Costco Connection

Update

Current news for Costco members

To learn more about the complete suite of Costco services,
click on the “Services” link at costco.com or call 1-800-220-6000.

Service Updates

New small-
business phone
system

ACCESSLINE COMMUNICATIONS, Costco’s business-phone service provider, has come up with a unique digital phone system with the home business or small office in mind.

“This system can be scaled down to as few as two phones or up to eight,” says Justin Bowers, AccessLine sales director. “It is loaded with features you usually don’t see on a smaller business-phone system, such as music on hold, call transfer and voice mail.”

VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology drives this system and provides cost savings. Desktop or cordless phones are available. There is also the option of two long-distance plans: up to 3,000 minutes per month or unlimited.

“For Costco members, a special 12-month zero-percent financing package is available,

structured to pay off the equipment in a year,” says Bowers. “If the system is expanded to more phones at a later date, the same financing can be arranged for the additional equipment.”

For more information, visit costco.com and enter “smart phone” in the search box, or call toll-free 1-877-757-2606.

Name change only,
NOVA now Elavon

IT’S A NEW NAME—Elavon—but the same service you’ve come to expect from NOVA Information Systems, Costco’s provider of merchant credit-card processing services since 1997.

The Costco Elavon program offers merchants low transaction rates, low account fees (no application or statement fees for Executive Members), discounts on equipment and access to a range of value-added payment solutions to help members manage their business.

Discover cards are now accepted through this service at the same great rate as MasterCard and Visa. American Express, debit cards and corporate purchase cards are also accepted, though rates may vary.

For more information, visit costco.com and enter “Elavon” in the search box, or call toll-free 1-888-337-1883 and refer to source code 83116.

Business-insurance
test under way

COSTCO IS CURRENTLY testing a new business-insurance program in Texas, New Mexico and Michigan through Safeco Insurance Company. Costco members will receive up to a 10 percent discount on select commercial lines coverage.

The insurance products offered through the program include business owner’s policies (aka BOP), which cover liability to third parties and business-property loss and damage; commercial auto coverage for business drivers and vehicles; and workers’ compensation, which assists injured employees. For details, visit costco.com and enter “ insurance” in the search box, or call toll-free 1-877-428-8619.

In Texas, insurance is being offered by the following Safeco insurance company: American Economy Insurance Company. Product availabilty varies by state. Not all products are available in all states.

Member Feedback

DHL delivers value

EVERY TIME YOU see one of those colorful DHL trucks on the road or at a curb, remember the big savings that your Costco membership provides on prepaid express shipping service.

Here’s what two members have experienced.

This service has exceeded our expectations. It is so convenient. We’ve been using it once or twice a week for eight months. When you send something to the East Coast from the West Coast, it’s less than half the price. We’re extraordinarily happy with the service, and hope Costco continues to offer it because it saves us a lot of money.

—Jonathan Lange, Lange & Associates

Agoura Hills, California

We’ve used the service since it was first promoted by an article in The Connection [June 2002]. We weren’t seeking a change, but thought, why shouldn’t we save lots of dollars over the carriers we were using? We use it three or more times a week to send out paychecks that need be delivered overnight. I recommended it to a friend in a different kind of business, and they have been using it that long, too.

—Melanie Jensen, Pay Plus Benefits

Kennewick, Washington

DHL ShipReady envelopes, packs and boxes can be purchased in multiples of 10, delivered to your door. ShipReady offers flat-rate, no-weight-limit and express shipping within the 48 contiguous United States. For more information, go to costco.com and enter “shipready” in the search box, or call toll-free 1-800-514-0351.