Financing options encourage customers to commit to larger purchases on average, providing equipment vendors an advantage over their competition. To increase your business, you may consider adding leasing as an option for your customers, or modifying your current leasing program to better serve your customers. As you consider your options, keep in mind that not all leasing partners are the same and you need to find a partner which will be best for and your customer. The following pointers will assist you in making the right choice for your business.

Tip #1: Prepare to Compare

When choosing the leasing company, it is important to understand the unique needs of your business. Leasing may not work well for you if your product offerings do not meet the following criteria:

Product Offering Suitability
Equipment value is below $5,000 in value Equipment under $5,000 is not enticing for a company to facilitate because these amounts are typically paid with credit card or net accounts.
Equipment value is below $100,000 If your products are below $100,000, most companies are not going to require financial statements. They will generally use a credit scoring program to render approval.

Above $100,000 in equipment cost:

Typically most leasing companies will want to review financials statements in order to approve a customer when the equipment cost is over a $100,000.. In general they would like to review 2 years financial statements.

Expected contract length based on useful life of equipment A leasing program may not prove viable if it requires a contract length that exceeds the life of the equipment. For example, it would not make sense to finance a laptop computer for 7 years, but it might make sense to finance a large printing press for that long of a term.

As a vendor, it is important to package your offerings to a specific time period, because it creates another opportunity to upgrade the customer at the end of the lease term.

Tip #2: Know the Players

There are 3 main players in the equipment leasing industry: brokers, independent leasing companies, and financial institutions. All three funding source alternatives provide excellent opportunities for financing the lease of equipment.

Broker – Brokers are financial intermediaries that work with multiple funding sources.

The advantage for your customer is a broker will have a large array of financing options for your customers. They will most likely have the ability to finance your customers due to the fact they work with a few funding sources who have contacts. The disadvantage of working with an equipment leasing broker is once the lease is funded with the broker, they are out of the picture in terms of any decisions involving that lease going forward.

Independent Leasing Company – Independent companies get their funds from bank lines and/or investors.

An independent leasing company usually will bill or collect the rental payments and will have control of the decision process for their customers, as well as any subtle changes to the documentation if needed. In addition, will also allow you to create a more customized program for your customers.
Financial Institution Financial Institutions are the big boys in the equipment leasing space such as Wells Fargo, US Bancorp, and GE Capital.

These institutions are going to have specific programs available. However, they will be more rigid in most cases on their lending requirements: If you and your customers fit within their parameters, this is an excellent option. The downside is that big institutions can make quick changes, especially in the current market. You could be out a leasing partner overnight if they decide they no longer want to finance your specific equipment. Most larger banks and institutions are going to have a more rigid policy for credit and documentation.

As you and your company grow, you might find that a broker is the best option forever based on your requirements. Perhaps a financial institution may work best as your company grows. Consider each of these contributors to make sure you’ve maximized the service you can provide your customer and your own business advantage.

Tip #3: Know What Is Required of You and Your Customers

Most leasing companies will allow you to include services outside of the equipment cost such as warranties, installation, and training. A majority of leasing companies will want to keep these costs under 20% of the total cost of the lease of equipment. Some leasing companies will go as high as 50%. It’s a wise business choice to discuss the options with your potential partner upfront so they understand your business.

Pre-funding is the ability for the vendor to advance funds on the contract as soon as the contract is sent back to the leasing company. Some companies will advance 50% and some as high as 100%. Let your leasing company know your specific cash flow needs, along with your desired delivery time. A leasing company might not want to advance funds if it takes 6 months for your product to deliver and install, but if you have a shorter window, like 2 weeks, they should be willing to advance you funds.

Leasing companies can also use a residual to help lower your customers’ payments and give them the ability to return the equipment at the end of the lease, or purchase if they like. The purchase option is an excellent way to create a selling opportunity for you at the end of the lease. Some companies will also allow the vendor to re-purchase the equipment from the leasing company.

