Seasonal Merchant Accounts

If you are in need of a seasonal merchant account, meaning one who attends craft shows, sporting events, does landscaping, has a fireworks stand, or sells other "seasonal" product and/or services, then you have a number of credit card processing options.

Touch-Tone Payment Processing is a very economical way to get you up and running if you expect small transaction volume, if you're out in the field or if you just don't know if you need a credit card terminal yet.

How does touch-tone payment processing work?

Touch-Tone Payment Processing provides self-employed professionals and small businesses an easy way to take credit and debit cards.

By dialing an 800 number from any touchtone phone, payphone, or from an ordinary cellular telephone, you are connected to an interactive voice response unit. Using the telephone's keypad you will key in the required information as it is prompted, such as your merchant PIN number, the customer's credit card account number, expiration date, CVV2 code, and the dollar amount of the sale.

Once approved, the credit card transaction is captured and held for settlement which automatically occurs once each night. The funds are electronically transmitted via the Federal Reserve's ACH system to your business checking account at your local bank.

There are no sales slips to mail or time consuming trips to the bank to deposit credit card drafts. Every month you will receive a statement detailing each day's credit card sales. This can be easily reconciled to the checking account statement you receive from your bank.

What do you need for Touch-Tone Payment Processing?

All you need to get started is an Eagle Merchant Services' merchant account and any type of touch tone (keypad) phone, payphone, or any ordinary cellular telephone.

Plus, only at Eagle Merchant Services, besides getting the lowest cost for credit card processing, any seasonal merchant who is on Eagle Merchant Services' system for six months can turn-off their next six-month calendar period and receive no billing during the turn-off period!

Unlike many other merchant service providers who charge seasonal merchants monthly minimums and billing fees all-year-long, we shut-off billing during your "off-season." A reason why so many seasonal merchants call Eagle Merchant Services their preferred credit card processing company.

Another seasonal merchant option includes using a manual imprinter.

A manual imprinter for credit card processing is beneficial for primary sales acceptance or as a backup credit card processing machine. With low startup costs, credit card payments can be accepted in face-to-face customer transactions in an economical and cost effective manner.

Many trade show merchants, Christmas tree farms, contractors, landscapers, craft shows, food delivery services and in home sales merchants use a manual imprinter.

If you are a seasonal merchant, give us a call and we can help plan your processing fees and calculate your real costs. We promise a fair comparison to ensure a clear picture.

Reach us at 1-800-255-0898 during regular business hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Central Time) or you can complete an online form here and we will call you at an appropriate time.


Take care,

Ritas Ziupsnys, Pres.
Eagle Merchant Services

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.

Maintaining Your Merchant Account

As your business grows you may need to make changes to your merchant account; for instance maybe the bank where you do your checking with is not working out and you decide to change banks. This is not an uncommon practice since you are a consumer and you have every right to do so. However it is imperative to contact your merchant service provider and let them know you are switching banks. They should have a form that you'll need to fill out and sign as well as faxing a copy of a pre-printed check.

I know that more forms and faxing a pre-printed check seems a little redundant but you need to understand if someone were just to call the processing bank and give them the routing number off the check and then the checking account number all your transactions could go to a different checking account that is not yours. This is in your best interest.

The time may also come when you've out grown your current location and decide we need a bigger space; another time to check in with your merchant provider and fill out a form to do so.