US Fidelis quits paying refunds

US Fidelis, the beleaguered Wentzville-based seller of extended auto service contracts, has stopped paying refunds to consumers who cancel such protection plans, according to executives at two companies that administer the contracts. The change means tens of thousands of consumers could find it much more difficult to get hundreds of dollars in refunds that are supposed to be guaranteed in Missouri, Illinois and most other states. US Fidelis spokesman Ken Fields, of the Fleishman-Hillard public relations firm, would not say whether the company has stopped contributing to cancellation refunds. When consumers want to cancel coverage, US Fidelis "will work with the customer and the relevant administration company to address that customer's situation," according to a company statement. If regulators force those administration companies to cover US Fidelis' portion of the refunds, the consequences would be "unprecedented" and could threaten to bring down some of those firms, said Paul Stratch, chief financial officer of American Auto Shield, a service contract administrator based in the Denver area that did business with US Fidelis. Extended service contracts are canceled for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, consumers are unhappy with the coverage. Other times, the plans are dropped because the vehicle is about to be sold, gets repossessed or is simply no longer usable. When that happens, consumers get one check for the unused portion of the coverage. But that payment usually comes from two different companies that had made money on the sale of the contract. Most comes from the contract's marketer — companies like US Fidelis that sell the coverage — and the rest comes from the service contract administrator, which pays out claims. Stratch said US Fidelis recently told his company that it would no longer contribute to customer refunds and that it would refer canceling customers to administration firms like American Auto Shield, which was formerly known as Warranty America. Service contract marketers have failed in the past, and when they have, administration firms have often picked up the full cost of cancellation refunds. But US Fidelis' inability to pay refunds is different from those cases, Stratch said, because there never has been a service contract seller as big as US Fidelis. "Nobody else came close to their kind of volume," he said. In its heyday, US Fidelis employed more than 1,100 people and claimed to be the nation's leading seller of the auto service contracts, which were often marketed as "extended warranties." But over the last two years, the company has suffered a stunning collapse. Watchdog groups have said US Fidelis sells coverage that is virtually useless for many of its customers. Automakers accused the company of misusing their trademarks; class-action lawsuits have been filed, claiming deceptive trade practices. And an investigation of the company continues, involving 43 states. Late last year, US Fidelis laid off several hundred workers before announcing it would no longer sell the contracts. The company said it would keep a skeleton crew at its sprawling call center, at Interstate 70 and Highway 40, to provide customer service to the approximately 300,000 vehicle owners who had bought coverage from the firm. Those consumers bought service contracts that typically range in price from $2,000 to $4,000 — depending on the age of the vehicle and the level of coverage. The contract's cost usually is financed over 18 to 24 months, but the coverage period often lasts four years or more. That means many customers canceling a contract are entitled to a pro-rated refund for the unused part of the service contract. Customers who have driven only half the maximum miles over half of the calendar life of the protection, for instance, are entitled to a refund of half the cost of the contract. Stratch said American Auto Shield will pay both its share of refunds and US Fidelis' portion. He said his firm won't take a big financial hit because US Fidelis sold fewer than 1,000 service contracts from American Auto Shield. "But this is going to be a huge liability for other companies," Stratch said. "They could try not to pay (US Fidelis' portion), but the states are going to make sure customers get their refunds one way or another." Tim Schuur, president of Houston-based Tier One Warranty Services, said US Fidelis also told his company it would stop paying into customer refunds. Schuur said that his company would continue to pay its portion of refunds owed to canceling US Fidelis consumers but that Tier One alone shouldn't have to cover US Fidelis' obligations to canceling customers. "The lender needs to get involved," he said. "Mepco needs to get involved." That's Chicago-based Mepco Finance Corp., a subsidiary of Independent Bank, of Ionia, Mich., that financed most of the auto service contracts sold by US Fidelis. It's also the company's biggest creditor, and last month it became US Fidelis' landlord. Executives at Mepco did not respond to a request for comment. Travis Ford, a spokesman for the Missouri Department of Insurance, said consumers who cancel their service contracts and can't get the pro-rated refund owed to them should file complaints with the agency.

