ClientKenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas

ChallengeFaster transactions times, less input error, reduced bad debt expense

SolutionIntegrated First Data Credit, PIN Debit processing and TeleCheck ECA ResultsStreamlined process, robust, clear-cut reporting, improved customer service

A FIRST DATA CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY:

STREAMLINED PROCESSING AND FASTER RECONCILIATION ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE AT KENNETH’S HAIR SALONS & DAY SPAS

First Data turns a complete makeover into a fully integrated payment system

Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas of Columbus and the Central Ohio area

is renowned for its exceptional experience and extraordinary results. That

is, until customers had to pay, a less-than-satisfying experience that was

both time-consuming and error-prone.

First Data recommended a complete makeover that integrated advanced

credit/debit and check processing with Kenneth’s internal accounting

system. The streamlined process sped transaction times, reduced bad

debt and enhanced customer service. Kenneth’s knows what it takes to

make clients look and feel their best, and so does First Data.

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The ChallengeWhen Columbus and the central Ohio area wants to pamper itself, it heads straight to

Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas. With 10 metro area locations, Kenneth’s is renowned

for its trend-setting, world-class style, providing an exceptional experience that

produces extraordinary results.

Despite the accolades, its payment experience was less than satisfying. “The main issue

we faced was timing,” says Amy Codner, controller for Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Spas.

“It was a long process for both the client and the receptionist running the transaction,

which left a lot of room for error.”

At the same time, Kenneth’s was struggling to reduce its bad debt expense. “We had

been racking up about $15,000 a year in bad debt, mostly involving checks,” recalls

Codner. “We needed to upgrade and First Data had the right solution at the right time.”

The SolutionFirst Data advised switching to new terminals, while rolling out credit/debit and

TeleCheck processing that integrated with Kenneth’s internal systems. “Our account

manager is always on top of what we need, and this was no exception,” says Codner.

“The new system decides for us whether to run card transactions through as debit or

credit, ensuring the best fees possible. We’re also experiencing faster transaction times

and less input error because we’ve replaced a multi-step process with a single interface.

“TeleCheck is also great because it speeds acceptance, depositing and funding of checks.

It means fewer trips to the bank and it’s helped cut our bad debt to practically zero. If we

find a problem, we’re able to view the details and prevent it from happening again.”

The Results“At the individual salons, the lines move quicker because each transaction takes so much

less time,” explains Codner. “From a corporate standpoint, it’s easier to organize reports

and reference certain transactions. It’s all definitely taken a lot of steps out of the process.

“What’s more, our shutdown process has been cut in half, so we definitely spend less

time settling and reconciling our drawers. The reporting side is robust and clear cut.

Export to a spreadsheet, transfer to our internal system. It’s that simple. And it’s no

surprise.

“We have a great working relationship with First Data and have for a long time. They have

great customer service and they’ve definitely improved ours. They’re always available,

always going out of their way to help. We expect results and they deliver.”

A First Data customer success story: Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas

First Data is always on top of what we need, and this upgrade was no exception.Amy Codner Controller Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas