http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for card suppliers Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:43:53 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/card+suppliers http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-do-i-do-when-my-phone-card-expires http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-do-i-do-when-my-phone-card-expires#comments Fri, 25 May 2007 06:14:50 +0000 rechargetelstracard suppliersphone cardsheapsexpiry dateextra money http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-do-i-do-when-my-phone-card-expires heaps of minutes left on it? You feel like you've been conned.

There is a secret way around this!

Phone card suppliers make a significant portion of their profit from the unused minutes on a card when it expires. With some phone card suppliers this is the only profit they make because call rates are so competitive these days!

Phone cards have all sorts of different life spans. Some last as much as 12 months for example the Telstra Say G'Day phone card. Others can be as short as 30 days. The vast majority have an expiry date of between 2 =96 4 months after the phone card is first used.

So what do you do when you have used the phone card once and now it has expired? Here's a secret tip that no one wants you to know =96 recharge it.

You can recharge your phone card or add a little extra money to it. You do this by calling customer service, giving them your PIN number and asking them to add $1 or $2 dollars to your phone card.

When you recharge a phone card the life of the card starts again. So if it was initially 3 months and you recharge it the phone card will last for another 3 months. For example, if you bought a $50 phone card and it had $35 left but it expired then recharge or add another $2 making $37. This will then give you another 3 months to use your $37.

There is no minimum amount you need to recharge a phone card =96 so just ask for a small amount to recharge or top it up and you can then use all the minutes you have including the ones that were lost before the recharge.

This is the way to get your phone card activated again and get your lost minutes back! If you want more great tips on using your phone cards in Australia try visiting http://www.ephonecards.com.au for heaps of other excellent ideas and to compare phone card prices. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-great-wholesale-suppliers http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-great-wholesale-suppliers#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:27:14 +0000 contactwholesale supplierswholesale priceswholesale productswholesale businesswholesale priceresale license http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-great-wholesale-suppliers wholesale suppliers"? It is not different to find Wholesale Suppliers or Wholesale Products, or even Wholesale Prices. Read on to learn how to get started.

If you're ready to start your own wholesale business, you need to find supplier that will supply you with the products you wish to sell. However, when you're first starting out, you may find that this search takes time -- especially when you don't know where to start.

Before you even begin searching, you will want to apply for a resale license. This allows you to purchase products at wholesale prices and will also require that you keep records of your sales for review on a regular basis. Some suppliers will ask for this license number before they sell to you, so it's in your best interest to have this ready to go.

To start your search for suppliers, you may want to start going to local trade shows that are geared toward your industry. These are great resources for finding suppliers as the suppliers are there to specifically meet up with others that will buy their products. This will take a little mingling and business card swapping, but you will find out more from one afternoon at a trade show than you could by surfing the Internet.

A side note on looking for suppliers through the Internet: this is risky in many cases. Many online suppliers will act as though they are suppliers when they're actually middle men, so you're not actually paying the lower wholesale price that you could be. Why waste your money in this way when there are plenty of suppliers ready to serve you?

Another way to approach your search for wholesale suppliers to find products you like and read the labels to see who makes them. You can then take that information and get in contact with the manufacturer yourself. When you're out and about, look for products that you would like to sell, buy one, and find out who might be willing to sell it to you. The plus to this approach is that you're already seeing the product and what it looks like.

You will also want to join any local trade organizations in order to find out about suppliers that other businesses use. In addition, you will be able to make contacts throughout your chosen industry and be able to stay up to date on trade shows and other local business news. There's the added benefit as well of getting to hear about any suppliers that might not deliver on their promises.

And when all else fails, there's always the local phone book. Go to the industry or the product that you are selling to see if they have a whole sale supplier listed -- you may be surprised at what you find.

No matter which wholesale supplier you choose, you will want to make sure that they are a legitimate business by researching them with the Better Business Bureau. The www.BBB.org website is a great resource for finding out if there have been any complaints against a business or not. While there are some businesses that change their names frequently in order to not be on the BBB list, this is generally the best way to spot bad suppliers. Jorge Olson is a consultant, speaker and entrepreneur and owns several Wholesale Distribution companies. Learn more "Wholesale" by visiting his information packed website http://www.DistributionBusiness.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-most-bang-for-your-marketing-buck http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-most-bang-for-your-marketing-buck#comments Sun, 27 Aug 2006 18:27:12 +0000 emailcolor business cardcontactdollar for dollarfull color businesshttpguess http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-get-the-most-bang-for-your-marketing-buck dollar for dollar your most powerful marketing tool, your business card.

A typical business card has name, address, phone number, fax, and email? Guess what? Nobody cares! When it comes down to having to contact you your prospective customer will find a way. But you haven't even given them a reason to do business with you yet and you are already set to close the deal. You haven't conveyed why they should do business with you, what benefit they will receive from doing business with you, why they should do business with you vs. your competition, or why they should trust you.

All anyone wants to know is what you can do for him or her and how he or she will benefit from doing business with you. Period. Does your business card convey that message? The answer is probably no. If a prospect can't look at your card and tell you exactly what you do, why you're better than your competition and what benefit they will receive by doing business with you, then it's not doing it's job. Fire it!

There are two types of people that are going to get your business card. Those that you give it to, which means that you might have 60 seconds to introduce yourself, introduce your business, tell them the benefits of doing business with you, and build trust. The second type of person is he or she that receives your card down the line and doesn't know you from Adam (or Eve). You're not there to do the talking so you have to depend on seven square inches to generate new business for you. Can you depend on your business card to do that? You can if you have a custom designed full color business card. Not a card designed using a template that makes your business look generic, a custom designed full color business card that makes your business unique. Mark Hannah is President of Full Color Resources http://www.fullcolorresources.com, suppliers of custom designed full color business cards. Mark is also an authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach http://www.ducttapemarketing.com and committed to the success of small businesses. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-organic-food-suppliers http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-organic-food-suppliers#comments Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:15:00 +0000 organic fruits and vegetableshealth food storesfruits and vegetablesmeat and poultryorganic farmersfood suppliersclose proximity http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-organic-food-suppliers food suppliers from whom you can get your organic foods. This includes not only organic fruits and vegetables, but also organic meat and poultry, organic dairy produce as well as organic processed foods.

All of these things come under the heading of organic foods, and when you're looking to find organic food suppliers for your own needs, then you will have to take these into account as well. On the one hand, and depending on where you live, you have the option of going to the source to get your organic foods, but this will only work if you live in close proximity to organic farmers.

If you do live near an organically run farm, then you have will most likely not have a problem obtaining your organic produce and things. However, since an organic farm will only be able to produce a limited number of organically grown items, it does behoove you to find other organic food suppliers who will be able to look after your other organic needs.

