Archive for January, 2008
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Google net shy of Wall Street consensus forecast
International Herald Tribune - SAN FRANCISCO : Google , the world’s top World wide web company, on Thursday reported a weaker-than-expected 17 percent rise in quarterly profit, disappointing investors hungry for more and sending its shares down 9.5 percent. Net income for the fourth
Sealy 4Q revenue beats Wall Street view, sees ‘difficult’ consumer
Forbes - NEW YORK (Thomson Financial) - Sealy Corp. reported late Thursday fourth-quarter net income fell to $17.1 million, or 18 cents a share, from $21.5 million, or 22 cents a share, in the same period a year earlier. The latest results include an income
Google profit falls short of Wall Street view
International Herald Tribune - SAN FRANCISCO : Google reported a lower-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday and predicted further spending to shore up its operations, sending its shares down as much as 9.5 percent. The world’s top Internet company said it expected to
Wall Street rallies after bond insurer worries ease
Xinhua News Agency - NEW YORK, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) — Wall Street rallied Thursday after investors set aside worries about bond insurers despite weak economic data. The major indexes fell in the morning with the Dow Jones average dropping more than 190 points on weak
Google’s $1.3b profit
News.com.au - GOOGLE has reported that its profits for the last three months of 2007 climbed to $US1.21 billion ($A1.37 billion), but its stock price sank as the figure fell short of Wall Street expectations. Google said its gross revenues for the quarter ending
Google misses estimates
CNN Money - Beyond pay and perks at the No. 1 firm on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list, employees love the opportunity to try new things. NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Google reported earnings and sales for the fourth quarter that missed Wall Street
Wall Street ended its worst January since 1990 with a huge advance
MSN UK News - Wall Street ended its worst January since 1990 with a massive advance Thursday after investors set aside worries about bond insurers and grew more optimistic that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts will indeed help lift the economy. The Standard
MBIA lifts Wall Street
MSN MoneyCentral - NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks ended higher on Thursday after a major bond insurer reassured investors about its stability, fueling a rebound by financial shares hammered recently by the prospect of crumbling credit markets. Even with the day’s strong
Getty Images sees 1Q profit below Street
MSN MoneyCentral - SEATTLE (AP) - Getty Images Inc. predicted Thursday that its first-quarter profit will come in below Wall Street estimates, saying it anticipates to earn 45 cents per share in the period. The seller of stock photography and video footage also predicted
UPDATE 3-Google profit falls short of Wall Street view
Forbes - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Google Inc (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ) Thursday reported a disappointing quarterly profit and aggressive spending plans to support a widening range of Web services, unnerving investors who sent its shares down 8 percent
HK shares recover as Wall Street, Esprit boost
Reuters UK - HONG KONG, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Hong Kong stocks rose on Friday after two straight days of sharp declines, as gains on Wall Street boosted investor confidence and apparel retailer Esprit Holdings (0330.HK: Quote , Profile , Research ) climbed further
Movers roundup: Invacare, Harris Stratex
CNBC - NEW YORK (AP) _ Shares of home medical equipment company Invacare Corp. jumped Thursday after the company topped Wall Street’s fourth-quarter expectations on a mix of lower costs and higher rehabilitation product sales. NEW YORK (AP) _ Shares of
Flowserve Sees 2008 Profit Above Street
Forbes - Flowserve Corp. , which provides fluid motion and control products, on Thursday guided for 2008 income above analyst estimates, and raised its 2007 revenue outlook above Wall Street projections. The company set a 2008 earnings target of $5.10 to $5
Wall Street Whiplash: Dow Closes Up 200
ABC News - NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks bounded higher Thursday after concerns eased about hefty losses at bond insurer MBIA Inc. as did fears of potentially ruinous downgrades in the bond insurance industry. The Dow Jones industrials jumped more than 250 points
Insurer’s losses spark Wall Street row
Guardian Unlimited - One of America’s top financial insurers, MBIA, has made a loss of $2.3bn (£1.2bn) - and its problems have barely begun, according to an extraordinary outburst from a hedge fund manager that sent shockwaves through Wall Street yesterday. MBIA and a
Google earnings fall short of Wall Street expectations
USA Today - SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) — Google’s (GOOG) fourth-quarter profit missed analyst expectations, signaling the crumbling U.S. economy has dented the Internet search leader’s moneymaking machine. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company stated Thursday
Tokyo shares outlook - Higher on Wall Street’s rally after bond
Forbes - TOKYO (Thomson Financial) - Japanese shares are expected to open higher on Friday, tracking a rebound on Wall Street on Thursday after concerns eased about hefty losses at bond insurer MBIA Inc and the prospect of downgrades in the bond insurance
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(FranchisePick.Com) Pure Weight Loss (formerly LA Weight Loss) continues to provide business schools with an ongoing case study in customer service “worst practices.” Customers report that the 400-unit weight loss chain aggressively promoted long-term, prepaid contracts up to the day they abruptly announced they’d be shutting down - permanently - in a couple of weeks. In Part 1, customers shared how their refund requests, mailed to the company address provided, were being returned as undeliverable.
