Credit Card Processing Solutions

All in all, we are here to provide you with proper information on how to get along in this fast-paced world which is changing in a blink.

Merchant's pain to gain a good position in the market is very difficult. Customers never get to know what all things a merchant has to go through. Credit card swiping is a simple, easy-going task of hardy 2 secs.

Credit Card Processing?

The moment a card is swiped against the purchase of any product or services, which transacts with the help of payment gateway is known as credit card processing.

High-Risk Business and Friendly Frauds

A business that deals with a higher rate of failing transactions. Credit cards and their processing becomes difficult depending on the nature of business. Apart from keeping e-commerce business balanced and stabled frauds are the one which always ranks on the list.

Finding frauds and then detecting it whether its true or fake is the toughest task.

There are some scenarios where a merchant needs to look after what all he/she goes through.

1. Customers win by 1-0

Here, the customers win the case by 1 point and the merchant losses it by scoring 0. True, this usually happens when the customer goes for the subscription of the goods or the services for a year or a couple of months and unknowingly after a certain point of time the amount gets deducted from their account without their notice.

2.Shoutout with a big no.

This scenario happens when a product holder denies accepting the purchase of the product. The most common case is when a merchant gets a big no from the customer’s side for the purchase of the product and is asked to refund the amount.

At times the purchase is made without the notice of the cardholder.

3. Theives and Threats Happening Online.

Shoplifting is the major thing that a customer does during the time of sale. It is a crime nonetheless, and online shoplifters can face serious legal problems, such as charges of mail fraud.

A consumer purchases goods online using his credit card, then he receives the goods then submits a statement to the credit card company claiming that he never received the goods.

As a result, the credit card company initiates a chargeback and forces the merchant to refund the customer’s purchase.

These are the conditions where a merchant faces a bad experience in his daily working of the business.

Merchant Stronghold  

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST MERCHANT SERVICE PROVIDER?

Go for the Track record of various Merchant Service Providers. Before subscribing to the merchant service, you must check the previous records and reviews of that provider. If they have a positive record then you should feel free to add them to your list.

They are providing at a reasonable market price. You must check the market price for the services that you are looking for. Moreover, you can compare the prices and get the one suiting your requirements. The Efficiency of the Support Service. While using the merchant service, a merchant may need assistance every now and then regarding the charges and more. In such cases, your merchant service provider must offer nice support, preferable 24/7 support. Understand the need and requirement of your business. You must get the package or service that goes perfectly with your business. This includes subscription charges, monthly or annual limit, and more. Make sure you consider the expansion of business while choosing the merchant service provider.

THE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK WHILE CHOOSING THE BEST MERCHANT SERVICE PROVIDER

What kind of support services they offer? – 24/7 support or Live Support

Will they allow both online and offline processing of transactions?

Details related to the PCI-Compliance and other charges

How long have they been into this business and What are their customer reviews?

What is their response towards the chargeback and frauds?

What is the average fund processing time?

Details related to cancelation and fund replacement

What kind of compatibility appliance do they need or offer?

Get Best Tips To Negotiate Credit Card Processing

Just read the following article which helps you to understand the American Express Merchant Services before getting them.

AMERICAN EXPRESS FEES & RATES

The first question most of the merchant asks before getting merchant services is often related to fees. The prices set for the Amex are transparent and follows a robust plan. Also, American Express is continuously working to promote small businesses with their new ventures like opting Blue Merchant Services. In exchange for the payment processing network, American Express charges fees. However, the breakdown of these charges can be too much for users sometimes to understand. To understand these charges, you can simply contact the American Express Customer Services and ask for the details.

AMERICAN EXPRESS CONTRACT DETAILS

Now American Express Offers many great features that a merchant might prefer. Here are some benefits a merchant get with American Express Merchant Services:

Early Termination Fee – None

PCI Compliance Fee – None

Equipment Lease Terms – None

Amex services attracted many merchants because of no charges for PCI Compliance and early termination fees which plays an important role. And the transaction rate is typically based on a merchant’s sales volume and business type and set upon account activation. Also, it is noted that other processing charges are the same as Visa and MasterCard. However, many merchants get Visa and MasterCard processing services from a 3rd party processor. And later on, pitch the Amex Services. In such cases, the merchant has to pay some charges to the 3rd party processor, not the Amex. When American Express doesn’t chargeback any extra money for the same.

