A Buyer's Guide to Choosing Bathroom Safety Products

Read article : A Buyer's Guide to Choosing Bathroom Safety Products

Safety in the bathroom has to be priority #1. That's where up to 70% of home accidents happen. Outfitting a bathroom for safety doesn't have to be complicated or costly.

Start With Grab Bars And RailsMetal grab bars, attached strategically to walls in the tub and shower area, offer a steadying brace for those who need help getting in and out of the bath and shower and when standing in the shower. Grab bars generally range in length from 12" to 42" and are up to 1-1/2" in diameter. Textured or brushed finishes offer more traction, especially when wet.

Bathtub grab bars and rails that clamp on to the tub itself offer support when getting in and out of the bathtub without the permanence of drilling into walls.

Be sure to read all product descriptions carefully and look for the weight the bar or rail you're considering is able to bear, usually up to 250 pounds. You want to be sure it can support the full weight of the person grabbing onto it. Some bars may only provide help to steady people, but not necessarily support them if they slip and grab hold.

When stability is the goal, look for bars and rails that attach securely; a product that uses suction cups, for example, may only provide some aid rather than full support.

Put Safety Inside The Bath And Shower Next On Your List A wide variety of products are available for people who need to sit down to shower. Theshower chair, seat or bench allows the user to sit at chair height in the shower when unsteady or unable to stand for long periods or when the movement of getting into a tub is too difficult or no longer possible.

The design features you choose should match up with the needs of the user. Choices start with a simple stool design; many allow you to build on that, adding a back and/or arm support as needed.

Bathtub transfer benches, seats and boards allow the user to sit down at one end, positioned outside of the tub, then swing their legs over without having to actually climb over the side to get in.

For walk-in showers, a mobile shower chair that rolls right in is a great option.

One more alternative for narrow tubs where a shower chair will not fit is a shower stool.

No matter which of these products is the right one, look for a design that allows water to drain, meaning less pooling and risk of staining or other signs of wear. Cutouts may be available for resting a handheld shower and for grabbing the chair to adjust it; cutouts in the center of the seat section make personal cleansing easier.

An adjustable leg design allows you to customize a chair or bench for the user's height and allows more than one user to sit comfortably. Always look for sturdy, wide legs with grips on the ends to offer better traction on a wet surface. Shop for styles made with rust-resistant or non-corrosive materials like aluminum, molded plastic or PVC.

Other specifics to check before you buy include the maximum weight it can bear; if the user is over 250 lbs, look for models in bariatric sizes that can usually accommodate up to 400 lbs. Consider the weight of the seat itself if it will have to be moved in and out of the tub; a design that folds is a good option if others are using the same bathroom. And finally, if using in a stall shower with a door closure, measure the space carefully to be sure the chair will fit inside it with the door closed (some prefab showers are very narrow).

Make Easy Adjustments To The Toilet When bending is difficult, either because of a bad back or knee problems, getting on and off the toilet can be a challenge. Simple adjustments can make a huge difference: by raising up the seat, there's less movement needed to sit down. Installing atoilet riser under an existing toilet seat effectively lifts the seat by about 5". Clamp-on or locking raised toilet seats go right on top of the existing toilet, usually without any tools.

Adding arm rails or handles provides that much more support, though may not be necessary if the user already utilizes a walker. As with grab rails and shower chairs, the more support needed, the more securely attached the item should be.

Seats are available with different cushioning, often a personal preference. Choosing a seat with a deep front recess for easier hygiene might be an important consideration.

When support only is needed for getting on and off the toilet, consider a toilet rail. Another option is a toilet safety frame"”think of it as a grab rail that extends around both sides of the toilet. On some models both the height and width can be adjusted for a better fit.

For people who are confined to bed and unable to walk to the bathroom, a bedside commode is a useful option. Many commodes can also be used over a toilet to create a raised seat effect. A lifting commode has a mechanism that uses a person's own body weight to help lift them up. Commode liners make emptying the pail easier.

Bathroom Makeover is Easy as 1-2-3! : HomeJelly

Read article : Bathroom Makeover is Easy as 1-2-3! : HomeJelly

Updated bath and shower door before and after.

Yep. You know you’ve done it, too. Lived, possibly for years, with that dreaded eye-sore feature in your bathroom that’s easier to tolerate than update (tile backsplash, countertops, that “ugh-o” brass faucet). Hey, it’s not like changing the color scheme of your bathroom’s bath and shower metal door is as easy as screwing in new hardware…or is it?

My friends, I’m here to announce Delta’s fabulous new customized design tool for creating the dream bath and/or shower door you’ve always wanted. And, yes, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!

Delta design tool. source: deltashowerdoors.com

I was thrilled to be sponsored by Delta to try the tool myself. Ah, yes…the universe has incredible timing: my husband and I were just about to go to Home Depot to look for a new door that weekend! Coincidentally, if you do find yourself at your local Home Depot, they, too offer Delta’s easy-selection process to design the exact shower or tub in shower door for your home (prices range from $199-$325).

Tip: if you’d like to do a more dramatic makeover to your wishy-washy, mix-matched washroom, update your hardware and fixtures to match your new door. It’s amazing the difference with such a minor monetary investment.

I have to say, even though I’m pretty well-versed in online shopping, when it comes to designing the exact specifications, dimensions, color and hardware style of an install feature for my home (especially when there is breakable glass involved), I tend to get a little flustered and dubious as to what will eventually show up at my door.

Bathroom Makeover Phase 1:

To put everyone at ease, I have to say, it was as easy as 1-2-3 (Yeah, I know! Go figure, right?)! Here is the step-by-step process for phase one of my bathroom makeover process:

Step 1: I clicked into Delta’s Shower Doors.

Step 2: I clicked “Start Now”.

Step: 3: I followed their easy as 1-2-3 process and was done!

There were some really wonderful finishes to their hardware and glass…the hardest part was choosing which one! I decided, that because our current hardware and faucets were chrome, I’d choose the same finish for our new door. The benefit? This makeover would be complete with this one simple change!

I received the door just a week or so later and then had to decide if I would DIY it or have a professional do the job. Hmm…what was I to do? Admittedly, my blogger rep was on the line. However, recognizing the wisdom of knowing my limits, I chose the latter. If you’d like to give it a go, Delta provides this handy DIY video to help you be successful.

Bathroom Makeover Phase 2:

My first thought after deciding I’d hire a professional to install my new Delta shower (and, come on folks, sometimes it feels so goooood to hire a pro!), was to contact HomeAdvisor. They offer a secure way to find verified and prescreened contractors in your local area, as well as provide personal support to help you hire a pro you can trust. To find someone near you, simply click on their “Find a Pro” link and follow their easy steps, or click on the logo below:

For the second phase of my bathroom makeover, I knew I had to find the right person to do the job. Because there was a possibility of damage/breakage being done to our existing tile or the new glass door, I decided to ask for personal help.

I contacted Keirsten Castillo, my HomeAdvisor project adviser, whom I had consulted on a previous project. She had great suggestions for hiring just the right person, getting the job done and personally set me up with several professionals. You can choose to seek the help of someone like Keirsten, or opt to use their online tool, which is super easy to navigate. Here was my step-by-step pro-searching process:

Step 1: Clicked in to HomeAdvisor’s “Find A Pro” button.

Step 2: Followed their easy prompts.

Step 3: I was matched with three pros who contacted me with quotes.

Step 4: I utilized the help of my project advisor for more suggestions.

Step 5: I contacted the best one, in my opinion, and hired Pedro Flores of Finish Carpentry Sampedro (Note: Pedro’s business card reads “Sampedro”, but his listing reads “San Pedro”. He was fantastic and got the job done!

The Results!

I was absolutely thrilled with the results! See for yourself via our “Before and After” photos!

Updated matching metals before and after.

Mismatched metal colors (brass shower/tub door vs. chrome fixtures and hardware) made this bathroom sad and outdated. With this simple switcheroo, it’s now current, cute and coordinated!

Updated hardware before and after.

Oh, yeah. There’s bling in this bathroom now!

Coordinating colors.

Custom-designed shower door using Delta’s online tool.

Updated shower door, updated bathroom!

All photography (except otherwise indicated) by Skaie Knox, HomeJelly

This was a sponsored post by Delta and HomeAdvisor. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Designing Your Home Ownership to Retire Earlier

Read article : Designing Your Home Ownership to Retire Earlier

The following is a guest contribution from reader and blogging friend Chris Mamula, a pending early-retiree in his 40’s. Chris has been writing on personal finance topics for several years. His efforts first came to my attention with his insightful review of my second book. In this post, Chris explores how to craft home ownership to support an early retirement, requiring less retirement savings while improving the quality of your life….

For many years, my wife and I made two assumptions about owning our home to facilitate our early retirement:

1. We should live in a low cost of living area, pay our home off quickly, and own it outright. We could then essentially eliminate our housing expenses during retirement.
2. Our home would be a safe investment because it would increase in value while simultaneously providing our family shelter.

