E-Commerce FAQ's

What can I sell using your line of products?
Anything from office supplies, to real estate to information services. If it can be sold, you can sell it with our products.

How long of a contract do I have to commit to?
All products are available without contracts and no long term commitments.

Can I still use your services even if I already have a merchant account?
Yes.

How many products can I have on my website?
You can use an unlimited number of products.

What is a Merchant Account?
A merchant account is a bank account that enables your business to accept payment by credit card online. Credit card transactions can only be processed through a merchant account. You must have a merchant account in order to be able to accept credit cards.

What type of equipment do I need to process credit card transactions?
All you need is a personal computer and an internet connection.

Are there any programs that I will need?
No. There is no necessary downloading or installation on your end. Everything is set up for you upon approval of your merchant account.

What are NSF Fees?
An NSF fee is an insufficient fund fee. If your account balance is less than the amount you withdraw an NSF fee will be assessed by the bank.

When do I receive my funds?
If you are accepted as a merchant with no restrictions (Most are accepted), then your funds will be directly deposited into your account in two to three business days after you batch the order. Batching is a simple process that just requires you to review (the order) and then click to submit!

How long does it take to get an approval?
Once we have received your completed application, it takes 2-3 business days for an approval. The complete e-commerce setup takes 5-6 business days.

Are there any other fees?

Over Limit Fee - If your monthly transaction amount goes over the approved Monthly Volume amount, you will be assessed a fee of $25.00 plus 1% of the overage for Cornerstone or 5% of the overage for iPayment, Inc.

What is the Monthly Statement Fee?
Your Bank Processor will charge a fee each month.

What is a Chargeback?
A Chargeback of $25.00 is charged to a merchant when a consumer claims their card has been charged and the merchant has not delivered the product or performed the service. The $25.00 (along with the original charge to the consumer) is debited back to the merchant.

A chargeback fee is NOT charged when a merchant processes a return of a charge to a consumer.

What is a Retrieval Fee?
A retrieval is a request made by the credit card bank to receive a copy of the original sales draft involved in a dispute. The fee for this is $10.00. This is often the first step in the chargeback process and is separate from the Chargeback Rate.

Who is the Bank? Who am I getting the merchant Account from?
We work with many processors and banks. Some of our primary partners are Nova Information Systems, iPayment, Inc., or Cornerstone Payment Systems. These processors give special program pricing to us and allow us to give you the very "Most" for your money.

Do I need to open a checking account with another bank?
No, all funds are credited and program charges are debited from the checking account that you provide with your application.

What is a Transaction Fee?
There is a $0.30 transaction fee charged to each authorization, whether settled or not. Note, some banks deduct this fee at time of sale, while most deduct it as a total of charges at the end of each month. If you are outside the U.S., High-risk or Fast Track, the transaction fee will be higher.

Internet accounts have a 2.39% discount rate, and $0.30 transaction fee for Qualified transactions.

How does that work?
Visa & MasterCard and the processor take a fee for every transaction. It works like this. On a $100 sale, the discount rate of 2.39% would deduct $2.39 from the $100 sale. There is a $0.30 transaction fee charged to each order. Therefore, on the $100 sale, the processor would keep $2.69 , giving you, the merchant a net of $97.31.

Note, some banks deduct this fee at time of sale, while most deduct it as a total of charges at the end of each month.

If you are outside the U.S., High-risk or Fast Track, the discount rate will be higher.

How do I protect my site and customers from fraud?
The credit card processor utilizes Secure Socket Layers (SSL) to encrypt sensitive personal information, including credit card numbers, when transmitted to our servers.

What do you mean by Qualified Transactions? Will I be charged more if a transaction doesn't Qualify?
Certain conditions must be met for an Internet transaction to Qualify for the 2.39% discount rate. If a transaction doesn't qualify, $.10 extra will be charged for the transaction and the discount rate will increase.

Here is Visa/MasterCard's rules for Internet transactions:

*QUALIFIED TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR INTERNET ACCOUNTS

One electronic authorization request is made per transaction and the transaction/purchase date is the same as the shipping date. The authorization code must be included in settled transaction (this is done automatically by the Nova Information Systems terminal application).
The authorization request message must include Address Verification Service (AVS).
The transaction/shipping date must be within 7 calendar days of the authorization date.
The authorized transaction amount must match the settled transaction amount.
The settled transaction data must include the merchant's customer service telephone number, the order or invoice number, and the total authorized amount.
Additional data is required in the settled transaction on all Purchasing and Commercial cards at non-T&E locations (Purchasing card - customer code and sales tax; Commercial card - sales tax)

The transaction must be electronically deposited no later than 1 day from transaction date.

