New Website . . .

Hello fellow readers. It's been a while, I know. We've been so busy just recently, and our poor blog has suffered as a consequence. Bless it's little cotton socks.


Anyway, down to business.


For all those who have visited our website just recently, you may have noticed one or two changes. In fact, there are more than just one or two changes . . . it's a whole new website. Yes, we are evolving.


I ask all visitors to please bear with us during these changes. The website is new, and there are still a few adjustments to be made. It's also a system that we, ourselves, are trying to get used to. Hopefully these won't take long, and soon we'll have a fantastic and perfectly working website that should please everyone. That's the aim, anyway.


I'd like to say that apart from that, nothing much has happened since the last blog, but that would be a lie. We have new products, new jewellery boxes to charm your socks off, picnic hampers to help you picnic in style, TV brackets to mount your TV on the wall, and more. We also have our original products, our Redstone Outdoor camping tents, our Equestrian range and much much more. We are still the same, good ol'faithful Cybercheckout. And that includes the staff.


Our Sarah is still a proud mum, our Marie is still playing with her over-playful puppy (did I mention she has a new husky pup called Mya?), Rob is still having elastic bands flicked at him - by your's truly - and both Father and Drew are livid over the Man City game last night, in which they lost (although Drew claims that he's not that bothered . . . do we believe him? Hmmm . . .)


D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Backpacking Tents . . . The Season Is Almost Upon Us . . .

The date is March 10th. This can only mean one thing - well actually it means lot's of things, but I'm only thinking of one. Spring. Spring is finally in the air. The days are getting longer, the temperature is rising, the trees are shooting and daffodils are showing their heads. It's paving the way for summer. This also means camping season is once again almost upon us.

"Horay!!" I hear you all scream.

Today, I'm going to blog about backpacking. I'm also going to mention the Ten Tor race that takes place in Dartmoor during early May. I only know about this because I have family who live down that way. I've never hiked across Dartmoor, but I've driven through it - or been driven to be more accurate. It's a lovely place if you like hills, wild ponies, and buzzards that circle over you waiting for an easy meal.

Every year the British Army organise a hike ranging from 35 miles to 55 miles. People from all over the world turn up to take part and visit the ten specified tors. Some people use it as a race to try and finish as quick as they can, while other people use it as a test of endurance and survival, or even just because they love doing it.

Either way, if you want to take part in something like this, you need to ensure you have the correct equipment. If you get lost on Dartmoor without proper equipment, it's not fun. The Ten Tor race has been held almost every year since 1960. Some years have had to be cancelled due to bad weather, which just goes to show what you could be up against if you go hiking. It also strengthens the argument that your equipment needs to be of a good quality that can withstand something like this.

It's at this point that I re-introduce you to our camping range. How many of you had forgotten about this range over the winter months? I certainly hadn't.

As the camping season approaches, and whether you decide to take part in the Ten Tor race, or the Four Inns Walk in the peak district - or any of the numerous hikes organised across the UK, ensure you won't be let down by shoddy camping equipment . . . and good luck.

Look out for those circling buzzards . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Lt

Cybercheckout Blogs Past And Present . . .

I confess, I've neglected my blogging duties. For this I apologise profusely. I've let you all down.

There are two main reasons why I can see this has happened. Firstly, I've been too busy. I get given a list of things that need to be done - or written - and I find myself plowing through that list without even a thought for this blog (I'm sorry, I hold my head in shame). And because it's been going on for sometime I've just found myself stuck in a routine that doesn't include blogging. I know, it's a terrible thing to let happen to yourself. I used to blog religiously, three times every week. Now I'm lucky if I do one or two a month. It just isn't on, is it!!

The second reason is because, frankly, I have little to blog about. My mind can only churn out so much stuff. It's only human. So why, if I can't think of anything, did I choose to blog today? Well, I've written over a hundred and thirty blogs now, and some of them I thought were pretty good. It's a shame that they are now lying somewhere in the great wide web, their one day of fame come and gone. I've decided to give them a second chance. I've decided to recap over a few of my favourite blogs from the past:

1: The Greek Legend of Hotstones . . .

