Business

Instead of Getting Angry, Learn How to Write a Business Format Complaint Letter

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This is the correct business format for a letter of claim to another business. Use your words carefully because people often make fun of your money.

Hints and tips to keep in mind:

Keep in mind that Business Writing is about “getting to the point”

Think about what you want to say before you start writing and get the facts straight.

Stay objective and thoughtful throughout the letter even if you feel angry.

Your letter will include the following:

1.Contacts
2. The complaint
3. Reason for complaining
4. The amount to be returned
5. How long are you willing to wait (please be reasonable)
6. Reason why you should be reimbursed
7. “Thank you” as well as any attachments such as statements, receipts, etc.

Remember to send copies of the receipts, not the originals. However, the original letter that you write and sign must be sent to the recipients. Make a copy for your records.

If you don’t get the response you wanted, you might consider writing a second letter with a more assertive tone, or you can reach out to the next person in your chain of command.

Your number and street address

Your city, Your state Zip code

Phone: Your contact number

Email: your email

The date

Your name, company title

Company Name

Your street number and business address

Your city, state, and zip code

Dear Mr. Name,

It has been great for my company to use your services for many high quality window and door projects. I have always been satisfied with your services, however, I am writing to you with a concern that I hope you can resolve.

My company placed an order with Custom Wood on July 2 over the phone. We ordered custom made double glazed oak French doors. When they arrived on July 25, my carpenter informed me that the doors were cut too small. Instead of measuring a full 11 feet by 8 inches, the doors were 11 feet by 4 inches.

After waiting three weeks for the door to remodel a kitchen, it was obvious that customers were not going to wait any longer to have their kitchen finished. My carpenter was able to fix the mistake and did so at a cost of $455.50.

I am requesting that Custom Wood reimburse the $455.50 paid to fix the doors mistakenly shipped to my company. I am enclosing the carpenter’s bill and would appreciate your attention to this matter.

I would like to continue business with your company as I have always been very satisfied in the past. Thanks for your time.

To be honest,

My name

Company Name

Boxes (2)

Home Kitchen

Invicta 8932 Pro Diver Review – The Good and the Bad

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Dive watches can be quite a burden on the wallet if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Fortunately for those of us who want to keep our wallets happy, Invicta is here to save the day with their Invicta 8932 Pro Diver watch. It’s going to save the day because it really is a high quality watch at a very low price (if you buy it online)… So why is it so good? Let’s take a look.

I could start by talking about the bad parts of the watch. Now these are pretty minor complaints and if they were fixed we would be looking to pay a lot more than we are paying now. But anyway, the biggest flaw this watch has is the dial. It is made of ore, not sapphire. This means that the dial can be scratched a bit more easily; compared to a sapphire dial which is almost impossible to scratch unless you have some diamonds lying around…

The second flaw is more of an annoyance, it has to do with the size of the adjustment knob on the side of the watch. It sticks out a bit too much and some people have complained that it sticks to their wrist. This has never really been a problem for me, but usually my watches adjust a bit. Either way, it’s something to think about.

Now onto the good parts of the watch. The Japanese quartz movement is reliable and very precise. Again, although not top of the line, Swiss quartz is better; but we’re not paying $300 here, right? You really shouldn’t notice any major gains or losses over time. In any case, maybe gain or lose 10-15 seconds per week, very acceptable.

The band and clasp are made of high quality stainless steel. The clasp is strong and won’t accidentally come loose and the band has a nice brushed finish that looks good and helps with scratches.

One of the best parts of the watch is the coin-edged bezel. If you are a diver I would recommend buying this model of the Invicta 8932 c watch as the coin edge bezel is much easier to grip and use when you are in the water. It moves smoothly and is very precise, you won’t have any problems with it. Additionally, the watch is water resistant to a depth of 660 feet, earning it the title of a professional diver’s watch.

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Top 5 Power Bank Portable Chargers in 2018 Reviews

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ABOUT THE BEST PORTABLE CHARGERS
Reviews of the best power bank chargers
Charge your devices anywhere and anytime with power banks

Looking for the best portable charger in 2018?
What is the best power bank charger?

