Merchant Account Blog & Credit Card Processing Blog

Welcome back!

Today is one of the best times in history to apply for a merchant account to accept credit cards at your business. You will find free credit card terminals being offered by many offices in return for your business. Credit card processing has become a must for most businesses and the competition between providers is fierce. This competition in my opinion is the result of the internet, with business owners being more educated by searching for the best deal on credit card processing.

Free equipment like; free credit card machine, free credit card software, and free ecommerce solutions are slowly becomming the norm on the internet. This competition was sparked a couple of years ago and may continue for the near future. No one know when they will “Pull The Plug” on free equipment, but for now it is available and everyone should take advantage of it.

If you are thinking about setting up credit card processing for your business or are thinking about switching your provider, for a much better rate, please give me a call to discuss your needs. We offer free equipment on all new merchant accounts for credit card processing.   

MARK SANDS
1st National Processing
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com
1-866 828-8683

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Credit card processing is becoming the norm for new state-of-the-art vending machines. A vending machine merchant account is needed to accept credit cards with your machine. The process is very simple and your machine will be ready to process transactions once your merchant account is activated.

You will need to ask your equipment vendor which credit card processing network is compatable with the software installed in the machine, ie First Data Omaha, First Data Nahville, Vital, ect. You will also need to install either a telephone line or internet connection, which ever is required by your equipment vender. A download may be required to configure your machine, again please check with your equipment vender.

Customers prefer to use their credit & debit cards and the idea of using them at a vending machine is becomming accepted by the public. Increase your profits by accepting credit cards.

If you have any questions, please give me a call to discuss your needs.   

MARK SANDS
1st National Processing
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com
1-866 828-8683

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Your credit rating can effect your ability to get a merchant account for credit card processing. When you apply for a merchant account, underwriters will look at a host of things, including your credit score. A bad credit score could stop you from getting a merchant account if your business type is slightly risky. For the most part if you have a retail location and resonalbe ticket sizes, your credit rating should not be a factor, unless you are currently in the process of bankruptcy.

Certain merchant services providers will accept more risk than others, so you may need to shop around. One alternative used by some merchant account providers, is to bring in a co-signer on the application. The co-signer does not need to be a principal in the business, but will assume any liabilities caused by a default on the account. Defaults could defined as not covering chargebacks, penalties, fees, etc. If you are have poor credit and wish to accept credit cards, you may want to consider credit repair to bring your scores higher. This would also allow you to qualify for better rates on business credit, as well.

If you have poor credit, please give me a call to discuss your needs.

MARK SANDS
1st National Processing
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com
1-866 828-8683

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Businesses looking to use credit card processing software to process credit card transactions, should be thrilled to know that we are giving away free credit card processing software with every new merchant account. The software is perfect for retail merchants running transactions at the point-of-sale, using a mini card reader connected to their pc or mac system. Even more exciting, the software is perfect for merchants taking credit cards over the telephone, fax machine, or internet. These business types would include; phone-order, homebased, office billing, internet merchants, or any business type where the credit card to not present.

The credit card processing software will quickly install on any pc or mac computer. The software has a very small foot-print and can be called up from your desktop. Best of all it’s free !!!! Secondly, you have free lifetime technical support and all future upgrades are absolutely free. The software can bw downloaded immediately after your merchant account is approved.

If you have any questions about our Free Credit Card Processing Software, please give me a call.

MARK SANDS
1st National Processing
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com
1-866 828-8683

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Found a great blog directory called All Blogs Directory. Great resource.

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Accepting credit cards from customers over the telephone has become accepted and is a very popular payment method. Customers today actually prefer the convenience and are willing to give out their credit card information to a stranger over the telephone. Getting approved for a phone order merchant account has also become much easier as banks have also embraced the concept. Underwriters main concern is your product type and a fairly good credit rating on the principal of the business. Provided you are not selling phone-sex, you should have no problem getting approved for a phone order merchant account.

Credit card processing equipment is necessary to process your customers transaction. Choices to process credit cards will include a credit card machine, credit card processing software, or a ecommerce terminal.Cost can vary and most large credit card processors will offer Free Equipment with a phone order merchant account. Be sure to shop around for someone who can provide the best products at a fair price.

If you have any questions about phone order merchant accounts, please give me a call.

MARK SANDS
1st National Processing
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com
1-866 828-8683

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Accepting credit cards is a must in today marketplace. With the addition of Visa & MasterCard Branded debit cards to the market in the mid-1990’s, the use of plastic has exploded. Consumers who use to carry cash, now prefer to carry the debit card. Visa & Mastercard “Check Cards”, as they are referred to are accepted any where credit cards are accepted. Consumers look for the sign “We Accept Credit Cards” when deciding to make a purchase.

Credit card transactions also began to take off as consumers got comfortable using their credit card for e-commerce purchases, beginning in around the same-time debit cards were “Branded”. E-commerce transactions continue to grow each year with no end in site. With the current cost of gasoline the growth trend in e-commerce transactions should spike, as consumers can order products with free shipping and in some cases, no sales tax.

