An Internet News article reports that coupon use is becoming more and more popular when buying things online.

“The news comes at a time when online coupon use is experiencing unprecedented growth, as a new generation of bargain hunters — those who do not subscribe to newspapers or clip physical coupons — turn to the Internet for the convenience and vast selection realized by the digital format.”

This should not be surprising as more and more shoppers are looking to save money. Coupons have long been used to introduce new customers to products or a new store. As more shoppers turn to the Internet, it seems logical that coupon use would continue to grow.

Coupons are actually easy to integrate into an existing payment structure. Business week gives some very good example of how to integrate coupons with your existing marketing and payment programs. Some of my favorites are:

• Customer loyalty - Giving frequent shoppers a discount on future purchases
• Incentives - Giving an instant coupon to encourage a sale
• Increasing add-on sales – Using a coupon to sell related items

If you would like to use coupons on your site, we provide helpful “how to” articles on Creating a Coupon as well as Changing Existing Coupons . Share any thoughts you have on coupons with the Community.

We really do love our pets here at 2CO, and I bet you do too! I also know that we have some very talented artists who visit here. You can help us find our new mascot by sending us a picture of your pets or some of your art! Personally, I can’t wait to see the dogs and cats and birds and other assorted animal-friends as well as some really excellent art.

Guidelines:

• All photos/drawings must have a proper logo (2Checkout.com, 2Checkout or 2CO).
• Please keep all photos/drawings tasteful (no nudity/illicit behavior).
• Only one entry per person.
• You may submit your entry via email or mail.
• Entries must include your name, email address, supplier id (if applicable) and mailing address in your email or mailed entry.
• Only entries received on or before July 30, 2009 will be accepted.

Please submit all entries by mail to:

2Checkout.com
Attn: Mascot Contest
1785 O’Brien Rd.
Columbus, OH 43228

Or by email:

Mascot@2co.com

On May 12, “The Today Show” hosted Chris Lilly, the author of Big Bob’s BBQ Book. During the segment, Chris showcased his favorite grill, the Komodo Kamado, made by 2Checkout vendor Dennis Linkletter’s company. Nice going guys, and nice grill too!

I made a point to visit the Today Show’s website to get a copy of the Loaf-Pan Chicken. Now I just have to find someone to actually make it.

Join the discussion on the Komodo Kamado website.

Have you been mentioned in local, regional, national media? Let us know. We will be happy to share the news!

What is the difference between a refund and a chargeback? They both give the customer their money back, but there are substantial differences between the two. A chargeback is is a forced refund from a bank/credit card provider. Once a chargeback is issued, there is no way to refund a customer.

Probably the greatest difference is that when a bank/credit card provider intervenes on behalf of their customer, they charge the merchant a fee.  A refund, on the other hand is between you and your customer with no banking fees to pay.  Additionally, a refund is an immediate resolution to a customer’s needs. In many cases a customer will be satisfied with a credit toward a future purchase or a replacement for the item rather than a refund.

Too many chargebacks will eventually get a merchant account closed. In the case of 2Checkout, this means that our merchant account is the one at risk. To protect our merchant account standing, we do everything we can to lower the number of chargebacks we receive . Even though the bank/credit card provider intervenes, you still have the option to challence the chargeback. Since the process involved in challenging a chargeback can be quite time consuming and complicated, you may want to contact a customer about the chargeback to resolve any issues and potentially get the chargeback reversed.

As you see a refund allows you the opportunity to communicate with your customer, to come to a resolution, and to avoid additional banking fees.  This is one of the reasons why it is a smart business decision to include a clear refund policy on your website.

The Case Against Lower Prices -

In times of increased competition in a finite market, particularly when spending has been reduced, the question of how to increase sales arises. Economics and marketing provide us with many theories and strategies on how to make money – it is after all the basis of both areas of study.

There are different pricing models at odds here. One will tell you to offer the lowest price within your margins. This can result in higher short-term sales. That is, until your competition offers a lower price. What happens long-term with lowering prices? Does quality of the product/service lower as well? How about Customer Service and back end processes? If you eventually make only enough to just get by what parts of your business are you willing to sacrifice? Not to mention what happens when the economy stabilizes, how will your customers react when you start to increase your prices?

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