Over the past year, I began studying real estate investing as a way to diversify our current portfolio that consists primarily of paper assets. As I learned, I thought about ways to incorporate real estate investing principles to reframe how we would approach buying our next home.

First we challenged our original assumptions. Real numbers told a different story about the cost of home ownership. Then we made the conscious decision to approach our next home as an investment in the life we truly want. This allowed us to decrease retirement savings needs by six figures while simultaneously enabling the lifestyle we desire.

The True Cost of Home Ownership

One of the most important decisions we made when getting serious about planning our early retirement was tracking our expenses. We have been doing this for the past three years and the information we gleaned from this process has been eye opening.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that on average the three largest areas of spending for most households are housing, followed by transportation, and then food. We originally assumed that because our spending is drastically different than the average household, these statistics did not apply to us. Our actual numbers told a different story.

Last year our biggest expense again was food, followed by housing and then transportation. Our numbers show that we do spend far less than the average household on housing and cars, and our overall spending is also subsequently less than average. However, even with a paid off home and cars, our three biggest areas of spending are the same as most everyone else.

The other thing that we have realized by tracking and analyzing our spending is how intertwined our housing decision is with other spending and quality of life. You may have a lower initial purchase price on your home by living away from work or popular attractions. However, it is easy to then make up for that with increased time and money traveling to work and entertainment.

This was certainly our case. Our transportation costs were driven by my hour round trip daily work commute and the fact that we live at least an hour one-way from our favorite hobbies: skiing, hiking, and rock climbing. Getting to good skiing or climbing in bigger mountains has required a full day drive to New England or a cross-country flight west. We typically take 2-4 such trips each year.

Next we looked at our assumptions that our home was a safe investment.

Is Your Home An Investment?

We built our home in 2005 for approximately $250,000. Since then we have done several costly upgrades totalling over $20,000. This brings our cost to over $270,000 before accounting for routine maintenance, property taxes, mortgage interest, and other expenses associated with home ownership.

Twelve years later, comparable homes in our area are selling for $240,000-$260,000. Even without factoring in real estate commission and taxes on the sale of our house, we have virtually no chance of recouping our initial capital investment, let alone making money on the transaction.

At the same time, as compared to our diversified paper portfolio that can be sold off strategically to our benefit, our home represents a large undiversified percentage of our capital tied up in one place. Needing to sell it when we want to move adds stress when watching our local market stagnate while most of the nation’s real estate prices soar.

As we planned what we wanted our life to look like in early retirement, we realized that if we wanted our home to be a good investment, we would need to approach it as investors.

Looking At Home Ownership As An Investor

As I read about real estate investing, one principle that I found useful in my introduction was Robert Kiyosaki’s concept of assets vs. liabilities. Kiyosaki says that your home is a liability, not an asset. His definitions essentially boil down to cash-flow. He defines an asset as anything that creates a recurring cash inflow to you, while a liability is anything that creates a cash outflow.

This definition is certainly oversimplified and not comprehensive or accurate from an accounting perspective. However, it has been extremely useful to help me challenge my assumptions. This concept helped create a different framework going forward as we looked at our home as a potential investment that could change our retirement equation.

Considerations When Buying A New Home

As we began to look for a western mountain town to live in for our early retirement, we did not throw out all conventional wisdom.

On a macro level, we narrowed down our list of potential ski towns first by affordability of housing. We wanted to go somewhere that we could use the equity from our current home to purchase our new home with cash or a very small mortgage.

On a micro level, once we honed in on Ogden, UT we tried to get the best price possible on our home based on local market conditions.

However, we went a step further. Rather than making unnecessary assumptions, we paid close attention to knowing our own personal numbers regarding how our housing decision would affect our overall expenses and lifestyle.

Going back to Kiyosaki’s asset vs. liability principle, we looked at how we could limit the liability of our purchase and possibly create a cash flowing asset.

Limiting Liability

We recently purchased our new home for $240,000. It has nearly identical finished square footage and lot size to our current home in Pennsylvania. It is an older house, but has been extensively remodeled in the past ten years.

The major items (roof, windows, furnace, plumbing, electric, etc.) are the same age or newer than in our now 12-year-old “new construction.” We therefore are assured that we will not have to carry a mortgage once we sell our current home, and the carrying costs (utilities, maintenance, etc.) for the new house should be very comparable to our current home.

Property taxes in Utah are far lower than in Pennsylvania. This comparable house has annual property taxes of $1,600 compared to our current $3,300 property taxes. This means a direct $1,700 annual reduction in liability of home ownership.

Choosing to live in a mountain town will also drastically reduce our indirect expenses associated with our current residence while increasing access to our favorite activities. On a day to day basis, we will now have only a 20-30 minute drive to world-class skiing in the winter. In warmer months, local climbing, hiking and paddling days will now mean walking from our front door to the trailheads or a short 10 minute drive to water activities. This will give us increased access at decreased cost compared to our current hour plus one-way drive to resorts, trailheads, or lakes.

Our travel expenses will decrease greatly. We will also have six additional world class ski resorts in the canyons around Salt Lake City an hour south and Jackson Hole about three hours north. We can drive in our own car and total cost will be the price of a day lift ticket. Previously, we have spent $2,000-$3,000 for a long weekend to fly across country, rent a 4WD vehicle, and pay for hotel rooms before ever purchasing expensive day tickets.

Likewise in the warmer months we will be less than a day drive to many of the west’s great parks including 6 national parks in Utah and the Grand Canyon to the south, and Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks to the north. This will eliminate the expense of long trips to get to outdoor destinations.

Lowering our property taxes and reducing our transportation and travel expenses should save us in total at least $5,000/year based on our prior years’ expenses. Using the inverse of the 4% rule, we would need to save 25 times our annual spending to support that spending with a traditional stock/bond portfolio. Therefore, reducing this liability means needing at least $125,000 less retirement savings while improving quality of life.

Creating an Asset

Originally, when thinking about moving west we were focused on controlling or even decreasing the liability of home ownership by simply buying a smaller, cheaper home than our current residence.

As we thought about what is really valuable to us, we wanted to have the space to host family and friends. In particular, we wanted to have a place for my parents, who are retired and have a close relationship with our daughter, to stay comfortably for extended periods.

Real estate investor/educator Chad Carson writes about a powerful strategy for new real estate investors that he labels “house hacking”. As he describes the strategy: “A house hack basically means that you buy a small multi-unit real estate property, live in one unit, and rent out the others.”

While we had no desire to live in a duplex or triplex and be landlords to our neighbors, we applied the lessons of house hacking to our personal situation to allow the lifestyle we desire.

We recently became regular customers and big fans of Airbnb for the comfort and value they provide when traveling with our family. We considered being Airbnb hosts.

We thought that if we could find the right property, it could provide us with a smaller, lower-cost main living space that we desired, a comfortable place for family and friends to stay with us as desired, and a potential cash flowing asset when not in use.

As stated above, our newly purchased home has roughly the same square footage as our current home. However, the layout is far different. The new home provides a much smaller primary living space. We also have a separate two-bedroom, one-bath space with a kitchen and living room with a private entry.

Using the extra space as an Airbnb, it should net a minimum of $100/night rented. If we extremely conservatively assume we could rent 50 nights/year (approximately 50% of weekends, no weeknights), we would make $5,000/year. Doubling to 100 nights/year is a reasonable estimate and would yield $10,000/year.

Returning to the inverse of the 4% rule, earning an extra $5,000-$10,000/year would be the equivalent of not having to save $125,000-$250,000 dollars for retirement.

From the standpoint of an investment, this is the equivalent of a 2-4% cash-on-cash return on our primary residence. Unlike our prior assumptions, we are not relying on any appreciation to make money. Any appreciation in home value will only enhance returns.

If we decide we hate being Airbnb hosts and never make a penny from this plan, we have controlled our downside risk by limiting our liability. We also avoided using any leverage to further limit downside risks.

A Message Bigger Than A House

This post introduced some real estate investing ideas that may be new to you. It also demonstrated the application of the concept of using personal spending to calculate retirement saving needs. However, focusing only on specific technical points would miss two much more valuable lessons.

First, to enable the life we truly want we needed to master basic simple fundamentals of personal finance. Tracking our expenses is Personal Finance 101 that “everyone knows,” yet few people actually do.

Our faulty assumptions were the result of the fact that we did not track our expenses for the first decade of our careers. Knowing our personal numbers now allows us to see how much we spend, where our money goes, and what drives our spending. This in turn enables planning in creative ways.

Second, if we want to live a life different than the standard 40-hour work week until age 60 or 70 there are multiple ways to do it. Conventional wisdom is that early retirement requires taking large risks and requires complex technical planning. You must make and then save massive amounts of money or live a life of extreme frugality.