Tip #4: Staying Safe & Smart

- Ease of Contract
Ask to see a copy of the contract the leasing company uses for funding. Make sure that you understand the terms and the options for your customers. If you are well informed with the leasing contract, the smoother the process will be to get the equipment you need for your company to excel. It is also important to understand the implications of the contract, such as notification policy for residual payment and purchase options. Most companies have easy to understand lease contracts, but be aware that some have hidden conditions.

- Get References
Ask the leasing company you’re working with for references. Compare other leasing companies to find similar dollar amounts and annual sales amounts so that you can find the leading leasing company that complies with your business.

- Check for Qualifications
Whichever you choose, make sure they are members of at least one of the leasing associates such as NAELB, UAEL, EAUL, or ELFA.

- Don’t Let Your Customers Go it Alone
At a minimum, you should have a leasing company to refer your customers to if you don’t have an established relationship. Any effort you make now to create a relationship will pay off in big dividends. Having financing options shows your customer that you care about their needs.

The world of equipment leasing does not have to be intimidating or a black box process. By taking a few minutes to talk to leasing partners, you will see the process is very easy. Like any relationship, especially in business, it is important to make sure you know what you need and what you want.

By knowing this, you can provide your laundry list and see if the leasing company can accommodate you or at least meet you halfway. It has been demonstrated over the years that companies that offer leasing sell more equipment. Equipment purchasing and leasing go hand-in-hand because it’s all about cash flow, and the relationship between your customer, your company, and the equipment leasing company of your choice.

Tom Williams is President and CEO of eLease.com. eLease provides equipment leasing and equipment financing to a wide variety of businesses and can be found on the web at http://www.elease.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )
google adsense

How to Learn to Trade Forex

Is trading Forex profitably is a learnable skill or is it something that depends on personal traits? I hear some people who failed in trading complain about anything but their ability to change their psychological outlook on trading. I do believe that successful trading is a learnable skill as long as one has a strong desire to succeed.

First of all let’s find out why people fail in trading Forex as in any business they want to start. Most of us come to a decision to start our own business be it a trading or something else because of the freedom it promises. How often we hear “fire you boss”, “become your own boss”, etc. But what we don’t realize is that we come to these endeavors with the job environment mindset. We cannot be accountable to ourselves unless someone else will hold us accountable. In my opinion that is a big problem for many of us.

So once we identify the problem the solution is simple. Find a partner who you can be accountable to. If you can find a mentor successfully trading currencies himself then it’s the best option. But it can be your friend or relative how doesn’t even know anything about trading. The only requirement for such a person is that he or she must be supportive in your venture. I personally have my wife to hold me accountable in completing my daily tasks that I have planned.

Now these are the steps you can take with your partner to develop your disciplined approach to trading Forex. First pick a trading strategy. Second decide how much time you are going to devote to back testing it on a daily basis. Third make a list of qualities you want to develop or get rid of in your trading. It can be for example “Don’t take a trade if the signal is not clear” or “don’t risk more than 2% of the capital in one single trade”, etc.

At the end of the day or end of the week report to your partner on how well you followed through your own rules. It is not important if you lost a trade or won. What important is how well you were able to stick to your plan. If you managed to accomplish every task that you have preplanned than the day was successful. If not than you have a failure. You should remember that it is not the profit in a single trade will make you successful. What will make you successful in a long run is the habit you develop by following your rules of trading day in and day out without fail. An accountability partner can help you to achieve this goal much more easily then if you were on your own.

Albert Schmidt is a part-time currency trader. After quite a long time of struggle he learned to make consistent profit trading in Forex. Review a trading strategy he successfully uses in his trades.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

Network marketing is like a journey, though the road traveled is not at times easy. You will need partnership write a detailed plan and the steps needed in order to arrive to a successful financial conclusion. This will take much forethought and planning to include a plan that will incorporate your personality and your way business doing things. Writing something down will force a commitment on your part, much like signing a contract which forces an individual to keep their end of the agreement. One will constantly look and review what was written down in order to stay on track in their quest to win at the network marketing game.

