FAQ

Merchants / General

• What do I need to accept credit cards at my business?
• Do I need a business checking account at a certain bank?
• What value does Merchant e-Services add to my business?
• How long does the approval process take?
• Do you accept non-U.S. merchants?
• Which cards can I accept besides Visa and MasterCard?
• Can I verify checks?
• What are purchase cards and why do I need to accept them?
• What's the difference between accepting a Check Card and a Debit Card?
• What is AVS?
• Can I use my existing terminal equipment?
• What if I want to buy a terminal instead of renting one?
• How secure are the Web Reports?
• Is there payment software available for the Mac?
• Can I integrate my traditional payment processing with my Internet activity?
• When will my funds be available?
• Can I receive my merchant statement through the web?
• What kind of support can I expect?
• Are there any hidden fees?
• I've just been quoted an unbelievable rate from another processor. Can you beat it?

Internet

• What do I need to accept credit cards on the Internet?
• What is VirtualNet?
• How can I obtain a list of VirtualNet certified products and services?
• How do I know your Internet solutions are the right fit for my specific level of Internet development?
• I'm just starting out. Can you help get my online store built in addition to offering payment processing
• Why should I take my business online? Aren't dot-com businesses starting to struggle?
• Won't my Internet sales simply steal from my traditional business? How will an online store bring me new shoppers?
• Can I integrate my Internet activity with traditional payment processing?
• What if I already have a shopping cart and simply need payment processing?

Community Banks

• How large must my bank be to utilize Merchant e-Solutions for merchant payment processing?
• What kind of support and resources can we expect?
• Who provides technical support and servicing to the merchant?
• Who owns the account?
• What if my bank needs help with sales?
• Will my merchants see my bank brand or the Merchant e-Solutions brand?
• Will it be profitable for my bank to use your services?
• What kind of web presence will we have? (talk about bank's branding on our site AND/OR their ability to incorporate info into their pages).

Merchants / General

Q. What do I need to accept credit cards at my business?

A. In order to accept credit cards, a business must have a merchant account and a checking account. Merchant e-Solutions can supply the merchant account, which provides the ability to accept, authorize and deposit credit cards electronically through a dial terminal, PC product or Internet solution. A checking account is required to receive payment for your credit card transactions. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Do I need a business checking account at a certain bank?

A. No. Simply let us know where your account is and we'll handle the rest. Find out More....it's never been easier!

Q. What value does Merchant e-Services add to my business?

A. Merchant e-Solutions is committed to delivering the latest payment processing technology available. Whether your business is online or on the next block-we're looking for ways to provide the products and services that will save you time and money. With easy access to web-based reports offering batch, deposit, and monthly billing information, you'll find out just how easy it can be to reconcile your transaction activity. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. How long does the approval process take?

A. Applications submitted online are usually processed by the end of the next business day. If you provide us with an e-mail address, we can let you know just as soon as a decision is made. Also, once you submit an online application, we'll provide you with a user ID and password so that you can return and check on the status of your application whenever you wish. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Do you accept non-U.S. merchants?

A. Not at this time. Association regulations currently permit us to process transactions only for businesses domiciled in the United States, and you must have a U.S.-based business checking account to receive payment for transactions.

Q. Which cards can I accept besides Visa and MasterCard?

A. Your Merchant e-Solutions account enables you to authorize and capture Visa and MasterCard transactions. Additional card types can be added by establishing accounts with Discover (for which we can help you quickly obtain a merchant account), American Express, Diner's Club and/or JCB. Your Merchant e-Solutions sales representative will be glad to help direct you through the process. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Can I verify checks?

A. Yes. Merchant e-Solutions offers check-verification as one of its options. Please contact a sales representative for more information. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What are purchase cards and why do I need to accept them?

A. Purchase cards are used by businesses and government agencies to minimize expense and maximize efficiency when making purchases. While they may look like a normal credit card, extended information must be entered at the time of purchase (such as order number and the sales tax amount) in order for the transaction to be processed correctly. Terminal and PC solutions that are purchase card enabled will automatically prompt for the additional information when a purchase card is entered. If your business processes a significant amount of corporate or government sales, you may want a dial terminal or PC solution that offers the purchase card option. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What's the difference between accepting a Check Card and a Debit Card?

