Kievgid

If you’re looking to buy a business of any kind, keep in mind that this involves a complex set of metrics due to the dynamic nature of the purchase. Many tangible and intangible elements will have to be taken into account and while you may come across benchmarks in the industry, often quoted by those who are looking for a good price, every situation must be looked at differently. As such, it can be very difficult for a prospective buyer to value a liquor store for sale, especially when he or she looks at what appears to be a similar prospect nearby at a significantly different price. Why is there so much difference, even though each appears to be similar in type, style and size?

When you buy liquor store business interests, understand that the purchase is composed of many different assets and the entity’s position at any one point in time is dependent on a large variety of factors. Some of these factors could include efforts already put in by the owner, marketing plans, client demographics, a particular focus on services or products, how well the staff interact and so on. It is therefore particularly important that you glean as much information as you possibly can, conduct comprehensive research and be especially diligent before you begin to decide whether it is right for you.

Here are some of the issues you might face when contemplating the purchase of a liquor store:

* location.
* whether revenue and profits are stable and sustainable.
* the customer database and potential for expansion.
* how portable is the lease and what are the terms and conditions associated?
* demographics and population shifts.
* road construction projects.
* look at the employees, do any work for cash or favors and are many family members involved?
* any pending threats or opportunities that could significantly impact revenues.

For some reason, people in the liquor store industry often want to focus on benchmarks and while you can certainly refer to these for information, never rely on them. It’s certainly true to say that no two businesses are the same and a variety of focus areas are possible - premium products, beer, wine and cigarettes. Always be on the lookout for abnormalities and if something really jumps out at you, get to the bottom of it. At the end of the road, however, look at the bottom line to determine how much the business is worth to you.

When you are assessing the business financials and particularly the revenues, you must dismiss any cash sales reported by the owner unless these sales are backed up by audited accounts and are included in tax returns. The outgoing owner cannot expect to receive the value for these “under the counter” sales, as he or she may well have not reported them for tax purposes in the first place.

Inventory offered must be saleable and not be made up of products that are out of date or unlikely to sell. For example, a huge stock of winter ales will not sell well as you enter the summer months.

To establish a base upon which to value and then decide to buy a business, look at net income, add owner salary, any perks, received depreciation and interest and then deduct any allocation for capital expenses. This latter item refers to any perceived payments you may have to make in the short to mid-term in relation to improvements, upgrades or necessary investments.

Richard Parker is the President and founder of the Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center. His inspiring materials, seminars and consulting have assisted thousands of business buyers with achieving their life long dream to buy a business.

When a prospective buyer is trying to establish whether he or she will purchase a particular business for sale, there are many buy business elements to take into consideration. When prospects arise, quite apart from the question of suitability, location and longevity, the issue of real-world business valuation is front and center. The seller will present a series of financial documents and it is, of course, in their best interests to portray the business for sale in a shining light. As such, the issue of “add backs” is likely to represent one of the thorniest problems.

In most instances, add backs are included in an effort to present the business from a real world point of view. When compiling traditional accounting reports, it’s essential to adhere to a set of very rigid standards - there may also be additional footnotes to consider, and depending on your point of view, these can be either positive or negative. When you’re thinking about buying a business, it’s crucial that you carefully scrutinize each and every add back, as they can often make a significant difference in your final valuation figure.

When performing the process of due diligence, checking recorded sales and purchases against ledgers and reconciled bank accounts is usually a fairly straightforward task. Far more often than you might think however, the current owner will strive to draw your attention to points which may be “one-time” instances, or to extra income which might not actually appear anywhere in the books at all. You should be open to all suggestions of course but maintain a degree of skepticism at all times until you are able to validate the claims, or otherwise.

Don’t forget that for an item to be claimed as a “one off,” it must not have occurred during any of the previous years. Seller could argue that a particular expense is much larger than it should be due to a particular incident or requirement, but if you see a pattern of any kind, then the add back must be discounted.

