Merchant Account

If you're trying to grow your business bigger and have hit a road block or two you might consider whether or not it is due to how many payment options you are giving your customers or more specifically whether or not you are accepting credit cards. If not, then here are some important facts about consumer buying that you might have not considered.

Instant Gratification
In this day and age consumers want it and want it now. Not tomorrow. For this reason accepting credit cards allows your customers to scratch that buying itch now. Accepting credit cards via your merchant account also lets you tap into a gigantic market of impulse buyers. (Consumers now days rarely engage in impulse buying via check.)

You Get Paid Quickly
Also by accepting credit cards you get paid in days and not weeks. Remember that if you are running your business by accepting only checks this slows the whole process down as you have to wait on the post office for delivery and then the bank for actually processing the check. Then you get to wait for the check to clear. But by setting up a merchant account this whole process is circumvented. Payments from your merchant account provider are quick. In fact you can expect payment in about 3 to 5 days.

Merchant Accounts are Easy To Set Up
Also unlike in past days the whole process of setting up a merchant account has been stream lined. Applications are simple, short and the whole thing can be done on-line. And unlike in days past notification of acceptance is usually in a day or two.

So if you've hit a few financial roadblocks and are only accepting checks from your customers you owe it to yourself to set up your merchant account so you can start cashing in on your customers who want a higher level of convenience in their shopping experience.

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Receipt Scanner

In some ironic event that you're starting to look for the greatest receipt scanner and you may perhaps use various advice on which one to purchase, we created a select few guidelines and suggestions for you to take into account that must greatly simplify your search in lieu of the greatest scanner for you. Making the choice to use a mobile scanner can strongly enhance your method of running digital input, as well as when the safe guarding of valuable documents is of the maximum magnitude. Prior to committing to a specific scanner, we advocate that you keep in mind the following points.

This case along with every new and complex computer peripheral, small scanners have evolved to be a lesser amount of complicated and simpler to take advantage of. Mobile scanners are designed in support of the majority of your day-to-day scanning necessities, like organization contacts, expenses, travel claims, misc documents... whatever you choose. In virtually no time at all they yield an outstanding level of sharpness in a way to meet your every need. In today's marketplace, the outlay for the most excellent receipt scanner is a very controllable expense whether you'll be using it for pleasure or getting down to organization.

Single of the most well-liked qualities of a receipt scanner is their portability, because you can use them in so many various scenarios. Already installed in the scanner package is a custom scanning software that will let you to open images and text and save them in a variety of formats. With id cards, the scanner will separate the numerous parts, as well as the full card image, photograph picture, signature, and any text of the id and next sort it into useable data report, into an outside document, then your clipboard, or any application you feel are appropriate.

Previous to committing to the receipt scanner please dedicate some consideration to the next few pointers: (1) figure out what you need/want a scanner for; (2) search the Internet for related scanners; (3) compare and contrast the technical specs of each scanner; (4) do a bit of background investigation on the company itself and distinguish what other users' opinions say; (5) look deeper into shipping methods/charges and returns for more information. And that's how you should go about finding a receipt scanner to fit your needs!

Importance of Stackability

For those who are not in the retail line, stacking things up may not seem as important as we make it out to be but we are ever ready to share with you the importance of using retail stackable shelves. We are sure, as with all other types of retail business, space is a major constraint. While using wall-mounted display system is the best option if space is an issue, it can be combined with the use of good retail stackable shelves.

For example, you need something to be at eye-level to attract attention, so you stack a couple of glass-paneled shelving system together to great a monumentally attractive and in-your-face display rack. You need a good set for this because using cheap and unreliable retail stackable shelves might mean running the risk of toppling the shelves over which is not good for business, dangerous and also costly.

Mobility, that is what we are looking for too. Most retail outlet owners value things that are flexible. Perhaps, something that you can move around as things change or there is a need for a retail stackable shelves somewhere else....a new outlet, maybe? Yes, when the shelves are movable and flexible, it gives you more room to be creative.

But when talking about mobility and flexibility, you need to understand that product reliability and quality comes into play, so, invest in something that can last you at least a couple of years, preferably a decade or longer.

There is another thing about having stackable shelves and that is if ever the need for renovation or repainting arises, your shelves can be easily moved to a safer place where the dust and paint won't ruin it. It is not usually something that people outwardly look for, but since you have already read this article, bear in mind: flexibility, mobility and stackability.

