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

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.

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.

2008 Holiday Season Internet Sales Prediction

Retail sales for the 2008 holiday season are predicted to increase by 4.7% in dollar gain for the traditional holiday season during the months of November through December over the same period in 2007 according to Nielsen. This gain amounts to U.S. shoppers spending $98 billion.

Online retailers may definitely have an advantage over brick and mortar stores this holiday season. The Internet is a vast arena providing customers with the convenience of price comparison while saving money on gas from the comfort of their computers as they pursue value. Research indicates holiday shopping is driven by convenience and not price (Source: Nielsen Online, October 9, 2008).

Ken Cassar, VP Industry Insights for Nielsen Online stated, "We expect the 2008 holiday season to a healthy one for online sales as consumers use comparison shopping sites to locate bargains and competitive prices during a tough economic climate.”

A company that is contemplating the benefits of an online store should strongly consider offering products online during the holiday season and in the future. The Internet is a continuing growing market for the online retailer to tap for the holidays and beyond.

Internet Merchant Accounts

An Internet merchant account is required to accept credit cards online. Eagle Merchant Services provides Internet merchant accounts for credit card processing to enable merchants to accept credit cards through a website. With over 11 years of experience, the company provides an unprecedented lowest cost guarantee.

An e-commerce payment gateway is also required to process credit cards on the Internet. A For a limited time, Eagle Merchant Services is offering:

• Exclusive offer: Free setup of an Authorize.net payment gateway for new Internet Merchant Accounts.

If you have questions, please visit: Internet merchant accounts or call Eagle Merchant Services today. Our professional staff will be happy to answer all your questions and concerns. Call today: 1-800-255-0898

© Eagle Merchant Services is a Chicago merchant services area merchant account provider offering services throughout the U.S. at lowest costs - guaranteed!