What you need to know about Ugg Boots.

I have been getting some e-mail lately about Ugg Boots and the different brands that we sell on our sites http://www.ugg.com.au/ and http://www.themanufacturer.com.au/

What does it all mean? - read on.

First I want to say that we sell 3 brands of boots on our web sites - Jumbo Ugg (Aust Made), Mark Stone (Made in China) and Ugg Australia (Made in China)

What are Ugg Boots?

Ugg Boots are a traditional Australian handicraft. Aussies have been making this type of footwear for generations and it is a generic term for a style of footwear - in particular sheepskin footwear.

A while back an American company called Deckers Corp trademarked the term Ugg Boot and the term Ugg Australia - everywhere except the Australia and started making Ugg Boots (too).

Some customers (in the UK predominantly) believe that "Ugg Australia" is the true "original" brand as this brand is advertised heavily there - I presume. This brand is a great but expensive product and some people are none too happy went they find out these boots are actually made in China.

Some people believe that only Australian Made Ugg Boots are the 'original' ones and this is because it is well known that Australian Sheepskin is the best in the world (due to the unique weather conditions here) and they want the best.

Occationally people really wanted one brand got the other brand and they are not happy with us and that is why we give people a choice to buy the brand that suits them and their budget!

This year we started selling Mark Stone fashion boots due to the demand for a more affordable fashion boot - and these boots are flying out the door, the Cardigans are our biggest seller!

In Australia and in many other countries - Ugg Australia is virtually unknown and most people prefer the real Australian Made Ugg Boots (such as out Jumbo Ugg range).

Our sites offer a choice of what we think are the best Ugg Boots on the market.

Michelle

Mark This Day - My Husband Made A Joke

We drove by a psychic/mystic shop who's window was boarded up with a sign saying "boarded up due to car had crashing into the glass" and I said to my husband "I bet they didn't see that coming" quick as you like he says "How do you know it has happened yet - maybe they are just getting ready for it".

Cardy By Ugg Australia V Cardigan by Mark Stone

I finally have the new 'Cardigans' by Mark Stone - and they are up on my web site for $159 AUD (http://www.ugg.com.au/prod618.htm). I am wearing mine now.


I have also had a chance to compare the original Ugg Australia brand 'Cardy' (http://www.themanufacturer.com.au/) and the Mark Stone Cardigans to see what the differences and similarities are.


Ugg Australia Cardy are the boots that everyone in Europe is mad about. If you are brand conscious then these are the boots for you. At $219.95 AU plus delivery they are expensive but this is the genuine article. These boots come with tags and in the genuine box by Ugg Australia. They are made in China but have that fluffy sheepskin inner that we love love love.









Cardigan by Mark Stone - are a style alike boot from Jumbo Ugg Boots. At $159 au plus delivery they are substantially cheaper but just as nice and still with the plush sheepskin inner we love.

















So lets compare...

They look almost identical in colour and styling.
They are the same same sizing (I am a size 6 and both brands fit perfectly)
They are the same height and have the same number of buttons
The buttons have brand stamps - Ugg Australia OR Mark Stone











The soles are different as the genuine Ugg Australia is imprinted into the sole and the Mark Stone are generic.















And obviously the label on the back is different, and I think that the Ugg Australia sole is a slightly better match in colour but only slight.












**Note one has stuffing so it looks like it is wider but they are the same. It is just my poor photo.



Ugg Australia have a no exchange policy but the Mark Stone do offer exchange (see the web site)

It is also interesting that the American owners of Ugg Australia - Deckers Corp have now put a STOP on Aussies selling their boots outside of Australia - that means that if you are in the UK or US we will soon not be able to sell to you!!!

LUCKILY I have stock in my warehouse of both boots for a short time are are able to supply, but once I run out that's it!

If you want to e-mail me please do so on michelle@ugg.com.au or leave a post review or comment I would love your opinions and thoughts.

Web site www.ugg.com.au


Michelle

As good as it gets

Spoiled Daughter

I'm not saying my 13 year old daughter is spoiled but... After the school swimming sports I received a phone call from her asking if I would go to the McDonald's Drive Thru and get her and her friends some food and drinks.

Thing is, she was inside McDonald's and the que was too long for her to be bothered waiting and she thought I should swing by and make a delivery - and then clear off of course.

BTW - The picture is apparently an ad for a McDonald's store opening in India.

I tell my daughter to study hard and get a very good job because she is gonna need servants - seriously!

My new Web Site

I have just finished my new web site http://www.themanufacturer.com.au/ selling Ugg Australia Ugg Boots. I am excited about the software I used provided by http://www.clickngo.com.au/. Let me know if you want to start your own shop. It is cheap and easy to do.

Tip of the Week - Grocery Online

I do my grocery shopping online and some people find this daunting.

My top suggestion is to keep the dockets from the last few times you (physically) visited the grocery store and use them as a prompt so you can navigate the system with greater ease.

After you have created your list you can refer back as a record is kept on the web site.

My favorite things.

If Oprah can have her favorite things then so can I.
Today's contribution is ZIP LOCK BAGS.


I have them in every size from tiny to huge. Why? because I can!

I'm not saying I'm lazy but....

