The Wow Willy is Selfridges own version of Dr Eduardo A Gomez De Diego’s Andro Penis traction device which was recently launched and would be made available at their London store shortly. This male enhancement device has already attracted too much of attention lately and soon will be available for £250 at Selfridge’s store in London.

Consumers are recommending Harley fit, the designers of the device due to its lasting results and the ability to produce penile growths on average of 0.6 inches lengthwise.

Wow Willy – What Is It?

Wow Willy is a male enhancement device which encourages penile growth of up to 1.6 inches in length and 0.6 inches in girth. This product can be comfortably worn under your clothing and does not put your penis in any sort of danger.

However, such hopeful results have also been produced by other male enhancement devices apart from Wow Willy.

The SizeGenetics device is a good example of providing wonderful results and enhancing penile growth by 30%. This device has also undergone numerous trials and has been clinically proven to be effective and safe.

Although this device is only available through online, it is well ahead of Wow Willy as far as value for money and clinical trials is concerned.

The SizeGenetics device is CE approved and can be purchased for only £233.91 to increase your penis size by 3 inches.

How Do Such Traction Devices Work?

This device is designed similar to the traction technique that is used in orthopaedic surgery. The Wow Willy applies traction to the copora cavernosa of the penis and causes the cells to break and form duplicates.

This tissue then accumulates inside the penile chambers and allows the penis to retain more blood and results in penis enlargement over a period of time.

These two traction devices, the SizeGenetics device and the Wow Willy, if worn for couple of hours daily, can produce other benefits as well such as:

* correcting penile curvatures by 70%
* improving strength and endurance
* stopping post surgical penile retractions
* Treating peyronies ailments

Robin is a professional in the field of medically proven and safe penile enlargement methods and on general male enhancement methods. For further information on SizeGenetics device, read SizeGenetics Review
If you would like to buy a male enhancement device, please feel free to avail of $50 OFF SizeGenetics e-voucher.

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

Launching their own version of a penis stretcher, the device can easily be found in Selfridge’s soon at a price of $250, and already it is attracting a lot of attention.

Producing average penile growths of 0.6 inches in length, consumers are commending Harley fit – the creators of this device – for its lasting results.

What exactly is an extender?

Clinically proven to encourage penis growths of up to 0.6 inches in girth and 1.6 inches in length, the device can comfortably be worn underneath your clothing without putting your penis at risk of damage.

However Selfidges is not the first to produce such promising results.

Penis extenders have been available online for many years and customers and their lovers have been enjoying the results.

These very same devices can be found online for as little as $149

Traction devices – how do they work?

Structured using a similar traction technique used in orthopaedic surgery and by women of the Paduang tribe, the extender gently applies traction to the copora cavernosa of the penis, causing cells to break away and replicate.

As this tissue accumulates within your penis chambers, this helps your penis to hold more blood and permanently increase in length and girth.

However this is not all that these traction devices can do. Worn for a few hours every day, the extender devices – can also:

• Correct penile curvatures by 70%
• Improve stamina and endurance
• Stop post surgical penile retractions
• Treat peyronies disease

Visit Penis Stretcher Info for more honest penis enlargement information

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

Let’s assume you’re visiting London for just a few days. Doesn’t it make sense to go to one of the city’s famous department stores where you’ll find everything under one roof?

Here’s an essential guide to London’s best stores, written by a Londoner:

Harrods

Everybody has heard of Harrods!  It’s like a playground which you can happily get lost in for hours.  I especially recommend the Food Hall – try an authentic Italian “gelato” if you really want to spoil yourself.  Although Harrods can be expensive it’s always great fun, even just to window-shop!

Liberty

Liberty became famous for dressmaking but is actually a general department store. It is not all that well-organised as a store but that is actually part of its charm. The homewares department is particularly attractive. The store is right in the centre of London near Regent Street.

Selfridges

Selfridges is heaven for the fashion-conscious and all those who want to browse their favourite designer brands under one roof. The store’s window displays on Oxford Street are always a spectacle.  Selfridges is also known for its special events and exhibitions which change every season. Watch out too for the famous Selfridges sales.

