By Monica Russo
Whether you’re looking to make a switch or picking one for the first time, choosing a merchant processor is a very important decision and can be vital to the overall success of your business.
One of the most important ways to make your business thrive is to please your customers and, many times, that means offering a variety of payment methods. According to one estimate, businesses forfeit up to 80 percent of consumer impulse buys if they don’t accept credit cards. But, before making the switch, or picking one for the first time, business owners need to select their merchant processing service with care. To date, in 2011, BBB has received more than 1,700 complaints against credit card merchant and processing services.
Accepting credit cards gives customers options, whether it’s to charge a purchase and pay it off over time, or to use a debit card rather than write a check. By offering your customer options, you are opening the doors for increased revenue. However, before selecting your merchant processing service, it’s imperative that you do your research to avoid putting your business and its success at risk.
BBB recommends the following tips to consider when selecting a merchant processing service:
Ask around. Like with any important business decision, always make sure to get at least three estimates and check the BBB Business Review® of the merchant processing service. It may also be worth asking other fellow business leaders what service they use to get a feel for its track record.
Know where to turn. Make sure the merchant processing service has a solid support team. Can you contact them 24 hours a day? This is very important to business owners who are trying to process a card outside of the typical business hours. In any case, technical support is a must and it’s vital to your business’ success to make sure that the merchant processing service you choose has it.
Have a clear understanding of fee structure. Generally speaking, a base rate of 2% on each bill is relatively good. Unfortunately, there is no one resource for comparing processing prices–and the fee structures are often confusing. Entrepreneurs don’t always realize that some transactions may command higher rates. For example, fees on phone or online orders (where the customer isn’t usually present) might cost in the 5% to 8% range. Make processors spell those out before giving them your business.
Beware of “too good to be true” rates. Processors must pay a typical fee of 1.65% to Visa and MasterCard for a normal credit card transaction. If a processor offers a super-low base rate of 1%, watch out. The company is probably making up for that loss by adding on other fees.
Don’t forget about termination fees. A typical processing contract is one to three years long. Getting out early could cost you a few hundred dollars. Any more than that is probably too steep.
Try them out. Don’t settle without a trial period. By making sure that the merchant processing service you choose has a 100 percent money-back guarantee before selecting them, you can save yourself a lifetime of hassle. See how the service tries out. Do they keep every promise that they made to you?
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For more business information you can trust, visit www.bbbhouston.org or give us a call at 713-868-9500.
