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I spent the better part of Tuesday night driving up through northern Sacramento on the way to our duck club. It was late, foggy and rainy. As I left highway 505 and moved onto I-5, it wasn't long before both sides of the interstate were covered with flooded rice fields. In the old days, this rice growing area would be charred black this time of year, with the extra rice stubble being burned up in massive fires that would have burned for a month or so, turning the sky black. Somewhere along the way, someone came up with the bright idea that using water would be a much better way to get rid of the stubble that was left after the harvest. Now, you have thousands of acres of flooded rice fields, with the stubble rotting away during the winter months. This has the added benefit of making the Sacramento valley a huge spot for wintering ducks and geese. If you've ever had the pleasure of driving through this area, or visiting the Sac Wildlife Refuge this time of year, you've experienced the phenomenon technically known as "What the heck are all those things blocking out the sun!?"

As I drove back to the office Wednesday morning, I was of course on the phone most of the time, but as I drove past the refuge, the person on the other end of the line at that moment was greeted with a huge outburst from me, as I pulled over to gaze at a sight you don't see that often. Within a rocks throw of I-5, close enough to almost reach out and touch (OK, not that close) a huge, and I mean HUGE flock of Snow Geese had risen up from a field. As the sky darkened, I swear, there must have been twenty thousand geese circling around my truck. I sat there for about 10 minutes, just shaking my head with a smile glued to my face as these big birds had some exercise before setting back down on the field, making it look like the field was covered with snow. An incredible experience. If you're inclined to visit the Sac Wildlife Refuge, they have a great visitors center and an observation platform that puts you at "bird level" with hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. It's a trip worth taking.

OK, enough bird talk. Since we didn't get a special posted yesterday, and we'll be closed tomorrow (12/31), we've got two specials for you to enjoy over the weekend:

iBook G3/700Mhz 128MB Memory, 30GB Drive, CD-RW-DVD Optical Drive, 14-inch LCD Screen
Normally $649.99, take $50 off when you use coupon code "SNOW" during checkout!
Click to learn more and buy this iBook.

PowerBook G4/867Mhz 128MB Memory, 40GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD-R Superdrive, 12.1-inch LCD Screen: Normally $1099.99, take $75 off when you use coupon code "GEESE" during checkout.
Click here to learn more and buy this PowerBook.

Hey, here's a bonus deal for you!

PowerBookRestore 24-Hour 4x Superdrive Upgrade: Normally $299.99, take $50 off with coupon code "FLY" during checkout. This special includes overnight pickup, installation of the superdrive and return overnight delivery back to you!
Click here to learn more and schedule this upgrade.

Hi there,

Just in time for the last few days of the year, the first issue of the TechRestore Special News has officially left the building and is headed out to emailboxes throughout the world. Those lucky subscribers have all been automatically entered to win a fabulous iPod Photo! What's that, you haven't joined yet? No problem, see that small box to the left that says "Signup and Save!" Just enter your email address and you'll be all set. Don't worry, we respect your privacy, we hate junk mail and will never, ever, cross-our-hearts, offer your email address to anyone. We will only use it to communicate with you about TechRestore Special News and order information, should you place an order.

Today's Blog Specials is FREE shipping on any order! Just enter coupon code "FREE" during checkout and we'll include free ground shipping on orders placed by 12/31/04! Fine print: coupons cannot be combined and this one is valid in the contintental U.S. only.

Start your shopping here


See you tomorrow,
Shannon

Hi there,

TechRestore will be closed from Friday, December 24th through Monday, the 27th so our staff can spend a long holiday weekend with their families. We'll be back with you on Tuesday, 12/28.

Best,
Shannon

Although I can't claim it this year, last year not a single person found the pickle hidden on our Christmas tree. I even fooled Renee with my expert placement of the little green ornament. This year, Renee found the pickle after a few days, but I've still got Skylar and Ethan fooled. And don't tell me that's just because she's six and he's three. They absolutely count towards the "world's best pickle hider" award that I'm going for. :-)

Today, we bring you the lowest price on the planet for the big daddy of PowerBooks, the G4 17-inch. This is the PowerBook that's sitting in my lap as I type these words, with Roman (our 13 yr-old weimeraner) snoring next to the fire and the kids sleeping soundly upstairs. Having 17 inches of screen real estate is always a boost to your productivity. Here's the deal on your own portable drive in movie theater:

PowerBook 1GHz 512MB Memory, 60GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD-R SuperDrive, Airport Extreme Wireless Card, DVI Video, 17-inch LCD Screen and lighted keyboard. Normally $1799.99, take $100 off when you use coupon code "PICKLE" during checkout. If you've been on the fence about a big PowerBook, now is the time to move! Click here to order. Expires 12/31/04.

Have a great day!

best,
Shannon Jean

How long have you owned your iPod? How's the battery working for you? Are you halfway through mowing the lawn and the sound slowly slips away as the juice drops to zero? Or how about you're all ready for that long car ride, some nice solo time to think and contemplate your master plan to take over the world. And then the dreaded battery symbol pops up on your screen and you realize that you're drive is going to be a little bit longer without your music riding shotgun.

