Recycling, Reusing and Reinventing

Here at Retonthenet we strongly believe in recycling, with the use of products that have already been manufactured so therefore no further cost to the planet through production, also on the point of production have you ever heard anyone say "They don't make them like that anymore", well its true to all products, the reasoning is simple when a product or item is made for the first time it is usually made to best specifications possible to impress the marketplace, investors and purchasers, this quality is then lost as production is increased as manufacturing or production costs soar, which in turn can lead to the detailing being lost in some cases, but most of the time it is that new cheaper components or materials are used to soften the blow of the rising productions costs. We also shred all our unusable waste paper to use with packaging, though all purchases are also packed in bubble wrap first, the boxes and outer packaging are all recycled coming from local larger compaines who have already used them for their purpose and instead of them being sent to recycling plants which also has it costs to the enviroment with the costs of transportation and reproduction costs we adapt and use them.

Using a Old Carrier Bag for Packaging

Here at Retonthenet we try to recycle all items even when packing the parcels, the photo below shows a parcel that was packed to go to a TV Studio in London, England; the product was first of all was wraped in layers of new bubble wrap (recycling bubble wrap is not recomended!) and then placed into a good strong recycled cardbaord box which was finished with foam packaging and sealed. At the time of the sale London was suffering from some terrible weather including heavy rain and we did not want the parcel to get badly wet and possibly damage the contents within, this is usually solved with a grey mailer available from packaging companies and used by catalogue companies to mail clothes out to customers; though on this occassion we had none left and the order was needed to go out asap (TV companies mostly require products Yesterday ;-) ) so we had a good look around and found a damaged 1970s Tommy Cooper 'Jus Like That' Soda Stream Carrier Bag (available in the tins and packaging section) which with some clever cuts and clear tape became a showerproof cover for the boxed product within, it was even laid on so that the image of Tommy Cooper and his famous catchprase sat perfectly in the left hand corner, please note the soda stream below the blanked address label.   

Note - The Address label has been blanked out for privacy!

About Myself

I have been intrested in Vintage Items since the age of 8 years Old, and have spent the last 25 years collecting, reading and researching about Vintage Items. I have attended numerous International, National and Local Antique/Collectors Fairs and Auctions to hone my knowledge and to add to my expierences. This passion for the past has now transformed into this business with the aid of Iain Scotts Enterprise Island, Cumbria University Entrepreneur Scholarship Course, the Business Venture Group, Blackpool Coucil, lots of hard work by myself and the support of my family. Retonthenet.co.uk is based in Blackpool, Lancashire, England.

Introducing Ryan Cregan of Blackpool.

A Fantastic 13 Year Old Vocalist from Blackpool, to learn more click any of the icons below or to hear him sing Impossible Dream and Shane Ward's 'Stand By Me' from the Big One Talent Show Finals held at the Blackpool Pleasure Beach (August 2009) click play on the video; I hope that you enjoy listening to this young man as much as we do here at Ret HQ.; don't forget to turn your sound up and relax!
 

Become a Ryan Cregan Fan Click on an icon to see his Videos and here him Sing!

Please feel free to have a vote for Ryan on WonderWorldTV.com a wonderful site dedicated to the most talented youngsters on the planet.

Just Click on the image no need to sign up and its FREE!

Some Original Early Blogs

One Month On, May 1st 2008

Well I have been updating daily, with new listings every day and already some changes to the layout. I have a lot of interest in the site and the products, with sales already made, product requests via e-mail and phone and even interest from TV Companies. I have passed my University Entrepreneir Scholarship Course, just awaiting to get my grant passed so that I can increase the 'Vintage Visuals' products, with plenty of designs to choose from in my head, speaking about further education I shall be shortly completing my ITQ Level 2 in I.T., quite handy when working with a web site, and many thanks to Preston College for their patience with me. Back to Business, I will shortly be having some business flyers printed professionally and will be heading of to the larger Antique/Collectors Fairs of the U.K. including Swinderby, Newark, Kedelston Hall; and some smaller ones, such as the fantastic fair at Elescar Heritage Centre, ran by Newcomen Fairs to promote the internet site and also to meet with prospective buyers and maybe even make a few sales. I would like to just take this opportunity to thank all our customers so far, and also thank the many people that have come to have a look, so I did not have anything for you this time but please call again!

