Don’t confuse counterfeit ink with off-brand or discount ink, which is made to spec by honest companies and can be a viable, inexpensive alternative to brand-name ink. But whereas discount ink makers are looking for happy, long-term customers, counterfeiters are looking for hit-and-run profits. Protect your printer and your wallet by following these simple precautions.

Source:  Mark Shea, PCWorld

Mind the Vendor

Buy ink only from retailers you trust. Anonymous online deals may be enticing, but what can you do if some seller you don’t know sends you a fake ink cartridge? Reputable retail stores are sometimes duped into selling counterfeits, but at least you’ll have some recourse if the ink you receive turns out to be fake.

Examine the Packaging

For years, printer companies have been adding seals–holographic or otherwise–to verify the authenticity of the products they sell. Tilt the box and see whether the security seal behaves in the way the manufacturer says it should. Many major printer sellers, such as HP, offer help on their Websites in identifying their genuine packaging.

Examine the Cartridge

Original vendor products never have ink splashed on the exterior of the cartridge or inside the box. There should be no black toner dust or damage to the cartridge either. Original products have pull-tab tape seals–sometimes several–across the ink ports.

Watch for Substandard Quality and Quantity

Fake cartridges often leak, clog, and print in inaccurate colors or distorted text. Keep an eye on the quality of your printer’s output. If it looks bad, especially out of the box, contact the manufacture about the potential counterfeit. The printer industry has a major financial stake in keeping fake cartridges off the street, so you can expect prompt customer service. Also, keep track of the number of pages you print per cartridge: Any sharp decline in page count with a new cartridge is a sign that something is amiss.

Source:  http://www.pcworld.com/article/212183/how_to_identify_counterfeit_ink.html

Finding Aftermarket Printer Ink

The aftermarket for printer ink can be a tricky place to shop. Third-party cartridges cost less than the manufacturers’ brands–which is why people buy them. But it can be a lot harder to tell whether a third-party vendor sells high-quality ink products.

One time-tested method is to shop at an established retailer (online or brick-and-mortar) that guarantees the quality of its products. But finding third-party ink for your specific printer model can be a challenge, particularly if your unit is very new, very old, or not very popular. Before driving around town to find the right cartridge, do a little homework online. At today’s insane gas prices, you could end up spending $20 on fuel just to save $10 on an ink cartridge.

Check out our Weekly Sales Tips Sponsors:  ACM Technologies and InkForYourPrinter.com for top-quality, reliable cartridges.

About The Author

Ann Barr is a telesales marketing success coach with a passion for teaching. She loves helping people who are starting out in new telesales careers and working with experienced sales reps who are looking for new ideas and tips. In addition to presenting monthly e-classes, she writes and edits direct-mail marketing letters and emails for clients. Sign up today for Ann’s free Weekly Sales Tips and get marketing tips and ideas to increase your sales!

The ban, announced today by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, also covers other cargo deemed high-risk. The changes follow the discovery of bombs concealed in ink cartridges on a U.S.-bound flight from the Middle East.  The bombs, which contained PETN, are believed to be part of a Yemen-based plot.

“These security measures reflect our commitment to using current intelligence to stay ahead of adversaries,” Napolitano said, according to Bloomberg.

Last week, Homeland Security officials already were reviewing air cargo restrictions in the wake of the bomb plot. The head of the Transportation Security Administration traveled to Yemen to discuss security procedures with officials there.

How do you think this will affect ink and toner business in the U.S. and other parts of the world?  Post your opinion below in the Comments section.

About The Author

Ann Barr is a telesales marketing success coach with a passion for teaching. She loves helping people who are starting out in new telesales careers and working with experienced sales reps who are looking for new ideas and tips. In addition to presenting monthly e-classes, she writes and edits direct-mail marketing letters and emails for clients. Sign up today for Ann’s free Weekly Sales Tips and get marketing tips and ideas to increase your sales!

Since my son Dan ran in the Chicago Marathon for four years in a row, I decided to order a jacket.  (In the photo to the right, Dan is the tall guy running in the Grand Rapids Marathon.)

I began to order on the website, but had a question about the jacket. I called the customer service number listed on the website and was surprised when someone (a live human—NOT an automated message) answered after the second ring. The customer service person was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly.  This person,  and this company’s service resulted in a sale and Customer Delight.

