Frequently Asked Questions
What types of merchants does MerchantAccounts4Less sign up?
Whether you are building an e-commerce Web site, a traditional
brick-and-mortar business or a mail order/telephone order business, you will
want to open a MerchantAccounts4Less merchant account, which enables you to accept credit cards
and/or ATM/debit cards as payment for customer purchases.
How do I apply?
Just click here and complete the
short one page online application. A merchant account
is usually opened within 2 days of submitting the application to the bank.
What happens if my application is declined?
We have a 98% approval rate so very, very few applications are declined.
Is there a fee to apply?
No. Unlike most other merchant account providers, MerchantAccounts4Less
charges NO application fee!
How long before I can accept credit and/or ATM/debit cards (i.e., the
account is live)?
Once your merchant account is approved, which usually takes two business
days, you will be able to accept cards the very next business day.
Do I need to open a new bank account for my merchant account?
No. All of the funds you collect from credit card transactions are deposited
directly into the bank account of your choice. You can even have the funds
deposited directly into your personal checking account if you wish.
I’m not sure what terminal, equipment or software I should buy. What is
best for my business?
Whether you are starting a new business or expanding an existing one,
we have the payment solution to support your processing
needs. MerchantAccounts4Less serves traditional and Internet businesses,
as well as restaurants, mail order/telephone order and home-based businesses.
Suggested services are:
If you are unsure about the type of equipment or software you need, one of
our sales support representatives will be glad to assist you.
How is Cardservice International allowed to process credit cards?
Cardservice International is a registered service provider for clearing and
settlement institutions that sponsor Cardservice to enter MasterCard and Visa
transactions into the interchange system. The settlement banks are our
clearing banks and are members of MasterCard and Visa associations; therefore,
both card associations are obligated to guarantee the settlement of merchant
funds.
Can I be approved if I have bad credit or no credit?
We approve 98% of all merchants.
How do I get my money?
There are four steps to getting your money—initiating, authorizing,
completing the transaction and receiving your funds. Step 1—Initiating the transaction to verify that a card is active and within the
approved spending limit:
- Brick-and-mortar and retail or restaurant environments—swipe the card or key in
the number through a point-of-sale terminal (i.e., card is physically present).
- Mail order/telephone order environments—enter the card identifiers the customer
has provided you by mail, telephone or fax (i.e., the card is not present).
- Internet environment—Customer provides your Web site with card identifiers
(i.e., card is not present).
Step 2—Real-time authorizing, which reduces chargebacks and catches card-entry
errors:
- Credit card number is entered.
- Terminal or software transmits the credit card number and expiration date and
sales total to Cardservice International.
- Cardservice International transmits data to customer’s credit card-issuing bank.
- Customer’s issuing bank approves or declines the transaction.
Step 3—Completing the transaction:
- Merchant’s terminal or software transmits transaction details to Cardservice
International in a batch at close of the business day.
- Cardservice International forwards transactions to each credit card company,
which redirects the transactions to appropriate banks.
- Bank debits credit cardholder’s account and credits Cardservice International.
Step 4—Receiving your funds:
- Cardservice International credits your merchant account, usually within two to
four business days.
When do my transactions get funded?
Usually within two to three business days—after you submit your batches to
Cardservice International.
How is my money protected?
Cardservice International is equipped to address the key protection issues of
both traditional and Internet merchants, including fraud, loss prevention and
chargebacks. The company uses state-of-the-art security technology, and the
LinkPoint Secure Payment Gateway uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
technology—designed to protect all merchant and payment information.
What if I need help with my account?
Cardservice International has more than 200 customer service representatives
available to serve you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in more than 140 languages
and dialects. In addition, Mymerchantoffice.com, Cardservice International’s
merchant-dedicated Web site, allows you to access your merchant account
information online at any time, from any location.
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