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2009/07/greek-legend-of-hotstones.html

How could we forget the great (or not so great) Iydalnis Basalt, the serpant Medusa, and the legendary discovery of Hotstones? (Of which we no longer stock unfortunately) . . .

2: Multi-Purpose 105 Rucksack

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2009/06/multi-purpose-rucksack.html

Marie and the bag lady . . .

3: Rise of the Cybercheckout Machines...!

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2009/06/rise-of-cybercheckout-machines.html

I still believe they are out there . . .

4: Equestrian Shenanigans

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2009/05/horseware-shenanigans.html

The attempted over-throw of the Spiritual Guide . . .

And then you can't forget the other times, such as Father meeting the queen, that sweet little German Sausage, the mysteries of the Marie Celeste, Father's blogging, and many many more (136 to be precise). . .

Sitting here, looking back at all, I think I can safely say I've had a good run so far. May the blogging continue.

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Cybercheckout Reviews . . .

A little while back I posted a blog with a couple of customer reviews on it. (And to refresh your memory, the link for that original blog is below) Seeing as it's been a while since this was published - last summer - I thought it was about time I published some more.

http://cybercheckoutcouk.blogspot.com/2009/08/noob-reviews.html

It's good to get these reviews out. As employees who have put in a lot of hard work to get where we are today, it's reassuring to know that every thing we do, be it even the smallest of things, makes a difference to the quality of service we offer. It's good to know that our customers are happy, and we appreciate every comment made.

So a big thank you goes to everyone who has left a review.

Sabre Nutrition Whey Protein

"NO SOONER ORDERED ,AND I WAS DRINKING IT.GREAT TASTE,GREAT SERVICE"

Chillton Lite Weight Turnout Rug

"Best fitting rug the mare has ever had. Fantastic transaction in every way Thanx"

10,000 High Lux Lamp

"Super fast delivery, helpful emails. Would order from again. A* "

And finally, a personal favourite . . .

Acoustic Classic Guitar

"Fantastic Item!!! I bought it as a present for my boyfriend who will no doubt be over them moon with it! Perfect for learning how to play at an amazing price! I have to admit I was very dubious about what the quality would be like for such a good price, but was more than pleasantly surprised when it arrived (well packaged and extremely quickly) as it looks and sounds awesome!! Thank you very much Cybercheckout, think I am going to earn loads of girlfriend points with this item!!"

Incase anyone has forgotten, the 14th of this month is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year. Yes, it's Valentines day. For anyone out there struggling with ideas on how to express their love, I hope the comment above gives you a few hints on how to earn "Girlfriend" or "Boyfriend" points.

I hope he serenaded her with some lovely songs . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

The Big Cyber Move Continued . . .

Well, we're nearly there.

The office is looking like an office now, which creates a nice working environment - and as we all know, a nice working environment helps to produce a better quality of work. The files are on their shelves, the computers are set up, and the workers are at their desk - but . . .

There's always a 'but' . . .

We are still experiencing problems with our telephone lines and internet connection - and you can't exactly run an internet based company without the internet. That kinda goes without saying really.

We've had issues where the phones don't ring, then the wrong phones ring, followed by our answer machine message not switching on (which was put on to explain about our difficulties, etc). And then the internet is either on, off, or running incredibly slow . . .

It's been a hair-ripping-out time, but hopefully, fingers crossed, as this afternoon slowly draws on, things seem to be looking up. The right phones are ringing, allowing customers to finally get through to us, and the internet connection seems to be running at a reasonable speed, allowing us to finally get some work done.

Let's hope it remains so . . .

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

A Brand New Year . . .

Welcome to 2010 and the start of a brand new decade . . .


We enter this year with big ideas and visions for the future. 2009 saw huge changes for us in every department, and sadly the loss of numerous members of staff, most recently being the wonderful Alison and our little Beci who has decided to restart her training as a nurse. We also saw some humorous times, including an eventful day out on a long boat for both office and warehouse staff, and a day in the sun trying to put up as many tents as we possibly could (and not forgetting the chance to take the michael out of our Drew at every given opportunity).


The changes also revolved around stock. We waved good bye to many lines, but in return greeted many new quality ones that have proven extremely popular with you, the customer. And it's not finished yet. New lines are constantly being looked at, and during the course of this year you will, no doubt, see them gracing our website . . . or at least hear me blogging about them.