If on the other hand you live in a big city which is miles away from the nearest organic farm, you will have to look around for your organic food suppliers. The best place for you to look would be your local food chain or supermarket, but it's not guaranteed that these places will a) have organic foods to begin with; and b) whether they will have a wide range of organic products for you to choose from.

That said, your next option when looking at organic food suppliers is to locate your nearest health store, make certain that it sells organic foods items and go there for all your organic food needs.

This option however, comes with a few drawbacks, the largest one being the elevated price. Not all health food stores will be expensive, but to a very great extent many health food stores carry food items which are costly, and when you throw in the word "organic" into that mix, it just drives up the prices. Organic foods are costly enough without having to add health food store prices into it as well.

Another option for you to take, and this does seem to be your best option is to go through the many online organic food suppliers to get your organic food needs. Here you will find that you have a larger array of organic foods to choose from as well as a larger number of organic food suppliers to choose from. Author's sites: http://www.easyhomeremedy.com , http://www.myanxietyguide.com , http://www.home-remedies-for-heartburn.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/8-dangers-of-using-phone-cards-to-call-overseas http://www.artwoo.com/article/8-dangers-of-using-phone-cards-to-call-overseas#comments Wed, 06 Jun 2007 01:30:01 +0000 phone cardssurcharge feecard supplierscalling cardssurchargescard supplierunsuspecting customers http://www.artwoo.com/article/8-dangers-of-using-phone-cards-to-call-overseas card suppliers come up with all sorts of ways to make their phone cards look cheaper. Unsuspecting customers generally buy their phone cards based only on the per minute cost of the phone call.

Calling card suppliers know this and try to hide the cost of the phone call in charges other than the call rate. These charges all add up to make the cost of the phone call breakeven after an average length phone call.

Some of the more common ways of hiding calling costs are:

=95 surcharges =95 peak rate call charges =95 monthly charges and weekly or daily maintenance or service fees =95 quick expiry =95 automatic recharge =95 frequent or timed disconnections =95 large billing increments =95 credit card transaction fees

The surcharges are not the same as a connection or flag-fall fee. A surcharge is generally related to the length of a call and charged at a set time interval after you start speaking, so for example after 5 or 10 minutes a fee of 40c may be charged. This is because not everybody's call is an average length and so the surcharge fee recovers the money for the cheaper call rate. This surcharge can vary depending on the destination you are calling.

If you buy a phone card based on off-peak rates it means it is only really the best card for you during the off-peak period. Most often these off-peak periods are the most inconvenient time of day like 3 am. They are cheaper because the phone card supplier can buy minutes cheaper when no one wants them. You should always buy your caling card based on comparing the peak call rates. That way you are buying the cheapest phone card for when you will actually be using it.

Some calling cards apply a daily, weekly or monthly service fee that eats away at your credit even when you are not using the phone card. With these phone cards it is better to buy the smaller denominations like $5 or $10 and use the whole phone card in one or two calls.

Phone cards have a life lasting from 1 to 12 months. After this they expire and any credit remaining unused on the phone card is lost. The average life of a phone card is 3 months. Any phone cards with a very short life of less than one month should be avoided.

You should be sure to check that your phone card is for a single purchase and that it doesn't automatically charge your credit card again when it is empty to top up or replenish the minutes on the phone card.

If your phone calls drop out after a certain time and this is at the same point each time it probably has a call duration limit. These are often set to 1 or 2 hours. If they frequently drop out at random times this is due to poor line quality. Limited call durations are not only inconvenient but can be very costly if a fixed call duration is combined with high connection fees. You keep getting disconnected and when you redial you are charged another connection fee.

Usually phone cards are billed in one minute increments. This means that if you talk for two and a half minutes you will be charged for 3 minutes. Your standard telecom landline service is generally billed in 1 or 6 sec increments. Some cards bill in 10 minutes increments which means you need to talk for 10, 20 or 30 minutes to get the best value from the card. If, for example, you talked for 13 minutes your call would be rounded up and you would still be charged for 20 minutes!

Make sure you are not charged a transaction fee when you buy your card using a credit card. Sometimes you only see this on your credit card statement a month later. It will generally be about an additional 2% fee to recover the merchant processing fees the bank charges the phone card supplier for using their processing facilities.

To choose the right phone card and be informed of these hazards you need all your phone cards compared and reviewed on the same basis. Ephonecards provides this service free for the most reliable phone cards in Australia.

Another danger you must be aware of is that if you loose your phone card the company will not replace it. This is because someone else can find it and use the remaining balance. You should keep a record of the PIN number in a safe place in addition to details printed on the actual card. With online suppliers like www.ephonecards.com.au your PIN numbers are kept online in your account as well as being sent to you by email so you always have access to the PIN even if you loose it. Ephonecards shows you how to avoid dangerous http://www.ephonecards.com.au/ phone card hazards and makes comparing and http://www.ephonecards.com.au/ choosing calling cards quick and simple. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-nightmare-of-credit-card-debt-and-how-to-beat-it-through-debt-consolidation http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-nightmare-of-credit-card-debt-and-how-to-beat-it-through-debt-consolidation#comments Tue, 06 Mar 2007 00:27:07 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-nightmare-of-credit-card-debt-and-how-to-beat-it-through-debt-consolidation 'Credit card debt' is a much discussed topic in the commercial and social circles. A big section of the population has been bit by this bug called 'credit card debt'. Can't blame them much; as such, it's pretty easy to fall prey to this bug.

The main reason behind so many credit card casualties (rather credit card debt related casualties) is that many people don't understand the concept of credit cards properly. They treat credit card as free money that is never to be returned. Thus all the discipline, which would otherwise have been exercised with spending hard-earned money, goes for a toss.

That means people overspend and get into credit card debt. They keep spending till they reach the credit limit on their credit card. Some people go to the extent of treating that like a game and consider it a defeat (or consider their credit card under utilised) if they don't hit the credit limit quick enough.

These unnecessary spends result in a situation where they are not able to payback their credit card bills and end up paying interest on the amount they owe. This keeps building up their credit card debt and they soon find that the interest component has become a regular feature in their monthly expenses and it is there even if they spend nothing on their credit card. That is credit card debt on the prowl.

Soon they find that their current credit card can no longer handle their needs and start looking to get another credit card. With the new power of credit, they let themselves loose again and follow a 'shop till you drop' routine. Soon the credit limit of the new credit card is reached too and they again default on payments. This is how credit card debt builds.