So what to do? How about a no-hassle battery replacement with a battery that's up to 70% stronger than your original battery?! Our iPodRestore battery replacement program offers you 24-hour turnaround from any location in the continental U.S. with a battery that lasts up to 20 hours. We've got them in two flavors for you today:

iPodRestore Nationwide iPod Battery Upgrade with 2100mAh High Capacity iPod Battery for Revision 1 & 2 iPods (this is the 20 hour version): Only $79!

iPodRestore Nationwide iPod Battery Upgrade with 850mAh iPod Battery for Revision 3 iPods (30% more capacity than your original battery): Only $79!

The $79 price includes everything. All you need to do is click on the link above for your iPod model, or call 1-877-For-iPod and we'll send out a RestoreBox overnight to pick up your iPod and bring it back overnight to TechRestore. We'll install your new battery within 24 hours and then we'll send your iPod back overnight! It's a beautiful thing. Questions? Give us a call; we're glad to help.

See you tomorrow!

Best,
Shannon

There's something about watching your kids play around the Christmas tree. That something that makes you feel like a very proud parent, with the giggling and laughing in the background as you gaze over the top of the Sunday paper. The something that wipes out any memories of the crying, or the late nights with no sleep, the dramatic change in your household that having little kids brings. You immediately forget how grumpy you were when the kids got out of bed for the 4th (maybe 5th) time the night before and you smile with the knowledge that, whatever this something is, it's pretty darn important and you're lucky you stopped to watch.

Skylar and Ethan, who usually spend at least half their time together fighting, as siblings are known to do, have suddenly (with perfect timing) started getting along like angels. And though I'd love to wrap this around a corny Christmas time feeling, I think it's that Ethan, our "just about 3" year old, is finally starting to realize that the world doesn't revolve around him, as much as he would like it to. And perhaps Skylar's getting wise beyond her 6 years, and bringing a little more patience to their interaction. Or maybe I don't know what I'm talking about and it's just the fact that they've watched "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" 20 times in the last month and they've really picked up the "naughty and nice" part of the song. What do you think? ;-)

Whatever it is, it's a really good thing and I hope you've had a similar experience this holiday season.

Today's deal brings our lowest priced G4 Titanium PowerBook well within reach. I think you'll find this to be the lowest price on the planet:


PowerBook G4/400Mhz 256MB Memory, 20GB Hard Drive, CD/DVD Optical Drive, 15.2-inch LCD Screen. Normally $719.99, get one for just $644.99 when you use coupon code "SOMETHING" with your order. Stock is limited, don't miss out on this deal. Get one here!

So, today is the last day of school this year for Skylar, our 6 year old. That means we scramble to find coverage for the rest of the working days left in December. Ethan still has a few more days next week of pre-school, but then he's out, so we (and I say "we" very liberally since it's Renee who always works her magic to solve these family issues) have to come up with a solution quickly. Let's just say bringing them to the office, after a few times isn't the most exciting thing for them. Not to mention the affect on your (mine) productivity.

This is the point where I share with you one of the most important mantra's around our house: Thank God for Grandma's! We've got two, and the kids (I'm pretty sure about this) love them way more than they do me, since they never have to hear the dreaded "NO" when they are with them. :-) So, we'll be shuttling both the little people off to one G-Ma or another over the next couple of weeks, in between that time, I'll prop a PowerBook up on an extra desk and try to get some work done while Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer plays in the background.

Onward to the deals! Today we've got a great deal on original Airport wireless cards for you. These cards work in PowerBooks and iBooks that have a standard Airport slot.

Here's the deal:

Original Apple Airport Cards: Normally $79.99, take $30 off for a blowout price of just $49.99 when you use coupon code "GMA" during checkout. Hurry, these cards sell fast at the regular price and we expect to sell out when word gets out about this deal! The coupon expires on 12/31, or while supplies last.

12/20 Update: Thanks for the HUGE response to this special. After filling over 300 orders, we're now sold out! Check back daily so you don't miss future deals like these!

Hi there,

Well, it's official. Our Press Releases have hit the airwaves and the word is spreading about our PowerBookRestore and iPodRestore programs! Checkout the full story on our PR page.

In the "more good news" section, we'll be launching a "Win an iPod Photo" very soon. You can enter to win early by signing up for our Specials List in the box on the left side of your screen. Unless you're reading this upside down, then it would be on the right. Or would it? Anyway, we'll be announcing the contest soon to the world at large, don't miss out on a chance to win the coolest audio player and photo viewer on the planet!

Today's deal is a nice $50 off this cool G3/800 Mhz iBook system. Check it out:

iBook G3/800 128MB Memory, 30GB Drive, CD-RW-DVD Optical Drive, 12-inch LCD Screen
Normally $649.99, take $50 off with coupon code "PRESS". Click here to take advantage of this deal that expires on 12/31/04.

