Payment processing in your school store. Part 2

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Student Supply

In part one we discussed the Big Daddy of credit card processing; merchant accounts. There was a time when we lived in a single alternative world. That time is no more. Today the alternatives they are aplenty, and have seriously taken a big slice of the pie. One of those alternatives is PayPal.

The biggest advantage to PayPal as a processing service for accepting credit cards is simplicity. The account is simple to setup, simple to administer, and simple to use. The criteria necessary to qualify for an account are also set at a much lower threshold than that of merchant accounts. Basically, anybody can setup a PayPal account.

There are three types of accounts available through PayPal; Personal, Premiere, and Business. You can ignore the first option, as a Personal account cannot be used to process payments. It is strictly a “play” account. That leaves Premiere and Business. Either can be used to process payments for your school store. Which you choose is a matter of needs and personal preference.

The biggest advantage to a Business account over a Premiere account is that you can use a Taxpayer Identification Number, (TIN), to setup the account rather than your Social Security number. You can also assign a business name to the account. In addition, by adding Payments Pro to the account you can use a physical terminal just as is the case with a merchant account. However, business accounts garner closer scrutiny from PayPal and are subject to more stringent criteria.

Many people already have a Premiere account, so for many this may be the best option. HOWEVER, if you are going to use a Premiere account it must be one dedicated to store business only. The co-mingling of funds is a bad idea for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that it creates accounting nightmares.

Now, the downside. In order to accept PayPal with a Premiere account, you need a web site. This is because, in the absence of a physical terminal – which requires a Business account and a PayPal Pro account – it is a buyer initiated process requiring the input of personal user information, specifically eMail address and password. If you have one, good for you. It’s a relatively simple matter to add Buy Now buttons to your products. If you don’t have a web site, maybe you should, (more about that in the future).

You need a web site. Or do you? Not anymore! PayPal is now competing for those processing dollars in the mobile market and is offering a card swipe device and app for Smartphones. It is called the “Here” smartphone reader, and is currently available for Android and iPhone products. There is a flat 2.7% processing fee, (competitive, but slightly higher than a merchant account), and no other costs involved.

For more reading about the device, head here: https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader. There is even a video demo at that link demonstrating just how simple it is to use.

Again, as is the case with a merchant account, the watch word is SECURITY! Access to credit card and processing information should be strictly controlled and monitored.

Student Supply is your school fundraising partner.

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    Custom School Backpacks for Your School Store

    Posted on May 4, 2012 by Student Supply

    With school budgets being tight, fundraising is a common way to make extra money. Fundraising opportunities exist everywhere, and are frequently stressed as a means for providing extra money to a school system. If your school has its own school store, consider adding custom school backpacks to your array of products.

    The school store is an excellent way to earn extra money for school. Products sold in the school store are often found nowhere else. A school that promotes school pride will have students eager to display their school colors on anything imaginable. With such customized items as nylon drawstring backpacks or zippered pencil pouches, your school store can help meet fundraising goals.

    Drawstring backpacks are an excellent fundraising opportunity for school. These bags are small and lightweight. They’re easy to open and close. They’re tough and can hold many schools supplies.  It’s the perfect bag for gym clothes! Students can use it as a second backpack for those schools that have “A” & “B” day class schedules.

    Have school backpacks available at the beginning of each semester. Once a few backpacks sell and are seen around school, all students will want one!  In the fall, these school backpacks can be sold to the eager incoming class. Others can be kept in the school store for year-round purchase.

    Custom school backpacks are commonly ordered in the school’s colors. However, the school doesn’t need to be limited to only one color. Backpacks are available in many school colors.  If your school colors are red and blue, mix it up; order some blue bags and others can be red. This will provide variety, and students may want to purchase all the available colors to have a selection.

    Drawstring backpacks are easy to order.  Submit your school name and or message along with your school mascot.  Email your school mascot in black & white jpeg format or choose a school mascot from the list available.  Your custom school backpacks will be truly unique.

    School backpacks can be ordered in bulk and kept in stock for a long time. They take up very little space in boxes on shelves, and can be easily displayed in a school store or for a fundraiser at the beginning of semesters.

    Consider adding custom school backpacks to your school’s lineup of spirit gear today.