Soon they learn about credit card debt consolidation and other credit card debt elimination techniques. They are quick to grab such credit card debt reduction techniques, but that's not because they are serious about reducing their credit card debt but because of the attractive low APR offers. As if it were booty, they again get back to building up their credit card debt. All the while they are spoiling their credit card rating and they soon realise that no one is ready to lend them money because of their credit history.

They can only get a secured credit card now (where you first deposit money into your credit account and then only you get the privilege of spending it (50-100% of it) using their credit card. Credit card debt collection agencies, auction of their goods and bankruptcy is the next thing that hits them and their dream run is blown away in a moment.

The moral of the story -- "Understand the concept of credit cards and treat credit card debt with all seriousness". Now we will shift our attention to Credit Card Debt Consolidation.

Credit card debt is a nightmare of a problem and unfortunately there a lot of people who face this today (and if others don't pay heed, they might get trapped into credit card debt too). Credit card debt consolidation is generally regarded as the most important step in credit card debt reduction and elimination.

So what is 'Credit card debt consolidation'?

Credit card debt consolidation is the process/strategy to consolidate debt from multiple credit cards into lesser number of credit cards (ideally one or two credit cards). Credit card debt consolidation is sometimes also referred as a balance transfer where you transfer your balance on one credit card to another credit card. Generally, the balance transfer (or credit card debt consolidation) is done from credit cards with higher APR to credit cards with lower APR. Credit card debt consolidation can also be achieved by going for a bank loan (at a lower interest rate) and using that towards paying the debt on the higher APR credit cards. This loan is then paid-back to the bank in the form of monthly installments.

As you would have noticed, a lot of credit card suppliers and banks keep coming out with attractive offers for Credit card debt consolidation (or balance transfers). There is no dearth of 0% APR offers for credit card debt consolidation. However, credit card debt consolidation is a serious exercise and you must exercise caution so that you don't get into deeper trouble.

When going for credit card debt consolidation, you must properly analyze the offers from various banks and credit card suppliers. Check the time period for which 0% APR is being offered and also the APR that would be applicable after the lapse of that period. Generally, 0%APR is valid for a 6-12 month period only. So, if you are confident of paying back a considerable amount of debt in that period, this kind of credit card debt consolidation will work for you even if the APR (post 0% period) is a bit higher.

However, if that is not the case, the long term APR is going to be the most important thing for you. If the long term APR is more than the APR for your current credit card, this kind of Credit card debt consolidation will be futile for you. Also, check processing charges etc before you actually go for balance transfer or credit card debt consolidation with another supplier/bank. Another good idea is to check with your current credit card supplier and see if they can offer a lower APR to you in order to help you in clearing off your debt (you would be surprised that they do oblige at times and hence eliminate the need for credit card debt consolidation).

It's important that, with credit card debt consolidation, you also inculcate good spending habits; otherwise credit card debt consolidation would really be of no use to you. Discover some stunning facts about credit cards and credit card debt that will save you heaps of cash. Find the best online credit card deals and get help deciding which deal is right for you: http://creditcardpro.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-drop-ship-suppliers-and-wholesale-distributors-cant-find-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-drop-ship-suppliers-and-wholesale-distributors-cant-find-you#comments Wed, 13 Sep 2006 06:27:09 +0000 drop shipping servicessearch engineshome based businessescontactwholesale suppliersrelationshipinbox http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-drop-ship-suppliers-and-wholesale-distributors-cant-find-you search engines you will find Home Business Starter Kits, Wholesale Outlets offering Drop Shipping services on over priced products, a hand full of get rich quick schemes which never work, and a giant directory of middle men posing as Wholesale Suppliers and Drop Shipping Suppliers.

The reason that real Wholesale Suppliers and real Drop Ship Suppliers cannot find you is because they do not have the money allocated to market their services and product line to small home businesses. They spend their marketing expenses on promoting their new products to their current retailers, maintaining a good business relationship with what is bringing in the guaranteed revenue. Ask anyone in marketing and they will tell you that a business will always protect its investment into its customers because trust has already been established from the customer who brings repeat business and more sales.

The biggest misconception I receive in my inbox is that Wholesale Suppliers and Drop Shipping Suppliers do not have time to waist on small home based businesses and care little for those sales. This is far from the truth and I will give you one good reason why; Consistency. A good relationship, be it with a consumer or another business, is very critical for maintaining that trust that has grown. If a Wholesale Supplier or a Drop Shipping Supplier can consistently send goods and maintain a positive relationship with their clients their growth is limitless, along with their client base.

You must find them though, and once you contact a real supplier, you will see that they will give you the same consistent product and customer care solutions that any other professional organization would expect. Finding them is never easy, especially if you are looking for a certain type of product or certain kind of supplier. Trade shows are typically unsuitable to the needs of most new home business entrepreneurs which can make it even more difficult to find suppliers for a new home based business. A link can be found on the main page of my website labeled Product Sourcing which outlines the Top 5 things you should know about Product Sourcing and has a couple of directories comprised of real suppliers which were found at trade shows who are ready and willing to do business with small home based ecommerce businesses.

In conclusion, real Wholesale Suppliers and real Drop Shipping Suppliers just do not have a budget to promote their services and products to new clients, especially small home based businesses. Jason Collins - Expert in Product Sourcing and Market Research for Home Business http://www.sellersreference.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/product-sourcing-for-wholesale-suppliers-and-distributors http://www.artwoo.com/article/product-sourcing-for-wholesale-suppliers-and-distributors#comments Sun, 18 Feb 2007 22:27:02 +0000 product sourcingwholesale suppliersshipping methodswholesale supplierflexible methodnavigation barsounding http://www.artwoo.com/article/product-sourcing-for-wholesale-suppliers-and-distributors
Trade shows are a very good way to come out with a lot of information about a lot of different companies selling products. Be prepared when you attend a trade show by knowing what your market research has shown you about specific products for your niche. While you are there pick up anything you do not know much about and research it later, you may run into an idea. Trade shows are typically held at a convention center in most major cities throughout the world and the dates of these events can be found at export.gov/tradeevents.html

Buying Information from a Product Sourcing Expert

If you do not have the time or money to attend trade shows you may want to consider sourcing products from a product sourcing expert. This is a very flexible method because you can get immediate information on wholesale suppliers and distributors for certain types of products with specific shipping methods. When searching for a product sourcing expert you want to consider how credible their sources are. How far their reach is and how much information they can offer you. Some product sourcing experts may only have sourced products in certain markets and may have some really good suppliers in mind for that market but fail to support anything else related. From my website is a link labeled product sourcing in the navigation bar which can tell you the top 5 things you need to know about product sourcing.

