emprex

So the waves of the economy failing show themselves in our sales data. Anyone else experience more cash vs. credit sales? We also are seeing 50% declines on credit cards for EFT membership payments. Our regulars will come in and pay cash to get current. This tells me people are broke and the cards are maxed out. Last slow season we were building EFTs each month with only a 5 to 7% decline rate. Since summer 2009 they are dropping like flyies, no new sign ups and declines. I think people are watching every penny and don't want auto draft anymore. With a gym membership there is a guilt factor as once you cancel you've failed yourself and goal of staying in shape. We don't have that factor.

Any thoughts or similar conditions.

unity

I get about 10% at most for declines, and that can vary a lot. My credit card sales are WAY up. Checks are few to none and cash is maybe a few hundred a week. I am only doing weekly deposits now cause of that.

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emprex

Interesting, I guess because we are in the heart of the housing meltdown and 20% unemployment in CA, when factoring in full-time workers working part-time and those who fell off role call for being out of work too long and small business owners and contractors not eligible.... we are seeing the opposite. People are going cash here not by choice.

DB Hottie

This is the first month ever that I have had no declines. I was shocked.

Membership sales were stagnant this year. In the last month mbrshps have increased, not huge, but it's up. Several clients upgraded to next level and new mbrshps are signing L2 mbrshps.

Happy with this.

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FUNTAN1

I have noticed alot more cash recently too.

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Din

i've noticed cash go down as well.

This is why once in a while my credit/debit machine mysteriously goes out of service and it's cash only! ;) Usually on a Thursday/Friday when it's busy for the weekend. What poor timing i tell ya! :)

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CrystalSS

No down trends with EFT for me. Holding strong, but in a large military town with lots of disposable income thank goodness.

I do give an incentive if people use checking account for EFT instead of CC. Costs less for me and hardly ever a decline issue with checking.

Had a great strong year but hard hit with winter cancellations. But sign-ups started again the first week of Dec and had one day with 7 sign-ups this past week.

Cannot wait for 2010 to start!