Harvey Nichols

This store is a haunt of London’s jetset, known as the “Sloane Rangers” or the “ladies who lunch”…you’ll see them with their fancy handbags on the 5th Floor Café!  Harvey Nichols has almost 130 years of history and is especially highly-rated for beauty items and fashion accessories.

Fortnum & Mason

One of the best stores in London to buy gifts and souvenirs, especially edible items like teas (hundreds of varieties), chocolate and those famous English preserves.  Sample some of its mouthwatering delights (including a traditional English breakfast) in the store’s restaurants.  Fortnum & Mason is famous for its amazing hampers: you can take one with you to one of London’s fabulous Royal Parks!

That completes our quick round-up of London’s best stores: happy shopping!

Where in London should you stay to experience shopping heaven? That’s answered in this free guide to London’s best hotels for shopping. The author also provides free real-time London tips.

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

An even more unlikely occurrence is the availability in high street stores apart from those specifically geared towards adult products.

All this appears to be changing. Selfridges, a large department store in London, will be the first to stock a traction device aimed at increasing penis size.

The Wow Willy is the brand name of the medically approved and clinically trialled Andro Penis extender from Andro Medical. Husband and wife run Harley Fit have patented the Wow Willy brand and will be the first company to stock a penis enlargement traction device in a store that has a family oriented customer base.

This is major breakthrough for the penis enlargement industry.

In an industry diluted with highly suspicious products with less than credible credentials the Wow Willy has science and clinical evidence on its side. The Andro Penis, to which the Wow Willy is a branded version carries the CE mark of approval for safety and is classed as a medical device type 1.

It is the penis enlargement pills, patches and oils and herbal based ingestible products that throw the serious and more importantly, effective method s of penis enlargements into doubt.

Penis traction is thought to be the number one most effective method to enlarge a penis outside of surgery. Penis surgery potentially offers a quicker reward but also is very expensive and can also lead to permanent damage or disfigurement on what is mans most valuable bodily asset.

50% of penile cosmetic surgical procedures are successful, but it is the other 50% where the concern lies.

Wow Willy’s newly appointed sales manager Jojo Kovacs recently described his unique marketing approach in an interview conducted by Metro London, a popular newspaper with the city’s commuters. “I will just walk up to a gentlemen in the vicinity and ask him … do you have a small penis” This tactic is sure to be met with high degree of approval from casual male shoppers.

This does though rather beg question, is the subject of penis enlargement better off left in the anonymity of the internet. Certain products are subject to the embarrassment factor – penis enlargement is certainly one of those. The Wow Willy will go on sale later in 2009. Read the Wow Willy review.

Tony Jay writes for http://www.mypenisenlargement.co.uk/ a penis enlargement and male enhancement resource highlighting the effective methods of penis enlargement from the dubious.

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

When was the last time someone came into your business, or called on the phone, or better yet emailed you with a throbbing case of the nasties? Our business is located just outside of the city with a bus stop in front. We also own several niche market web sites. Do you suppose we get our share of interesting characters?

Somehow, this philosophy/policy of, “The customer is always right” has been branded into the consumer’s psyche and repeatedly shoved in the face of business owners, managers, and employees. Having worked in Law Enforcement for several years, we’re taught by our instructors and leaders to consider “the spirit of the law” versus “the letter of the law.” These considerations dictate whether or not the cop is going to give you a ticket for going 5 miles over the speed limit. If we’re to follow the “letter of the law,” we’re going to go by the book each and every time without exception. It’s the “spirit” that allows us discretion to listen to a creative story of how your lover caught you with your spouse again and “thank God you’re here to protect me, Officer… and that’s why I was speeding. I was trying to get away!”

Shouldn’t we, as business owners and managers, have that same option of discretion when a less than reasonable customer approaches chanting that misguided mantra? Now, of course, this is not to say that we should not recognize our positions as “authority figures” and practice a higher degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and tact. All of which are vital to your business. Professionalism is the difference between giving the appearance of genuine concern, and wrapping your knuckles on someone’s forehead to see if anybody’s home. Diplomacy is being able to give your customer the perception that you owe them, and have provided them with, an apology by stating something to the affect of, “I’m sorry you feel that our policy has inconvenienced you.” instead of actually apologizing and admitting fault for something that your company is righteous in maintaining. Tact is being able to tell your customer that it appears that your (policy, sign, product, etc.) was simply misunderstood without having to tell him/her that they’re a complete moron.