A. An ATM card with a Visa or MasterCard logo is considered a check card and can be used to make purchases at any business that accepts credit cards. On the other hand, a debit card can only be used to make purchases at businesses that are set up to process debit transactions. Debit transactions require a terminal with a printer and pin pad. Your Merchant e-Solutions sales representative can provide you with more information. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What is AVS?

A. Address Verification Service is a fraud prevention tool provided for non face-to-face transactions, such as mail, telephone and Internet orders. When a transaction is key-entered on a terminal or PC, and properly identified as a mail/telephone transaction, the merchant is prompted for a street address and zip code (Internet orders use the "ship to" address a shopper provides). During the authorization process, an additional check is made to validate that the shipping information for the cardholder matches the address on record for the cardholder's account. A result code is returned indicating a match, a partial match, or no match. The merchant then has the opportunity to review the transaction more closely before shipping goods. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Can I use my existing terminal equipment?

A. Yes-most likely. If you have terminal hardware that is supported by our dial terminal applications, Merchant e-Solutions can program your existing equipment. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What if I want to buy a terminal instead of renting one?

A. Merchant e-Solutions can provide the latest terminals, printers and pin pads from Hypercom and VeriFone for rent or purchase. Please contact a sales representative for details. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. How secure are the Web Reports?

A. All transaction information is stored on secure servers at state-of-the-art data centers. Credit card account numbers are never transmitted without using the most secure encryption protocol. In addition, only a portion of a credit card number is provided in online reports, which helps protect your business, our business, and the cardholder's account. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Is there payment software available for the Mac?

A. POS-partner is a Windows-based program. However, if the MAC is your primary operating system, please contact our sales group for additional options. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Can I integrate my traditional payment processing with my Internet activity?

A. Yes. Since Merchant e-Solutions offers a comprehensive array of dial terminal, PC software and Internet processing solutions, our merchants can appreciate the benefits of shared reporting and settlement features. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. When will my funds be available?

A. Merchant e-Solutions processes all closed batches for settlement by the following business day. At that point, your depositing bank is responsible for posting the funds to your account. In general, the entire process takes about 2 days. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Can I receive my merchant statement through the web?

A. You will be able to access your monthly activity statement from Merchant-eSolutions through the web, and we'll store online copies for up to 12 months. If you'd also like a paper statement sent through the mail, just let us know. In addition, you will be able to generate daily reports from your dial terminal, PC program or Internet processing solution. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What kind of support can I expect?

A. Merchant e-Solutions provides toll-free customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inquiries can also be e-mailed for prompt handling. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Are there any hidden fees?

A. Your sales representative will disclose all fees based on the solution you choose. Merchant e-Solutions does not charge a lot of extraneous fees often charged by other processors. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. I've just been quoted an unbelievable rate from another processor. Can you beat it?

A. Ask for the quote in writing, along with any additional fees you might be charged. If you're renting your hardware, find out the total cost of ownership. Check and see if there are any equipment finance charges with the rental and if you can opt out of the agreement at any time. See if there are any per item charges in addition to the processing rate. And also check for termination fees in your contract. Often what seems like a very low rate turns out to be less than a great deal because of hidden fees and inflated equipment prices. Your Merchant e-Solutions sales representative will be more than happy to offer a price comparison. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Internet

Q. What do I need to accept credit cards on the Internet?

A. To accept credit cards, a business needs a merchant account and a checking account. Merchant e-Solutions can supply the merchant account, which provides the ability to accept, authorize and deposit credit cards electronically. A checking account is required for receiving transaction deposits. To process transactions on the Internet, a payment solution is required that can request a credit card authorization online and process the results, in a specific format, in a safe and secure environment. Merchant e-Solutions works with several solution providers that can help with this process regardless of what stage of development you have reached. In addition to our preferred partners, merchants can choose any solution certified with VirtualNet or write directly to the VirtualNet gateway specifications. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What is VirtualNet?

A. VirtualNet is an Internet-based payment gateway operated by Vital. VirtualNet supports direct Internet-to-VisaNet connectivity for processing credit cards online. VisaNet is one of the fastest and most reliable credit card networks worldwide. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. How can I obtain a list of VirtualNet certified products and services?

A. Contact a Merchant e-Solutions sales representative or visit the Vital website (http://www.vitalps.com/). Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. How do I know your Internet solutions are the right fit for my specific level of Internet development?