AMERICAN EXPRESS CHARGEBACK DISPUTE

When going for the American Express Merchant Services, you should gather as much information related to chargeback as possible. As we discussed the chargeback reason code for the Amex are different than the other card networks. However, a merchant should know about chargeback and related rules if the Amex card is going to be used in the business. Study the various reason codes of the American Express and get as much information as possible. Unlike Visa and MasterCard who outsource merchant services, American Express manages most of their services inside. Therefore, you should expect transparency with their fees structure and their performance as well.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT & CUSTOMER SERVICE

As you know, credit card processors also want to sell their services and if your offer is good then they might accept it. Confidence is must along with the tips mentioned in this blog.

1. NEVER AGREE RIGHT AWAY

It’s the first rule of the negotiation, never agree right away. Take your time, compare prices and talk to the service providers for more details. Even if you are sure that you want to use their services, you need to keep other options available to you. Rushing and purchasing the first deal you see is not a good option for you. Also, if the representative tries to rush you into purchasing it then be alert and ask that you need more time to think.

2. COLLECT ALL CREDIT CARD PROCESSING OFFERS

Before settling for one, check for other credit card processors available in the market. This will help you Negotiate Credit Card Processing Deal in a better way and give you a baseline idea about the various credit card services and processors. Also, you will get the details of any additional services offered by other companies that can be beneficial for your high-risk business.

3. DO NOT HESITATE TO TALK TO THE MANAGER

If you need more information and better negotiation that the representative is not offering, then you can simply ask to connect to the manager about it. According to their policies, a manager cannot refuse to talk to a customer or potential customer. On the other hand, you can also try calling at the toll-free number to get more details and at the same time request time with the manager.

4. CALCULATE OVERALL VALUE CAREFULLY

When you have successfully collected details from the various payment service providers, calculate the overall fees for all the services. It is very important to check the overall cost for all the credit card processing services that fits your description. Sometimes the fees for the services may seem less. However, the overall fees may feel like costing a fortune. Using this strategy you can get the best value offer to Negotiate Credit Card Processing Deal.

Financial risk and reputation are always the main concern of any financial institutions. Any wrong practice can result in damaging the image of the business. Sites which offer memberships are regarded as high risk merchants, irrespective whether they practice illegal or shady things or not, due to which it becomes difficult for the business owner to find an institution willing to accept its application for merchant account and even more difficult to find an institute which will offer a reasonable terms on his account.

Considered - High-risk

The proprietors of many membership websites found their merchant account closed abruptly. The reason for this action was new guidelines released by MasterCard that put certain practices common to the membership site business model under much greater inquiry or analysis. Before MasterCard implemented new rules, many membership sites used techniques that were widely regarded as deceptive or even fraudulent. Not only MasterCard changed its policies, but Visa had also issued similar guidelines. This resulted in conceding all the membership sites as high-risk merchants.

Let us discuss the points that make Membership sites as High-risk merchant:

Negative-option enrollment: The customer makes a single payment for a product or service, but in doing so they are automatically signed up for a paid monthly subscription which they must actively cancel or opt-out of to avoid being charged.

Free trials: The customer or member is promised something for “free” (including “deferred billing” or “just pay for shipping!”), but the process of obtaining the “free” item or service results in them unknowingly being signed up for a paid membership or subscription.

Burying terms in the fine print: The membership site makes the terms of its charges and refund policy difficult to find by hiding them in the middle of a lengthy user agreement, or in tiny text in some obscure corner of the website.

Start a merchant account

Your best option is to work with a credit card processing company that specializes in high-risk merchant accounts. Some of the payment processors willing to offer you an account may charge high fees or hold back an unnecessarily large percentage of your income as a “rolling reserve” to cover the risk of chargebacks and other losses from unhappy members. While processing companies are taking a gamble by offering accounts for membership sites and need to protect them, these high rates can be painful for small businesses.

