1. What is a merchant account? Why do I need one? 
2. How does it work? 
3. How do I get a merchant account? 
4. Would it be easier to go to my local bank to get a merchant account?  
5. How long does it take to get a merchant account? 
6. Which credit cards can I accept? 
7. What kind of equipment do I need to process credit cards? 
8. How do I know that I'm getting a "good deal"? 
9. Can I use my merchant account to accept credit card payment in my online store? Is it safe to process credit cards over the Internet? 
10. The fraud protection features sound great, but what about other features? 
11. What kind of payment solutions are available through First Data Independent Sales? 
12. Will the First Data Global Gateway Secure Payment Gateway work with my shopping cart? 
13. Internet technology changes so fast, will I be able to use my merchant account with my Internet store in the future? 

1. What is a merchant account? Why do I need one?
A merchant account gives a business the ability to accept credit cards as payment for the company's goods and services. This provides your customers with an extremely popular payment option, beyond cash and checks.

"Most businesses accept credit cards nowadays, but if you don't, you should consider it. Forbes magazine estimates that businesses who don't accept credit cards lose up to 70% of purchases each ear, which is a frighteningly large number. You can significantly increase your sales by accepting credit cards for your business".
~ Forbes magazine
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2. How does it work?
The merchant account provider authorizes the credit card transfer from your customer and deposits the funds for their purchases right into your business checking account, typically within two business days.
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3. How do I get a merchant account? Click here to apply
Merchant accounts are available from some banks and other independent providers. First Data Independent Sales is a leading transaction service provider. First Data Independent Sales offers small-to-mid-sized business merchants a variety of services including credit card, electronic check, Internet transaction services, and more.
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4. Would it be easier to go to my local bank to get a merchant account?
Many local banks do not set up merchant accounts, but have relationships with companies like First Data Independent Sales. Also, in addition to offering outstanding programs, First Data Independent Sales works with the kinds of businesses that most banks consider risky and shy away from, such as new businesses, Internet, phone and mail order businesses.
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5. How long does it take to get a merchant account?
Application approval and set-up can be completed in as little as 2 business days.
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6. Which credit cards can I accept?
The most popular credit cards - MasterCard, Visa and American Express. First Data Independent Sales can also support all other major credit cards, including Discover and Diners Club.
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7. What kind of equipment do I need to process credit cards?
A computer terminal / PC with Internet access is used for Internet, mail and telephone orders.

In the retail environment, a specialized terminal/printer designed to read the magnetic strip on the back of the customer's credit card is used. This can provide the customer with a paper receipt at the time of purchase.

An imprinter, which takes a physical copy of the customers credit card, may also be used.
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8. How do I know that I'm getting a "good deal"?
The First Data Independent Sales program offers an outstanding value across the board - functionality, security, reporting, initial set-up and low residual costs.

It is important to consider all costs associated with the merchant account when comparing programs. For example, some programs offer low set-up costs, but have very high fees (discount rates and per transaction fees). Some processors even charge annual fees! These programs result in significantly higher costs to the merchant, particularly after the first year.
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9. Can I use my merchant account to accept credit card payment in my online store? Is it safe to process credit cards over the Internet?
Yes, First Data Independent Sale's Secure Socket Layer Application Programming Interface (SSL API) offers Internet Service Providers an encrypted connection to its Secure Payment Engine. By using the Global Gateway Secure Payment Gateway technology, all First Data Independent Sales merchants receive fraud screening on each transaction and real-time reporting via their Web browser.

For the merchant who wants to get online fast with a limited start-up budget, First Data Independent Sales is the best choice.

Using First Data Independent Sale's SSL API, all orders and payment information sent from the merchant's Web site will be encrypted using industry standard encryption with SSL. This encrypted and secure data is routed to First Data Independent Sales, decrypted and processed. All processed information (Approved/Declined transactions) is then re-encrypted and sent securely back to the Web site. Once at the Web server, it is decrypted and displayed to the consumer. Also, order confirmation e-mails are sent to the consumer and to the merchant. The First Data Independent Sales SSL API guarantees that the orders and payment information generated by the merchant's Web site remains totally secure.
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10. The fraud protection features sound great, but what about other features?
Using the following e-commerce modules, Web customers will be able to order products, pay for them and arrange for shipment all in real-time.

These modules include real-time:

• Fraud Protection
• Shipping
• Tax Calculation
• Business Reports

Merchants also have the option of choosing auto-settlement or merchant settlement. Taking advantage of the First Data Independent Sales Business Reporting module allows the merchant to view critical ordering and financial information all from a single source - their Web browser. And, all of these modules are included with your First Data Independent Sales merchant account.
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11. What kind of payment solutions are available through First Data Independent Salesl?
Three unique and user-friendly payment solutions are available to serve the e-commerce needs of any merchant:

Virtual Global Gateway allows merchants to manually enter credit card transactions on a PC through a secure connection to the Internet. Virtual Global Gateway is the Internet equivalent of a point-of-sale (POS) terminal or PC-based transaction software without the hardware/software and maintenance expenses. Sales, returns, authorizations and real-time reports are all provided by Virtual Global Gateway.

Global Gateway HTML is a simple, yet sophisticated product and requires a little hands-on work by the merchant to use. It wraps around the merchant's existing Web site, allowing shoppers to select and order products and securely pay for them with a credit card. All the same services provided by the Virtual Global Gateway are available with the Global Gateway HTML.

Global Gateway API is the most sophisticated level of service, enabling software companies, Commerce Service Providers (CSPs), Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or cyber-wise merchants to add secure sockets layer (SSL) payment capabilities to their products, services or custom storefronts. Additional features, such as tax and shipping calculations and electronic softgood download (ESD) - i.e., software, pictures or text - are included.
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12. Will the First Data Global Gateway Secure Payment Gateway work with my shopping cart?
The First Data Global Gateway Secure Payment Gateway works with a wide variety of shopping carts.
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13. Internet technology changes so fast, will I be able to use my merchant account with my Internet store in the future?
Absolutely. As First Data Independent Sales upgrades its Global Gateway products in the future, merchants will receive free upgrades to keep them on the cutting edge.
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