Now, I’m also not condoning never admitting fault or accepting responsibility for genuine wrongs and doing everything within your ability to correct them. And there are schools of thought that strictly forbid admitting fault. Their mantra? “Better to ask forgiveness than permission.” However, by the very nature of such an absolute statement such as, “The customer is always right,” provides people, who for no other reason but a sense of entitlement, a free pass to come into your business with the expectation that they’re going to be able to conduct themselves however they wish. This includes treating you and/or your employees with utter disrespect and rudeness. As a result, our employee attrition rate is relatively low because we allow them the discretion of practicing professionalism, diplomacy, and tact.

Fortunately, most of our clientele allow us the opportunity to provide them with genuine friendly service and resolve any issues with a mutually beneficial outcome. Unfortunately, every once in a while, you come across a customer, who no matter what extraordinary efforts you deploy to appease, is simply unreasonable. With that, you must then make an executive decision and these are just a few questions that should be considered in rapid-fire succession almost immediately. Is this customer worth keeping? How adversely will kicking him in the pants affect my business? Am I able to resolve this issue with little impact on my business or bank account? Am I going to diminish my employee’s sense of empowerment and/or sense of dignity by overturning their reasonable decision? I’m sure there are other considerations that you’re likely to make, but these are the very minimum.

Incidentally, the person responsible for us having to endure the phrase, “The customer is always right.” was a gentleman by the name of H Gordon Selfridge. Mr. Selfridge was the founder of Selfridge’s Department Stores widely known across the United Kingdom. Perhaps Mr. Selfridge was stuck in the “letter of the law,” as he died insane and bankrupt. Food for thought.

“Is the Customer Always Right” article authored by John R Valente of http://www.IndieRetailer.com

John Valente is co-founder of IndieRetailer.com, a search engine, resource center, and blog specifically designed for the independent retail industry. John, and wife Jennifer are independent retailers who have owned and operated a brick and mortar store as well as several websites that include [http://www.fantasticfelines.com], http://www.AromatherapyCandle.com, CaliforniaEbooks.com, and CreativeOutsourceGroup.com to name a few since 1998.

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

If you are looking for a lovely family run 3 Diamond Bed & Breakfast in a restored Victorian listed building, then the Athena Hotel in Sussex Gardens W2, located in a beautiful tree lined avenue, is what you are looking for. Seven minutes walk from Hyde Park, the Athena Hotel is Ideally located being the perfect choice for holiday makers, business executives and shoppers. Being minutes by taxi to London’s West End, Knightsbridge and not far from the city, this is the ideal base to explore London. A short distance from Paddington Station, many more attractions are located a short distance of the hotel
including restaurants, shopping, Madame Tussaud’s, Oxford Street and Marble Arch or if you prefer being only two minutes from Paddington station, Hyde Park and being close to Lancaster Road and Bayswater Road, then the Shaftesbury Premier London Paddington on Westbourne Terrace, is set back in a private terrace but accessible from all major routes into and out of the heart of London and offering spacious executive, family and standard rooms, with rooms being en suite and having been designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible with warm colours and furniture. All rooms have a plasma TV and complimentary 24/7 broadband internet access, with their Eclipse Bar/Restaurant being a sophisticated, spacious and elegant dining and meeting point for friends and family.

In Orchard Street W1, the Selfridge hotel combines traditional comfort with the convenience of modern facilities. This deluxe hotel offers the best in service and a relaxing atmosphere. Guests can choose from a sumptuous selection of executive rooms, studios and suites. Rooms are equipped with modem points along with Wireless Internet in all bedrooms, meeting rooms and public areas. Situated in the heart of the West End with Marble Arch, Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Selfridges being just a short walk away. The exciting night life of the West End waits on the hotel’s doorstep. If you prefer your hotel to be in a garden square and just a few minutes walk from Hyde Park and Paddington
station then try the Quality Crown Hotel Hyde Park in Talbot Square Paddington, this contemporary yet classic hotel is renowned for its hospitality and surprisingly tranquil location. The hotel is just 15 minutes from Heathrow Airport via the Heathrow Express. And in spite of its quiet location, you will find unparalleled access into the heart of London. With Oxford Street, Kensington and Marble Arch being near. The attractive town-house style blends with the up to the moment amenities including wireless and ADSL high speed internet access, flat screen TV and on-demand movies and music.

