Merchant Account Blog & Credit Card Processing Blog

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Processing checks at the point-of-sale is becomming very popular. New technology allows merchants to convert a paper check, into an electronic transaction. The check is then “Guaranteed”, removing the financial risk to the merchant. This technology will also create “Customer Loyalty”, as they will choose to do business with you, instead of doing business with your competitor.

Customers can take advantage of the “Float”, which is typically two business days before the funds are needed to be deposited into their account. Typically customers will use this prior to their payday, on a purchase needed today. Again, the check processing transaction is “100% Guaranteed” to the merchant, so the risk of the check bouncing is of no concern to the merchant.

A simple check reader is attached to your credit card machine to process the check. The merchant would simply swipe the check through the reader and enter the required information in the credit card machine. The information is transmitted to the Check Company and a “Guaranteed Prompt” is received back to your machine within seconds. The transaction is completed by returning the receipt & voided check, back to your customer. It’s that simple.

Funds are electronically deposited into your business account !!!!!

If you have any questions about check processing, 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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Reading your merchant account statement each month is very important. Many merchants simply gather the numbers for their accounting, without reading the statement. Reading the entire statement will most importantly make you aware of any changes set-forth by Visa or Mastercard. Changes to Interchange rates can effect your overall cost and changes in equipment requirements could require new programming on your equipment.

Keeping a eye on your rates & fees are good business practice. Understanding your merchant account statement can be challenging. We have a Merchant Account Statement Guide which may help you and you can alway’s call your customer support deparrtment at your credit card processing provider for help.

If you feel that you may be paying too much, please give me a call to discuss switching to the best rate.

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

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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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E-COMMERCE VIA WEB-ENABLED MOBILE PHONES

According to Juniper Research LTD, North America is just starting to see a rise in payments made via cell phone using mobile web devices. Cellular customers are finally using their web-enabled mobile phones to make credit card purchases over the web. Websites that are customized for mobile transactions will see the increase in their credit card processing. You may want to consider optimizing mobile pages on your website to benefit from these transactions. If you dont’t have an E-Commerce Merchant Account, please give us a call to discuss your needs and capitalize on this growing market channel.

These credit card transactions are projected to exceed $300 Billion by 2013.

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

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Well its Friday, and I thought I write about Google Checkout, that’s right Google Checkout. Believe it or not, this is a great solution for lower volume start-ups and any size webmaster using Google Adwords. We’ll analyize both senerios, starting with a new website start-up. New sites can quickly add a payment option on their website using a Buy-It-Now Button, with a simple cut & paste of code generated from their Google Checkout Account. Conformation of your banking info is fast & simple by entering the amount of a small bank deposit, into your Google checkout account. Merchants can be up and running in a very short period of time. Google has made the entire process simple and fast.

If you currently accept credit cards with a merchant account, you may want to add the Google Checkout feature as an Alternative Payment Methood. Especially if you advertise with Google Adwords, as Google will give you a break on the processing cost, based on your Adwords Advertising. The largest benefit is the fact that Google will add a Google Checkout Icon to your advertising, which should increase your clicks, thus increase your conversions. Even if you are using a particular shopping cart with your merchant account, you can integrate it in using Google Checkout API integration tools.

In conclusion, Google Checkout is a great add-on to an existing merchant account. You may want to take a look at their blog at the Official Google Checkout Blog for more information.

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

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1st National Processing has partnered with the eProcessing Network to provide many different credit card processing solutions. The eProcessing Network is certified by Visa & Mastercard as a secure payment gateway to transmit credit card transactions in a secure environment over the internet. In addition to ecommerce enabled websites, the ePocessingNetwork.com offers many inovative solutions, including Retail POS Software, Wireless Processing, and QuickBooks plugin’s to process credit card transactions directly from your accounting software.

E-Commerce Processing - The eProcessing Networks ecommerce payment gateway is supported by most shopping carts and can be configured to emulate Authorize.Net, making it the most supported gateway solution on the market. Best of all they provide “Live” telephone support, at no charge.

Online Vitual Terminal - The eProcessing Network also offers an Online Virtual Terminal that merchants can use to manually “Key-In” a customers credit card transaction. Includes detail online transaction reporting and transaction history. You can process Re-Occurring Charges with an upgrade.

POS Software - The eProcessing Network is giving away free software with their service, that will allow you to process Retail Transactions or even Keyed Transactions for telephone orders. Software can reside on your computer desktop and features a very small footprint. Includes free online reporting and will instantly email your customer a receipt.

Wireless Transactions - Mobile merchants can process “Swiped” transactions from their cell-phone with a inexpensive swiper attachment ($175.00). This is a huge savings when compared to a ($600) wireless terminal. Most cell phones are supported and internet access is required.

QuickBooks Plugin - Merchants looking to do credit card processing directly from QuickBooks may consider their QuickBook Plugin. Now merchants are not locked in to Inovative Merchant Services, as the only source for a merchant account. Providing QuickBooks users the freedom to shop around for the best rates.

Please call me with any questions regarding any credit card processing solution or needs that you may have. We look forward to working with you.

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

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Credit Card Machines - Free With Merchant Account

Well times sure do change. Their has never been a better time to apply for a merchant account. Back in the mid-1990’s, you would have been quoted $1,200 for a credit card terminal. Well today you will probally be offered a Free Credit Card Machine, in return for your business. Amazing how things change. 

We offer a Free Credit Card Machine with what we feel is one of the best offers, to date. Once your merchant account is approved, we will program & ship, a free state-of-the-art credit card terminal at no charge. All we ask is that you return the equipment, when closing your merchant account.

Many companies are charging a step annual fee, shortly after openning your account to off-set the cost. Others are have a long contract with a $895 penalty for closing your merchant account. Please be careful and understand would you are signing.

We offer a straight forward contract with no hidden fees. Call me today to discuss why our program is the best in the business.

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

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