Frequently Asked Questions 

How does online credit card processing works?

1. The online customer finds the merchant's website and adds products to their shopping cart. When they are ready to check out, they enter their billing information.
2. If the merchant does not have a secure page, the customer can be transferred to a secure payment gateway. If the merchant does have a secure site, then the information will be "passed" to the payment gateway without the customer ever leaving the merchant's site.
3. Once the billing information has made it to the payment gateway, it is then transmitted to the processor.
4. The processor passes the information from the online payment gateway onto the bank that issued the credit card, which verifies that the card is valid and that the amount requested is available on the card.
5. The bank sets aside the purchase amount for the merchant, then sends back an approval number or a decline message to the processor.
6. Within 3-15 seconds, the information in steps 2-6 is passed back to the gateway.
7. The gateway passes the approval code back to the merchant's site or, if the merchant does not have a secure site, gives the customer their approval information. At this point, the merchant can also choose to have the payment gateway email the customer a payment receipt.
8. Final payment is secured and is deposited in the internet merchant’s account. It typically takes two business days from the time of the original transaction for the funds to reach the merchant's checking account.

How Does retail credit card processing works ?

1. The merchant slides the customer's card through the credit card terminal and enters the sale amount. The terminal then connects to Merchant Warehouse’s processor for authorization.
2. The processor passes that information onto the bank that issued the credit card where the bank checks to see if the card is valid and see if the charge amount is available on the card.
3. The issuing bank sends back an approval number or a decline message to Merchant Warehouse’s processor.
4. The information is passed back to the credit card terminal which prints a receipt for the customer to sign if the card is approved. It takes approximately 12-15 seconds to complete steps 1-4 on a credit card machine using a phone line. The newer internet enabled machines can cut this time to just a few seconds.
5.At the end of the day the merchant must "settle" or "batch out" their terminal which will begin the final process of the transaction. In most cases Merchant Warehouse can automatically settle the transactions at a specified time each day. Once the settlement process is initiated the funds are transferred from the card issuing bank and are electronically deposits them into the merchant's checking account. It typically takes no more than two business days from the time of the original transaction for the funds to reach the merchant's checking account.

How Does MOTO credit card processing works?

1. The customer calls or mails in an order to the merchant and provides their credit card information. The merchant enters the card information and sale amount it into a credit card terminal, PC Software or payment gateway.
2. The processing system connects to Merchant Warehouse’s processor for authorization.
3. The processor passes the sale information on to the bank that issued the credit card which checks to see that the card is valid and if the amount requested is available on the account.
4. The issuing bank sends an approval number or a decline message back to the processor.
5. The information is passed back to the processing system which gives the merchant the approval number and allows them to print a receipt for their records. It takes approximately 3-15 seconds to complete steps 2-5 on a traditional terminal or just a few seconds with a terminal or software connected to the internet.
6. The merchant must "settle" their processing sales on a daily basis which begins the final process in the transactions. In most cases the credit card machine can be programmed to settle the account at a specified time each day. The sales proceeds are then transferred from the card issuing bank and are electronically deposits into the merchant's checking account. It typically takes two business days from the time of the original transaction for the funds to reach the merchant's checking account.

How does wireless credit card processing work?

1. The merchant slides the customer's card through the wireless credit card machine and enters the sale amount. Using a technology similar to a cell phone, the terminal connects to a radio tower and sends the credit card information and amount of the purchase.
2. The transaction information is routed to Merchant Warehouse’s processor.
3. The processor passes that information onto the bank that issued the credit card (issuing bank). The issuing bank checks to see if the card is valid and if the amount requested is available on the card and sets aside the amount of the purchase for the merchant.
4. The issuing bank sends back an approval number or a decline message to the processor.
5. The information is then passed back to the mobile credit card machine. It takes approximately 8-12 seconds to complete the transaction depending on the coverage available and network traffic.
6. At the end of the day the merchant may manually "settle" their terminal which will begin the final process of the transaction. Once the settlement process is initiated the funds are transferred from the card issuing bank and deposited into the merchant's checking account within two business days from the time of the original transaction.

What credit cards can I accept? 
You can accept Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®Network. We also offer Diner's Club® and JCB®

How long does it take to start accepting credit cards?
Our online application will only take 5 minutes to complete. Most of our merchants start accepting credit cards in 24 hours.

