1. Prompt Delivery Rules - Internet Product Sales
July 01, 2005


The Internet is the fastest growing source of mail order sales. The explosive growth in the goods and services sold online has in the past taken many online sellers by surprise: demand has outpaced supply, depleting inventories and disappointing customers. This can lead to serious problems with the FTC. The FTC has issues directives spelling out the ground rules for making promises about shipments, notifying consumers about unexpected delays, and refunding consumers' money. Enforced by the FTC, the Mail or Telephone Order Rule applies to orders placed by phone, fax or the Internet. Comp... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1460

2. Online Consumers - What Are They Complaining About?
July 01, 2005


For many businesses, e-commerce represents a tremendous method for generating revenues. To maximize the profit potential, you need to keep an eye on issues that drive your prospects nuts. The FTC maintain a list of the top 10 “dot.cons” complained about by consumers. If your site falls within one of these industries, you must make sure you address these concerns. Consumer Complaints According to the FTC, here's what online consumers are complaining about most: Internet Auctions The Bait: Shop in a "virtual marketplace" that offers a huge selection of products at great deals. Th... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1418

3. Marketing on the Internet: Legal Rules of the Road
July 01, 2005


The Internet is connecting advertisers and marketers to customers from Boston to Bali. If you're thinking about advertising on the Internet, remember that many of the same rules that apply to other forms of advertising apply to electronic marketing. The Federal Trade Commission Act allows the FTC to act in the interest of all consumers to prevent deceptive and unfair acts or practices. The FTC has determined that a representation, omission or practice is deceptive if it is likely to: 1. Mislead consumers and 2. Affect consumers' behavior or decisions about the product or service. ... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1376

4. FTC Names Dirty Dozen Email Scams
July 01, 2005


The FTC has published 12 scams you are most likely to receive as email. They are: 1. Business opportunities These business opportunities make it sound easy to start a business that will bring lots of income without much work or cash outlay. The solicitations trumpet unbelievable earnings claims $1,000 a day or more without doing any work. Many business opportunity solicitations claim to offer a way to make money in an Internet-related business. Short on details but long on promises, these messages usually offer a telephone number to call for more information. In many cases, you'll be t... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1428

5. 'Free' and 'Low Cost' PC Offers - The Catch
July 01, 2005


You've probably seen the ads for "low cost" PC's - "PC's for $199" - or even "free" computers. If you're in the market for a personal computer, you should know "free" doesn't always mean free. Very often, certain conditions and restrictions found in the fine print of advertisements for "free" or "low cost" PC's can turn a so-called deal into an expensive purchase. Bundled Services "Free" or "low-cost" PC offers often require "bundled" Internet service contracts, which may last up to three years. In return for signing up for Internet service, you can get as much as a $400 rebate on the c... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1480

6. Business Name - How To Pick One From A Legal Perspective
July 01, 2005


A business name can be a huge factor in the ultimate success or failure of the entity. Unfortunately, many people fail to give a lot of thought to it prior to moving forward. There are many factors to consider including something memorable, a name related to your area of work and, potentially, the availability of the domain name. Married? Picking a business name is like getting married. You are going to have to stick with it till the bitter end. It is estimated a prospect will need to see your advertisement and business name at least 22 times prior to doing business with you. Once they ... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1456

7. Don't Waste My Time!
June 30, 2005


Many participants in my programs ask how to deal with people who appear to be seeking information and nothing more. In many environments these individual’s are called time wasters. Time wasters come in every shape and form but they usually possess a few consistent characteristics – they ask a continuing stream of questions, take up loads of our time, and seldom end up buying anything. What is particularly interesting about these situations is that many time wasters don’t set out to be that way. It is usually our fault that this happens because we don’t control the sales process. And in many c... (read more)

Author: Kelley Robertson | Article Views: 1460

8. Do You Need Milk?
June 29, 2005


Most of us have been raised on milk. Not only that, many of us have been raised with the "Basic Four Food Groups" and other dietary guidelines that recommend milk as one or our daily food needs. However, there is much we need to understand about milk and how if affects our bodies, what it really does and does not provide, and also how today's dairy milk differs than the milk that used to be found on the farm or in the past. Let's first understand that we as humans are mammals. We are the only mammals who drink milk after we are weaned, we are the only mammals who drink milk from another ma... (read more)

Author: Erleen Tilton | Article Views: 1330

9. Supreme Court Decides Against Grokster In File Sharing Decision
June 28, 2005


The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled peer-to-peer sites such as Grokster, Kazaa and Morpheus can be held responsible for copyright infringement by their users. In a rare 9-0 decision in favor of Plaintiff MGM, the Justices held that a business distributing technology with the active intent of promoting copyright violations could not escape liability for subsequent copyright infringements. Although unanimous, the ruling is a strained effort to isolate file sharing from other industries. In arguing their position, Grokster had relied on previous rulings regarding VHS technology. In a 1984 case, ... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1488

10. S Corporation - What Is It?
June 22, 2005


For many small businesses, the “S” corporation is the business entity of choice. The “S” in S corporation refers to a tax designation. All corporations are created the same way under state law. A small business must then chose a tax status, to wit, “C”, “S” or non-profit. Important issues concerning S corporations are covered in this article. C Corporation v. S Corporation Federal tax laws automatically consider every corporation to be a “C” designation. A small business, however, may elect to be designated as an “S” corporation by filing IRS form 2553. The election must be made prior t... (read more)

Author: Richard A. Chapo | Article Views: 1651