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Good new for accepting credit cards
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Ken
    I’ve had a few clients asking me about the new American Express program, so I thought I would share with your forum.  As you likely know, Amex had an old program that most business owners absolutely hated; it’s the reason why you see a lot of businesses that do not accept Amex.  The old Amex program was a separate account from the Visa and MasterCard account that was funded in a separate batch up to 72 hours from the time the transaction was run.  More importantly, Amex set the rates, which were significantly higher than what Visa and MasterCard typically charge.
    We are one of the first processors in the country that have access to a new program by American Express that lets us “acquire” those transactions just like we do for Visa and MasterCard.  That means:
          No more waiting 72 hours to get your money; we can do it in 12 hours!
          No more additional statement fees from Amex; we can include it in the same report as Visa and MasterCard!
          Most importantly, we can now price Amex just like we do Visa and MasterCard, typically generating savings on Amex transactions in excess of 20%
    We are still offering our free QuickBooks solution to all of your readers and would be happy to schedule a live demo anytime.  Not only will they receive our QuickBooks system free of charge, but we can also give them access to the new Amex program and integrate it all through one account.
    Feel free to have anyone who wants a quote or demo reach out to us by clicking this link: https://www.skybankfinancial.com/kirschenbaum.php
    Thanks for the support, let me know if anyone has questions. 
Best Regards,
Tom Aronica
taronica@skybankfinancial.com
www.skybankfinancial.com
786-360-6391
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Response
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      I guess that means I can start accepting Am X for contract orders.  Although we really did continue to accept Am X we removed it from our site and listed only other credit cards.  BTY I use SkyBank Financial to process our credit card transactions and we are very pleased with its services.  SkyBank FInancial is listed on The Alarm Exchange in the Financial Services category.
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Paying commission on renewal contracts
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Ken,
    Our standard Contract term is 3 years and it has a 1 year auto renewal clause.  I currently pay commission to our sales staff for obtaining a new 3 year contract from an existing customer (after the initial 3 year term has been fulfilled).   Since our contract has this 1 year auto renewal clause, should we be encouraging/compensating our sales staff to obtain contract renewals from existing customers?  When a customer wishes to cancel service can/should I be holding customers to the 1 year auto-renewal clause (historically we have not done so)?  We service Arkansas & Oklahoma.
Pat
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Answer
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    In Arkansas you can only offer a month to month renewal, so your one year renewal is unenforceable.  Don't do it.  Here is the statute:
https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/article/4-86-106-2007-automatic-renewal-of-professional-home-security-contracts-prohibited
    Oklahoma has no automatic renewal statute as far as I know, so you can offer a one year renewal, or more than one year.
    I suggest getting new contracts signed when possible rather than rely on renewal terms.  It will give you a chance to communicate with the subscriber and update not only the contract but the alarm system, and your pricing obviously.  
    Whether you pay a commission on new contracts, renewal contracts, more for new subs rather than renewing or returning subs, is your business decision.  Just make sure you have a written policy and agreement with your commissioned sales people.
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TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REPLY TO THIS EMAIL OR EMAIL Ken@Kirschenbaumesq.com.  Most comments and questions get circulated.

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Speaking Engagements

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Quick Response Dealer and Integrator Information and Technical Conference.   July 15 -16,  2014 at  Holiday Inn - Independence Ohio.  All alarm dealers are invited.   For more information, schedule and to RSVP contact Margie or Renee at reneet@quickresponse.net or call Margie/Renee at 800 462 5353 www.quickresponse.net
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Alarm Association of Greater St. Louis.   September 16, 2014.  at Tech Electronics HQs office at 6437 Manchester  Ave, St. Louis, MO 63139.  Meeting is from 11:45 – 1:30  Video conference presentation starting at 12:15 CST.  For more information or to register contact Tony Drago adrago@tyco.com  www.alarmstl.org
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NYSESA - September 17, 2014 at Honor's Haven Resort, Ellenville, NY.  This is the NYS Electronic Security Assoc annual meeting.  Presentation on updated contracts and current legal issues will be at 10:30 AM.  For more information or reservations contact Dale R. Eller, Executive Director (814) 838-0301  dalereller@itzsolutions.com
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Alabama Alarm Association.  AAA's Fall Meeting and Trade Show - October 21, 2014 from 3 to 5 PM at DoubleTree Hotel 808 South 20th Street Birmingham, AL 35205  for more info contact AAA Executive Director: director@alabamaalarm.org  (205) 933-9000 

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Electronic Security Summit for 2014.  October 22-24, 2014  at the landmark Broadmoor Hotel. Colorado Springs, CO.  For more information contact Alexander J. Quirin, CEO & Managing Partner, Advisory Summit Providers, LLC.,  (786) 999-9738    alex.quirin@aspsummits.com    www.aspsummits.com

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