Do you offer free technical support?
You will be provided with an (800) number to handle any problems or questions.

What is a Discount rate?
The discount rate is the percentage of each transaction that the processing company charges to handle the transaction for you.

What is a Virtual Terminal?
A web-based termial that enables businesses to authorize, process and manage credit card transactions from any computer that has an Internet connection and a Web browser.

Is check software included?
Is bookkeeping software included? Yes. We provide all new merchants with free bookkeeper software.

When can I expect the money from my sales to appear in my bank account?
The money will appear in your bank account within 48-72 hours.

Do I receive any training on the equipment?
You will be fully trained on all equipment at NO charge.

What is an Address Verification System?
An Address Verification System (AVS) verifies that the Address and zip code match the credit card customer.

How Does Authorize.Net work?

Authorize Net is a browser based online payment gateway that has two primary functions:

1. Authorize.Net gives your website and/or shopping cart the ability to authorize and settle credit card transactions in a secure, real time environment.
2. Authorize.Net also has a virtual terminal feature that will allow you to manually process credit card transactions for phone, mail, and face-to-face orders.

Most major hosting companies and shopping cart providers are compatible with Authorize.Net. It is critical that you make sure your website’s shopping cart/hosting company are compatible with the merchant account/gateway solution you choose. The last thing you want to do is to set up a merchant account & online payment gateway only to find out they do not communicate properly.

EzCreditCardSetup is a reseller for Authorize Net so even if you already have a merchant account and just need a online payment gateway,give us a call. We can set up Authorize.Net accounts with most major processors.

• Browser based solution (you can access your account from any computer just as long as it has connectivity)
• No install needed (takes only a couple of minutes to activate & you are up and running)
• Live support 7 days a week (best gateway support - PERIOD!)
• E-check service available (you can process checks, too)
• Maintains a transaction history (you can easily search the database for old transactions if needed)
• You can create multiple user logins.

How it works:

1. Credit card transactions are submitted to Authorize.Net via secureweb connection, at POS, or manually using the virtual terminal.
2. Authorize.Net passes secure transaction information to Merchant’s processor.
3. Merchant’s processor transmits the transaction information to Credit Card Interchange.
4. Credit Card Interchange identifies the correct issuer and forwards the transaction information for processing.
5. The issuer then approves or declines the transaction and if approved releases funds to Credit Card Interchange.
6. Merchant processor receives transaction results from Credit Card Interchange.
7. Transaction results are relayed from merchant ‘s processor to Authorize.Net.
8. Authorize.Net then notifies the cardholder and/or merchant theresults of the transaction and stores the information. (steps 1-8 takeapprox 2-3 seconds)
9. Funds are transferred to the merchant’s processor, which are thendeposited directly into the merchant’s checking account.(Visa/MasterCard usually take 2-3 business days; American Express andDiscover 3-4 days)

5 Hidden Fees to Avoid
No two service providers are alike. Before you sign a contract always ask for full fee disclosure.

Cancellation Fees: Too often, customers don’t receive the savings they were promised or experience a decline in customer service once they’re locked into a contract. But high cancellation fees — ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars — prevent them from switching providers. Don’t let these fees prevent you from receiving the quality service you deserve. Ask about cancellation fees before you sign anything. 

Monthly Minimum Fees: Many merchant companies charge a monthly minimum processing fee. You can avoid this fee, in many cases, by meeting or exceeding the collected transaction and discount rate fees. For example, if your monthly minimum fee is $25, the collected transaction and discount rate fees must equal or exceed $25 per month. By processing more than this amount, you should be able to avoid this fee altogether. If your processing volume will be low, it may be better to pay a slightly higher statement fee and have no monthly minimum fee.

Double Transaction Fees: These include things like “sales item fees” and “POS watts fees.” Sometimes these fees are broken into different terms and found in different locations of the contract and statement. Always review your bill carefully and understand what you’re being charged for on each bill.

Multiple Monthly Fees: While many merchant account services require a statement fee, some providers include additional charges such as Customer Service Fees, Debit Access Fees, Help Desk Fees, and PCI Compliance fees. These fees are often unnecessary and always costly.

High Monthly Volume Surcharge: Some providers charge an additional percentage on top of your normal discount rates, based on volume processed above your estimated monthly volume. Learn the details before you sign any contract.