The Difference between a Retail Merchant Account versus an E-commerce Merchant Account
July 23, 2009 by Admin · Comments Off
There are a few major differences when dealing with a Retail Merchant Account, and an Ecommerce Merchant Account. Both are similar in that, a merchant or seller is able to accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Interact, as a method of payment for goods and services rendered, but the way they are accepting these transactions is where the differences lie.
Merchant Services applications are always looked at in terms of safety and security. Visa and mc need to take into consideration, when and where the point of sale is taking place, as there are some risk factors they need to take into consideration when adjudicating weather or not the business is fit to accommodate transactions…..these risk factors contribute to the major differences between getting an approval for a Retail account VS. a Ecommerce Account. Let’s take a closer look at these risk factors and the 5 major differences between processing a transaction in a retail environment compared to an online situation.
- Card Acceptance. This is the main driving factor or difference between the two types of transaction processing. Visa and mc consider this a risk factor because in a retail situation, the merchant ALWAYS obtains a signature from the customer directly on the receipt. It is difficult for a customer to reject a fee from a purchase when the merchant is able to supply a signed receipt as confirmation of the transaction. With online processing, the availability of that signature is slim to nil, so Visa and Mc will rely on the solidity of the business profile to reduce or cancel out the possibility of a merchant disputing a fee. So the will scrutinize the business profile more thoroughly, as they do not have the comfort of relying on something like a signed receipt.
- Fulfillment. This is an industry term. Basically this refers to the amount of time between finalizing a transaction for goods and services and when the customer receives those goods and services. for example, If I go for a haircut and pay visa, I have received my service and paid right away….if I purchase a swimsuit online, I make the payment right away (ecommerce billing) but, I do not receive that product for 2-3 or how ever many weeks, whatever the FULLFILLMENT time is….this creates another risk that will be looked at before approval. it is a major difference to pay for something and wait for it, then to instantly have what you’ve purchased.
- Product Availability and Presentation. Unlike walking into a store and picking out your “size and color” when shopping online you are only subject to one form of presentation, usually a picture or image of some kind to represent your purchase. Whereas, in a store you can touch it, feel it, try it on, etc. Digital images are helpful to represent your product type, but there is still a down home difference between being able to see and touch as opposed to a 2-d image.
- Product Type. The internet provides a platform never before available to business. So more “intangible” goods and services now have a home online whereas things like financials services, learning or educational seminars, software sales were vague and expensive to advertise in order to obtain a customer base that kind of thinking is in the past. E commerce is ideal for these types of businesses that differ greatly from retail in that they are providing a service that does not physically exist.
These are just a few prime examples as there are many businesses that thrive online, where as the platform may not be as successful to others. The bottom line is, that the internet is a wildly new exciting tool for businesses to reach out to an audience never before imaginable. Malls will never close, but the internet is competing with how and where our shopping dollars are spent!
MasterCard Fights Back Against Interchange Myths
March 26, 2009 by Admin · Leave a Comment
Mastercard Canada released a press release a couple of days ago announcing they have accepted an opportunity to appear before the Senate Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce in order to discuss the payments industry, as well as to address the significant misinformation being propagated by retail sector lobbyists.
“The many benefits Canadian merchants receive from card acceptance continue to be downplayed,” said Kevin Stanton, President, MasterCard Canada. “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss the important role card payments play in helping maintain a well-functioning financial system in Canada.“
They have even created a full website explaining how interchange works and common myths associated with interchange. The website is called InterChangeTruth.com, this seems to be a offensive approach to dealing with groups like Stop Sticking It To Us coalition, who Mastercard Canada says are fueling myths about how interchange works and affects Merchants and consumers.
A couple of examples they make on their InterChangeTruth.com site are:
Myth: Interchange fees cover the cost of incentive programs, corporate card programs and marketing.
Fact: Interchange fees do compensate card issuers for the variety of activities they undertake in offering credit cards in the market. Incentive programs, card programs and marketing are some of those components but so are security and fraud programs, credit risk, promotional programs executed with retailers to drive business to their stores, and many other initiatives that benefit merchants. Merchants pay a fee to their acquirer for each transaction they process in exchange for the value they get from card payments, including:
- payment guarantee for authorized transactions
- increased sales
- customer satisfaction
- increased safety and reduced pilfering
- ability to serve international customers
- infrastructure, security and innovation investment
- the ability to process e-commerce, phone and catalogue sales
Myth: The current debit system in Canada offers the greatest benefits to consumers and merchants.
Fact: The incumbent Canadian debit system is a privately-held monopoly which for many years had no direct competition in Canada. Therefore it faced no competitive pressures to innovate, improve service, enhance security and fraud systems, or establish attractive pricing for merchants.
Anyway it is an interesting read and the site is only 6 or 7 pages, well worth a read to hear Mastercard’s side.
What are your thoughts as a merchant…? Let us know in the comment section below.
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