** PARTIALLY QUALIFIED (PQ) TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR INTERNET ACCOUNTS

One or more of the Qualified conditions were not met. (OR)
The transaction was electronically deposited more than 1 day but within 2 days of the transaction/shipping date.

*** NON-QUALIFIED (NQ) TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR INTERNET ACCOUNTS

One or more of the Qualified or Partially Qualified conditions were not met. (OR)
The transaction was electronically settled more than 2 days from the authorization date. (OR)
Commercial card, World MasterCard, or Visa Signature card accepted at a T&E location. (OR)
No additional data in the settled transaction on Purchasing and Commercial card at non-T&E locations. (Purchasing Card - customer code and sales tax; Commercial Card - sales tax). (OR)
Visa Infinite card accepted. (OR)
Transaction was not electronically authorized (voice authorization) or the authorization code was not included in the settled transaction.
The customer is using a Corporate or Government-issued credit card.
The customer is using a credit card issued by a Foreign Bank

Do the same rules apply for Retail Merchant Accounts?
If a Retail transaction doesn't qualify, you will be charged an extra $.10 and the 1.75% discount rate will also increase.

Here are Visa/MasterCard's rules for Retail transactions:

*QUALIFIED TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR RETAIL MERCHANTS

The card is present, the full magnetic stripe is read by the terminal and a signature is obtained.
One electronic authorization request is made per transaction and the transaction/purchase date is the same as the authorization date.
The authorization code must be included in settled transaction (this is done automatically by the Nova Information Systems terminal application).
The authorized transaction amount must match the settled transaction amount.
The transaction must be authorized and settled under a retail standard industry code.
The transaction must be electronically deposited no later than 1 day from transaction date.

** PARTIALLY QUALIFIED (PQ) TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR RETAIL MERCHANTS

One or more of the Qualified conditions were not met. OR
The transaction was electronically deposited more than 1 day but within 2 days of the transaction date.

*** NON-QUALIFIED (NQ) TRANSACTION CONDITIONS FOR RETAIL MERCHANTS

One or more of the Qualified or Partially Qualified conditions were not met. (OR)
The transaction was electronically settled more than 2 days from the authorization date. (OR)
Transaction was not electronically authorized (voice authorization) or the authorization code was not included in the settled transaction.
The customer is using a Corporate or Government-issued credit card.
The customer is using a credit card issued by a Foreign Bank.

How do I know the rates for PQ and NQ transactions?
When you submit your online application, you will receive an e-mail with a link that contains your application information. The fees are detailed across the top of that document so you will have it for your records: PQ = +1.00% NQ = + 1.50%.

Is the gateway just html that I copy into my website?
No. The gateway requires that the Merchant integrate their website into the gateway forms or API via CGI, ASP or other scripting languages.

Is there documentation to program into the gateway?
Yes. The online documentation can be found at: https://www.cyshop2.com/guide.htm

Are sample scripts to integrate the gateway product provided?
Yes. In the gateway documentation there are sample scripts written in Perl5 and ASP (Active Server Pages) that can be integrated into the merchants website to connect to the gateway.

Does my website have to do anything special to use the gateway?
Yes. Your site must have scripts that generate a unique OrderID number. The number can be any alpha-numeric field up to 30 characters. Your site must also produce a total dollar value in decimal form, ex: 15.99 (no dollar signs). The site must also pass the url to return the results of the transaction. The url must be a valid internet address with a script (cgi or asp) that can accept a querystring of return variables.

If I have purchased storefront software, can I use the gateway for my transactions?
Most storefront software programs do not allow you the flexibility to script the pages to use the Payment Gateway in its native mode. However, most software vendors do provide built-in payment configurations for the major processors. You will be provided the configuration variables (Merchant-ID and Private Key) to enable your transactions to function through the storefronts built in gateway.

What do the Nova Transport Response Codes mean?
Click here for the definitions of the codes returned by Nova.

What do the Nova Transport AVS (address verification) Codes mean?
Click here for the definitions of the AVS codes returned by Nova

How many products can I use in the Internet Store?
Unlimited. You can upload as many products as you wish as no additional charge.

