What is a merchant account?
A merchant account is a commercial account that enables you to accept credit card transactions. It handles the transfer of funds from your customers' cards to your bank account.
Traditional Merchant Account vs PaypalHow long does it take to start accepting credit cards?
Once you complete the application, we'll have you ready to accept credit cards in about 2-5 business days.
Which credit cards will I be able to accept?
Visa and MasterCard acceptance are included with all of our merchant accounts. We also have special enrollment programs for American Express® and Discover®. You may request additional cards on your merchant application, or ask one of our representatives for details.
What's the difference between a credit card and a debit card?
A credit card is a card that lets a consumer access funds in a credit line set aside for that user. When the purchase is made, and settlement occurs, funds are drawn from the credit line and deposited to the merchant's account.
On the other hand, a debit card is a payment card whose funds are withdrawn directly from the cardholder's checking account. With an on-line debit card, the customer must enter a PIN to authorize payment at the time of sale (and the funds are settled through a debit network). In the case of off-line debit cards (generally with Visa or MasterCard logos) the customer signs a receipt, as would be the case in a credit card transaction. In this case, the funds are transferred after batch settlement
How do I receive my funds?
The funds from your transactions are deposited directly into the checking account you specify on your merchant application.
When do I receive my funds?
Deposits from credit card transactions will be deposited directly into your checking account within 2 business days. We offer next day funding on all cards, including AMEX!
I already have a credit card terminal. Can I use it to process with SPS?
In most cases, you will be able to reprogram your existing equipment to use with SPS. Give us a call or send us an email to find out for sure if your terminal is reprogrammable. Reprogramming the terminal can take 10-45 minutes, depending on connectivity and what needs to be downloaded.
What is AVS?
AVS stands for Address Verification Service. It verifies the cardholder's billing address in order to help combat fraud in card-not-present transactions, such as Internet and mail/telephone order. This service is only available for credit card transactions within the United States.
I am switching to SPS from another processor. When should I inform my current processor that I will be closing my account?
You should wait until your new account is fully set up and you've successfully processed transactions with SPS. We will personally help you cancel the service for you.
What is a payment gateway?
How it Works Diagram
Can I have both a terminal and an internet payment gateway?
Yes. If you have the need for both a credit card processing terminal and an internet payment gateway, we will accommodate you.
What Is A Chargeback?
A cardholder may dispute a charge for many reasons (see below). The cardholder is within his/her legal rights to begin procedures to dispute the charge up to six months after the date of sale, although in some cases the charge may be disputed up to 3 years after.
What Is the Chargeback Procedure?
Most often, the first stage of a chargeback proceedure comes in the form of a ‘retrieval request.’ A retrieval request is a request from a card-issuing bank to see an original, photocopy or fax of a sales draft to prove the validity of the sale. If one of your customers disputes a VISA or MasterCard sale, you will receive a letter of notification and be requested to send a copy of the signed copy of the draft or other information to your processor.
In most cases, if your records are complete and you have complied with credit card regulations, you can successfully contest chargebacks. It is also possible that the initiation of a chargeback will cause the cardholder’s bank to withdraw funds from your bank account. Note that you would be notified by letter after your account has been debited. This is why we always encourage merchants to maintain a balance in their accounts.
What Is My Responsibility?
You are required to locate the signed copy of the draft or other requested information and send a copy of it to your processor within the time allowed. Failure to do so will result in a chargeback due to non-receipt of requested item. Your Credit Card Processors may request copies up to three years following the date of sale.
What do I need to apply?
All you need to do is fill out an application and a business checking account. We will guide you through the application.
What industries are considered High Risk and do you accept them?
We have negotiated relationships with several of the most established domestic banks that will approve high risk merchant accounts.
We have also solidified relationships with established off shore processors that can facilitate the needs of merchants with chargeback ratios that are too high for domestic banks.
High risk industries to be posted..
Why should I choose SPS rather than a bank or another processing company?
We place all merchants on Interchange & Plus, the same billing platform as corporations. Rather than placing you on Tiered Pricing (Qual, Mid-Qual, Non-Qual), we provide pass through, warehouse, pricing, which means you will receive the accurate rate increase and/or decreases mandated by the the Card Associations. We will never increase rates or withhold decreases from you.
In addition to having 24/7/365 days customers available to you, we provide each merchant with a dedicated manager and personal phone number to contact 24/7 to achieve red carpet service.
We believe honesty and full transparency is the only way to do business. We will reveal the cost of all transactions and all costs in detail. Please feel free to ask us for a sample statement and we will proudly show you the work we do.