Planning our early retirement has taught my wife and me that simply taking the time to choose what is important to our family and thinking about creative ways to get it can change that entire equation.

As this example showed, we were able to conservatively decrease the retirement saving needs for our family by $125,000 just by decreasing the liabilities associated with owning our current home. By using our new home as an income producing asset, that number very conservatively becomes greater than a quarter million dollar difference in retirement saving needs.

At the same time, this decision will enable us to live the lifestyle we desire, adds no financial risk to our current situation, and requires no sophisticated financial products or techniques. If you design your home ownership as an investor, it can turn into an asset that will help you retire earlier!

* * *

Meet the young activist who fought for a condom dispenser in every bathroom

Read article : Meet the young activist who fought for a condom dispenser in every bathroom

#WeArePP: Our Stories from AK to AZis a weekly blog series in which we profile supporters and advocates from across the country and every corner of our Planned Parenthood community. This week we sat down with Alba Alvarado, a California native who passed a transformative sex education policy in her hometown school district.

Meet Alba Alvarado. She’s a fearless advocate for women’s health, a first-generation college student, a leader in Latino communities — the list goes on.

Perhaps her most impressive accomplishment to date? She proposed a condom accessibility policy in the San Rafael, California school district during her senior year at San Rafael High School — and it passed.

Thanks to Alvarado, condom and STD pamphlets are available in high school bathrooms throughout San Rafael. But getting there was a personal, often difficult process.

“When I was nine, I became an aunt. My brother was 17 or 18 and in high school — yet he became a father,” Alvarado said. “Once I got to high school, I was still seeing many girls leave school to have babies before graduation. They were not emotionally or financially prepared to be mothers.

“My freshman year, around 12 girls became pregnant and left school. That’s how normalized unplanned teen pregnancy was — especially for Latinas, who often have less access to affordable health care,” she said.

Alvarado decided to take matters into her own hands. With the help of peers, teachers, and Next Generation Scholars (a first-generation college access nonprofit), the then-high school senior wrote a policy and pitched it to the school board.

“I called it ‘The Condom Project.’ No fancy names,” Alvarado said.

YOU get a condom, and YOU get a condom!

She urged the school board to make condoms accessible for students by installing condom dispensers. She did research. She gave presentations. She taught sex education classes at neighboring schools. She handed out thousands of condoms to her peers — so many that they started calling her “the human condom machine.”

Almost a year and a half later, Alvarado’s proposal passed — but unfortunately without any funding. In support of the policy, the National Coalition of STD Directors contacted Alvarado and coordinated with Trojan Condoms to donate 20,000 condoms to the San Rafael school district.

One of Alba's condom dispensers installed.

Today, Alvarado is a sophomore at Wesleyan University, where she continues to advocate for sex education and reproductive health. As a member of Adolescent Sexual Health Awareness (ASHA) on campus, she teaches consent-based, medically accurate sex ed classes in low-income school districts in Connecticut.

And she doesn’t plan to stop her work anytime soon.

“I found this passion for reproductive health with my condom project, and that continues to grow every day,” Alvarado said.

Read more of our interview with Alba below

PPAF:You just finished your freshman year at Wesleyan. How’d it go?

AA: I’m a first-gen college student, and never did I ever think I’d be somewhere like Wesleyan. For a long time it seemed so unrealistic. But I made it, and it’s been so amazing!

Wesleyan could be more diverse, but the POC that are there are so empowering. I’m constantly trying to be more, I guess, “woke.” I’m trying to be more confident and outspoken as a woman of color. Surrounding myself with people like that at Wesleyan has been so inspirational to me. I’ve already grown so much.

PPAF:Do you know what you’re going to major in yet?

PPAF:That’s a lot! Besides ASHA, are you involved with any clubs at Wesleyan?

AA:Yeah! I was part of First Things First, a pre-orientation for first-gen students. It was the first opportunity for me to find my people. We ended up sticking together, and all joined Ajua Campos, which is the Latinx organization on campus. It focuses on empowering Latinx people and building our community. During the election, it was a really big support system for a lot of us, since it felt like the world was ending.

Alba and friends making a statement on campus.

PPAF:So since the election, has your attitude changed at all in terms of fighting back?

AA:At first, we just needed to take the time to support each other and mourn. It really felt [like] something had died. Not that we haven’t had bad presidents before, but you have to wonder, how could people vote for a person like [Trump]

Afterwards, a lot of us were like, “we have to take action immediately!” So we had protests and marches on campus, one of the first political demonstrations I participated in. I also went to the Women’s March in San Francisco later on.

A lot of people may think that protests accomplish nothing. But a big part of making change is speaking out and being heard. [Protests are] also a chance for people to go out and express themselves.

Alba at the Women's March.

PPAF: You’ve mentioned that you’re a first-generation college student. What was your college application process like?

AA:I was very fortunate to be part of a first-gen college access program called Next Generation Scholars (NGS). I joined when I was in seventh grade. Along with my parents, this organization raised me like a second family. I had the privilege of surrounding myself with really outspoken people of color and strong women and men who have made it out of cycles of poverty. They gave me resources, from helping me edit college application essays to helping me shop for my dorm room.

But even with the incredible privilege of having NGS’s help, it was still hard. Like explaining to my parents what financial aid was, or what I want to major in. For many immigrant parents it’s like, “Are you going to be a doctor or a lawyer?”

PPAF: You moved from the west coast to New England. Do ever get homesick?

AA:Yeah. Another thing is seeing people from school and some of my friends get left behind. It’s really hard, sometimes, sitting at Wesleyan and thinking back to the people I know who are still in cycles of poverty.

It can be hard knowing your classmates have had private school education — or even just better public school education than you had. There have been days where I’ve cried, thinking I don’t belong here. For a lot of first-gen students, you’re working twice as hard to be in the same place as your more privileged peers. That really gets to you, especially during the harder times like midterms and finals.

In the end, though, I know that I’m not just here for myself. I’m here for my family, my friends, and my community.

"I’m not just here for myself. I’m here for my family, my friends, and my community."

PPAF:You’re in Washington, D.C. this summer, doing an internship. What made you want to come to the nation’s Capitol?

AA:I continued to stay in touch with the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), and through them I was able to [get featured in] a couple pieces in magazines like Glamour. Then one of their employees was like, “If you’re interested, we can make an internship happen.” I saw that as an opportunity, and I never let that go! Now that [the NCSD and I] have been working together for a couple years, they’ve definitely seen me grow. It’s been incredible to have their help, and now help them continue to provide people with sexual health resources.

PPAF:And what do you think about D.C.?

AA:It’s definitely got its perks! It’s pretty. It looks like you’re constantly looking at a postcard, even though it’s so hot and humid. I just love being in the center of politics, and how there’s always something going on. And it’s definitely a money place.

PPAF:Yeah, I believe it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the country.

AA:I had never seen so much privilege and money — ever. It’s crazy.

PPAF:Intersectionality has become important to Planned Parenthood, but that hasn’t always been the case. How can progressive organizations better incorporate intersectionality in their cause?

AA:It’s all about the people in charge being a more diverse group. I think for some people, “diverse” automatically means people of color. But we also need to focus on people with disabilities, and queer and trans people. There are so many kinds of people that need to be represented. That type of diversity is an advantage at organizations like Planned Parenthood.

PPAF:Can you think of a time when diversity has been done successfully?

AA:Sure. [At Wesleyan,] we read a book called “This Bridge Called My Back.” Everyone should definitely check it out! It’s a collection of texts and poems by different women of color, from all different backgrounds. It was the first time I saw myself and the experiences I’ve had represented in text.

It was also the first time I got to learn about my people’s history. The Chicana movement, the Latinx movement, civil rights, you name it. But I also learned about Pacific Islander women, Native American women, Asian women, Black women. Basically all the intersections people have to deal with — and what feminism is really about.

Alba and some of the mentors who helped her with her project.

PPAF:This August marks the fifth anniversary of the implementation of DACA. Why is it important more than ever to protect this law?

AA:Like we saw in Charlottesville, it’s obvious that there are many people out there who don’t think people of color or undocumented people...are people. They don’t see us as equals, and I honestly don’t know if they ever will. It’s so, so frustrating. We’re not “illegals,” we’re not “aliens,” we’re all the same.

DACA’s not as great as it could be. I think we all know that. But it’s definitely a good start. And it’s giving people access to the resources America claims are for everyone. A lot of immigrants are fleeing terrible, unimaginable situations in other countries. But DACA gives them hope for the first time.

Alba celebrating her heritage.

PPAF:What’s your dream job? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

AA:My friends and family are always like, “You overthink stuff! You’re always planning ahead!”

PPAF:Planning ahead is good, though!

AA:Yeah! I guess I have to remind myself that some things you can’t plan. I did not think I would be interning in D.C. this summer, for example. Not because I doubted I was capable, but because I didn’t know there were opportunities like this for people like me.