It will be something you will thank us for in the future.

Hang Negative Signs

Yesterday we went to our favorite local deli for lunch. The food is excellent, the people are friendly, the store is always spotless, and the prices are fair - all the things that keep people coming back again, and again.

We feel good about going there, BUT on the front door is a big sign that says, "NO Public Restrooms". And just to make sure we do not miss the message, they placed it right about the doorknob so it is the first thing we see as come in to grab a bite to eat.

A couple of thoughts about this (stupid) sign...

First of all, keep communication with your customers positive! Signs with negative, controlling messages are a turn-off and should be used as a very last result.

The first thing your customer should see when they approach your store is a clean, welcoming front with an interesting window display - not a sigh, or signs, telling them what they can not do while in your store.

The last thing your customer should see before leaving your store is a smiling face saying a heartfelt "thank you", not a sign taped to your register saying you are going to charge them $35 if they bounce a check.

Secondly, let people use your toilets for crying out loud!

It is true that occasionally someone might leave your bathroom a mess or that some people will come in, go, and not spend any money. But more often than not they will buy something while they are in your store and sometimes that "bathroom break" person will turn into a regular customer who will spend lots of money with you down the road.

One thing is for sure though - if they do not come in, they are not going to buy anything.

Finally, we understand why this sign appeared in the doorway to the store. The staff got tired of telling people who came in and asked that there were no public restrooms. To which we say - too bad!

The pleasure and appreciation of your loyal customers and soon-to-be-customers is paramount, not the inconvenience or interruption to your employee's day.

Treat your customers like welcome guests and they will come in more often, spend more money, tell more people about you, and help you become the success you deserve to be.

Retail Merchandising

I went shopping this weekend. As always, my experiences as a customer - the good, the bad, and the ugly - provide ample inspiration for this article.

Here is a tip on a tricky topic for almost every retailer...

WHEN DO YOU OFFER TO PLACE A "SPECIAL ORDER"?

I was in a large specialty housewares store near my home looking for a recipe box and coordinating recipe cards.

When I finally found a nice looking pattern, all the boxes were blue but all the recipe cards were green. Of course, I found a salesperson and asked if there might be any blue cards or green boxes in the stockroom. Nope.

The woman helping me really did want to give me great service and make my shopping experience a success. So she offered to place an order for the blue recipe cards...

I quickly declined!

What is supposed to be a wonderful service gesture is all to often a recipe (heh, heh) for disaster from either a customer service point of view or from a profitability point of view.

Here is why...

The recipe cards are a low priced item from a tiny category in the store so placing an order just for them would likely involve one of two scenarios.

Scenario One:

You usually can not just buy one or two small items at a time from a vendor; you have to place a minimum order of several hundred dollars. So to give quick customer service the housewares store would have to place a mimimum order from the recipe box vendor for merchandise they did not need just so that I could get my $4 blue recipe cards.

Do this for customers just a couple of times a week and you can rapidly get into an overstocked situation. Which leads to bad cash flow, bigger markdowns, lower margins... the ugly list goes on.

Scenario Two:

The housewares store could wait, hold my $4 order until they needed to place an order with that vendor, hopefully remember to add my cards to the order, pray that the blue cards were not discontinued or out of stock, call me when they finally arrived, and pray some more that I actually came back to the store and pick the cards up.

It is a LOT of work for a very small sale and a marginal customer service gesture. In fact, it could quickly turn into a negative service issue if the special order takes too long or is never actually completed.

(I know some of you are laughing right now because it happens in your store all the time!)

So how should you handle these types of orders?

Well, the first line of defense is to prevent the need for most special orders by buying correctly for your store in the first place!

Second, have a conservative policy in place - one that makes sense for both your customer and your store.

I recommend that you only offer special orders on higher priced items (how high depends on the type of merchandise you sell) from a set list of vendors that you know can ship consistently and quickly.

For example, it would have been both great service and a profitable sale if the housewares store offered to special order a $230 9qt. copper casserole from their biggest cookware vendor.

Make sure your special order policy is clear and specific. Then train your staff to use those guidelines when offering to order something special for your customer. If they offer a special order only in those situations where it will clearly benefit BOTH the customer and the store, everyone will be happier.

Of course, there may be situations where, even when your sales person does not offer, the customer begs you to order those $4 blue recipe cards. But with a more conservative policy they will be few and far between.