In a lovely tree-lined street in Sussex Gardens sits the Gower Hotel, a small family-run bed and breakfast hotel. The Gower Hotel is conveniently situated in the Paddington and Hyde Park area. The owners, the Stavrou family, pride themselves on providing a personalised service, making their guests feel very comfortable along with reception staff assisting with directions, sightseeing and theatre bookings. Being within close distance of Paddington station, restaurants, shops and famous London attractions, the Gower is also near Hyde Park, Madame Tussaud’s, Oxford Street, Marble Arch and many more attractions. With the Best Western Shaftesbury Paddington Court hotel on Devonshire Terrace being only 300 metres from the Heathrow Express Terminal and yet set amidst traditional surroundings that recapture some of the elegance and charm of Victorian England, this hotel is ideally located for both the business and leisure traveller. Being in a perfect central point from which to explore London, near to the Paddington and Lancaster Gate underground stations with Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Marble Arch, Edgware Road and Oxford Street are all within five to fifteen minutes walking distance.

Friendly service ensures that your stay in the Queensway Hotel in Sussex Gardens will be an enjoyable one. Ideally situated for shopping in Oxford Street, Bond Street and Knightsbridge. The Queensway Hotel is located next to Hyde Park in Paddington, Central London. They provide a high standard of comfort which combines nicely with a wide range of facilities. All rooms have private baths and/or showers and toilets, television, direct dial telephones, tea and coffee making facilities, trouser presses and hairdryers. Both Paddington and Lancaster Gate Underground stations are close by and there are also several bus routes giving service to theatres, museums, galleries and historic monuments. Being in one of the most desirable areas of London, the Abbey Court Hotel Hyde Park, is located in the quiet tree-lined avenue of Sussex Gardens and provides an ideal base for exploring London. Being popular amongst tourists and business guests because of its location and reasonable rates, it is close to Oxford Street and Marble Arch for shopping and within a three minute walk of Hyde Park which offers jogging,
cycling, sailing and riding facilities. Within a five minute walk are the Paddington, Lancaster Gate and Edgware Road stations, numerous bus routes, as well as the Heathrow Express and Air Bus Link (A2) to Heathrow Airport. Also within easy reach are the famous tourist attractions of the West End including theatres, museums and London’s shopping centres.

The Four Star Shaftesbury Premier London Hyde Park hotel on Westbourne Terrace, offers 119 rooms, while being situated close to London’s Hyde Park and only three minutes from Paddington Tube and the Heathrow Express. Originally The Hyde Park Paddington, the hotel was renamed as The Shaftesbury Hyde Park Paddington being newly refurbished in March 2006 and is now fully air conditioned. Offering spacious executive rooms, family rooms and standard rooms to meet the guests requirements, the rooms have been designed to make your stay as comfortable as possible with the choice of warm
colours and furniture. Each room being provided with 24/7 complimentary broadband access, direct dial telephone, interactive TV and supplying you with tea and coffee making facilities. Offering a splendid base for your stay in London, the Abba Queen’s Gate Hotel in Queen’s Gate SW7, has been kept in its original classic Victorian splendour, with freshly refurbished rooms offering a wonderful mix of classic and contemporary style and offering bathrooms that have both tubs and a shower. Family rooms are spacious and offer comfortable living space when staying. All the rooms have free tea and coffee making facilities, modem-point telephones, wifi and work desk along with Pay-movies, Terrestrial TV and radio channels.