That being said, I’m definitely going to finish my undergrad in four years. Then I want to spend two to three years working in D.C. — hopefully at a place like Planned Parenthood. Then I want to go to graduate school. I’m thinking about a dual program in business and public health.

I guess ultimately I want to be giving back to a place like from where I came from. I want to help immigrant communities, first-gen students, people with low incomes, queer people of color, basically every underrepresented community you can think of.

Tags: alba alvarado, safe sex, #condoms, latinx, activism, sex education

Nepal Packing List in February for Females

Read article : Nepal Packing List in February for Females

The following is a Nepal packing list post by Flora Baker. See all packing list posts here.

In February, Nepal is cold. In the mornings, in the shadows, after the sun goes down and whenever you’re indoors, it’s freezing. And most houses in Nepal don’t have central heating and rely on solar panels instead, so although there’s a certain amount of warmth when in the sunshine, the temperature drops rapidly when you’re out of it.

I spent a month in Kathmandu, where I volunteered at an orphanage and taught in the local school. I also spent a few days at Chitwan National Park and in Pokhara, but the vast majority of my time was spent in Kathmandu. So here are my packing tips for the capital city, suited in particular to travellers, volunteers and backpackers who aren’t going trekking.

Clothing:

Nota bene: The best tip for dressing in Nepal is to wear layers, in order to cope with a climate that changes throughout the day. That way you can strip off and layer up again, depending on the time and location. As a general rule of thumb, I always wore at least a top & long sleeved shirt, plus my fleece – and I always kept another layer in my bag too, just in case!

1 pair of jeans: warm enough to be worn in the chilly mornings/evenings or at work – plus they’re smart enough to teach in!

1 pair of lightweight full length or capri trousers: to wear during the day or when it’s particularly sunny.

1 pair of comfortable yoga pants (optional): great for long bus journeys, casual days or for some extra warmth in bed!

2 pairs of leggings: an extra layer under jeans or worn by themselves when it’s warmer.

>>Check out these great pants for traveling women.

4 – 6 tops: I took a range of strap tops, vests and sleeved t-shirts, but the tops/vests were only worn as base layers. It’s also a good idea to keep your shoulders covered, as Nepal is predominantly a Hindu country and the cultural norm dictates it.

2 long sleeved shirts/cardigans: a necessary layer addition to whatever top you’re wearing.

1 fleece: I lived in my fleece, so make sure it’s one you’re comfortable wearing a lot!

1 lightweight sweater: good for a quick extra layer that can be removed as necessary

1 waterproof jacket: I didn’t bring a waterproof with me and had to buy a fake North Face one in Thamel when the rains started. Check the weather forecast before you go, but definitely take a waterproof just in case.

5+ pairs of underwear: the exact amount is a personal preference, but do bear in mind that you could be hand washing (see below), so quick dry material is often a good suggestion.

2 – 3 bras: decide on colours when you’ve chosen what tops you’ll be packing.

Socks: I took about three pairs of socks to Kathmandu, and regretted not having more. I didn’t envisage that I’d be taking off my shoes in people’s unheated houses and wandering around the cold floors; my socks were filthy in no time, and it took me a while to find standard elasticated socks to buy instead of the typical thick hiking socks which didn’t fit inside my trainers!

* I didn’t take skirts or dresses with me to Nepal, but some of my tops were long enough to be worn over leggings. The Hindu culture doesn’t accept shoulders or knees being uncovered, plus I felt like teaching required me to be as smart as I could manage with my clothes collection – so trousers and tops sufficed.

Nepal packing list - Flora Baker in Nepal on Elephant" width="600" height="450" class="size-full wp-image-5620" />

On an elephant in Nepal

Swimwear:

The only opportunity to wear my bikini was during the elephant bathing at Chitwan National Park. I still wore leggings and a t-shirt too, but it was sensible to be in my suit!

Shoes:

Lightweight trainers: I spent the majority of my time in waterproof trainers, but I did wish I had slightly nicer shoes to wear while teaching opposite the stunning female staff at my school, all dressed in saris.

Hiking shoes with ankle support: these are essential if you’re planning on trekking. Otherwise you can get away with just wearing trainers!

Sandals/flipflops: the condition of the Nepali roads and the cold, wet weather didn’t encourage my wearing of flipflops, but they were still useful for the shower and walking around the house. Although I did succumb to the sock/flipflop combo on a few cold occasions.

>> Read more about shoes to pack for an RTW trip.

Toiletries:

There are plenty of shops and stalls selling all the basic toiletries you’ll need, but you might want to bring preferred brands with you from home.

Toothbrush & toothpaste: For minty fresh breath!

Solid shampoo & conditioner: A great way to pack up to 90 washes in a handily small size.

>>See our round-up of the best toiletries for carry-on travelers.

Deodorant: To fend off unwanted body odour.

Razor: Although I embraced the hair during my time in Kathmandu, chances are you’ll want to remove yours.

Mooncup: I recently purchased one of these babies and now am a little bit in love with it. I took tampons to Nepal but they aren’t that easy to find on the ground so I’d definitely suggest investing in a Mooncup! (We’re big supporters of menstrual cups here at HPL, and especially the Diva Cup!)

Quick dry towel: Takes up minimal space in your bag and is great for absorbing water post-shower.

Nepal packing list - Flora Baker in Nepal" width="600" height="450" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5621" />

Technology:

In Nepal, almost all power is run via hydroelectricity, so a system of load shedding is in place, which provides energy to different areas of the city for a few hours at a time. Although there’s an official schedule for when the accompanying power cuts occur, it’s not strictly adhered to – and this often means a lack of hot water, no electric light and a difficulty in knowing exactly when to charge your electrical items.

Often you’ll find that your area doesn’t have any electricity during the night – so if you’re out all day, a sensible option is sometimes to leave your electronics plugged in and the outlet switched on. You won’t be overcharging your appliance or rinsing the electricity as chances are it will only be on for a few hours anyway!

Laptop or tablet (plus charger): An optional choice, but they’re great to back up photos, talk to friends and family over Skype, and blog about your adventures. There are plenty of internet cafes in Thamel though.

iPod (plus charger): Listening to music is a great way to relax or keep you company on long bus journeys. It’s also a great icebreaker with the person sitting next to you!

E-Reader (plus charger): Great for reading on the go.

Camera (plus charger): Indispensable if you want to take photos to show your family and friends back home. Plus Nepali children (and adults!) adore looking at photos of themselves!

>>Take a look at our travel photography packing list for gear to get the perfect shot.

Adapters: Because Nepal is a developing country, it has a few different types of socket, including the European and the Indian, so taking a universal travel adaptor is probably your best bet.

Extras:

Sleeping bag and/or silk liner: Most guest houses and hostels will provide you with sheets and/or bedding, but I like to be prepared and at least have a liner with me. It’s an extra layer of warmth plus you know it’s clean!

A bandanna / scarf to cover your nose and mouth: Kathmandu has some of the most polluted air in the world, and if you don’t cover your face when walking around the city and weaving through the traffic, it’s absolutely certain that you’ll get a cough and/or a cold.

Sunglasses & sunscreen: I didn’t wear sunscreen for my first few days in Nepal because I was so cold I assumed the sun wasn’t strong. Then I endured a red, burnt nose to go with my head cold! The sun in Nepal is pretty high risk, so definitely keep a bottle of sunscreen to hand – and wear sunglasses when it’s bright.

Hat & gloves: Always good to have with you, but they can also be found in abundance in Thamel.

Head torch: I found mine indispensable in a number of situations; when the streetlights went out on a particularly pothole filled road; navigating my way through the house to the bathroom; and one particularly scary toilet experience.

Medicine (in particular, diarrhoea medication): Three days after I started my anti malarials (in preparation for travelling onwards to India) I came down with an acute attack of diarrhoea. I still don’t know if it was a direct side effect of my anti malarials but it lasted for about three weeks and was utterly horrific. You should never be without sachets of dioralytes and Imodium.

Refillable water bottle: The tap water is not safe to drink in Nepal, but you can often find filtrated water in large barrels at hostels, shops and hotel receptions, which charge a small fee to fill up your own bottle.

Eye mask and earplugs: The streets of Kathmandu can be very noisy, even at night. If you’re staying in a hostel then these two items are usually indispensable.

Copies of important documents (passport, vaccination certificates, travel insurance) & spare passport photos: Because you never know when you might be asked to show them.

Shopping:

Thamel is the main tourist district of Kathmandu, and it’s stuffed to the gills with all the kit you’ll ever want or need for hiking; every slogan slapped across a tshirt for souvenir shopping; and brightly coloured pyjama trousers for attempting to blend in with the local hippies.

Bartering is expected in Nepal, and it’s advisable to be even more confident about the prices you haggle for in Kathmandu – and Thamel in particular. That said, there’s obviously a limit to how low you can go without taking it too far – most of the stall owners make very little money so it should be kept in mind.