    800-426-6351

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      Pre Packaged School Supplies; the Perfect “Back to School” School Fundraiser

      Posted on May 2, 2012 by Student Supply

      Acquiring school supplies for back to school can be a major headache for parents and schools.  Typically a parent will have to shop several stores to get everything on a class room supply list.  Schools collect and distribute up-to-date supply lists containing all the information for individual teachers to all the area stores which can become problematic. Some schools even order school supplies in bulk and then have to sort everything out and manufacture their own school supply packs.

      School supply packs will reduce the headache and hassle for parents and schools.  Every school has a tight budget. When used correctly, school supply packs can be your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice.

      These packages take the headache out of mass ordering in several ways. The order form has over 100 different elements commonly needed for back to school. The school simply selects what they need from the list. Each school supply pack that is ordered comes in its own individual box that is clearly labeled. All the school needs to do is distribute the appropriately marked box to a student who has ordered school supplies.

      Fundraising is an excellent way to earn extra money for a school system. As your smart “Back to School” fundraising choice, school supply packs are designed to be easy to sell… The school selects the school supplies needed for a specific grade, and the worksheet automatically calculates cost per supply pack and potential profit.

      As with any fundraiser, up front cost is always an issue with public schools. As your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice, school supply packs ordered from studentsupply.com don’t have to be paid for upfront. The school does not have to remit payment on the packages until thirty days after delivery. This gives the school plenty of time to collect payment from students or parents. Shipping is free in the contiguous United States.

      These packs can be your smart “Back to School” school fundraising choice in several ways. Schools may order a number of school supply packs and inform parents that they may be paid for and picked up at the school at a certain time; possibly the week before school starts, or even the first week of school. Any packs not purchased by students can always be opened and the contents placed for sale at normal prices in the school store.

      Pre sell school supply packs in the spring by sending home parent order forms listing the contents of the pack and the cost.  Once they see what all is included for the price, parents will realize how great the savings are. Advertising encourages parents to pre order the supply pack for delivery at the start of the fall semester.

      School supply packs may also be sold outright in the classroom. This option can be mentioned on the school supply lists sent out to the different stores. Such easy advertising techniques will allow extra packages to be sold at your school. School Supply Packs are a smart school fundraising choice and have the potential to raise a lot of funds for your school while saving parents money and time.

      800-426-6351

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        Custom School Backpacks are a Great School Fundraiser

        Posted on April 25, 2012 by Student Supply

        Selling school backpacks as a school fundraiser is a great way to generate some funding for your school. Most students use a backpack everyday.  They carry all kinds of personal belongings including school supplies and gym clothes. Parents will be more willing to purchase a custom school backpack for their child.

        As a school fundraiser, it’s a good idea to offer backpacks unique to your school that are cost effective an offer quality and durability. Drawstring backpacks are simple to use; there are no zippers; only a drawstring to cinch the pack closed. They’re attractive as they are imprinted with your school name and mascot.  Best of all, the price is very competitive.

        The idea of a personalized backpack gives students a way to show their school pride.  School pride is contagious and soon all students will want a school backpack.  Now you have a product unique to your school that students can’t get anywhere else and your backpack fundraiser will really take off!

        There will always be a need for school backpacks and you will want to keep them in stock. Typically, local retailers carry backpacks only for back to school so make them available in your school store all year and when a child needs a replacement, they can get one right away.  Parents will appreciate the convenience.

        Since you can order custom imprinted school backpacks at volume pricing, the more you order, the lower the cost.  The lower your cost, the higher your school fundraising profit.  With as much as 50% off the suggested retail price, you can more than double your profits with each backpack you sell. You will have the chance to generate a considerable amount of profit in a very short period of time.

        Choose your backpack color, the imprint color and decide on the school mascot you’d like to use.  Your unique imprint will be created and sent for your approval.  Placing an order for custom imprint products is easy online or by phone 800-426-6351.  You are going to find that these backpacks can pretty much sell themselves, you will just need to keep your shelves stocked and let the students know that they are available.

        The sooner you order, the sooner you see your school fundraising $$$!

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          School Dog Tags Build School Spirit

          Posted on April 20, 2012 by Student Supply

          Custom Imprinted dog tags can become an amazing school fundraiser if properly advertised to students. School dog tags can be sold in the school store, offered as a fundraiser for certain events, and even given away as an award.

