Birds Cages - How To Choose The Right One
By David Hermansen
So you're faced with the hard decision of choosing a bird cage for your bird? Well, there are multiple things to think about, but this article will discuss the 3 most important issues involved in that decision. If you abide by the guidelines discussed below, you'll find a great cage at a great price that you're truly happy with. There's a lot to think about - not just the dimensions of the cage and the spacing between the bars. However, that is a great place to start, so let us cover that first in this article.
Choosing the right size cage & also making sure the bar spacing is safe
This is the very first issue you need to consider when shopping for bird cages. You can't even look at the other details or features of a cage until you've determined it's the right size of cage and has the right bar spacing. As a general rule of thumb; the bigger the the cage is the better, as long as the bar spacing's not too wide. At our web store, we separate birds into 3 categories; small birds, medium birds, & large birds. These categories slightly overlap because some birds fit into the high end & the low end of 2 different categories. For example, Lovebirds fit into the small birds category, but they also fit into the medium birds category.
For your education, let us quickly give you the minimum dimensions & maximum bar spacing measurements for most species of birds:
Small birds (i.e. Finches, Canaries, and Parakeets) should be in a cage that is no smaller than 18"(W) x 18"(D) x 22"(H) and they should not have bar spacing that's wider than 1/2".
Slightly larger small birds (i.e. Cockatiels, Lovebirds, and smaller types of Conures) shouldn't be in a cage smaller than 20"(W) x 18"(D) x 24"(H) and they're bar spacing shouldn't be wider than 3/4".
Medium birds (i.e. most Conures, Timnehs, and smaller Amazons) should have a cage that's at least these dimensions; 22"(W) x 20"(D) x 28"(H) and should have bar spacing no wider than 1".
Large birds (i.e. Congo African Greys, most Amazons, smaller Cockatoos) should have a parrot cage that is at least 32" x 24"(D) x 30"(H) & the bar spacing should be no wider than 1".
The biggest of the big birds (i.e. large Macaws, large Cockatoos, Toucans, and Hyacinth) should be in a cage no littler than 38"(W) x 30"(D) x 48"(H) & they can get away with spacing that's up to 1-1/2" wide. Most large parrot cages feature 1" bar spacing & that is just fine.
If your species of bird isn't named above, just find a species above that's similar in size to your bird & follow the dimension & bar spacing guidelines shown.
Choosing a good quality cage & not spending more than you have to
This is another hard aspect to face. If you have owned a generic bird cage before, you know you do not want to go through that again. The majority of first time cage buyers get a very cheap, generic cage, but they usually don't make that mistake twice. Some of the top brand names around are Kings, Avian Adventures, Invision Cages, Animal Environments, California Cages, Cages By Design, Liberty Cages, Visionary Acrylic Cages, & HQ Cages. At our web store we offer what we consider to be the very best 3 brand names available, but we have heard good and bad about all of them. The reason we offer the cages we offer is for the following 3 solid reasons;
1. The manufacturer's stand behind their cages & warranties,
2. The materials used are truly tested safe for birds (most manufacturers do not do this), and
3. We've offered or seen every brand name listed & have decided what ones we think are the most solid. Most cages offered by the brand names listed above are within approximately the same price range, so you just have to look around & see what fits you budget & your bird's specific needs. A great place to do research is within online bird forums & bird discussion boards. You can talk with other bird owners who've tried the brand name you're considering & they will gladly offer feedback on the cage that you are looking at. We do offer a bird lover's forum & the website address is listed in my biography at the bottom of this article. I urge you to visit our forum and others on the web as well, they provide great insight into what cages would work best for you & your bird.