Top 5 Best New is specially created for everyone who depends on their smart devices in today’s modern world. But you have to deal from time to time with a dead battery and usually always at a bad time. Today, due to modern technology, we benefit from many smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and more. But as much as technology advances, unfortunately, the battery of our smart devices tends to discharge very quickly. And since I believe that the dead battery in our smartphones is a real problem, I have decided to create this website where the top 5 different types of power banks are collected for various types of user requirements and usage styles. The choice of the 5 best power banks is based on advanced technology, specifications, comments, reviews, durability, design, capabilities, etc. I will always provide you with up-to-date information on the top 5 new portable power banks in the world.

Before you decide that you are going to continue browsing our website, please take a second to read these few sentences, which will let you know what this site is about and what, of course, you need in your life. Let’s start where most of us do, when we need information we don’t know. on wiki;

The information age (also known as the computer age, the digital age, or the new media age) is a period in human history characterized by the change of traditional industry brought about by the industrial revolution through from industrialization, to an economy based on the computerization of information. The beginning of the Information Age is associated with the Digital Revolution, just as the Industrial Revolution marked the beginning of the Industrial Age.

To put things in perspective; we live in an era where mobile phones, tablets or computers take up most of our time, in an era where you see a new species of bird and then you realize it’s actually a drone and in an era where Tesla is no longer just a famous surname. but a make of a vehicle that runs on electricity. And if we put all that together and find a common point, we will realize that to live today we need a lot of electricity, which we don’t really have with us all the time. Or us? That’s where power banks come into play…

Types of power banks

Lipstick Size: These are modern and compact portable chargers, and if style is what you’re looking for, then this lipstick-shaped model is for you! Being lightweight, you can take them with you when you go on a long trip. It easily fits in your bag or pocket and you no longer have to worry about the battery running out.

Pocket: Available in amazing colors, you can have it for everyday use. You can fit this portable charger in your pocket or wallet. It is very slim and convenient too.

High capacity: If you are a heavy user of devices, this is the ideal option. It’s like having an extra battery. This is perfect when you are on a long trip as the capacity is much larger than other power banks and you will be able to charge your phone many times before it goes dead.

Ultra Capacity: With a battery capacity of 20000 mAh, it comes with a safety technology to prevent short circuits and overcharging. If capacity and charging time are your priorities, go for this.

Jump Starter: Jump start your car with this power bank safely. The most notable feature of this is being able to provide protection in times of need, when you are stranded on the side of the road. You can also use this power bank for diesel and gas engines.

Solar Panel: This power bank uses sunlight to charge itself, unlike other power banks that use electricity. It is energy saving and environment friendly.

Bicycle Bluetooth Speaker: You can mount it on the handlebar of your bike. This comes with a microphone and provides protection during hiking and other emergency situations. It is also compatible with smartphones and tablets.

USB Car Charger Adapter: If you are a businessman or like to travel a lot, or just spend a lot of time in the car, the USB car charger is definitely the best equipment for your car. With this type of charger, you never have to worry about your smart device running out of battery and also take care of your children with device entertainment and reach your destination smoothly.

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Digital Marketing

Meaning of love: an elusive enigma

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“It is better to have loved and lost

than never to have loved at all.”

– Poem In Memoriam by Alfred Lord Tennyson: 27, 1850

People, through the centuries, have wondered aloud, and in another way, their thoughts on the four-letter word that encapsulates a storm in a cup of tea. They have boasted of theories and jumped to conclusions. They have dug up the roots of the human body and mind to find satisfying answers. They have conducted experiments, organized debates, shared opinions, studied behavioral pie charts, and tried in every possible way to describe the feeling of love. Yet the same people are stunned when faced with the same situation in their own lives. So, what is love?

The definition of love is like a secluded island, deep in the heart of the sea. Anyone trying to get there can only get close but can’t touch down. Similarly, you can only ‘try’ to define love; its definition may be correct up to a point, but it can never hit the mark. The reason is not your incompetence; it’s just that the definition is in the perception of the person trying to define it and perceptions vary. So instead of trying to do the impossible, let’s dwell on the taste of love and forget the recipe behind it!

Love is a word that captures the essence of both the deep and the profane. Love songs and ballads seem melodious to the person who has not been in a man-woman relationship as well. In fact, to limit the facets of love to the confines of the words ‘I love you’ is to close off your aura to a great extent. You cannot determine which form of love is pure: son-mother, man-woman, brother-sister, devotee of God.

