Who is the Merchant Maven?
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The Merchant Maven is the advocate for retailers, restaurants and small businesses throughout America.
He searches the web, the world and the hood for the best deals, the latest trends and current news on issues that affect the American retailer as well as the American consumer. He’s a combination blogger, copywriter, designer, creative director and satirist. When he has an opinion, he’ll voice it sometimes with aplomb and sometimes with tact. At times he can be tedious and at times he can be relevant.
Since the credit card industry isn’t exactly the single most FASCINATING niche in the business world, the Merchant Maven likes to provide insight, opinions and just plain old sarcasm and satire to his daily routine. Look for trends in shopping, political commentary and of course updates on his favorite adorable Alaskan: Sarah Palin!
The Merchant Maven has a lifetime of experience working for American Express, super regional shopping malls and the retail industry in general. He’s worked with regional, super regional and small strip centers. His past employers included Macerich – a gigantic Real Estate Investment Trust and some of the smaller shopping mall developers and retailers.
With Whom Do You Want to Work?
To begin, if you’re a small or medium sized business you need to accept credit cards. Let’s talk about the best credit card processing deal for your merchant account.
It all goes back to the old adage ” It’s NOT who can DO the work….it’s with WHOM do you want to work?” This simply translates into the fact that there are MANY companies who can do a competent job, but with whom do you really want to work with?
IF you’re a merchant with several locations, surely you could pick Bank of America, who provide a laundry list of benefits…..They are also a giant corporation and their customer service is, well, just not that fabulous. There are many smaller companies that still provide robust processing programs…..and deliver the goods when it comes to customer service. You just gotta search a little.
Check Out These Processors
FrontStream
The Merchant Maven suggests that you give FrontStream Payments out of Nashville, Tennessee a look. (frontstreampayments.com) FrontStream is a Leading Provider of Merchant Payment Solutions. In a sense they are a BIG company, with small company sensibilities.
FrontStream can provide new payment solutions that will help you grow your business and gain access to competitive processing rates. They service a diverse group of merchants satisfying a full range of needs. There’s something really appealing about their website that would make an entrepreneur want to do business with them. (frontstreampayments.com)
It starts with the first image you see when loggin on…it’s a pseudo – Richard Branson look-a-like type of gentleman that greets you.
DTI
Another alternative is DTI, or Direct Technology Innovations out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They have over 5,000 accounts and service chains like Taco Bell, Subway, Wireless Giant and others.
Their website is graced with an appealing young “Flash” spokesmodel. After about 30 seconds she stops. When you log on again, it’s nice to have a feature where you simply CLICK a button so she stops talking.
DTI is renowned for being straight shooters, quick on their feet, nimble in customer service and they are in a sense “a family business” Their website shows three names with the last name “Slominski.” That should tell you something.
Value Adds Add Value:
DTI invests in the local communities and have a plethora of value add services, including cash advances, payroll cards and online ordering.
If you spend some time on the DTI site, you will see they keep busy trying out new technologies and innovations. The revenue generating media platforms they are installing in taxis, limos and other transportation vehicles is rather intriguing.
In-Vehicle Plasma Screens
GIVE THE KIDS A CHANCE!
DTI’s home page also mentions an upcoming initiative called the College Odyssey Card, which is spearheaded by a trio of teenagers from University of Florida, Babson and Dartmouth is a really cool idea still in its infancy. It shows that DTI is not afraid to think outside the box and help the community, while at the same time generating new streams of income.