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IrinaMitrovici-Viral Marketing Campaigns Drive Targeted Traffic

Viral marketing is a great way to use the power and nature of the Internet to reach a large number of people quickly and drive a continually growing flood of targeted web traffic to your website. With a successful viral marketing campaign, your website traffic could go from almost nothing to thousands of hits or even hundreds of thousands of hits per day almost overnight. Viral marketing is a term used for marketing campaigns that grow and spread like a human or computer virus. In a successful viral campaign, people pass the marketing material on socially so that the marketing campaign grows like a snowball rolling down hill. The basic idea of viral marketing is that you can increase your sales by increasing your targeted website traffic and you can increase your targeted web traffic by giving away or spreading something for free that people will pass on to their friends, family, or business associates like a virus. Viral campaigns may spread through emails or eBooks that people pass on or through articles or viral videos that people pass on. Microsoft's Hotmail service was probably one of the biggest early successes of viral marketing. Free web-based email is common today, but it was a new concept in 1996 when Microsoft first promoted Hotmail by adding a short advertising teaser at the end of its users' email messages. Who would have ever expected how big the results of this marketing campaign could be? But as huge as the success of Microsoft's viral marketing campaign was for Hotmail, it only set the stage for what was to come during the 2004 American presidential campaign. Who can forget JibJab's flash animation political parody of George Bush and John Kerry singing, "This Land Is Your Land?" By marrying the concept of flash video on the Web to viral marketing, JibJab took the Internet by storm. According to Internet statistician ComScore Media Metrix, the viral video received over 10.4 million unique hits in July 2004 - more than three times as many visitors as the official campaign websites of the two presidential candidates! Now you may never experience the phenomenal success that JibJab did with one of your viral marketing campaigns, but the concept is simple and easily implemented. It works on the idea that if people like something or can profit from something, they will pass it on to their friends, family, and associates. Viral marketing can be as simple as writing an article and having it published in article directories where newsletter publishers and webmasters may pick it up and republish it. Be sure to include an author bio or resource box at the bottom of every article that includes your name, your website link, and a call to action that entices people to click on your link. Webmasters and publishers are always looking for great content, so be sure to provide value. Alternatively, you could send a funny, informative, or controversial newsletter to your subscriber list. Be sure to encourage people to pass your newsletter on with a short note at the bottom of your newsletter. When people click through to your website, you would like to capture their email address and get their permission to contact them. Otherwise, they will often surf away, never to be seen again on your website. Squeeze pages (pages primarily designed to get subscribers) are one proven way to do this, and offering people a free eBook or free report is a great way to get people to subscribe to your newsletter. Want to kick your viral marketing campaign into even higher gear? Grant people the rights to give away the free eBook or report to their own customers or contacts. Be sure to brand the eBook or report with links to your website, so that anyone who receives it from others will find their way back to your website. Also, if you let your customers rebrand some of the links with their affiliate links or other links, they will really be motivated to pass the eBook or report on! The Internet is perfect for viral marketing. This is one of the most powerful marketing techniques you can use on the Internet. Because many distribution channels are free (e.g., email and article directories) or relatively low cost (web hosting), viral marketing can be an incredibly cost-effective marketing technique. Once you have launched your marketing campaign, it can potentially grow and spread for years all by itself, making viral marketing possibly the most effective Internet marketing technique of all.

The 1955 Chevy Is Still A Very Popular Classic Car!

In the early 1950's, all major car companies were trying to top the opposition by introducing a state-of-the-art automobile with all-new styling along with a more innovative engine. Meanwhile, Chevrolet appeared to be stuck in a rut; each Chevy from 1929 to 1954 had exactly the same six-cylinder engine beneath the hood. Chevrolet had been giving up its edge as a sporty but inexpensive motor vehicle manufacturer, but the tides will change with the 1955 Chevy! The 1955 Chevrolet displayed a shift in design as well as function. The brand new 265 cubic inch V-8 engine was most likely the greatest cause of the popularity of the 1955 Chevy, and the choice of the "Turbo-Fire" V-8 provided some extra for automobile enthusiasts, with between 162 and 180 horsepower. This small-block V-8 was the first V-8 engine in a Chevrolet since 1918. The '55 Chevy ended up being the very first Chevrolet to feature "Motoramic" styling. Underneath this now-classic styling sat a brand new body, three new motor types, new brakes, and a new suspension. When compared with previously Chevrolets, the 1955 Chevy was both lighter in weight as well as stiffer, along with "glide ride" front suspension providing a sleek ride. As General Motors' largest seller, the Chevrolet brand had been carefully styled prior to the launch of the all-new 1955 design. The eye-catching design was boxy, yet sleeker plus more futuristic compared to the 1953 and 1954 models. The new model was built to seem longer, lower, as well as broader than the older model. Nicknamed the "shoebox" design, the 1955 model was the first Chevy to possess sleek rear fenders. Interior enhancements included plush upholstery and a fan-shaped instrument cluster, with an optional radio. With a classy wrap-around windshield, tail fins, and chrome detailing, the 1955 Chevrolet quickly grew to become popular with car enthusiasts and everyday drivers. The 1955 model year included three Chevrolet models: The Bel Air, the 150, and the 210. Available versions included 2-door and 4-door sedans, station wagons, and also the much in demand convertible. Fourteen different solid color choices were available for the 1955 Chevy, even though most 1955 Chevrolets was sold with one of twenty three popular two-tone color combinations. The '55 Chevy was the top-selling car in 1955, over 1,700,000 Chevrolets had been made that year. As a testament to its acceptance, a '55 Chevy was picked as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1955. During 1954 Ford had dominated the market by selling 47 % of all low-priced automobiles, the 1955 Chevy would be a smashing success, exceeding Chevrolet's sales record for any previous year. Actually, the 50 millionth General Motors auto made in the United States was a 1955 Chevy Bel Air. The attractiveness of the 1955 Chevrolet is thanks to its totally transformed look. With better performance plus a shiny new look, the '55 Chevy quickly earned over the hearts of America. The look introduced in the 1955 Chevy existed with insignificant alterations until the 1958 model year. The 1955 chevy continues to be a well-liked choice over fifty years following its arrival for automobile lovers who lovingly rebuild the automobiles to their original condition or added more changes depending on their individual tastes.

