Q: Why should I accept credit cards?

A: Adding credit cards as a payment option will help you increase your sales and revenue, keep your business' competitive edge, and maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. With 80% of consumers paying by credit or debit card, EVERY business can benefit from accepting credit cards. Click here to learn more about the benefits of a Merchant Account.

Q: What do I need to do to process credit cards?

A: Once you have set up a merchant account with a merchant service provider (MSP), you will need to purchase credit card processing equipment, whether it be a terminal, software, or gateway product.

To find the right credit card equipment for your type of business transactions and processing needs, talk to your MSP. Ensuring that you buy the right equipment is extremely crucial in avoiding higher costs long-term.

Q: What is a merchant account?

A: A merchant account allows businesses to accept and process credit card payments. Business owners, also known as merchants, who wish to accept credit and debit card payments, will need to establish a merchant account by applying with a merchant service provider (MSP). MSPs provide the basic financial services needed to receive credit card payments.

Q: Who can get a merchant account?

A: Any merchant who would like to accept credit card payments can apply for a merchant account. Merchant accounts are available for any business type, including retail, restaurant, mobile, mail or phone order, and internet merchants.

Q: What should I look for when choosing a merchant service provider?

A: When looking for a merchant account, it is obviously important to consider costs, but don't just focus on rates and certainly don't forget about service. Not all merchant account providers are up-front with potential merchants, especially when it comes to the costs involved and the services that they provide. At Charge USA, we take pride in our low costs, our professional integrity, and our dependable service, and we remain a successful industry leader because we stand behind all of our guarantees.

Here are a few things to look for when searching for a merchant service provider:

• A professional, legitimate, clean, and informative website
• Company credibility and professionalism
• Company size and longevity
• High approval rates with quick and easy account set up
• Knowledgeable sales representatives
• Accurate and detailed quotes with fully disclosed potential rates and fees on the application
• Product options
• Well-trained and helpful staff
• Reliable support

Our article on how to choose a Merchant Account, will give you more information.

Q: When can I start processing?

A: Once you have your merchant account and your programmed credit card equipment, you are ready to accept credit cards! To notify your customers about the cards you accept, logo signage is usually provided by your MSP, but can also be found online through any of the credit card companies' websites.

Q: How does credit card processing work?

A: Processing a credit card payment involves many parties and various stages, but below are the two main steps that merchants need to take:

1) CREDIT AUTHORIZATION: When a credit card is accepted, an electronic authorization is requested. The authorization request is sent to several parties to determine whether the status of the sale is approved or declined.

2) CLOSE OR "SETTLE" YOUR AUTHORIZATIONS: All credit card transactions made throughout a given day must be "settled" to be finalized. Once settlement has been completed, the MSP's process the transactions, working with the cardholder's issuing banks to retrieve the money owed. Once retrieved, the money is sent to your bank account for payment. This is typically a 24-48 business hour process.

*PLEASE NOTE: ALL AUTHORIZED TRANSACTIONS MUST BE SETTLED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE PAYMENT. A credit card authorization only holds the authorized amount on a customer's credit card balance for approximately 30 days or until the authorization is settled. After 30 days, authorizations are void and must be re-authorized to retrieve payment.

Find more relevant information in our Credit Card Processing section.

Q: Why should I choose Charge USA for my credit card processing services?

A: Most merchant service providers offer their customers the bare minimum, in merely handling the financial services needed to accept and process credit card payments.

By signing up with Charge USA, not only will we handle your finances, but we will give you so much more with our one-stop-shop. All Charge USA customers enjoy the benefits of our professional experience, knowledgeable sales team, and our helpful and reliable customer and technical support staff. Furthermore, Charge USA offers the lowest guaranteed pricing on credit card processing and equipment, along with the easiest solutions and prompt set ups. Simply stated, you can't go wrong with Charge USA.