SubscribeTDI Podcast 18: Live from Copenhagen
July 11, 2007
Review of the latest European trends, the electronics scene and retail. Do they still like American products in Europe??? YES SIR!
CROC’s (CROX) are being copied left and right - and can be had for 1/3 the price. Nokia (NOK) is everywhere in this region, no Apples (AAPL) in Russia or Starbucks (SBUX) . BUT, the Nokia N95 is in hot demand in Europe.
The next frontier is sure to be Read more
TDI Podcast 17: From Seat 3A
June 29, 2007
From Seat 3A on the way to Russia. Review of CROX trade (OH YEAH), an idea for profiting from Apple iPhone. Blackrock IPO went south, no kidding..was only setup to benefit the insiders anyway. We discuss the opportunities in Northern Europe. Chatting from 35,000 above the Atlantic.
Book Pre-orders are being accepted at the website…Coming to bookstores July 31st. All pre-orders will be signed by ME.
Apple (AAPL) is a short idea into the release of the iPhone. Buys some puts?
PRE-ORDER Signed Copy of The Disciplined Investor - Taking indications of interest - Go to MAILBOX
Here are the funds that are the top in the European Sector:
To Russia with My Love
June 28, 2007
Each summer, Jill (my wonderful wife) and I send the kids off to camp and the house becomes relatively quiet except for the echoes of keyboards clicking and questions concerning dining choices. We have a wonderful time getting to know each other again as we have time to be with each other without the many interruptions from homework questions and the usual parental-taxi-service requirements.
Somewhere between the camp send-off and cringing at the back to school advertisements, we find a way to take off to some wonderful places. Sometimes it is within the 52 states, but more often than not it is a European or Asian location.
Since I am an avid photographer and she is an tireless traveler, we spend time at some of the most amazing places this world has to offer. She leads and I follow along with my camera(s) looking for something spectacular to shoot. In doing so, I have made it a practice to include my friends, family and anyone else who wants to “travel with us”. No, no one stows away, but rather they tag along…virtually. As we travel, I post the daily events and pictures to a site that I usually design.
For years we have been doing this and have a nice collection of travelogs. This year though, I will be trying a different way of doing things with the hope of creating a more interactive experience for our traveling companions. From Russia to Norway and on to Copenhagen and Belgium, I will be updating our experience on a special travel site, complete with maps, pictures and videos as well as some commentary. You can also help us by commenting on the trip at the travelog site. (Actually it is encouraged)
I will also be recording the next podcast en route. So if you want to hear about the European markets and the opportunities for investments that I see from 35,000 feet, tune in to The Disciplined Investor Podcast. (this should be posted on Saturday, June 30th here)
Bookmark this: http://www.travelpod.com/members/globetrotting and check back each day starting Friday June 29th, 2007. If you want to add to your RSS reader, click here!
If you want to see some of the past journeys, click on over to http://www.imagesbyandrew.com/travelogs
The Rental Car Gas Game
June 17, 2007
There I was, once again moving towards the counter, anxious that I was going to get beat by those smart people who silently laugh at me as I ask seemingly stupid questions. It is clear that they know what I am going to ask even before I ask. I am convinced that they know just how to answer me in order to confuse me even more.
I am talking about the highly trained and very sly counter clerks of the “evil” Rental Car Companies. Let me ask this: is there some specific reason that the various rental car companies try to confuse and confound the end user? (aka. ME) Don’t try to pretend because this had happened to you too.. I am just brave enough to admit it!Here is how the game is played: First, when you rent car there is the process of filling out all of the paperwork that requires an endless number of initials and 
signatures. This is how they first get you off your guard. Then they look to get you to buy add-ons that, at first, seem innocent enough.Somehow they are not interested in explaining that most major credit cards will cover you if you them to pay for the car. It is also not in their interest to explain that there is the potential for coverage with you current car insurance policy. (Of course the extent of the coverage for both of these points will depend on your card and insurance policy)
None the less, it is very clear that rental companies earn a terrific margin on the insurance coverage. Here is a little know secret… I have a friend that was in the business for many years. She told me that part of the basic training the rental car companies provide to all new sales people is the “positive head shake”. It goes like this: When the agent explains the insurance option, they will shake their head up and down continually to try to have the renter mimic the “YES” gesture. It seems that there are some physiological studies that have shown that a yes or no shake will influence another person to do the same thing.
Trivial…sure, but they really want you to buy those extras! That is the smallest of issues though. What really gets me is what I call the “Rental Car Gas Game.” This is the game that Read more
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