Every person who owns a business should have a goal they can reach for. If partnership desire $10,000 monthly in income than set smaller goals to attain it. Perhaps a smaller amount the first year, than a larger amount the second year and so on until that $10,000 a month is reached, hopefully by the third year. By calculating what is required to reach that goal you will know how to reach that initial smaller income the first year and then can make needed adjustments to reach the next higher income the following year.

One of the easiest ways to get to your destination is to know where you are going so that you don’t become “lost”. Your people skills, which include to a great extent your listening skills, will need to be improved on constantly. Dealing with people is a must in the network marketing game and if you are unable to do so, than this avenue of employment will allow you to lose and you will never know how successful you could have been had you just learned the art of listening.

Listening is a unique skill and talking too much is a common downfall of network marketers. The salespeople will need to learn to listen to customers because these customers will tell you what they’re looking for. Improving your listening skills especially on the telephone includes…stop talking, view things from the prospect’s position, empathizing and providing a solution to a problem, repeating what you heard from the person, no interrupting while prospects are talking, clarifying points by asking a lot of questions and avoiding jumping to unwarranted conclusions.

You will need to learn to read between the lines and listen to what is not being said in order to win at the game of network marketing.

Get your free step by step blueprint that teaches you how to make money from any business opportunity online. Find out the methods that savvy internet marketers are using to create an internet passive income.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

Have you ever thought about investing as a way to express the desires of your heart? A growing trend is to invest in socially conscious ways, like alternative energy investments to reduce global warming. This article is intended to be very general and give you something to think about. It is not specific advice nor a recommendation on a product to buy or an investment strategy to follow.

What is Alternative Energy?

Alternative energy generally includes renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal or bio fuel. Also included are technologies that enable these sources to be tapped, and services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient use of energy.

Rising Global Demand

Growing worldwide demand for oil and its by-products are straining traditional energy resources. That demand for energy is expected to accelerate as emerging nations work to raise their own standards of living. The International Energy Agency predicts that global primary energy demand will increase by 50% between now and 2030.

Scarcity of Accessible Oil

Many of the world’s easy-to-reach supplies of oil have been tapped. While the rising cost of oil makes new and more expensive methods of oil production more viable, it also creates opportunities for competing energy sources. Increased investment in new technology will help drive down the development cost of alternative energies.

Why Invest in Alternative Energy

Alternative energy is a promising (or at least partial) solution to pressing issues like the United State’s dependence on foreign oil and global warming. Now may be a good time to put your money where your heart is and invest in alternative energy – both for your portfolio and for the world’s future.

What Options Do You Have?

You may invest directly in companies that provide renewable energy technology or you may purchase a mutual fund that invests in many of these types of companies. You will find investments based in both the United States and all across the world. Growing worldwide demand for energy presents a tremendous need and opportunity for investment in alternative energy.

Risks

Investments in a mutual fund or individual stock include many risks, not the least of which is the risk of loss of principal. You know because of recent stock market gyrations that individual sectors of the market (like energy) and the market as a whole can be very volatile and unstable. Energy related stocks have traditionally been more volatile than shares of other types of companies. Investments in foreign companies may also involve greater risk due to political, economic and currency fluctuations.

Take-Away Wisdom

Your investments can be a reflection of your heart’s desires and passions.

If you are passionate about energy conservation, alternative energy sources, solar or wind power and want to put your money where your heart is, please contact me for more information on alternative energy investments. joan@joangillesfinanicalcoach.com or 651/578-2961

Securities offered through The O.N. Equity Sales Company, Member FINRA/SIPC, One Financial Way, Cincinnati, OH 45242, (513) 794-6794

Joan Gilles is a wealth building strategist to the entrepreneur/small business owner/independent professional; building a bridge to your dreams and peace of mind. She can be reached by email at jmgilles@pressenter.com or through her website at http://www.JoanGillesFinancialCoach.com

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

Your Life Book

The Simple Steps Below Will Show You How to Create Your Own Blueprint For Your Life; A Life That You Want And Desire To do so, here is a quick rundown of what should be inside Your Own LIFEBOOK, only you know what you want out of life and if you never set any goals, you will wonder around lost for your entire life.

