Free credit card terminal?

Credit card terminal purchases are an important first step in opening a merchant account. Basic terminals can now be purchased for less than $200.00. Many companies offer what they call “free” credit card terminals but over time you end up paying much more than they are worth by adding fees to your processing costs. These could be annual fees, monthly minimums, supply costs, etc.

Companies still also try to lease credit card terminals to a businesss. A monthly lease at $49.00 for 48 months is completely taking advantage of a customer. The cost would be close to $2000.00 for the same terminal you can purchase outright for under $200.00.

Make sure that your merchant provider offers you a fair price on the credit card terminal that you need. If you would like to compare our pricing to others, you can contact us at 800-255-0898.

What is a merchant account?

What is a Merchant Account?
A Merchant Account is an agreement between a merchant service provider and a business or individual that enables them to accept credit and/or debit card payments from their customers.

Merchant accounts are required for all types of business seeking to accept credit cards including retail, Internet, mobile (wireless), phone order, mail order, seasonal (like landscaping, fireworks, trade show hobbyists) and home-based businesses even with low volume.

Eagle Merchant Services helps businesses identify their specific needs and fit them with the most economical credit card processing program available. In fact, we work so closely with our merchants that our average merchant retention rate is two-times the industry standard!

Eagle Merchant Services is an independently registered sales organization with Visa and MasterCard. We have over 50 years of experience in the bankcard business. In addition to credit card processing, we also specialize in debit, and EBT (electronic benefits transfer) card processing for retail and non-retail merchants. You can contact us at 800-255-0898.

Loans for your business

With banks holding back on traditional financing for businesses, cash advances/loans against your credit card processing receivables are more popular than ever.

A business cash advance allows you to borrow against your future Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover sales rather than using your personal credit or collateral. A fixed percentage is deducted from your business' Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover sales receivables for repayment. All other revenue earned through cash, check or other cards are untouched. Repayment occurs automatically and follows your business revenue flow.
There are no bank loan repayment schedules, no fixed monthly payments, no fixed repayment timeframes, and no penalties for late payments.
Also unlike traditional secured business loans, business cash advances require no collateral or personal liabilities.

Business Cash Advance benefits are:
• No Hassle, instant cash funding.
• Fast, easy and convenient cash advance approval process.
• No collateral or equity required like a small business loan.
• No upfront costs or hidden fees.
• Can potentially lower your credit card processing rate saving you money.

Cash advance loans are a great way to help cover unexpected costs or help grow your business. For more information, contact us at 800-255-0898.

Why you need to accept debit cards

With the current economic downturn, many consumers are shifting their choice of payment method to debit cards from credit cards. Consumers are using them at a faster rate than cash sales. Convenience seems to be the key now.
If you are a merchant and do not accept debit cards at your place of business, you are missing out on potential customers and possible cost savings. Pin based debit transactions are only charged to you at a flat rate and not a percentage. Depending on your average sale, this flat rate can be much cheaper than the typical discount rate charged for credit card transactions. This can amount to tremendous savings to your bottom line.
If you do not accept pin based debit now, make sure that you contact your current merchant service provider to add the capability or you can contact us at 800-255-0898.

Accept credit cards at your business

Why accept credit cards?


In today’s business environment you need to take advantage of every possible form of payment for your customers. Approximately 40% of today’s retail purchases are either by credit or debit card.

Consumers mainly use credit cards so they do not have to pay for purchases immediately. This also works in the merchants favor due the fact that most individuals spend more on purchases when using credit than cash. This figure is 20% or more. Yes there are fees associated with accepting cards, but for most businesses this amount is negligible compared to sales paid for by credit cards.

Another factor that drives credit card sales are the rewards offered by card companies on credit cards purchases. Many individuals will look to use their cards to help earn points and rewards for flights, hotels, goods and even cash back rebates from their card companies. This alone has pushed many to use cards that normally would not.

As a business owner, not accepting electronic payments and having your competitors due so will cost you business. If you offer the same products or service as someone else but do not accept cards as they do, consumers will not even bother with your offerings if they are looking to make a purchase using a credit or debit card. You will not even know that customer is lost because they will not even attempt a purchase at you place of business. Your bottom line will be affected without you even knowing how many customers you possibly could have had.

In these tougher economic times, credit card acceptance is a must for your business to attract as many possible customers. They need to purchase your goods and not your competitors.

Merchant Services for Contractors

Accepting credit cards as a contractor can make or break your estimate for work to be done. Sure many people still pay cash, but for larger projects, many individuals do not have access to larger lump sums of cash to pay for a job. As a carpenter, builder, plumber, landscaper, etc., You can offer credit card acceptance to overcome the " I don't have the money right now" answer when you ask for the job.

By accepting cards, you receive your funds immediately but the individual that you did the work for can pay over time. Even in these more difficult economic times, many people still have credit cards that have unspent values. As a contractor, you may be able to close more jobs just by being able to offer an alternative form of payment.

Also, you can actually process your transactions by using your cellular phone without a need for any other equipment. You dial an 800# and just follow the prompts. The funds are deposited 2nd business day right into your business checking account. Accounts only take a few days to setup so you can start offering credit cards as a from of payment almost instantly.

Many people even look for ads where contractors accept credit cards and call them first. Even if it allows you close only one job a month, the service will more than pay for itself.

Saving money on merchant services

It is important to review your credit card processing statements on a yearly basis for any cost increases. Many processors raise rates and add fees with very little notice. It might just be a small line item at the bottom of your statement that tells of a raise in fees. Many times these fees can be removed by switching to a new processing company that is upfront about any changes.

Companies like Eagle Merchant Services only pass on direct increases from Visa and Mastercard. Many companies add extra profit on top of the price increases from Visa and Mastercard and blame it on them. By reviewing your statements yearly, you can end up saving hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year.

Look for excessive annual fees, compliance fees, supply fees, merchant club fees. These all add up to dollars you can be saving.