          Get school spirit going with school dog tags.  The best selling school dog tags are usually very basic; an aluminum tag imprinted with the school’s name and mascot.  Change up the design from time to time to get students excited about collecting all their school dog tags.  Dog tags for are available in many colors. The most common colors are silver and gold. Designs are custom made by the school.  The name of the school can be printed across the top or bottom of the mascot or in a circle surrounding the mascot. There is also the option of a multi-color imprint.

          Aside from wearing dog tags on a chain around your neck, they can also be attached to backpacks, duffel bags and key chains.  Students can turn dog tags into zipper pulls for jackets or purses.  Promoting creative ways to wear school dog tags will get students and teachers excited about purchasing more than one dog tag to display.

          School dog tags can be a true moneymakers for school fundraising.  Order school dog tags for special events.  Award ceremonies, academic competitions or specific school functions are the perfect opportunity to offer imprinted dog tags. Any message or any design can be imprinted to suit your needs.

          A popular time for dog tags is graduation.  Have school dog tags imprinted with the graduation year.  Have 3 or even 4 different years imprinted; freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors will all be proud to wear the year of their graduation.  Individual sports teams can have their own dog tags imprinted.  Kids with lots of school spirit will want to have one for each popular sport the school participates in.

          For special events, school dog tags will make wonderful fundraising opportunities. Other custom events that can have dog tags sold for include field trips, prom, and special after-school events such as dances.

          Finally, the school can promote further collection of dog tags by giving special versions of dog tags for kids away as rewards. Achievements such as perfect attendance and honor roll are wonderful opportunities to give rewards to students who have earned them. Having these dog tags available may also encourage other students to do better in school so that they can get these dog tags for their collection too.

           

           

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            School Stores and Websites

            Posted on April 10, 2012 by Student Supply

            Part One

            Does your school store have a web presence? If you run a centralized store in a larger school district, it may be something for you to consider. Even if you aren’t in a larger district, you may also want to consider it as a way to expand your customer base. Plenty of organizations outside your school could use your school supply products and your expertise.

            In the early days of the Internet an eCommerce web presence was a complicated and costly undertaking. There were few alternatives for shopping cart software and they were all commercial products. Facing very little competition in the marketplace, they could get away with charging whatever they wanted.

            There were few web hosts offering their services, and the technology to do so was expensive. Bandwidth, memory, and storage capacity did not come cheap. There were even fewer web site domain name registrars – one to be exact – so even grabbing your domain name real estate cost a chunk of change.

            Through the powerful market force known as competition and the natural downward spiral of technology costs, a web presence is now more doable than at any other time in history. The software involved in operating an eCommerce site has also become much more user friendly. You no longer have to be a Geek to understand the administrative functions, (the back room), of your web site.

            There are three basic elements that go in to your web presence:

            Domain name, hosting, and shopping cart software.

            Domain name registration costs around $11 a year these days. In the beginning, this was $70 a year. Don’t you love competition? Hosting with a good, reputable company should run you less than $150 a year. But take note: Most of the hosting company reviews you see out there in web land are phony, written by affiliates. Rather than rely on this, seek recommendations from experienced eCommerce site owners.

            An additional note: If your school district already has a web site, perhaps you could piggyback your school store on that site. From a technology standpoint, this is relatively easy to do and you would be eliminating the domain registration and hosting costs. It couldn’t hurt to discuss the possibility with your school administration.

            The final basic element to eCommerce is the shopping cart software. The cost for a suitable solution is anywhere between free, (that’s right, I said FREE), and several thousand dollars. More about this element in an upcoming installment.

            studentsupply.com is your school fundraising partner!

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              Mechanical Pencils for Your School Store

              Posted on March 22, 2012 by Student Supply

              Mechanical pencils are usually made from plastic and have a receptacle to store graphite lead.  They are favored by students for many reasons:  They are economical; typically there are 3 leads in a mechanical pencil, they’re practical because they never need sharpening; just advance the lead for a fresh sharp point.  Mechanical pencils last a long time because they can be refilled.  Mechanical pencils come in several point sizes; while .7mm lead is the standard, there is also .5mm lead for fine writing and .9mm lead for a broader write.

              Mechanical pencils are available in many different designs and colors ranging from NFL or assorted professional sports to standard Bic Mechanical Pencils and Papermate Mechanical Pencils.  There are mini and earth friendly mechanical pencils.  Choose a “side click” or “click top” lead advance style.  Many customers prefer a mechanical pencil with a built in grip like the Metallic Grip Mechanical Pencil.