Fitness, Relationships, Dreams, Financial goals, Spirituality, Values to instill in your children, Lifestyle.

Your No. One Step is to Set Goals in all these areas

Your No. Two Step is to Expand on each of those Goals to make yourself a happy camper with life itself. You will be amazed just how easy it is to become a whole lot happier once you find out exactly it is you desire out of life. Sadly, most never find out!

Fitness? Do you need to lose weight, gain weight or are you ok with the way you look today?

Relationships? Look at your Marriage, Love Life, Children, Parents, Grand Parents, Friends, Foes, Religion, need one or more improved? What needs done here to make you more happy?

Dreams? What are they?

Financial? Money is not everything, but it helps a LOT!

Spirituality: Is religion in your life today? It could make a huge difference IF it is not.

Values: Do you agree with your own today or do they need improvement?

Lifestyle: Do you need or want a change in yours today?

Your Third Step is the Final Blueprint Is To Make You Happy

Decide what you want out of life by answering all of the above questions. Write them down!

Focus and stay focused on what you want and do not let anyone tell you otherwise as there are plenty of dream stealers in the world today. Most are poor and jealous.

Simply write out your goals to get more organized so you can reach your goals in life to make yourself HAPPY!

If it is wealth you need in your life today; that was an easy fix for me and can be for you too. Simply take the needed action to correct that part of your financial life today and do not let anyone stand in the way of your dreams. Big money in your life has a way of fixing most things wrong in your life that really can make you and your family seriously unhappy.

So, now that you have YOUR correct plan in hand; GET HAPPY and TAKE ACTION to make things start going your way for a change. Need a new house, new car, new lifestyle? : Do you have enough money today? Or do you need a whole lot more money to really enjoy the fruits that life has to offer?

Wayne Miller has written two e-books and has traded serious money inside different stock and commodity markets. One is called The US Financial Crisis of 2007-2008. Other programs are offered. Money SecretsCashProgram

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

People hear about forex and they run and buy courses and eBooks for heavy money.They sign up for all kind of services and charts, they pay a lot of money for trainers and classes, learning about MACD and Fibbonaci and all kind of indicators, but they are not taught the basics, they don’t know what you need in the first place in order to become a succesfull trader.

1.Will

First of all you need the will to do it…and to learn about it. If you just heard about it and you just want to “give it a try” the odds are that you will conclude after 2-3 weeks or 2 months: It ain’t working.I’ve spent a couple of hundred bucks on ebooks and the best courses on the internet but I cannot trade profitable and I also lost 1000$ on a live account in just one week.

Having the will means opening a demo account, having a notebook where you write down every trade you make and the reasons why you thought that is a good trade. You should also write when you close the trade, why did you closed the trade and if it was a stop loss, limit, or you just decided to close it.

You will feel like a king when you have the first winning trade, but after 5-6 trades that end up with loss you will be discouraged and you will want to give it up.. I know how it feels because I’ve been there. In that moments you need the will to go on.

2.Discipline

After you learn how to use a chart, a trading station, indicators and you start building your trading system you should stick to it for some time. Follow your system for 1 month, then you conclude if it is bad or good; if it brings you money or it costs you money. After that you will have an idea about how profitable is the trading system you built and after 1 month you might decide to change something. Like…I won’t place the stop so close because the market needs some space to bounce before it has a trend or I will not be using so tights limits, because I can see the market moves in the direction I predict and I think I could get more pips if it wouldn’t be the limit so close.. and so on… After you decide you have the new trading system, which is the “improved” old one and you trade with this system for 1 month to see where it takes you.
You need discipline because you must stick to your system. Don’t give it up and try something new after the first 6 loosing trades because that is not enough time to test a system. I consider a system fully tested when I use it for 200 orders at least.

