How Does Credit Card Processing Work?
The way credit card processing companies make money for themselves can sometimes be a confusing labyrinth where fees are hidden, percentages are tied to things not listed on statements and the deal you think you are getting isn’t the best deal you can actually get. Host Merchant Services is dedicated to giving its merchants the lowest price guaranteed, and the company strives to maintain transparency with no hidden fees. So take a walk with us and see behind the curtain as you learn exactly where the money is being made when you swipe a customer’s credit card.
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What Are Merchant Services?
If you have merchant service status, you can accept credit card payments from your customers. Merchant services may be offered by your bank or by specialized merchant service providers or independent sales organizations that offer payment processing. If you go through a merchant service provider rather than a financial institution, you may have the ability to buy or lease your credit card processing equipment, establish both a merchant account and an Internet Merchant account, take a wide range of credit and debit cards, and offer a wide range of other services such as telephone and mail services and mobile services.
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Internet merchant accounts and brick-and-mortar merchant accounts are two different animals. If you are going to operate an e-commerce business (online), then you need at least one Internet merchant account. An Internet merchant account is simply designed to process online credit or debit card payments, which usually involves higher fees to you, the merchant. There are online payment processing services that can handle setting up Internet merchant accounts for you. Alternatively, you can get your Internet merchant accounts through your bank or independent sales organization where you got your brick-and-mortar merchant account.
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- Too often, what is considered a qualified credit card purchase is left up to the discretion of merchant account providers, Brad Franzen said. For instance, some providers might only consider a debit card transaction that requires a PIN to be qualified purchases. Those purchases would cost less, but all others – the majority – would cost more.
- Remember to choose a secure merchant services provider that offers a PCI compliant payment gateway, along with integrated payment services to optimize your processing solutions. Also, ensure that your processor offers flat rate pricing and in-house customer support.