Our horizons are broadening, and it wouldn't have been able to happen without the support from all our wonderful customers out there throughout 2009. We thank you all, and hope that 2010 will be just as eventful and just as prosperous.


2010 will be a year for optimistic success in every way . . . (and not to mention more random blogging by yours truly)


D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

And Now For Something Completely Different . . .

As I sit here and wait for this dreaded `seasonal bug that has no seasonal joy` to depart, I can't help but feel myself struggling for inspiration about what to blog about. My humour escapes me . . . so I thought I'd steal someone else's, and found it fitting for a product that we have sitting in our office and waiting to grace our website.

Rabbit hutches.

So, the question I put to you is: Why buy a Rabbit Hutch? (Have you guessed whose humour I'm going to steal?)

(Quote: Follow. But. Follow only if ye be men of valour, for the entrance to this cave is guarded by a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it and lived. Bones of full fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights, if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death awaits you all with nasty, big, pointy teeth.

Am I making my point clear yet?

(Quote:
Tim: There he is!
King Arthur: Where?
Tim: There!
King Arthur: What? Behind the rabbit?
Tim: It *is* the rabbit!
King Arthur: You silly sod!
Tim: What?
King Arthur: You got us all worked up!
Tim: Well, that's no ordinary rabbit.
King Arthur: Ohh.
Tim: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on!
Sir Robin: You tit! I soiled my armor I was so scared!
Tim: Look, that rabbit's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer!
Sir Galahad: Get stuffed!
Tim: He'll do you up a treat, mate.
Sir Galahad: Oh, yeah?
Tim: I'm warning you!
Sir Robin: What's he do? Nibble your bum?
Tim: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones!
King Arthur: Go on, Bors. Chop his head off!
Sir Bors: Right! Silly little bleeder. One rabbit stew comin' right up!

And as Sir Bors went to slay the killer rabbit, his death was swift and quick, leaving the others completely stunned.

The humour is stolen from `Monty Python and the Holy Grail` (I won`t quote the part about the holy grenade of antioch) However, I bet none of the Python crew ever researched the deep psychology of their killer rabbit. Why was this rabbit so mad? Why did this rabbit feel submerged with it's deep, dark anger?

Why?

Because he didn't have a decent rabbit hutch like ours. Have a thought for your rabbit . . . watch our website for their arrival . . . and don't have nightmares.

(Quote: What an eccentric performance . . .)

D. Ilott
Cybercheckout
Gridstop Ltd

Seasonal Cyber Virus . . .

Wow! What a week it's been.

I apologise for the lack of blogs just recently. It's hard to get your mind round things when your body is being invaded by a horrible little seasonal bug.

Yes, it attacked me, and it got me good and proper. First it attacked my throat, my nose, my ears, then my head. Obviously it decided early on that it didn't want the rest of me. It just hovered in the top part, clouding everything and making my head feel like it wanted to explode.

It hasn't been a good week. But luckily today is the first day that it feels like this little bug is leaving. My immune system is finally getting the better of this seasonal beast. And - call me selfish - so far it seems that I haven't shared it either . . . which is good.

One thing I could have done with whilst I was curled up on my sofa at home, engrossing myself in a good film and feeling miserable about myself, was one of our electric blanket/throws. Ah, it would have been heaven to have been snuggled up under one, savouring its warmth instead of shivering, and maybe helping my defense system in battle at the same time, but no . . . I was out of luck.

There's still a chance for you though! If you find yourself coming down with this seasonal virus, you need to fight it before Christmas! When you have no energy, and all you want to do is curl up and keep warm, this blanket is the perfect aid! Kill that bug!!

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/p-1508-electric-heated-throw-heated-over-blanket-cream-free-pp-.aspx

However, despite the fact that I feel in good spirits today because I believe this virus is finally departing, I still feel disappointed in missing out on office birthday cakes. It was our very own Marsha's birthday last week - 21 years old (everyone's 21 these days) - but I wasn't up to eating the wonderfully delicious cakes that she brought in. And one was a Chocolate Fudge Cake!!!

Curse this bug to hell . . .

D. Ilott

CyberCheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Blazing Competitions . . .

