Merchant Credit Card Accounts - Common Merchant Credit Card Account Processing Questions


1.	How do we process Credit cards?
	The processing depends on whether you will be using your account in a Retail or Internet/Mail/Telephone Order environment. Retail - You will be using our point of sale terminal equipment. Depending on the type of equipment, you will swipe the card or key the card number in manually. Our terminal equipment will automatically dialup the card authorization center. You will receive verification immediately (usually not longer that 15 seconds). Within 48 hours the funds will be in your checking account. Monthly reports of your transactions will be sent to your company. Internet/Mail/Telephone - Our card processing software will be installed on your computer system. You enter the card information for each transaction (card number, name, expiration date, address or zip code) and the amount of the sale. As with the Retail hardware, the card authorization center is contacted using your computers communication system and approval is returned immediately. You can submit a days worth of transactions using the batch capabilities of our software system Both systems contact the card authorization center using a toll free 800 number. Processing is over a separate dial-up connection and not over the Internet.

2.	What do we need to get started?
	We provide everything you will need - (1) merchant account & setup, (2) point-of-sale devices or our PC software for capturing and submitting sales, (3) setup of the hardware/software with the appropriate phone numbers for communication with the processing center. You will give us the Bank Account into which you wish your sales funds transferred and (4) we will set this up in the programs , at the Merchant Bank and at the Card processing center. When you receive our equipment or software you merely connect it to your phone line and plug it in or (for software) install it on your computer. You then call to activate your account and you are totally set up to accept credit card charges. The activation is a security measure - all of the information for your account will have been given to the appropriate parties - you call to let them know that you are ready to begin using the system. To begin this process merely fill out and submit our Mini-Application form.

3.	Is the Mini-Application all we need to submit?
	No, we will need other information. Since each situation varies, we can be more productive in quickly establishing your merchant account if we know a little about your business before out Account Executive contacts you for the information required on the final contract for your signature. Please submit accurate and complete information in the Mini-Application to expedite processing.

4.	Do we need to establish a new Bank account for the electronic transfer of our funds from the Merchant Bank?
	No. You may use your current checking account to accept your credit card electronic bank transfers. However, we suggest that a separate account be set up for these transfers so you can more easily audit your account to the credit card monthly statements.

5.	How long will it be before we can begin accepting Credit Card payments?
	After we receive all of the required information and signatures, we submit the information for processing and installing at the processing center and Merchant Bank. Within 7 to 10 days your Account I.D. will be setup. We then set up the equipment/software and send it out to you. You then simply install the hardware or software and your ready.

6.	What type of equipment will we need?
	If you are primarily processing on the Internet or accepting phone, Fax and mail orders, then the computer software programs are recommended. If you process your sales from a retail center directly to customers, then our point-of-sale terminals should be used. We handle many types of POS Credit Card processing equipment. Our Account Executive can recommend which is best for your application.

7.	What do we do when we have problems?
	Our support program provides you Monthly Statements, 24 hours 365 days a year customer support and a lifetime equipment warranty, where we replace defective equipment within 24 hours.

8.	What is address verification and do we need it?
	This simply verifies that the address of the credit card at the processing center matches the address given to you at the time of sale. This feature is normally used when you are not face-to-face with the buyer at transaction time - such as Internet sales, mail, phone or Fax orders. Our software provides for this checking and you decide whether or not to verify addresses. We strongly advise use of this feature for any non face-to-face sales to minimize chargebacks.

9.	How does your lease-to-own program work?
	Our leases are based on a specific term and at the end of the term after a minimal buyout, you will own the equipment.

10.	What type of phone and computer equipment will we need?
	Any normal phone line connection is all you need to reach the card processing center 800 number. If you are using our POS card processing equipment only this phone line is required. When using the computer software, you will need a computer and modem to connect to the phone line. We provide computer software for the following Operating Systems: Windows 95, Windows Ver 3.1, Macintosh, and DOS.