How to choose the best retailer to buy from
This is the third and final part of this article, but it's only listed last because of how important the 2 factors listed before it are. This too is a very important part f your decision making process. If you can find a reputable store front in your region that offers top brand name cages at decent prices then that may be a good place to start. However, you will probably find that most pet supply store fronts that are offline are either extremely high priced, or they do not have any true parrot cages at all - they strictly offer small economy boxed cages that aren't large enough for the smallest of birds. This is because local store fronts have a very tough time competing with the internet retailers. Local store fronts have multiple overhead costs that need be buried into their product prices, and online stores do not have much overhead at all. So once you look locally, you'll most likely be on the web cage shopping. Now that you are online, how do you decide who you can trust? That's a great question, and not an easy one to answer. There are a few really good indicators that you can use to make a good judgment on who the trustworthy web stores are; One of the ways is something we previously discussed; head to the bird forums - if other people had a pleasant experience with an online store, you're likely to as well. I also recommend checking the sites you visit for positive customer testimonials. Web sites that do not post positive customer feedback they've received, probably haven't received any positive feedback. If you had one single customer contact you to tell you how great of an experience they had, wouldn't you place that testimonial on your web store? The last way to help determine whether a business is solid or not is to make sure they take all major credit cards, and not strictly PayPal. A site that takes all major credit cards strictly through PayPal is a red flag in my opinion. You may be wondering why on earth that's a red flag, well consider this; if a web store takes all major credit cards and the credit card companies receive too many complaints from their customers, they can actually lose their credit card processing account. That's right, the credit card processing company will actually pull their account & not let them take credit cards anymore. This then forces that online retailer to strictly offer PayPal or Google Checkout as their payment method. All internet retailers should take all major credit cards, and if they do not, it may be because they have lost their credit card processing account because of excessive customer complaints. I'm not saying that a web store shouldn't accept PayPal as a payment method, they should, but they should also be taking credit cards directly through the store's shopping cart as well.
Well, we have now covered what I consider the big 3 issues to consider when choosing a cage for your new bird. Again, there are many other factors, but these are the most important in my opinion, and if you follow these guidelines you will be very pleased with the decision you make. Plus, your bird will be proud of the decision you make on his behalf!
Until next time, this is Dave Hermansen signing off. If you'd like to read more great articles or visit the web store I am a part of see my bio below. I'm providing the web addresses for our forum, and the bird cage store I am a partial owner of. Best of luck to you on your personal venture to find the perfect cage for your feathered friend!
NOTE: This article is free to copy and use on other web sites as long as it's copied in it's entirety and any links are left in place and active.
Dave is an expert on bird cages for sale in the online market today. Also visit the Everything Birds, Bird Lover's Forum as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hermansen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Birds-Cages---How-To-Choose-The-Right-One&id=483560
If you are trying to choose the right bird cage for your bird this article is for you. This articles covers all the important things you should consider when choosing the right cage for your bird.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Saturday, May 12, 2007
My Credit Card Machines
The Benefits Of A Credit Card Terminal
By Mike Singh
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Without a terminal you can stand to lose profits if you are not careful.
Technology that is now available in regards to cards and having a credit card terminal is part of what can bring success to businesses. If you do order a terminal you will find that there are willing people to help you to install it just by dialing the telephone. They will walk you through every single step and even help you figure out how exactly to use it. Just remember any hassle that seems to come from having a terminal can be balanced out by more sales be created by its instillation.
There is the option of either buying a terminal straight out or leasing it from a licensed dealer and this can offer more options and convenience. Even if you are a brand new business just starting you can find a dealer who would be more than willing to rent you a terminal, it just takes a little legwork to find it. In the end it can only make your business stronger and more successful.
Of course your customers should be aware that there might be some small fees when it comes to terminals. There are different companies that provide terminals and some will have a certain percentage charged for each transaction that is completed on the terminal. A fee may also be charged to the business owner, but is so minimal that it doesn't even affect the benefits you will receive from having a wider customer base because of it.
You can find businesses online that sell terminals as well as those that lease them. You may have to search for a while to find a good price but they are out there. There is usually a satisfaction guarantee presented with most of these companies. You should be very careful when giving out any information if the site is not secured, but with some work you can find a great company with a terminal for you and your business.