You know you are in love when you feel that another person’s influence is more imposing on your thought process than your own ideas and opinions. You begin to think in terms of the person you are in love with. You want to make yourself worthy of that person, always placing them on the highest pedestal. You always have doubts about what you should do to make him happy and what you should not do. You are willing to take the pain and blame yourself instead of letting your loved one frown in worry. You feel that the whole world is against you and that no one is your friend. You live in a world of your own where entry is restricted only to people who understand the value of that world.

“Who wants a cynic who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing?” asked Oscar Wilde. The meaning of love cannot be explained to the cynics; if you have it in you, you get the meaning without a word being spoken. If you don’t feel the heat melting your heart, no one will be able to pierce it into the cold interiors of your soul. Love is what makes two people sit together on a bench, when there is plenty of room on either side. Love is when you go your separate ways, not saying a word the whole time, and still feel like you’ve had the best conversation of your life. Love is also like the sand that slips through your fingers the more you try to hold it tighter. So express your love to your loved ones with free love greetings and love cards now. Tomorrow may not come with the same lucky streak!

Relationship

Six things to know about your three-year-old

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Watching a child grow from a tiny newborn to a curious toddler is an amazing experience, and teaching young children the many skills they need to learn is rewarding work. When a child becomes a toddler, he is ready to explore the world around him and is beginning to understand basic verbal, physical, and social skills. Three-year-olds have very different needs than toddlers and build on skills they’ve learned since birth.

There are some common traits that most three-year-olds share, although every child is different and develops at their own pace. If your child will soon be three years old, here are six things to know about your three-year-old.

Many children, especially boys, are not ready for potty training until they are three years old. Many parents expect their children to be potty trained by age three, but many children aren’t ready to begin the process until age three, and this is perfectly normal.

Three-year-olds are learning new words every day and usually speak in sentences of 3-5 words. Because they are learning so many new words, it is normal to stumble over words, but this is not stuttering and usually does not indicate a problem.

Some parents of young children are inclined to speak ill of their children using overly simplified words or “baby talk.” However, the best way to help your three-year-old develop proper speech is to talk to him using normal language with lots of descriptive words.

Most three-year-olds enjoy imitating people and animals, especially those they encounter on a daily basis. Three-year-olds will imitate what they see during play and begin to emulate people close to them.

At age three, children begin to develop the social skills necessary to play cooperatively with other children. Three-year-olds begin to share, take turns, and can tolerate delayed gratification most of the time.

Three-year-olds also begin to develop vivid imaginations and will often engage in imaginative play. They enjoy making up stories, pretending and acting out their favorite books, stories and TV shows.

Three-year-olds are still developing many important skills as they learn about the world around them. Teaching toddlers skills like potty training, cooperative play, and correct use of language becomes easier for three-year-olds who have developed the attention span and comprehension necessary for these tasks.

Health Fitness

White refined sugar – White poison!

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“Refined white sugar is largely to blame for some forms of diabetes, whose victims face the threat of blindness and other serious disabilities, not to mention heart disease, stroke, schizophrenia, alcoholism, and possibly some cancers.” “. [1] according to Dr. Robert D. McCracken, an anthropologist at the University of California (UCLA).

The big indictment against refined white sugar is its high solubility in the body. It rushes through the stomach wall without being digested, stimulates the excessive secretion of insulin by the pancreas to facilitate its passage through the cell membranes of the tissues, where it is used as fuel and causes metabolic imbalance, which It allows the entry of bacteria, viruses and deadly germs. Sugar is also fattening and has been found dangerous for heart cases as it disrupts the balance of calcium and phosphorous in the blood.

The average American consumes a staggering two to three pounds of sugar per week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars are processed into many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, salsa from spaghetti, microwavable meals, and just about everything else.

In large amounts, sugar causes the blood sugar level to drop. If insulin itself is not controlled, blood sugar drops to abnormally low levels. This condition is called hypoglycemia and can lead to mental disorders and other serious disorders.

Read the label on all manufactured, bottled, and canned products. If it includes sugar among the ingredients, throw it away like poison! The same goes for any product that includes high-fructose corn syrup or brown sugar, since commercial brown sugar is actually refined sugar with molasses added. In fact, it is more refined than white sugar.

