Why are the Rates and fees different for each vendor?
Many factors can influence the discount rate and other fees you pay for the privilege of accepting charge cards. Among those factors: the length of time you have been in business, the percentage of your sales that are made over the phone or the Internet, the type of business you are in, the number of years you've been in business, your personal credit rating, the average dollar amount of each sales transaction, the total dollar amount of sales per month.
Some companies advertise discount fees less than 2 percent. Usually these lower fees are for swiped transactions (sales made by running the customer's credit card through a machine). Therefore, in comparing processors, be sure to find out what all of the fees will be. Compare not only the application fees and the discount rate, but also the initial cost of equipment, transaction fees (the fee you pay on top of the discount for each transaction you process), monthly minimums, voice verification charges, address verification (if extra) fees, monthly statement fees, and any other costs you will incur. A difference of 10 cents on the transaction fee is equivalent to a one-half a percent on the discount rate if your average sale is $20.
The Application Process: What to Expect
Some companies will want the right to send a representative to your place of business (including your home if that's where you do business) to take a photo of your office. This is to verify that you are at the location you say you are. Some will accept a photo of your office instead of the onsite visit.
Depending on which company you are dealing with, you may have to provide any or all of the following: copy of your business license or certificate of doing business and Your GST #. All will require two-way access to a your bank account if you are accepted. This allows them to deposit funds into your account and also allows them to withdraw them if there are charge backs.
Many banks won't offer merchant accounts directly to small businesses. Instead, small businesses need to go through third party providers who secure the merchant account, for you. Each of these third parties may have different fee structures and somewhat different rules.
Benefits Of Accepting Credit Cards
1) Credit cards are instant loans
for your customers
2) More ways to get paid
3) Can be used for other business.
4) Makes sales easier to close
Only 10 cents per swipe
(For Interac)
Can be as low as 8 cents
( Based on volume )
We Can Save You 20%
On Your Credit Card System
(Save $1,000 a year on accepting VISA)
Merchant Fees 1.79
(Can be as low as 1.65)
Based On Volume )
Here Is What You Need
To Get A Merchant Account
For Accepting Credit Cards
1) You are an Canadian Citizens
and Landed Immigrants
2) You have not declared bankruptcy.
( Less than perfect credit report accepted )
3) You have a pre-printed cheque with a company name on it
