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In a highly competitive economy, there is no sense in gambling with your payment processing options; businesses need every advantage to win in today’s global marketplace. Accepting payments through customer debit cards increases the odds that the customer who favors this particular payment option will be happy and continually return.
There are two forms of debit card transactions and every merchant should have both.
1. PIN Based Debit
2. Signature Based Debit
PIN based debit is also called “online debit” because the transaction is conveyed electronically at the point of sale. The customer confirms the sale by keying in their personal identification number (PIN), and the funds are immediately captured through a nationwide EFT network from the customer’s bank account. The funds are deposited into the merchant’s account in 2-3 business days for a nominal per item fee.
The service is much more cost effective than credit card transactions, and PIN based debit card use is becoming an extremely popular option because of its safety and security. People who use this option don’t have to carry around a lot of cash, and they get to see the details of their transactions in their bank statements. The default on your point-of-sale device should be set to PIN based.
However, if a customer prefers, there is signature-based debit also called “offline debit” and this is another well-liked payment option. The customer uses their Mastercard or Visa Check Card just like a credit card. The card is swiped and the point of sale device gives a draft for the customer to sign. The funds are transferred to the merchant’s bank account. Discount rates apply with this option, as well as a small transaction fee. Chargebacks are also possible. Many young people are using these cards because it gives them the convenience and clout of a credit card. They can also be used to purchase over the Internet. If a merchant can accept credit cards, they can usually accept signature-based debit cards.
Riding the Wave
Even the Federal government is singing the praises of debit card use for consumers. Please see the consumer guide: “Are You Riding the Debit Card Wave?”
Debit cards are seen as safer than cash and more convenient than checks. So make room next to your cash register for a debit terminal, PIN pad and printer, and reduce the risk that a customer may not have the right payment option when the impulse to buy is upon them.
There’s virtually no risk in accepting PIN based-debit card payments, so make sure it’s an option at your cash register. It’s a sure thing!
Rick David writes for a Merchant Newsletter @
Merchant America. He
also writes a humor column called,
“Don’t Laugh It Could Happen To You” for
http://sandiego.merchantamerica.com.
We live in very progressive times, one only has to look around at the changes on the internet each day to see that this is true.
We see changes also happening within the world around us as well, sometimes for the better sometimes not. We sometimes can feel frustrated in that it appears that we can do nothing to make the changes that we would like to see.
It is only through banding together that we can make our influence felt, when you look back over the history of mankind it would appear that all the significant changes came about by team effort.
>From the first groups that gathered together in caves for mutual protection against the forces of nature and the dangers of the wild, to today with groups working together to help our journeys towards the stars.
While most of us may never be going on journeys to stars, nor have to fend off the forces of nature, there are exceptions to every rule, we can find ourselves in a situation where being independent doesn’t help.
It is in these times of need that we find that being part of a team and co-operating as a team with a single purpose creates a greater good.
So when we go looking for an on-line business that we can participate in, we need to look at the existing teams within that business. How well do they interact? How well do they assist newcomers?
Unless these factors are thoroughly researched one can find yourself struggling not only to work out what you should do to work this business, but can actually find that others may be negatively impacting the way we work.
Now I know that it is easy to say find a group to work with, however not all personalities can work well together and so you not only need a good program, you need people that you are comfortable to work with and that you get along with.
This all takes time which is a significant reason why nearly every GET-RICH-QUICK scheme fails, this type of program is an individual domain not a team effort. It is only in the team oriented system that true value is placed on individuals and their worth to the team as an integral part of a well oiled machine.
Our planet requires this team effort as well, it is no good trying to do things by yourself. You need like minded individuals to create significant change. Although a single spokesperson may be associated with an event it is the team that is behind that person that achieved any of the successes.
I am not taking away from the individual, some are born entrepreneurs and if you can find one who is willing to mentor you then by all means latch onto their coat tails, I am sure that journey will be worthwhile.
However if you were to remove the team behind the one I can say without any fear that the results would be thousands of times less then with them.
So being part of a team is really a pre-requisite for a successful business on the internet, but how do you find that team? How will you start? What do you need to do?
The first step is to work out if there is an existing program that already has a team in place and whether this group meets your expectations of what you want to do.