Well, as many people have asked me, the date today is the 4th of November. Tomorrow is the 5th - bonfire night. It's not as good as Halloween in my eyes, though. Being a horror writer, it is the only time of the year when I can freely let my imagination run wild without people giving me strange looks (but they still do that anyway, so why should Halloween be any different?)

But not only is tomorrow bonfire night - or Guy Fawkes - it's also the day that gives you just 10 whole days left to enter our competition. Again, rules are simple with no hard questions to answer. All you have to do is subscribe to our news letter. It's free; it's simple; and it gives you a chance of winning one of our fantastic sunrise alarm clocks! (They're great! I swear by mine)

So, go on. Go on, go on. Go on, go on, go on . . .

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/galleries.aspx

And on that note, I'm going to leave you with a little rhyme in celebration of Guy Fawkes:

November the 5th has come and gone,

But thoughts of it still linger.

I held a banger in my hand,

Has anybody seen my finger?

Regardless of whether you are celebrating on the 5th or at the weekend, have a safe bonfire night.

Enjoy . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Blowing Ones Own Trumpet . . .

Every now and then it's nice to flick through the `Customer Feedback` left on our website. I've blogged about it before and published some really nice comments left by customers about us. Afterwards it was rather difficult for some members of staff to fit through doors as their heads had swelled to extreme sizes. Having sat back and watched them struggle, taking amused delights from seeing them trying to squeeze through small spaces, I thought I'd give it another go. I can do with a laugh today.

Thank you! Excellent service. You deserve success with that customer service attitude.

Best of luck.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thank you so much for your help and efficiency - and always with such a happy voice!

Much appreciated.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Thanks very much.

Full marks for customer service throughout. I will check your site next time I'm shopping

for anything similar.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Your customer service is fab and I'll be recommending you over and over again !!

Thanks from a satisfied customer

Our customer service team should be proud of the level of service they provide, and believe me, they've evolved immensely over the last year or so. So many changes have happened in here, and things are running so much more efficiently now. Well done to all involved. Unfortunately we are out of trumpets now, so I can't blow it, but if you have one, please do so in our honour.

And here we have photographic evidence of our graphic ingenious paying homage to Cybercheckout. We are that great . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Halloween Special . . .

The unexpected darkness came suddenly. It stole away the sight of the office before me. The desks in front were engulfed, the monitors vanishing. I felt blind and paralysed with fear, but it wasn't the blindness that frightened me. It was the silence that came with it. Shrinking in my seat, my eyes glared from left to right, patiently waiting for them to adjust. Gradually the monitors came back into view, looking like hazy ghosts in the shadows, and the whole office began to reappear. I knew it was the same room, but everything looked and felt so very different without the lights on. Why had I offered to work late tonight?

Taking a deep breath, I stood from my seat. Was this a general power cut, or was there a problem in the building? I knew I should have walked to window to peer into the darkness outside, but fear prevented me from doing so. I was alone. Cursing myself for being so stupid, I forced myself to step away from my desk, and cautiously walked to the window. Parting the blinds I looked out to see the street lights glowing bright orange outside. The problem definitely came from within.

Well, that's it, I thought to myself. There was no point hanging around waiting for the electric to turn itself back on, and I couldn't do anymore work without it. Maybe it was time to call it a night and go home. Turning from the window, I walked through the darkness back to my desk to grab my belongings. The car park downstairs called for me, and I couldn't wait to be out there. The feeling in here was just too eerie for my liking.

As I began to make my way towards the exit, a suddenly noise brought me to a stop. My heart pounded frantically in my chest as my ears strained to listen. I stood in the middle of the office, feeling vulnerable and terrified. Could it be the electrics turning back on? I waiting for the buzz of life, but it didn't come.

The noise did, though. Heavy breathing and coming from around the door area - the area I needed to pass in order to leave. Someone was here with me. Controlling my breathing, trying to be as silent as possible, I stared in the direction the breathing came from. How had someone managed to get in while I was here? I hadn't heard anyone come up.

Feeling extremely frightened, I stepped back, intending to go back to my desk. I had no idea what I was to do - hide, maybe - but just as I turned I heard the click of electricity. The office buzzed back to life, filling my wide eyes with sudden light - and the horrific image of the figure that stood behind me. I screamed.

