Great financial tips to ensure you make more dollar
Get debt help or just make more money-
July 20th, 2010Debt HelpMany people across America have dug a deep hole with debt and find it hard to escape this burden. With so many people having problems with debt, new credit counseling agencies spring up to help people get out of the debt they owe. Although there are many great credit counseling companies, there are also those that are fraudulent that can cause even more damage to your credit. It is important that you know what to look for in a great counseling company so you can avoid fraud.
Look for NonProfit Companies
If you need credit counseling, consider looking for companies who run as a nonprofit. You should only use these companies as a last resort and not as a way to escape your commitments to your creditors. However, if you feel you cannot manage your debt load, you should seek help to find a solution to your financial problem.On the other hand, if you can take small steps to pay off your debt without outside help, you will build good money management skills. You can, for example, call your creditors and explain your situation. This means you have a chance to hear what the other party thinks about your delinquent account. Most times it is not what you are thinking. Most creditors prefer to work with you to help you repay as much money as possible. They don’t want you to declare bankruptcy because they stand to lose all their money.
You can also decide to make a larger payment on your credit cards. This may mean taking another job or selling some of your valuables, but it is a step in the right direction. However, if you decide to work with a credit counseling firm, you should do careful research about the company. Check with the Better Business Bureau in your local area to see if there are any complaints on file. You could even have a friend visit the company and pretend she is looking to work with the company.
Avoid Fees
A warning sign that a credit counseling company may be fraudulent is if they require that you pay any fees before they begin working with you. While a small fee may be all right, a company charging excessive fees may cost you more money in the long run and offset any savings you might get from consolidating your debts. Remember that you want to lower your debt, not add any extra costs to your existing debt. If the fees seem unreasonable, you may want to ask your friends about them.False Advertising
If you are looking for a credit counseling company, you should avoid those companies that offer a quick fix for your credit. It likely took you a long time to amass your debt, and there is no program that can help you get out of debt overnight. If the company promises to wave a magic wand and wipe out your debt, or fix your credit history without any effort on your part, there is a good chance that they are a fraud. Often, any steps they might take to try to fix your credit may be illegal and cause you more harm than good.Unsolicited Emails
If you are in need of a credit counseling company, it is important that you go and look for a company yourself. Many people receive unsolicited emails offering credit counseling and, many times, these are scams. If you contact a company and then they contact you, this is acceptable. But those who come looking for you are usually companies to stay away from.Credit counseling can be an important way to help you get control of your debt, especially if you are close to bankruptcy. If there are ways that you can help yourself work to get out of debt, this may be a better answer than turning to a counseling company. If you do find yourself in need of a credit counseling company, be sure to check out the company to be sure that they are legitimate. Remember that choosing the wrong company can get you into even greater debt.
Tags: Bankruptcy, Better Business Bureau, Careful Research, Check With The Better Business Bureau, Commitments, Credit Cards, Credit Counseling, Creditors, Debt Counseling, Debt Load, Deep Hole, Delinquent Account, Last Resort, Local Area, Money Management Skills, Nonprofit Companies, Small Steps, Step In The Right Direction, Valuables, Warning Sign
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Tags: Bankruptcy, Better Business Bureau, Careful Research, Check With The Better Business Bureau, Commitments, Credit Cards, Credit Counseling, Creditors, Debt Counseling, Debt Load, Deep Hole, Delinquent Account, Last Resort, Local Area, Money Management Skills, Nonprofit Companies, Small Steps, Step In The Right Direction, Valuables, Warning Sign -
June 26th, 2010Debt HelpIf you are in trouble and need help with your debt, there are various debt help services from which you can choose. Whether your debt is more than you can handle or you just want to find a way to lower the interest that you are paying each month, there are services that can give you the help that you need. Many of these debt services offer debt counseling, loans, and debt negotiation.
Debt Counseling
Debt counseling is a popular debt service. It is all the more important with the new personal bankruptcy laws. Your creditors have a vested interest in having you seek credit counseling before you decide to declare bankruptcy.