One of the most common add backs, especially when the business can be owner operated, is to suggest the value of a manager’s salary. You need to establish that the outgoing owner was not actively involved in the operation of the business in this case and this figure is only of interest to you if you intend to assume the role of the redundant manager.

Add backs may not be asserted whenever they represent intangibles, such as the prospect of additional revenues due to a new marketing initiative that the outgoing owner has just put in place, for example. Nor should you believe an owner claim that you can reduce a certain category of expenses through renegotiation or other initiatives. After all, if the outgoing owner has not being able to do so to this point it seems reasonable to assume that an incoming “newbie” is likely to have even less ability to affect short-term change in this regard.

Be particularly wary when you are told that a business retains a lot of cash sales. You must essentially discount this notion from a strict valuation perspective, even though such a claim made, after review, may be seen as reasonable. If the owner has not entered the cash sales on the books, he or she will not have accounted for taxes correctly and it’s not fair for them to expect to receive a double benefit in this way, a net tax saving and enhanced business value.

When you have reviewed the complete list of business financials, treat each claim for add back on an individual case basis and never roll them into an inflated value. At this stage you must be particularly diligent to enable you to arrive at a real world price for this prospect.

Richard Parker is the author of the How to Buy a Good Business at a Great Price series. As President and founder of Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center, his materials, seminars and consulting have helped thousands of business buyers realize their dream to buy a business.

Everyone needs to eat to live, and over time we’ve established a habit of making this process a social one. As such, a restaurant for sale is one of the most popular businesses to buy, and one which may represent an even more attractive purchase proposition if you have a particular taste for a certain type of food!

Perform due diligence carefully when looking to buy restaurant business, even though your intuition - and your stomach, might be telling you that it’s the right decision for you. This particular industry is extremely competitive, and there are an array of factors you’ll need to consider. Allocate a period of time, experts recommend four weeks, to observe the operation of the business. This should enable you to get a good feel and to smooth out any peaks or troughs before you make your final decision.

You have several key areas to investigate including the premises, the financials, the equipment, lease, the operations and the employees. Do not be afraid to bring in experts, including an accountant experienced in the food business to help you, but as you go through your observation period, use your general business sense and a good portion of common sense to observe how everything works, especially from a client point of view.

For your paper and number crunching chores, expect to review the tax returns, profit and loss statements, cash flow worksheets, inventory records, employee records, equipment agreements, maintenance schedules, all necessary licenses, health inspections certificates and a history and copy of the lease.

When reviewing the financial documents, it’s essential to keep in mind that the restaurant business has a large volume of cash sales. Surprisingly often, many business owners decide to siphon off some of this cash for themselves, not reporting it to save on taxes. In the long run this isn’t a good idea, as this money could have been applied toward a marketing budget or buying new business assets, and if siphoning is going on, it can be quite hard to prove income.

When you are inspecting the property, look at it from an overall perspective as well as in detail. Can it be adequately seen from nearby major roads, is signage appropriate, well-maintained and presentable? Are there any other major competitors and are they overbearing? What is your first impression when arriving in the parking lot? Take a look at external dumpsters and trash removal areas to make sure that these are as well-maintained as possible and are unobtrusive.

Moving inside, what is your first impression of the decor. Is the waiting area pleasant and contributory to the overall ambience? Is there adequate signage for bathrooms, emergency exits? Pay close attention to the bathrooms. They should be in perfect working order, comfortable and impeccably clean and well-maintained. In a restaurant, everything, repeat everything should be clean, presentable and in full working order.

Most of the equipment contained in a restaurant and specifically within its kitchen is subject to certification, inspection and permitting. Check to see that this is all up-to-date and timely. While every element of the equipment should be operated according to the letter of the law, you must also ensure that regular maintenance and cleaning schedules are top-notch. For major items and appliances, see whether contractor warranties are available and can be transferred to you.

