family and friends. Ordering online from this company is both easy and hassle free. Four stars.

Review: CompleteTax tax services

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in finances, software, taxes by oz

About CompleteTax: CompleteTax offers customers a quick and simple way to prepare their taxes online. Why pay someone else to do the work when Complete Tax provides you with all the tools and resources needed to complete your own tax return? Although most taxpayers are somewhat familiar with filing returns, many are a little hesitant because of all of the forms and details involved. Complete Tax provides a wealth of information online regarding some of the most common tax questions such as those involving dependents, credits, investments, and IRA’s. Whatever topic you need assistance with; you’ll be pleased at the amount of resources available at this company’s website. For those that need further assistance, help is just a click away via email support.

The big pitch: Stop paying a fortune to have your tax returns prepared. Instead for just a small fee of $24.95 for federal and $9.95 for state, you can now prepare and file your own tax returns via the Complete Tax website. Included with these low fees, all customers can file their returns via e-filing at no extra charge.

Complete Tax services are provided by CCH Tax and Accounting. CCH was founded back in 1913, the same year that the federal income tax went into effect. With experience like this, CCH is one of the most trusted names among accountants and tax professionals nationwide.

Compete Tax also provides additional information to customers upon request. Their free tax tips newsletter gives customers valuable advice on a number of topics such as what to expect if you are audited and how keeping good tax records can make the filing process a lot simpler.

If after completing your return you discover that you owe a balance on your taxes, Complete Tax allows you to pay the amount online with a credit card. This option is available for all federal tax returns and for many state returns as well. At Complete Tax you can relieve yourself instantly of the financial burden associated with taxes. By paying online, your payment is processed at a much quicker rate.

While free tax advice is available by email, customers should note that there is a charge for online chat service support. However, by paying a small fee you are entitled to chat with a representative to answer your tax related questions on two separate occasions. Compared to traditional tax preparation services, customers can save a great deal of money by processing their own returns through Complete Tax.

Product Trends Rating: Complete Tax offers customers an affordable way to process their tax returns online. The service is both easy to use and provides a wealth of tax related information. Three and a half stars.

Review: BookingBuddy travel portal

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in airline, hotel, travel by oz


About BookingBuddy: When making travel plans for your next vacation, you won’t want to miss the valuable information and services provided at Booking Buddy. The company specializes in helping customers locate the best rates on airline flights both within the U.S. and abroad. In addition to low airline rates, Booking Buddy can also help you save on other travel needs such as rental cars, hotel rooms, and cruise packages. For business or personal travel, visit their website for some of the best deals around. Best of all, the services provided by Booking Buddy are completely free of charge.

The big pitch: While vacation or travel time should be an enjoyable event, often the preparation for such a trip can be both stressful and a headache. Sure you’d like to save money on your personal vacation or business trip, but locating the lowest rates on travel services can be quite a task. With all of the different companies and websites to browse through, finding a good deal can take up hours of your valuable time. Why not save yourself the hassle and worry associated with making travel plans and let Booking Buddy do all of the work for you?
To start saving on your next getaway, all you need to do is visit their website. The process is both simple and fast. Finding the lowest rates on airline tickets no longer need take up a great deal of your time. Simply type in your destination and travel dates and Booking Buddy will do the rest. There’s no need to browse several different websites to compare rates and price quotes. At Booking Buddy, all the information you need can be found in one location.

Even if you’re not currently planning to travel in the near future, stop by the Booking Buddy website for an update on some of the current travel deals available. Once you see the savings offered for airline tickets and other travel accommodations, you’ll probably be tempted to travel more often.

For those who desire more travel information, Booking Buddy offers free weekly travel newsletters. Customers can get frequent updates to some of the lowest travel rates around. All you need to do to sign up for the service is enter your email address in the form provided. In no time at all, you can learn how to save money on a wealth of travel services.

Product Trends Rating: Booking Buddy provides customers with a valuable service by offering some of the lowest rates on airfare, hotels, and car rental fees. Not only can they save you money but time as well. Instead of spending hours browsing the Web, travel customers can now find the best deals in a matter of minutes. In addition to great service, all information located at their website is completely free of charge. Five stars.