These services are usually nonprofit, and can help teach you how to manage your money and deal with your existing debt. Many times, they provide a counselor that will work with you on your specific case. Debt counselors help you to find solutions that will help you lower your debt. They also work to help you pay off your debt more quickly.
If you decide to go with debt counseling services, you may want to check out the company before you become involved or give them any money. You can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if their are outstanding complaints against the company. You also want to know how they handle these complaints.
Check the online forums to see how others have rated their services. Remember there are various companies that promote scams on the Internet. So be sure to check the company out thoroughly before using their services.
Loans
Other debt services that are available to many people are various loans. There are debt consolidation loans and home equity loans that can help you to bring down your debt and pay it off gradually.
When you are looking at loan services, you want to look for a loan that has an interest rate that is lower than you are already paying. Do not be afraid to compare various loan from different companies. This is often the best way to deal with your debt if you have the choice.
Debt Negotiation
There are professional companies that offer debt negotiation services as well. These services can help you lower debt by having a staff member negotiate a deal with your creditors for you. They can aslo negotiate a payment plan that is more reasonable and manageable.
Often, these services can help you lower the interest on high interest credit cards so what you are paying each month will go more to the principal of what you owe. Often, debt negotiation can result in you being able to pay off your debt in a lump sum by reducing your total debt.
These methods of debt help all offer great benefits if you will take advantage of them. If you are in debt and need help getting out of it, consider the many debt help services. These services help you manage your financial state of affairs, and allow you to get your life back on track.
Tags: Better Business Bureau, Counselor, Credit Counseling, Creditors, Debt Consolidation Loans, Debt Counseling Services, Debt Counselors, Debt Help, Debt Negotiation, Debt Service, Debt Services, Different Companies, Help Services, Home Equity Loans, How To Manage Your Money, Loan Services, Online Forums, Personal Bankruptcy Laws, Scams, Vested Interest
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Tags: Better Business Bureau, Counselor, Credit Counseling, Creditors, Debt Consolidation Loans, Debt Counseling Services, Debt Counselors, Debt Help, Debt Negotiation, Debt Service, Debt Services, Different Companies, Help Services, Home Equity Loans, How To Manage Your Money, Loan Services, Online Forums, Personal Bankruptcy Laws, Scams, Vested Interest -
April 13th, 2010DollarIn a tight economy, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage money. However, everyone can save, as long as they are willing to invest time and energy. In order to make your dollars stretch as far as they can possibly go, one must be open to innovative money-savings ideas. One amazing way to save money is to stop going to your local mall. Instead, choose to sit in the comfort of your own home and log on to the World Wide Web.
Online shopping, or virtual shopping, is not only a time-saver, but a money saver as well. In order to successfully online shop, you will need access to a credit or debit card. Alternatively, some websites do allow customers to pay via automatic bank account deductions. A word to the wise: make sure that you have money in your account! If you have insufficient funds, you may be liable for monetary penalties from both your bank and the retail facility.
After establishing a reliable mode of payment, you will need to identify your budget and shopping goals. Please note that online shopping exists in nearly every facet of the consumer market. Virtual shops enable customers to purchase groceries, clothing, electronics, office supplies, luxury items and even cars with the click of a button!
When you know what you want to buy, you will be ready to immerse yourself in the world of online shopping. A great place to begin your virtual shopping is to look at the web pages of your favorite shops. Countless retail companies have embraced the virtual market. Those businesses offer accompanying websites.
When you have located a suitable shopping outlet, you should verify its legitimacy. Be careful and overly cautious. Check for seals of approval from the Better Business Bureau. Alternatively, check the accuracy of trademark logos.
Retailers may offer discounts on their websites. Oftentimes, these savings are only accessible online. Savings may be identified through store prompts or coupon codes. In fact, the next time you shop in a physical store, you should scrutinize your receipt. Sometimes, companies post surveys on the receipt. When you complete the online survey, you may earn a thank you coupon. Old Navy frequently utilizes this marketing strategy in order to obtain customer feedback.