Jeep Wrangler Problems - Jeep Wrangler Recalls

The Jeep Wrangler is a terrific vehicle, but like any automobile, it has had some problems and recalls. The best way to deal with these Jeep Wrangler problems and recalls is to get an extended warranty for your Wrangler. If you are an American resident, use the link below to receive a FREE quote for an extended warranty for your Jeep. Jeep Wrangler Problems - Jeep Wrangler Recalls Although the Jeep Wrangler is a quality vehicle, it has had some problems in the past. Every car and truck on the road will have mechanical or electrical problems at some point. If your Jeep has just one problem with its engine or transmission, it can cost thousands of dollars to repair if the vehicle isn't under warranty. An extended warranty will protect you from the cost of fixing these problems once Jeep's warranty no longer covers your Wrangler. Don't worry about high repair costs - an extended warranty gives you piece of mind.

2010 Worldwide Office Equipment Wholesales Industry Report

The Office Equipment Wholesales Industry report, published annually by Barnes Reports, contains timely and accurate industry statistics, forecasts and demographics. The report features 2010 current and 2011 forecast estimates on the size of the industry (sales, establishments, employment) for the 47 largest world countries, such as Japan, China, India, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Germany, Italy and U.S.. The report also includes industry definition, 5-year historical trends on industry sales, establishments and employment and estimates on up to 10 sub-industries, including cash registers, calculators, duplicators and copiers Paypal is best for online payment The Office Equipment Wholesales Industry report, published annually by Barnes Reports, contains timely and accurate industry statistics, forecasts and demographics. The report features 2010 current and 2011 forecast estimates on the size of the industry (sales, establishments, employment) for the 47 largest world countries, such as Japan, China, India, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Germany, Italy and U.S.. The report also includes industry definition, 5-year historical trends on industry sales, establishments and employment and estimates on up to 10 sub-industries, including cash registers, calculators, duplicators and copiers HTML clipboard Table of Contents : 1-Argentina 2-Australia 3-Austria 4-Belgium 5-Brazil 6-Canada 7-Chile 8-China 9-Colombia 10-Czech Rep 11-Denmark 12-Egypt 13-Finland 14-France 15-Germany 16-Greece 17-Hungary 18-India 19-Indonesia 20-Iran 21-Ireland 22-Israel 23-Italy 24-Japan 25-Malaysia 26-Mexico 27-Netherlands 28-New Zealand 29-Norway 30-Pakistan 31-Phillipines 32-Poland 33-Portugal 34-Russia 35-Saudi Arabia 36-Singapore 37-South Africa 38-South Korea 39-Spain 40-Sweden 41-Switzerland 42-Taiwan 43-Thailand 44-Turkey 45-United Kingdom 46-United States 47-Venezuela 48-Appendix: Definitions & Terms

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How To Get Protected From Spammers

In spite of the fact that Federal legislation (the CAN SPAM act) made it against the law, collecting or tracing out email addresses from the web by means of automated robots is still alive and well. Spammers who have need of brand new email addresses release software program that scrutinize the Internet and take in email addresses off Web pages, visitor books, and everyplace else you may post your email http://music-video-122net-com.blogspot.com/ Once they get a hold your email address, they will deal it around like 5th graders with a latest pack of Pokemon cards at niche and you can be expecting the flood of email to begin flooding your mail box. With the intention of fight this is still out of control the practice of stealing email addresses from websites and mailing people what they do not want, the following instructions may help you to protect yourself. Obviously the most excellent way to stay away from getting selected up by an email reaper is not to place your email anywhere on a website as well as on your own. If the only way somebody can get a hold your email is if you provide it to them that create a similar situation to working with an unlisted phone number. If telemarketers cannot search out your telephone number, they cannot call. If you have to post your email id, post it in such a way that a robot will not be able to recognize it as an email address. Although it appears like an additional step for lawful email, you will find it a extremely helpful technique. An additional way to decrease on spam originates from your own website is just not to present an email at all. In its place, let the customers and prospects to get in touch with you through a form where they fill up in fields, click a key, and your website e-mail you their message. Take care of the form script you make use of does not keep your email address noticeable in the form code. If the form code includes the email address, spam robots can hit upon it even if you do not make out it on the page. At times you will get unwanted email because a spammer guessed your email address. It is not a far draw out to see that someone possibly has the email your domain.com, so spammers will do a "dictionary" assault on frequent user names. The dot makes it almost not possible for spammers to guess your email address.