Can I change the look/colors of the Internet Store?
Offer many different templates to choose from, in a range of colors--color coordinated--so that links, banners, backgrounds and text all match, giving you a professional web presence that works. You may also upload custom graphics including product pictures, welcome banners, etc.

What is the Nova Transport AVS?
This is our Address Verification System.
Click here for the definitions of the AVS codes returned by Nova.

How long does it take to get an approval?
Merchants can begin accepting payment within a week. Depending on your credit history and your ability to complete all the required documents in a timely manner, your approval can be as quick as 24 hours.

What do I need to get started?
Completed application, blank voided company check, merchant agreement and web site address.

What if I do not have a corporate checking account?
You will need to open a new business checking account. You can only use a personal checking account, if you are a Sole Proprietorship. If you need a "Business checking account".

What other cards do you offer?
You automatically get all major credit cards with our program except American Express. However, you may apply for American Express.

What if I am a new start up company without a credit history in my company will I get approved?
When we set you up the bank will run a credit check off of your Social Security Number , and approve a credit line according to your credit.

What if I do not have good credit?
We work with several Banks that will approve your account, as long as you are not currently in a bankruptcy, we will submit your application to several banks at one time and will be able to sign you up with one of the Banks. However, the discount rate may be slightly higher.

Is there an Application Fee?
There is no application fee for applying. We do, however, charge a $49.95 High Risk Fee for (merchants who elect to join our Fast Track Program or are required to agree to a reserve with their merchant processing. Merchants who are approved without a reserve and regular credit will not have a High Risk Fee.

What if I do not have a Federal Tax ID# ?
Only Corporations will have them, if you are a sole proprietor you can use Social Security Number.

How do E-checks work?
If you are using the Total Package your customer will be given two options to pay for your product or service, credit card or check. If they choose to use check, a check will appear with your DBA as the payee and the total amount due already filled in. All your customer has to do is provide his name, account number and transit/routing number and submit the order.

Why should I add E-checks to my internet store?
Any process that makes it easier for your customer to place an order is a plus for your internet business. To be able to accept checks with the same ease and security as a credit card, gives you an added edge 99% of your competitors do not offer.

How do I know that E-checks have been added to my internet store?
You will receive an e-mail from us with your E-check usernames and passwords and links for other important information.

Is accepting checks online legal?
Of course, Under the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 3, it is legal and acceptable for an individual (your customer) to authorize you to endorse a check on their behalf. Therefore, the customer's signature on the endorsement line is not necessary. Additionally, there are new rules from NACHA and the Federal Reserve pertaining to Internet check transaction, which become effective in March 2001. E-checks Internet check product ALREADY meets these new regulations and requirements.

How do I sign up for E-checks?
You can indicate E-checks on your online application, mention it to your sales rep, e-mail us, or call us. Once we get your application, we will e-mail you the forms you need to sign and fax back to us.

Can I use E-checks alone without applying for a merchant account?
No, the approval process for goEcheck is conditional on your approval for a merchant account.

How is the money deposited into my account?
Just as with credit card transactions, checks are electronically processed into your checking account utilizing the ACH network (this is a completely paperless payment system) .

When do I receive my money?
Funds are automatically deposited into your account within 8 business days.

How am I notified of transactions?
You are informed in the same way as if your customer used a credit card, you will receive a receipt via e-mail for every transaction. Your customer will receive a receipt as well.

How am I billed?
You checking account will be automatically debited the 1st of each month for the monthly subscription fee. Transaction fees are deducted at the time of transaction.

Do E-checks guarantee that the check won't bounce?
No, Funds within the account are not verified or guaranteed. E-checks are just like a regular check; there is the possibility the check is NSF. E-checks will have the funds transferred within 4 days and we recommend not shipping the order until that time.

Can I accept international checks?
No. Check must be U.S. dollars and drawn on US bank.

Can I accept ATM/debit cards?
No.

Can I accept travelers checks/money orders?
No.

Can I input the information for my customer?
Yes, this is a perfectly acceptable method of processing such sales.

Do E-checks allow me to do recurring ACH's?
Yes, Echecks provide Recurring ACH at no extra charge. Recurring ACH provides the ease and convenience of automatic billing for services rendered on a regularly scheduled basis ranging from daily to annual payments. With a one-time set up of a customer, the billing nightmares become a breeze. Through recurring ACH the billing will occur regularly until you choose to cancel the billing schedule. The funds move from your customer's account into your account within a 3-day time frame.