ETD: 673 Your best April Fools Day prank; Online banking goes mainstream; List
Member needs software;Trade Shows: Super Savings on Sales Calls; 3 More
States Adopt SSUTA California Moves Forward
E-Tailer's Digest
etd_post@gapent.com
Tue, 01 Apr 2003 05:04:53 -0500
E-Tailer's Digest --- Everything for the Retailer
Issue #0673 April 1, 2003
George Matyjewicz, Moderator mailto:georgem@gapent.com
Published by: GAP Enterprises, Ltd. http://www.etailersdigest.com
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CONTENTS
[1] Greetings
[2] Your best April Fools Day prank
[3] Online banking goes mainstream
----- ---- --- -- -> Important Offer <- -- --- ---- ---- --
[4] List Member needs software
[5] Trade Shows: Super Savings on Sales Calls
[6] 3 More States Adopt SSUTA California Moves Forward
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[1] Greetings.
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Hi All:
"The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days
of the year. "
- American humorist Mark Twain
Today is April Fools Day and I was thinking about my best prank (see 2
below). What have you ever done that was worth reporting?
Walt Boyes reminded me of another marketing faux pas. The old Chrysler
Corp.'s Plymouth Volare'...putting the accent on the last e changed it into
"Maybe it will fly." Anybody have any other favorites?
Folks, watch this issue of sales tax on Internet purchases. Four states
have adopted SSUTA. They only need ten to bring it into law. And it could
be as early as July of this year. I don't know all the details, but watch
out for it. And it's not an April Fools joke.
My thanks to our list member gurus for their assistance to other list
members seeking help. There isn't a greater collection of retail gurus on
the planet.
Now, let's get to everything for the retailer.
Sincerely
Dr. George Matyjewicz
Chief Global Strategist, GAP Enterprises, Ltd.
mailto:georgem@gapent.com
http://www.etailersdigest.com
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[2] Your best April Fools Day prank
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Today is April Fools Day. So what was your favorite April Fools Day trick?
Let me share one that I did many years ago. A bank client in NY was
merging into another larger bank, and they were awaiting the final
government approval, which was somewhat of a formality. On April 1 I
called Bob Ernst, the president of the bank and was told he was in a
meeting. They asked who was calling and I said Abe Schwartz from the
Justice Department. "One moment" said the receptionist, and almost
immediately Bob came on the phone. The conversation then went like this:
"Mr Ernst, my name is Abe Schwartz, from the Justice Department. We regret
to inform you that your merger application was denied by this department."
"What?" said Bob. "Why? Have you called the parent, er, other bank yet?"
"I don't know. My job was to call you to give you the news. Somebody else
handles those other issues."
The conversation went back and forth for a couple of minutes, until Bob
asked for my telephone number.
"Sure," said I. "Do you have a pencil?"
"Yes"
"OK, write this down. April Fools."
At that point he recognized my voice and half laughing and half crying said
he was going to kill me <grin>.
So what did you do?
George
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[3] Online banking goes mainstream
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In your statement, you stated that a customer can not do a charge back. In
certain conditions, example: If you gave your debit card for monthly
payment, and you cancelled the authority, and the Payee, continue to charge
on your account you can have a charge back. Also what will happen is that
the Bank will reissue you a new debit card and that can take up to 10 days
before you see your new debit card.
If you do a debit card as a swipe, I agree, it will be harder to charge
back. But when you use your debit card on a non swipe I feel you may be
able to have a charge back situation providing you as the Payer can
document what happened.
Yours truly
Jules Kaplan
ChekFaxx Development Co. INC.- E-commerce Payment Solution Provider
Available NOW http://www.addressmanagerpro.com
Discover how to add your email address to Your Windows Address Book
admin@chekfaxx.com - 480-991-7025 OR 800-220-0468 - FAX 310-362-8746
Accept Check by FAX - PHONE - E-MAIL - INTERNET http://chekfaxx.com
ChekFaxx5 Net Work Version Available Now
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
I guess the only way to guarantee non-repudiable transactions is to use one
of the digital currency companies like E-Gold or Global Pay Systems. I
know they do not have chargebacks.
George
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[4] List Member needs software
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New list member John Husson wants to know:
"Right now I'm looking for some kind of flow chart covering receiving goods
from suppliers, logging into inventory, receiving orders, and fulfillment
(pick/pack/ship). I need to put a POS inventory system in place to report
sales, and I'm trying to chart out just what it is I want to do."