Contacting Wholesale Suppliers

If you are not used to contacting suppliers and knowing what questions to ask then you may want to practice on some companies you have found at trade shows that you don't really care to do business with. The two most important questions to ask when contacting a wholesale supplier are:

What shipping methods are offered?

What are your products prices?

Always be professional sounding and never to casual and relaxed. Being prompt and to the point lets them know that this is about business and you are not wasting their time. Sending a letter or an email after you have contacted these wholesale suppliers lets them remember you and can give you positive recommendations for your better suppliers. Jason Collins - Ecommerce Home Business Solutions http://www.sellersreference.com http://www.sellersreference.com/wholesale_distributor.html ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/does-your-company-need-a-business-credit-card http://www.artwoo.com/article/does-your-company-need-a-business-credit-card#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2007 07:40:00 +0000 business credit cardcredit card statementwithdraw money fromoffice necessitiesdocumentary evidencereceiptextension credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/does-your-company-need-a-business-credit-card business credit card. If you haven't considered getting one for your company, you might change your mind after reading about the various advantages of having one.

Benefits of Having a Business Credit Card

Accounting Made Easy =96 If you obtain a credit card for your company, you can use it to purchase and spend for all office necessities. Afterwards, you'll only have to refer to your credit card statement to know how much you've spent for the month. With a business credit card, there's no need to ruffle through various bills every time you need to check your company's balance.

Paper Trail =96 When you pay someone or for something with cash, there's a chance that you won't be issued a receipt because you received the goods by COD. Such a thing, however, can't happen when you're using a credit card because payment by credit card can't happen at any place that doesn't issue a receipt. As such, every cent spent for your business will be supported by documentary evidence.

Quick and Easy Delegation =96 If you assign your manager to handle the purchasing side of your business for this month, you can simply provide him with a supplementary or extension credit card to what you have and he'll quickly be able to complete the task at hand. Upon receiving instruction, your manager can immediately buy the things you've specified without having to withdraw money from the bank or wait for you to issue him a check.

Safer Purchases =96 There's every chance that your assistant can get robbed while he's on the way to your supplier's warehouse and when he has a lot of money with him for payment. There's little chance, however, for your company to suffer from financial setback if you're using a business credit card, and especially if it has a photo printed on its surface.

How to Apply for a Business Credit Card

Are you convinced about the usefulness of a business credit card then? If so, then here are the 5 important C-factors that you should consider when applying for one:

Capital =96 How much capital does your business have? This factor will greatly influence how much credit a credit card company would give you.

Capacity to Make the Payments =96 Simply put, do you have the means to pay off your credit card balance regularly or in a monthly basis? If you already have a personal credit card, the company that you've applied for a business credit card may look on your credit history to verify your credit trustworthiness.

Collateral =96 In the event that you become a delinquent payer, are there any company assets that the credit card company may confiscate, sell, or liquidate as payment for what you owe?

Condition =96 What terms and conditions will be specified for your contract?

Character =96 This is about the character of your company, its reputation inside and outside the financial industry. Naturally, a credit card company would prefer to transact with a business firm that has a proven track record and known for dealing ethically with its creditors, suppliers, employees, and of course, its clients.

Be sure to determine what type of business credit card you wish to apply for beforehand. Think carefully on whether your business would benefit more from a low interest credit card or one that's reward-based because this can save you a lot of money in the long run. Mario Churchill is a sales person and website owner. He manages a website, http://www.usa-credit-card-guide.com, where you can find the best credit card offer for your needs and apply for a credit card today! ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-and-evaluate-printer-cartridge-suppliers http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-and-evaluate-printer-cartridge-suppliers#comments Thu, 18 Jan 2007 02:27:02 +0000 inkjet cartridgesprinter cartridgestatistical validityprintersprinter cartridgescartridge modelink supplier http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-compare-and-evaluate-printer-cartridge-suppliers printer cartridge suppliers. They all used different methods of testing their cartridges, and the specifications from one couldn't be compared with another.

This has changed in the last couple of years, however. In mid-2004 most of the top ink suppliers started to work under the International Standards Organization's requirements for testing monochrome inkjet cartridges.

The ISO is recognized for developing standards for many different industries to offer a standardized, unbiased way of comparing or rating products.

With the ISO standards for printer cartridges, it give the consumer a reliable way of comparing brands and manufacturers of ink. The reported yield from their cartridges are all determined using the same methods, so the numbers are directly comparable.

The following are the things that are specified in the ISO standard:

- The test prints must use the printer's default settings - The tests are performed under strict temperature controls - Both the cartridges and the printers used for testing must be available to the average consumer - 9 of each cartridge must be tested for statistical validity - 3 cartridges must be tested on 3 different printers to eliminate a single printer causing the numbers to be skewed

Aside from raw numbers, you should also consider some other things when deciding on your ink supplier. These things include delivery, reliability, and general quality. It won't matter if a supplier has the best price if they can't get your cartridge to you on time or it's hit or miss whether it will work properly.

If you do a fair bit of printing, you can also keep your own notes about different suppliers to see which ones last the longest and are the most cost efficient. It never hurts to have more than one supplier you can deal with, in case they are ever out of stock of your particular cartridge model. Frank Bolsom reviews printer cartridge suppliers for the Inketeria website. For more helpful tips and advice for saving money on your printer ink, visit http://www.inketeria.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-your-own-business-and-succeed http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-your-own-business-and-succeed#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:39:58 +0000 baseball memorabiliafreelance copywritingtarget marketstarting your own businessbuilding relationshipsworker beeol time http://www.artwoo.com/article/start-your-own-business-and-succeed Starting your own business is every worker bee's dream come true. There's no more boss to answer to, no more rules to abide with, and no more frustrating expectations like promotions or salary raises that never came. All it takes is a bright idea, guts, and hard work to start your own business and become your own boss. Of course, you can't achieve the glory you so long for without networking and building relationships with the right people.

The Spark

To build a business from scratch, you need a bright idea. Often, this bright idea is no more than a spark at the start, but one that you can eventually build up into a roaring flame of success. How do you find this spark? More often than not, it's already there. You just need to acknowledge it and work on it.

The most successful businesses are those started by entrepreneurs who know a thing or two about their idea. Consider the things you're interested in and know a lot about. If you like to write, why not start a freelance copywriting service? Or, if you're into baseball and can recite statistics from the 1930s in your sleep, you're in a good position to build a business based on baseball memorabilia.

Your business is going to require a lot of hard work and guts on your part. If you go for something that you're passionate about, however, you won't even notice that you're working hard and pouring your guts out at all. It will just seem like you're having a grand ol' time. This enthusiasm will rub off on your potential customers and target market. And because everyone wants to deal with an entrepreneur with a passion, you'll find them coming back for more - and maybe even recommending a new customer or two!