Very often a lease can be a potential stumbling block when looking at a restaurant for sale. The landlord will want to ensure that the business is being operated as efficiently as possible and may be wary of transferring or issuing a new lease to someone who does not have much experience. Look for terminology within the lease stating that transfers will “not be unreasonably withheld,” and aim to ensure that you get at least as favorable terms during your tenancy. This would be a good time to assess the overall viability of the environment within which the business operates. If in a strip mall of some kind, are the anchor stores in good shape and do the majority of other businesses also appear sound? You do not want to see an anchor store disappear and the overall visitor level to the area decline.

When you analyze the operations of the business, you want to learn how the current owner operates and whether there are any immediate issues or challenges that you will have to take into account. Look closely at any “special arrangements” or unique selling points that involve a particular individual, a style or presentation of food. You want to be sure that these elements are transferable or will be present when you take over.

A restaurant will likely rise and fall on the strength of its employees. While you can expect a high turnover in any kind of restaurant, if you see some loyal staff and a good “team spirit” this can be a definite plus. Check to see how people are hired, the terms and conditions offered to them and exactly how they are paid.

While you should insist on an observation period, before you are involved in formal discussions with the seller why not kill two birds with one stone and visit the restaurant for a few nice dinners or lunches with other companions? You don’t have to show your hand at this stage and can get a really good feeling by observing how the staff come and go, the operation within the kitchen ideally and in general get an opinion of whether everything is orderly and well-structured during the busiest times.

Richard Parker is the author of the How to Buy a Good Business at a Great Price series. As President and founder of Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center, his materials, seminars and consulting have helped thousands of business buyers realize their dream to buy a business.

When looking to buy liquor store business, the process of due diligence goes way beyond just an assessment of the presented financials. You need to be able to access all the files and records, review information and research personnel as you review what you’re being told. It is recommended that you allocate at least four weeks for this process and do not be tempted to rush to judgement. There are a surprising number of issues which may only become apparent over a span of time, so always keep this in mind and proceed cautiously.

There are some decisions that you can make about buying a liquor store business before you immerse yourself fully in the due diligence process. While you’re likely going to have to do a great deal of number crunching and leg work as you press on ahead, is there anything at this point which you have come to understand about the industry, about this business in particular, its owners or its location so far that has given you pause, causing you to second guess yourself? If for example you already know that financial records are incomplete for reasons given by the seller, or the condition of the store or its assets are not as you had hoped or expected, inventories are incomplete, inspections, certificates or licenses are compromised for one reason or another – all may be reasons for you to turn around and bid good day.

For a process of due diligence to be complete, you will need to concentrate on seven different areas:

1. The Premises.

We’ve already covered the crucial importance of allocating not less than four weeks to this endeavour, and you should reach an agreement with the seller for this set period of time so that you can personally observe the day-to-day operations of the business. First of all, you’re going to need to assess the inside and outside of the place of business and figure out a rough estimate of what you might need to pay out to replace, repair or upgrade. Remember that the attitude of the staff is very important in the retail business and you should immediately assess how the existing staff interact with clients. Are they generally friendly, attentive, and prompt as well? Personal issues or conversations should not be apparent. Ask yourself whether the store looks good, has a good ambience, appears fresh and clean, has well-maintained restrooms and break areas and is generally spick and span.

You must also ensure that you are happy with the general location of the business, the surrounding stores, the type of people who frequent the area, the accessibility and especially beware of any pending major road construction in the area as this often has a significant bearing.

2. The Financials.

As a minimum, you will need to review the profit and loss statements, the balance sheets and tax returns. You would do well to employ the services of an accountant who is experienced in the liquor business to help you here. Look at all the supplier invoices and reconcile them to revenues. This may be a time intensive process but you will be able to determine your margins this way. Be very aware of any transactions that involve cash, especially if it involves your suppliers. You will need to get written confirmation from the suppliers of their ongoing terms.

Remember some of these industry benchmarks:

• gross margin should be between 24 and 28%.

• rent should be 7% of revenue maximum.

• product mix should be up to 70% liquor or up to 40% wine.

• labor should represent 5 to 7% of revenue.

• net profit should be 8 to 12% of revenue.

• inventory should be turned over between eight and 10 times per year.