If not move on find one that does, now I am not suggesting that you jump from one idea to another not at all, do your homework on the program prior to joining, talk with those already involved, find out what makes them and this particular program tick.
Once you are satisfied make a commitment to stay with this program for a sufficient amount of time to give it a fair go, we are not talking weeks or months here but a long term commitment of at least 12 to 36 months.
This is the only way that you will establish your own niche in any program.
The next step and I am sure that you have heard this many times before, start to build your own list of people to share with, people that can like yourself become part of your team.
There are many ways that you can go about building your lists, and being a newbie myself I am still learning, however one very good method that I have found is by having my own newsletter. http://oneperfectday.net/newsletter.htm
You can build a list using this method within a few months from 10 or 12 to over 400. In time you can build this list into the 1000’s that you see others creating.
One thing I will mention here if you do go this path, you must have something of value to offer your subscribers, so that they will keep coming back to hear what you have to say in your newsletter/ezine.
Other methods of creating opt-in lists are in creating reports or eCourses and offering these free to anyone that wants them, of course you need to make sure that they have a perceived value or else you will not have any one join.
You could also create capture pages and offer a something of value for your subscribers name and email address, this works well but I have found that the other methods are superior in my own experience.
Another way is to do this what I am doing now write an article about something that you know about and submit it along with your resource box, the part in your message that contains the details of your own business.
eZine and Newsletter editors are constantly looking for new articles that are of value to their subscribers and could supplement what they are doing on the internet, it is this cross sharing that can also help build your opt-in list.
Especially if what you have written is helpful to others, one thing that sticks in my mind is a saying “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”–Zig Ziglar–
This is so true, in fact you can virtually guarantee that if you help sufficient people along the way you too will grow in your business acumen.
So go out there and find your Team to work with, begin creating your list and create and share your wealth, whether that is in the form of money or knowledge.
About The Author
Ray Cooney has been involved in on-line marketing for over five years now. He has worked in many areas of the IT arena and is currently part of the administration for the Permaworld Foundation.
http://permaworld.org/members/join/
He also publishes his own newsletter to assist people in their on-line marketing efforts.
http://oneperfectday.net/ezine
He is also a supporter of the Feeding Kids Organisation through the promotion of the PermaSHARE Program.
http://permaworld.org/members/helpingkids/
ray@oneperfectday.net
I know, you figure “What a load of BS…Like he has the secret…” but you still had to look didn’t you - just in case I do have the secret. After all, how painful would it be to think that the answer to all your problems was offered to you at no cost and you were too stubborn, too closed minded to even give it a chance?
What’s the harm in looking? It’s not like I want anything for the information
So let’s begin, before you change your mind. Here goes…
In any statistical population there is always a percentage that will accept your offer. In other words, if you keep asking you’ll get a “yes.”
Kids do it all the time. As adults we ‘learn’ to stop asking very quickly in our lives because we don’t like rejection. It hurts.
But surely how you ask has something to do with it? Yes and no. I once heard a tale of a sad young man who had limited social skills. His idea of getting a girl involved hanging out in bars where he’d approach a young lady and simply ask her if she wanted sex!
Can you imagine the rejection rate…and the number of times he got slapped or had a drink thrown in his face? Now that’s rejection. But there’s an upside to this story…this guy always got a girl…in the end. He kept asking.
And the moral of that tale? Asking is the key, and we know that asking the right way is even better, but we know that trying different approaches makes us vulnerable to rejection. It’s quite the conundrum!
Hold that thought for a moment while we get back to the secret.
So if we simply ask enough times we will eventuall get a yes, and if we improve how we asking we’ll get more yeses. Ok, now we’re getting somewhere.
On the Internet a large population is simply called TRAFFIC. And if you have enough traffic you can afford to ask badly and still be successful. Of course, if you ask in more effective ways you’ll do even better - but we’ve got to start somewhere.
So the secret to making money on the Internet is simply getting enough traffic and asking people if they’re interested. So if you can get enough people marching past your website (where your offer is made automatically and without personal rejection I might add) you will eventually make sales. Granted if your offer is bad and your website is worse, you’ll make very few sales - but you will make some. As the old saying goes, “Even a blind squirrel eventually finds a nut!”
This ’secret’ holds true in the real world as well because the secret to making money in a retail store is still all about having a steady stream of prospects (traffic) walking around your store.
