Merchant Services Vendor Comparison

I learned from Cyrious tech support that they support CapitalQ and Merchant Warehouse. I compared them and a local firm to see how they stacked up. Each has many different rates depending on the type of card and how the card was used. Visa alone has 20-30 combinations and rates. I learned that the most common one we will see is the Visa commercial card swiped through Cyrious (67%).

I assumed a scenario of running 15 Visa commercial card transactions for a total of $15k per month for a year. I calculated all the transaction and other fees for a year. Merchant Warehouse was less expensive by over $300 (approx 7%) per year. They have a great rating from the BBB and received important industry recognition this year.

I am going to sign up with them. If you are interested, contact Melanie Tricca at 800.941.6557 x2970. Mention my name and we’ll split the finders fee.

Merchant Warehouse does not require you to sign a contract. Most vendors will review your past transaction history to determine if they can save you money. I plan to take advantage of this after a year.

You should be aware of some controls being formed by the card industry to avoid security breaches and stolen card data. It’s called PCI DSS. The controls are fluctuating. Right now, each merchant (like us) is required to complete a self-audit and some other things. Companies are charging the merchants to collect and report the results. CapitalQ is charging $175/yr. Merchant Warehouse charged $60 but refunded $20 when the merchant completed the self-audit. We should be in good shape because I don’t believe Cyrious stores the credit card number. The regs are up in the air. There’s no telling what will be required next year. Merchant Warehouse’s policy is to pass through only the actual cost.

Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!

Mike B
Signs, banners, vehicle wraps, trade show displays

Electrical Power Requirements

I checked all the manufacturers’ Web sites to determine how much current is needed to power the equipment. All manufacturers except Graphtec provided power requirements for their equipment. I estimate that the Graphtec FC8000-75 will demand about the same power as the Roland printer.

I came up with the following requirements:

	Watts
HP ScanJet 8300	36
HP Color Inkjet Printer 2800	67
Roland VersaCAMM VP 540i	1030
Western Graphtec FC8000-75	1000 ?
Royal Sovereign RSC-1400	100
Two Computer/Monitors	800
SawTrax (15 amp saw)	1530
	==========
TOTAL	4563 Watts

On a 120 volt circuit, this works out to a required current capacity of 38 amps. So at minimum, two 20 amp circuit breakers are required. Three might be even better.

The equipment doesn’t constantly draw this much power. Usually, the power specs are for peak or maximum demand, which often occur when you first turn on the equipment. This information may help you decide which equipment should share a common circuit breaker. For example, you might not want to have the SawTrax and the Roland (or Graphtec) on the same breaker since these are the most power hungry.

At Sierra Custom Signs, Inc. we added two 20 amp breakers to our electrical service because the existing breakers had all the lights plus the motor for the rollup warehouse door.

Upgrade POS to Windows 7

The upgrade from XP to Win7 will wipe out everything on your system. You have all of the original disks to reinstall all the software. You will lose only the things you entered (i.e. your company info, internet favorites). If you plan to take the Cyrious database upgrade, this is a good time to upgrade to Win7. You should back up any Quickbooks data to a CD or flash drive. This is so easy, even a Buckeye can do it.

1. Visit Dell’s website, enter the tag number from computer case, order Win7 upgrade. Wait about 10 days for delivery. Continue making 2-3 prospect calls per day.

2. There are two disks in the Win7 upgrade. Start with the Upgrade Assistant. You must have a live internet connection.

3. Insert the Win7 disk. Select the Custom (not Upgrade) option. Select Partition 2 when prompted.

4. Install Norton software from disk that came with the system.

5. Install Cyrious software from the disk that came with the system. You will need a CD installation code provided by Cyrious. When prompted for Setup Type, select “New Server”. You will have to restart the system before you can run Cyrious because it loads some programs (SSLIP) at startup. Note: the default database looks similar but not exactly the same as the database that came with the system.