There are several natural sugars that can be used in the same way as refined white or brown sugar when a sweetener is needed, such as date sugar, maple syrup, rapadura, and raw honey, although honey is a concentrated sugar and should be used in extreme moderation, like all natural sugars. If you suffer from any type of liver congestion, honey absorbs fluids and worsens the condition. Natural, unrefined sugars contain mineral salts such as phosphates of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, and more that have been extracted from refined sugars. However, most of these healthier sugars are still broken down in your body in the same way that regular sugar does. The nutrients found in some of them are nullified by the fact that nutrients are needed from your body to break down sugar. Organic is better because of the lack of pesticides but otherwise the same. Sugar is still sugar! A better plan is to replace sugar with fruit if possible.

To your good health and long life!

[1] Paul Bragg and Virginia Bragg, “Healthy Eating Without Confusion,” Santa Barbara, California: Health Science, 1967, p. 12

Legal Law

Business ethics in Islam

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Introduction:

A person can earn money by two means; one is agriculture and the other is business. If business is not done ethically, there will always be inflation and shortages of goods. As can be seen in the case of many basic products such as wheat, sugar, etc. It is due to stockpiling, speculation and the selfishness of some entrepreneurs. The government has also become a trader, while Sharia law has prevented the Islamic government from trading.

As it can be seen that business is an important part of life, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “People get 9/10 of their daily bread through trade.” Islam explains the concept of fair trade by telling business ethics. If trade or anything else is done against morality and creed, it will lead to a bad end on the day of resurrection. Also, by law, the person guilty of illegal business would not end up anywhere. Islam greatly emphasizes the importance of business ethics. Allah says in the Qur’an: “They say that buying is also like interest, but Allah has declared that buying is permissible and interest is forbidden.” And “When you buy or sell, have someone witness it.” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If there was no trade, you would have become a burden to others.” He also said that “A merchant is the guardian of the means of daily bread and a guardian of the dignity of himself and other people.” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged trustworthy merchants with these words: “A trustworthy and truthful merchant will stand with the prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the righteous.” “God shows mercy to a person who is kind when he sells, when he buys and when he claims” The prophet put a lot of emphasis on the truthfulness and righteousness of the merchants. He said that “Verily, the merchants will be resurrected sinners on the day of resurrection, except the one who fears God, he is good and speaks the truth.”

business and ethics

As Muslims, we must adhere to ethical standards, not only in business but also in all aspects of life. Both business and ethics are interrelated. There is a reference to this point in the Qur’an: “For you, the Messenger of Allah is a good example to follow.” Allah Almighty says: “To the people of Madyan (we sent) Shu’aib, one of his own brothers: he said: ‘O my people! Worship Allah. You have no god but Him. And do not give short measure and weight I see you in prosperity, but I fear for you the pain of a day that will surround you on all sides. do evil on earth with the intent to harm. What Allah has left you is the best for you, if (but) you believed! But I am not above you to watch!

Prophet Muhammad was chosen by God to be His last prophet and messenger at the age of 40. Before that, he was heavily involved in business. He and his wife Khadija were merchants. It is reported that he traveled to Syria, Yemen, Bahrain and many other places in Arabia to trade. Some historians have also suggested that he probably traveled to Iraq and Ethiopia. From a very young age he devoted himself to commerce. He had a good reputation as a hard-working, honest, truthful and very successful businessman.

fair dealing in business

The Holy Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have made it clear that a Muslim must be honest and upright in his business and monetary transactions. Likewise, the true Muslim must keep his word and keep his promises, avoid fraud and avoid deceit and treachery, not usurp the rights of others or engage in unlawful litigation. Also, a good Muslim does not bear false witness and refrains from making illegal money such as usury and bribery. According to Islam, whoever is not free from these vices is not a true believer but a renegade and worthless transgressor.

And the Qur’an is rich in verses confirming all this. Allah says in the Qur’an: “Do not eat the property of others by unfair and dishonest means.”

Allah forbids all impure and corrupt means of earning money, such as dishonest trading, gambling and bribery. And the Holy Quran has explained and described such practices in many of its verses. He says: “Woe to those who traffic in fraud, – those who, when they have to receive from men by measure, demand the full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, they give less than is due. do not think that they will be asked on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of lords.”

Another example is given in the following verse, where Allah urges Muslims to be very careful with their trusts and the rights of other people. “Allah commands you to return your trust to those to whom you owe it.”

Fundamental Principles of Fair Trade Relations

According to Islam, the following things should be avoided in order to start a fair business.

1. Without fraud or deception, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “When a sale is made, say: There is no cheating.”

2. Sellers should avoid taking too many oaths when selling merchandise. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Beware of excessive oaths at a sale. Although it finds markets, it reduces abundance.”