A. Regardless of the extent of your Internet processing needs, technological capabilities, or how much you have already developed, Merchant e-Solutions will work with you to find and implement the right solution. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. I'm just starting out. Can you help get my online store built in addition to offering payment processing?

A. Yes. Merchant e-Solutions realizes that you face a difficult process when evaluating options for implementing an online store. Constantly changing technology and the expense of an in-house web design and development team can make a hosted solution with all-inclusive features (store building, shopping cart, payment processing) the better choice. Contact one of our sales representatives or visit the Active C web site (http://www.activec.com/) for additional information. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Why should I take my business online? Aren't dot-com businesses starting to struggle?

A. The wild euphoria that initially surrounded Internet commerce is beginning to settle into a more stable, measured approach. E-commerce forecasters and venture capitalists agree that the current landscape is one that favors a return to solid economic models and business fundamentals for online business. Traditional "brick-and-mortar" retailers, as well as catalog and mail/telephone shops, are expected to do very well online. And exclusive dot-com businesses are looking to extend their online success into "four-walls" retailing. So it may make sense to have both a physical store and a virtual store-and we can provide both. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Won't my Internet sales simply steal from my traditional business? How will an online store bring me new shoppers?

A. The Internet represents a new sales channel that can bring in new business rather than shift an existing customer base. Through technology, the web offers customization and personalization opportunities that will extend the reach and sophistication of your business. Your online store never closes, and it's available to shoppers everywhere. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. Can I integrate my Internet activity with traditional payment processing?

A. Yes. Since Merchant e-Solutions offers a comprehensive array of dial terminal, PC software and Internet processing solutions, our merchants can appreciate the benefits of shared reporting and settlement features. In fact, we can make it possible for your physical store and online store to act like a chain so that you can get consolidated statements, deposits, and reports normally available to only much larger businesses. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Q. What if I already have a shopping cart and simply need payment processing?

A. Merchant e-Solutions is able to offer merchants the ability to connect their checkout with a hosted order form, or establish a more sophisticated server-level connection. For more information on these options, please contact one of our sales representatives or visit the VeriSign website at http://www.verisign.com/. Find out More...it's never been easier!

Community Banks

Q. How large must my bank be to utilize Merchant e-Solutions for merchant payment processing?

A. Any size. Most clients have merchant portfolios with anywhere from fewer than 100 to a several thousand merchant accounts. Find out more.

Q. What kind of support and resources can we expect?

A. Much more than you're probably getting today! Merchant e-Solutions has designed our services with your needs in mind. These services include Internet access to a host of tools to help you manage your portfolio and sales tools that help promote your brand. Online tools include the ability to submit and check the status of merchant applications, access to reports that provide merchant batch, deposit, and monthly billing information, and access to reports that help you understand the profitability of your merchant business. We'll also provide you with an array of sales tools that display your brand, including sales collateral, merchant applications, and merchant agreements. Plus, the online site that you and your merchants access will also display your brand. Find out more.

Q. Who provides technical support and servicing to the merchant?

A. Merchants contact our highly trained customer support team for any questions related to their merchant account, including inquiries related to equipment, transactions, billing, and supplies. Find out more.

Q. Who owns the account?

A. You do! Merchant e-Solutions is here to support you and your portfolio and to promote your brand. So you make the credit decision and submit the merchant application. We handle the processing, setup, and servicing of your accounts on your behalf! Find out more.

Q. What if my bank needs help with sales?

A. We are more than willing to support you in the area of sales if you have that need. Please feel free to contact one of our sales representatives to discuss this option in more detail. Find out more.

Q. Will my merchants see my bank brand or the Merchant e-Solutions brand?

A. Merchant e-Solutions fully intends to promote your brand. We can make it possible for monthly merchant statements, sales collateral, new account applications, merchant agreements, and the web reporting site to display only your brand. Find out more.

Q. Will it be profitable for my bank to use your services?

A. Merchant e-Solutions has put together a very competitive package of services. Not only might we be able to beat your current rates, but we believe we can do so and still provide you with a more comprehensive set of tools than you're getting today. Find out more.

Q. What kind of web presence will we have? (talk about bank's branding on our site AND/OR their ability to incorporate info into their pages).

A. That depends on your needs. We can develop and maintain a site with your brand for access by your merchants and bank to view web reports and submit new account applications. If your bank already has a web site, we can link it to the site that we maintain with your brand.Find out more.