I began to think about how rare it is that when we call a business—any type of business—we can speak with someone immediately, without first listening to recorded voice prompts.

More and more companies use automated systems that take the caller through several—sometimes many—automated voice prompts. It can be frustrating. Like the bank: “Touch two for checking information, touch three for savings information, touch four for money market accounts,” and on and on.

Phone Rage

Customers can become angry and even desperate, after listening to a dozen or so automated messages. You have heard about “road rage” and “air rage,”  but phone rage really does exist.  Last summer, the Future Foundation announced the result of its astonishing research: centralized call centers now rate above rush-hour traffic and delayed trains as the UK’s most stressful daily experience.

Any Live Humans There?

If your company is one of the few left where a customer’s call can be answered by a real, live human being immediately, that is a big benefit for your customers. If this is the case (lucky you!), be sure to use this fact among your list of benefits in your advertising campaigns, direct-mail letters and conversations with prospects.

Now, large corporations are beginning to realize they need to get the word out to customers to help them bypass automated voice prompts.  Recently I saw a CitiCard television commercial with the message: “When you call our Customer Service Department, just touch zero to speak to someone.”

If your clients do need to listen to an automated message when they call your company before speaking with someone, how can you make their calling experience easier?

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes: Do you really want them to have to listen to a long, automated message before speaking with a person?  Especially if they have questions that need to be answered?  Or an order that needs to be placed?

Four Tips to Make Your Clients’ Calling Experience Easier

If callers to your company hear a recorded message when they call, be sure to let them know in advance that they will reach an automated message first. Then:

1. If your company uses a series of three or more automated voice prompts and choices, let customers know how they can bypass the messages. In many cases, when a caller touches zero (0), they will be connected to a receptionist.

2. Always give customers your extension number. If you have a direct line, that will make life easier for buyers.

3. If you are going to give your cell phone number to customers, be sure to check frequently for voicemail messages and return calls as soon as possible.

4. Always use your first and last name when calling prospects and customers. It is more professional than just using a first name, and if they reach someone else when calling you back, the customer will have an easier time getting through to you if s/he knows your first and last name.

If you follow these tips, you won’t have angry customers who may turn to your competition for help.  Instead of angry customers you will have delighted customers, who will probably tell friends and associates about their good experience with your company.

Have you been a victim of phone rage?  What was your most frustrating automated phone system experience?   Post your comments below.

About The Author

Ann Barr is a telesales marketing success coach with a passion for teaching. She loves helping people who are starting out in new telesales careers and working with experienced sales reps who are looking for new ideas and tips. In addition to presenting monthly e-classes, she writes and edits direct-mail marketing letters and emails for clients. Sign up today for Ann’s free Weekly Sales Tips and get marketing tips and ideas to increase your sales!

It is amazing how certain words will cause customers to feel welcome and appreciated – and cause them to WANT to buy from you.

There are six sentences customers love to hear.

1.) “ I’m glad you called me today.”

When a customer calls you with a question or a problem, the FIRST thing they want to know is that their call is welcome, even if it is about a problem or complaint.

2.)  “I can help you with that.”

The second thing the customer wants to hear when they call with a problem is that you are willing and able to help solve the problem.

3.)  “We don’t have it, but I can tell you where to find it.”

When you don’t have a product your customer needs and you refer the customer to one of your competitors, you are building an enormous amount of trust. The customer will never forget you for putting his/her needs before your own desire to make a sale. This will cause the customer to come back and buy from you again and again.

4.)  “I thought about you.”

“When this sale was announced, I thought about you…”  Everyone likes to be “thought about” and when you personalize a sale, customers will feel valued and appreciated.

5.)  “This is going to cut your cost by 40%.”

Everyone LOVES to save money.  Be as specific as possible when you are letting your customer know exactly how much s/he will save by buying your products.

6.)  “Thank you.”

Your mother was right.  When she told you to say “please” and “thank you” she knew that people would love you for it.  How often do you hear “thank you”?  What most of us hear (after making a purchase) is “You’re all set,” or “Have a nice day.”

About The Author

Ann Barr is a telesales marketing success coach with a passion for teaching. She loves helping people who are starting out in new telesales careers and working with experienced sales reps who are looking for new ideas and tips. In addition to presenting monthly e-classes, she writes and edits direct-mail marketing letters and emails for clients. Sign up today for Ann’s free Weekly Sales Tips and get marketing tips and ideas to increase your sales!