First, we have systems that may meet your needs. You can learn more about
CAM Commerce Solutions at www.camcommerce.com.
As for determining what your needs are, programmers who are asked to write
business applications are always advised to "follow the paperwork trail" to
figure out what is needed. I would suggest the same thing in your case. If
you look at your manual processes now and follow the paperwork trail along
with the details of this paperwork you can figure out what your needs
are. Our sales people are also trained to help in this process. Many are
former retailers and all are very experienced. They know the questions
to ask. We always do what we call a "business survey". This is where we
learn about your business and the processes you have in place along with
what your "wish list" is for what you "wish" a system would do for
you. This allows us to make a proper recommendation. Going through the
process of a survey is free and I think you will find the consulting
helpful. Our toll free number is 866-840-4443.
Best Regards,
Geoff Knapp
CAM Commerce Solutions
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
As always, thanks Geoff for your help.
George
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[5] Trade Shows: Super Savings on Sales Calls
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In the process of producing a few Event Planner Expos I often had to speak
to exhibitors who couldn't see the merit of doing the show. When I
mentioned the attendance could go as high as 5,000 but, that could not be
guaranteed, they always moaned, "Is that all?"
I asked, "How long would it take for you to go into a potential customer's
office, set up your whole display of product (essentially a booth) give a
demonstration or sales pitch? How many could you do per day? O.K. now,
that is local, how about those national customers? " I always hoped that
this would get them thinking of the expense of contacting 100 customers,
nationwide.
My experience is that if there are attendees two-deep, strolling by your
booth, you rarely get to the second tier, so actually speak to far less
than 1/2 of the attendees. Perhaps, you might be able to pitch 150-200 new
accounts per day, considering that some of your time would be spent
greeting and reconnecting with good customers to show them "what's new." I
usually ended my pep talk with the "great value your company listing in the
show directory had for "when they get back to their office" sales."
How successful will you be at a show???
Don't get me started on exhibitors SITTING in their booths reading the
paper or eating.
First rule, if you must sit, sit on a stool so you are at least at eye
level with the attendees. And if you must eat...share! (just kidding)
George, you are so right about the importance of reading up on Exhibiting
at a Trade Show materials to learn rules, tips and strategies to make your
show experience a great one. As a part of our shows we featured a Trade
Show expert to give our exhibitors a crash course--if they attended. Be
surprised how many did not attend.
Oh I could just go on about trade shows but I won't. It is a subject dear
to me, though.
Speaking of shows, my partner, Phyllis Cambria and I are producing the
Buyer Education Program for TransWorld Las Vegas Halloween and Party Show,
Tropicana Resort and Casino Conference Center, April 27-29th. We have a
great line-up of experts giving speeches and demonstrations to the
buyers. If you are in the party/special event/haunted
attraction/gift/wedding/costume/balloons/venue or family fun center
industry, this is a super show for you. Complete information on attending
or exhibiting: http://www.transworldexhibits.com and Buyer Education
Schedule is at: http://www.partyplansplus.com/lasvegas.htm
Best of luck with your Trade Shows--producing, exhibiting or attending.
Patty Sachs
www.partyplansplus.com
P.S. If you are producing a show let us know, we can help spread the word.
+++ [Moderator's Comments] +++
Thanks for the post. I see another business opportunity for you - virtual
celebration presents.
I'm working with a group with offices in five countries and they
collaboratively completed a major project. So, it would be nice to send a
virtual bottle of champagne or other gift. There are a number of greeting
card companies, but nothing designed from a celebration POV.
FWIW
George
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[6] 3 More States Adopt SSUTA California Moves Forward
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Kentucky, Utah and West Virginia have joined South Dakota as four states
that have amended their sales tax laws to come into compliance with the
Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (SSUTA). These states will now
submit applications to the SSUTA Governing Board, which will confirm state
law compliance. In addition, California, which has remained on the
sidelines during the Streamlined Sales Tax Project, has elected to become
an "observer state," which means the state is now in the game.
Before the SSUTA is operational at least 10 states, comprising 20 percent
of the population in states that collect sales tax, must conform their tax
laws to the SSUTA. The SSUTA cannot take effect before July 31, 2003. Over
a dozen more states have introduced similar legislation.
Details at... http://ecommercetax.com/doc/033003.htm
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Links to follow
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