Dave

Two Month's On, June 1st 2008

Hi again,

Its half way through June, half way through the year (longest day on Saturday - Darker Nights are coming!!) and I am 2 months into my business and web site development, and I am over the moon. The Web site is getting at least 50 hits a day, which may not sound a lot but the total for the first week was just over that, sales are getting better with customer confidence increasing and best of all, glowing feedback from purchasers and other web sites, I thank-you all; a feedback page will be included on the web site shortly. On the note of other web sites I have kindly been asked by a local web site to do a press release for them about my start-up business when it is published, I will post a link on my links page. Well got to go now and choose some more items to post on the site, if there is anything you would like to see, then e-mail us with your requests you never know we might have it; if we do then we will send you a listing first before we post it on the site. 

Dave

1st July, 2008

Hi there,

Does anybody read this? Probably not, but at least it is a record of how the business is going! Well what have I been doing? I have had two major moves on this month with all the collections (now stock!) being taken from various locations; family homes, mates garages, work, etc.. basically anywhere that I was allowed to store it and moved into two large lock-ups ready to be prepared for sale. The other move that I am contending with is my own familys house move, you never realise how many things you need in a house just to make it run on a daily basis until you move do you, so if you are wondering why there has not been many new products listed then, then these two moves could be partial to blame, don't worry though as normal service will resume by the middle part of next week, with some lovely items of furniture (including 2 display cabinets!), a tin collection dating from the 1880s to the 1980s, perfume bottles, sewing machines, more shaving equipment, a stunning complete 1950s coat/umbrella stand and much, much, more.

Keep Looking Thank-You, Dave.

14th August 2008

Hi there folks,

Well it has been a interesting month, tying up loose ends with my college/uni courses (just awaiting results), still got loads of personal things in boxes from the house move to unpack (should be done by 2010), working hard and playing even harder. I can now start focusing on the website, building it up with plenty of unusual (and some not so unusual) vintage products for the Christmas Rush, thats if any of us has any money after the bills! What with fuel, food and now water rates going up, it makes it harder to treat yourself or someone you love, but if you have it then get it spent as you can't take it with you!! The good thing about Vintage products is that they were made to last so therefore hold their value,. the main thing that effects their value is fashion so may sell better at certain times than others, this does not mean that your vintage items lose value they just lose interest within the marketplace, once fashion changes and people start buying that particular item again, the value comes back and is usually higher than it was when you bought it, so if you are bored with the item or fancy a change this would be the ideal time to sell. At the moment with money being in short supply it is a time to buy 'Vintage' as the prices on most items are at a all time low, this will not last, so grab a bargain while you can!! I know I do it every month but many thanks to all our customers and browsers, please keep looking, you make the site worth the work.

Best Wishes, Dave

14th December 2008

Hi again,

Sorry I have not wrote for a while but have been extremly busy with the business and also family life, I cannot believe that it has been 3 months since I last wrote a blog. Christmas is now only 2 weeks away and I am getting quite excited, not about the presents and alcohol (though both are good in moderation!); but spending some quality time with my family and friends it truly is the time of year to relax a little, unwind, kick-back and reflect on the past year and what a year (phew!). Unfortunately becuase of other comitments I have not been able to load up as many vintage items as I would have liked, so if there is anything that you particular would like to buy for someone (or yourself) as a Christmas Present then please feel free to contact as we may just have what you are looking for! I would like to thank all my customers past, present and future for making my dream of running a Vintage business come true as if it was not for you I would not have a business, I know this has been mentioned by myself before but it is something I truly believe in; No Customers - No Business. Finally I won't to take this opportunity to wish 'One and All' a very Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and all the Best for the New Year from all at Retonthenet!

Best Wishes Dave