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February 23, 2005

A Newsletter of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc.

By: Thomas A. Briant, Executive Director

New Benefit:
Credit Card Processing

As an additional membership benefit, NATO is recommending that association members consider processing their credit card, debit card and check transactions through Huntington Merchant Services, a First Data alliance.  The NATO Membership Benefits Committee negotiated an arrangement to offer members one of the lowest payment processing costs available.  This membership benefit should help reduce credit card, debit card, and check processing costs for many NATO members.

When comparing your current payment processing costs, it is important to include the discount rate, as well as the other fees that are charged monthly and annually.  To assist NATO members, we have outlined all applicable fees charged through Huntington Merchant Services. Below is a listing of the fees being offered to NATO members:

• VISA/MC Fee:1.79% + 10¢ Interchange Fee

• Debit Card Fee:  25¢ plus Network Charge.

• Transaction Fees:   None.

• Application Fees:   None.

• Annual Fees:  None.

• Paper/Supplies:  Free; retailer pays shipping.

• American Express/Discover Fees:  Rate is set by American Express and Discover directly based on average ticket and processing volume, plus 25¢ per transaction.

• Monthly Statement Fee:  $10 for first store; $5 each additional store.

• Terminal Fees:  $50 to reprogram terminal.

• New Terminal, pinpad, check reader, 100 gift cards: $49.00/month; 48 month lease

Sign Up for
Credit Card Service

To take advantage of this program offering, NATO members should contact Huntington Merchant Services Representative Shawna Anderson at her office number which is 317-838-8365.  When you contact Shawna, you will need to identify yourself as a NATO member and provide her a code to authenticate your membership.  Please contact NATO at 1-866-869-888 for the code number.  The appropriate forms will then be sent to each retailer to be completed and sent back for processing.

NATO is only recommending that NATO members consider utilizing the credit card processing services offered by Huntington Merchant Services.  NATO is not receiving any compensation from Huntington Merchant Services for making this recommendation.  Rather, the NATO Membership Benefits Committee focused on recommending the company with one of the lowest overall processing costs so that NATO members can save the most money on credit card, debit card and check processing services, as well as grow their business with the use of gift cards.

NATO Board Election Result

Congratulations to the following individuals who have been elected to the NATO board of directors for a three year term:

New Retail Directors: Andy Kerstein, Mary Szarmach, Bob Thorud, David Newman and Jeff Kathman.

New Manufacturer Directors:  Joel Sherman of Nat Sherman Company and Steve Sandman of Altadis , U.S.A.

In January, NATO will invite premium cigar manufacturers to join the association.  Below is a list of premium cigar manufacturers and brands.  Please take a minute and place an "x" in the box for each cigar brand or cigar manufacturer's products that you carry in your store.  Then, please fax this page back to NATO at 952-934-7442.  Your input will assist NATO in urging cigar manufacturers to join the association.

Coupon Clearinghouse Update

The NATO Retail Survey Committee reports that NATO retailers who have experienced reduced payments from coupon clearinghouses have begun receiving payments from the clearinghouses to make up for the past shortages.  These payments are being made in response to NATO's investigation into this problem of payment shortages.  The NATO Retail Survey Committee continues to work on this issue and if you need assistance with a coupon payment shortage, please contact Retail Survey Committee Member Joan Livingston at 254-791-0876.

New Retail Promotions
for Retailers

A new round of nine money saving special promotions for NATO retailer members from Calico Brands, Csonka Worldwide, Cusano Cigars, John Middleton, M & R Holdings, Royal Blunts, Royal Crown Custom Leathers, Smokey Mountain Snuff and Swisher International are described in the enclosed NATO Promotions Flyer.  NATO members are encouraged to take advantage of these special deals from January 1st through March 31, 2005.

Welcome to New Members

NATO welcomes the following companies that have recently joined the association:

• Belcorp of America, Inc.

• Tobacco Associates of America
• XL Enterprises, Ltd.

The support from these companies for NATO's membership and the association's legislative efforts is sincerely appreciated.

Holiday Greetings

During this Holiday Season, our thoughts turn gratefully to those who have made NATO's progress possible and, in this spirit, we simply and sincerely say Best Wishes and a Happy New Year!

Jose Marti
Joya de Nicaragua
La Aurora Dominicana
La Flor
La Fontana
Las Cabrillas
Leon Jimenes
Maker's Mark
Mi Cubano
Monte Cruz
Montesino
Occidental
Oliva
Oliveros
Padron
Perdomo
Puros Indios
Rosa Cuba
Santa Rosa
Sosaf
St. Croiz Flavored
Tatiana
Temple Hall
Thomas Hinds
Other _________
Other _________

Happy Holidays to You and Your Family!

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