Merchant Services

Merchant Services Tudor

Learn the basics of Merchant Services

Credit Cards are the latest and the best mode of payments today. They are not only convenient but also secure to make transactions worldwide. So to run a business without having a Merchant Account is like having a lock without key. You can't afford to untap the potential customers carrying credit cards with them.

Open your doors to the world by accepting Credit Card payments today!

Give your business an edge by accepting Credit Card payments today!

A Guide To Getting The Best Merchant Services Deal

Do you need merchant services to grow your business but have been putting it off because you aren't sure how to go about getting the best merchant services deal? Well, put your fears to rest because this guide to getting the best merchant services deal will show you just how to do that.

No one will ever dispute that the ability to accept credit card payments will increase your number of customers, sales made, and the profitability of your business. However, to maintain the profitability of accepting credit cards, you need to make sure your merchant services provider gives you a good deal without hidden charges or features you won't use or require.

Even if you already have a merchant services provider, it's not too late to change. If you keep the following in mind when evaluating merchant services providers, whether you are changing over or are new to credit card processing, you are sure to find everything you need for your business at the best price.

Speaking Of Price

It's the first thing people think about, so price is the best place to begin. Obviously, you want a merchant services provider that gives you the most bang for your buck, especially for new businesses just starting up.

The first thing you should look for in a merchant services provider is one that packages the most credit card processing services into their “standard” features. This means you should get more without having to pay more. Secondly, take a look at the schedule of fees for their “standard” plan and upgraded plans. If you're interested in an upgraded plan, make sure the fees for the upgrades are in line with what your business requires. The “everything included” plan may not be the one that fits your business best.

Make sure you understand the fees, the merchant services included in the fees, and how much you'll be paying bottom line at the end of the month. In addition, look for providers that do not charge “set-up” fees or “application” fees mounting into the hundreds of dollars. There are merchant services providers out there who do not charge these exorbitant extra startup fees.

24/7 Customer Service Is More Important Than You May Think

While you may think a merchant services provider offering Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM customer service is sufficient for your type of business, it really isn't. Make sure your merchant services provider offers 24/7 customer service by people who actually work for the provider and are not from an outsourced company merely there to answer the phone and take messages. In addition, make sure you will not be charged for calling customer service. It should be included free as part of your merchant services account. You'll appreciate this when a frantic customer threatens to call the Police on a Friday night at 6:00 PM because they believe you charged them twice for one purchase or because they want to know why you can't accept their credit card and you can't speak with anyone in customer service until 8:00 AM on Monday morning.

By keeping these two points in mind when seeking the best merchant services deal, you are sure to find the merchant services deal of a century!

General Articles

A Merchant Services Account Isn't Difficult For Small Businesses To Open

Don't Sign Up With The First Merchant Services Provider You Find - Take The Time To Shop Around

Tips For Choosing A Merchant Services Provider For Your Website

Merchant Services Tips

You are absolutely not allowed to only process transactions above a certain minimum or below a certain maximum value. Per regulations, if you are going to accept credit cards, you must accept them for any transaction.

You must truncate account numbers on your receipts. Each state has its own laws governing what can and can not be on the receipt. For both the Merchant’s and cardholder’s protection, the general rule of thumb is to print no more than the last four digits of the card number on the receipt.

Examine the card! There have been many cases of an expired card being presented for payment that gets a valid authorization from the processor. However, in the end the transaction is not paid to the Merchant. The Merchant is responsible for examining the card and verifying the information present on the card.

Take every measure possible to prevent duplicate transactions. Duplicate transactions will result in a credit, dispute or chargeback and all of these can add up to losing your Merchant Account.

Always get an authorization for every credit card transaction you are going to settle. Not doing so will only create headaches and lost revenue for you.

Merchants are not allowed to charge any sort of usage fee for credit card transactions to offset the cost of accepting credit cards. This was done many years ago, but has since been outlawed by the card networks. Your Discount Rate and other associated fess are simply a cost of business that you accept when you decide to accept credit cards.

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