Naples Merchant Services

Naples Merchant Services
People make the difference

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Naples Merchant Services , Why Use Online Processing


Why process online?

The most common question among merchants is, why choose a "virtual" credit card machine instead of the typical stand-alone credit card machines? The greatest benefit of using a "virtual" merchant console is that it provides the merchant with the ability to process from any computer with an internet connection in the world. Processing online gives a company mobility and scalability that a stand-alone credit card machine simply can not provide.

Merchant Console
The Merchant Console starts with the basics that every merchant needs. These basic functions include the ability to process a sale, void, credit, authonly, postauth and settlement; all the functions of a credit card machine but it's all done online.

Reporting
The console also allows merchants to view a wide array of different reports. Transactions for reports are stored for the life of the account and merchants can decide to either view a report for their entire processing history or view a report for just the past day. Visual reports with graphs and charts make it easy for any merchant to see their transaction history. Export users can create custom reports with specific criteria to fit any merchant's reporting needs and any report can be printed, emailed or downloaded at any time.

Customer Database
Without having to install any additional software, the Customer Billing section of the Merchant Console allows merchants to create a customer database and to create and maintain auto-billing cycles for those customers. Customers can be auto-billed on a daily, weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. This feature works especially well for hosting companies and time-payment merchants who allow their customers to pay in installments.

Batch Uploading
Whether your merchant needs to upload a file of ten transactions or ten-thousand transactions, the batch uploader allows them to do so. Built into the console, the Batch Uploader allows merchants, who do not authorize in real-time or who prefer to upload batches of transactions (such as fulfillment centers) at one time, to upload files of transactions in supported formats [such as comma and tab limited] and then process them without having to key them in one at a time.

Security
Along with being PCI Compliant, the Merchant Console runs on the highest level of security. We use the best in 1024-bit SSL Digital ID encryption for all transaction processing and goes far beyond the minimum standards making our gateway one of the most secure in the industry.


For more information:




Naples Merchant Services

12th Avenue South

Naples, FL 34102


239-449-6040



Credit Card Termial Batching Daily Saves $$$

Visa® and MasterCard® have strict timelines for settling transactions through their systems. In most cases, transactions need to clear through the card companies within two days, excluding Sundays and major holidays, to qualify for the most favorable interchange rates. All payments processors have only two days to process your transactions and forward them to Visa and MasterCard.

Batching even one day late can significantly increase the interchange rate. Transactions that don’t meet the two-day time period are “downgraded” to a higher rate — which means you actually pay more for them. If you settle your accounts only one day late, it costs you as much as 0.76% more per retail transaction for Visa transactions and 0.31% more for MasterCard transactions. As more time passes, the fees get even higher — as much as 1.16% more for Visa and 1.12% more for MasterCard.

Most issuing banks drop the holds based on the authorized amounts from cardholders’ accounts after seven days. If the hold is dropped on the seventh day, and the sale comes in on the tenth day, the customer may experience an overdraft. As recourse, a customer may request a refund of the overdraft charges as well as a letter to clear his/her name. Worse yet, the cardholder may decide to no longer patronize your business.

Also, the longer you wait to download transaction information, the longer it takes to show up on a customer’s billing statement. After some time, the customer can dispute the charge and request a refund — which comes in the form of a chargeback to your business.
Consider batching your transactions on a timely basis. If all other qualifying criteria are met, you qualify for the best interchange rates by settling your transactions daily. Plus, you avoid paying any fines to Visa and MasterCard — putting that money back in your business where it belongs.

These and other money saving tips are for the merchant! The money you save goes directly to your bottom line.

This tip and more are for your information:
Naples Merchant Services
Naples Florida
239-449-6040

http://www.naplesmerchantservices.com/

Please take time to read our free online tips to save you time, money, and run your business much more efficiently.