It was Andrew . . .

May the spirits of All-Hallows Eve come out and play tonight . . .

Happy Halloween.

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop ltd

Looking After Nature . . .

I don't know about anyone else out there, but I'm quite fond of nature - all creatures great and small, and all that (except spiders) - and this quality does come in handy when you live in a small village. It's kind of hard to get away from it. It was one of those things that was drummed into me as a child, growing up within a small menagerie. My dad used to like birds. He still does, and still owns a parrot that he brought his mum when he was 17 (did you know parrots can live to be about 150 years old when kept in captivity, and still give a bone-crunching bite? I'll probably end up inheriting him). Because of this, I'm quite familiar with a lot of wild birds. I can tell the difference between a Great Tit and a Blue Tit, or a Crow and Rook, and so on and so forth.

And yes, during the winter I am partial to buy some wild bird food and put it out in the garden for them. During the summer, I don't do it as often. There is plenty of food for them to survive off, and it helps to encourage the young birds to hunt and forage for themselves, but during the winter food can become scarce. It's always nice to give them a little helping hand.

Up and coming to our stock, and soon to grace our website, are some fantastic bird stations. They can hold numerous bird feeders and trays for water, and are rather attractive in their designs too. They'll make a lovely addition to your garden, and if you like sitting back and watching the birds, then this will encourage them to flock back time and time again, as long as they know it's where they can find a reliable source of food and water. They'll love it.

And another thing I've always liked is seeing their little footprints in the snow . . . sweet . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Cyber Virus . . .

We're in need of a Florence Nightingale. We have some poorly members of staff and friends in today.

The first is Forest, our much loved Husky friend belonging to Marie. He has spent the last week in the vets, and even though he is now out, he is still poorly and undergoing tests. Because of that he has been brought into the office for the day so mummy can keep an eye on him and give him his tablets when he's due.

Bless him. He's got bald patches all over him where the vets have been busy. He is so down, and even though we have all tried our best to cheer him up today, he just turns away, uninterested and not bothered . . . or is he trying to tells us that we're a boring bunch in here?

The second is Father. He is still recovering from the nasty cold he had last week. Even though he has managed to come from his nice warm home in Manchester, all the way down to Stevenage to see us this week, he still isn't 100%. However, we can't help but laugh at the fact that this cold has left him unable to hear a thing.

Now we've all started to act like the terrible children that we are. The jokes that are flying around this office at the moment are unheard of (boom boom!!! Did you get that then? Unheard of? Yeah?)

*Sigh . . . never a dull moment.

I just hope our need for a Florence Nightingale isn't going to last long. May everyone feel better soon . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Training day . . .

Today has been a very awkward day. Changes are being made to the way we work and communicate with our warehouse, and even though these changes will eventually be for the better and work really well, the process of getting there is forcing everyone to pull their hair out . . . is that just me? The egg shells are glittering nicely on the floor as everyone tries to walk over them without breaking any (Okay, I'm probably exaggerating a touch, but the wording I thought sounded good . . .)

However, one thing has kept us going today, and that's the new member of our customer service team. He popped in today to help out while our beloved Marsha spends her day joyfully gallivanting around. Yes, George is back. Sweet, innocent, 7 week old George.

He's being trained up very well, although he has done a lot of complaining. The headsets are just too big to fit his little head. They keep falling off, and he's having difficulties having professional conversation with customers and trying to balance them at the same time. Then, to put icing on the cake, he can't seem to control his bodily noises - and he's very emotional. He's still got a fair way go yet.

Our Drew has even sat down with him and tried to talk him through the basics, ie - typing - but unfortunately our point was proven about our Spiritual Guide when George decided to fall asleep on his keyboard.

Drew, you can't deny our point! We have photographic evidence!

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Deadlines . . .

We've been very busy here just recently, what with new product lines coming, the descriptions and images that have needed to be created, and then the loading up on the website (our brand new heater range will be available as from tomorrow, once yours truly can drag herself away from her other work to finish loading them and making them live). And shock-horror I almost forgot to blog! How could I forget such a thing! I'm in a state of shock!

