In this Newsletter:

1. President's Message: New Opportunities
2. Credit Card Processing Savings
3. High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) Savings
4. Tech's Corner: New Policies & Processes

President's Message: New Opportunities

Happy New Year!  All of us here wish you a great year!
Although a true “recovery” is not here, there is a flicker of light at the other end of the tunnel!  We see some negatives yet to hit: toxic assets at banks (delayed by mortgage refi games); credit card debt hanging high; and a remaining reluctance to invest.  But, let’s look forward and up! 

TEL has found several great opportunities to save money in our own operation – we’ve tried them on here at TEL with great results - so we’re passing the ideas on to you! 

These are NOT reseller opportunities, just money-saving opportunities for your consideration, but they add up:

1. Many of you take credit cards in your business, like TEL.  You use a processing company for this, as we do, and pay a small fee per transaction.  We seldom think much about this area – it’s a small cut and a good service.  But, as our Controller was looking around to save some money, he realized this area is competitive, too, and savings can add up!  TEL changed to a new processor and is now saving big time!!  See Credit Card Processing Savings article;

2. All of us use the internet and need high speed internet access (HSIA) through somebody!  Again, we seldom think about HSIA – it’s a “commodity”, it’s needed and it seems “okay”.  Again, as we looked deeper, we found two things: this, too, is competitive; and this area is one where companies change often – usually every year or two.  Once more, savings really add up – and new and improved services count, too.  See HSIA Savings article.

We’re glad to share our own money-saving activities with you, and we hope you’ll share with us, too!

Tell us something good!

We all KNOW it’s going to get better – let’s stick it out and be there when the winds start blowing our way!!

Good hunting!

Tech's Corner: New Policies & Processes

In our last Tech’s Corner, we discussed “Good Tech Support” and how challenging it can be to provide OR receive it!  You already knew that, but we need to remember how tough it is - we can’t EXPECT TOO MUCH and shouldn’t EXPECT TOO LITTLE!  You and TEL have signed a pact defining what each expects from the other, and we need to keep our bargain!

But, there will be times!  Nobody can predict or be prepared for everything - true in spades with this downturn, right?  Still, as we can, we all must strive to keep our bargains.

We know that most of you have done so – and we hope you know we’ve sure tried to do so, too!  None of us are perfect, but by doing our part we achieve much more together.  Let’s keep it up!

Sadly, some have not kept that pact, whether due to circumstances or whatever.  TEL has tried mightily – at a major cost - to provide good 2nd level support to everyone, even those not providing the 1st level support agreed.  Most explain the issues, and TEL tries to help out.  But a few dump their loads on others, and demand!  Sadly, these few may seek the most Support, Support beyond their performance – a real loss for TEL and for most of you.

Thus, a new set of Support policies and processes will be in place no later than 1/25/10.  Those that sell more, support end-users more and well, and pay per policies will receive higher priority in TEL’s Tech Support queues.  Others continue to receive the same level of Tech Support as before.  This makes good sense for all – and helps TEL improve Tech Support for most TEL Dealers.

Realistically, TEL cannot always be there with the right answers on the spot every time you need Support, nor can Dealers handle every issue without Support.  TEL can’t expect Dealers to know everything, as products are TEL’s – neither can Dealers expect so of TEL, as challenges are often onsite.  So, we work together to give it our best – Dealer and TEL.

Dealers need to recall busy times: mid-days; mid-weeks; days before holidays; and month ends.  If you can, plan; if not, recognize that queues may be longer.

Let us hear from you!  If we’re doing something right, speak up!  If we mess up, speak up, too!  We’re in this together!  Go to our website and let us know – “How is TEL Doing?” is there for you! 

TEL PRODUCTS ARE DESIGNED, PRODUCED, SOLD AND SUPPORTED IN THE U.S.A.

Credit Card Processing Savings

With a $1,000 guarantee that you'll save money, all you need to do is send us a copy of your current merchant statement and we'll return an SSA ("Sure Savings Analysis"). Or, visit our BRAND NEW WEBSITE and fill out the “Credit Card Processing Savings” form there and send us a recent merchant statement! You’ll save money every day if you sign up like TEL did with a major credit card processing company.  This will be a change you’ll not make again – except for monthly savings that add up, month by month, just because you shared this amazing processing option!  You need to check this out – you get an SSA and a guarantee – and a big, ongoing difference for you, as it is now for TEL!

High Speed Internet Acess (HSIA) Savings