In high-risk business, you must work with a charge card dealing with an association that has skills in high peril shipper accounts. A part of the portion processors willing to offer you a record may charge high costs or keep down a senselessly broad level of your compensation as a “moving store” to cover the risk of chargebacks and diverse hardships from harried people. While dealing with associations are taking a wager by offering speaks to enlistment districts and need to secure them, these high rates can be troublesome for privately owned businesses. Merchant Services is cheerful to work with High-Risk Merchant and tune in to their requirements to give sensible participation site accounts.

Multiple Payment Platforms:

Recurring Billing Module Available

CRM Telemarketing Solutions

eCommerce Shopping Cart Gateways

Our Benefits:

Multiple Payment Options, including eCommerce and Recurring Payments.

Fast Online Application Process, offers fast approvals for merchants.

Your Own Dedicated Account Manager.

Diversified Bank Acquirers with an appetite for the subscription industries.

Rapid decisions processes for approvals.

It allows you to market your product directly either over phone or web conferencing, which is on a call. In this marketing method, the salesperson tries to convince prospective customers to buy a product or service. Services are given over the phone or during a conference. For operating such type of business and carry out financial transactions (where most of the transactions are through credit card), business or merchant needs a merchant account.

High-Risk Merchant Account Next thing that comes to our mind is what is the meaning of a high-risk merchant. Issuer bank defines whether a merchant account or the business is high risk or not. It depends on the number of chargebacks and the type of industry. High-risk merchant in telemarketing business faces a lot of struggle in getting approval for a merchant account. But if they succeed in getting one, it will enhance the sales, as they will be able to accept credit card payment from their customers present all over the world.

Advantages of Merchant Account Service

If a merchant gets approval for a high-risk merchant account, a wider range of support service is given to the merchant for a smoother and efficient workflow. One of the main services provided is a virtual terminal. It is beneficial for high-risk merchants.

After the merchant account approval, as a result, a telemarketer will be able to accept the payment through credit card. Also, do financial transactions telephonically.

Account Hold

When the banks withhold some of the money from the merchant account is called Merchant holds.

The merchant account remains active and the account holds money that acts as a deposit for doing business.

Furthermore, in case of any fraudulent activity or chargeback issues, this money can be used.

However, the Merchant Account is not standard practice for both banks and the merchant especially in the case of low-risk merchants.

Account Freeze

If the Merchant is suspected to be involved in a suspicious activity then the Merchant Account is subjected to freeze.

During the freeze, the merchant is not allowed to make any transaction using that Merchant Account.

Then the Bank investigates the issues and unfreezes the account if no solid evidence is found against the Merchant.

The merchant should understand the reason behind the Account Freeze. This can help to avoid Merchant account hold or freeze in the future.

What Causes Merchant Account Hold or Freeze?

As we discussed, the Bank has the right to Hold and Freeze the Merchant Account without prior notice. This is a step of precaution in case of any frauds. Here are some situations that can lead to potential Merchant Account Hold or Freeze.

Before opening the Merchant Account, the bank asks the Merchant to sign the terms and agreements. And if the Merchant does not follow the bank norms, the bank has every right to freeze the merchant account. High Number of Chargeback – If your business is causing a large number of chargeback every month then the bank will investigate your business methods and discontinue your banking facilities. Dealing in Undisclosed Goods and Services – Before opening the Merchant Account, you must inform the bank about your business with a detailed description. In case, you are caught dealing in other goods then you can be subjected to Merchant Account Freeze. Suspect of Fraud – If you or your business is involved in any kind of fraud or illegal activity then banks can take actions by freezing the account.

How to Avoid Merchant Account Hold or Freeze?

Get a nice payment processor for your Business Account. Also, get a High-Risk Merchant Account if necessary. Moreover, if you are about to make changes to your business and starting to sell different goods or services, then make sure you inform your Payment Processor about the change. Reduce the number of chargebacks. The excessive number of chargebacks can cause a variety of losses including the Merchant Account hold. Finally, if you are going to make an exceptionally large transaction then inform the payment processor regarding your transaction details.

Every year, a plethora of complaints are registers that badly affect the business of the merchant. In this article, we have listed the Common Merchant Account Complaints and the tricks to avoid such issues in your organization. This article can help you look at both potential risks and rewards of working with a given company.