Something that is very beneficial about having a credit card terminal is that it makes it more convenient for your customers and therefore will help increase your customer base. It is also a safer way to go then more traditional payment methods such as cash, which can be stolen, or checks that may bounce and cause you financial stress later on. Having a terminal will help guarantee that you will get paid.
As you can see there are many advantages to having a credit card terminal installed in your business. It is also a very simple and easy thing to get started with and there are different options in acquiring one that can just about make it easy for anyone to get one. So go ahead get a terminal and start making more money today.
Check out http://www.my-credit-center.com/ for more articles on accepting credit card online and business credit card with reward.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-Of-A-Credit-Card-Terminal&id=284480
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Find out more...
By Mike Singh
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Without a terminal you can stand to lose profits if you are not careful.
Technology that is now available in regards to cards and having a credit card terminal is part of what can bring success to businesses. If you do order a terminal you will find that there are willing people to help you to install it just by dialing the telephone. They will walk you through every single step and even help you figure out how exactly to use it. Just remember any hassle that seems to come from having a terminal can be balanced out by more sales be created by its instillation.
There is the option of either buying a terminal straight out or leasing it from a licensed dealer and this can offer more options and convenience. Even if you are a brand new business just starting you can find a dealer who would be more than willing to rent you a terminal, it just takes a little legwork to find it. In the end it can only make your business stronger and more successful.
Of course your customers should be aware that there might be some small fees when it comes to terminals. There are different companies that provide terminals and some will have a certain percentage charged for each transaction that is completed on the terminal. A fee may also be charged to the business owner, but is so minimal that it doesn't even affect the benefits you will receive from having a wider customer base because of it.
You can find businesses online that sell terminals as well as those that lease them. You may have to search for a while to find a good price but they are out there. There is usually a satisfaction guarantee presented with most of these companies. You should be very careful when giving out any information if the site is not secured, but with some work you can find a great company with a terminal for you and your business.
Something that is very beneficial about having a credit card terminal is that it makes it more convenient for your customers and therefore will help increase your customer base. It is also a safer way to go then more traditional payment methods such as cash, which can be stolen, or checks that may bounce and cause you financial stress later on. Having a terminal will help guarantee that you will get paid.
As you can see there are many advantages to having a credit card terminal installed in your business. It is also a very simple and easy thing to get started with and there are different options in acquiring one that can just about make it easy for anyone to get one. So go ahead get a terminal and start making more money today.
Check out http://www.my-credit-center.com/ for more articles on accepting credit card online and business credit card with reward.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-Of-A-Credit-Card-Terminal&id=284480
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Find out more...
Friday, May 11, 2007
My Credit Card Machines
How To Organize for Tax Time
By Sheri McConnell
The words "simple" and "tax time" have probably never been uttered in the same sentence. Well, not until now at least. The key to a stress-free tax season is being organized all year-round. Trying to organize a week before or, even worse, the night before April 15th is setting yourself up for failure.
Why You Should Organize for Tax Time
Organizing for tax time helps you avoid misplacing important receipts and documents. Your stress level will be lower because you won't be rushing around at the last minute trying to get to the tax preparer and/or post office. Being organized for tax time also helps you save money because you are more likely to keep track of deductions if you have a system and you won't be charged a higher fee for having your tax preparer go through your piles of receipts.
How and What To Organize for Tax Time
The only way to organize any object is to assign a home to it. Designate a filing cabinet or storage bin made to hold hanging folders for your year-round paper storage. Create folders for receipts, credit card and bank statements, etc. You will make a folder for anything you spend money on and need to keep track of for tax purposes. Have a filing schedule. I usually take one day a month to pay the monthly bills for my three businesses and to do all my filing. During the month, I put all my documents into one of two places until my filing day. This keeps everything organized with very little effort. I have one folder designated for current bills to be paid and then a lateral shelving unit that I stick everything else in for all three businesses and for my personal documents. No matter what, no less than once a month, I file everything from the shelving unit into my filing cabinet in the appropriate folder.