Reaching Out

Most successful businesses are well-placed, meaning, they know the right people. These 'people' could range from suppliers to customers to advertisers to competitors, even. Good entrepreneurs build networks, and it's from that network that they become authorities and experts, gaining a following of customers.

How do you network? First and foremost, you will need suppliers to provide the products that you're selling, or the tools you need to offer your service. Go for the best suppliers in the industry and treat them well. Be friendly, but not overly so. If you build relationships with suppliers, you'll find yourself with the best pickings. The same goes with advertisers. Happy advertisers will have nothing but good things to say - and advertise - about your business.

You can also take the time to attend conferences related to your industry. This is a good way to meet your competitors. Keep the competition friendly and do play fair in order to gain the respect of your peers. You can also use conferences to meet other entrepreneurs with businesses that complement your business, rather than compete with it. This way, you can form alliances, making each of your businesses better than the competition.

Most of all, treat your customers well. Provide excellent customer service and always be on top of their needs. Satisfied customers are your best advertisement yet.

Indeed, no matter how daunting starting a new business venture can be, it can be made successful with enough know-how and determination. Before you know it, you'll be on top of your game. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to have only the best tools of the trade. Invest in a business card case (http://www.executivegiftshoppe.com/business-card-holders.html), Cross pens (http://www.executivegiftshoppe.com/cross-pens.html), or women's leather briefcases (http://www.executivegift ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-is-a-minute-not-a-minute http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-is-a-minute-not-a-minute#comments Sat, 26 May 2007 03:25:01 +0000 phone cardsemailcustomer support numbercard companiesinternational phone callapplescard suppliers http://www.artwoo.com/article/when-is-a-minute-not-a-minute phone cards never seem to have the minutes they promise! You always feel like you have been ripped off.

That's why good customer support is so important. When something goes wrong with the card it is incredibly frustrating if you can't get it resolved. Make sure you can phone and speak to someone at customer service or that they respond to your email quickly. Try ringing their customer support number before you buy their phone card to test if they answer or respond quickly.

So why do you not get what you pay for? The long distance international phone call marketplace is extremely competitive. So the different phone card companies come up with a whole lot of unusual tricks and gimmicks or ways to present their product so that they look cheaper.

To really be able to determine which phone card to use you need to have access to a resource such as www.ephonecards.com.au that compares all the phone cards on the same basis. This includes using peak call rates and not off-peak calls rates and providing standardised information on each card in a "more info" section. This enables you to compare the phone cards on the same basis =96 apples with apples.

The most common marketing techniques used by phone card companies include:

=95 using off-peak rates to compare call rates. These call rates are generally at some ungodly hour in the middle of the night when no one makes phone calls!

=95 having connection fees that kick in after 5 minutes and then every 10 minutes. This way when the phone card is being compared it appears to have no connection fee =96 actually it is just hidden.

=95 using variable call rates so that after the first 10 minutes the call rate goes up by 50% or more. Again when comparing phone cards it looks cheaper against the other call rates. Make sure the call rate is a flat rate 24 hours/day and stays the same throughout the call.

=95 the card expires quickly =96 in less than 30 days. Phone card suppliers make a significant portion of their profit from the unused minutes on a card.

=95 applying a service or maintenance fee that gets charged once a week or every 4 days. You may suddenly find your phone card minutes have gone down without you using it!

If it looks to good to be true it usually is. The most important thing you can do to make the right choice is find a resource that compares apples with apples in a standardised methodical way and that your information source is not tied to any one particular product. If you need a free resource in Australia that provides standardised comparisons of phone cards and that is not tied to any one particular phone card supplier try http://www.ephonecards.com.au. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-guide-to-a-low-interest-credit-card http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-guide-to-a-low-interest-credit-card#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 05:15:25 +0000 credit card issuerscredit card loanshigh interest rate credit cardshigh interest rateinterest cardsrate credit cardscash back bonus http://www.artwoo.com/article/your-guide-to-a-low-interest-credit-card interest cards while they want to get credit card for their own self. Credit card suppliers advertise the low interest cards more than any other type of credit cards.

Yet, should the low interest cards be only ones on list while you are looking for the credit card? Most likely not, for a few people, the interest rate or APR is perhaps most significant thing to look for while selecting credit card. But, that does not hold good for everybody. The low interest cards are good and should certainly be on the list, however APR is not an only thing that you need to look for.

Main purpose of the low interest cards is for transferring the balance from high interest rate credit cards to interest free cards in order to save some money on the interest cost. They are as well used to make very large purchases and important to clientele who plan to consolidate the credit card loans and carries balance every month. The credit card issuers will charge some fee to do balance transfer. As this fee differs from one bank to other so it is good thought to shop over for best deal. The customers with outstanding credit can demand to have transfer fee get waived.

The low interest card can be extremely versatile since they have same feature to standard card. Same features can be cash back, bonus miles, rewards, no annual fee and more. Thus, comparing the credit card features is extremely significant since it allows you find a card, which will meet your lifestyle as well as one that can save most money on the interest expense. Best way to save the interest is paying outstanding balance off every billing cycle. The credit card companies generally waived interest charges if entire exceptional balance is been paid on the time every month. If an outstanding balance is not been paid in full every month then credit card companies can charge the interest on complete outstanding balance from date of every purchase. Lots of customers are not monetarily able to capitalize on the interest savings just by paying off entire balance every month. Thus next most excellent way to save on the interest cost is using low interest card to make the purchases and carry outstanding balance.

People with bad credit pay extremely high finance charges and various fees. Having good credit rating can avoid financial burden, which come with having the poor credit. Thus to apply for low interest card, you need an excellent credit card rating. The credit card companies will change interest rate on low interest card at any given time for dissimilar reasons. These reasons can include making the late payment, bad payment history with the other creditors, and applying for much credit or else they will simple change interest rate for not any reason. Your financial achievement will depend on how you make use of and manage the credit cards. As long as you're responsible with your credit card, you shouldn't even have to worry about the low interest rate.Find high interest savings information and credit cards all at GOtalkmoney, where you can find more of Tom's work.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/application-of-business-credit-card-in-corporate-company http://www.artwoo.com/article/application-of-business-credit-card-in-corporate-company#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2007 12:35:00 +0000 business credit cardbusiness credit cardscredit card businessaccepting credit cardcredit card setuptargettypes of credit cards http://www.artwoo.com/article/application-of-business-credit-card-in-corporate-company accepting credit card for business is the value of the credit card. Many people do not choose to request a credit card of businesses because except having a definite target for the owners of businesses or the businesses director it seems to be complicated to employ. Although a credit card of businesses has more conditions and has more raised interests compared with other types of credit cards there is, contrary to the common design, it can very useful if be used correctly.

