REVIEW OF THE PURR SHOP – OR – HOW I LEARNED TO SHOP LOCALLY INSTEAD OF BEING SCAMMED

 by Mel Dawn

Review: 5 out of 10.

Finding a new umbrella to buy can be a challenge at the best of times. I received one in my FabFitFun box last spring. It was only a month before it broke. I then purchased one from Home Depot. It’s small and compact, which is great, if I can find that trigger point to get it to stay up. So, let’s say I was super-happy when I saw a purple cat umbrella online at The Purr Shop. 

Initially, I saw The Purr Shop advertised on Facebook. But since there are so many scammers out there, I proceeded with caution. I only found 2 Better Business Bureau complaints. Not bad, considering that FabFitFun has over 2000. I even discovered that they’re located in the USA (or so I thought!)

So, I went ahead and ordered my new umbrella, along with some other goodies. The other goodies were great, by the way. 

The umbrella, not so much. 

I ordered a Purple Cat Umbrella, but not only did I not receive the correct colour, I received some sort of terrible cheap knockoff umbrella. 

Please refer to the photo above from their site. The brand I received is not even right. In the photo online, the purple umbrella says "Rechap" for the brand and has a silver inside, and mauve outside. The one I received says "Like Rain". I can see a blue umbrella on the site but the one I received looks nothing like that and even the sleeve isn't tagged.

As you can see from the photo, I didn't receive the correct item at all.

Normally I'd be fine with a blue cat umbrella, but not only is this not the brand as advertised on the site, but it's some cheap knockoff. The umbrella is made from some sort of cheap garbage bag plastic that I can poke my fingers through.

Also, the plastic totally smells really really bad. I've placed it outside. I'm sure that it wouldn't pass any North American guidelines for plastics manufacturing. I've never even smelled anything this bad.

I ended up putting the umbrella outside for a week. Then I contacted The Purr Shop. No response, but not a surprise considering their BBB reviews. I discovered that both their addresses listed online are actually for UPS Stores. So, this is a company located in China that has faux USA addresses. Sad. 

I took it to Paypal to dispute the cost. After all, why should I pay for junk? They ruled 50/50. So, in order for me to get a refund, I must return it. Since it cost me about $30 CAD, and would cost me $20 CAD to send back, I decided to just keep it.

Fortunately, the plastic smell has greatly dissipated. 

Let’s hope I can get a few years’ usage out of it and hope it doesn't break.

Lesson learned – Shop local from meow on!

PS: Check out my cat care book here: getbook.at/ameowzon 

How to Follow a Blog

When I first started out blogging and reading blogs, I had no idea how to follow, other than "Add a Bookmark" on my Bookmarks menu. Since then I must have acquired about 2000 Bookmarks, so now I can't find anything, even with the Search feature.

I've slowly learned to add gadgets to my Royal City Blog, to make it easier for people to follow me.

For some reason Google removed the Follow button at the top left for other Blog members, much to the angst of the entire Blogger community.

Here's a few tips about how to Follow in the new way.

1. On the top left of this page click the "Share" button. It will give you two options, one for Twitter and one for Facebook. This will take you to either Facebook, where you can share the link, or Twitter, where you can share a Tweet. This is an easy way to find your spot when you wish to return to the post later.

2. Move to the right of the page and find "Subscribe to". Select either Posts or Comments. There are five options on the list: Google +, Netvibes, Newsgator, My Yahoo and Atom. This will add a New Content box to your Newsreader/feeder.

3. If you don't wish to sign up at all these sites, an easy option is to subscribe by email. Enter your email address in the box under "Follow by Email". You will receive new posts in your mail box. This is an easy way to keep up, without having to visit your favourite blogs each day.

4. Scroll to the end of the post. Right underneath Posted by Mel Dawn are several buttons: Email This, Blog This, Twitter, Facebook and Google +.

5. Look around the page, there may be another Google + button or Atom feed button at the very bottom of the page.

Please add a comment to the end of this post if you know of other ways I can add gadgets or show people how to Follow.

I hope to see you "Following" my Blog!