It's just such a good thing that today is Monday, and Monday's are usually my days to stay behind late, to kill some time before I go out and enjoy what social life I have (yes, I know some may find it hard to believe, but I have one, albeit a small, almost non-existent one, but it's there) So, as 5.30 slowly approaches, one and a half hours after I supposedly finished work, I have decided to write my blog. That's how dedicated to Cybercheckout I truly am.

I still can't get over how I managed to forget to blog, though! I've been faithful here, blogging three times a week without fail since . . . April?? . . . unless there has been a major reason. Maybe I can put it down to the fact that I got so engrossed trying to write a description about an item that I know absolutely nothing about. I had to try and blag my way through to try and make it sound like I knew everything there was to know about . . . fishing. Mind you, the set we have got looks pretty good, and I can't stop thinking about a few boys who might receive one this Christmas. And it's about time the description got written. I not exactly sure how long this set has been sitting in our office for.

And on that note, I'm going to leave you with a famous quote, and one that describes me and my description work to a T:

I love deadlines . . . and the whooshing sound they make as they go by . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

A Leafy Outlook . . .

I've been busy this week writing some descriptions for our new products - and some of those new products are our artificial trees.

Now, I've been brought up with someone who's had the greenest of fingers, and who practically managed to turn our conservatory into something resembling the amazon rainforest. These traits have been passed down to me, and I'm pretty good at keeping household plants - although I'm staying well away from the rainforest look. The first thing I made sure our home had when we moved in two years ago was a plant.

I love plants. I like the feel they provide the room. A home without a plant feels empty to me, and not homey at all. I don't quite know why I feel like that but I do. I also like the colour they add to drab areas. In this very office on my desk sits not one, but two little cacti. Both sit there and look pretty, and gives my working area a more welcoming feel.

But what if you haven't got green fingers? What if you want that feeling but you only have to look at a house plant and it dies? Then fear no more. Artificial plants these days look remarkably real, and can create the same homey effect, but without the hassle. You don't have to worry about watering it, about it growing too big for its pot and needing re potting, you don't have to worry about pruning it, about feeding (yes, plants need feeding too), you don't have to worry about anything - except maybe giving it a dust every now and then.

Because I've always been pretty good with plants, the thought of purchasing an artificial one seems to defeat the object for me, but as I sat here and typed their descriptions I began to see their benefits. They're also good for decorating the workplace where no one really wants the responsibility of looking after it. They're a good idea, and if I wasn't trying to control the ever growing forest in my own home, I may have found myself sold.

But then it may be in my best interesting to let the forest grow. Could be quite interesting watching Tarzan swing from the rafters in his loin cloth . . .

Grrr . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Huffy-Up, I See a Bargain . . .

Everyone likes a freebie! No one can deny it! If it costs you no money - a Bargain - then you will love it! It's human nature, and it's in our blood.

Therefore, may I introduce to you our latest competition, and a chance to win one of our superb Huffy Green Machines!!!!

You'll see a link for this on our home page to our website, but to make things easy for you - purely because I fit within the category of `genuinely nice people` - I've provided a link for you to click on. This should take you straight to our competition page, eliminating all that hassle you'd have from reading this, and then clicking back numerous pages, and then finding our home page, and then clicking on the competition page . . . see what I mean? And I think I rest my case about what category I fit into (No comments from those who actually know me, please!).

However, you have to promise me that you'll finish reading this blog before you click on the link, otherwise I won't give it to you. I know the lure of winning something worth £150 is far greater than staying here and reading, but I don't want this blog to suffer because of the excitement of this competition. So, do you promise to read to the end? Promise?

Promise . . . ??

Okay, here we go . . .

http://www.cybercheckout.co.uk/galleries.aspx

Huffy machines are great fun. I know they are supposed to be for kids, but come on! Who in their right mind would stand back and do nothing when they have a beast like this sitting in front of them. I'd have to give it go. Why should the kids have all the fun . . .

So anyway, the competition is really easy, and it doesn't involve any brain power. All you have to do is subscribe to our newsletters, free of charge and hassle free (another bargain?) and be entered in our prize draw. It ends on October 15th, but the way this year is going, that's just round the corner, so as they say:

Huffy Up and Enter Our Competition!!!