In terms of beauty regimes, threading is very common in Nepal. So if you want some perfectly defined eyebrows while travelling then don’t hesitate to pop in to a local salon – and you might even make friends with the women working there!

There are plenty of launderettes in Thamel for clothes washing, but depending on where you stay you could find yourself doing a fair bit of hand washing in the ubiquitous wash tubs that live in every Asian bathroom. With this in mind, make sure you take some detergent or clothes soap – and perhaps consider if the clothes you take are quick dry or a real chore to wash by hand! After days of damp clothes littering my cold bedroom, I started wishing I’d brought slightly thinner material with me…

What would you add or subtract to make this Nepal packing list the best it can be? Add your thoughts in the comments below!

* * * * *

About the Author: Flora is a travelling storyteller with a self-penned obsession for the weirdnesses of the world. She chronicles her adventures at Flora The Explorer, but you can also find her waxing lyrical about various travelling oddities on Facebook and Twitter.

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Isostearic Acid Market to Develop Rapidly by 2021

Read article : Isostearic Acid Market to Develop Rapidly by 2021

Isostearic acid is a liquid fatty acid produced by the reaction of oleic acid with a natural mineral catalyst. The production of isostearic acid is completely based on the parent oil or fat. Due to its high thermal, odor, and oxidation stability, isostearic acid finds its application across several industries such as lubricants, personal care, chemical esters, textiles, and packaging. The branched structure of isostearic acid elevates its dispersing power due to which it is used in industrial and cosmetic applications for the stabilization of pigments and mineral particles in oils and solvents. The growing end-user industries are the key drivers for global isostearic acid market.
A sample of this report is available upon request @ www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/4372Due to its UV resistant properties, isostearic acid is used in several types of cosmetics such as lipsticks, lip gloss, sunscreens, and other personal care products such as bath and shower gels, and toilet soaps. In chemical esters such as isostearyle isostearate, isopropyl isostearate, glycerol trimethylolpropane triisostearate, isostearic acid is used as binder, skin conditioning agent, emollient, and humectant. Chemical esters are used in cosmetics industry as dispersants, adhesion pigment promoters, solubilizers, emollients, effective solvents, plasticizers, and water repellents. In lubricant and grease industry, isostearic acid finds its application in the manufacturing of synthetic lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, and alkyd resins. The global synthetic lubricants market is expected to reach USD 62.8 billion by 2018, expanding at a CAGR of 2.5% during the period from 2013 to 2018. The global beauty products market including cosmetics is expected to reach USD 300 billion by 2020, which is expected to provide ample growth opportunity for the isostearic acid market. Premium cosmetics are growing at the fastest pace among the beauty product segments. The global biolubricants market is expected to reach USD 2,377.5 million in 2018 which is further expected to escalate the isostearic acid market. The high cost of biolubricants (approximately 1.5-2 times costlier than mineral oil lubricants) is a major restraint for the growth of this market.Among applications, chemical esters dominated the global isostearic acid market in 2013. Demand of isostearic acid from chemical esters is also expected to witness the highest growth among segments during the forecast period. Among regions, Europe dominated the global sales followed by Asia Pacific and North America. However, Asia Pacific is expected to become the market leader in the global isostearic acid market by 2020. In 2013, Germany, the U.K., France, and Italy were the key markets for isostearic acid in Europe whereas Japan, China, and India were the major markets in Asia Pacific. The demand of isostearic acid is also growing in countries such as Brazil, Poland, and Ukraine. Buy Now: You can now buy a single user license of the report @ www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/4372#The global isostearic acid market is highly consolidated where the top two players account for over 75% share of the market. The key companies in the global isostearic acid market include CrodAbout Us
Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.
To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact Us
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1 x BOSTON L-Shaped Right Handed Shower Bath - No Tap Hole - Pln Encap - Colour: White

Read article : 1 x BOSTON L-Shaped Right Handed Shower Bath - No Tap Hole - Pln Encap - Colour: White

Sale Dates: Thursday 17th August 2017 & Friday 18th August 2017

Item locations may differ, please check individual listings for location.

Collections: Altrincham WA14
Tuesday 22nd to Friday 25th August 2017* Subject to receipt of payment - (contact our Altrincham office on 0161-941-5043 to book in prior to collection).

Bolton BL1
Friday 25th August 2017* Subject to receipt of payment - (contact our Altrincham office on 0161-941-5043 to book in prior to collection).

Knutsford WA16

2nd September to 7th September 2017 by appointment.

Please note for this sale only all lots are subject to a 17.5% Buyer’s Premium. All lots (where applicable) are subject to VAT at 20%. 

Please note that all items are to be collected within 7 days from the end of the auction otherwise storage charges will apply. In2Corporate Ltd may store the inventory until collected, and the Buyer shall be liable for all related costs and expenses (including, without limitation, storage and insurance).

IMAGES & INFORMATION:

Please click on individual lots for additional pictures and information. Stock images are for

Purchasers must ensure payment is received in full, with cleared funds, prior to collection and in any event if paying by card or direct to the bank. Cash payments can be taken on the day. Payments can be made direct to In2Corporate Ltd’s accounts – Lloyds Bank – Account Number 72600960 Sort Code 30-95-42

Goods must be collected at the appointment time given from Unit Q Lyons Industrial Estate, Atlantic Street, Manchester WA14 5DH unless the lot is listed under another location. Please remember to contact our office 0161 941 5043 to book in your collection date and time.

All new buyers must register with the auctioneers before bidding and the auctioneers reserve the right to REFUSE a sale to a prospective purchaser who has not registered before bidding. A deposit of £100 will be required on approval for bidding (£103.00 for credit cards). Please note that the £100 deposit is either refunded if you are not successful with your bidding.

Credit Card payments are subject to a 3% surcharge. There is no charge for Debit cards when used to pay for purchases. However, please note that first time buyers to In2Corporate chosing to pay through either Debit or Credit Cards who have not bought with In2Corporate prior to this sale will be required to pay a further additional 3% (6% total) surcharge. 

Payments made by BACS is however not liable for any surcharge.

All bidders are required to register in order to bid.

Please remember that by clicking to bid on the internet or indicating a bid in the room that these actions are a legal commitment to buy and when the hammer goes down you have purchased the goods at that price in the condition they stand in, if you are unable to establish the condition or value of the goods to your satisfaction then please do not bid, any goods purchased do not carry any warranty or guarantee, goods are sold as seen and the Sale of goods act does not apply to this sale. 

Please see our terms and conditions.

Staggered end times may sometimes apply, please check times on Bidspotter for clarification.

Access for bidding can be obtained through our website www.in2corporate.com, follow the link for Current Sales or directly on www.bidspotter.co.uk.

In the event of a bid being received within 10 minutes of the schedule closing time, the bidding period on that specific lot will automatically extend by a further 10 minutes and a further 10 minutes for any bid received thereafter.

Maximum Bids: If more than one maximum bid is placed of the same amount, the maximum bid placed first will be considered the highest and a further bid will need to be placed to take the lead. Bidders are notified by an automated message which appears on their screen.

Bidders are reminded to make sure they ‘REFRESH’ their screens to ensure they are aware of current bids.

At the close of the timed Online Auction Sale final Bid (offer) figures will be submitted to the Seller for its approval and any Bid (offer) shall be subject to approval and acceptance by the Company and/or the Seller. No Bid (offer) may be withdrawn and the Company/Seller does not bind himself to accept the highest Bid (offer) or any other Bid (offer) placed in the course of the Online Auction Sale.

The Seller may refuse at his sole discretion to accept any offer and shall not be obliged to accept any offer nor the highest offer or offers tendered. The Seller reserves the right to accept the whole or such part of any offer or offers as he may think fit.

IMPORTANT: Your highest bid will be treated as a valid bid even if the reserve is not met. The Seller reserves the right to accept the whole or such part of any offer or offers as he may think fit. Remember when placing a bid you are bidding to buy!

For further terms and conditions, please visit:

http://www.in2corporate.com/terms-and-conditions/

For technical questions relating to online bidding sign in to Bidspotter and then under “My Bidspotter” click on Support.

 

Buyers Agreement

Welcome to In2Corporate Ltd, below are our Terms and Condition. Please take the time to read them carefully. This is a legally binding contract. Please review it carefully.

Below are the terms and conditions for buying in our sales. Please read these terms and conditions carefully before bidding on any inventory as it is a legally binding agreement. The Buyer agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions, subject to any amendments contained in the Special Conditions. In the event of any conflict between these terms and conditions and the Special Conditions, the Special Conditions shall prevail. No offers or Bids made by the Buyer shall alter or qualify these terms and conditions unless In2Corporate Ltd specifically confirms this by email.

In2Corporate Ltd does not in any way warrant the fitness of the Items sold via the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale for the particular purpose for which the Buyer intends to use them. Furthermore, In2Corporate Ltd hereby specifically DISCLAIMS any express or implied warranty or merchantability of any Items via the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale.