3. The Equipment.

All equipment and furnishings should be in adequate working order and not in immediate need of repair or replacement. As such you should review all the maintenance and service records and look for yourself to see if all refrigeration cases are clean and well-maintained and all other equipment is well looked after.

4. Vendor Agreements.

Your wholesalers and suppliers are absolutely essential when you purchase liquor store business assets and you must get to know them well during your due diligence. Can arrangements be transferred to you or will you have to make new ones? You do not have to be prepared to settle with the existing suppliers or vendors and you should really investigate as many options or opportunities as you can. You may, for example, see better terms elsewhere and this knowledge will be great ammunition when you come to negotiations and peace of mind.

5. Lease Contracts.

Always be sure the lease is transferable or that there are no obstacles ahead of you. You must be able to assume or acquire a long-term lease before proceeding.

6. Operations.

It is likely that you will need a number of licenses and this should be a particular area of concern when it comes to a liquor license. Sometimes these may not be assigned or transferred or other onerous terms may be set by jurisdictions.

Go through the daily procedures from opening time to closing time; who has access to keys and alarm settings? Does the business have a procedure for emergencies of any kind? Ask the seller to provide you with an optimal inventory level. Ensure that you review all insurance certificates and be adequately covered for all eventualities. You will need to talk with credit card processors and merchant banks and be prepared to move to access better rates if necessary.

7. The Employees.

As this can be a significant cost and liability area, be focused here. Check each member’s compensation, especially if there’s any possibility of cash being paid “under the table.” If you see that there is a high turnover of employees, ask yourself why. Is there a procedure in place for training? While the seller will often be wary about letting his employees know that the sale is in process, you nevertheless need to analyze each employee individually, assess their loyalty and competence and adjust your plans accordingly. Understand that certain procedures may be quite traditional to them and you should ask yourself how you feel they will react if you need to make significant changes. If one or more employees are absolutely critical to your success, you will need to meet with them prior to consummating a contract.

When you find a liquor store for sale, if you conduct your due diligence correctly you will have the opportunity to see exactly how the business ticks, and you won’t be in for any surprises when you take over.

Richard Parker is the President and founder of the Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center. His inspiring materials, seminars and consulting have assisted thousands of business buyers with achieving their life long dream to buy a business.

A liquor store business is a fairly common sight around a retail landscape, and in most instances they’re a valued part of your local strip mall as well. Most believe that a liquor store represents a solid business and is less prone to recession. Note that there are quite a lot of factors to take into consideration when buying a liquor store and you must bear in mind that in most cases this is not a good “hands-off” business.

One of the most significant issues to take into account and perhaps even more important than a location, is the acquisition of a license. The steps required to acquire the all-important license to run a retail liquor store can be quite complicated, so much so that the endeavour sometimes results in people walking away from buying a liquor store entirely.

Always ensure that you develop a clear understanding of the circumstances that will effect your chances of acquiring the essential licenses to run a liquor store:

• Generally, every authority – city, county or state – operates a different set of rules and guidelines.

• Some areas will allow you to transfer a license without any problem, while others dictate that you need only apply for a new one.

• On the opposite end of the spectrum, some municipalities specify a moratorium on new licenses, meaning that the store cannot even be sold!

• Retail liquor store licenses can be held in such high demand in other locations that they are treated just like stocks on the open market.

If demand is high, costs can be over $1 million, representing more than the actual price of the business.

Ensure that you’ve got a clear understanding of the details relating to the licensing in your specific location. Conduct this research yourself with the appropriate government agencies and do not take anyone else’s word for it.

Generally speaking inventory is turned over, in a good liquor store, between eight and 10 times per year. While there may be a good amount of inventory included in your deal, make sure that it is current and readily saleable. Liquor stores can be priced at business value plus inventory, but make sure that this total price can be broken down to fit within your own investment parameters.