Two people found dead at ATV park

Two people found dead at ATV park News-Journal.com ... both of Frisco, at about 9:30 pm Sunday in their trailer at Gator Run ATV Park in northern Rusk County, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Viki Penny . ... See all stories on this topic ATV riders convicted for crimininal trespass following OSP investigation Albany Democrat Herald Seven people who were found illegally operating their All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) on Longview Timber Company during archery season near Silverton in ... See all stories on this topic Council Discusses ATV Track, DREAM Initiative Trenton Republican Times Trenton City Council members have voted to support efforts to develop an ATV track in Trenton as an economic tool with the idea that if the plan is ... See all stories on this topic Cops: Teen fleeing from Sparta police injured in ATV crash Dailyrecord.com SPARTA — A 16-year-old Wantage boy was injured Sunday when the ATV he was riding crashed into a tree as he attempted to flee from police, authorities said. ... See all stories on this topic ATV rider flips off bike path Quad City Times An ATV rider on the Duck Creek Recreational Trail flipped the four-wheeler Monday night at the bridge on Division Street in Davenport. ... See all stories on this topic Deputies respond to snowmobile, ATV crashes Wausau Daily Herald A 14-year-old snowmobiler hit a truck in Schofield Sunday and an ATV and a snowmobile broke through the ice in separate incidents Saturday and Sunday near ... See all stories on this topic NSC upholds conviction of man sentenced to prison for Sonoma Cycle break-in Silver Pinyon Journal Larue was sentenced to prison on two counts of theft and one count of gross misdemeanor destruction of property -- even though neither the ATV nor the dirt ... See all stories on this topic Will impending Army-GAO ruling derail Oshkosh Corporation? Gerson Lehrman Group Oshkosh will look to supply more than 625 add-on armor kits for the MRAP All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV). This new order is one of the latest in a string of ... See all stories on this topic Court sentencings: Huddleston gets 8-20 North Platte Bulletin Schultz, 18, was charged with being one of four men involved in a pair of burglaries in August involving shop equipment and an ATV. ... See all stories on this topic City Commission must reject new racetrack plans Vineland Daily Journal The Motorsports Park is asking the city to change its agreement again to allow the relocation of a noise-, dust- and pollution-generating ATV course much ... See all stories on this topic

Man injured when ATV strikes guardrail

Webb City man injured when ATV strikes guardrail News-Leader.com A Webb City man suffered serious injuries early this morning when the ATV he was driving struck a guard rail and ejected him. According to the Missouri ... See all stories on this topic Will keep fighting for rights of ATV users WatertownDailyTimes.com After 100 years, no one will ever know if there was ever an ATV trail at all. If Mother Nature can get over it, then so can Ms. Pettit and all of the rest ... See all stories on this topic Search continues in river for snowmobiler Minneapolis Star Tribune By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune "On Saturday, snowmobilers and ATV drivers passed by on the ice shelf to watch the search."I wouldn't be out there," Dexter ... See all stories on this topic ARMOR: The Afghanistan Armor Airlift Strategy Page Most of those coming in are the M-ATV model, designed for use in Afghanistan. A B-747 freighter can carry five M-ATVs per trip, but An-124s are also being ... See all stories on this topic Sound Off for Feb. 7 Torrington Register Citizen In the many, many years I have lived in the area I never recall an accident in this area involving an ATV. (Maybe The Register Citizen just did not print ... See all stories on this topic Greer fills in blanks at unfinished subdivisions Greenville News "They were getting ready to ride an ATV down there. It would have been a fatality if it had happened, but luckily one of the neighbors spotted them and got ... See all stories on this topic Raleigh County Begins Digging Out of the Snow WVNS He says he's been out in the woods all day long on his ATV enjoying the winter weather. If you must to head out on the roads, you need to call and check on ... See all stories on this topic Healthy Teen Choices ConnectTriStates.com powered by KHQA During the fair they could visit more than 40 booths, and learn everything from ATV, gun, seatbelt and electrical safety to mental health, nutrition, drugs, ... See all stories on this topic BBC News Final Hackney Empire show signals nine-month closure BBC News It became the first ATV studio and later a bingo hall before returning to live variety in the 1980s. The Hackney Empire was reopened in 2004 after a ... See all stories on this topic