I can't enter though, and I now feel discriminated against because I'm an employee . . .

Humph . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

Busy Busy Busy . . .

It's going to be a busy next couple of . . . weeks? Months? However long it's going to take . . .

Apart from looking at new products to sell here at Gridstop Ltd, we are also looking into our entire marketing strategy. We are going through the structure of our website with a fine tooth comb. Our aim is to try and give you a much simpler and a much better shopping experience with us.

If you're looking for a product - a tent, for instance - and your surfing through the net, looking for that certain Je ne sais pas that will leap from your screen, yelling at the top of its voice "BUY ME!" What will that be? Will it be the price? The product itself (regardless of price)? The company? Or the security?

I personnally list security on the list of my shopping choices (and it's not just because of the thought of men in uniform). If I don't feel happy about someone, I won't buy. I need to know that these people aren't going to take my money and run!

But what makes you buy? Just what is that Je Ne Sais Pas for you . . .?

Some changes may befall our website soon. Hopefully it's going to become more customer friendly and reasuring. It's the start of an on-going project that will hopefully be a great success in the future.

If I don't blog next week, you know it's because I'll be buried under a mound of paperwork . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

That Sweet, Innocent Little Sausage . . .

Germany.

A wonderful place, with wonderful sights, and home of our wonderful friend, and ex-cyber employee, Niosha . . . and home of Hamburg, the only place in Germany I've visited (and a certain area of Hamburg in particular).

It was a very interesting day on Monday. As mentioned in my last blog, Drew took a small crew to this lovely country. Not only was this a marketing project, but also an excuse for everyone to have a 'pick-on-Lisa' day. And boy did she get it.

Apparently it started as soon as she was picked up at 5am that morning, when Drew accused her of being almost disastrous with her morning disorientation - happens to the best of us - and then it continued as soon as they arrived. A hired car had been arranged, but for reasons unknown to myself, their Ford Focus wasn't available, and so they had to be upgraded. Such a burden this was to Lisa. The luxuries of a normal, reliable, petrol car had to be given up, and instead she had to put up with a black BMW 320 Injection Convertible. I'm no car person, but it sound's impressive. However, it was diesel - and gave Lisa cause to moan.

Yep, she's no fan of diesel cars, but what would you drive? Ford Focus or Convertible BMW? She still hasn't lived that one down.

The day was full of little events such as this, all in the cause of Lisa's mockery, including a comment on the return plane home. At first she didn't know what the airport was, and then whilst waiting to taxi to the runway, she said - and I quote:

"I bet we're gonna fly . . . "

Erm . . . yeah!

The full comment was supposed to be somewhere along the lines of "I bet we're gonna fly home faster than what it took to get here," but it didn't come across like that, and yes, it's another moment that she will never live down.

Poor, poor Lisa. What a day she had. But was she really a victim of all this ridicule? Was she really the innocent female that had to suffer it all? Or did she instigate it, and provide the fuel for the wrath of Drew's humor? The proof, I think, is not in the pudding, it's in the German Sausage.

PS: The photo of `Lisa and her German Sausage` has now travelled further miles than Germany itself, and will be available to purchase in calender form nearer the end of the year. Lisa is now promising that revenge is sweet - a dish best served cold. This'll be good . . .

PPS: I still don't know why they actually went to Germany . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd

The Challenge Continues . . .

I apologise that there haven't been any blog posts recently. Most of my time has been spent training up Andrew in the art of doing my work. I honestly thought there wouldn't be one today, but luckily I am just able to squeeze a small quickie in. I doubt there will be one on Friday though, as that is the day I go away and leave Andrew alone in the big wide world of downloads.

I thought I'd update you all on how the challenge of training the Spiritual Guide is progressing.

You can all sigh with relief. He is doing fine. I have every faith that he will be okay, and dispatch will run as smoothly as what it normally does . . . I'm not one to brag . . .

And despite all the distractions that are being thrown his way, things are still looking rosy.

I now know I can relax on that beach without a care in the world . . .

PS: I've just heard rumours that someone may throw a blog or two in during next week when I'm away. This should be quite interesting, and I'm sure I will be logging on at some point to have a nose . . .

D. Ilott

Cybercheckout

Gridstop Ltd