All goods displayed on this website are sold as seen and unless clearly stated otherwise on the individual lot and are sold without warranty. Where it may state dependent on the seller, bidders may have the opportunity to inspect goods prior to bidding and bidding on lots without recourse to condition or completeness, it is the responsibility of the bidder to satisfy themselves as to the condition and completeness of goods prior to bidding and to bid accordingly.

1. in this Agreement. The following words shall have the following meanings:

1.1 “Bid” means an offer made by a prospective Buyer to buy an Item via the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale.

1.2 “Buyer” “your and you” means the buyer of an Item via the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale.

1.3 “Commission” means the commission payable by the Buyer to In2Corporate Ltd in respect of the Buyer being declared the successful bidder of a lot by the auctioneer.

1.4 “In2Corporate Ltd”, “we” or “us” means In2Corporate Ltd

1.5 “Item” means the item(s) of property placed by a Seller for timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale.

1.6 “Timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale” means an In2Corporate Ltd auction as defined in the terms and conditions..

1.7 “Password” means the password allocated to the Buyer at the time of registration for an online sale.

1.8 “Registration” means the registration of a Buyer for a timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale. Registration binds the buyer to In2Corporate Ltd terms and conditions of sale.

1.9 “Reserve” means the reserve price as stipulated by the Seller.

1.10 “No Reserve” means that the seller will allow the market to decide the end price commencing with a low start price agreed prior by the seller and In2Corporate Ltd on the Receipt Form in accordance with this Agreement.

1.11 “Summary” means the Summary of Commission and Charges of In2Corporate Ltd.

1.12 “Terms and Conditions” means the In2Corporate Ltd timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale terms of sale.

1.13 “Website” means the website in this case Bidspotter.co.uk

2. Agreement

2.1 The Buyer agrees that by participating in any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale. The Buyer will abide by this Agreement.

2.2 The Summary and the Terms and Conditions will also form part of this Agreement. By participating in any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale, you will agree to abide by the terms of the Summary and the Terms and Conditions.

3. Registration

3.1 Registration is required to bid in any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale. Registration is free and does not obligate you to purchase anything. Registration requires you to provide In2Corporate Ltd with certain true, complete and accurate information about yourself. If you wish to participate in any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction or a fixed price sale or make a Bid, you will be required to provide details of a credit, debit or charge card and must certify that you are fully entitled to use the credit, debit or charge card at the time you provide such details. Each time that you Bid in the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale you may be required to confirm your right to use the card, and also that such a card has sufficient funds to cover all charges to be incurred on it.

3.2 Any Username & Password issued to you is strictly private and confidential and may only be used for the purposes for which it is provided. The Username must be quoted by you in all correspondence relating to any online sale or in any Bid. You shall be responsible for all acts carried out or resulting from any use of your Username & Password by another party, whether authorised by you or otherwise. We reserve the right to withdraw any Username & Password which we consider to have been misused or where we believe there has been a security breech.

 

 

4. Suspension or Termination of Registration

4.1 In2Corporate Ltd reserves the right to suspend or terminate the Buyers Registration and/or Username & Password and the right to use the website and/or participate in any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale at In2Corporate Ltd sole and unfettered discretion. No Buyer who’s Registration has been suspended or terminated may re-register without In2Corporate Ltd prior consent in writing.

5. Buying an Item

5.1 Bidding for an Item is an irrevocable offer to buy the Item at the Bid price. The winning bidder is the one who places the highest Bid that meets or exceeds where applicable any reserve set by the Seller by the deadline stipulated in respect of the timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale. If the Buyer is the highest bidder the Buyer is obligated to complete the transaction if the Bid is accepted. You authorise In2Corporate Ltd to debit your credit, debit or charge card for the relevant amounts (including any applicable, VAT, sales tax, shipping, etc.) in such circumstances.

5.2 If applicable any identical Bids are accepted, the first Bid received will take precedence. In2Corporate Ltd shall not be responsible for any Bid not arriving or being delayed for any reason. In2Corporate Ltd determination of the winning bidder will be conclusive. All unsuccessful Bids for any item will lapse after the close of any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale of an Item.

5.3 Online Tender Sales will specify a closing date and time (“the Closing Time”) by which Bids should be made. Please note that In2Corporate Ltd reserve the right at all times to:

5.4 consider or accept Bids on behalf of the Seller prior to the specified Closing Time; and

5.5 alter, shorten or extend any Closing Time, and inform any potential Bidders that we are considering a Bid or Bids in respect of the inventory, up until a new closing time; and In2Corporate Ltd  shall endeavour to inform all potential Bidders in the event that a Closing Time is being changed.

5.6 No Contract shall be formed in respect of a Tender Sale until In2Corporate Ltd confirm acceptance of your Bid to the buyer by email in order to issue the relevant invoice.

5.7 In2Corporate Ltd reserve the right to accept commissioned bids to purchase inventory on behalf of Bidders, providing such commissioned Bids are given in the appropriate written or by email with a deposit bond in place, and are accepted by In2Corporate Ltd.

6. Description of Items

The Buyer is required to carefully read the entire listings for information about the Item, including the description section and any other information provided by the Seller. The Buyer must not rely solely on the title of the Item for a complete description of the Item. Condition Reports are available on request on most items. Descriptions are educated opinions based on the information available, provided by the Seller at the time of cataloguing. The buyer must make his/her own independent determination regarding the condition of the Item. The Buyer must be certain that he/she understands any shipping and payment terms set by the Seller.

If you are providing your own logistic arrangements any dispute must be filed immediately upon collection, if your shipping is being handled through In2Corporate Ltd you must advise our office within 24 hours following delivery of merchandise and a dispute form must be submitted. We will investigate the matter and come to a resolution within 10 business days. All parties must abide by the dispute resolution provided by In2Corporate Ltd

In2Corporate Ltd offers an efficient dispute process, providing final say in resolution for any dispute filed in the event of sellers misrepresentation in the description of a lot they are selling, this listing will be used in evidence as per our terms and conditions. Buyers and sellers have agreed to use this dispute resolution process and buyers should not use credit card charge backs as an alternative way to resolve a dispute. Any buyer who attempts to rescind a credit card transaction (i.e. charge backs) without our express written consent will be IMMEDIATELY banned from In2Corporate Ltd.

7. Cancelling or Retracting a Bid

7.1 A Bid is an irrevocable promise to purchase the Item available in the listing.

7.2 Bids may not be retracted except under certain situations such as manifest typographical errors (which shall be subject to In2Corporate Ltd sole determination, please see our reference to dispute resolution) or a material change to the auction listing (which shall be subject to In2Corporate Ltd sole determination).

7.3 A material change to the live/online sale would include a significant modification or amendment to the terms of the sale, shipping method, the title/description or identity the Item being altered, or material change in the photograph (if used) for the Item. However In2Corporate Ltd does, at times, publish Sale Room Announcements in live sales (which are also noted by the Auctioneer). These take precedence over certain lot descriptions and terms in the sale catalogue. All Buyers should review any Sale Room Announcements prior to bidding on a lot.

7.4 You must contact In2Corporate Ltd to request that your Bid be cancelled. To cancel a bid In2Corporate Ltd must receive a written request from the Buyer and a written acceptance from the Seller of the Item. Only when In2Corporate Ltd receives the written acceptance from the Seller in any timescale requested by In2Corporate Ltd, will your Bid be cancelled.

8. When the Winning Bidder Does Not Buy

8.1 If the winning Bidder does not buy or complete a successful live/online auction within 7 days, In2Corporate Ltd retain the right to contact the second highest bidder or any other bidder to offer the Item at the highest bid offered by that Bidder. If the Buyer is contacted in this way, the Seller shall allow a reasonable time for the Buyer to respond.

8.2 In the event that a buyer is successful in winning an item in the auction, or submits an accepted tender or buy it now offer and fails to pay for the item, In2Corporate Ltd reserves the right to levy a charge of £100 or the value of the winning bid, whichever is the lesser. This is to ensure that all bidders are genuine and reflects the cost of re-running the item for another auction.

 

 

9. Capacity to Contract

9.1 The Buyer must be legally able to enter into contracts for the Item that is Bid for. Generally this means you must be at least 18 years old if you are an individual. The Bidder must have the intention and ability to perform under the terms of any submitted Bids and under any purchase contracts that result from acceptance of such Bids by In2Corporate Ltd.

