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High Five! DirectBuy of Central Connecticut celebrates five-year milestone

ROCKY HILL, CONNECTICUT…

For more than five years, DirectBuy of Central Connecticut has been offering consumers in the greater Rocky Hill area a brand new way to save on home improvement products, home furnishings and accessories.

As the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, DirectBuy of Central Connecticut offers direct insider pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.

“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors five years ago is a little hard to fathom,” said Peter Maloney, owner of DirectBuy of Central Connecticut. “Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. And that’s got us even more excited about the next five years.”

In addition to the tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, often at a discounted rate.

“Our five years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Maloney. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Since 2004, DirectBuy of Central Connecticut has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 50 Inwood Road in Rocky Hill, DirectBuy offers consumers comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Rocky Hill area since 2004. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

 

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DirectBuy of Buffalo concludes successful Toys for Tots drive.

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently donated more than $1,000 as part of its holiday toy drive for Toys for Tots.

Working with the Conrad Kania Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 25th Battalion, DirectBuy’s toy drive began in early December and ended on December 20, 2009. During that period, DirectBuy of Buffalo collected dozens of new toys to be distributed to underprivileged children in the greater Buffalo area. The financial contribution represents funds donated as part of the drive and money contributed by DirectBuy of Buffalo.

“We were thrilled with the number of toys we collected during the drive. Our members really stepped up to the plate and we thank them for that,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “This latest contribution is, in a way, to say thank you to our members for supporting this worthy cause and to show we are just as committed to doing the same.

Joseph Moreno served as chairman for the DirectBuy Toys for Tots drive and other drives held in the greater Buffalo area. “We can’t thank DirectBuy of Buffalo enough for their kind donation,” said Moreno. “Times are still tough for many people and the donation of new toys and monetary donations by DirectBuy and others really helped bring joy to local children who might not otherwise have gotten a Christmas present this year.”

For more information on Toys for Tots, please visit their Web site at www.toysfortots.org.

DirectBuy clubs across the United States and Canada are active contributors to many local non-profits and charities, including The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, The Salvation Army, YMCA, Homes for Our Troops and various Children’s Hospitals. Locally, DirectBuy of Buffalo sponsored a Habitat for Humanity effort on Guilford Street in Buffalo and regularly donates to charitable efforts like The Ride for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the Buffalo Humane Society, and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.   DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

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Driving in a winter wonderland…Safe driving tips for the winter elements for new drivers.

PLYMOUTH, MA…

It’s easy to get caught up in the childlike exuberance of the season’s first snow storm. For newer drivers who may not have driven in snow before that exuberance can lead to getting stuck snow banks, fender benders and worse. As part of its safe driving campaign for Plymouth high school students, King Collision Centers and its partners in the campaign—Commerce Insurance, the Plymouth Police Department and Plymouth Public Schools–recently issued safe driving tips for winter on its Web site, www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

“Depending on the time of year you got your learner’s permit, there’s a good chance that many new drivers have not driven in snowy, inclement weather with a parent or instructor. That makes a big difference in how you approach navigating the roadways this time of year,” said Bruce King, owner of King Collision Centers. “But whether you’re a new driver or not, we all should be following these tips for safer winter driving.”

For starters, drivers should:

  • Clear all snow and ice from your windows to avoid any obstructed views. The hood and roof of your vehicle should also be cleared to prevent wind-blown snow from obstructing other drivers’ views.
  • Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you for stopping. Remember, the posted speed limits are set for dry pavements. So, if the driver ahead of you is going less than the posted speed limit, it’s for a good reason.
  • Brake carefully. In snowy or icy conditions it will take longer for you to come to a stop so start braking sooner. Do not slam on the brakes.
  • Be wary of bridge decks and exit ramps. Due to the different air exposure, bridge decks can often be more slippery than the regular roadway. Similarly, exit ramps typically do not get as much sand or salt as the main road and will probably be a bit more slippery. Proceed with caution.
  • Be even more wary of trucks. Trucks and semis are heavier than the standard auto and take longer to stop. It’s best to let the truck pull out ahead of you rather than cut them off.
  • Leave plenty of room for maintenance vehicles and look further ahead while driving than you usually do to help anticipate potential problems.

“The most important thing we want to get across to young drivers with this campaign is that speed kills, even more so during inclement weather,” said Gary Maestas, superintendent of Plymouth Public Schools. “By maintaining a cautious rate of speed and following these winter driving tips, all drivers can dramatically reduce the likelihood of an accident.”