Don’t think that you can become an absentee owner. When it comes to liquor stores, they really do demand a hands-on approach. Just think about it, there’s a high degree of cash sales, a lot of valuable merchandise, long operational hours and the business is susceptible to crime. You will need to make sure that you get competent and trustworthy staff to help you though, as the operating hours can be very long.

Ensure that you choose a store that has an excellent product variety mix. No longer is it okay to operate with a store full of booze in a decent location. People’s preferences are evolving as they’re becoming more cultured, with new wine boutiques and megastores appearing daily. A variety of different products and flavors are now in demand and expected.

If you’re considering buying a liquor store which has an excellent reputation which is based on knowledge and the available selection, you should ensure that you have, or can employ individuals who have, the same caliber of product knowledge as the current owner.

A great liquor store might work really well in almost any environment, and in such an instance location might not be the most crucial factor here. If you offer a great selection of product (the right mix between wine, liquor and beer) plus popular items like lottery and tobacco, you could be onto a winner. If you will need to compete solely on price, however, then you must pick the right location. Negotiate the best lease contract with the most favorable terms.

Remember, that if the seller cannot prove it then you can’t pay for it! Liquor store owners can be notorious for keeping poor records or skimming off cash. This is very negative for a number of reasons:

• It may well be almost impossible to determine the real profits.

• The seller will want to factor in unreported income to his asking price but this can be completely unreasonable.

• If the seller is stealing cash, other staff may be as well.

Don’t take them at their word when they say that there will be “a lot of cash” that never shows up on the books, unless they are just telling you that and not including this consideration in the asking price. They cannot have it both ways; if they avoided taxes on the income, they cannot get paid again by building in some mystery revenue to the sale price.

Richard Parker is the President and founder of the prestigious Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center. His celebrated materials, seminars and consulting have encouraged thousands of aspiring business buyers from around the World to pursue their dream of buying a business.

A shopping mall usually represents a high concentration of active shoppers within a contained environment. As such, the notion of buying a store in a mall can seem like a really good idea. With respect to the laws of probability, a certain percentage of all these shoppers are bound to wander into your retail store, right?

Before you move forward and consider your options, it’s prudent to explore a few crucial considerations.

To begin with, you should start by examining the demographics. Your ideal customers should already be actively shopping in the mall where you’re thinking of buying a store. Take a close look at the other tenants within the mall - are they dedicated to the same type of consumer and if so, how are these stores doing? You are unlikely to find much success if you are the only store in a mall catering to a particular demographic, for example upscale suburban women.

In most cases, a mall is only as good as its main anchor stores. While there may be some big box retailers in the mall, stop and think for a second what would happen if one of them went out of business. A locked, boarded up store is a terrible sign, and it usually doesn’t bode well for the ongoing success of the other tenants either. Wherever you can, try and consider a mall that has a number of anchor stores. In times of economic downturn this can help a lot. In a recession, these stores can make all the difference in your long terms success.

You must be sure that your landlord is willing to be flexible. Mall landlords are well known for including completely inflexible clauses inside their contracts.

You may come up against many problems including crazy requirements that may force you to move the location of your store at a moments notice. Question all of their crazy restrictions, including the requirement to use only their own specified construction companies and electricians. Check to make sure that you can display “for sale” signs in your windows and if you can put “special offer” items outside your doors. Go through every detail of the lease agreement very carefully and ensure that you’re accepting to the fine print within its clauses.

Get your attorney or advisor to check up on the financial health of the mall itself. Find out about tenancy rates, gross revenues and projections. Almost certainly, the information will be available in annual reports and filing statements or you could get this information from the company’s website.

The best research you can do is to go in and speak to the other shop owners. You can state you are looking to buy a store in the mall (NEVER tell them which one) and ask about the landlord, retail business activity, and any other concerns you have.

Before you go too far conduct a complete physical inspection of the mall. This is a good way to assess its financial health, as when things are not going too well you could find that external maintenance is not being kept up. Sidewalks, masonry, landscaping, doors and roofing services should be clean and well-maintained. Parking lots should be functional and well kept and while you are at it, take a visit to the bathroom and food court. Poor restroom maintenance is one of the first signs of a mall in decline. Food court activity is an indication of mall activity.