              Bic Mechanical Pencils, like many other items in school stores can be imprinted with your school’s name and mascot. These can be used for motivational awards, such as student of the week awards. Custom imprinted mechanical pencils are an excellent school supply item for your school store.

              School store supplies are usually found in catalogs or online.  One of the best sources that works closely with schools nationwide is studentsupply.com. This website specializes in handling all types of motivational and organizational school supplies. Many of these products can be imprinted or designed with specific logos and colors to boost interest in schools and raise funds for various projects or field trips.

              Have mechanical pencils available for use in the classroom as well as in the school store so students and teachers alike can to use them in every day classroom work.  In your school store, feature mechanical pencils in a highly visible location because students always need something to write with!  Be sure to have plenty of lead refills to sell right beside the pencils.  This insures your customers will come back to you when their mechanical pencil is empty.

              Toll Free 800-426-6351

               

               

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                Customized Pencils for Your School Supply Store

                Posted on March 16, 2012 by Student Supply

                There are many school supplies that are considered a little mundane despite the fact they are a “must have” in order for students to complete their work. One such supply would be the common, ordinary pencil which is so commonplace in school it can be taken for granted. Make every day school pencils STAND OUT!  Imprint school pencils with your school name and mascot. In addition to school pencils providing students with a unique writing instrument, the school itself can benefit thanks to the promotional nature of personalized pencils and their fundraising value.

                Let’s take a closer look at the value these personalized pencils have to offer:

                Custom school pencils are exactly what their name implies. These pencils have a school name or message and mascot unique to your school. Once imprinted, these customized pencils can then be sold in your school’s supply store. Every student that uses a school pencil feels a little more school spirit every time they write.

                What would these personalized pencils say? Really, there are no limitations. The school’s name or slogan, inspirational words and phrases, the school’s mascot, or other visual images can be imprinted on pencils. Customized pencils reflect a personalized image that is unique to your school alone.

                School pencils have a great deal of promotional value.  Besides selling them at school, you might distribute them in the community to draw attention to what’s happening at your school. One possibility is to imprint pencils with all the game dates listed for a specific school sport.  By circulating custom imprinted school products in the community, you may find the local community starts attending the school’s games and events. The added ticket sales to school games could definitely prove to be a huge help for those schools in need of generating revenue.

                Custom school pencils are relatively inexpensive. They can be produced and delivered to your school for as little as 15¢ each.  The low price of producing the pencils boosts the fundraising potential.  School pencils can retail for 25¢: that’s a profit of 10¢ per pencil!

                Never overlook the value of creativity in the design of personalized pencils. Standard, run of the mill, generic pencils may be functional but they can be purchased anywhere. With the right slogan or image, you can make your school pencil truly memorable. Custom school pencils are far more appealing since they can only be acquired from your school supply store.

                For any school wishing to raise promotional awareness or simply raise school funds, offering customized pencils can prove to be a perfect – yet simple strategy. One of the best aspects of promotional pencils is that people always use them. Unlike hats or mugs, customized pencils won’t find their way into a closet where they will remain sight unseen. Of course, at some point, pencils do need to be replaced which means they are year’ round sellers. Once you list all the benefits of customized pencils, you realize that having an ample supply of them in the school store is a wise idea.

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                  Custom Imprinted Products for Your School Store or School Fundraiser

                  Posted on March 16, 2012 by Student Supply

                  Fundraising for schools has become an established way to pay for extracurricular activities such as school field trips or needed school supplies that are not in the typical school budget. One way to accomplish fundraising is to sell custom imprinted products that are emblazoned with the school name and mascot in school colors. Student Supply is the place to find and order these personalized products for your school. They are established in providing the best products for fundraising as well as school supplies that are needed every day in the classroom.

                  Custom imprinted backpacks, bumper stickers, silicone bracelets and water bottles are just a few of the school spirit items that students just have to have to show pride in their school! The sales from products imprinted with school names and mascots can be very successful in helping schools meet their fundraising goals.  These items can be used as prizes and awards for contests in school. One of the most popular custom imprint products is school dog tags.  Students will wear them proudly! Organizations within the school such as band or sports teams offer imprinted school products to raise funds for uniforms or equipment.