When shopping at your favorite brick and mortar stores, sign up for their mailing list. Check if these stores offer online savings. This tip also applies to luxury item stores.
Jewelers such as Zales and Helzberg occasionally offer secret sales to their cleitele. High-end jewelry items such as diamonds, pearls and estate jewelry may be found with discounts between 20-45% off the traditional retail price.
Online savings do exist. It is simply up to the customer to look for these savings and take advantage of retail opportunities.
Tags: Better Business Bureau, Click Of A Button, Electronics Office, Facet, Groceries, Insufficient Funds, Legitimacy, Local Mall, Luxury Items, Monetary Penalties, Money Saver, Money Savings, Retail Companies, Retail Facility, Tight Economy, Time Saver, Trademark Logos, Virtual Market, Virtual Shopping, Virtual Shops
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Tags: Better Business Bureau, Click Of A Button, Electronics Office, Facet, Groceries, Insufficient Funds, Legitimacy, Local Mall, Luxury Items, Monetary Penalties, Money Saver, Money Savings, Retail Companies, Retail Facility, Tight Economy, Time Saver, Trademark Logos, Virtual Market, Virtual Shopping, Virtual Shops -
December 6th, 2009DollarAre you tired of getting charged or invoiced for a directory listing you never placed? What about those purchase orders for supplies you never even ordered. Well guess what? You are not alone.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nations consumer protection agency, says that businesses,churches, fraternal and charitable organizations are losing millions of dollars a year to bogus firms that mislead them into paying for unordered and unwanted directory listings.
According to the FTC, con artists trick an organizations employees into providing a name and address so a deceptive seller can bill the organization for an unordered and often useless business directory listing. These scammers often pretend to verify or renew a companys existing directory listing. Employees often provide the information, because the scammers claim theyve done so in the past. The scammer then send as many urgent invoices as it takes to get paid, sometimes including a useless directory, sometimes not. They create confusion and count on an organization paying to avoid their hounding.
If and when this happens to you refuse to pay, the scam sellers may try to use high-pressure tactics, like threatening you with legal action. They will offer you a phony discount and claim that it’s a deal. If you received a directory they may allow you to return it (if you pay the shipping costs) but insist that you pay for the listing. These directories are usually worthless and are rarely distributed as promised. In any case if you pay for the listing, you will then receive additional invoices from the same scam artists or from others who have bought your organizations contact information.
Do some research if you are considering a listing in a legitimate business directory. Call the Better Business Bureau in your community or the publisher. Ask the company for a previous edition of the directory (or the websited for the online directory) and for documentation about distribution. It is okay to ask advertisers in previous editions about their experiences with the directory. Finally, close the gaps in your purchasing procedures and alert your staff to these scams.
Train your staff in different ways to respond to telemarketers. Remind your employees that they cannot make the decisions to order supplies. They should say something along these lines, Im not authorized to place orders. If you’re interested in selling us something, you must speak to so-and-so and obtain a purchase order. There should be two teams established: one that includes the employees who buy and receive merchandise; the second team pays the bills, and develops buying procedures. You should be skeptical of unsolicited calls. Let your staff know to say no to sellers who use high-pressure tactics. If you are mildly interested, ask the suppliers to send a catalog.
If you receive merchandise verify that the merchandise matches the shippers bill of lading and your purchase order. Pay special attention to brands and quantity, and refuse any merchandise that doesnt match up. If everything is in order, send a copy of the bill to the accounts payable department. Dont pay any supplier unless the invoice has the correct purchase order number, and the information on the invoice matches the purchase order.
The FTC suggests some steps to cease paying for services you didn’t ordered. When ordering services, make sure that purchase orders are electronic or in written form, or both. The suppliers name should be on the purchase order and there should be a P.O. number on the invoice. You can request for the buyer to send a copy of every purchase order to the accounts payable department.
