Merchant Account Blog & Credit Card Processing Blog

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Gas Station Owners - Save Money At The Pumps

Gas station owners should be feeling the lower cost of pay at the pump transactions, with the decrease in interchange cost passed on by Visa last fall. Visa lowered the interchange pass-through at the hieght of the gas crisis last fall. This savings at pay at pumps stations was hoped to be passed on to the consumer.

We are finding that many gas staion owners who are not on a Interchange Plus plan with their merchant account provider, have not seen any savings. These merchant’s are on a Teired Rate plan and the savings is being lost to their merchant account provider.

Owners should look to switch their gas station merchant account to an Interchange Plus merchant account to maximize overall savings on cost. With many business travelers utilizing the pay at pumps, the savings could be signifigant. The higher your sales volume, the higher the savings.

For more information on saving money on credit card processing, please feel free to give me a call to discuss your options.

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

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Free Credit Card Processing Software DownloadWe have partnered with the eProcessing Network to make an amazing offer to all new applicant’s looking to process credit cards, using pc software for their credit card processing. Merchant’s signing up for a merchant account with us can choose to download free credit card processing software. This amazing offer is for a limited time, so please act fast !!!!!

EPN’s JPOS SOFTWARE:

This Java-Based software, JPOS SOFTWARE,  will download quickly on any Mac or PC. Set-up is a snap, usually within ten minutes. With the new “Credit Card Terminal” interface, learning the software is quick and easy. Merchant can swipe or key-in credit card information and the transaction is processed via the eProcessing Networks Secure Network. Internet based transactions are processed faster than dial-up and merchants can rest assured that customer data is safe & secure.

Compared With PC CHARGE:

JPOS Credit Card Processing Software has all of the same benefits as PC Charge, accept the $179 Price Tag.

Other major benefits would be:

• FREE DOWNLOAD
• FREE TECH SUPPORT ( Lifetime )
• FREE UPGRADES  ( Never Charged For Upgrades

Anyone familaiar with PC Chargeknows that Tech Support is free for only 30 days. Then you must sign-up for paid support, with no acceptions. Secondly, anytime security changes are made, PC Charge forces you to pay for the software upgrades. These are key factors that set this credit card software apart from the rest. Set-up your merchant account today and dowload JPOS today !!!!

Retail Merchants - Credit Card Software

Retail merchants can add a magnetic stripe reader, to process credit cards at the point-of-sale. Simply connect the USB Cable in the computer where the program resides and you are ready to process retail transactions. Printers can be added to print customer receipts. Value added programs, such as food stamps, gift cards, ect, can also be added.

Phone Order Merchants - Credit Card SoftwarePhone order merchants can also utilize the software, by simply entering in the card data and processing from their computer desktop. Software offers all key fraud solutions, such as AVS Address Verification and CVV2 fraud solutions. Merchants can also set-up “Instant Email Receipts” to their customers.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to call.

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

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Understanding Your Merchant Account Responsibities !!!!

If you are shopping for a new merchant account, you need to understand what you are getting into. Many times business owners are in a rush to set-up credit card processing for their business, they overlook the fact that they are entering into a contract that has many responsibilities and rules to abide by.

Many times merchants will find out the hard way, by being fined or getting their merchant account shut down. In some instances, merchants are “TMF’d” which means they lose their privilege to accept credit cards in the future. It surely make more sense to understand your responsibilities and model your business to conform with the rules set-forth by Visa and Mastercard.

Accepting Credit Cards - A Privilege:

Understand that being accepted to accept credit cards is a privilege, not your right !!!! Should you take this lightly, you could find yourself losing this privilege, permanently. That’s right, permanently !!!! You could personally be banned from ever accepting credit cards, for any business endeavor in the future. 

Unhappy Customers Can Destroy You:

An unhappy customer can create havoc on your business. Credit card holder’s have the right to call their credit card company and dispute a transaction on their credit card. These disputes have the potential of becoming a “Chargeback” to your business. A chargeback is simply a reversal of the charge, from your bank account, back to the customers card. These reversals come with very stiff fines to the business owner and could get your account terminated. Here some key points to avoiding chargebacks.

• Offer A Superior Product Or Service
• Quickly Resolve Customer Service Issues
• 100% Unconditional Return Policy
• Toll Free Customer Support
• Maintain Signatures + Shipping Records

Exceeding Volume Limit’s:

Every merchant account agreement has an “Average Monthly Volume” amount for Visa & Matercard. During your approval process, this amount is underwritten by the processor and is usually based on the credit scores of the merchant. If you are approved for that amount, you must process within the limit.

Should the limit become an issue, you must call in to ask that it be re-evaluated by the underwriting department. If your credit scores are too low, you may not get an increase.

If you simply ignore this limit, at some point your account will be shut-off.

Exceeding Ticket Limit’s:

Every merchant account agreement has an “Average Ticket” amount for Visa & Mastercard. Again, during the approval process, this amount is underwritten based on your credit scores. From an underwriting stand point, the higher the ticket, the higher the risk. If your account is approved for a certain ticket amount, you must process within that limit. Occasional “High Tickets” should be disclosed on the application, prior to underwriting. Contacting your “Risk Department”, prior to running high tickets is advised.

If you simply ignore this limit, your account could be terminated.

Honor All Cards:

Every merchant account agreement has a “Honor All Cards” Claus. This means as a Visa / Mastercard Merchant, you are bound to honor every credit card transaction presented to your business. That tiny sign at your local diner that states, “$10 Credit Card Minimum” is in direct violation of the terms of the merchant account agreement.