10. Reserves and Estimated Prices (where applicable)

10.1 All Items will be offered for sale at any timed online auction, live auction, and sale of an Item, subject to either the Sellers confidential Reserve, unless the Seller chooses to sell the items without reserve. The Reserve is the minimum price which the Seller will accept for the Item, and below which the Item will not be usually be sold. IMPORTANT: Your highest bid will be treated as a valid bid even if the reserve is not met. The Seller reserves the right to accept the whole or such part of any offer or offers as he may think fit. Remember when placing a bid you are bidding to buy! Each item, when published by us, may state an estimated price, being the price range reflecting our opinion of the amount the Item may be expected to bring at auction, based upon such factors as its condition, provenance, quality, rarity and prices paid at auction for comparable items. The estimated prices will not include the Commission, VAT (if applicable), Shipping and Insurance Charges, and Sales Taxes (if any), and may be revised prior to any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale of an Item. with or without prior notice.

10.2 Bid manipulation and fraudulent bidding are prohibited.

10.3 Collusion between Bidders, or any form of price manipulation or bid rigging, obtaining more than one Registration, or other associations or aliases to artificially manipulate the bidding on an Item is strictly prohibited. You will not directly or indirectly attempt to manipulate the market.

10.4 The auctioneer reserves the right for the seller or their agent to bid on lots up to the sellers reserve price. The reserve price is held privately and may not be published on the auction lot.

10.5 Making Bids under a false name or with a stolen or invalid credit card is prohibited. We may in our sole discretion (I) refuse or remove bids which In2Corporate Ltd believes are fraudulent; or (ii) cancel Bids which In2Corporate Ltd believes are not made in good faith or made in violation of applicable law. If you are in breach of the Terms and Conditions against such improper bidding, we shall continue to be entitled to payment of our Commission as if the purchase of the Item had been properly completed for the amount which was Bid.

11. Delivery and Completion of Sale

11.1 Buyer agrees to bear the cost of transporting and international shipping as well as any importation. VAT sales, or use taxes that are due at the time of the transaction. The buyer can also request a shipping quote from In2Corporate Ltd

11.2 Any right to return the item(s) following delivery must be made in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.

12. Commission

The Commission which shall be an amount payable to In2Corporate Ltd in addition to the Bid Price shall be charged by In2Corporate Ltd in accordance with the terms and conditions.

13. Withdrawal

13.1 Withdrawal of Item or Cancellation of any timed online auction, tender auction or live auction,

13.2 We reserve the right to withdraw any Item from any timed online auction, tender auction, live auction, or a fixed price sale of an Item.

14. Credit Card Details

14.1 Any credit, debit or charge card details supplied by the Buyer may be used by us without further notification to obtain payment of all sums which become due from you under the terms of this Agreement.

 

15. Limitation of Liability

15.1 In2Corporate Ltd accepts no liability for any indirect, consequential or economic losses or any loss of profit. We shall not be liable for any failure of the Internet, whether in respect of end-to-end connectivity or any failure by any email to reach its destination within the expected time or at all. We shall not be responsible for any failure to fulfil our obligations due to any matter which is beyond our control, including technical malfunctions.

15.2 The maximum amount of In2Corporate Ltd liability to the Buyer for breach of our obligations, for negligence or otherwise (to the fullest extent that it is possible to limit such liability at law), shall be the successful Bid price of an Item provided that the transaction has completed. If there has been no completion, In2Corporate Ltd accepts no liability to you, to the fullest extent permissible by law.

15.3 In2Corporate Ltd accepts no liability for loss, damage, theft or unauthenticated items presented through us as authentic which may possibly if ever slip through the net. Items proven unauthentic will be returned with a fixed In2Corporate Ltd penalty of £10,000 for misrepresentation and reputation compensation to cover our company policies and standards.

16. LIABILITY

16.1 Nothing in these terms and conditions shall limit in any way In2Corporate Ltd liability:

16.2 For death or personal injury caused by our negligence;

16.3 Under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 or the Sale of Goods Act 1979;

16.4 For fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

16.5 For any matter for which it would be illegal for us to exclude, or attempt to exclude, our liability.

16.6 In2Corporate Ltd are not responsible for indirect losses which happen as a side effect of the main loss or damage, including but not limited to:

16.7 loss of income or revenue;

16.8 loss of business;

16.9 loss of profits or contracts;

16.10 loss of anticipated savings;

16.11 loss of data; or

16.12 waste of management or office time however arising, provided that this clause 18.4 shall not prevent claims for loss of or damage to the Buyer’s tangible property that fall within the terms of clause

16.13 Or any other claims for direct financial loss that are not excluded by any of the above categories inclusive of this clause.

16.14 The Buyer hereby indemnify In2Corporate Ltd  and the Seller, our employees and agents against any and all losses, damages or expenses suffered as result of the Buyer’s breach of these terms and conditions, and shall obtain the requisite insurance cover against this indemnity.

17. Notices

17.1 Notices to us shall be given by recorded delivery mail, to our address at 
In2Corporate Ltd
Unit Q Lyons Industrial Estate
Atlantic Street
Altrincham
Manchester
WA14 5DH
United Kingdom 
and notice shall be given to you by email to the address provided on the Registration form. Email notices given by us shall be deemed effective on the day they are sent whether or not they are received. Notices by mail will be deemed accepted and delivered.

17.2 You agree that email correspondences between us shall be binding in relation to all notices which either of us needs to give the other. It is your sole responsibility to ensure that your emails are checked regularly and can be accessed by you at all times including during any period where you maybe travelling. You shall be solely responsible for notifying us in the event of any change in your email address and for obtaining back-up facilities in the event of any server failure or other malfunction.

18. Entire Agreement

This Agreement and the documents referred to in it represent the entire agreement between us in respect of the subject matter and may only be amended either by written agreement between us, signed on behalf of both parties (in respect of which agreement conducted by electronic mail shall constitute signature) or by In2Corporate Ltd issuing a general amendment shall be effective from the time of posting in the sale room or website and it is your obligation to keep yourself informed of amendments to the terms and conditions.

19. Resolution of Disputes and Applicable Law

If you are providing your own logistic arrangements any dispute must be filed immediately upon collection, if your shipping is being handled through In2Corporate Ltd tiontag.com you must advise our office within 24 hours following delivery of merchandise and a dispute form will be provided. We will investigate the matter and come to a resolution within 10 business days. All parties must abide by the dispute resolution provided by In2Corporate Ltd

In2Corporate Ltd offers an efficient dispute process, providing resolution for any dispute filed because of gross misrepresentation. As per our terms and conditions, buyers and sellers have agreed to use this dispute resolution process and should not use credit card charge backs as an alternative way to resolve a dispute. Any buyer who attempts to rescind a credit card transaction (i.e. charge backs) without our express written consent will be IMMEDIATELY banned from In2Corporate Ltd

In2Corporate Ltd and the Buyer agree that the English Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction in respect of any dispute arising between us, other than in respect of the enforcement of judgments, where their jurisdiction shall be non-exclusive. English law shall govern the contract between us.

20. Photography

All photographs uploaded on Bidspotter.co.uk are provided for illustrative purposes only. Variations in colour and tone may occur during printing, thus images of lots should not be depended upon as actual representations of colour or condition.

21. COLLECTION, HANDLING AND CONDITION OF LOTS

21.1 Unless specified otherwise in the Special Conditions:

21.2 Buyers will be responsible for collection and removal of Lots purchased by them and must provide their own labour and equipment to effect such removal. Removal of inventory is at the Buyer’s expense and risk;

21.3 No inventory or part thereof can be removed until payment is made in full for it, together with payment of all other amounts due

21.4 No inventory shall be cleared without our authority, and no inventory shall be cleared unless In2Corporate Ltd or our employees or agents are present; and

21.5 Removal of inventory shall take place only upon the scheduled set date and times stated in each listing.

21.6 In2Corporate Ltd may at our discretion require the payment of a deposit prior to and/or during the removal of any inventory, which will be refunded on such removal being completed to our satisfaction. If the Buyer refuses to deposit such monies, In2Corporate Ltd or the premise owner may refuse the Buyer access to the relevant premises for the purposes of removing the inventory and/or to rescind the Sale without penalty.

21.7 All equipment used for lifting and transporting heavy items which have been purchased, including but not limited to fork lift trucks and other lifting devices, shall be fit for their purpose and for safe operation and covered by appropriate insurance and registration documents. This documentation may be required by ourselves or the premise owner for inspection and In2Corporate Ltd may refuse permission for the Buyer to use any such devices which we consider not to comply with the foregoing requirements.

21.8 The Buyer hereby indemnifies In2Corporate Ltd and the premise owner against and will make good any injury or damage to persons or property caused by it when handling inventory, and shall insure against this obligation and indemnity.

21.9 The Buyer shall have no right to anything not described on Bidspotter.co.uk website or in the relevant inventory list.