Now, where do we file our papers? Each year, you should designate a large accordion envelope or section of your filing cabinet to your tax papers. Some of the tax papers you will be filing will include your W2s, 1099s, mortgage interest statements, bank interest statements, real estate tax statements, investments statements, and receipts for charitable donations. Most of the papers/receipts you will file will fall into the following categories: salary, real estate, medical, childcare, and investments.
How Long Should I Keep My Financial Records
First of all, make it a habit to throw away as much as you can that you don't need to keep like the envelopes that come with your statements, your ATM slips after they have been recorded in your check register, credit-card slips (don't forget to shred them if they show your credit card number), utility, phone, and cable bills after you have paid them.
Now, on to the documents you should hang on to. Hang on to all monthly statements of financial accounts (bank, investment, etc.) one year until you reconcile them with the year-end statements. Hang on to federal and state income tax returns and related receipts and statements for at least three years. One investment company recommends keeping all tax returns and related information for six years if there is a possibility you may have under-reported your income by 25% or more. When it comes to business equipment or home improvements, you keep those records as long as you have the item (printer, house, etc.).
Simple Tax Time
Everyone has a different financial situation and these tips are offered as guidelines to simplify tax time. Being organized at tax time and year-round should allow you to lead a calmer life and to have greater control of something that you can, and should, plan for. I hope a few of these tips helped and that you have a stress-free tax season as we head into the next year.
Sheri McConnell is the President of the National Association of Women Writers (http://www.NAWW.org). She helps women writers and entrepreneurs discover, create, and profit from their intellectual knowledge! Free reports for writers available with subscription to NAWW Weekly. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Seth and their four children. Contact her at naww@onebox.com or her toll free number at 866-821-5829.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheri_McConnell
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Organize-for-Tax-Time&id=250277
The words "simple" and "tax time" have probably never been uttered in the same sentence. Well, not until now at least. The key to a stress-free tax season is being organized all year-round. Learn how you can relieve tax-time stress by using these simple organizing techniques.
By Sheri McConnell
The words "simple" and "tax time" have probably never been uttered in the same sentence. Well, not until now at least. The key to a stress-free tax season is being organized all year-round. Trying to organize a week before or, even worse, the night before April 15th is setting yourself up for failure.
Why You Should Organize for Tax Time
Organizing for tax time helps you avoid misplacing important receipts and documents. Your stress level will be lower because you won't be rushing around at the last minute trying to get to the tax preparer and/or post office. Being organized for tax time also helps you save money because you are more likely to keep track of deductions if you have a system and you won't be charged a higher fee for having your tax preparer go through your piles of receipts.
How and What To Organize for Tax Time
The only way to organize any object is to assign a home to it. Designate a filing cabinet or storage bin made to hold hanging folders for your year-round paper storage. Create folders for receipts, credit card and bank statements, etc. You will make a folder for anything you spend money on and need to keep track of for tax purposes. Have a filing schedule. I usually take one day a month to pay the monthly bills for my three businesses and to do all my filing. During the month, I put all my documents into one of two places until my filing day. This keeps everything organized with very little effort. I have one folder designated for current bills to be paid and then a lateral shelving unit that I stick everything else in for all three businesses and for my personal documents. No matter what, no less than once a month, I file everything from the shelving unit into my filing cabinet in the appropriate folder.
Now, where do we file our papers? Each year, you should designate a large accordion envelope or section of your filing cabinet to your tax papers. Some of the tax papers you will be filing will include your W2s, 1099s, mortgage interest statements, bank interest statements, real estate tax statements, investments statements, and receipts for charitable donations. Most of the papers/receipts you will file will fall into the following categories: salary, real estate, medical, childcare, and investments.