Now making your traffic (prospects) stay long enough to see your offers, and improving the conversion rates so you sell more stuff, well that’s the subject of another article.
And rather than leave you hanging without a practical way to implement the “more traffic” solution - here’s a clue. It’s free, it’s easy and it’s been under your nose from the very beginning: provide meaningful, appropriate content and the search engines will love you for it. In other words, support the Internet at the fundamental level - it was built to share information… so write and share!
AUTHOR BIO: James Burchill is an independent management consultant helping people ‘Sell more stuff, and make more money!’ James also publishes a series of informational and Internet based products, his main website is http://www.JamesBurchill.com James’ newest product shows you how to uncover profitable Internet niches, how to read your prospect’s mind and how to make money http://www.NicheSurveyor.com
The first and most important step is to take notes. Use a spreadsheet. Write down everything. Write down your time, bankroll and end result for each table played at. Why you won, or why you lost. Also note the casino site if you play at several. Never stop taking notes. I have notes going back for several years. I have found that playing at lower stakes tables is more profitable (which is obvious, as the players are usually less experienced. Less obvious information I found is that certain sites are more profitable for me. Some sites promote more and have new players, which is great for you. I talk about this more on my website. So always take notes and always learn from them
The second step to remaining profitable is to stay consistent. If you win a few big games and are up DO NOT jump to a higher stakes table and throw your entire bankroll into a larger game. I gradually step my game up to higher stakes tables over years. There is more money at these tables to make but the players are much better. You can use your notes to find the most profitable table for you. If you play at a higher stakes table you will make more money but it will take longer so you will make less over the long run. The key is to find the perfect table to suit you. As you become better and more experienced gradually move to higher tables and note the changes.
So be professional, keep notes and stay consistent. It will pay off in the long run.
I have been playing poker professionally for nearly 5 years now. I have found a system that consistently profits. To find out more visit my website www.pokerliving.net. Once you reach this level it can be difficult to remain profitable over the long run. Online poker can have great streaks.
Kerry Mann is a professional online poker player. His website http://www.pokerliving.net tells more about him and how he makes a living at online poker, and his proven system.
When Hoodia was discovered the very first animal trials to test it was with Rats. The rats that were fed with Hoodia stopped eating completely. Rats are well know as animals that will eat anything and everything. Can you believe that an animal who loves to eat anything simply switched off its desire to eat, even when foods that rats love were placed in front of them.
When the first clinical human trial was conducted with Hoodia, several morbidly obese people were placed in a unit which was a closed off area were all that they could do was to read, watch television, interact with each other, and of course eat. Half the people were given Hoodia Gordonii to take, and half were given a placebo. After fifteen days, the group that had been taking Hoodia Gordonii had reduced their calorie intake by 1000 calories a day - despite taking no exercise and not being on a diet
This is due to the active ingredient in Hoodia Gordonii, the molecule known as P57, as it imitates the effects that glucose has on your brain, signaling that you are full. Your brain has what is called a Hypothalamus. This part of your brain controls your appetite. When you eat, the glucose levels in your body rise. As these levels go up, the hypothalamus sends off a signal to your cells to stop eating. This is when you start to feel full. Hoodia Gordonii’s molecule, P57, tells your brain the same exact thing, even if you haven’t eaten a bite. By mimicking the effects of glucose on your brain, the hypothalamus starts to send messages to your cells which in turn, make you feel full
Hoodia is grown in the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa, Hoodia Gordonii is an all natural appetite suppressant, derived from a cactus like plant with prickly spikes. Scientists have been researching the Hoodia plant for almost a decade, and have found it to be completely free of harmful side effects.
Paul Callis is extremely knowledgeable in the field of sports and nutrition in the UK . You can visit Paul’s web site, and read his recommendations and advice at Hoodia Gordonii
As with all online minikrediet it is best to take a complete search of the market before you apply for a direct online minikrediet for aount 263 euro so you can compare interest rates and make sure you are getting the best deal for your needs. However, this does vary with some providers charging 31 interest and so on. The charge you need to observe is how much you pay back on the amount you borrow - this is a fixed sum dependent on the individual provider. A gsm minikrediet is a way to solve a short-term cash issue for amounts like 75 euro.
