Times-To-Treasure and my ‘ouch’ moment
Posted by on July 29, 2010
I am so very grateful to each one of you who is reading this post right now. I got so many mails, so many kind words, encouragement for starting my new service that I thanked Kanhaji for making me meet you in this life! I am blessed to have a friend like you!!
I’ve decided to name my service as “Times-To_Treasure”. T2T for short. Hope you’ll like my newest baby. 
Of all the mails that came, there were some common queries which I thought would be prudent to address in a blog post like this.
The biggest one was: “Why are you doing this? What do you gain by giving your service free?”
Here’s why: I am the most kind, considerate and helpful friend you ever have come across. I have endless supply of money with which I do not know what to do. And since I do not have to work for money, I thought of working for humanity.
Crap. I know that does not make sense at all. (Although I am hoping the first sentence comes close to what you think about me.. Selfish, but that’s me 
)
This service has a strong business model. It is free. For you. But I’ve taken an affiliate membership with ZoomIn, which means every time you click on my link to buy something from them, they pay me commission. Now I thought that if I were to ask you to go through the trouble of clicking on my link, you should get something worth in return. And one thing which I have to offer is ‘my creativity’.
That’s the whole deal really.
The second question people had was, “how will this work”? That is work in progress still and I was hoping to resolve it by now, but looks like it is glitch-ier than I thought.
I have been talking to ZoomIn support guys to help me out on this, but currently they have no way that I can create something over your photos and share the creation with you so you can pay. So I thought of using PayPal to invoice you for the money you owe to ZoonIn and when I receive payment, I make payment to ZoomIn and get the item delivered to your shipping address. Should worked, right? Of course it should!
So, I conceived this idea of starting a service of my own. I planned and planned and worked and worked my brain. Connected with others, networked with friends. Even got support people @ ZoomIn involved.
Things looked good.
And then, ‘ouch’!!!
I was so very confident that PayPal would be my thing to create invoices etc., but turns out they do not support Indian Rupee as a currency. No plans to do so anytime soon too. Checked out several others but again either they support only limited clients or limited invoices or are very very expensive!!
Aargh.
So may be I’ll have to find a ‘work around’. My software buddies will raise eyebrows, I know. I know I cannot possibly meet the friendship day deadline. But I think I can make it in time for Raksha Bandhan.
Pray for me as you always do. Kanhaji will find a way!
Amen.
P.s. Most people who deal in Indian currency seem to prefer bank transfers for receiving payments. Do you think I should consider that route? Would you be willing to use it? Do let me know.
Liked this entry? Know more about it:
- Let’s celebrate! (with an exciting offer!) – Intro
- Times to Treasure Photo Gifts Service – “How to”. Must read.