3. Mutual consent is necessary. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “The sale is complete when the two concerned part with mutual consent.”

4. Be strict about weights and measures. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When people deceive in weight and measures, provision is taken from them.” He told the owners of measures and weights: “You have been entrusted with matters for which some nations were destroyed before you.”

5. The Prophet (peace be upon him) prohibited monopolies. “Whoever monopolizes is a sinner.”

6. Free enterprise, the price of goods should not be set unless there is a crisis or extreme need.

7. Hoarding of merchandise in order to increase prices is prohibited.

8. The transaction of prohibited items (Haram), such as intoxicants, is prohibited.

Fraud and dishonesty in business

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has emphasized the importance of honesty in most of his sermons, saying, “Remember, there is no faith in one who is not trustworthy; there is no place in religion for one who is not trustworthy.” he worries about his word or promise. He (PBUH) also said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three, when he speaks, he is false, when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false”.

Condemning those who cheat in business, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “He who cheats is not from us. Cheating and fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”

Once, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came across a heap of corn in the market of Medina and put his hand on it. His fingers felt wet. When asked, the merchant replied that the rain had fallen on him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) observed: “Why did you not keep (the wet portion) on the dry corn, so that men can see it? He who deceives is not one of us.”

Therefore, the merchants who cheat by showing customers a false sample or by hiding the flaws of the product they are selling are not true Muslims in the judgment of Allah the Prophet (Pbuh) and they will end up in hell.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The seller should explain to the buyer the defects, if any, in the quality of the item offered for sale. If this is not done, the seller will be permanently trapped in Wrath.” of Allah.”

In short, Islam forbids all kinds of cheating and dishonesty in business. The Holy Prophet has expressed his strong distaste for those who do so.

Bribery in business transactions

Bribery and usury, although they may be practiced by mutual agreement and consent, are totally prohibited and prohibited. Those who are guilty of them have been condemned by Allah and his Prophet (PBUH). Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah’s curse falls on the one who offers a loan on usurious terms, and on the one who receives, and on those who witness the transaction, and on the writer who write the deed.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “If a person made a recommendation for someone in a fair way and the rewarded party gave him something as a gift (in exchange for it) and he accepted it, then he made a grave mistake (meaning that , is also a form of bribery)”.

The usurpation of another’s property by force or fraud or dishonest litigation is even worse. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made this clear, when he said: “Whoever unjustly occupies the land belonging to another will be sunk in the earth together with the plot of land on the Day of Judgment until he reaches the lowest layer of the earth. And “One who acquires the property of a Muslim unjustly by taking a false oath (before an Official) is prohibited by Allah from entering Paradise and Hellfire becomes unavoidable for him.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) again, is reported to have warned a person who was very fond of litigating with others with these strong words: “Remember, whoever obtains another’s property by making a false oath will appear as a leper before Allah (on the Day of Judgment).”

And, again he (peace be upon him) said: “Anyone who claims something that is not his, is not ours.”

Lifestyle Fashion

Different irritating symptoms can arise if you are addicted to painkillers

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Prescription drugs like painkillers have become a familiar demon and have been killing humans for quite some time. As drug addiction has been a plague throughout the world, many countries have banned the sale of drugs such as heroin and morphine, and it is not easily accessible to anyone. Also, prescription drugs are quite available and not objectionable, people easily get addicted to them. There are hardly any people who have not heard of painkillers. It is one of the most common medications kept at home for family use. For this reason, young members have it at their fingertips and exercise it and consequently become addicted. Painkiller addiction among the young has become one of the biggest problems of the modern pestilence-ridden crowd.

These opioid-based medications are difficult to recognize as they can be prescription medications and are commonly prescribed by doctors for patients suffering from acute pain. Drugs have many names and it is difficult to recognize them as they come in different brand names without imprinting the actual substance. Here are some examples. Codeine is an opiate-based drug that goes by street names like Captain Cody, Schoolboy, Pancakes, etc. anexia, dicodid, lorcet, lortab, norco, Vicodin, etc. are trade names for hydrocodone, another analgesic substance whose generic name is hydrocodone. Another opioid pain reliever, oxycodone, is also available under the brand names Roxipirin, Endocet, Oxycontin, etc. and more in their street names like Oxycet, hillbilly heroin, perks, oxycotton, etc.

