Thursday, December 24, 2009

Reviewing the Akiles Roll-a-Blade 64-Inch Rotary Trimmer By Jeff McRitchie Platinum Quality Author

Large-format rotary trimmers are great for the preparation of such large documents as blueprints, banners, posters, and the like. One of the stand-out products currently available is the Akiles Roll-A-Blade 64. This is a device that can cut through just about anything (and we mean that literally) and it even comes with a floor stand, eliminating the need to purchase such an item separately. Of course, the Roll-A-Blade 64 does have a few weaknesses, as well. So read on to learn all about the strengths and weaknesses of this product.
The Strengths
  • This is one cutter that can really handle an incredible variety of materials. In addition to paper, this trimmer can cut metal, vinyl, PVC, cardboard, certain types of fabric, and more. It can cut items that are up to 64 inches long.
  • The blade is self-sharpening and made from Tungsten steel. It's housed in a casing that's ergonomically friendly, so it will both protect your hand and make your job more comfortable. Plus, the blade is guaranteed to trim in just the right place thanks to a guide bar that's made out of steel.
  • This unit has a waste catcher that's made out of canvas. This feature will catch your scraps so the cleaning up process isn't as arduous.
  • This cutter has a paper clamp that's transparent. Not only will the clamp keep your paper or whatever else you're cutting in place, you will be able to keep an eye on how your work is progressing.
  • Both English and metric measurement units are visible on the cutter's base. The base itself is pretty large so you will have a lot of room in which to work.
  • A metal stand is included at no additional charge. This is a very nice move on Akiles' part, considering other manufacturers, such as Dahle, sell their floor stands separately and wind up costing the owner of the cutter a lot more money. On some other cutters, the stand can cost nearly as much as the cutter itself.
  • The floor stand has locking wheels so you can both move your trimmer around and have it stay in just one place as necessary.
  • This product will be shipped in a wooden box so it won't be damaged (or lost) when it is shipped.
  • The product is very well-made, but if you run into problems with it, the included warranty will cover your purchase for up to one year.
The Weaknesses
  • This cutter can only trim materials that are up to 2 millimeters thick, so this product cannot be used for cutting large stacks of paper, for example.
  • Although the wooden container protects this product during shipping, getting rid of the box may prove to be challenging. You will also need to make sure that you have at least two people to unload this system off the truck when it arrives at your office.
  • This is a very heavy unit that weighs 120 pounds. Moving it around will be a bit tough even with the floor stand. Plus, you will not be able to mount it on a wall.
  • Naturally, since this is a rolling trimmer with a 64-inch cutting length, it will take up a lot of room so this product isn't ideal for smaller work areas.
Overall, the Akiles Roll-A-Blade 64 has more strengths than weaknesses, although it is disappointing that it can only cut materials that are 2 millimeters thick. Nevertheless, not very many other cutters can trim as many types of materials as this product can, and that fact that Akiles ships it with a floor stand (and in a wooden crate to boot!) makes this product a great choice for businesses needing a cutter of this caliber.

Jeff McRitchie - EzineArticles Expert Author

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Women Are Flocking to Boutiques By John P. Garvey Platinum Quality Author

Boutiques are filling a void in the fashion world! Women in their thirties, forties, fifties and even sixties are disappointed when they go to the large chain retail stores. The reason is that there is a huge gap between dressing like a teenager and dressing like an old lady who has given up on being fashionable. The truth is that women in their fifties aren't sitting at home knitting doilies all day in a rocking chair underneath their blankets. They are vibrant and interested in looking good and feeling good.
Sure, there are some stores that cater to women's fashions, but they start to look all the same and have one type of woman in mind, leaving shoppers feeling very "blah" about their choices. Boutiques offer a few different things that women are looking for that they can't find in department stores. One is service. Boutiques have owners and employees that are interested in making women feel good. They're not just going for the sale, but will actually take the time to help women find something unique that gives them the feeling of being young. There's a big difference in feeling young and trying to look young!
Boutiques offer a laid-back shopping atmosphere that appeals to older shoppers. They love being able to go in and browse, taking as much time as they need to make their decisions. When you're a teenager, you may want to buy lots of clothes and replace your wardrobe really often. Your body is changing, you're getting taller, developing, and your taste is changing. Teenagers make decisions about what to buy very quickly. Women want to take their time. They look more at the quality, the versatility, and the style of the clothing. After all, they know that they will wear something that they like for years to come.
Boutique owners should make sure that they really cater to this slightly older crowd. Talk to them and offer clothing that they will find sustainable and fashionable. Make sure that the items you recommend will actually look good on them, and be honest about whether or not it does. Older women appreciate honesty and will return to stores where they find it. If you only offer skimpy, revealing clothing, and try to tell older women that it looks good when it doesn't, then you're missing out on a huge opportunity.
Arrange your store and set up your displays so that women know that you offer clothing that they would like. You may decide to hang clothing outside in nice weather so that women driving by will notice that you carry styles that they like. Make your displays orderly and not crowded. No one wants to dig through crowded racks to find their size. Keep your clothing racks spacious and easy to sift through. A garment rack should be stocked, but not squeezed tight with clothing. Make sure that you don't have clothing racks close together either. People don't want to be back to back with other shoppers. Utilize your wall space to make room for your clothing racks and shoppers.
You will see that when you cater to this older group of women that they appreciate it and come back often. They will spread the word about your boutique and you'll be on your way to success.