What is the big deal of business credit card? Basically, business credit card is for the business people's consumption. Compared to the regular credit card setup, a business credit card has a high limit plus low interest rates. Depending on the manner of choosing, a business credit card may also bring a lot of automatic benefits. There are come bank which also offer free business credit cards for the eligible owners.

Since it is targeted towards businessmen or those people who are heading towards building a business, a business credit card can definitely benefit these small businesses. A business credit card helps the budding business by extending payments while improving the cash flow. Aside from bearing the image of a dependable credit card, business credit card boasts of having detailed reports and giving quality customer service as its major trademarks.

Aside from having limits and low interest rates, a business credit card provides many alternatives and numerous credit options for small businesses. A business credit card also caters to large corporations that are crafted to aid those people who are starting with their own business to grow while closely monitoring the baseline of credit.

Except having limits and low interest rate of interest, a credit card of businesses provides many solutions of replacement and many options of credit for small companies. A credit card of businesses also supplies at the large companies, which are brought to help these people who are starting with their own businesses to develop all in narrowly supervising the base line of the credit.

It really pays to go to the bank when one applies for a credit card to get the chance to answer all immediate inquiries. But since business credit card is for business people who are always on the go, many business credit card issuers offers online applications for business credit cards. When one applies for a business credit card, there is no need to visit the bank. There is also no need to wait in the queue just to talk to a bank representative. When you apply business credit card online, all you have to do is to select the business credit card option that would perfectly suit your small business or corporate credit requirements right from the comforts of your home or office.

Aside from offering safe, secured, and simple processes that are designed help you take care of your starting business, most business credit cards online offer accessible features for the convenience of the business credit card holder like the online payment and reporting. Customized company logos and access to instant cash are also available on line. Other business credit card online offers detailed reporting features for easy monitoring and access.

Although the value majority of offer of transmitters of credit card of businesses of large occupies itself, it is very important to seek initially what makes your needs for businesses. If your credit card of businesses is meant to invest in the inventory or right for the book of pay, it is significant to seek a flexible credit card of businesses, which can handle anything almost. If you choose outward journey directly at the bank or to request a credit card of businesses on line, a certain number of suppliers of credit card of businesses of minister are there to help you to find the product right of credit card so easy and convenient like possible. Discover tips on accepting credit card for business and get instant approval by visiting Credit Card and Financial Tips section of http://www.tips.com.my , the most popular video article directory. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-snatch-a-good-credit-card-deal-even-if-you-have-bad-credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-snatch-a-good-credit-card-deal-even-if-you-have-bad-credit#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2007 02:27:02 +0000 credit card dealscredit card dealbeneficialcredit cardslifestylerebatesgrocery chains http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-snatch-a-good-credit-card-deal-even-if-you-have-bad-credit credit card deal'. So if you happen to be looking for a credit card at that moment, do you just go with what your friend has told you as a good credit card deal?

Let's check what one can term as a good credit card deal. A credit card deal is good if it works for you. So, if the credit card fits into your lifestyle in a way that rakes in maximum benefits for you, that is a good credit card deal. The most important thing to realize here is the word 'your' as in 'your lifestyle'. So logically speaking there is nothing like a good credit card deal.

What it is - is good credit card deal for 'you' i.e. the individual who is going to use that credit card. This is because the lifestyle and the needs differ from person to person (and that is precisely the reason why every credit card supplier offers so many different kinds of credit cards). It might be true in some cases (where the lifestyle of two individuals/friends is similar) that the credit card deal which is good for one be good for the other too, however, this is just in a few cases.

You can always check with your friend who has recently got a credit card deal, since that might cut down the time needed for researching/hunting-for a good credit card deal. However, it's really a matter of evaluating your own needs. If you travel a lot and to far off places by air, a card that offers you good rewards/rebates/benefits on travel would comprise a good credit card deal. Sometimes the airlines themselves have their own credit card issuing/supplying company from where you can get a good credit card deal.

For people shopping at a particular retail store or a shop, a good credit card deal would be a card that offers discounts, rebates and rewards on shopping. Again, the retail stores themselves might have credit cards on offer that could be beneficial to you. Then there are credit card deals that are linked to gasoline stores or big grocery chains. If you don't have any specific needs, you might use a general purpose credit card that gives reward points on every purchase you make on your credit card. These points can then be redeemed for cash/rewards. Hence, this card could become a good credit card deal for you.

Good, for credit card deals, is really a relative term and there is no credit card deal which is equally good for all. Its easy to get a credit card if you have a good credit history, but what about those of us who are not so lucky in terms of past credit? Here is when a bad credit credit card would help you.

"Bad credit credit card" is used to refer to credit cards that can be obtained even with a bad credit rating. The bad credit credit cards provide opportunity to people (with bad credit rating) to improve their credit rating. In that sense, bad credit credit cards act as rescuer for such people. So, bad credit credit cards also act as necessary a training ground for people who have not been able to control their spending urge in the past.

Bad credit credit cards are commonly known as secured credit cards. The bad credit credit card (or secured credit cards) requires the individual to open up an account with the credit card supplier and maintain some cash balance in the account. Why is that required? Well, credit cards are a business for the credit card suppliers; so how can they trust someone who has defaulted on his/her payments in the past? After all, a business is about profits and such risks are a threat to profits.

The bank or the credit card supplier will generally pay interest on the balance in your account. However, it's best to check this with the bad credit credit card supplier/bank. The credit limit on the bad credit credit card is determined by the cash balance in the account and is generally between 50-100% of the cash balance. These bad credit credit cards are also referred to as debit cards, owing to the fact that they work less in a credit-giving manner and more in a debit-giving manner.

There are plenty of bad credit credit cards available in the market. When searching for the bad credit credit card that is best suited to you, you should consider four things in particular: the minimum balance that you are required to maintain in the bank account, the credit limit that you will receive (i.e. the percentage of your bank account balance that you are allowed to spend on your bad credit credit card), the fees/other-charges applicable to the procurement of bad credit credit card and the rate of interest that you will receive on the balance in your bank account.

An ideal bad credit credit card would have no fee/other-charges associated with it and would require zero or a very small amount as minimum bank balance. It would also have something like 90-100% of bank balance as its credit limit. Moreover, an ideal bad credit credit card would also offer a good interest rate on the bank balance.

