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August 29, 2008
GREETINGS AND SAL-UTATIONS!
Dear NJGCA Member:
REACHING CONSUMERS….AND CONDEMNING CREDIT CARD FEES
Last week we brought you news about a promotion NJGCA was co-hosting with the Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey (FMANJ) and New York’s Classic Rock Station Q104.3 FM. This event, dubbed the GIVE YOU GAS promotion, was hosted by Rock & Roll Morning Show hosts Jim Kerr and Shelli Sonstein.
Cars started to line up outside of Westview Gulf in Ridgefield Park at 4:00 AM. Hundreds of cars showed up for the promotion and we had to turn many motorists away. There were just TOO many.
I’d like to extend a sincere Thank You to our friends at FMANJ and Q104.3 FM for co-producing the event with us. And a special Thank You to the staff at Westview Gulf for being such fine hosts.
Conducting a successful promotion is only part of the story.
The real news is that NJGCA was able to speak one-on-one with motorists and the press about credit card fees. We passed out literature to participants, answered questions, asked attendees to visit our website, and spoke on the air about the affects interchange fees are having on consumers and small business owners.
The promotion actually has not ended and will continue for two weeks. Our agreement with Q104.3 will air 90 radio spots with our message and directing listeners to our web site.
Our message is simple. We want the motoring public to understand that as much as 13 cents of every gallon you sell is paid to credit card companies. These fees rob you of the critical profits you need to survive and squeeze more money from overburdened motorists.
NJGCA has been working with the Merchants Payments Coalition to combat these unfair fees. A bill is currently before the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R.5546, which allows merchants to negotiate with banks for the terms, conditions, and rates for credit card fees.
It is critical that this bill be passed and signed into law to protect businesses and consumers alike!! We are asking all our members to support our efforts in getting H.R.5546 passed. We need you to contact your Federal legislators and ask them to support the bill.
You can see who represents you in Congress by clicking HERE – Just put in your address to find out!
But this isn’t enough. Just as NJGCA began to educate consumers about the unseen cost in credit card fees, we need you to do the same. We need you to speak with your patrons and continue to educate the public. If you have any questions on how to convey this message to your customers, please give me a call!
Please tune in to Q104.3 as NJGCA revisits the airwaves and we unveil our radio ad campaign designed to carry this very message to Q104.3 FM listeners.
A quick note….I have had many calls this week reporting retailers dropping their price more than once in a 24 hour period. Let me be clear…..I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE 24 HOUR PRICE CHANGE LAWS!!! And I will NEVER report any retailer that has raised the street price more than once in a 24 hour period. HOWEVER….I will report those that drop their price more than once in a 24 hour period and drive down profit margins!!! This includes members and non-members. I WILL REPORT YOU! STOP driving down the price!
Let me end on a more positive note. I wish you and your families a restful and fun filled Labor Day weekend. Please be safe!
Thanks for reading. See you next week!
Regards,
Sal Risalvato
Executive Director
IN THIS WEEK’S NJGCA ROAD WARRIOR:
SNAPSHOTS
•From Q104.3 FM, Jim Kerr "GIVES YOU GAS" Promotion
UPCOMING EVENTS
•REMINDER: State Vehicle Inspection Program Seminars
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
•US GDP up in 2nd Quarter
•NJGCA in the News: The Record unveils online album of $1.04 gallon event
•New Jersey continues to rank high in wealth
•AAA Report: Fewer travelers for Labor Day weekend
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEE OUR CALENDAR FOR ALL COMING NJGCA EVENTS. CLICK HERE
STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAM SEMINARS
REMINDER: NJGCA was informed that an additional seminar has been added to the Seminar schedule and will take place on September 9th at the Wayne Regional Service Center.
Classes in the local regional offices may be filled, but MVC officials are taking names to possibly schedule additional meetings.
Additionally, after participating in the meeting, please go online to submit your comments to MVC and Parsons regarding the new inspection program. Your suggestions will be used to make the program more convenient for users.
Originally, all comments were to be submitted by August 20th, but they will be accepting suggestions past this date. You can submit yours to the NJ Clean Air Website at cleanair@dot.state.nj.us
Please see the schedule below for details.
ORIGINAL: Many of you received a Vehicle Inspection Database (VID) message concerning the changes to the New Jersey Vehicle Inspection Program.
The program will be open to all currently licensed Private Inspection Facilities (PIFs, ERFs, and DEICs). Seminars are schedule that will cover changes in procedure and an overview of the new emissions testing equipment, among other topics.
MVC is also soliciting suggestions and comments regarding the new program to make the process more convenient. All comments must be submitted to the NJ Clean Air Website cleanair@dot.state.nj.us by August 20, 2008.
Seminars will be conducted from 7:00pm to 9:30pm at four MVC Regional Service Centers. Due to limited seating, each licensed facility will be allowed to reserve only two seats and must carry proper ID when attending.
The seminar schedule is as follows:
West Deptford Regional Service Center
215 Crown Point Road
West Deptford, NJ 08086
Tuesday, 9/2/08
For Reservations, Call 609-567-8873
Trenton Regional Service Center
120 S. Stockton and Front Streets
Trenton, NJ 08611
Wednesday, 9/3/08
For Reservations, Call 732-869-8335
Eatontown Regional Service Center
109 Route 36
Eatontown, NJ 07724
Thursday, 9/4/08
For Reservations, Call 732-869-8335
Wayne Regional Service Center
1578 Route 23 North
Wayne, NJ 07470
Monday, 9/8/08
Tuesday, 9/9/08 - NEW!
For Reservations, Call 973-631-6584
NEWS AROUND THE STATE
8/28/2008:
U.S. GDP up in 2nd Quarter
The national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) surpassed expectations in the second quarter as the economy shifted into higher gear. The increase in activity was attributed to higher US exports and tax rebates spurring higher growth.
8/28/2008:
NJGCA in the News: Bergen Record unveils online album of $1.04 gallon event
Columnist John Cichowski and the Bergen Record attended the Q104.3 promotion hosted by NJGCA Member Tim Arata. Please be sure to check out pictures from the event at the link above!
8/27/2008:
New Jersey continues to rank high in wealth
Despite a relatively high poverty rate, New Jersey still remains among the richest states in the union, ranking second in median wealth. Maryland edged out the Garden State for the number one spot. In recent years Maryland, New Jersey, and Connecticut have remained at the top of the ranking.
8/26/2008:
AAA Report: Fewer travelers for Labor Day weekend
According to a AAA travel forecast, fewer New Jersey residents will be traveling for the Labor Day weekend, when compared to a year ago. The report follows a similar national trend. High fuel prices, economic uncertainty, and high food costs are cited as reasons for the decline.
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