You cannot charge a “Surcharge” on credit card transactions either, this would also be in violation of the merchant agreemnet, as well.

Reserve Account:At any time, at the sole discretion of the bank, the bank has the right to place funds on hold in a non-interest barring reserve account. Reserve account is to protect the bank from future losses due to fines, chargebacks, ect that may come through your merchant account. Hold time-frame will be determined by the bank and is usually for long enough time period to cover future customer chargebacks.

In Conclusion:

As you can see, “Your Privilege” to accept Visa & Mastercard comes with many duties and responsibilities. Failure to comply, could prove to be very costly and cause your account to get “Terminated” and potentially lose your credit card processing privilege in future business endeavours. Play it safe, understand the rules and play by them.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.

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

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Saving Money On Your Merchant Account Fee’s !!!!!!!!!!

Saving money on your merchant account & credit card processing fee’s has never been more simple. We have put together a program to save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in fees, depending on your current monthly volume. Perfect solution for any business owner looking to cut cost’s.

INTERCHANGE PLUS PRICING - Start Saving Today !!!!!

In the past, this program has been reserved for High Volume Chains, such as Wal-Mart or McDonalds. We have opened the flood gates for any business size to profit from the savings. For those of you who are not familiar with the term “Interchange”, interchange is the cost passed on by Visa & Mastercard which accounts for the majority of your transaction cost’s. Interchange consists of several hundred catagorys which any transaction could fall under. Here and links to the most recent Interchange Schedule’s for Visa and Mastercard, as you will see this is quite complicated.

To simplify matters, most merchant account’s are on a “Tiered System”, consisting of Qualified, Non-Qualified, and maybe Mid-Qualified rate. These tier’s cover any downgrades by Visa or Mastercard in which certain transactions may fall. This simplifies “Interchange”, but alway’s cost’s more in credit card processing fee’s to a merchant on the Tiered System.

BOTTOM LINE - SAVING MONEY LIKE THE BIG BOY’S !!!!!!

We are now offering “Interchange Plus Pricing” to merchants of any size. Previously reserved for large corporations, this pricing schedule will saving you money on your credit card processing fee’s and is available to any merchant account, regardless of size.

Call us immediately for a cost analysis and began saving like the big boy’s.

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Merchant accounts processing with 1st National Processing can put there fears aside with becomming PCI Compliant with the complicated standards recently set-forth by Visa & Mastercard. We have simplified the process, making it quite simple for our merchants who process with us.

First, we have painless online survey which will walk you through each step of completing your Self Assessment Questionaire, required for PCI Compliance. Once the “SAQ” is completed, you will receive an email if you need to perform a “Quarterly PCI Scan” of your website or network. You will then receive instructions by mail for performing any required PCI Scans.

Lastly, if you are required to perform PCI Scans the cost is included in our Annual PCI Compliance Fee of only $30.00. This minimal fee is cheap when compared to other processors, who charge $79-$99 and expect you to become PCI Compliant on your own.

If you are looking for more information on PCI Compliance, here’s a great 10 Minute Video that will educate you on the subject.

1st National Processing Customers can begin the PCI Compliance Process by clicking here.

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

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Business Survival In A Slowing Economy

The key to survival in this slowing economy is to cut your cost’s. Reduction’s in your overhead will stabilize your bottom line profit’s and allow you to ride out this storm. Slowing top-line sales are sure to be felt by most small business, as consumer spending slow’s.

Credit Card Processing Rates

The first place merchants can cut-cost’s is in their credit card transaction costs. Merchant account fee’s can vary from merchant to merchant and saving’s can usually be found for any merchant. Our model has always been to save the merchant money, while providing superior service. Currently we are prepared to beat any rate you are currently paying on an existing merchant account, guaranteed. We also offer an incentive program for high volume merchant accounts to save thousands.

Grab your current processing statements and 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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Convenience Store Merchant Account

Accepting credit cards at a convenience store is a must in today’s marketplace. Getting the best rate is equally important to be competitive in your business. We offer special pricing for C-Stores with good monthly sales volumes. Now, convenience store owners can receive special pricing, once only reserved for corporations like WalMart. Saving money on your credit card processing rates & fees has never been more important for convenience store merchant account owners, as we move into a slowing economy.

OTHER C-STORE PRODUCTS:

Convenience store owners looking to reduce their expenses should grab their current statements and give me a call to immediately cut their current credit card processing costs. We look forward to working with you.

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

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PAY AT PUMPS | MERCHANT ACCOUNT | SAVE THOUSANDS


Gas station owners are in a very competitive business. Every possible edge over the competition is a must to compete in this industry. Saving money on credit card processing can be a lucrative edge over your competitor down the street, who has not analyzed his merchant account expenses.

When you are working on pennies, your credit card processing rates and fees matter. Understanding what those transactions cost workout to on an average basis is key. If your average gas purchase is $40, you need to understand what your current cost is on that card transaction. This cost could really be eating away at your profits, if this goes unchecked.

We can offer you an interchage plus pricing program, at a small fraction above true interchange cost. This program is usually reserved for high volume accounts, but we are now offering it to independant gas station owners of all sizes. We can even included your in-store sales of food & convenience products. We even offer Fleet-Card acceptence like Wright Express and Voyager cards.

Grab your most recent credit card processing statements and give me a call. I’m confident that we can save you money, making your business more competitive.

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

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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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