Bad credit credit cards are really a good concept that provides respite to people with bad credit rating by letting them enjoy the benefits of credit cards while they mend their credit rating. Discover some stunning facts about credit cards that will save you heaps of cash. Find the best online credit card deals and get help deciding which deal is right for you: http://creditcardpro.blogspot.com ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/security-offered-by-credit-cards http://www.artwoo.com/article/security-offered-by-credit-cards#comments Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:36:32 +0000 credit card balancerisk situationeconomic uncertaintykitchen appliancesbusiness climatefinancial riskcredit card payment http://www.artwoo.com/article/security-offered-by-credit-cards financial risk that many of us have probably placed ourselves under without realizing and given the current economic uncertainty it's one that we should pay more attention to. Fortunately the unsuspecting credit card is a means to avoid the risk in most cases and set our minds at ease.

A friend of mine was recently refitting his property and was making some sizable purchases such as furniture and kitchen appliances, some of which would cost several thousand pounds. Having searched for exact the items he wanted and found a supplier who looked trustworthy and could provided them at a fair price, he set about making his purchases. His typical means of payment would normally be by credit card, not just because it delayed slightly the transfer of cash but largely due to the convenience and control it offered. He fully intended to pay off his credit card balance when due, so the borrowing facility offered by the card was not important. He would not pay any interest on his card balance so that was also unimportant. When it came to paying for his items he discovered that some suppliers would add an additional charge for any purchases made by credit card. Although these additional charges were only a small percentage of the purchase price, for the larger, more expensive items, it amounted to a significant sum. The alternative was to pay by cheque, cash or debit card and avoid the extra charge. Wanting to make his finances stretch as far as possible my friend opted against the credit card payment method.

So the items were ordered and payment was made. All that remained was to wait for his purchases to be delivered, a wait that was going to involve several weeks in some cases. It was now that my friend realized that he had just placed himself into a high risk situation. Where would he stand if the firm supplying his goods went out of business? Although he had no reason to suspect they would, it was not an impossibility in the current business climate and he suddenly felt very vulnerable and a little stupid. That seemingly innocuous decision not to pay by credit card and save a few pounds had placed a very different slant on his position. The reason being section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974.

That clause imposes a law on credit card companies to make them equally liable for the non-supply or faulty supply of any goods or services that have been paid for by a credit card. Effectively he had waived a valuable form of insurance in return for some small savings. The cover provided by Section 75 is applicable to items costing more than 100 pounds and up to 30,000 pounds. So quite a wide spread meaning that all of my friend's purchases would have benefit from this cover had he paid by credit card. If any of the suppliers concerned had ceased trading or had failed to deliver the goods he had ordered, he could have claim against his credit card company for the full amount he had already paid. The supplier and card company are held equally liable under the act so he would not need to approach the supplier -- a difficult matter if they no longer existed and had disappeared with his cash. The cover now also extends to purchases main in mainland Europe for anyone purchasing from the UK.

In fact some cards are even extending the cover they offer, beyond the boundaries of the Section 75 rules. Some now offer purchase protection insurance which additionally covers the purchaser against theft, loss or accidental damage of purchases. If you intend to take advantage of a card offering extra purchase protection you should read carefully the terms applied by your credit card provider as this additional cover often includes limits to the level of cover provided and exclusions of certain types of products.Michael Lennan writes about finance and credit related matters for several prominent websites. Learn more about credit cards and where to apply for a credit card here.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-cards-protection-for-purchases http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-cards-protection-for-purchases#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:43:32 +0000 trade description actconsumer credit actcredit card providersconsumer protection actbreach of contractoverseas supplierssale of goods act http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-cards-protection-for-purchases
The other methods of payment in fact provide very little protection for the purchaser other than any specific contract that is in place or recognised laws such as the Sale of Goods act, Consumer Protection act and Trade Description act. These acts may well provide protection in different situations but very few people understand them enough to pursue a case using them.

So the specific protection offered by credit card providers is an attractive option. This protection is not a free service that card companies have decided to offer, it is in fact a requirement of the Consumer Credit Act which requires retailers and credit providers to be jointly responsible for faulty purchases. This applied only in the UK until the House of Lords ruled in 2007 that protection should also apply to purchases made overseas. The credit card companies fought quite hard over a 10 year period against the extension, but when it finally came it was welcomed by APACS, the Association for Payment Clearing Services.

So what does this protection actually cover? Well it means that should goods fail to arrive, get damaged in transit, arrive faulty or not function properly, then the purchaser can claim a refund from the credit card company. The cover extends to goods costing between £100 pounds and £30,000 pounds and even covers goods that have been paid for but not delivered after the supplier has gone bust. The extension of protection to cover overseas was seen as an important move to support the growth of internet transactions from overseas suppliers.

For a consumer to be able to lodge a claim against their card company they must be in a situation where a breach of contract has occurred and that is usually a clear occurrence if a payment for an item or service has been made and that item or service has not been delivered as described at the point of sale. The card companies are in a unique position to be able to fund this insurance because they charge suppliers for using their services, which would not be the case if payment was made using cash or by cheque for example.

The first port of call for a consumer with a problem should be the supplier themselves. In most cases complaints are resolved quickly but if a dispute arises such that the consumer is still not satisfied then they should gather evidence to prove the value of the loss incurred and present this to their credit card company for consideration.

As with any claim, companies often respond initially with a downbeat or negative reply. Sometimes that is enough to put some people off from following up their claim and card companies can escape many payouts by taking this approach. But consumers are advised not to take this kind of response personally and just to see it as a standard letter that card companies must issue to avoid accepting any responsibility before they have had chance to investigate claims thoroughly. It has been reported that sometimes consumers are told that they must initially get a court order against the supplier but that is not the case. The consumer can choose to claim either against the credit card company, the supplier or both.

Buyers should also be aware that the protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act only applies to credit cards and not debit cards or charge cards such as American Express and Diners Club.

One area of complication that consumers should be wary of is the case where the company accepting the card payment is not the company providing the goods or service. In this situation claims can often become complicated and can fail.Michael Lennan writes about credit cards for a number of websites that cover the subject. Read more about standard credit cards and different charity credit cards here.]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-and-store-cards http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-and-store-cards#comments Fri, 14 Apr 2006 20:50:05 +0000 store cardscredit cardsinterest ratesplethoracredit cardbalance transfersdebt credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/credit-and-store-cards credit card in the UK was extremely limited, now there is a plethora of companies bombarding everyone with promises of low interest rates, balance transfers and cards which are a status symbol for the holder. In addition to this, most of the High Street stores now offer their own store cards, giving you credit to spend in their store or a chain of stores only.

When you reach the checkout at a clothes store, for example, you are offered a reduction on your purchases if you take out their store card at that point. This makes it extremely easy to say yes and many people agree so that they get the discount without checking any of the small print or terms and conditions. The danger of this is that these cards have notoriously high interest rates of up to 29.9% and for many this is the start of the decline into debt.