Finally, you should know that you do have rights. If you receive supplies or services you didnt order, you should not have to pay but dont return unordered merchandise either. Treat any unordered merchandise as a gift because it is illegal for companies to ask you to send back the merchandise even if they offer to pay for shipping. It could be possible that the seller made a mistake, but that is usually not the case. It is also illegal for a seller to send you bills or notices for merchandise you didnt order.
When it comes to certain kinds of business-to-business merchandise sales there is protection. The FTCs Telemarketing Sales Rule regulates phone sales of non-durable office or cleaning supplies to businesses. Non-durable supplies are those that you routinely order, for instance, copier toner, or maintenance supplies. According to the FTC, telemarketers must tell you its a sales call as well as whos doing the selling before they make their pitch. By law they must tell you the cost of each item and then a total of the order. They mustr also tell you if there are restrictions, and if a sale is final or non-refundable.
Tags: Better Business Bureau, Business Directory, Business Millions, Charitable Organizations, Churches, Con Artists, Confusion, Consumer Protection Agency, Directory Listings, Federal Trade Commission, Ftc, Invoices, Legitimate Business, Name And Address, Online Directory, Pressure Tactics, Scam Artists, Scammers, Scams, Shipping Costs
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Tags: Better Business Bureau, Business Directory, Business Millions, Charitable Organizations, Churches, Con Artists, Confusion, Consumer Protection Agency, Directory Listings, Federal Trade Commission, Ftc, Invoices, Legitimate Business, Name And Address, Online Directory, Pressure Tactics, Scam Artists, Scammers, Scams, Shipping Costs -
November 21st, 2009Great TipsFinding products to sell is fundamental to those who have Internet stores, auction sites, or sell through stores such as Amazon or Ebay. However, it may be difficult to determine where you will find those products to sell.
There are a number of different ways to find products to sell as well as many scam artists who like nothing more than to prey upon unsuspecting but well-meaning storeowners. Whether selling online or in your hometown, you need to check out every wholesale company or drop shipper with the Better Business Bureau and Rip Off Report to make sure you are only dealing with reputable companies.
Drop shippers are invaluable to those who sell products over the Internet. Drop shippers are companies that store product inventory and then mail them to your customers, without you needing to first purchase and store the products. To make sure that the drop shipping company you are dealing with is legitimate, sends products on time, and hasnt been accused of unscrupulous tactics, double check their record with the BBB. Many times, dropshipping companies will charge a yearly fee before allowing you access to their products. You can find dropshipping companies that wont charge you this fee, but you must be diligent in your search. Also, you should never have to pay for a list of drop shipping or wholesale companies. You can find them on your own and not pay anyone a dime.
One way to find dropshipping and wholesale companies is to check in your local area. Having contact with a company that you can talk to in person can bring great peace to your online business. Look in your local yellow pages for various wholesale companies and contact them about their dropshipping practices. You can also purchase items from them at wholesale costs and ship them yourself, bypassing the need for a dropshipper completely. However, if you feel that your company is best served by a dropshipper, then you should find a reputable company that distributes the products you are interested in selling and then inquire about a dropshipping program.
Tags: Amazon, Auction Sites, Better Business Bureau, Drop Shipper, Drop Shippers, Drop Shipping, Dropshipper, Dropshipping Companies, Ebay, Great Peace, Internet Drop, Internet Stores, Product Inventory, Reputable Companies, Reputable Company, Shipping Company, Unscrupulous Tactics, Wholesale Companies, Wholesale Company, Wholesale Costs
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Tags: Amazon, Auction Sites, Better Business Bureau, Drop Shipper, Drop Shippers, Drop Shipping, Dropshipper, Dropshipping Companies, Ebay, Great Peace, Internet Drop, Internet Stores, Product Inventory, Reputable Companies, Reputable Company, Shipping Company, Unscrupulous Tactics, Wholesale Companies, Wholesale Company, Wholesale Costs