In closing, your ability to accept credit cards is a must. Your competitors will steal a large percentage of your customers if you think credit card processing is expensive. This thinking will surely cost you more money lossing sales to your competitors. Don’t be penny-wise and dollar-foolish.

If you need to discuss setting up a merchant account to accept credit cards, feel free to give me a call.

MARK SAND
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com

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Accept Credit Cards At A Convenience Store

Convenience store merchant account needs are very different from the average retailer. Credit card processing is simply the beginning. The store owner must consider many different options, as customers look for certain payment solutions when entering a convenience store. To compete with other stores many options should be considered.

First is a ATM Machine, as customers on the road are looking for cash and expect to find it in a convenience store. Owners can profit by the “Surcharge”, usually between $2.00 - $3.00 per transaction. These fees can add-up quickly, in the right location.

Next we have Age Verification for convenience stores who sell beer or tobaco products. Selling these products to minors can result is large fines from the authorities. Further, you could lose your license to sell these products, making a sweet opportunity for your competition. Age verification products can confirm that your customer is of legal age and provide “Proof” that your employee carded that individual, should you be questioned by the authorities.

Next we have EBT Food Stamp acceptence. This product will open the door for food sales to people receiving government benefits. These sales will be lost to your competition, if you don’t accept food stamps. If you have a deli counter and sell milk, bread, and cheese, you should qualify for this program through the Department Of Agriculture and your credit card processor.

Next is for convenience stores selling gasoline. Gas customers prefer to Pay-At-Pumps when they do not need anything from the store. Your gasoline sales are very competitive and this added convenience is a must if you are looking to compete. Finding a merchant account provider who offers this, can be a hard task and if you need help, please give me a call.

Another lucrative product is Pre-Paid Cards. Pre-Paid Cards are becomming very popular and vary from Pre-Paid Cellular, Pre-Paid Debit, Pre-Paid Long Distance, and the list goes on. Cards are placed at your location for free and you profit from every sale. This will also create customer loyalty with repeat business. Consider selling pre-paid cards and profit with no investment.

In closing, a convenience store owner should consider partnering with a merchant account provider that can provide many different solutions. These products will create customer loyalty and satisfaction.

MARK SANDS
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com

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Accepting credit cards is a must in todays marketplace. Your customers expect you to welcome their credit cards or they will find another place to shop. Your competitors will profit from those customers, while you receive nothing. Don’t lose another sale by not accepting credit cards.

The cost to accept credit cards has decreased over the years. With many processors offering free credit card terminals, you save hundreds of upfront money on the expense of equipment. As stated in a recent post, 10 years ago, you would have been quoted $1,200.00 for that machine. Further savings comes from the new found competition on the internet, as fierce competition has caused a reduction to rates and fee’s. Further if you already have a merchant account, with good volume, you can usually find another processor willing to offer you a better rate. In any case, the present is a great time to get a new merchant account.

If you have any questions or are looking a the best rate, please give me a call.

MARK SANDS,
http://www.usa-merchantaccount.com

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Getting The Best Merchant Account Rates

Understanding your merchant account rates, is the first step in insuring that you get the best rate. Most merchants do not understand the rate structure of their merchant account. The majority of merchant accounts are on a Tiered System, as Visa & Mastercard charge different rates for certain business types and transaction types. This is called “Interchange” and is extremely complicated. Between both Visa and Mastercard there are at least 100 different Interchange Catagories, here are the current interchange rates from Visa Interchange and Mastercard Interchange, as-of this writing. As you can see, Interchange Rates are extremely complicated.

The popular Tiered System tends to simplify this extremely complicated formula used by Visa & Mastercard. Most merchant accounts use a Three Tier System for Qualified, Mid-Qualified, and Non-Qualified Transactions with different rates for each. Basic understanding of each, is key to getting the best possible rate for that particular transaction type.

GETTING THE BEST RATE:

Alway’s swipe the credit card, when possible.
Use AVS & CVV2 when keying a transaction. ( Address, Zip Code, Last 3 On Back )
CLOSE YOUR TERMINAL BATCH DAILY !!!!!!!!

Majority of your transactions should fall under Quailfied Transactions, by following the above proceedure. Any Rewards Cards process will probally fall under your Mid-Quaified Tier. Finally any of the following card types will fall under the Non-Qualified Tier….Foriegn Cards, Business Cards, and any hand-key transactions with a retail account.

Larger businesses that process above $37,500 per month, may qualify for Interchange Plus pricing which is Interchange Cost, plus a flat rate of 0.27% above interchange cost. This is actually much simpler and you will receive a monthly break-down of where each transaction fall’s under the complex Interchange Structure. This option is reserved for higher volume merchants, currently processing credit cards. Call us today, to see if you qualify as a high-volume merchant account. Your 3 most recent credit card processing statements are required.

Both Visa and Mastercard offer special Supermarket Rates for grocery stores that:

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