How Long Should I Keep My Financial Records
First of all, make it a habit to throw away as much as you can that you don't need to keep like the envelopes that come with your statements, your ATM slips after they have been recorded in your check register, credit-card slips (don't forget to shred them if they show your credit card number), utility, phone, and cable bills after you have paid them.
Now, on to the documents you should hang on to. Hang on to all monthly statements of financial accounts (bank, investment, etc.) one year until you reconcile them with the year-end statements. Hang on to federal and state income tax returns and related receipts and statements for at least three years. One investment company recommends keeping all tax returns and related information for six years if there is a possibility you may have under-reported your income by 25% or more. When it comes to business equipment or home improvements, you keep those records as long as you have the item (printer, house, etc.).
Simple Tax Time
Everyone has a different financial situation and these tips are offered as guidelines to simplify tax time. Being organized at tax time and year-round should allow you to lead a calmer life and to have greater control of something that you can, and should, plan for. I hope a few of these tips helped and that you have a stress-free tax season as we head into the next year.
Sheri McConnell is the President of the National Association of Women Writers (http://www.NAWW.org). She helps women writers and entrepreneurs discover, create, and profit from their intellectual knowledge! Free reports for writers available with subscription to NAWW Weekly. Sheri lives in San Antonio, Texas with her husband Seth and their four children. Contact her at naww@onebox.com or her toll free number at 866-821-5829.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheri_McConnell
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Organize-for-Tax-Time&id=250277
The words "simple" and "tax time" have probably never been uttered in the same sentence. Well, not until now at least. The key to a stress-free tax season is being organized all year-round. Learn how you can relieve tax-time stress by using these simple organizing techniques.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
My Credit Card Machines
Credit Card Machine Buying Tips
By John Morris
The credit card is preferred by most people when paying for purchases and services because of its safety, security and ease of use. The use of credit cards is growing exponentially fueled by the growth of e-commerce and the increasing usage of credit cards in business-to-business transactions. Accepting credit cards in a business has many advantages. Not only will it help expand your consumer base, it will also provide an easier and more convenient alternative to paying by cash or check. When you accept credit cards, funds can be transferred to your bank account as soon as possible. If you are planning to sell online, accepting credit cards is a necessity.
Credit card processing equipments essential to any business, especially in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. In whatever business, the exploding use of credit cards and debit cards necessitates an investment on a reliable and secure credit card machine. There are a number of companies you can consider when shopping for a credit card processor such as banks, third party credit card processors, independent sales organizations, financial service providers and associations. Inquire about credit card processing equipment and make an informed choice when you decide to purchase.
I. Pervasive Technology
Credit card machines are being used extensively in almost every store and restaurant. These equipments are of great help to businesses as they process credit cards efficiently and securely. There is a huge variety of credit card processing equipment available in the market today and picking the right one appropriate for your business can be a challenge. If you are in the market for a credit card processing equipment, there are some simple tips you can follow to help you find the perfect credit card machine that will serve your intended purpose excellently. With the plethora of credit card machine options available, you might find it hard to decide on what credit card machine to buy. Here’s a simple guide to buying a credit card machine.
II. Buying Advice:
1. Buy, Don't Lease
Credit card machines are not really that costly, usually at the $100-$1000 price range. Consider a credit card machine as a worthwhile investment in your business. Although, there are credit card machine leases available from some merchant account providers. Leasing a credit card terminal may cost you much more in the long run than buying your own unit.
2. Get Battery Backup
Be prepared for any eventuality. In case your store or business establishment experiences a power interruption, you would still want to be able to process customer transactions. Buy a credit card machine with a reliable backup battery to ensure that you can continue to do business even when you lose electrical power.
3. Purchase A Credit Card Machine With A Fast Modem
Credit cards are supposed to make transactions faster and more convenient. Thus, a fast modem that can send data and authorize transactions quickly is a top requirement in a credit card machine. You might shell out more for a credit card machine with a 9600-baud modem, but it is worth the money and our customers will definitely appreciate it too.
