Kenneths Case Study PDF

A FIRST DATA CUSTOMER SUCCESS STORY:
STREAMLINED PROCESSING AND FASTER
RECONCILIATION ARE ALWAYS IN STYLE AT
KENNETH’S HAIR SALONS & DAY SPAS
Client
Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas
Challenge
Faster transactions times, less
input error, reduced bad debt
expense
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
Solution
is, until customers had to pay, a less-than-satisfying experience that was
Integrated First Data Credit,
PIN Debit processing and
TeleCheck ECA
both time-consuming and error-prone.
Results
Streamlined process, robust,
clear-cut reporting, improved
customer service
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.
A First Data customer success story: Kenneth’s Hair Salons & Day Spas
The Challenge
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
When 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 Solution
First 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.”
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