The Westpoint Hotel in Sussex Gardens Hyde Park, is always a popular choice with tourists and business guests alike because of their excellent location and reasonable rates. The Westpoint has excellent access to all the famous attractions whilst being located in the quiet, tree-lined avenue of Sussex Gardens. With a choice of 71 bedrooms, all with private showers and toilets and having the convenience of there being lifts to all floors. Close to Oxford Street and Marble Arch for shopping
and only a three minute walk of Hyde Park which offers jogging, cycling, sailing and riding facilities. Looking for hotel in a former stately Victorian terraced town house, then the Darlington Hyde Park in Sussex Gardens, offers high standard accommodation with modern facilities, which ensure that the expectations of both the business and leisure traveller are fully met. Less than a 5 minute walk from the Heathrow Express terminal at Paddington station, this 40 bedroom converted hotel prides itself on its attention to detail, cleanliness and hygiene combined with a high level of professional customer service, ensuring that the Darlington Hyde Park is always an enjoyable stay. The Darlington Hyde Park
prides itself on being a strictly non-smoking establishment.

With a dedicated ‘Business & Service Centre’ offering secretarial support, word-processing, photocopying and faxing the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel on Portman Square is dedicated to the needs of both the business traveller and those on holiday. Located in a secluded corner of picturesque Portman Square near Marble Arch, the hotel is in the heart of London’s West End, with Selfridges, Marks & Spencers and the famous shops of Oxford Street and Bond Street being just a few minutes walk away. Hyde Park is also just around the corner offering a peaceful haven in which to walk and relax. There is also a mobile telephone hire facility, and in addition, business travellers will appreciate the hotel’s close proximity to the commercial districts. Alternatively, Paddington Court Rooms in Devonshire Terrace, is situated just a five minute walk from Paddington station. This hotel is ideally located for many of London’s top attractions including Hyde Park and Oxford Street. Offering 17 guest rooms all of which have private en suite bathroom facilities with the rooms being decorated to a high standard,
which ensures guests have a comfortable stay when in London.

The exciting new central London based Quality Crown Hotel in Paddington’s Praed Street, brings a modern designer-style at an affordable price based at the heart of central London’s tube and bus network. Contemporary and Executive rooms are all non smoking and feature air conditioning, wired and wireless high speed internet, large flat screen TV with on-demand movies and CD’s, sound-proofed glazing and over-sized power shower. The Gallery Lounge and Bar features Sky Sports on a 42 inch plasma TV and the hotel boasts a Fitness Centre, atrium-style Executive Lounge and Conference Rooms for 12 delegates.

Philip runs the travel website http://www.travel05.co.uk Flight, hotel and travel booking.

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

The question I want answered is; did he ever work with
customers on day-to-day basis and if so, was he some kind of
saint?

Let’s face it; customers can be a real pain in the neck. You
move heaven and earth for them, you respond to their every
whim, you give them time to pay and they still try to screw
your prices down.

Just when you’ve done all that, they leave you and start
buying from one of your competitors.

Wouldn’t running a business be a whole lot better if we
didn’t have customers? Well, as we know only too well, we do
need customers and lots of them. We want them to stay with
us and we want them to say nice things about us to other
people.

We also want them to pay us on time and accept the fact that
we might be a bit more expensive than others.

So how do we perform this miracle? It’s dead easy really;
you only have to consider two factors: be reliable and be
likeable. First off, let’s consider what we mean by being
reliable.

Reliability is about your product or service doing what you
say it will do. It comes in two parts, the first part being:
doing it right first time and doing it on time.
If you can’t get this bit right then you’re going to have
big problems. Customers will accept the occasional mistake,
but too many and you’ve had it, so let’s look a bit closer
at reliability.

We’ve come a long way in recent years in terms of product
and core service reliability. Nowadays when people buy a
product or service they expect it to work. You don’t buy a
computer, a washing machine or an automobile and worry that
it might not work. You know that it will. You also know that
if it didn’t, it would be replaced without quibble.
The only thing is, that if you deliver this type of
reliability in your business then don’t expect any brownie
points from your customers, they merely take it for granted.
Where you are more likely to slip up in the reliability
stakes (and this is the second part) is in what some people
still regard as minor issues:

*Failing to phone back when we said we would;

*Failing to deliver when we said we would;

*Failing to send information when we said we would;

*Failing to include something extra when we said we would.

The ironic thing is that some customers often regard these
failures as quite normal. However, these people won’t stay
with you, they don’t say nice things about you to other
people and they’ll complain about your prices.