Credit cards and store cards work in much the same way and some credit cards have interest rates as high as the store cards, However, if you have a balance on your credit card and cannot afford to pay it off in full, there are ways to use them to your advantage. Many card suppliers offer interest free periods for balance transfers. This will allow you to transfer your existing balance on to another card and pay off as much as you can afford for a set period, often six months, without paying interest on it. This can give you a real opportunity to reduce your debt.

If you have substantial debts on credit and store cards and as a result can only afford to pay the minimum payment on each you may well find that for some of them the monthly interest is actually greater than the amount you are paying and so your balances may actually increase. This is a scary situation to be in as there often seems no way out. In these cases it is often worth trying to take out a personal loan to consolidate all your debt. This will have a significantly lower interest rate than many of the cards and will also reduce the minimum amount you have to pay each month. Mark Lambie is the founder of http://www.loan-source.co.uk a website providing homeowners with free secured loans quotes. ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-rewards-with-business-credit-cards http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-rewards-with-business-credit-cards#comments Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:27:08 +0000 business credit cardpersonal credit cardsbusiness travel discountsforeign exchange ratescredit card holdersbusiness cardemail http://www.artwoo.com/article/earning-rewards-with-business-credit-cards credit card holders who can get fancy rewards and incentives. Business credit card holders can benefit from rewards too. Here are some rewards that business credit card holder might use to benefit their businesses and themselves.

Get Big Business Discounts

Having a business credit card or charge card means that you can often get discounts off goods and services. This can be as much as one-third off the normal cost, which means big savings for your business. It's worth looking at information from individual suppliers to see what discounts you might qualify for. There may also be rebates on the purchase of certain products. That means more money going back into the business.

Driver Incentives

Some of the discounts may apply to petrol, possibly in the form of rebates. Some business credit cards or charge cards offer discounts on car hire, which may be a great saving if business employees travel a lot. Many card issuers also offer worldwide emergency cover and travel assistance. This can give peace of mind when employees are travelling on business.

Travel Discounts

Travelling on business can be a different experience for business credit card holders. Some credit cards offer help with itineraries and bookings, emergency assistance and free travel accident insurance. Some travel incentives also cover public transport in the countries where you travel on business.

Travel discounts might also cover phone calls from abroad, as many card issuers have deals with telephone service providers. This can be a big saving for the business owner who wants regular telephone or email updates from employees. Best of all, some business card accounts offer preferential foreign exchange rates and upgrades to seats and lounges that can make business travel a pleasurable experience.

Points Of Interest

Some business card issuers also have reward programmes similar to those offered for personal credit cards. Business card holders can earn air miles or other travel points, nectar points or other reward points. These are usually awarded at anywhere between one and four points per pound spent. Where this adds up is when company employees are also using business credit cards. The business owner earns points for all of their transactions too and can soon have a large store of points to use on further rewards.

Other Reasons To Have A Business Credit Card

But business credit cards are not just about rewards. They are also useful because of the administrative time they can save. Instead of spending long hours tracking expenditure, business owners can let card issuers do it for them. Monthly statements contain itemised lists of all spending and some card accounts allow spending to be categorised. They may also provide an annual reckoning of business spending for tax purposes.

With all of these advantages, having a business credit card seems to be a good choice for many businesses. However, it is not the only option for improving cash flow. Business owners should also look at debit cards, charge cards and business loans as other options for financing their business. Joe Kenny writes for the UK credit card sites http://www.nationsfinance.co.uk/credit_cards/ and also http://www.cardguide.co.uk ]]> http://www.artwoo.com/article/over-coming-problems-when-importing-from-china http://www.artwoo.com/article/over-coming-problems-when-importing-from-china#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2006 20:27:08 +0000 importing from chinaimporting goods from chinawestern unionpoint of contactlong term relationshipicqmsn http://www.artwoo.com/article/over-coming-problems-when-importing-from-china importing goods from China is both exciting and terrifying for many sellers. On one hand there is huge potential for making money from reselling wholesale goods purchased very cheaply. But on the other hand, language and cultural barriers present a number of difficulties to sellers. The main issue that everyone is worried about is payment: How do I pay? Will my money disappear?, and so on.

The difficulty lies in the fact that most Chinese wholesalers will only accept Western Union and wire transfer payments. These are not secure payment options so they must be treated with caution.

However, the main reason why these are the only payments accepted is that they are in fact the only payment methods available to the Chinese. Getting a credit card in China is an extremely difficult task with a lot of government regulations and strict criteria for getting a card.

So then, despite the risks involved with using Western Union and wire transfer, these are the methods you have to use if you want to import from China with most suppliers. To minimize this risk, our advice is to start with a fairly small shipment of goods so you are not standing to lose too much money if everything falls apart. Then, as trust is established, gradually build up your order over time.

On the whole, most Chinese suppliers are genuine, hard working people who want to establish a long-term relationship with you. They need your business, so it's unlikely they'll try to deliberately screw you over!

Another big issue for sellers importing from China is communication. It can be extremely daunting trying to negotiate complex business issues when communication is so difficult.

To get around this problem, we always ask a new contact for their MSN or ICQ email address and chat to them online. They tend to be very friendly and enjoy talking to people who speak English as a first language (this helps them improve their communication too), plus it gives you a direct point of contact instantly.

With communication now established, you can proceed to ask questions and get them to send you pictures of stock and so on. Once we've built up a relationship, we then ask them to send me a sample order. For any genuine company, this isn't a problem and it allows us to see the quality of the product first hand. We can then be fairly certain that the company is trustworthy, and that this is the product we wish to import.

One thing we haven't talked about so far is quality. This can be another major concern for sellers who often have difficulty telling whether a brand name product is genuine or not.

In our experience, the vast majority of brand-name goods that come from China are either replicas or fakes. We strongly recommend that you assume that this is the case in the first instance. eBay is currently cracking down heavily on people selling fakes and it is not an area of business we suggest you get into!

Generally, we find that Chinese suppliers are best suited for cheap generic goods (they are manufactured there so you won't find cheaper anywhere else!) that can be sold at higher rates in Western countries. For example, some of the latest trends are pocket bikes, scooters and generic electronic goods. These goods do not have to have a brand name in order to sell well and they can be purchased wholesale at very good prices if you are serious about importing from China.

This should give you a heads up if looking at dealing with wholesale suppliers in China! Remember, always keep an open mind, ask questions and do your research! http://www.salehoo.ca is one of the fastest growing wholesale sites on the internet. It contains a database of wholesale suppliers and manufacturers offering thousands of products to consumers. For more information see http://www.salehoo.cn ]]>