4. Ensure It Can Handle Smart Cards
Smart cards are becoming increasingly popular and are considered the future of credit cards. Smart cards include credit, debit, and other information in a card with a microchip in it instead of a magnetic stripe.
5. Flash Memory Is Recommended
For better functionality, choose a credit card machine that use flash memory to store the operating software. This will allow for convenient software downloads and installation and increase the longevity of the equipment.
6. Ensure It Can Handle Debit Transactions
Some customers might prefer paying by debit. For this purpose, you will need a credit card machine with a built-in PIN keypad. You can also consider a separate PIN keypad which your customers can access easily while keeping the credit card processing equipment out of reach.
7. Get An Imprinter As A Backup
This could prove useful in case your store or business establishment loses power or phone service. You can still continue to do business even if you are in the field processing customer transactions.
For more great credit card machine related articles and resources check out http://www.creditcardmachinehq.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Machine-Buying-Tips&id=151575
The credit card is preferred by most people when paying for purchases and services because of its safety, security and ease of use. The use of credit cards is growing exponentially fueled by the growth of e-commerce and the increasing usage of credit cards in business-to-business transactions...
By John Morris
The credit card is preferred by most people when paying for purchases and services because of its safety, security and ease of use. The use of credit cards is growing exponentially fueled by the growth of e-commerce and the increasing usage of credit cards in business-to-business transactions. Accepting credit cards in a business has many advantages. Not only will it help expand your consumer base, it will also provide an easier and more convenient alternative to paying by cash or check. When you accept credit cards, funds can be transferred to your bank account as soon as possible. If you are planning to sell online, accepting credit cards is a necessity.
Credit card processing equipments essential to any business, especially in today’s fast-paced lifestyle. In whatever business, the exploding use of credit cards and debit cards necessitates an investment on a reliable and secure credit card machine. There are a number of companies you can consider when shopping for a credit card processor such as banks, third party credit card processors, independent sales organizations, financial service providers and associations. Inquire about credit card processing equipment and make an informed choice when you decide to purchase.
I. Pervasive Technology
Credit card machines are being used extensively in almost every store and restaurant. These equipments are of great help to businesses as they process credit cards efficiently and securely. There is a huge variety of credit card processing equipment available in the market today and picking the right one appropriate for your business can be a challenge. If you are in the market for a credit card processing equipment, there are some simple tips you can follow to help you find the perfect credit card machine that will serve your intended purpose excellently. With the plethora of credit card machine options available, you might find it hard to decide on what credit card machine to buy. Here’s a simple guide to buying a credit card machine.
II. Buying Advice:
1. Buy, Don't Lease
Credit card machines are not really that costly, usually at the $100-$1000 price range. Consider a credit card machine as a worthwhile investment in your business. Although, there are credit card machine leases available from some merchant account providers. Leasing a credit card terminal may cost you much more in the long run than buying your own unit.
2. Get Battery Backup
Be prepared for any eventuality. In case your store or business establishment experiences a power interruption, you would still want to be able to process customer transactions. Buy a credit card machine with a reliable backup battery to ensure that you can continue to do business even when you lose electrical power.
3. Purchase A Credit Card Machine With A Fast Modem
Credit cards are supposed to make transactions faster and more convenient. Thus, a fast modem that can send data and authorize transactions quickly is a top requirement in a credit card machine. You might shell out more for a credit card machine with a 9600-baud modem, but it is worth the money and our customers will definitely appreciate it too.
4. Ensure It Can Handle Smart Cards
Smart cards are becoming increasingly popular and are considered the future of credit cards. Smart cards include credit, debit, and other information in a card with a microchip in it instead of a magnetic stripe.
5. Flash Memory Is Recommended
For better functionality, choose a credit card machine that use flash memory to store the operating software. This will allow for convenient software downloads and installation and increase the longevity of the equipment.
6. Ensure It Can Handle Debit Transactions
Some customers might prefer paying by debit. For this purpose, you will need a credit card machine with a built-in PIN keypad. You can also consider a separate PIN keypad which your customers can access easily while keeping the credit card processing equipment out of reach.