If you say you’ll phone a customer back by 5pm then phone
before 4pm not the following day. If you say someone will
call between 9am and 12noon, then do everything you can to
ensure that someone calls closer to nine than 12. Don’t
think for a minute that calling at 11.55 impresses the
customer because it doesn’t.
So let’s just repeat it so there’s no misunderstanding later
on: firstly your product or service has got to be reliable,
secondly, everything you say to the customer has to be
reliable.

However, I believe that more than anything you, your product
or service and your people have to be likeable.

Too many organisations forget that their customers are
humans and the thing about humans is that they don’t always
make decisions logically. You may have a reliable product or
service, reliable delivery time and competitive prices. But
it’s not enough.

Customers are driven by their emotions and it helps a heck
of a lot if they like you and feel good about your business
and your people.

“Our customers do like us,” I hear you say, “except maybe
the difficult ones, the awkward people, the ones who are
never happy, the miserable devils – need I go on?
Have you ever heard the saying “you only get the customers
you deserve”?

Run your eye down the following list and see how many you
can tick off.

*We always have a genuine smile for every customer.

*We are warm and friendly to all customers.

*We listen carefully and make it obvious that we are
listening.

*We use the customers name and our name appropriately.

*We give the impression that we care.

*We empathise with problems or complaints and respond
quickly.

*We occasionally do something to pleasantly surprise the
customer.

*We always keep our promises.

*We give the impression that we are fun to deal with.

*We treat the customer the way they want to be treated, not
the way we want to be treated.

How well did you do? If you’ve got a lot of ticks then you
probably have lots of customers who like you.
Just a word to the managers and employers amongst you. Run
your eyes down that list again and replace the word
“customer” with the words “employee” or “staff colleague.”
How many ticks did you get this time? Lots of ticks mean
your staff like you and it probably follows that your
customers do as well.

Have you noticed how being likeable costs so little? A lot
less than advertising or other promotional activity required
to replace lost customers.

Maybe the customer isn’t always right, but if you want to
keep them, make sure they like you.

Discover how you can generate more business without having to cold call! Alan Fairweather is the author of “How to get More Sales without Selling” This book is packed with practical things that you can do to – get customers to come to you . Click here now http://www.howtogetmoresales.com/Without%20Selling.htm

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

The main culprits by far are store cards where interest rates are as high as 30.9% – even though the Bank of England’s base rate stands at just 4.5%. The worst culprits were TJ Hughes and the Faith Card followed by Owen & Owen. You can find them heading the Table of Shame shown below in this article.

The commission has also come down on high penalty charges for missed or late payments and Payment Protection Insurance. Average penalty charges are currently £15 per event – but the Commission is also right to argue that these charges are excessive.

As for Payment Protection Insurance, the Commission has joined the consumer body “Which”, the National Consumer Council and indeed the Financial Services Authority in concluding that whilst this insurance can be a good idea, credit card operators have abused it. The Commission has therefore decreed that Payment Protection Insurance must no longer be sold in a combined package with a credit card; it must always be purchased as a separate stand alone transaction. That’ll be good news for the Internet where many of the cheapest Payment Protection Insurance deals can be found. With premium savings of up to 60% in comparison with credit card and loan packed arrangements, business on the Internet will flourish.

So what do the new rules from the Competition Commission say? The five main changes are:

• If a credit card charges more than 25% interest, it must carry a prominent warning that there are cheaper ways to borrow. This warnings must be displayed on every monthly statement.

• The interest rate and penalty charges must me clearly displayed on the front page of each monthly statement.

• The monthly statement must warn of the consequences in terms of higher interest charges, of just paying the minimum monthly repayment.

• Credit Cards must offer every customer the option of automatically clearing their monthly balance each month by direct debit. These direct debits would avoid any possibility of interest charges and late payment penalties.

• Credit Card operators must not sell Payment Protection Insurance in a combined package with credit cards. The insurance must be sold as a separate and optional transaction that enable purchasers to see the true cost.

These new rules seem destined to shame retailers into slashing their charges – that’s not to say that 25% pa interest is a snip! Main line credit cards issued by banks are currently charging around 14% to 18% and we think that’s too high!