For updates on latest events and activities related to the Plymouth Safe Driving program and additional safety information, please visit www.plymouthsafedriving.org.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.  That includes being part of Commerce Insurance’s CARES (Commerce Auto Express Repair Service) Shops, an elite program that includes approximately 120 collision shops across Massachusetts.

The company continues to build strategic alliances with auto dealerships, enabling dealerships to offer collision repair services on-site – similar to their alignment with Mastria Auto Group in Raynham.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA.

For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005

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A wonderful move… DirectBuy of Tri-Cities Washington helps preemie and family move back into home.

RICHLAND, WA…

As part of its Secret Santa program and with the help of the Kadlec Foundation, DirectBuy of Tri-Cities Washington adopted four area families going through some tough times—the idea being to raise funds for those families to help them through the holidays. What ensued can only be defined as a Christmas miracle.

One of those families, the Ramirez family, was in particular need. With Alfredo Ramirez recently laid off and Maria pregnant with the couple’s third child and restricted to bed rest, their home had fallen into disrepair with a broken heater and several cracked or broken windows. Complicating matters even more, on December 18, Maria gave birth prematurely to daughter Vanessa, more than 8 weeks early at a weight of only 4 ½ pounds.

“We were going to help the Ramirez family regardless of any other factors, but when Vanessa was born prematurely it created another situation because the hospital has regulations about the homes in which premature babies will be living. The Ramirez home was not suitable for a preemie, so the hospital found them some temporary housing,” said Scott Stocum, owner of DirectBuy of Tri-Cities Washington. “That’s where the Christmas miracle truly happened, as vendors, DirectBuy members and other members of the local community stepped up to help the Ramirez family.”

DirectBuy contractor Sooner Construction measured the windows and agreed to do the installation free of charge. A local supplier, Ply Gem Pacific Windows, offered substantial discounts on 11 windows and DirectBuy supplier Higuera Hardwoods picked up the tab for the windows. In addition, a local HVAC company (Total Energy Management) diagnosed and repaired the heater at no cost. 

While repairs were underway on the home, DirectBuy, along with a local clothing company (Children’s Attic), donated clothing for the Ramirez children (they have two other children, a six-year-old boy and one-year old girl). DirectBuy also bought clothes for Mr. and Mrs. Ramirez, as well as toys for the children and diapers and wipes for the new baby.

On the day after Christmas, the Ramirez family moved back into their home—with baby Vanessa in tow.

“This truly is a Christmas miracle or something you see in a Hollywood movie. Once word got out about the Ramirez family, so many people stepped forward to help,” said Stocum. “We’re grateful and proud to live and work in a community that really looks after their own.”

Opening last year, DirectBuy of Tri-Cities Washington has already helped numerous consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 2630 North Columbia Center Boulevard in Richland, Washington, DirectBuy offers consumers a comfortable, country-club setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the Tri-Cities area since 2008. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

A wonderful move… DirectBuy of Tri-Cities Washington helps preemie and family move back into home.Read More

Emerson Bearing Announces New Division Catering to Pump, Compressor and Oil Field Clients

Emerson Bearing, a Boston based bearing company catering to OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) markets throughout the U.S., has recently announced the development of a new division to specifically cater to Pump, Compressor and Oil Field customers.

Emerson Bearing’s customer care representatives in the new Pump and Oil Division are trained to accommodate the unique needs of pump, compressor and oil field clients. Emerson’s 24/7 service and inventory is critical to the operations of many clients, in particular Emerson’s Oil Field clients in the Southwest, South America and Russia.

Emerson’s knowledgeable Pump and Oil Division team assists clients in determining which bearing technologies would be most suitable by taking into consideration the specifications, recommendations, maintenance strategies, fatigue life and wear resistance of the bearing in relation to the application. They can also provide Bearing Failure Analysis to clients to determine the cause of bearing failure in order to prevent future failure and predict reliability. Or, if clients desire to do so, they can utilize the Bearing Failure Analysis program within the Technical Toolbox on Emerson Bearing’s new website.

“We’ve experienced significant growth in the Pump and Oil markets over the last couple of years. Due to the increased demand, we’ve created an entire division to specifically cater to their needs,” noted Steve Katz, president of Emerson Bearing.

The One-Stop Shop for Bearings and Related Technical Info

Emerson Bearing recently launched a sophisticated new website that has a unique “Failure Analysis” diagnostic program and an intelligent “Bearing Detective” program that helps customers find the right bearing. The new website offers an online catalog of more than 3 million bearings and related parts which can also be downloaded and saved to a desktop to use as a reference guide. Spec sheets, conversion charts and more are available at emersonbearing.com.