21.10 In exceptional circumstances we may agree to deliver inventory to the Buyer or store Lots bought by the Buyer in which case the following conditions shall apply, unless we agree otherwise in writing:

21.11 delivery of the Lots shall take place at our place of business;

21.12 the inventory shall be at Buyer’s risk from the time the Sale ends;

24.13 You shall take delivery of the inventory within 2 days of In2Corporate Ltd giving notice that the inventory is ready for delivery;

24.14 Any dates specified by Us for delivery of the inventory to the buyer is intended to be an estimate and time for delivery shall not be made of the essence by notice. If no dates are so specified, delivery shall be within a reasonable time;

24.15 Subject to the other provisions of these conditions In2Corporate Ltd or the Premise owner shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss (all three of which terms include, without limitation, pure economic loss, loss of profits, loss of business, depletion of goodwill and similar loss), costs, damages, charges or expenses caused directly or indirectly by any delay in the delivery of the inventory (even if caused by our negligence), nor shall any delay entitle the Buyer to terminate or rescind the Contract unless such delay exceeds 180 days;

24.16 In2Corporate Ltd may store the inventory until delivery, and the Buyer shall be liable for all related costs and expenses (including, without limitation, storage and insurance); and

24.17 The Buyer shall provide at the delivery point and at its expense adequate and appropriate equipment and manual labour for taking delivery of the inventory.

24.18 Appropriate protective clothing, such as hard hats and safety shoes, must be worn during any removal or transportation activities involving inventory and due regard paid to relevant handling practices, laws regulations and codes of practice as well as any of the Seller’s or safety stipulations.

24.19 All electrical equipment and electrical supplies must be left in a safe condition during and after the removal of inventory and the use of explosives, flame cutting equipment or any other potentially hazardous or inflammatory process, shall not be permissible on the site without our express written consent.

24.20 It is expressly brought to your attention that, at the time of sale, any item of plant, machinery or equipment contained in the inventory may not necessarily comply with relevant Health and Safety or any other legislation governing the use of that plant, machinery or equipment, and no warranty is given that any inventory will so comply. From the conclusion of the relevant Contract it is the Buyer’s responsibility to ensure that such inventory will be safe and that their use does not contravene any legislation.

24.21 Certain items included in the inventory could contain blue and white asbestos, dangerous chemicals, or other substances which if not handled correctly during their removal from the site could result in a breach of Health and Safety legislation or other relevant legislation. It is the Buyers responsibility to comply with this legislation from conclusion of the relevant Contract.

24.22 Neither In2Corporate Ltd nor the Seller represents that any Lot sold which comprises furniture or furnishings subject to the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire & Safety) Regulations 1998, or similar legislation, are in a condition which makes them suitable for domestic use. Prior to supplying such inventory for domestic use the Buyer must therefore ensure that they comply with the requirements of such laws and regulations.

24.23 Buyers must ensure that any plant or motor vehicles forming part of the inventory comply with all relevant Laws and Regulations and have all necessary permits, certificates and authorisations before being used and In2Corporate Ltd warrant the accuracy of any recorded mileage on any motor vehicle forming part of the inventory.

24.24 The Buyer undertakes not to disclose or make available to any third party any unlicensed software loaded on any computer equipment forming part of inventory, or any part thereof. The Buyer further undertakes to erase any such unlicensed software at the earliest opportunity, and indemnifies In2Corporate Ltd from any liabilities arising out of the use of any unlicensed software loaded on any hard disc equipment forming part of inventory.

24.25 In2Corporate Ltd makes any warranty whatsoever in relation to computer hardware, software and/or equipment, all of which is bought at the Buyer’s own risk.

25. RISK AND TITLE

25.1 Title to the inventory shall only pass to the Buyer upon the latter of full payment for such inventory together with any other sums due from the Buyer to ourselves or the Seller, and removal of the inventory in accordance with these terms and conditions, and anyone purporting to sell inventory before having title to do so in accordance with these terms and conditions, will be deemed to hold and shall hold the sale proceeds on trust as agent for In2Corporate Ltd and the Seller.

25.2 The Inventory will be at the Buyer’s risk from the time the relevant Sale ends and the Buyers shall affect insurance for these risks at once. In no circumstances will In2Corporate Ltd be held responsible if any inventory or part thereof is stolen damaged or destroyed after the Sale ends.

25.3 The Seller shall only sell such title to the inventory as it may have.

25.4 Prior to clearance of any inventory In2Corporate Ltd may rescind the Contract for the sale of that inventory should any third party claim title to or possession of any part of the inventory.

25.5 If at any time In2Corporate Ltd or the Seller establish that each part of the inventory is subject to a charge, lien, retention of title claim or other encumbrance or that the Seller does not have an unencumbered title thereto then either In2Corporate Ltd or the Seller may give notice in writing that the inventory is to be excluded from the relevant Sale. In this case the Buyer shall be deemed to have waived and relinquished such title as it may have acquired to such inventory and this shall not be a ground for rescinding, avoiding or varying any or all of the provisions hereof or, for recovery of any or the entire purchase price paid by the Buyer.

25.6 If the title of the Seller to any inventory or part thereof which is transferred to the Buyer is called in to question by any third party, or if there is a dispute in relation to these Terms and Conditions, the Buyer will allow the Seller access to the inventory in question during normal business hours for the purpose of resolving such question.

25.7 If any inventories are excluded from these Terms and Conditions in accordance with Clause 9.5, the Buyer undertakes with In2Corporate Ltd and the Seller to:-

25.8 to deliver at its own expense the inventory on being requested to do so by In2Corporate Ltd or the Seller to such place as we shall require; or

25.9 to repay us or the Seller upon demand such amount as is agreed between the Seller and the owner of the relevant inventory or party having a claim thereto, as represents the sum recoverable from the Seller by reason of the Buyer’s failure to deliver the Lot in accordance with sub-clause 9.7.1.

26. EVENTS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL

26.1 Neither In2Corporate Ltd nor the Seller will be liable or responsible for any failure to perform, or delay in performance of, any of our obligations under a Contract that is caused by events outside our reasonable control (“Force Majeure Event”).

26.2 A Force Majeure Event includes any act, event, non-happening, omission or accident beyond reasonable control and includes in particular (without limitation) the following:

26.3 strikes, lock-outs or other industrial action;

26.4 civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not) or threat or preparation for war; fire, explosion, storm, flood, earthquake, subsidence, epidemic or other natural disaster;

26.5 impossibility of the use of railways, shipping, aircraft, motor transport or other means of public or private transport;

26.6 impossibility of the use of public or private telecommunications networks including the internet and other computer networks; or

26.7 The acts, decrees, legislation, regulations or restrictions of any government.

26.8 Performance under any Contract is deemed to be suspended for the period that the Force Majeure Event continues, and In2Corporate Ltd and the Seller will have an extension of time for performance for the duration of that period. In2Corporate Ltd will use our reasonable endeavours to bring the Force Majeure Event to a close or to find a solution by which our obligations under the Contract may be performed despite the Force Majeure Event.

27. WAIVER

27.1 If In2Corporate Ltd fail or the Seller fails at any time to insist upon strict performance of any of the Buyer obligations under the Contract or any of these terms and conditions, or if In2Corporate Ltd fail to exercise any of the rights or remedies to which we are entitled under the Contract, this shall not constitute a waiver of such rights or remedies and shall not relieve the Buyer from compliance with such obligations.

27.2 A waiver by In2Corporate Ltd or the Seller of any default by You under these terms and conditions shall not constitute a waiver of any subsequent default.

27.3 No waiver by us or the Seller of any of these terms and conditions shall be effective unless it is expressly stated to be a waiver and is communicated to the Buyer.

28. SEVERABILITY

If any of these terms and conditions or any provisions of a Contract are determined by any competent authority to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable to any extent, such term, condition or provision will to that extent be severed from the remaining terms, conditions and provisions which will continue to be valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.

29. OUR RIGHT TO VARY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

29.1 We have the right to revise and amend these terms and conditions from time to time to reflect changes in market conditions affecting our business, changes in technology, changes in payment methods, changes in relevant laws and regulatory requirements and changes in our system's capabilities.

30. VALUE ADDED TAX 

30. Most lots in most auctions are subject to VAT however the individual lot descriptions will refer to the VAT rate that applies. Buyer’s Premium is always subject to VAT.

30. Should you intend exporting the goods and believe you may be eligible for the lot price to be zero-rated for VAT purposes, it is crucial that you 
• Understand VAT on the Buyer’s Premium can never be zero-rated
• Pay an amount equivalent to the VAT (to be held on your behalf) at the time you make payment for the goods, to be returned pending provision of suitable paperwork
• Inform us at the time of payment that you intend claiming back the VAT, in order that we know to hold same on your behalf
• Provide suitable documentation, including proof of export and your own limited company name, VAT number, etc. within a maximum of 12 weeks of the sale date.
• Please note that in accordance with HMRC’s rules on “indirect exports” which any goods purchased from IN2Corporate would be classified under in the instance of export, we cannot zero-rate or refund VAT for UK based and/or registered purchasers. For the avoidance of doubt, if your registration address is within the UK, we cannot refund or zero-rate the VAT under any circumstances.
• Acknowledge our £50 administrative fee for dealing with same.