When my kids were a bit younger they went for a weekend to their nana's, who is a fantastic homemaker and cook. When they returned (clothes mended and ironed, faces washed) they were excited to tell me that they learned a new way to make mash pototo.

"First you get a pototo...."

What I want my VIP card to do

I have a purse full of VIP and loyalty cards, don't we all.? But what I want my VIP card to do is give me access to a VIP bathroom. Really. These mega stores are great and I quite like a trip to Spotlight but my dream is to be able to use the card to go to the loo.
Having worked as manager in a large department store the reason that stores no longer offer an public loo is that the druggies get in there and make a mess. I suggest that stores have a swipe card affair that lets the VIP card holders in which will maintain their security.

All in favour say Aye!

Out of the mouths of babes...

My 9 year old son was trying to explain to his father that he lacked 'excitement' - and he explained it thus:

"You know dad, if mum opened an envelope that said she just won a million dollars she'd say "wow I just won a million dollars ,lets go on a holiday or something". But if you (dad) opened the same envelope you would say, "Oh look at that I just won a little over $20,000."

Mum Entrepreneurs.

I was just watching the Rachel Ray Show and they were highlighting Mum or 'Mom' entrepreneurs.

I am a mum and an entrepreneur. I have run several successful (whatever that means) businesses and now running a business from home that is pushing the million dollar mark. I never think of myself as being successful only that I am never as successful as I think I should be. It is only talking to other mothers that I realize how good I've got it. I barely do any work and I make enough to stay home and live a good life.

A few days a month I assist a consultant to make appointments with export businesses in Melbourne - and we go see clients together. So I get to meet lots of business people and see lots of interesting things, successes and failures.

Here are some observations

Many people start out with a less than stunning core idea - but that does not mean that they are going to be a failure it just means that they will spend longer getting there.

Most people don't ask the stupid questions - for example someone I saw recently 'invented' a product for the nail salon industry. They had made 10,000 samples and designed packaging and so on, they had legal advice and spend a great deal of money to get to that point. It took me less than 30 mins on Google to find that there was already the same concept out there with more features and done much better.

A lot of people waste a lot of time with people who placate them but don't offer anything to the bottom line (more on this on another post).

Most people are keen to get good business advice but very few have found it and that is why they are usually excited to meet me. Most people in business are too busy and to isolated to meet other people in business who are successful. Consultants generally offer little value because - and this might be harsh - those who can do - those who can't become consultants. I try to be as open as I can with information for the people I see, but like everyone who has their own business, I am too busy to help them implement.

My best advice.

Start with a great idea not just a good idea and research the hell out of it.

You can do a lot of good for your business by networking with other business people - and you can do a lot of that on line these days. Note: I contacted Guy Kawasaki about and idea and blow me down he sent me a reply.

Ask yourself, could you be making more money sitting on your arse? - there is big money to be made on the internet - A Byron Bay bikini maker sold over $7 million of the little Lycra buggers on-line last year. Watch this it changed my life.

Ask stupid questions - ask everybody - ask for help - be cheeky.

Protect yourself at http://www.ipaustralia.gov.au/

I Love This Quote

"We don't have a plan so nothing can go wrong". Spike Milligan

Why Hillary Must Win

I watch a lot of TV - Oprah, The View - I make no apology.

Having visited America a number (5) times I am always fascinated with the so called 'race debate' that I hear reference to ad nauseum on these shows.

It's funny to me because my experience is that the oppressed have become the oppressors. I see many Hispanics doing the worst jobs, by that I mean the lowest paid jobs and I see many blacks (I hate the term African Americans - because when they migrate to Australia are we to call them African American Australians???) doing better paid jobs or with Hispanics working for them. Still I didn't see too many 'whites' doing hard graft!

I do digress...

Is it time for a black president? - or is it time for a woman president? - this is the question that these shows are debating. And I feel physically ill. For Christ's sake are you fucking kidding me.

It may surprise many outside of the US to know that African Americans make up less than 13% of the population (link) in the U.S. (a smaller % in the world).

Here we get the impression that the % is a lot higher because we hear so much about it and see a high representation of African American's on our T.V.'s.

The president is the most powerful person the the world playing a pivotal role in affairs world wide - and to the world outside of the US - his (or her) skin colour means little or nothing. So to vote for Obama because he is black is insulting to the rest of us and should be to him and all Americans.

Women make up more than 50% of the population (of the world) and are the most oppressed of all the people, are the most poverty stricken of all the people, many woman have no voice and I'm talking about woman in every colour!

Isn't it about time a fucking woman was the most powerful person in the world and that our daughters will see it is possible to be taken seriously and be respected.

Oh and by the way - Clinton is the most qualified and the most experienced candidate.

So if you meet a yank - let them know OK!

I'm sorry - in advance!

Welcome to my first blog entry.

I'd like to apologize in advance for my spelling and grammar. I'd also like to apologize for the fact that, from time to time, I will shock you, insult you or appall you but I am hoping not to bore you - because for that I would really be sorry.

I'm a mum in the suburbs in Melbourne - the middle class. My husband has recently changed his job to a profession he is most passionate about and this has meant that I have had to put my own aspirations on hold for a while I support.

This means that I work from home now and why I have time for this blog.

I have two children the girl is 13 and the son is 9. Two dogs and a bird - More on them later.

I sound average - I'm not.