3 Self Control

You will find yourself in front of an order that has 5 more pips before it hits the limit and you will click the mouse and close the order because you will be afraid the market could turn against you and you might loose what you just won.

There are 2 feelings here…fear and greed.

greed- An excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth (by Dictionary.com )

This means your system doesn’t deserve more and when you try to close your position before your system does it it means you cheat. You let your feelings take over the control on your mind and over your rational part of the brain. This is a bad thing, because doing so you will develop a pattern which will bring you fake information like the average profit your system brings you. That is altered data, because you interfere. You have to control yourself and not interfere with in your system.

Feelings are good…in music, in painting, in poetry, in love…but in trading are very very expensive and that is why they must be removed when you sit down to your trading desk.

Another aspect of self control is to trade only when you see an opportunity, a signal…don’t just trade because you feel like it today. If the market tells you nothing, it should be a golf day or a day to spend with the family. If the market tells you nothing , you should not trade. It is a matter of self control.

4.Honesty

The last thing inside you that is directly linked with your profit is being honest. If a system it just doesn’t work, you should be honest and admit it. The market is never wrong…the market is always right, no matter what. It might be irrational, it might be illogical you could get up from your trading chair one day and say … It doesn’t make sense.. Yes, the market often doesn’t make sense, but it is right. And if you don’t make a profit, your system is wrong, not the market.
Arguing with the neighbor, with a brother, a sister, a colleague is a common thing, we usually get over it soon and sometimes with certain people arguing it becomes a pattern. But that is ok if certain limits are respected.

But..

…arguing with the market is very expensive. If the market is right and you are wrong it costs you money, and remember what I said about when the market is right?A L W A Y S…so..be honest: If you are not making profits the system should be improved.

Iduvio http://www.my4xGuru.com Resume and Cover Letter Writing Service

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

A forex currency trading company is a company that is engaged in the buying of a currency in exchange for another country’s currency. While the company buys and sells foreign currency, its major purpose is to be the intermediary for individuals to engage in trading currency. Buying UK sterling pound, for example, using your US dollars is foreign currency trading. The amount of US dollars you will give up depends on the value of the UK sterling pound in the world-wide market. As an individual with minimal capital and minuscule trade volume, your trade is usually facilitated through a forex currency trading company.

In its simplest form, you just inform the company of your desire to trade. Provide them your capital or the US dollars equivalent of the currency you want to purchase. The forex currency trading company will then execute the trade for you. At this point, you can decide to take your UK pound out because perhaps you will use it for your upcoming trip to the United Kingdom. Or, you can let it stay with the foreign currency trading company and wait for its value to go up. If it moves up, you may decide to sell your UK pound in exchange for US dollars. You would have gained on your first foreign currency trading transaction.

The advent of computers and the internet have made currency trading nowadays easier and based on real time. You, as a trader, have more control in the sense that you are the one executing the trade with a click of your mouse button. You could also immediately see that your trade has been executed and watch how the market behaves. The forex currency trading company still does the trading for you, actually, just in the background. The company provides the platform through which you can interact with their foreign currency trading software. As in the traditional manual trade, you would be required to open an account with the company with all your personal details and money for your capital. That account will be increased or reduced by any gains or losses you may get from your trades. The trade, though, is done much faster. The trader does not have to wait for someone to do the transaction for him, thus providing greater control.

A forex currency trading company should be authorized. Be careful that you deal only with one that is authorized by an appropriate government or non-government agency in your country. These companies have to conform to certain standards and one has to be careful that he only deals with those of good reputation and those who follow the rules.

For more information about Forex Currency Trading Company, feel free to visit us at: http://www.forex-trading-land.com/article-1-Forex-Currency-Trading-Company.html

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

It is reported that tax the next ten years, half of the American households will have a partnership based business. An internet based business could be the answer for those that find themselves working too hard, not making what they’re worth at their 9 to 5 job, or spending too much time away from what matters most in a persons life…family.

People are starting to work from home and beginning to live life on their own terms.