You must however, be able to satisfy the minikrediet provider that you will have enough cash available to cover the advance repayment they will look at how much you can afford to pay back on an individual basis between 397 euro. Be sure to use the fast online minikrediet comparison tool at direct minikrediet aanvragen to compare rates. The premise behind 10 minutes minikrediet is simple whatever you need 71 euro for, you can take out a loan (usually ranging from 231 euro but sometimes up to 1,000 depending on the provider) that is repayable on your next payday, whether it is 26 days away or less.
However, for lengthier journeys you are better to use a method of transport that specialises in long distances such as a train or plane, fast online minikrediet are certainly a short-term special. If you apply for an direct minikrediet for 213 euro you will usually have to fill out an online form and attach copies of your documentation in an email, or by fax.
However, it is not necessary to use the loan for this purpose and effectively the cash can be used at your discretion as long as it is paid back with interest during the short loan term. Unexpected money problems can hit even those who keep a tight grip on their finances if something goes wrong in the home, a family member needs support or you receive a larger than expected bill you might require cash to help you get by until your next wage slip.
of us count down the minutes until payday? In the majority of instances for every 272 euro you borrow you have to pay back 374 euro, meaning 15 interest. It’s easy to compare payday loan with us and hopefully you’ll soon have the cash you need to get by without worrying how far away your next payday may be.
This is where a fast minikrediet comes in, offering a suitable sum of money to help you get by. For many it simply can’t arrive soon enough as we attempt to juggle bills and expenses, as well as trying to have a little fun in life.
Home staging is a technique used to dress or stage a home so
that buyers can really see it at its best. In essence what you
must do is make your home appeal to the broadest range of people.
Decide on the best features of your property and work to
highlight these.
- Clear out your valuables, as you are likely to get numerous
visits. - Polish door knobs, handles. - Prune plants that take
up space. Make your home more visible.
Clean the property so it is spotless. This is important and only
takes a bit of effort so don’t neglect this.
- Open up windows, curtains and let in air and light. - Clear
and the bathroom of any items such as toothpaste, perfumes,
cosmetics, etc. - Clean all sinks, baths, toilets floors so it
is sparkling. - Hang up some nice towels and try and co-ordinate
this with the rest of the room. - Use an air freshener in the
bathroom and keep it fresh.
If your room has too much furniture, remove some and only keep
the necessities and some set pieces. Arrange the furniture and
display the best features of the room. Make sure the layout is
easily accessible and spacious.
- Have some nice music playing in the background. - Hang up some
nice pictures or decorative pieces. - Put on the air condition
or heater so the home is comfortable, even if the home is
vacant. - In the kitchen clear out any dishes. - Clean work tops
and remove appliances. Place as much away or in storage. - Have
a bowl of fresh fruit or freshly baked bread to give that homely
feeling. - Clear out any leaves, sticks garbage and clutter
around the exterior. - Sweep patios, decking, pathways etc. -
Remove traces of pets such as hair, droppings & smells.
Use this checklist so you are always ready to implement these
points for your property. You should be able to get your home
ready for inspection within the hour should someone want to
visit.
You are granted permission to reprint/republish this article on
your own Web Site, in your own ezine, autoresponder series,
product, bonus items, or any other format as long as it is not
altered in any way.
Copyright 2004 By InsiderPropertySecrets
Fad diets are everywhere. They come and they go. some simply run their course then disappear forever, while some pop up, go away for a while, then sort of show up again a year or two later and continue to repeat this cycle. the fact is, there are a lot of good, sound ways to lose weight and keep it off for good, but finding these ways to a more fit and trim body means you’ll need to be able to spot the “fads” out there that simply do not work long term and can be dangerous to your health in the long run. Here are some tell tale things to look for to help you see your way past the fake and phony gimmicks that are out there and remember, if it sounds too good to be true……
1) A MAGICAL PILL, DRINK, POWDER OR FOOD IS USED: The weight loss industry is a $30 billion dollar per Year Empire. These companies are making massive amounts of money marketing new “breakthrough” potions that make lots of false claims. They know how desperate many overweight people are to lose weight and so they know how easy it is to target this market. the FDA has very little jurisdiction over these kinds of products since the weight loss companies claim that their products are “natural” or “herbal”, and only when these products cause health problems or even deaths like in the recent case of ephedrine, the FDA will step in.