Poor Customer Service Now your business and payment processing system cannot be perfect every time. And customer faces an issue with the management. At those times, it is the responsibility of the customer service team to provide the demanded attention to a specific topic. But if the customer support is unable to offer the desired support then the customer has no other option but to avoid the company.

In such a case, you need to stabilize your customer support service.

Tracking your product and customer reviews should be evaluated.

You should take some time to minimize the customer waiting time.

And nobody wants to listen to the automated answering service.

Cancellation Issues

This is one of the frustrating Common Merchant Account Complaints faced by the customers. Many times we order a product or service by mistake. In that case, you immediately try to cancel the order on the company’s website.

It is difficult to distinguish between the mistakes and the frauds for a merchant.

But if your enterprise makes your customer go through a lot of trouble while canceling the order then your business is under risk.

Moreover, it could lead to unnecessary Chargebacks.

Solidify the rules around the replacement and return of an order.

And make sure you provide smooth payment processing to your customers.

Poor Agreement Management

Another complaint that is filed against the merchants is related to the agreement management. That could be related to the poor description, expensive services and many more.

Leasing services are generally non-refundable that further leads to conflicts.

Merchants always pay more when they are renting a terminal than just to outright buying one.

By the time, this all leads to costing thousands of dollars to the merchant.

Misleading Sales Practice

This is one of the worst sales practices. If you wish to lead a long profitable business then never apply such things to your business.

For a merchant, sales are very important and to increase sales they try every method.

Some merchants try these petty methods to increase sales.

But the customer with one bad issue can report the business of this unethical practice.

Advertise your product as it is.

And if you offer some discount then make sure you clear out the terms and condition to the customers properly.

Train your sales agent properly and tell them the customer satisfaction is always the priority.

Open Merchant Bank Account You can open a Business Bank Account anytime just by visiting the nearest branch. It takes hardly a few minutes to open a merchant bank account if your documents are ready and appropriate.

Even if you are the sole proprietor of the business, you need to create a Business Bank Account.

Now, your business transaction can be carried out using this bank account.

All you need is your merchant license or business license and EIN (Employer Identification Number).

Also, make sure you keep a certain amount in the account for processing fees and software fees.

How to Get the Business License?

The business license is a permit from the government or the responsible organization that allows you to sell goods and services. Depending on your geographical location, you can get a business license by providing the required documents.

You need to provide the documents that validate your business. An underwriting and review of the business also need to be submitted. Also, provide details of your standing business. Then after the completion of the formalities, you can get your Business License and Business License Number. These business licenses generally have the expiration date. You may be required to renew the license to continue the business.

Choose for Online Application for Merchant Bank Account

The procedure for opening the Merchant Bank Account becomes very easy by using the online method. You can apply for the merchant account from the web portal and open merchant bank account.

You will be asked to enter your business and company details. Then your valid business license number will be asked. You have to provide documents asked by the bank. And within a few hours, you will be ready with the merchant bank account.

In the world of business, the merchant processing service is very important, in simple words, the merchant processing is nothing but the ability of the merchant to accept the payment without any error or issue. The payment could be in different forms such as cash, debit card, credit card, internet banking, and other online methods. These aspects of the business can immediately boost your business or take it down in one go.

If you need guidance with the Merchant Processing services or need to compare merchant processing services then contact the Merchant Stronghold. We provide specialized help for the high-risk merchants, credit card processing, and high-risk payment gateway.

What are the Factors influencing the Merchant Processing Services

Now that you understand the Merchant Processing Services, let’s get to the point and discuss the methods to get the best merchant processing services. Here are some factors that can influence the Merchant Processing or Card Processing Services.

Types of Payment under Payment Processor

The merchant service provider of the payment processor needs to be according to your demand. You can explore the market with different payment processors and get the one that suits your demands. Also, you can Compare Merchant Processing Services and payment processing services.

Do not get confused by the payment processors and their offers. Contact Merchant Stronghold for the information to select the best payment processor for you.

Price of the Merchant Processing

The different processor offers different plans for their services. It is your responsibility as a merchant to select the best for your business type. Here are some different pricing methods discussed.