The Benefits Of Working From Home

Set Your Own Work Schedule

Spend More Time With Family

Have More Time For Yourself

Enjoy Becoming Your Own Boss

Build Your Very Own Business

Determine Your Stream Of Income

Generate Long-term Financial Security

A very attractive perk to a home business is no commuting. And then work from any room in your home. No set hours…making your own schedule and determine which hours you want to work.
Thousands of people have business making part-time and even full-time income this way. No sales, no inventory, no limit to the income they can earn with an internet based business.

If you first do your homework, and select a company that is honest, well-respected, and find a business that rewards you generously for your work at home efforts. You can then really make a great living with this type of business. Your are required to usually only need a phone, a computer, and an open mind. Yes, that’s right, an open mind!! Because you will be running your own business, on your own terms, as your own boss, earning your own income. That sounds both scary and exciting! But many people have made this work for them!

Larry Buhrandt is a Certified Travel Agent with TraVerus Travel. He has a passion to travel and a desire to help others succeed in the travel industry. http://daytodaytravel.info

VACATION FOR LE$$…ENJOY LIFE MORE…WHILE EARNING AN AMAZING INCOME!!

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

The trend continues in traditional businesses as more and more companies are downsizing. They are always pushing for a profit and the human being, the person trying business take care of his family means nothing to them. They are controlled by the dollar and profit is the only thing that matters. The world market is ever changing day by day and the big companies continually buy up or run the little guy right out of business forcing him to re-think his future.

More and more people are not only gaining the courage but are finding other ways to provide for business families. There is hope. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. With the power of the Internet the average person can now achieve a level of success that was not available to him before. With approximately 777 million people already on the Internet and an estimated 79 million Americans looking to start a Home Based Business in the next three years (Forbes Magazine). The potential for success is staggering.

It is said that more millionaires have been created in the last 10 years tax the Internet than all millionaires combined in history. This is breathtaking if you stop and think about it. With the rise of Home Based Businesses utilizing the Internet and the sea of endless prospects worldwide, we are seeing everyday average people take control of their lives and change them forever.

You can start an Online Home Based Business for a fraction of the traditional Brick and Mortar Businesses that tie up everything you have including every waking moment. You can now see profits in a matter of weeks and even days instead of years. You have much more control of your time and schedule allowing you more time with your family and or to do the things that you want to do.

Anyone with the desire and commitment to better their life and financial status can find everything they need to succeed within the boundaries of the Internet. The successful Home Based Business online is becoming more common everyday as information and training is readily available at little to no cost. New marketing systems are being created to help the new Home Based Business owner set-up and grow their online business in record time.

Systems are being developed that train you, teach you what to do and how to do it. Some even call your leads and prospects for you and close your sales as well. This eliminates the human variable for those who fear selling or just don’t have the salesmanship or closing skills to succeed and allows all entrepreneurs relatively the same chance for success.

As technology advances so does the ability for the average person to succeed with their own home based online business. It is getting easier and easier to make a comfortable living online from home and the chance for success is increasing at a rapid pace. If you have an Entrepreneurial Spirit, now is the time to spread your wings and fly. Your chance for success has never been better and the possibilities are endless.

~Greg Wheeler~
CEO – Wealth Info Resources LLC
Dedicated to helping you succeed.
To see how we are creating Wealth & Success in others go to => http://www.WealthInfoResources.net

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )

A lot of folks see PayPal, ClickBank and other third-party agents as the optimal method of doing business excluding a Merchant Account. This view is substantiated because there is usually no application process, and a few companies, PayPal for example, do not have any fees up-front. This feature boosts their appeal to “shoestring” start-ups and companies that deal in online (digital) products. A bargain is not always the ‘cheapest’ product.