The Emerson Bearing Difference

In a proud tradition, the same families that started the company in 1957 keep Emerson Bearing rolling by specializing in bearings for OEM and MRO markets across the country. Emerson Bearing has a staff of 22 and a 23,000 square foot facility to provide bearings ranging in size from 3mm to tunnel-boring 15-foot-diameter giants.

Emerson Bearing offers customers a one-stop shopping experience. With an online product catalog with over 3 million bearings; a vast inventory of bearings; worldwide sourcing; a fixed price program; a knowledgeable staff dedicated to delivering; same day shipping and 24/7 service, Emerson Bearing has become the leading provider of bearings to OEM and MRO markets in the U.S.

Emerson Bearing maintains headquarters at 201 Brighton Ave. Boston, MA. For more information, contact 617-782-1400 or toll free, 800-225-4587, email info@emersonbearing.com or visit www.emersonbearing.com

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Rodman & Rodman PC Warns Taxpayers that “Use Tax” Audits are on the Rise

Taxpayers may be subject to Massachusetts “Use Tax” on out of state purchases even though they are not required to file sales tax returns.

Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants and Business Strategists alerts taxpayers to a significant rise in use tax audits. Massachusetts has stepped up enforcement and collection efforts, including tax audits, on taxpayers who purchase assets (such as computers, furniture and equipment) from out of state vendors.

In many cases auditors are assessing use tax for up to six years prior. This can lead to a substantial assessment as Massachusetts can impose not only the use tax but penalties and interest as well.

The law requires that taxpayers pay a Massachusetts use tax (similar to a sales tax) on the purchase of out of state items if the vendor does not collect Massachusetts sales tax and the item is used in Massachusetts.

The most typical instance of this usually involves a taxpayer purchasing computers from an out of state vendor and using such equipment in Massachusetts.

It is important to review your records for these types of expenditures, complete the appropriate use tax form available on the Massachusetts Department of Revenue website and pay the necessary tax.

Rodman & Rodman recommends that taxpayers file a use tax form even if they owe no tax as it reduces the risk of an audit. Additionally, a filed use tax return starts the clock running on the statute of limitations.

According to Thomas Astore, Tax Director at Rodman & Rodman, “Generally, the state can assess use tax for three years; however, the statute of limitations remains open indefinitely if you do not file the necessary tax returns. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor if you have questions.”

Rodman & Rodman, P.C.

Founded in 1961, Rodman & Rodman, P.C. provides accounting, tax and business services to small and medium-sized companies throughout New England. With a focus on strategic planning, Rodman & Rodman goes beyond traditional accounting services and takes a proactive approach when serving clients to increase, preserve and sustain clients’ financial net worth.

From business valuations, taxation, audits, fraud detection and prevention services and succession planning to a variety of accounting IT services including software selection, implementation and training, the team at Rodman & Rodman serves as comprehensive advisors to clients. For individual clients, the company offers personal advisory services such as planning for real estate transactions, obtaining financing, estate planning and retirement planning as well as planning for college education. Rodman & Rodman Certified Public Accountants are located at 3 Newton Executive Park in Newton and 25 Braintree Hill Office Park in Braintree, Mass. For more information, visit their website at www.rodmancpa.com or contact (617) 965-5959.

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Advanced Mortgage Services doubles Habitat’s winnings from 1st annual Plymouth holiday window decorating contest.

DATELINE: NORWELL and PLYMOUTH, MA…

Plymouth’s 1st annual holiday window decorating contest in the downtown business district featured a $500 prize, donated by The Plymouth Growth and Development Corporation, for the business or organization whose window decorations garnered the most votes. Enterprising fundraisers at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth wanted to compete in the contest to aid in their ongoing fundraising efforts but were thwarted by the lack of a downtown Plymouth storefront to decorate.

Advanced Mortgage Services, with 3 storefront windows at their 25 Main Street offices, offered an ideal location for Habitat volunteers to ply their magical decorating skills. Eager to partner with Habitat, Advanced Mortgage Services not only agreed to let Habitat use their windows to decorate, but also upped the ante by offering to double Habitat’s prize if they won the contest.

For Brian Comer, President of Norwell and Plymouth based Advance Mortgage Services, the contest represented more than just window dressing, “We’re in the business of helping folks become homeowners. By partnering with Habitat we’ll be contributing in a small way to someone becoming a new homeowner down the road. We were pleased to have this opportunity to help out.”