Have a great day!

best,
Shannon

Just a quick update today; Thanks for all the new business this week! The response has been terrific and our techs are busy with repairs and preparing PowerBooks and iBooks for shipment. There's still plenty of time to get a new iPod for under the tree, or even a new PowerBook. Today is Skylar's 1st grade Christmas show, so I'll be heading over to battle for a spot up front (have to get a "head free" video shot) to listen to her belt out the holiday tunes. Well, maybe "belt out" isn't the right phrase, more like sweetly singing with her other classmates. Anyway, speaking of PowerBooks under the tree, here's a sweet deal on my absolute favorite G4 PowerBook, the G4 12-inch.

Take $50 off this very capable G4/867 Mhz with a bright and vibrant 12-inch screen:

PowerBook G4/867GMhz 128MB Memory, 40GB Hard Drive, CD-RW/DVD Optical Drive, 12.1-inch LCD Screen. Normally $999, take $50 off when you use coupon code "SING" during checkout. Coupon expires on Monday, 12/20 at midnight! Click the link below to learn more.

PowerBook G4/867 128/40GB/CD-RW/DVD with 12.1-inch LCD

The tough thing about this time of year is going home from work when the sun has already given up the day. I know there's not going to be any daylight left to chase the kids around outside or walk around the block with Roman pulling madly at his leash. However, once December hits, our friendly neighborhood Christmas light contest kicks in and turning the corner on our street takes on a whole new meaning.

Before we had kids, our house arguably won the "Brightest on the Block" award for a few years running. My neighbors would look at me like I was nuts as I hung over the two story edge of our roof to reach that one last hook to hang a strand of lights. Now, since I carve out as much time as possible for the little people in my house, it's gotten a bit tougher to allocate the time to put on the big display. But this year, with the kids actually big enough to help, not hinder, our house is coming back! And although we can't claim to look anything like this brilliant shining abode, our 8 ft. tall snowman and the thousand or so lights out front look pretty darn good.

We've got a hot iBook special for you today! Take 100 bucks off this iBook G3/700 with a combo (CD-RW/DVD) drive and a nice 14-inch screen! This limited time special is only good through 12/16 at midnight, so hurry! Use coupon code "BRIGHT" during checkout to get the discount.

iBook G3/700mhz 128MB Memory, 30GB Drive, CD-RW-DVD Optical Drive, 14-inch Screen: only $629 with the coupon!
http://www.techrestore.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16158&cat=254&page=1

I spent the better part of Saturday afternoon raking up what was surely twenty or thirty thousand leaves from our front yard. I was deep in thought during the process, with Renee and Ethan out running errands and Skylar keeping herself busy with a rake of her own. I started to think about the huge volume of leaves, comparing them to the huge volume of work that we've done to bring you our new company, TechRestore. I was all ready to come up with some witty metaphor about how all the leaves represented the huge amount of tasks that have been completed to get where we are today. But then, I thought that would be to obvious and I pushed today's Blog to the backburner in my mind and spent the rest of the day putting up even more Christmas lights around our house.

As the sun went down and I fired up the Barbecue (it's California, so it's OK to do this in December) to cook some steaks, I walked underneath the big Japanese maple tree that hugs our back patio and it hit me: this is the metaphor! The tree, standing strong, but with no leaves. That's where we're at today with TechRestore. We've got a great foundation (stay with me now, trunk, branches, etc.) and now we'll be working to start adding leaves to this tree. Yes, it's corny but in many ways it's true. As you follow our progress over the next few months and into the next decade, you'll see the leaves begin to come out. We'll be adding new products and services (branches) and more and more clients will be finding their way to us (the leaves). Go ahead; send me those emails asking me "what's this got to do with selling and repairing electronics?" It's got everything to do with it. Here we stake our claim and begin to set out our roots with a team of technicians and product experts that you've known since 1994. Part (or maybe all) of our job is to convince you that we're not the typical company you're used to dealing with. We're on your side. Really. We can't stand poor customer service, and we like to be treated with respect when we're shopping, and pretty much during every other activity. :-)

Check back here each day to see our daily Blog Special and signup for our weekly Specials List to get the Blog and the specials all in digest form at the end of the week.

So with the cheesy intro out of the way, here's today's Blog Specials! The coupons below will expire on 12/21/04 at midnight.

Best Regards,

Shannon Jean

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We've got a great selection of G4 PowerBooks available. This week, take $25 off any G4 PowerBook in stock with coupon code "TREES". You'll find our PowerBook inventory here:

http://techrestore.com/xcart/home.php?cat=253

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Save $20 off this G3/800 iBook with a 14-inch LCD Screen:

iBook G3/800Mhz 128MB Memory, 30GB Drive, CD-RW-DVD Optical Drive, 14-inch LCD Screen: Only $779.99 after you enter coupon code "LEAVES" during checkout.
http://techrestore.com/xcart/product.php?productid=16159&cat=254&page=1

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Please check back!