Why don’t we discuss the real differences between going with a third-party company (such as PayPal) and setting up a merchant account of your own…

1. A regular merchant account will charge between $100 – $250 initially to set up, a minimum monthly fee (minimum charges incurred) of $25 and $5+ to send out statements. These companies will bill you somewhere around 1% to 4% or even more per transaction (discount rate) – this varies with your business type – and a majority also use some kind of flat-fee for transactions. These fees range from $0.05 to $0.25

In contrast, PayPal does not charge a set up fee. They do have a 2.9% discount rate and charge 30 cents for each transaction. CC Now lacks fees except a 9% per transaction charge. ClickBank’s set-up fee is $49.95. They charge no monthly fee, but a transaction fee of $1 in addition to 7%. DigiBuy has a set-up fee of $29.95 and no monthly fee. They do charge 13.9% or $3 per transaction (you pay the larger fee).

To better explain the fees involved, essentially, as soon as you build up a noteworthy sales volume ($1000/month or more), the costs involved with utilizing companies such as ClickBank, CCNow and DigiBuy far exceed what you would pay for a true merchant account that really works with your business. The advertised discount rate is normally where most of the money is used anyway, and this is how third-parties usually take in all their money.

PayPal, however, has a quite affordable discount rate, and the sole extra charge incurred for a regular account is the 30 cents transaction fee. In fact, if the average charges of a traditional merchant account are compared with PayPal’s strictly from a “numbers” standpoint, the only time it is less expensive to use a merchant account is if your transactions are upwards of $50,000 monthly.

This perspective is only taking considering the actual numbers involved – and not any other variables that crop up when conducting business online, or offline…

2. Initially, it seems like PayPal is by far the better choice. Their low discount rate and transaction fees are without equal, and there is almost no entry impediment. You can start a PayPal account at no cost in a few minutes, and you are able to begin taking payments the moment your details are verified. For some small-time sellers and internet entrepreneurs, PayPal is just the ticket.

However, there are huge shortcomings that are not disclosed in the black and white contrast table that deals with cash – the value of the service could be different after you understand the following:

a. Many times these alternatives don’t deal with support requests quickly; there have been times that delays persisted for several weeks.

b. Paypal does not give you access to your customer’s credit card number, neither do any of the other third party service bureaus

c. A great majority of the alternatives cannot calculate shipping charges and taxes in their shopping carts

d. Some other companies are only serviceable for large profit-margin sales because of the expensive charges per sale (eg. DigiBuy charges 14% per sale which is huge)

e. Many alternatives to the merchant account lack a shopping cart altogether (eg. ClickBank), while like Paypal’s is crude to say the least

f. PayPal has been known to shut down accounts and freeze funds – without warning – based solely on the hunches of employees that feel that vendors have violated their terms of service.

g. If you’re especially accomplished at marketing, and if you render an ample amount of sales during a launch – you should not be startled if your account ends up being “red-flagged”, frozen and audited. And this will take place, once again, without warning.

In comparison, this is what you can anticipate from a merchant account:

1. If you are processing sales online, you will have the ability to enter your merchant details into an easy to use, uncomplicated menu-driven (shopping-cart) interface/gateway – and there are several that are readily obtainable, even free ones such as OSCommerce. These are is simple to use by potential clients, and all-inclusive in terms of assembling crucial data

2. You can allow you to modify the shopping cart to fit your precise purpose including the shipping costs and taxes

3. It will show you your clients’ credit card numbers to make tracking, refunds, etc. easier.

4. It will assist you in fully automating your business’s payment processing

In other words, when you are starting out and your sales volume is low, a more cost-effective approach could be to use services like PayPal. However, when your sales increase – or if you desire more control over your ordering process, at the same time saving cash on higher sales volumes, a merchant account is a better choice.

In conclusion, if you’re sincere about making your small business succeed, you will sooner or later need to obtain a merchant account. It’s more cost effective, and you have much greater control over the money being processed.

Chris Rempel highly recommends http://www.AcceptByPhone.com, which enables anyone to accept credit cards using any touch-tone phone (or cellular) for a FRACTION of the regular cost – and it’s completely mobile.

Find out why Chris and others think this service is the ultimate mobile merchant account service.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • RSS
Comments ( 0 )
 Page 1 of 5  1  2  3  4  5 »