The York Daily Record posted a picture of another insult added to  injury: the closing announcement posted in the window of the York, PA location.
The local Pure Weight Loss center on White Street in West Manchester Township has a sign in the window telling customers Jenny Craig will accept their contracts at a discounted price.
The only problem? There are no Jenny Craig centers in York County.
Ready for one more insult-to-injury? Read the story of the woman pictured, Margaret Chronister:
When Spring Garden Township resident Margaret Chronister joined the [L.A. Weight Loss] program in July, a month before it changed names, employees told her about discounted rates she would receive if she prepaid for the year on the day she signed up.
“I was definitely dedicated to the program,” Chronister stated. “So I went ahead and did that.”
But when she was diagnosed with cancer in August and told by her doctor she couldn’t do the program, Pure Weight Loss refused to release her from her contract. Now that it closed, she’s fighting to get her money back.
WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? COMMENTS WELCOME.
Pic credit: (Daily Record/Sunday News - Jason Plotkin)
Get more information: > PURE WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION CENTER
Related posts:
January 26th, 2008 PA Seeks to Freeze Assets of Pure Weight Loss, Vahan Karian
January 24th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Lawsuit Filed by PA Attorney General
January 22nd, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Centers Might Have Broken Law
January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection
January 17th, 2008 Today’s WTF: Pure Weight Loss Still Operating?
January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Refund Application Form
January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Members Ask: Where Are My Confidential Records?
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 Visit FRANBEST: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and and business opportunities.
Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not. PHOTO CREDIT: Marchivist. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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 (FranchisePick.com) FranchisePick.Com readers report that their attempts to recover refunds due to them from the bankrupt Pure Weight Loss company have added insult to their injury - and additional mailing costs as their refund applications are being returned. Here are a few comments posted in recent days:
Hi I joined them in dec end and they shut in two weeks , i owe them the whole year lites , I sent them a refund form thrice but everytime it has come back to me….. has some one got the same problem? Has anyone got there money back??? Jan 31, 8:27 AM Sakshi
Well, sorry to say i was right in my fears…Like some others of you’ve written, I got my certified envelope returned to me marked undeliverable and can’t be forwarded. I tried repeatedly today to reach the customer service number that I had gotten back in Dec. when I heard about the impending closing, but all i got were lots of busy signals. Suffice it to state, I’m not a happy camper, and i thank those of you who gave contact info. to Attorneys General, etc. Jan 30, 8:22 PM Marilyn
first they left us high and dry, then they tell us to fill out this “form” for a refund, WHICH I DID, ( I’m sure all the clients did,) only to have it “RETURN TO SENDER”, “UNABLE TO FORWARD”, again the client of pure have been FLIM-FLAMED, HOODWINK and/or BAMBOOLZED or what ever you want to call it, it’s all the same SHAME ON YOU, SHAME, SHAME, SHAME. Jan 30, 7:42 PM J. Prather
I sent a certified letter as it states to do on the Pure Weight loss website requesting a refund. They owed me 8 boxes of lites and I had only been in the program for a short period of time and felt they owed me part of my registration fees back. My letter was returned saying undeliverable. WHAT A SCAM!!! Terrible thing to do to people. We are a one income family. My money could’ve gone to other things. Jan 30, 2:59 PM Michelle Boyero
Not only have we lost money on what they owe us, but now we’re all sending letters “certified” and having to pay for that too, to only get them back in a few weeks marked “undeliverable”. Someone stated they opened under a different name…PureMedLoss???. How does this happen? where is the Better Business Agency????? Jan 30, 12:46 PM judy
I sent my refund form 3 weeks ago, I got no response and had the certified mail sent back to me saying it was undeliverable!! I called the post office to find out why they were unable to send it he stated that they were not there anymore, so don’t waste your time with the refund form its just a run around giving you hope that you might get your money back, but will NOT!! I am very upset and it is terrible what they’ve done to so many people. Jan 29, 1:44 PM P.C