                  Pencils, bookmarks, and notebooks imprinted with positive messages can be used to help students complete a goal or series of goals such as behavior improvement or perfect attendance.  Create a custom imprinted award by designing a zipper clip with the message; “Student of the Week” or handing out key chains to academic achievers that say “Honor Roll”.

                  Personalized and or custom imprinted school supplies will make students feel like they are part of the group because they are participating in school spirit.  Identity is important and when students identify with the school or team, they will have a better attitude which carries over into school work. One item that teachers and staff use to promote identity is an imprinted lanyard.  Personalized lanyards can be imprinted with the school name and mascot and they are available in many school colors.  If all school personnel and volunteers wear a school lanyard, it becomes easy to spot someone who doesn’t have authorization to be in the building.  Pens, pencil pouches and folders are used extensively in the school setting.  Have these items available in your school store with the school name in school colors and students will be showing their school spirit everyday!

                  Designing a specific custom imprint for a group of students or school to use as a fundraiser is a great way to teach lessons about how the process works. Students can create their own ideas and have Student Supply transfer those designs to stadium cups, buttons, tattoos or any of the many custom imprint products available.  Imprint products are a great way to involve students, parents, staff and faculty of schools in raising funds for needed school supplies and equipment to benefit the school and the students for years to come.

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                    Project Boards and Science Fair Boards For Your Student

                    Posted on March 15, 2012 by Student Supply

                    Among the most common types of school projects students are assigned are project boards for science fairs. A science project board allows the student to give others a visual explanation for a particular question, experiment, or theory. A student breaks their project board down into sections that help the viewer understand the science project from beginning to end.

                    First, the student titles their board. Header boards are often used for adding an exciting title to a project by giving projects a 3 dimensional quality as well as added stability.  Along with the title, the student will display the hypothesis of their science project. Next, the student will include other sections on the board, such as the materials that were used in the science experiment and the steps that were taken as a part of the experiment. Next, the student would display the data that they’ve obtained from their experiment. They’d also detail the results of their experiment on their science fair boards.

                    Since project boards are in such high demand, many retail stores carry these for sale. However, the demand for project boards makes them a bit expensive. Parents would be surprised to learn how much of a retail mark-up stores place on the boards simply because they’re so popular. For example, a retailer might purchase project boards from their distribution source at $1.50 per board. However, the retailer might mark up the price of the project board to $7.00 or $8.00! Since the student must turn in a project board to pass their science class, parents have no choice but to purchase such expensive boards!

                    However, there is a way teachers can help to save their students money while raising funds for school. Teachers can purchase project boards online at deeply discounted prices. Besides science fair boards, teachers can also purchase other necessary classroom items, such as pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. It’s very common for teachers to start a classroom school supply store, especially since many teachers find that they simply can’t afford to supplement student school supplies out of their own pockets anymore.

                    In the past, students were given a list of school supplies to bring to class. However, there are always students who don’t bring all of their necessary supplies to school because their parents can’t afford to purchase them or students end up losing their pens, pencils and other supplies well before the end of the first semester of school. In these instances, teachers have often found that they’ve had to purchase crucial student supplies using their own money since most school districts pay little or nothing for these expenses.

                    In today’s economy, teachers simply can’t afford to supplement the cost of school supplies. Therefore, many teachers have found that it’s best to simply resell school supplies at a very reasonable price via their own classroom stores. Not only do the earnings from classroom school supplies help to purchase more supplies, but any profit from these sales can be used for all sorts of things, such as class trips, pizza days, in-class contest prizes, etc. Using a formal fundraising program by selling science fair boards is an excellent way for teachers to help a class reach its financial goals while making sure that all of the students have access to affordable school supplies.

                    Teachers find that by selling project boards for fundraising purposes, they can make a nice profit while still saving their students money. Check out the price of science project boards in a retail store near you to get an idea of what they are selling for.   Now you know where you have to be on the price of project boards in your school store. 

                    Starting a classroom school supply store offers advantages for students and teachers. Students will always have access to their most crucial school supplies at an affordable price. Teachers can rest assured they can provide their students with their school supplies in a manner that is cost efficient. Best of all, the profits that are earned through the sale of project boards or other school supplies will help a classroom earn money for its desired needs, or for the needs of others in the community.

                     Toll Free 800-426-6351

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