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Com-Guard, Inc. (Pink Sheets: CGUD), the technology company that is currently offering its software in multiple markets for the sales of its Transactional Cash Engine Software, is announcing its Pay-Guard(TM) software in the secure marketplace for Transaction Processing.

The Company expects to immediately commence marketing and sales of its licensed, Pay-Guard software in the Transactional Cash Engine Software market.

The Company will commence a Sales and Marketing program to target five (5) growth opportunities.

Secure Transactions – In the secure transactions market, consumers want to shield their confidential information from the vendors that they are buying from. The Pay-Guard software will allow transactions to be secure and the buyer’s information will be hidden and protected.

Loyalty Card Programs – Retailers are finding it more costly to accept Credit Card payments and develop customer loyalty.

The “Transactional Cash Engine Software” technology will allow Merchants to combine their loyalty programs with a combined payment technology. The retailer will save transaction fees and the consumer will be rewarded with savings and gifts as decided by the merchant.

Online Payments – Consumers are increasingly using the Internet to pay for transactions. And they are concerned about Internet fraud and the theft of credit card details. Merchants are searching for ways to transact sales in a secure manner with the least expense.

Pay Day Advance and Money Transfers – The “Transactional Cash Engine Software” is especially suited to allow merchants to secure their pay day advances and to securely transfer money over the internet.

Specialty Payment Programs – Schools, Travel Companies, Restaurants etc. are looking for ways to have their goods and services paid for without incurring Credit Cards fees. The “Transactional Cash Engine Software” will allow the Company to personalize these payment programs at a reduced rate.

For more information, visit com-guard.com.

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Even the most fool-proof gifts are subject to returns. In fact, 19% of people plan on returning a gift after the holidays, according to a recent Consumer Reports poll. But returning items may not be as easy or affordable as in years past. Holiday headaches will last long after the season is over, as return shipping costs, restocking fees and other gotchas prevail.

Hassle-free return tactics
Because even the best gifts don’t always fare well with recipients, it’s best to be prepared before the purchase is made. Check privacy policies and terms of agreement, not just the returns section of a retailer’s site. Consumer Reports also recommends shoppers should:

• Get a receipt or gift receipt. Despite longer grace periods, retailers are becoming more insistent on a receipt in order to get a refund, and they’re more inclined to turn away customers without proof of purchase. Without a receipt, they may offer a store credit for the lowest price the item sold for.
• Keep packaging intact. Stores are likely to refuse a return if the packaging materials are open or discarded. Even a missing instruction manual, cords and cables or warranty card can give retailers reason to deny the return.
• Be wary online. Don’t just throw it in a box and mail it back. Online returns usually require a packing slip (typically included in any gift order), and a return authorization number. Call ahead to ensure that all requirements are being met.
• Don’t break seals or cut out UPC codes. Items like computer software, video games, CDs and DVDs aren’t generally returnable for another title after the seal has been broken. If an item comes with a rebate offer, make sure it works before removing the UPC code to redeem the rebate.

Don’t get stuck paying restocking fees
A restocking fee is a fee imposed on a consumer who returns an item. It covers the cost of processing the return, the costs associated with returning the item to the store’s shelves, and any lost revenue as a result of the store’s inability to sell that item as new. More products carry a restocking fee if the package has been opened, but if the item is defective before it’s used, the store should not charge a restocking fee.

Typically fees range from 10 to 15 percent of the purchase price. Items more likely to have restocking fees include camcorders, TVs, digital cameras, and computers; however Consumer Reports found some not-so-hot returns policies that harbor a variety of restocking fees.

The bottom line when it comes to restocking fees: Don’t open the package unless there is no possibility of a return.

For more information, visit consumerreports.org.

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WOW! Credit Cards.com is pleased to announce the introduction of the ‘Credit Card Popularity Tracker’ – an innovative new tool designed to help consumers evaluate and compare credit cards. The Credit Card Popularity Tracker allows visitors to determine which credit cards are the most popular by using click-based ‘credit card popularity scores’, which are displayed next to every credit card offer on WOW!
Credit Cards.com. By accessing data provided by previous customers, the tool allows visitors to determine the most popular credit cards based upon prior user behavior and preferences – giving them confidence in their decision-making ability and making it easier for them to choose the best credit card offers.

A team of developers created the ‘Credit Card Popularity Tracker’ earlier this year, which tracks clicks to every credit card on WOW! Credit Cards.com. When a visitor is interested in an offer and clicks on the associated credit card application, the click-thru data is stored and used to calculate the credit card’s popularity score, which is displayed in ‘real-time’ throughout the site. Although the Popularity Tracker does not account for completed or approved applications, it does allow visitors to see which credit card offers received the most interest based upon click-thrus.

For more information, visit wowcreditcards.com.

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Despite talk that the economy is stabilizing, consumer sentiment levels remain low (40.3), growing slightly from September, as Americans report more financial difficulties, according to the latest Consumer Reports Index Report.

The Consumer Reports Trouble TrackerIndex is a calculated score that focuses on both the proportion of consumers that have faced difficulties and the number of negative events they have encountered. In October, the Trouble Tracker measured a sharp rise to 66.7 from 62.3 in September. This was the greatest increase in the metric since June.

While the percentage of Americans experiencing trouble dropped slightly from 38 percent to 36 percent, the average number of troubles jumped from 1.6 to 1.9 per household. The Trouble Tracker Index continues to trend upward month-over-month from the low of 48.5 in May to a new high in October.

Lower-income households, earning less than $50,000 a year, have been disproportionately affected by the recession. In the past 30 days: 26 percent have been unable to afford medical bills or medications, 12 percent lost their job or were laid off, 12 percent lost or have reduced healthcare coverage and 18 percent missed a payment on a major bill other than a mortgage.

In October, Consumers in the Northeast appear to have a better financial outlook than other parts of the country. Sentiment (42.3) was up 5 points in the region, and the Stress Index (63.7) and Trouble Tracker Index (68.0) levels improved, while the Employment Index (48.9) remained stable. In contrast, families in the Western states indicated a more negative picture. Stress Index levels in the region were up 13.8 points to 80.4 while the Consumer Sentiment Index level dropped even lower to 32.8 from 39.2 in September.

Despite the early efforts by some retailers to focus on the upcoming holiday season, consumers are showing very little intention of increasing their retail buying in the next 30 days. The Consumer Reports Retail Index (9.2) for purchase made in the past 30 days appears to have stabilized over the past three months. However, the Retail Outlook for October (7.6), remains virtually unchanged for the third month in a row.

For more information, visit consumerreports.org.

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