I sent my refund application in on Jan. 10 2008. I sent it certified and return receipt requisted. It was returned to me on Jan 25 stating it wasn’t deliverable as addressed. It was the same address as was on the form. They owe me $255.20. Jan 29, 9:40 AM debbie
Get more information: > PURE WEIGHT LOSS INFORMATION CENTER Related posts: January 26th, 2008 PA Seeks to Freeze Assets of Pure Weight Loss, Vahan Karian January 24th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Lawsuit Filed by PA Attorney General January 22nd, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Centers Might Have Broken Law January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Protection January 17th, 2008 Today’s WTF: Pure Weight Loss Still Operating? January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Refund Application Form January 17th, 2008 Pure Weight Loss Members Ask: Where Are My Confidential Records? WHAT’S YOUR TAKE? COMMENTS WELCOME.
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Visit FRANBEST: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and and business opportunities. Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not. PHOTO CREDIT: Marchivist. Licensed under Creative Commons.
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Spain's Colonial gets takeover approach from Dubai investor - MarketWatch
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Boeing Deals With Dreamliner, Announced Fourth-Quarter Results … - Money Morning
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Funds for the cautious Isa investor - Telegraph.co.uk
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Countrywide Crushed But BofA Still Buying
Forbes - The deterioration in the capital markets and the lack of liquidity for mortgage assets caused Countrywide to take a loss of $394 million as it moved $7 billion jumbo mortgage loans to a held-for-investment portfolio. Sales for the fourth quarter
Gulf Finance Home FY net rises 61 pct to 340 mln usd
Forbes - Chairman Esam Janahi stated the bank has now reached the status of a truly international blue chip Islamic investment bank. Acting CEO Peter Panayiotou said the board expects the Bank to continue delivery of its growth strategy. ‘We have a solid
Kenya violence puts ratings and investment at risk
Reuters UK - LONDON (Reuters) - Kenya’s continuing post-election inter-ethnic violence will make it harder to get East Africa’s biggest economy back on track and risks undermining its sovereign credit ratings, an analyst with Fitch stated on Tuesday. Fitch and
Baidu down on analyst’s ‘Sell’ rating
MSN MoneyCentral - The analyst added Google to his “Best Ideas” list and stated the search company is a “U.S. recession-resistant investment idea” due to its international exposure and ongoing reallocation of ad budgets to measurable mediums like the Web. © 2008 The
Abertis begins pullout from Schemaventotto investment automobile
Forbes - MADRID (Thomson Financial) - Abertis Infraestructuras SA stated it has begun the process of pulling out of the Schemaventotto (S28) investment car, which owns 50.1 pct of the Italian motorway operator Atlantia SpA. In a statement, Abertis noted
Cohen reports stake in Assured Guaranty
MSN MoneyCentral - Cohen disclosed the stake in a Schedule 13G filing, which indicates the investment is passive, and notes that the shares weren’t acquired to change or influence control of the company. Assured Guaranty shares jumped $1.09, or 4.9 percent, to $23.56 in
Brazil Real Rises on Bets Fed Cut Will Increase Investment Flow
Bloomberg - Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) — Brazil’s real rose to the highest level in more than a week on bets the U.S. Federal Reserve will reduce interest rates, making the yield advantage of local bonds more attractive to foreign investors. “Arbitrage is the word
Bond Insurers May Lose AAA Ratings Before They Get Bailout Plan
Bloomberg - Dinallo’s department hired investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners to advise it on the financial stability of bond insurers and how to protect their customers, a Dinallo spokesman stated yesterday. Losses Surge Losses at MBIA
Essex Investment Management Company, LLC, Boston
Boston Globe - Laura J. Allen, CFA; Deborah A. Coulter, CPA; Thomas Blakey, CFA; Luis R. Cortez, CFA; Jennifer F. Pinto, CPA, CFA and Saralyn Sacks, CFA, are now senior principals for Essex Investment Management Company , the growth stock investment company. Allen
UPDATE 1-RESEARCH ALERT-Deutsche Bank cuts Morgan Stanley
