Restore valuable CD-ROMs, DVDs, or Game Discs. It’s easy and well worth the effort! Most people think that when a Compact Disc or DVDs gets scratched, it is ruined forever. This could not be further from the truth. Scratches on the surface of your discs can create problems, but most can be repaired.

The way a CD or DVD player works is a laser beam is sent through the plastic layer of the disc and reads the data written on the disc. When the laser in your player comes across a scratch, the scratch causes the laser to skip and makes it unable to read your disc. The best example of this is on a music CD, when you hear the skipping sound, the laser is stuck reflecting in a scratch. With a CD-ROM, game disc or DVD, the program will freeze momentarily or it will completely stop.

Most scratches can be repaired, but it is important to understand what kinds of scratches are repairable and how compact discs are made. Where the scratch is determines if the disc can be repaired. The worst kinds of scratches are those that happen to the graphic layer of the disc. This is where the data is written and once it is scratched, this data can’t be replaced. Disc manufacturers take no precautions to help protect the graphic layer. However, there are ways to protect this side of the disc. One of the best ways is to use disc protection labels , which are easily applied to the graphic side of the disc. They will protect the graphic layer from any damage and should be used on all disc media.

When a disc is scratched on the bottom side, the disc is usually repairable. The bottom of the disc is made of polycarbonate plastic. The laser reads through this layer to get the data. If the bottom layer is scratched, it can be resurfaced and repolished and will, in most cases, look and play like new. The Venmill disc repair machine is the best machine for this type of scratch. In 30 seconds the Venmill disc repair machine makes damaged discs look like new. Specialty Store Services carries a wide array of disc repair systems for every budget and use.

A great way to see if your discs can or cannot be repaired is to hold your disc up to any light source with the label side facing the light. If you can see light coming through, nicks or scratches, this disc is scratched on the label side and cannot be repaired. Knowing when a disc is repairable is very important before you attempt to resurface any media.

To keep discs in optimal condition follow these tips:

• Hold discs by the edges. Do not touch the area on the bottom side of the disc.
• Remove any dust or fingerprints on disc using a disc cleaning system. Specialty Store Services has a wide selection of disc cleaning systems and supplies.
• Keep discs away from heat
• Use only approved cleaning solutions to clean a disc. Specialty Store Services has a great selection of approved disc cleaning solutions
• Do not bend or drop disc. Protect your discs with cases and sleeves. Specialty Store Services has the best selection of media cases and sleeves for DVD, CDs, and games.

The benefits of disc repair are many, but the most important benefit is that used discs are worth money. Buying and selling used video games and DVDs is a very profitable business. Retailers have made thousands of dollars just from buying damaged discs, repairing them and selling them for twice or three times as what they paid for them. Let your customers know you buy-sell-trade used games and DVDs with our great looking, attention getting store signs.

We have enabled a tool on our website that allows our customers to post product reviews. As you can see with the previous post it lets customers communicate with other customer and hopefully make the shopping experience at the www.specialtystoreservices.com website more enjoyable.

How do you post a review? Go to the product you have purchased and below the picture of the product there will be a link that says “write a review” and all you have to do is click on that link and the instruction will tell you what to do next.

After you make a purchase check you e-mail box for a message from Specialty Stores on how to submit a review.

One of the articles I wrote has been picked up and published by another website. The site is www.salesopedia.com, “The World of Sales from A to Z”. Click here to see my article. The title of the article is “Leveraging Employees to Increase Retail Store Sales”. This article is about how the retail store owner can increase the productivity of their employees by using simple techniques that increase and improve their comfort, reliability and time management skills.

How do you get customers to come back to your store? That is a question that even the big retailers and even Specialty Store Services encounters all the time. Is it service? Is it the price of the product? Is it the product line itself? You can get the customers into you store with a sale but eventually the sale ends right? We have been kicking the idea around here these last couple of days and trying to figure it all out. But in the end we have not come up with any answers. Anyone have any ideas?

Editorial Comments: This is the transcript of an online video we produced this last week. We will be producing more over the next couple of months and hope to make it a regular feature on our website. Click here for a link to the video.

Welcome to “Retailers’ Roundtable.” I am your host Eric and this is Q and we’ll be your guides though the exciting, but often daunting experience of running your own store or business.

In this issue of “Retailers’ Roundtable” we will focus on the challenges of opening up a new store.Over the last couple of weeks we have received e-mailed questions from some of our customers.

First question is from Jim K. from Winter Park, Fl.Jim asks, “I have always wanted to open up my own store.Last week I passed by a vacant building that I think would be the perfect spot.What advice would you give me before I take the plunge?

• Consider the type of business.Make sure that there is a demand.
• Consider the size of the space.Too big or too small could hurt.
• Consider the amount of traffic either foot or vehicle.

Next question is from Denise B. from Hillside, MI.Denise asks: “What can I do to make my store look nice and make people want to shop there?

• Shopping is an experience for the senses.With that in mind you should make sure your store is well lit, clean, and organized.
• Lighting is important because you can use it to highlight products.
• A well-organized store makes it easier for your customers to find what they are looking for.
• Retail store signs are important too and they have a dual purpose: they add color and at the same time help the customer by calling out the product or alerting them to special offers.

The next question is from Charles from Tulsa, OK.“After I finally open my store how should I advertise?Especially since I will be low on cash.”

• Banners and signs again are a great way to communicate to your customer.Let them know you are open with a “Grand Opening” banner.You might even want to have a grand opening celebration and invite your friends and family.
• Get involved in your community.
• Word of mouth and recommendations are worth more that any newspaper advertising you could buy.
• Your local Chamber of Commerce
• The Internet is a great source of ideas.Go to http://www.sba.gov/ for more ideas

The next question is from Carlos from Atlanta, GA.Carlos asks, “Around here shoplifting and theft is a problem.What can I do to help defend myself against it?”

• Organize your store so that there are no blind spots.If you do have a blind spot use a security mirror.
• Door chimes let you know when someone enters.
• Our easy to install video security systems are a great investment.

That concludes this edition of “Retailers’ Roundtable”.Remember Specialty Store Services for all your retail store supply and display items.We have been partnering with business owners just like you for the last 20 years to help them grow their buinesses.Specialty Store Services, Service is in our Name.