Promethius Welcomes New Staff Members

We would like to introduce the newest staff members of the Promethius Family, Ms. Rachel Sauer and Ms. Gwen Mowery.

Rachel has over 7 years of experience in the computer business serving as a computer technician and consultant. In 1996, Rachel graduated from Hanover University with two degrees in Economics and Business Administration. At Promethius, Rachel works hard as our newest technician, and as our Director of Business Development.

In her free time, Rachel loves to travel, watch Fear Factor, and spend time with her friends.

Gwen Mowery joined Promethius in Mid-November as a part-time Office Assistant. Gwen helps with various office tasks, such as answering the phones, database entry, and internet research. She also works as a substitute teacher for the Perry Township Schools in Indianapolis.

When she is not at Promethius, or substitute teaching, Gwen can be found coaching volleyball and cheerleading at Calvary Lutheran School.

Please feel free to introduce yourself to Rachel and Gwen by calling the office or sending them an email - rsauer@promethius.com, gmowery@promethius.com.

Holiday Recipe: Chocolate cookie mix in a jar

This fun and inexpensive Holiday gift idea is great for people who love to bake but just don’t have the time. By the way, the cookies are delicious!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Combine all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a 1 quart wide mouth canning jar, layer dark brown sugar, white sugar, cocoa, chopped pecans, and chocolate chips. Pack everything down firmly before you add flour mixture, it will be a snug fit.

3. Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Chocolate Cookie Mix in a Jar:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C)

2. Empty cookie mix into large bowl.

Thoroughly blend mixture with hands. Mix in 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine, 1 egg, slightly beaten, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Shape into walnut size balls, and place 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet.

3. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on baking sheet, then move to wire racks.

Safety tips for shopping online
Courtesy of Stretcher.com

Many consumers have successfully and happily used the Internet for purchases for years, while others are still unsure, and consider the Internet a risky place to do business.

There are five steps that you, as a consumer, can take to ensure you have the best possible experience, even if you have a problem with merchandise you have purchased. While taking these steps may not prevent all purchasing mishaps, you will at least have some control over recourse if you are an unsatisfied customer.

Step 1 - Before buying from an Internet merchant, first be sure the online order form is on a secure server. Some merchants display logos attesting to the secure form, others do not, but still place their order form on a secure server. A secure server ensures the first step in protecting your credit card number. A secure server web address will always have an "s" after the "http" letters. This will appear only when the order form itself is on your screen.

Step 2 - Purchase only from a trustworthy merchant. How do you know the merchant is trustworthy? Look over the web site. Can you easily find a physical address, or at least a mailing address, and a phone number to call if you need to get a hold of someone? It may be only on one page, under "contact info," but it should be readily available. If all that is available is an email address, and you send a message, did you get a response within a reasonable amount of time? Take these things into consideration before trying out a merchant you have never purchased from before. If the page provides a phone number, a call to the merchant to request a catalog or other information will tell you a lot about the customer service you can expect. Are you comfortable with the results?

Step 3 - Use your credit card only, not a debit card. Laws for the consumer's rights are different with each type of card. You, as a consumer, are protected from damages of fraudulent use of your credit card, if it does get abused, when you use a credit card. If you use a debit card, and for some reason your card number is abused, you are out the cash in your bank account, and your recourse is not the same as with a credit card. Equally important, if you purchase from a merchant on the Internet and you are not happy with your purchase, and you have followed all the merchant's rules for recourse but have not had satisfaction, you can dispute the charge on your credit card. You cannot do that with a debit card.

Step 4 - When contacting the merchant, always expect to get a response. If you have a problem and you contact the merchant with an attitude of expecting nothing can or will be done, and all you do is vent, without asking for help, you may simply have the effect of being the squeaky wheel that is left "un-greased." Don't threaten, provoke, or insult the merchant. Smaller merchants may simply ignore you, and the customer service departments of the larger ones may play a calculated game of email tag without solving your problem. Instead, simply provide all pertinent information, such as your receipt number, date of purchase, item purchased, your name and address, and the nature of the problem.

If you contact the merchant by email in the middle of the night or on a weekend, don't expect an immediate answer as even Internet merchants have business hours, and some don't work on weekends. But you should expect an answer within a reasonable amount of time, at least one business day. If you don't get a response by email, then resort to calling and/or writing. If you do not get your products, or a satisfactory explanation why your problem cannot be solved (such as the product you received is out of the warranty period), or any type of response at all, your last recourse then is to dispute the charge on your credit card.

Step 5 - When using a merchant for the first time, it would be prudent to place a small order and see how it goes. Through the process, you'll want to consider the service you receive when you contact the merchant, however you choose to place your order. You'll want to consider if you're happy with the amount of time it takes for your order to ship, and the condition of the package as well as the products you receive. If there is a problem, you'll want to consider how easily that problem is solved, once you notify the merchant. (Problems will happen, it's how they're dealt with that will matter.)

Keep in mind that mail order laws provide for a 30-day period that a merchant has to send you something you've ordered, unless it is stated otherwise. If you don't see a stated number of days for shipment on the website before you order, you may want to call first to find out that information. You may not want to wait up to 30 days for your order.

If you've chosen your Internet merchants with some care, you can safely make your purchases in the convenience of your own home, at any time of the day or night, with your credit card and Internet access. Once you've found a merchant who is available and trustworthy, either by referral from a friend, or through your own research and testing, stick with that merchant for a safe and secure shopping experience.

Is there something specific you'd like to see? We'd appreciate your feedback and article ideas.
Please e-mail them to support@promethius.com.

Promethius Consulting, LLC
www.promethius.com