7. Get An Imprinter As A Backup
This could prove useful in case your store or business establishment loses power or phone service. You can still continue to do business even if you are in the field processing customer transactions.
For more great credit card machine related articles and resources check out http://www.creditcardmachinehq.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Machine-Buying-Tips&id=151575
The credit card is preferred by most people when paying for purchases and services because of its safety, security and ease of use. The use of credit cards is growing exponentially fueled by the growth of e-commerce and the increasing usage of credit cards in business-to-business transactions...
Thursday, May 3, 2007
My Credit Card Machines 802
Sales Receipt - Printing the Full Credit Card Number is Against the 2003 Law
By Ugur Akinci
My local Sears store may get sued one of these days because it is still printing the full credit card numbers on their sales receipts.
According to the U.S. Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, which went into effect on December 4, 2006, the retailers are not allowed to print their customers' full credit card numbers on the sale receipts in an effort to prevent consumer fraud and identity theft.
Some claim card expiration dates should also not be printed but the law is not clear on that point.
Big merchants such as Rite-Aid, Wendy's, FedEx, TJX, and Ikea are already being sued for doing exactly that.
100 class-action lawsuits are already filed at the federal courts and district courts (in California, Pennsylvania, and Kansas) for continuing to print full credit card numbers on sales receipts.
The lawsuits contend that the retailers are "wilfully" violating the law, which carry a $1,000 penalty per transaction (not per person). So, if a consumer has bought 10 sandwiches from a store with 10 different receipts displaying the full credit card number, the penalty sought would be $10,000.
To prevent the onslaught of these new lawsuits, VISA started to demand its vendors back in 2003 to accept new machines that print only the last four digits of a credit card number. That still remains the legally accepted practice but I personally see quite a few stores still printing their sales receipts the old fashioned way.
I guess it's time to have a friendly talk with the Manager of my Sears store...
**************************************************************************
Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a senior writer and web content consultant with 20 years of experience.
Subscribe to his FREE "Weekly Success Update" newsletter today at http://www.writer111.com
P.S. FREE BONUS "Writing and Marketing Tips" for new subscribers.
**************************************************************************
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
http://EzineArticles.com/?Sales-Receipt---Printing-the-Full-Credit-Card-Number-is-Against-the-2003-Law&id=545392
By Ugur Akinci
My local Sears store may get sued one of these days because it is still printing the full credit card numbers on their sales receipts.
According to the U.S. Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, which went into effect on December 4, 2006, the retailers are not allowed to print their customers' full credit card numbers on the sale receipts in an effort to prevent consumer fraud and identity theft.
Some claim card expiration dates should also not be printed but the law is not clear on that point.
Big merchants such as Rite-Aid, Wendy's, FedEx, TJX, and Ikea are already being sued for doing exactly that.
100 class-action lawsuits are already filed at the federal courts and district courts (in California, Pennsylvania, and Kansas) for continuing to print full credit card numbers on sales receipts.
The lawsuits contend that the retailers are "wilfully" violating the law, which carry a $1,000 penalty per transaction (not per person). So, if a consumer has bought 10 sandwiches from a store with 10 different receipts displaying the full credit card number, the penalty sought would be $10,000.
To prevent the onslaught of these new lawsuits, VISA started to demand its vendors back in 2003 to accept new machines that print only the last four digits of a credit card number. That still remains the legally accepted practice but I personally see quite a few stores still printing their sales receipts the old fashioned way.
I guess it's time to have a friendly talk with the Manager of my Sears store...
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Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. is a senior writer and web content consultant with 20 years of experience.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ugur_Akinci
http://EzineArticles.com/?Sales-Receipt---Printing-the-Full-Credit-Card-Number-is-Against-the-2003-Law&id=545392
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
My Credit Card Machines 802
The Benefits Of A Credit Card Terminal
By Mike Singh
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Without a terminal you can stand to lose profits if you are not careful.