6. Install Office software from the disk that came with the system.

7. Install Quickbooks software from the disk that came with the system. Copy your data from your back CD or flash drive.

8. Install Adobe Acrobat software from the disk that came with the system.

9. Contact Cyrious support to have the new database installed.

CPA

Joe is using one that he had used in his previous business.

Steve and Gary looked in the yellow pages – interviewed 3-4 of them. Gary is taking a Quickbooks class from his accountant.

Mike B recommends checking with your networking groups BNI and Chamber.

Personal Guarantee On Building Lease

Landlord asking for personal guarantee.

Mike S doing one year personal guarantee.

Gary doing personal guarantee for 3 years – term of the lease.

Mike B provided net worth statement and business plan plus credit check on him personally.

Signmaker Candidates

• Martin has screened four candidates out of 30.
• Mike S has screened fifteen candidates to date.
• Steve has been unable to find a candidate with Roland experience but has found candidates with Signmaker experience. Had three good candidates out of 30. Plans on holding interviews at new building.
• Mike B had over 50 people apply. Screened 10-12 people. Has three really good candidates. Held interviews at Denny’s.

Work Benches 3×8 or 4×8 Order or Custom Made?

New tables are metal and can break down so that shipping is easier. Patty and Bob are having their tables built. Bench Depot is the supplier of the new benches. Patty will give us an idea of what the person is charging to build the work benches for them.

Gary purchased his work benches from Bench Depot – is going to cost approximately $3k.

HR Handbook Ideas in Addition to Sample Provided

HR Handbook Ideas:

• Regular operating hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., 5 days per week [Hour for lunch?]
• The Company requires confidentiality on the part of all its employees. Confidential information that must not be disclosed to any person who is not an employee includes, but is not limited to, names of customers, information about customer projects or other non-public customer information, company pricing and information that is proprietary to the Company. [What about Sarbanes Oxley?]
• If you are absent because of illness, your supervisor may request that you submit written documentation from your physician. The Company does not provide paid sick leave. If you are a non-exempt employee who is paid by the hour, and you are absent from work due to illness, you will not be paid during your absence. [Will you provide pay for days off due to illness? After probationary period? How many if any?] After probation period.
• There are 26 pay periods per year occurring bi-weekly. Changes to the pay day due to holiday closings will be determined and announced in advance.
• You must use your vacation in the year that it accrues. No wages or salary will be paid to you in lieu of unused vacation days. Vacation days accrue on your anniversary date as follows:
  • 5 days after one year
  • 8 days after two years [I added this. What are you doing in your business?]
  • 10 days after three years

Patty and Bob at their former company gave one week after probation to use as sick days or vacation days. After one year they received 10 days. For this business they are considering no carryovers – use it or lose it but are researching the industry standard.

• Holidays
  • New Years Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day [add Friday following?]
  • Christmas Day
• All employees are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. [This form is not part of the original handbook. So if you want to include that in your policy, a form needs to be provided.]

It will be helpful to hear what you are planning or thinking in these areas. What are your thoughts about any or all of these items listed above?

Purchase of Substrate Cutter

Is everyone looking at purchasing a substrate cutter (approx $2100)? 50 cents a sq ft cost?

Plastic substrate and aluminum cutter is called the standard through Sawtracks.

Freedomcutter (new cutter head) has a better vacuum on it that does not require a dirty room cost is $895. PVC creates a fine powder with static electricity creates a mess. Fletcher Substrate Cutter FSC $2000.

Consider industrial curtains to create a dirty room. $1600 for a 14’ x 7’ x 7’ room lookup “dust barrier” on internet. Sawtracks (substrate cutter) cutter is 10’ long recommend 5’ on each side. Biggest piece of substrate is 10’.

Groups

Mike S – joined 2 chamber of commerce’s and a BNI, has 2 quotes out. Who are some of your customers? Mike S – tells them he is a brand new business and discusses his past work with other companies he has worked for. Is using Letters Etc. they get the quote back the next day and he marks it up 30%. General – State where you intend to be located. Utilize another Signworld Owner to do jobs you are unable to do at this time.