Not only opiate-based pain relievers but also non-addictive pain relievers can cause dependence with regular and long-term use. The worst thing about this addiction is that it is recognized after a long time. However, if you are equipped with the knowledge about the symptoms of painkiller addiction, you can identify them very early, it may be from the very first step. If you look closely, you can see a common scenario among painkiller addicts. The first sign of addiction would be an increase in dosage. They tend to exercise the feeling for a longer period and for this reason they use it more often and for a longer period of time. They sometimes complain of pain despite taking painkillers. Well, it acts on the central nervous system, chemical dependency develops and can produce personality changes.

Pain relievers are also known for their mood-altering capabilities. Addicts love to get away from others to keep their addiction a secret. This forces the addict to withdraw from social situations. At times, excessive emotional drain can occur and they become overly sensitive to sounds and lights. Another noticeable effect of painkiller addiction is forgetfulness. Above all, some physical complexities such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, unconsciousness are appreciated. So, as soon as you identify these symptoms, contact drug clinic like Sunset Malibu drug rehab and ask for extensive mind and body treatment.

Pets

Snorkeling Desecheo: A Forbidden Island off Rincón, Puerto Rico

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The towering surf surges through the 12-mile pass between Rincón, Puerto Rico and an uninhabited island. Our dive boat rides the top of the waves time and time again, reaching the summit of the Indigo Hills with ease. We plan to dive off the coast of Desecheo Island, a National Wildlife Refuge that was once home to smugglers and pirates, but is now home to a chunk of brown boobies, three species of lizard found nowhere else. of the world and a healthy population of introduced. rhesus monkeys.

Unfortunately, the island itself is off limits. During World War II, the United States used it as a firing range, and unexploded ordnance now poses a security threat to visitors.

As we close the gap, Desecheo emerges from the notoriously shifting tides and strong currents of the Mona Passage. When his rough shoulders suddenly come into view, we drop anchor at forty feet. I watch the shoreline where the white water funnels through the jagged rocks and crashes against the land. There is something tantalizing about the mystery of a secluded place. I want to investigate the wild hills. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to explore the bay, but even as I put on my gear and take a giant step off the dive platform, I’m focused on the small beach just a short swim away.

The water closes over my head and for a moment I am suspended at fisheye level, suspended between heaven and earth in a world free of gravity. Visibility is over 80 feet and this is an overcast day. Queen triggerfish float near the boat, perhaps hoping to share our sandwiches. They wiggle their thin ends like little girls tossing their hair. After cleaning my snorkel, I dive facedown into the water, watch a tropical fish dance, and allow the warmth of the sun to seep into my body like Puerto Rican rum. Pink and blue parrotfish tango on the sand and striped sergeant major cha-cha on limestone ledges. A pair of butterfly fish jump in a cascading spiral to greet me.

That’s when I notice a barracuda staring at me. Barracuda tend to swim close to the surface and if you are too focused on the distant sea floor, you are likely to miss their menacing presence. Mr. Flashy Teeth is beyond arm’s reach. We stare at each other for a long moment and then it wags its tail and disappears into the blue.

I allow myself to drift towards the beach. Submerged rocks rise below me and the swell breaks over them, reducing visibility to a bubbly two or three feet. Even if it was safe to set foot on the island, reaching it would be treacherous. I was hoping to at least get close, but not today.

Resigned, I kicked against the current and returned to the safety of deeper water. Our guide is calling everyone back to the boat anyway. Maybe one day I’ll set foot on Desecheo Island. In the meantime, I must admit that the snorkeling off the coast is impressive. And I’m glad that in my longing to explore the reaches of something unattainable, I didn’t miss out on the wild encounter at hand.

Information please

CONVENIENCE

A passport is not required for US citizens.

Puerto Rico uses US dollars.

English is widely spoken, although Spanish is the traditional local language.

Puerto Rico phone numbers can be dialed without an international code from US phones.

Cell phone coverage in the US is pretty good, especially along the coast. We didn’t need to do anything extra to use our cell phone and since we have a nationwide plan, we weren’t even roaming!

GET THERE

Fly into the (BQN) Rafael Hernández Airport in Aguadilla, on the western side of Puerto Rico.

Desecheo is 13 miles offshore from Rincón, a small surf town on the western tip of the island, 20 minutes from the airport.

Taino Divers is the only officially licensed dive shop in the waters around Desecheo. You can snorkel, dive, or try a dive discovery class and dive with an instructor.