2) DIFFERENT FOOD COMBINATIONS SUPPOSIDLY MAKE YOU LOSE WEIGHT: There is no scientific evidence to support any claims that certain food combinations will induce weight loss. Simply consuming fewer calories than you burn each day with a good balance of nutrients will lead to healthy weight loss.
3) THE PLAN WORKS “WITHOUT EXERCISE”: While most people would like to be able to take the easy way out, a little exercise goes a long way in any weight loss effort. Sure you can lose weight without exercise, but if you want to lose mostly fat and not muscle and water, and look healthy and good once you’ve achieved your weight loss goal, you need at least 30 minutes per day, 4-5 days per week of light to moderate exercise like walking, swimming and even a little weight training.
4) IT PROMISES MORE THAN ONE OR TWO POUNDS OF WEIGHT LOSS PER WEEK: In order for any well balanced weight loss plan to be both affective and healthy, you should not strive to lose more than 1-2 pounds per week. A plan that proposes that you will lose 30 pounds in 30 days is not a good, sound, healthy plan. One pound of fat equals about 2500 calories. This means that if a person were to burn up 400-500 more calories per day with, say, a small reduction in food and a little exercise, they would lose around one to one and a half pounds of fat per week. This is a healthy and ideal way to lose weight.
5) YOU SEE THE WORDS “FAT BURNER”, “FAT TRAPPER” OR ANYTHING ALONG THOSE LINES: Run like the wind from these types of products. Most of these products have side effects that would make the most desperate of dieters cringe. All I can say here is, if your really considering any of these types of products, do your homework and read everything you can about them first, or take my advice and avoid them like the plague.
6) IT SAYS IT WILL “BOOST YOUR METABOLISM”: Most of these products are little more than caffeine products. A pill, powder or drink cannot speed up your metabolism. There is no logic behind this at all! These products are usually diuretics that serve only to speed up you heart rates in turn making your organs work faster thus flushing water out of your body. The temporary feeling of being thinner will be short lived, and you will only end up fatter in the long run.
7) ONE TYPE OF FOOD IS CONSUMED TO EXCESS: Most of you have heard of the cabbage soup diet. Remember the grapefruit diet? How many people do you know who have tried one of these diets, lost weight, and kept it off? Probably none! I personally know people who have tried these diets, swore by them with complete assurance they would work (against my advice, mind you) and failed badly. Only a few even lost any weight at all, sung the praises of the plan, only to end up fatter in 6 months than when they began the diet. These types of weight loss programs are meant to be discontinued after a certain time meaning that when you go back to your normal routine, you can expect to get a high rate of “return” back for your investment.
ITS A LOW CARBOHYDRATE DIET: The long and short of it here is that you need carbohydrates in your diet, particularly if you are trying to lose weight. Removing most of the carbs from your diet means that more fat (at 9 calories per gram) will replace those carbs (at 4 calories per gram) not to mention the wide variety of health issues associated with a high fat intake. Also, excess protein will not help because your body can only use so much protein within a certain period of time. All of the extra protein will just store as fat. Carbs are also your body’s main source of energy, and you need that energy to get you through your exercise routines that you should be doing anyway.
9) DRINKING WATER IS NOT MENTIONED: Water is absolutely essential for proper weight loss. If you’re not being told to drink at least 8 glasses or two liters of water per day, you are not getting good advice. Water helps your body to mobilize and get rid of excess fat. It also helps your liver convert fat into energy, which in turn will help you to burn more calories.
10) THERE IS NO WARNING FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS: If a weight loss product or plan yields no warning for people with problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disorders and such, the product or plan should be looked at very suspect. The high fat content of a low carbohydrate diet can be very dangerous to a person with high cholesterol or high blood pressure and someone with diabetes should never tamper with their diets without consulting with their doctor. Any good, sound weight loss program will always be concerned first and foremost with the safety and well being of the people using them. If there are no warnings, then you can rest assured that your health and well being are not an issue that is important to the company that is selling their products to you.
While it can be very difficult to see past all the hype and advertising that gets in the way of the truth behind all of the “fad” diets on the market today with new ones coming all the time, at least now you have some basics to help guide you through the maze of falsehoods out there and lead you on your way to being able to find a weight loss program that truly will give you the long term weight loss results you have been searching for.