One of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth’s upcoming projects will include building a new Habitat home on South Street in Plymouth, a project that Comer hopes Advanced Mortgage Services employees will also aid with some sweat equity when building gets underway later this year.

Advanced Mortgage Services LLC

Advanced Mortgage Services LLC was founded as a mortgage lending company in 2005 by Brian Thomas Comer, a financial services professional with more than 13 years experience in the South Shore real estate market. Advanced Mortgage Services is a full service mortgage company that values and nurtures long-term customer relationships, providing options and solutions with maximum benefit and genuine concern for their customer’s interests.

Advanced Mortgage Services team of loan officers maintains rigorous licensing requirements set by the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association and is committed to upholding the highest standards in the mortgage industry. With a combined expertise of more than 50 years, Advanced Mortgage Services offers customers the best possible solution for any mortgage-related issue.

Advanced Mortgage Services, which is an active participant in many community events and organizations throughout the South Shore, is located at 335 Washington Street in Norwell, MA 02061 and has an additional office at 25 Main Street in Plymouth, MA 02360.

For additional information on services offered by Advanced Mortgage Services please call 781-659-6555, 508-747-9520, or 888-665-6345, or visit www.ams-loan.com. Advanced Mortgage Services is fully licensed and insured in Massachusetts and Florida, and is an FHA, VA, Equal Opportunity, and MHFA lender.

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High Five! DirectBuy of Phoenix East celebrates five-year milestone

TEMPE, ARIZONA…

For more than five years, DirectBuy of Phoenix East has been offering consumers in the greater Tempe area a brand new way to save on home improvement products, home furnishings and accessories.

As the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, DirectBuy of Phoenix East offers direct insider pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy also offers design, delivery and installation services.

“The growth we’ve experienced since we opened our doors five years ago is a little hard to fathom,” said Karen Hansen, owner of DirectBuy of Phoenix East. “Not only have we grown in terms of the number of our members, but also in the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy. And that’s got us even more excited about the next five years.”

In addition to the tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, DirectBuy also offers design services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services to DirectBuy members, often at a discounted rate.

“Our five years in business have not only given us the opportunity to help families create the home of their dreams, but to also establish ourselves as part of the local business community,” said Hansen. “We look forward to further cultivating those relationships with our customers and the community as we build toward even bigger and better things in the years to come.”

Since 2004, DirectBuy of Phoenix East has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 2000 West University Drive in Tempe, DirectBuy offers consumers comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct enables members’ hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Tempe and Phoenix area since 2004. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. 

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

 

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South Shore Ad Club features “Baby Boomers – From Myth to Magic” on Wednesday, January 27 at Granite Links Country Club, Quincy

QUINCY, MASS.

“Baby Boomers are all alike!” Most advertising and marketing professionals are savvy enough to know that statement is just not true. The South Shore Ad Club expands upon that topic with a special presentation entitled “Baby Boomers – From Myth to Magic” on Wednesday, January 27, 6 p.m. at Granite Links Country Club, Quincy.

Tom Gorski, Lynn Schweikart and Laura Willis of Gen-Sights will explore the 10 biggest Boomer myths, uncover key core truths and lay the ground work for some branding magic that can help you design products, develop strategies and create communications that will resonate with the Boomer generation and help your business boom.

The Baby Boomer generation ranges in age from 47 to 64, and includes more than 77 million Americans. While Boomers represent 28 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 77% of all financial assets, with an estimated $2.2 trillion in spending power. Yet too many marketers fall prey to the myths that keep them from connecting with this valuable audience.

The price of admission is $30 for non-members, $20 for members. Light refreshments and hors’ d’oeuvres’ will be served. Copywriters, graphic designers, Web designers, ad agencies, PR agencies, photographers, printers, typesetters, corporate communications professionals, marketing professionals, printers, videographers and small businesses are welcome to attend.

About the South Shore Ad Club

The South Shore Ad Club is a non-profit organization committed to the personal and professional development of communications professionals located south of Boston. It’s the club’s mission to improve, strengthen and advance career goals through learning and networking opportunities; and to serve as a resource for local and Boston-area businesses requiring marketing, advertising, public relations and/or communications services.

Space is limited. To RSVP, please contact Mary McElroy, McElroy Associates,

(781) 383-0505 or info@mcelroyassoc.net. Payment for this function can also be made on-line www.SouthShoreAdClub.com. Cash or checks will also be accepted at the door.

 

South Shore Ad Club features “Baby Boomers – From Myth to Magic” on Wednesday, January 27 at Granite Links Country Club, QuincyRead More