Your visual tour may not be definitive when it comes to assessing the mall’s overall financial health, but it can be a quick way to eliminate some locations from your consideration.

Richard Parker is the President and founder of the prestigious Diomo Corporation - The Business Buyer Resource Center. His celebrated materials, seminars and consulting have encouraged thousands of aspiring business buyers from around the World to pursue their dream of buying a business.

A restaurant public relations plan is a pivotal part of an overall marketing initiative and must be put in place before you start. A successful entrepreneur always worries about his marketing and has a PR plan specifically tailored before the opening. You need to worry about how you are going to attract new clients and convince them to return as regular patrons.

Good restaurant public relations starts with a plan for the grand opening of the establishment. A minimum of two weeks before your big day, send out press releases to a variety of local media outlets to help you get advance coverage and appear in local event calendars. Be prepared for a good attendance and prepare everything to be ready before the big day.

During a grand opening, your restaurant public relations person must be on hand to give out media kits, which are professionally produced documents with facts and figures, biographies of the owner and head chef and those all-important menus. Bring in a professional photographer to take valuable snaps for future use.

Cross promotion is a significant part of any restaurant public relations initiative and you should try and become involved with local chambers of commerce and/or nonprofit organizations as much as you can. Utilize their list of media contacts and get them involved in your restaurant’s opening festivities.

Special events can be pivotal to restaurant public relations success and you should focus on the calendar during your first few months. How about featuring an art show alongside certain events, or creating an annual or semiannual wine festival. Open up your business to a whole new raft of potential clients and give yourself valuable PR exposure to boot.

Local newspaper editors are often looking for material to fill their pages and you should try and make friends with them, most especially if they have a significant food and drink section. If you can establish yourself as an authority figure and provide a lot of good news and material to them on a regular basis without pitching your business, then this would pay dividends. Whenever they need advice or input they will think of you and the resulting column inches can be valuable PR exposure.

Restaurant public relations at its best involves a very subtle approach. Your permissions-based mailing lists should be supplied with great food related stories, ideas and information at regular intervals. When Thanksgiving is approaching, give them advice about family get-togethers and parties and menu ideas. Remember, it is not the hard sell, but establishing yourself as an expert.

Restaurant public relations begins and ends with a plan. Never be tempted to wing it and always have a calendar of events, together with associated key dates, for action whilst continuing to develop personal relationships with important people locally.

If you’re good with your hands, building a wood wine rack is very simple to do. Firstly, you will need a plan for your wood wine rack and you can do this easily by searching on the internet using the keyword “wood wine rack patterns”. There you will find many choices.

You can also find patterns in wood working books. If you do not own any wood working books you might try looking at your local library. Most libraries will have a wide verity of wood working books. You can be sure that you will find the wood wine rack plans that you are looking for.

The next thing you will need to do is gather your materials. If you are in a hurry, you can go to your local hardware store and purchase the materials that you will need.

If you don’t have enough money, you might want to think about trying to find some scrap wood to make your wood wine rack out of old cabinet. Old cabinets are very good choice for creating a wood wine rack, or you may also consider using an old piece of furniture or scrap wood from old project to create one.

Try setting aside weekend or a day that you will be off work to finish your wood wine rack project. So many people will start a project only to be distracted by something else. When this happens, it is likely that the project will never get finished.

Once you have set aside time for your project you will want to make sure to organize your materials. Lay out all your materials in the order in which you will use them. This is a great time to take inventory as well. Make sure you have everything ready before you start to work on your wood wine rack.

You will probably want to paint or stain your wood when you have completed your project. If you choose to paint your wood, don’t forget to choose a color that matches your decor.

It really shouldn’t be difficult to make your own wood wine rack. Just take your time and have fun making your wood wine rack. Make a great wine rack that is unique as you are. Just with a little time and creativity, you will have surely had a piece that you as well as your family can enjoy for years to come!