Indeed, between 80% and 90% of store cards held by some 11.5 million customers charge more than 25%. But some retailers have jumped the gun realising that their sky-high charges couldn’t last forever. Three store cards have already taken steps to trim back. Harvey Nichols has cut their interest from 28.5% to 21.9%, River Island has trimmed down from 29.9% to17.9% and Monsoon from 29.9% to 18.9%.

But who are the bad boys? Here is our Table of Shame:

TJ Hughes 30.9%

Faith Card 30.9%

Owen & Owen 30.7%

Burtons 29.9%

Dorothy Perkins 29.9%

East 29.9%

Evans 29.9%

HMV 29.9%

JD Sports 29.9%

Kwik Fit 29.9%

La Senza 29.9%

Laura Ashley 29.9%

Miss Selfridge 29.9%

Russell & Bromley 29.9%

Ted baker 29.9%

Topshop/Topmam 29.9%

Wallis 29.9%

Warehouse 29.9%

House of Frazer 29.3%

Bhs Gold Card 29.0%

Habitat 29.0%

Oasis 29.0%

Harrods 28.9%

Fenwicks 27.9%

Selfridges 27.6%

Bentalls 27.2%

Jaeger 27.1%

B&Q 26.8%

French Connection 26.8%

Argos 25.9%

Homebase 25.9%

New Look 25.9%

Note: Some of these cards do offer lower interest rates for payment by Direct Debits. Source: Competition Commission/Moneyfacts March 2006

These credit cards are operated by a number of large finance companies, the largest being GE Capital the American giant. The profits are shared between the card operator and the retailer who is often incentivised by being awarded a higher share of the profit if they hit certain key debt thresholds. This has encouraged stores to put immense pressure on shoppers to take cards out.

The Chairman of the House of Commons Treasury Committee, John McFall has accused retailers of putting profit before customers saying “If you buy a suit from one of the stores then you would expect the retailer to ensure that it was well made and reasonably priced. These principles do not seem to apply to their store cards”.

Let’s all hope that the action taken by the Competition Committee does the trick!

Michael Challiner writes finance articles exclusively for Brokers Online who offer Life Insurance Cover and many other UK financial services including Credit Cards .

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

The generally accepted definition of Aviation is the design, manufacture, use, or operation of aircraft – in which the term aircraft refers to any vehicle capable of flight. Aircraft can either be heavier-than-air or lighter-than-air, lighter-than-air craft including balloons and airships; and heavier-than-air craft including airplanes, autogiros, gliders, helicopters and ornithopters.

It was the dream of man for centuries to soar with the birds. Famous inventors such as Leonardo da Vinci, John Stringfellow and Lawrence Hargrave had conjured up ideas of how to get some of the strangest machines to fly long before the Wright brothers’ famous first flight at Kitty Hawk.

The kite was the first form of an aircraft believed to have been first designed in the 5th century BC. Roger Bacon, an English monk, performed studies later on in the 13th century which gave him the idea that air could support a craft just like water supports boats. In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci studied birds flight and later produced the airscrew and the parachute. The airscrew, leading to the propeller later on and the parachute were tremendously important contributions to aviation. He envisioned three different types of heavier-than-air craft; the helicopter, glider and ornithopter (a machine with mechanical wings which flap to mimic a bird). Although Leonardo’s designs were impractical, seeing they required human muscular power which was insufficient to generate flight with the aircraft he envisioned, he was vital to aviation because he was the first to make scientific suggestions.

Some of the more credible developments in actual flight and stability occurred in the 19th century. Sir George Cayley of Britain designed a combined helicopter and horizontally propelled aircraft and the British Francis Herbert Wenham used wind tunnels in his studies. He also predicted the application of multiple wings placed above each other. Another famous inventor was John Stringfellow, who designed a steam engine powered aircraft which was launched from a wire. This model demonstrated lift but failed to actually climb. Lawrence Hargrave, a British-born Australian inventor, created a rigid-wing aircraft with flapping blades operated by a compressed-air motor, it flew 312 ft (95m) in 1891.