Technology that is now available in regards to cards and having a credit card terminal is part of what can bring success to businesses. If you do order a terminal you will find that there are willing people to help you to install it just by dialing the telephone. They will walk you through every single step and even help you figure out how exactly to use it. Just remember any hassle that seems to come from having a terminal can be balanced out by more sales be created by its instillation.
There is the option of either buying a terminal straight out or leasing it from a licensed dealer and this can offer more options and convenience. Even if you are a brand new business just starting you can find a dealer who would be more than willing to rent you a terminal, it just takes a little legwork to find it. In the end it can only make your business stronger and more successful.
Of course your customers should be aware that there might be some small fees when it comes to terminals. There are different companies that provide terminals and some will have a certain percentage charged for each transaction that is completed on the terminal. A fee may also be charged to the business owner, but is so minimal that it doesn't even affect the benefits you will receive from having a wider customer base because of it.
You can find businesses online that sell terminals as well as those that lease them. You may have to search for a while to find a good price but they are out there. There is usually a satisfaction guarantee presented with most of these companies. You should be very careful when giving out any information if the site is not secured, but with some work you can find a great company with a terminal for you and your business.
Something that is very beneficial about having a credit card terminal is that it makes it more convenient for your customers and therefore will help increase your customer base. It is also a safer way to go then more traditional payment methods such as cash, which can be stolen, or checks that may bounce and cause you financial stress later on. Having a terminal will help guarantee that you will get paid.
As you can see there are many advantages to having a credit card terminal installed in your business. It is also a very simple and easy thing to get started with and there are different options in acquiring one that can just about make it easy for anyone to get one. So go ahead get a terminal and start making more money today.
Check out http://www.my-credit-center.com/ for more articles on accepting credit card online and business credit card with reward.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-Of-A-Credit-Card-Terminal&id=284480
By Mike Singh
Having a credit card terminal in your business can greatly benefit it if used properly. So many people now use credit cards for buying and selling that a credit card terminal is almost necessary. Without a terminal you can stand to lose profits if you are not careful.
Technology that is now available in regards to cards and having a credit card terminal is part of what can bring success to businesses. If you do order a terminal you will find that there are willing people to help you to install it just by dialing the telephone. They will walk you through every single step and even help you figure out how exactly to use it. Just remember any hassle that seems to come from having a terminal can be balanced out by more sales be created by its instillation.
There is the option of either buying a terminal straight out or leasing it from a licensed dealer and this can offer more options and convenience. Even if you are a brand new business just starting you can find a dealer who would be more than willing to rent you a terminal, it just takes a little legwork to find it. In the end it can only make your business stronger and more successful.
Of course your customers should be aware that there might be some small fees when it comes to terminals. There are different companies that provide terminals and some will have a certain percentage charged for each transaction that is completed on the terminal. A fee may also be charged to the business owner, but is so minimal that it doesn't even affect the benefits you will receive from having a wider customer base because of it.
You can find businesses online that sell terminals as well as those that lease them. You may have to search for a while to find a good price but they are out there. There is usually a satisfaction guarantee presented with most of these companies. You should be very careful when giving out any information if the site is not secured, but with some work you can find a great company with a terminal for you and your business.
Something that is very beneficial about having a credit card terminal is that it makes it more convenient for your customers and therefore will help increase your customer base. It is also a safer way to go then more traditional payment methods such as cash, which can be stolen, or checks that may bounce and cause you financial stress later on. Having a terminal will help guarantee that you will get paid.
As you can see there are many advantages to having a credit card terminal installed in your business. It is also a very simple and easy thing to get started with and there are different options in acquiring one that can just about make it easy for anyone to get one. So go ahead get a terminal and start making more money today.
Check out http://www.my-credit-center.com/ for more articles on accepting credit card online and business credit card with reward.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Singh
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Benefits-Of-A-Credit-Card-Terminal&id=284480
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