I take a simple but thorough four-step approach to assist you with a merchant account.

In-Depth Analysis – Cutting Through the Confusion

The first step is to perform an analysis of your business needs regarding electronic payments.  If you already have a merchant account, I'll do a complete analysis of it looking for ways to reduce your costs. 

• Pricing Plan. There are a few different kinds of pricing that merchant account processors use: fixed rate; tiered; or Interchange Plus. I will determine which plan type your current account falls under and determine if there are ways to help get you lower rates.
• Processing Methods and Locations. Both of these affect your fees and the type of terminals and procedures you need. We’ll discuss how you are currently processing your credit cards. Common processing methods include: face-to-face with card-in-hand customers; swiping the card through a physical terminal; using point-of-sale software; processing charges on the fly from a mobile device; and Internet-only transactions through your website or a specialized payment transaction website.

Education

Understanding how merchant accounts work on your own can be overwhelming. I break down my findings from the analysis in the first step and then educate you in easy to understand pieces.  You determine the amount of information that you want and need to make a good decision.  I’ll be ready to spend time showing you what you need to know as an informed decision maker regarding your merchant account.  Here’s what I’m ready to help you with:

• The Basics. I will teach you what you really need to know about credit card processing, without all the hype the credit card processors hide in the minutia.
• Clear Recommendations. I make custom recommendations based on your needs and my extensive knowledge of what is available today in the merchant account industry. You'll receive straight talk from me – 15-30 minutes of enlightening information that is relevant to your specific needs.  If you have a great existing contract – I’ll tell you straight-up.  I won’t waste your time or mine.  We’ll both walk away knowing that you’re well taken care of.  (By the way – this happens about 20% of the time when I analyze an account.)  Sometimes we’ll decide to touch base again in 6 months or a year to make sure that everything has stayed the same. 

Applying For a New Merchant Account

When you’ve decided to have me handle your merchant account processing, I’ll help you every step of the way.  Here's what to expect:

• Information Needed. I'll get your information assembled into an electronic application.  Once you return it with a voided check, I can usually have your merchant account up and running within 48 hours.  

Implementation – Working Your New Solution Into Day-to-Day Business

After your merchant account has been approved, it’s time to get to work setting everything up and integrating the solution into your existing business.  Sometimes this is as easy as plugging in a new terminal, sometimes it's more complex.  Either way - I do this every day, and will easily get your business accepting electronic payments quickly. 

• Setting-Up Physical Equipment. If you are face-to-face with your customers, either in one location or multiple mobile locations, you’ll require some equipment set up. This can include different types of terminals, and you’ll need the right type for the way you do business.
• Creating Other Accounts. This varies depending on your specific needs, for example: If in our analysis, we determine that you need mobile processing or if you need to accept payments through the internet, I’ll help you by setting up those processes. 
• PCI Compliance.  Another part of my implementation with you is to help you become compliant with the Payment Card Industry’s Data Security Standard.  It can be confusing, and expensive if done wrong.  I’ll help you through this, and you’ll be secure knowing that it is handled the right way.
• Ongoing Support.  I’ll check on you after your first day processing.  I’ll make sure that everything is working correctly – all the way through to your bank account.  Then – you’ll get customer service information so that you know who to call when you need help.  You’ll also receive my personal cell phone number.  I answer it whenever I’m awake.  My customers have called me evenings and weekends – and I’m happy to help with their account.  You won’t be shipped offshore to some call center – you’ll call me when you need me.