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| | Post New Topic | | Compliments Can Be Tricky | Views: 34 | | Nov 03, 2009 6:16 pm | | Compliments Can Be Tricky | # | 
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Have you ever been the recipient of an award that you did not anticipate. Then, right in the process of receiving the reward you somehow sense the reward you are receiving really is not about you at all. Instead, what's happened is someone is using you to accomplish their agenda. You are not the real focus of what is happening. You're the pawn.
While I have had this sort of thing happen to me numerous times in my life under very different circumstances, I just went to my MerchantCircle page and this scenario seems to be playing out once again. I have received the "Top Merchant" Award. Well, I didn't even know there was such an award - let alone what you needed to do to achieve it. So, why have I got it? I am not even sure.
There are no doubt some MerchantCircle folks on this network. If you happen to be on MerchantCircle and have competed for the "Top Merchant" distinction, received it and know full well what you did to achieve it, please tell me. I would like to see if I can figure out why I got this award.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 03, 2009 9:53 pm | | re: Compliments Can Be Tricky | # | 
Ken Hilving | | From Merchant Circle -
"A Top Merchant badge is given to merchants who distinguish themselves as a reliable and trusted source on MerchantCircle. These merchants rank among the most successful in using MerchantCircle to find customers and promote their business online. The Top Merchant badge helps your customers identify that you are an active and acknowledged Top Merchant on MerchantCircle.
Criteria to become a Top Merchant:
Qualifying as Top Merchant is easy. Use MerchantCircle features to promote your business online:
Complete your profile and list your categories
Invite at least one merchant to your network (outside of MerchantCircle)
Create at least one blog posting
Upload at least 3 pictures and/or videos showcasing your business
create at least 1 coupon featuring special offers for your customers
Have received at least 2 reviews (from customers or other merchants"
source http://www.merchantcircle.com/forum/thread/Promoting.Your.Business/Top.Merchant.Window.sticker/31860
Private Reply to Ken Hilving | | Nov 03, 2009 10:35 pm | | re: re: Compliments Can Be Tricky | # |
Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Ken,
Okay, I see now. I did it without realizing I was fulfilling those criteria. I guess you could call it a "happy accident" as opposed to a deliberate design.
Lamar Morgan
CDMM - Synergistic Business Marketing
(707)709-8605
Need PR?...Call Lamar!
Private Reply to Lamar Morgan 707-709-8605 | | Nov 04, 2009 12:09 pm | | re: re: re: Compliments Can Be Tricky | # | 
Bobbi Jo Woods | | Like Ken outlined, a Top Merchant badge is something of a level to complete.
I've seen merchants on Merchant Circle who have horrid reviews from customers (I'm talking nightmare tales), post ridiculous drivel in a blog, and still get a Top Merchant badge.
It's not really that special of an achievement, IMHO. And yes, I have one. I think I got it the first week or two of activity. It's that easy to get without even realizing it.
I don't care that much for Merchant Circle as much as I did back when I first enrolled.
Be VERY careful about what "features" you decide to use. I'd stay far, far away from any that require a Credit Card. Once folks unleash those digits, they find multiple charges and an impossible dispute process, if any.
I avoided a huge transaction dispute hurdle early on, when I had ordered their "free domain name and website" package a year or so ago. I thought, "What could it hurt, having my company name and Merchant Circle page content on an additional site?" The free offer was (I think) for 30 or 90 days, then just before that time was up, you were to cancel, or be charged $19.XX per month. I tried to cancel but it wouldn't let me. Then I had to click on a number of pages to follow a different cancellation method--which I thought was successful--only to continue to get charged 3 times for 3 consecutive months. I finally e-mailed someone in customer service and told them I wanted to cancel the transactions. Only after that, did the charges stop. I knew that if I wanted to pay for a domain name and simple website, not only could I do it cheaply elsewhere, but being in the business, I already have those resources available to me, and moreover, the ability to control them on my own.
I decided that was the last time I'd give my card number to anyone at Merchant Circle, for anything.
-Bobbi Jo
Bobbi Jo Woods, Owner - B. Woods Design
Professional, Managed Websites for Small Businesses
"A good designer can do SOMETHING. A great designer does the RIGHT thing."
Twin Cities (651) 774-0811
Toll - Free (877) 99-MY-WEB
Website: http://www.bwoodsdesign.com
Website tips blog: http://www.webprospeak.com
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