Jim O’Neill gives you tons of valuable information on the subjects of weight loss, fitness, and nutrition to make it easy for you to live a healthy lifestyle. Sign up now for his free newsletter at: www.mrgymhealth.com
Hair transplant surgery is very common these days. As hair loss is such a big problem for so many people, and as hair transplant surgery becomes more and more effective, it is more in demand.
However hair transplant surgery is usually the last in the list of things that you need to consider if you are suffering from hair loss.
For those who are suffering from some degree of hair loss there are some steps you need to take before you consider hair transplant surgery. Hair loss is not necessarily permanent, and the very first thing that you need to do is to consult your doctor and find out a specific cause.
Hair loss can be temporary. For example there are various medical conditions and medical treatments which can cause hair loss and once these conditions have been treated or the treatments stopped the hair recovers. No need for hair transplant surgery there.
And where you have a diagnosed hair loss condition that may well be permanent, such as male pattern baldness, or permanent hereditary hair loss, there can still be some other options to consider.
The first option is to do nothing. Don’t laugh. Hair replacement treatments, and particularly hair transplant surgery, can be exceedingly expensive. They can have some side effects and can be unpleasant. Sometimes they don’t work, or are unsuitable for your particular condition. Doing nothing about it is a very viable option and one that any proficient professional should counsel you about.
Baldness is becoming fashionable. Perhaps it started with Yul Brinner, who knows, but there are some who deliberately shave their heads as a fashion statement. You don’t need to go that far, although you could also consider that, but you certainly could consider living with it.
Work out how much effort and money you are prepared to expend on doing something about it. Hair transplant surgery is very expensive and hair loss is not really considered a disease so government or private medical funds may not cover the cost. Check that out.
Next find out about the pharmaceutical hair replacement products. There are several which do work, although not for everybody. Check them out. Find out more. They also have their drawbacks, but you should educate yourself about all options.
But for many this process still leads them to hair transplant surgery. There is no doubt that if you have hair transplant surgery done by a reputable hair transplant centre it can be very effective.
There are positives and negatives to hair transplant surgery. As previously stated, it can be expensive. It is a long process, over many months, requiring repeated visits, and it is surgery, with the normal, though low, risks attached to any surgery. And it doesn’t suit everybody, depending on the nature of your problem.
On the other hand hair transplant surgery, once it is over, is very effective in most cases. You end up growing your own hair and the result is permanent. The final effect, which takes around 12 months, can be extremely effective.
There are various types of hair transplant surgery available at various hair transplant centres. If you have spent some time thinking about your options and have finally come to the conclusion that hair transplant surgery is for you then take the next step.
Visit a reputable hair transplant centre or find one on the internet and find out more about hair transplant surgery. The results can be life transforming.
For a website totally devoted to hair loss and hair replacement visit Peter’s Website The Hair Replacement Guide, and find out about Hair Transplant Surgery as well as Female Hair Loss and more, including Male Hair Loss and Hair Loss Treatments
Tents are an important part of any outdoor event. The last thing you want is your outdoor event spoiled by nasty weather. Party tents for every occasion including, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, barbeques, birthdays, company picnics, private picnics, and all other special events. Party tents come in a variety colors and sizes and a great choice for any event. In addition to dazzling colors the party tents also offer protection from not only weather but also from open flame. All party tent covers come certified by the California State fire Marshall as being fire resistant.
Whether your event is an elegant wedding, a corporate picnic, a convention, an exhibit, a celebration or a seminar, start with the Party Tents. Party Tents are the field-proven product for your profitability. This is the Original “push pole” tent, specifically designed to shelter, protect and enhance special events.
Strong and durable, these tents can assume nearly any configuration to meet the demands of the occasion. Party Tents are available in widths from 20′ to over 200′, the modular design allows for limitless configurations in the market. Sections lace together and are covered with snap-down rain flaps. No matter the event, it will look perfect.
Features of Party Tents
Versatile enough to accommodate growing guest lists.
Easily expand by adding middles!
Tough Polyester web is used to reinforce stress points at section bands, hips and ridge locations.
Durable fabric storage bag is included with each Party Tent.
Dipika