National Processing Solutions

Paycloud has Finally Arrived!

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:11:29 EST

Today is the day for the launch of Paycload One Touch Registration!

Paycloud is a free application available to all Android and iPhone smartphone users. After downloading the app, customers can instantly view and join your merchant’ gift and loyalty programs. With just one touch consumers access valuable coupons, discounts and deals.

No More Plastic

Paycloud eliminates the need for merchants to produce costly plastic cards or printed coupons. Through a customer’s smartphone and a low cost sensor, Paycloud instantly syncs with your merchants’ existing gift and loyalty programs.

Real-Time Updates

For the first time, customers can access their reward and loyalty programs on the go. Check their reward status, see what premiums they’ve earned, and view the latest merchant coupons and promotions.

3 Types of Programs to Increase Foot Traffic

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 06:56:32 EST

Gift Card

Gift cards are a high-margin, low-maintenance

method of sales that encourages consumer

traffic. They can be offered to your customers in

place of cash refunds, and are a great tool for

direct mail, corporate incentives and to promote

in-store events.

Loyalty / Rewards

Studies show that customers who belong to a

loyalty program visit twice as often and spend

four times as much as those that don’t. With

our system you can instantly and automatically

load rewards on a customer’s card to

encourage repeat business.

Promotional

Any business that is able to store a customer’s address,

email, phone and then track their contribution to the

business and spending behaviors is going to be positioned

to boost sales. The customer information you can capture in

our system gives you the power to create low cost targeted

marketing campaigns directed towards loyal customers

using email and text messaging.

Gift Card

Gift cards are a high-margin, low-maintenance method of sales that encourages consumer traffic. They can be offered to your customers in place of cash refunds, and are a great tool for direct mail, corporate incentives and to promote in-store events.

Loyalty / Rewards

Studies show that customers who belong to a loyalty program visit twice as often and spend four times as much as those that don’t. With our system you can instantly and automatically load rewards on a customer’s card to encourage repeat business.

Promotional

Any business that is able to store a customer’s address, email, phone and then track their contribution to the business and spending behaviors is going to be positioned to boost sales. The customer information you can capture in our system gives you the power to create low cost targeted marketing campaigns directed towards loyal customers using email and text messaging.

tags: Gift Card, Loyalty, Rewards, Promotional

NPS Loyalty Ideas for Salon and Spa Industry

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:28:30 EST

Salon and Spa Industry- Overview

The salon and spa industry can vary greatly from location to location depending on price, and products and services available. The Loyalty Program method that works best with the salon and spa industry tends to be a points for prize program. A customer earns points for every purchase, accumulating points until they can redeem them for a prize. There are a few ways this can be set up. Some merchants may keep it simple and straightforward with just one level and a few prizes to choose from. Example: Once you accumulate 150 points you may choose either a free shampoo, conditioner, or hairspray. Or, some merchants may have different levels of prizes. Example: Points can be cashed in at 250 points, 500, 750, and 1000 levels with different prizes to choose from at each level. Variances will also come in with the ratio of points to dollars spent. Example: For every dollar you spend, you earn a point. If the point level increases for every dollar spent, for example, 10 points for every dollar spent, the threshold of point levels will be higher.

What it looks like for a Merchant: A customer spends $100, the merchant uses the loyalty issuance transaction to type in the amount of the sale and the corresponding number of points are added to the card. When the customer is ready to cash in points for a prize, the merchant will use the loyalty redeem transaction, and type in the amount of points to remove from the card. They can then give the customer the reward they've chosen.

Additional Promotions for Salons and Spas:

Double Points during specific days and times
Email or SMS messages when levels have been reached on the card
Email or SMS broadcasts for promotions and specials

Cardholders FAQ's for Points for Prize Programs

How do I join?

Simply pick up a loyalty card at your nearest location. Your first points will begin with your first purchase. You can register your card at getyourbalance.com so you can track your points and card balance.

Is there a cost to sign-up?

No. Your loyalty card is absolutely free. The more points you earn, the quicker you can receive a prize.

How will I earn points?

Points will accumulate after every purchase. Once you reach a certain level, you will be eligible to turn them in for a prize. When you redeem your points for your prize, the points will be removed from your card and you can continue earning.

How do I earn extra points? There may be times when your points may double during a special promotion, you will be notified upon making your appointment.

How do I redeem them?

At your next appointment, our receptionist will inform you when you have reached a level and if a prize is available. You may redeem them by choosing a prize or you can save them until you reach a higher level. Once you have chosen a prize, the points will be removed from your card.

Do my points expire?

Never.

What if I don't have my card with me at the time of purchase?

Simply provide the receptionist or an associate with the phone number registered to your card to earn points. Card must be present to redeem a prize.

What if my card is lost or stolen?

Visit your nearest location and let them know your card has been misplaced. A staff member will be happy to supply you with a new card if your card has been registered or you have the card number.

How can I check my point balance?

You can check your point balance online at getyourbalance.com or by asking an associate at your location.

For More infomation on NPS Loyalty program email us at: info@gonps.com

iPad Credit Card Processing

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:12:44 EST

Accept Credit Cards on your iPad with the ROAMpay Swipe!

The device that Apple CEO Steve Jobs infamously describes as “magical” now has a new trick up its sleeve. Our ROAMpay application along with the ROAMpay Swipe is now available for iPad through the app store! We have received a ton of requests to support this popular device and the feedback we have gotten so far has been great. ROAMpay allows you to accept transactions with both the Wi-Fi version and the Wi-Fi/3G versions of the iPad. Let NPS show you how you can start processing on your iPad today.

For More Informaiton on the iPad Solution with NPS - Click Here

tags: iPad

Restaurants - advice on processing gratuities

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 10:52:39 EST

Best practices for restaurants – advice on processing gratuities

Credit and debit card use at restaurants is becoming increasing popular among restaurant goers. According to recent Visa statistics, nearly 60% of the 70 billion dollars generated from restaurant transactions in 2005 were made with Visa Debit cards. Because debit cards are connected to cardholders’ checking accounts, improper processing practices can create customer service issues both for your business and card issuers.

How authorizations with tips can lead to lost sales:

A restaurant check is for $100, but staff has authorized an estimated tip for $120.
The Visa cardholder’s bank deducts $120 from the available funds/credit.
The transaction amount was $115 ($100 + $15 tip).

The customer leaves the tip in cash so the transaction amount is $100.
When a customer views their account activity and sees a $120 hold against their account, they may think the restaurant has overcharged and decides never to return to the establishment again.

Keep your customers happy

To help ensure high customer satisfaction and loyalty, merchants should only submit an authorization request for the known check amount, excluding an estimated tip. Visa’s operating regulations do not allow merchants to estimate authorization amounts.

To stay in line with Visa requirements, restaurants should:

Make sure terminals, systems, software and back-office processes are set up to authorize without adding an estimated tip amount. Call your merchant provider or processor for more details.
Train your staff to use proper authorization procedures, entering only the amount of the ticket.

You are protected

Many restaurants submit higher authorization amounts because they think that it protects them from chargebacks. To protect your business, Visa ensures that restaurant authorizations are valid for the amount plus 20 percent, so there is little or no chargeback liability when a tip is not included in an authorization request.

For more information on this or other subjects visit: http://usa.visa.com