WHERE TO STAY

Rincón offers everything from luxurious resorts to budget hotels and private homes that you can rent.

WHERE TO EAT

You’ll find everything from a Spanish-style tapas bar to the famous Lazy Parrot Rum Shack, where there’s reggae night every Wednesday. We enjoyed having lunch and watching the surfers at Tamboo Seaside Grill

THINGS TO DO

Visit an art gallery.

Check out Rincón’s 8 miles of beaches, most of which are famous for surfing, especially in the winter months.

Take surf lessons.

Learn to navigate.

Go deep sea fishing. Marlin, sailfish, swordfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo and shark all wait to tangle with you in the blue waters off the Caribbean coast of Rincón.

Real Estate

Providing a Transfer Disclosure Statement to the California Mixed-Use Property Sale Buyer

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In March 2014, the California Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Richman v. Hartley (2014) 224 Cal.App.4th 1182, which makes clear that California law requires sellers of real estate to provide a ‘Transfer Disclosure Statement’ (TDS) to the buyer if the property is a mixed-use property . A ‘mixed use’ property is a property that contains residential and commercial improvements.

Buyer entered into a contract with Seller to purchase Seller’s real estate in Ventura, California. The property was a single parcel, but included two buildings: a residential duplex and a commercial structure. The parties used a standard contract of sale used for the purchase of commercial real estate. The agreement contained the following provision: “Seller will make to Buyer, through escrow, all applicable disclosures required by law…with respect to the property…” The agreement also contained language stating that the sale would be non-contingent and on an “as is” basis.

Buyer refused to close on the scheduled date because, it asserted, Seller failed to provide required disclosure statements. Specifically, Buyer argued that Seller failed to provide Buyer with TOS as required by the Transfer Disclosure Act, Civil Code § 1102(a), and ss. California Civil Code § 1102(a) makes it clear that the disclosure requirement applies to “residential real estate or stock cooperatives, improved with or consisting of not less than one nor more than four dwelling units,” to unless the property is expressly exempt. Civil Code § 1102.02 lists the types of real property transfers to which the Transfer Disclosure Law does not apply, and a ‘mixed-use’ property is not included among them. The seller argued that the Transfer Disclosure Act only applied to property sales that only involved residential structures.

The Seller sued the Buyer for breach of the purchase contract. During litigation, Buyer sought summary judgment and prevailed because, as a matter of law, Seller failed to demonstrate that it complied with its legal and contractual obligation to provide the TOS. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the Buyer and the Seller appealed. The court of appeal upheld the decision of the court of first instance.

The seller asserted on appeal that the Transfer Disclosure Act only applied to real property “consisting of not less than one nor more than four dwelling units,” and that his property consisted of residential and commercial buildings. The seller argued that the law was not intended to protect what are, in essence, business transactions.

The Court of Appeals noted that the Legislative Assembly enacted the law in 1985 and its express wording requires a seller to deliver to the buyer a real estate TDS in “any transfer…of real estate” improved by or consisting of not less one or more than four dwelling units. (Civ. Code § 1102(a).) It held that these words are clear and unequivocal and that there is no limitation to parcels of property where only residential improvements exist. The addition of structures and commercial uses on the property does not nullify the consumer protections that the law was intended to provide.

The court noted that it was true that the Legislature did not intend the Transfer Disclosure Act to apply to commercial real estate transactions. The court stated that it was not necessary to characterize the nature of the transaction as “residential” or “commercial” because the statute creates the need for a TDS simply by having a dwelling unit in it. Presumably, a parcel of land that is used primarily for commercial purposes but has a seemingly insignificant dwelling unit is also considered mixed use, thus requiring a TDS. If a parcel of property is mixed-use, to what extent does the TDS apply: to the dwelling unit only, or to the commercial portions of the property as well? The court did not address this issue.

The case highlights the results of not providing information to the buyer. It has simply been a common occurrence for parties to a transaction to believe that a parcel of ownership that can be characterized as primarily business means that the Transfer Disclosure Act does not apply. This means that there are many sellers who have violated disclosure laws. Even more frightening for sellers and their brokers is the potential scope of the disclosure involving parcels of mixed-use land. It would certainly have significant adverse consequences in the real estate market if a court were to rule that the disclosure requirements apply even to the commercial portions of the property, but that is a question for another court to resolve. The takeaway here is that it’s usually worth the effort to overdisclose.