It doesn’t matter whether you are a veteran in the business or are just starting out, restaurant customer service is very important. From the moment that a customer walks into your establishment to the time that they exit, your success or failure will hinge on the quality of your service.

Restaurant customer service that excels beyond customer expectations leads to repeat customers and positive word of mouth for attracting new customers. It also sets the tone for your restaurant and the dining experience to come. After all, first impressions are everything for a restaurant.

Servers who are friendly, smiling and striving to please customers set a welcoming environment. To go beyond the basics, have the owner or manager open the door and greet each customer as they enter, chat with customers at the table during service, and thank them for their patronage as they leave. Excellent service means small, special touches, like presenting a mint with the bill, providing a complimentary drink or cake for a special celebration, and asking customers about their dining experience before they leave.

When it comes to restaurant customer service, there are a number of tips to remember. Give the diner the server’s name, establish rapport by asking open-ended questions, make sure that the phone is answered within two rings, study up on the area information to give to guests who inquire, and make sure that you ask about their food allergies.

Some restaurants take customer service to a whole new level with creative ideas, like offering a chefs table, presenting roses to female guests, providing a tour of the restaurants kitchen or wine cellar, having sweaters on hand for customers who might be chilly, printing commonly requested recipes on recipe cards, or providing guests with a little bag of cookies or chocolates as a remembrance.

You will need to take creativity and initiative when it comes to providing exceptional restaurant customer service. You can simply enhance an already existing practice, for example having the entire staff to sign a birthday card and including a gift certificate, in addition to singing and presenting a cake on a birthday. If a reservation has been made to celebrate a special occasion, supply balloons and disposable cameras.

In order for a restaurant to excel in customer service, management needs to express to all employees its definition of service and then empower them to do what needs to be done to exceed the needs of customers. It could be something as simple as providing an umbrella if it starts to rain as they are leaving for their cars, or having at the ready recommendations for an after dinner show or entertainment.

Great restaurant customer service starts at the back of the house and move to the front. The waitstaff and greeters can be the best at service, but if the presentation or attention to detail is not up to par, their efforts would be for nothing. All employees, regardless of whether they interact with the client, must be aware of how their performance impacts the overall experience.

Companies offer billions of dollars each year in cash rebates to attract buyers, but an estimated 60 to 70 percent of those rebates are never redeemed, due partly to the customers who forget to mail their rebates in time and some times due to the complex rebate requirements.

When dealing with rebates; please be sure to follow the following guideline, it will save you a lot of time in the future and ensure that you receive your rebate promptly

Avoid the mistake of sending in a rebate without meeting all the rebate requirements and failing to keep a copy of all materials sent to the rebate processor.

When dealing with rebates, Photocopy or scan all the paperwork you are sending to the rebate company. This includes the rebate form, receipt, UPC and any other required paperwork. It will be easy to prove that you have sent in the rebate, if you have a copy. The rebate forms will also have the numbers you need to call to verify that a rebate has been received and is being processed.

Before buying items with mail in rebates, browse through online deal sites to see if you can find the same product from some other stores. Some times you can find the same product in a different store without any rebates but with lower cost.

Before purchasing any item with a rebate; read the rebate requirements in detail which includes expiration date; post-mark date, location requirements, stipulations, etc.

Before purchasing any item with a rebate; read the rebate requirements in detail which includes expiration date; post-mark date, location requirements, stipulations, etc.

Now day, many online retailers accept rebates online and you can mail the printed form to the retailer along with other paper work.

If the stores require original UPC code, make sure that you sent them after making a copy.

If the stores require original UPC code, make sure that you sent them after making a copy.

Once, you mailed the rebate make sure that, you check the status of the rebate by checking online in the merchants web site or calling their 1800 number. If your mailing rebate is greater than $50, try to send it my certified mail or at least take it to the post office and ask for receipt.

Rebates can be a great way for shoppers to get good deals online and to save money, especially on big ticket items. But you fail to follow the above guidelines; you will miss out on savings. Be diligent and save money by using mail in rebates properly.