Reuters - Mayo also cut his price target on the investment bank to $56 from $63, and lowered his earnings-per-share estimates for 2008 and 2009 to $5.55 and $6, from $6 and $6.50 respectively. Mayo stated revenue for the bank might not be strong, adding that
Premier Media Services Inc. Chosen as Public and Investor Relations
Forbes - Primary factors in the decision to retain PMSI are the company’s excellent track record in creating custom investor awareness campaigns and their significant contacts within the investment community. “Premier Media is looking forward to working with
Travelers 4th-quarter earnings fall 11 percent on lower premiums
CNBC - SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Travelers Cos. said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit fell 11 percent on lower premiums and investment income, but still beat Wall Street expectations. For the three months ended Dec. 31, net income slipped to $1.06 billion, or $1
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Ness Technologies Settles Arbitration Case, Takes Fourth Quarter
MSN MoneyCentral - Ness Technologies media contact: David Kanaan USA: 1-888-244-4919 Intl: + 972-3-540-8188 Email: media.int@ness.com Ness Technologies investor contact: Drew Wright USA: 1-201-488-3262 Email: investor@ness.com Copyright
Indonesia’s Bumi sees coal price rising to $150/tonne
Reuters - The sharp rise in coal prices could boost Bumi’s revenue significantly as it expects at least a 25 percent rise in its 2008 average coal prices from last year, Dileep Srivastava, Bumi’s senior vice president of investor relations, told reporters. He
Barroso Says Growth Outlook May Be Lowered `Slightly’ (Update1)
Bloomberg - The problems in the U.S. economy will impact on the global economy,” Barroso said. “Investor confidence has been undermined. It’s essential that losses be disclosed as transparently as possible,” he added. “Central banks have
The Gores Group Completes Acquisition of Sagem Communications
Forbes - The Gores Group, LLC has become a leading investor having demonstrated over time a reliable track record of creating substantial value in its portfolio companies alongside management. The firm’s current private equity fund has committed equity
ROUNDUP French govt seeks to steer SocGen board meeting toward ousting
CNBC - The debacle has rocked investor confidence in one of France’s main financial institutions just as the global market turmoil stemming from the US sub-prime loan crisis is at its peak. After disclosing the alleged fraud last week, the bank’s share
Philippine shares close slightly higher on caution ahead of Fed
CNBC - MANILA (Thomson Financial) - Philippine shares shut slightly higher on Tuesday as caution tempered investor optimism that the Federal Reserve will slash interest rates again this week after last week’s surprise 75-basis point cut. Stocks opened
BSkyB ordered to cut ITV stake
International Herald Tribune - The ruling would cost BSkyB around 250 million pounds if it sold at the level of Monday’s closing share price as the value of the shares has dropped since it purchased them. BSkyB has previously said it is a long-term investor and it now has up to four
London shares outlook - higher, NY rebounds, investors await earnings
CNBC - Elsewhere, TUI Travel will host its investor day and give a further update on trading and its strategic review this day. The package holiday operator, which was formed from the merger of First Choice Holidays and the tourism businesses of German firm Tui
Asian Stocks Rise On Expectation Of Fed Rate Cut
Forbes - Even so, Japanese stocks are unlikely to advance on their own due to a cool investor attitude toward the market.” Hong Hong’s benchmark Hang Seng Index was up 2.12%% to 24,563.35 points at midday, boosted by energy and coal stocks on news of
Sallie Drops Lawsuit Over Disputed Fee For Breakup
Washington Post - He contrasted his “land-grant” education as “a Penn State guy” to billionaire investor J. Christopher Flowers’s Harvard background and stated at one point that he would not accept a reduced price. Later, he urged Flowers to reopen negotiations, but
Elekta: Invitation to Investor Day in Crawley, UK, March 12
MSN MoneyCentral - Elekta (STO:EKTA) will publish its 9 month report on March 10 at around 13.00 CET followed by a teleconference at 15.00 CET on the same day. On March 12, Elekta will arrange an Investor Day at the company’s Product Supply Center Oncology in Crawley
Chinese-style hedge funds lure top managers
Forbes - Unlike their overseas peers, they are barred from issuing shares by themselves to create pools of investor money. That means many private fund managers have the complex task of operating dozens of individual trading accounts held by clients. Capital