Review: A-1 Wireless connectivity

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in cell phones by oz

About  A-1 Wireless: An award-winning e-commerce vendor,  A-1 Wireless provides customers with a huge range of T-Mobile cell phones. However, A1 Wireless is about more then simply supplying cell phones to its customers. While A1 Wireless prides itself on providing a top quality product the company also stands for offering outstanding customer service. Indeed, A1Wireless were voted "T-Mobile National Dealer Award for Outstanding Growth" in 2003, and their reputation continues to grow. As well as carrying T-Mobile cell phones, A1Wireless are also authorized agents for Sprint, Nextel Communications, Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless and ALLTEL phones and wireless plans.

The big pitch:  A-1 Wireless’s T-Mobile service lets individuals, families and businesses get more from wireless services and phones.

In a day and age where we are all constantly on the go, wireless communications have never been more important. How often have you missed that vital meeting at work or that appointment with the doctor or a dinner date with that dream guy or gal because of a lack of communication? Now you can rest easy because by visiting  A-1 Wireless’ online service you are guaranteed to never miss out again.

A1 Wireless offers top of line T-Mobile cell phones from all the leading service providers including Sprint, Nextel Communications, Cingular Wireless, Verizon Wireless and ALLTEL. What’s more, A1 Wireless also provides its clients with the best plan for you that way allowing you to stick to an affordable budget. The company name says it all. When it comes to digital telecommunications, A-1 Wireless gets an A-1 high distinction.

A1 Wireless’s Cingular Wireless plan now has 54 million subscribers including 95 of the Fortune 100 companies. With its seamless coverage, Cingular Wireless has the fewest dropped calls of any carrier. And only Cingular has the exclusive Rollover plans that provide extra talk-time value by letting you keep your unused minutes from month to month.

Product Trends Rating:Through its Sprint PCS Wireless plan,  A-1 Wireless lays claim to the United States’ most complete advanced, all-digital, fiber-optic wireless network. This economical wireless plan adds blocks of Anytime Minutes, rather than charging overage charges, when you use up your paid minutes. What’s more, A1 Wireless’s Verizon Wireless service prides itself on having the most comprehensive coverage, the largest IN-network, and the fewest dropped calls. We give that a solid four star rating.

Review: Online Moving Boxes packing supplies

Posted on September 2nd, 2007 in moving, travel by oz

Online Moving Boxes

 

About Online Moving Boxes: Online Moving Boxes is a company that offers everything you need to make your next move as easy and painless as possible. Realizing that moving from your house or office is one of the most stressful, disruptive processes we have to endure, the founders of Online Moving Boxes saw an opportunity to make the experience a little easier to handle.

The big pitch: Did you know that, when it comes to stress levels, moving house is right up there alongside divorce, weddings and coping with teenage kids? Moving office is no picnic either. And it’s no mystery why – when you move house or office, your life is turned upside down. Your possessions are all over the place, and you feel displaced and disordered. Online Moving Boxes can’t do magic, but they can make the process just a little bit easier.

Online Moving Boxes offer a huge selection of moving products so that – at the very least – you have an efficient and complete selection of boxes, cartons and other materials to make sure that you can get through the move as quickly as possible.

In fact, people are often surprised when they come to move house or office that the one thing they haven’t thought of is how to store their goods while they are in transit. Too often, people are left rummaging around the local supermarket or begging shop owners for discarded boxes – a frustrating exercise that simply wastes the time and energy you need for the move itself. Save yourself the bother by viewing Online Moving Boxes selection over the internet, and buying online. With overnight delivery to almost all locations in the USA,  you will be ready to start your move within 24 hours. As well as an extensive selection of easy-to-assemble boxes of all dimensions, as well as bubble wrap, packing tape and dispensers and other handy accessories, your move will become streamlined and hassle-free.

Indeed, Online Moving Boxes even offer moving kits, making shopping for moving goods even easier. So don’t worry about forgetting the tape or the all-important marker to label your boxes – with a moving kit, all the basics are there. Products Trends Rating: Some customers may be frustrated if they are not in a 24 hour-delivery area. That said, Online Moving Boxes is literally a godsend for people going through the stress of moving. Their boxes are durable and strong, and they have all the easy-to-forget accessories that make moving a bit easier to bear. Three stars. Online Moving Boxes, Inc.

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