Jean Marie Le Bris of France was a famous glider developer in the 19th century who tested a glider with movable wings. Kites also played an important role in the development of aviation, they could be used to test aerodynamics and flight stability. Lawrence Hargrave first created the box kite in 1893 and Alexander Graham Bell developed a gigantic passenger-carrying tetrahedral-celled kite from 1895 to 1910. Some of the most important full-scale model flight attempts were made by Samuel Langley, who created the first heavier-than-air, gasoline-powered engine which actually flew. The ‘aerodrome’, which he called it, was powered by a 53 horsepower 5-cylinder radial engine and later crashed into the Potomac river on December 1903 — days before the Wright’s historic flight.

Throughout this century, major developments would give inventors a sound basis in experimental aerodynamics, although stability and control required for sustained flight had not been acquired. Most importantly, inventors noticed that successful powered flight required light gasoline engines instead of the cumbersome steam engines previously used. Fortunately the development of the gasoline engine was being pushed by the burgeoning auto industry. Although in its infancy, designers and inventors were looking for lighter engines capable of increased horsepower to power their automobiles.

It is remarkable, from 1903 to today, how far aviation has come. On December 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., the Wright brothers’ (Orville at the controls) made the first heavier-than-air, machine powered flight which lasted 12 seconds and spanned 120 feet. Their first flight was 102 feet short of the wingspan of the C-5 Galaxy today, yet they did what every man and woman had dreamed of for centuries. . . they flew. Yet, not all flights were victorious, on September 17, their aircraft crashed, injuring Orville and his passenger (Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge). Selfridge later died of a concussion and was the first person to be killed in a powered airplane. Yet the show went on and Wilbur went to France in August 1908 and on December 31, 1908, he completed a 2 hour 20 minute flight which demonstrated full control over his Flyer. The Flyer was purchased on August 2, 1909 and became the first successful military airplane. It remained in service for around two years and was retired to the Smithsonian Institution where it rests today.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Aviation

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Simon Carter has enjoyed a steady stream of success with his distinctive styling and continues to anticipate consumer demands, which is part and parcel of maintaining his reputation as a premier British fashion designer. In the 80’s and 90’s he introduced fresh and exciting designs that revolutionised the men’s accessories market, which had long been stagnant.

His company began selling pewter brooches for men but really found its niche when it began selling cufflinks. He combined in his designs semi precious stones, complimented by other organic materials like Paua shell from the far away shores of New Zealand. Symmetrically divided by thin strips of metal they resemble art deco architectural embellishments, while other designs maintain more simple form using cat’s eye in subtle pastel colours of blues and pinks.

In the mid-1990s the company opened its own showroom and shop in London’s West End. International sales also began to take off, with agents appointed to sell Simon Carter products in the U.S., Canada, Japan and Australia. Today, the accessories (which include watches, cufflinks, ties, luggage, small leather goods and pens) are carried in some of the most exclusive department stores and independent retailers in 35 countries around the world, including Selfridges, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Takashimaya, Bloomingdales and David Jones.

Early 2002 saw Simon Carter branch out to include a menswear line. From the start, the range proved very popular and the collection is now stocked in House of Fraser, Selfridges, Moss Bros, Fenwicks, Brown Thomas (Ireland), GB Place (Japan) and David Jones (Australia).

Dressing The West Ham Football team and actor Will Smith propelled him onto the intentional stage. Other windows of opportunity opened more recently when, Simon Carter signed a clothing and franchise agreement for Japan with Japanese company, BBS. The five year deal covers designing, manufacturing and distribution of a clothing range in Japan and the opening of stand-alone stores in Tokyo and Osaka.

Simon’s boldness in the face of conservatism has been the hallmark of his success. He took notice of customers’ demands and responded accordingly. Subsequently, of course, he enjoys strong sales and continuing growth. Fortunately he is not alone, Simon is complimented by other well known English brand names like Paul Smith, Ian Flaherty, Fred Bennett, Duchamp, Babbette Wasserman and many more who provide healthy competition, plus the choice and variety that has been lacking for so many years.

Now we wait in great anticipation for the next range of designer cufflinks

If you would like to learn some interesting historic anecdotes about the evolution of style and fashion follow this link http://patrickmcmurraysfashionaccessories.blogspot.com

If you would like to see some stunning silk ties, cufflinks, belts and wallets, follow this link http://www.patrickmcmurray.com

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