By applying different variables like distance between holidays, weather, lack of daylight, lapsing of New Year’s resolutions and the arrival of Christmas bills to come up with the third Monday in January as the most depressing day of the year! Hooray.

This winter it’s particularly easy to feel the mid-winter blues with the pictures from the earthquake in Haiti on the news to add to the crummy weather outside.

Here’s a suggestion, why don’t you do something to make yourself feel better. The help Haiti initiative that we’re running is a good opportunity to help others and make you feel better: when you shop at one of these participating stores, we will donate $10 dollars to Red Cross for every order over $50 by using a special coupon code, you’ll also save $10.

It’s an easy way for everyone to take part in helping Haiti on what is sure to be a long and difficult road to recovery.

1) General regulation regarding billing, interest rates, etc…

2) Specific to those 21 years old or younger

3) Gift card management

The credit card bill provisions have some serious implications for eTailers, especially those whose demographics focus on those 21 years old and younger, as well as those eTailers who issue credit and those who issue gift cards. The impact of the credit card bill on eTailers was discussed in detail on a webinar conducted by Sucharita Mulpuru of Forrester Research, and highlighted some key steps eTailers must take to be ready for this change that will have far reaching short term and long term impacts.

However, if the date of Feb 2010 is moved to Dec 1, 09 as reported by LaToya Irby, “Lawmakers Push to Move Up Credit Card Rules” this change will have serious negative impact on eTailers who have relied on credit payment methods for processing eCommerce. While many are implementing or considering secure cash payment methods for their eCommerce site, many are coming close to Cyber Monday, the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season which also happens to be the unofficial “code freeze” whereby eTailers stop making changes to their website. If this credit card bill comes into effect now, how many wont be ready? How will they service their customers this holiday season?

Implementing secure cash payment methods is easy to do, and must part of every retailers eCommerce strategy. Time is running out on the Feb 2010 deadline, and more so if that date moves to October 200. The good news for eTailers, solutions to help with this transition are fast and easy to implement and many online merchants have already taken these steps

What do you think the impact will be if this takes place?

Sucharita Mulpuru, Principal Analyst, at Forrester Research, will host an in-depth webinar on the impact of the credit card bill, and the implications to online shopping and online retailers. Find out what online merchants need to implement at the checkout, to be ready for the new legislation and consumer behavior.

Agenda:

• What is in the Bill
• What is not in the Bill
• Impact on eCommerce
• Who is impacted
  What you need to know, and do

Date: Wednesday June 24th
Time: 1:00pm EST

Register Today: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/812913571

Find out more about eBillme, and non credit payment options.

When you go to a store near you, you walk up to the teller, hand off the new blender you like, get it scanned and pay. When you pay, you the customer make a choice, you can pay with credit instruments, or you can pay with cash or cash alternatives. The credit card bill will absolutely have some impact on how people will pay in general, but unlike brick and mortar location, online merchants have by in large depended on credit instruments to process payments. This has several implications especially to those retailers serving the under 21 market.

The credit card bill has reduced the ability of those younger than 21 to borrow, with some exceptions

1. You may still get credit if your parents sign off
2. You will need to take a course before you qualify for credit
3. Show proof that you have stable income and the ability to repay what you borrow.
4. OR, You can get Married

If you are younger than 21 and are not ready to walk down the isle just for the privelige of shopping (especially shopping online), you can turn to cash payment alternatives such as “eBillme Teen” to buy online with cash.