Jet Airways to raise $800 million
Times of India - Jet, which last year put a $400 million rights issue on hold because of a global credit crunch, will kick-start the process in two weeks and close the issue 90 days later, KG Vishwanath, senior general manager of investor relations said. “We’re
Emerging Market Debt Rises Sevenfold Since 1994, Says ABN Amro
Bloomberg - Economies boosted by surging commodity prices and slowing inflation are driving demand from pension and mutual funds for emerging-market debt, fueling investor returns. The bonds handed investors 10.8 percent in the past 12 months, according to the
Steel Partners Japan Urges Noritz to Include Value Enhancement Steps
Forbes - Plan Summary disclosed by the Company on December 21, 2007, and SPJSF therefore makes no representation regarding their accuracy. About SPJSF Steel Partners Japan Strategic Fund (Offshore), L.P. is a long-term relationship/active value investor
Ituran Location and Control Ltd. Schedules its Fourth Quarter
MSN MoneyCentral - On the call, management will review and discuss the results, and will be available to answer investor questions. To participate, please call one of the following teleconferencing numbers. Please begin placing your calls at least 10 minutes before
Hidden fees clip boomer nest eggs
Seattle Post Intelligencer - The most an investor should pay for a mutual fund-based 401(k) is 1 percent, said Gregory Kasten, a financial planner who advises wealthy people on $2 billion in investments at Lexington, Ky.-based Unified Trust Co. “If the fees in a plan are costing
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(FranchisePick.Com) In it’s article Curves sheds a fifth of its fitness centers, BostonNow Business reports that both membership and number of Curves for women franchise clubs in Massachusetts has declined significantly in the past three years. According to the article citing information from the Boston Business Journal:
“…Owned by local franchisees, last year the number of Curves gyms in Massachusetts dropped 20 percent to 156 from 194 in 2006, and was down nearly 30 percent from the 218 sites that were operating in 2005, according to research by the Boston Business Journal. Membership levels in the state also dropped 20 percent to 62,400, from 77,600 in 2006.
“A spokeswoman for Curves International Inc., headquartered in Woodway, Texas, attributed the falloff to a shift in company strategy.
“‘We have always tried to keep every club open and that’s not always the best decision,’ stated Becky Frusher, Curves’ corporate communications manager. ‘There are some owners who shouldn’t have purchased a Curves … that’s normal with any retail business. We’ve taken a different approach of, maybe we shouldn’t struggle to keep each club open.’ …
“Donna Henderson, who manages the 500-member Curves in Watertown, notes that Curves gyms in Waltham, Brookline and Belmont have shut recently…”
“Nationally, the fitness chain’s stature has also flagged. According to Entrepreneur.com’s annual Franchise 500 rankings, the company dropped from No. 2 in 2005 to No. 185 this year.”No experience necessary. Unless you fail. Then you should have been experienced.
According to Curves, the reason for the failures was presumably that the franchisees weren’t “business owner” material. Does that mean Curves tightening up their franchise stipulations, and seeking franchise owners with prior fitness club experience? Not according to their website, which says they assume franchise owners have no experience. They’re shift in business strategy seems to be to stop feeling bad about it and accept a 20% failure rate as “normal with any retail business.”
So in your search for a solid franchise opportunity, be wary of those who say you can be “In business FOR yourself, but not BY yourself.” Once you’re OUT of business, you’re definitely BY yourself… So go into it understanding that there’s NO system that, if followed, assures success.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.
Franchising is a great approach to business ownership, if you go into franchising with both eyes open. Get information from a variety of companies , including competitors, before making a decision. There more than 400 franchise opportunities listed at FranBest.com for you to scrutinize, including:
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
More Fitness & Health Franchises:
Personal Training Institute (PTI)
Liberty Weight Loss
Massage Envy
LaVida Massage
Zen Massage Center
Mile High Karate
Transformation Clinics- Neel & Company’s
Tags: 30 minute fitness franchise, CURVES FOR WOMEN, Curves franchise, fitness franchise, franchise, franchise opportunities
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