This past week our domain was added to an email blacklist. We were removed from this list, but later re-added this weekend. Generally, blacklisting is used by email providers to combat unsolicited messages (SPAM). However, from time to time businesses that legitimately send large amounts of email get marked as “spammers” due in part to the volume of mail being sent. People who use free email accounts were particularly impacted by this blacklist and most likely did not receive their messages. We have currently resolved this with the blacklist and mail is again sending as normal.

We understand how important email is and we apologize for any inconvenience. We are continuing to work with the various groups and companies who collect and maintain blacklists to avoid this happening in the future.

Do you have big celebratory plans for International Fraud Awareness Week? What do you mean — NO? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

As you know, 2Checkout takes e-commerce fraud management very seriously and accurate and timely protection of your orders has always been a guarantee. But this week, to celebrate Fraud Week, we made our net even stronger.

2Checkout joined a global fraud-fighting community, powered by Ethoca – a leader in collaborative fraud management – to extend our fraud management services beyond our current system. Now, we have access to shared fraud data from a pool of online retailers designed to help augment our efforts in spotting and stopping fraudulent online behavior more efficiently, and guaranteeing less chargebacks related to fraud.

In partnership with our existing fraud detection technology, Ethoca will be an added layer of protection. The beauty of the system is that it not only red flags and records fraudulent findings from other retail sources but also helps identify honest customers as well, so they can receive a virtual “speed pass” through the clearance process and valuable departmental resources can remain focused on stopping criminal activity.

According to Sebbe Jones, Manager of Fraud Protection for 2Checkout, “Fraud protection isn’t just about stopping the bad guys. Providing a seamless and safe shopping experience for the legitimate consumer is equally, if not more important. Ethoca is yet another layer of security for us to ensure a safe shopping experience.”

We are proud to be an integral part of Ethoca’s network and are confident the model will help stamp out fraudulent transactions within the retail industry, resulting in substantial savings for customers and retailers selling online.

Years ago, I wondered why everything in the store, on television, and in the magazines ended in “.95 or .99”. Someone told me at that time, that it was to keep cashiers honest and force him or her to open the registers to make change (rather than pocket the cash handed to them). I’m not sure how true that story is, but it works and nobody has come up with a better explanation.

Assuming the above is true, is that pricing strategy valid in an online environment? After all, there are no cashiers, no change to make, and no register to open. Do people perceive a higher value when an item is priced with an odd number (19.95) versus an even number (20.00)? From the available research… yes it is.

The reason for this way of thinking is still unclear, and the object of some debate. Perhaps it looks “awkward” or the shopper simply stops at the first digit reading the “9” as lower than “10” – thus a greater value for the same product. Some people will say that a greater difference is perceived the higher an item is priced. For instance, 99.95 is registered as “less than 100.00” more than 9.95 is registered as “less than 10.00”.

Some merchants have taken this information and intentionally used even numbered pricing to target “higher end” customers – pricing something 200.00 rather than 199.95. The perception in this case, coupled with targeted marketing, and company focus gives the merchandise a perceived higher value or sometimes quality.

Pricing can be tricky. Pricing is critical for any business’ success. Having a clear idea of your target shopper and setting your price to be competitive, attractive, and profitable are key to the success of any business.

Sources:

Principles of Marketing – Setting Price

Julian Franklin

2Checkout vendors offer a wide variety of goods and services for sale online. They offer everything from hosted online services and downloadable software to tangible goods and services like home furnishings and even food items. Unfortunately, there are some products and services we are unable to support. A list of which we provide on our newly updated Prohibited Products List.

This updated list has improved readability and provides a greater level of detail about prohibited and restricted products.

If you have products or services you would like to sell online, and are considering 2Checkout for your e-commerce needs, please review our Prohibited Products List. If your products or services are listed as “restricted”, please contact our Risk department for more information.

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• 10 Questions Every 2Checkout.com Supplier Should Ask Themselves

Did you hear this last night? Then again, how could you have missed it? A fellow Ohioan dubbed “Joe The Plumber,” was mentioned repeatedly during last night’s United States Presidential Debate. In fact, he was referred to over 20 times by the two candidates. Earlier this week, Joe was filmed having a roadside rally conversation with Barack Obama regarding the election, the economy and small business taxes. He was concerned about the impact various tax plans have on small businesses and how it would effect his ability to prosper as an independent plumber in northwest Ohio.

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