Credit Card Machines

Credit Card Machine: What You Need to Know About
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Hidayat]Ricky Hidayat

A credit card terminal is a machine that read data stored in magnetic stripe on credit card and send it to merchant account. As credit card is using widely, as so the need for its terminal. Today there are many type of credit card terminal in market, vary in price range and features. If you need to purchase, know them better and choose which one is the most appropriate for your business.

Credit card terminals are fall into three categorize: stationery, wireless and virtual. Each has its own pros-cons. Stationery perhaps is the most common in sight in retail and restaurant. It is small, cheap and reliable. Wireless credit card terminals are just like stationery terminal with a plus point -according to its name-, it doesn't need cable to connect. Virtual credit card terminal is a credit card software to authorize credit card payment. It is used in internet business. Yap, if you see a web site that accepts credit card most likely it has a virtual credit card terminal installed.

Consider the following points when you decide to purchase credit card terminal:

1. Do you need stationery or wireless type? If your business is internet business then obviously you need virtual credit card terminal. No question about it but if not then you should ask your self: does the counter in permanent location or it is mobile? How about infrastructure such as cabling and power source?

2. If you need virtual credit card terminal check out what kind of features it has and the technical support (we're dealing with software here and there's always a chance of incompability issue). Good helpdesk and technical support must be available 24 x 7. Most software vendors offer "standard" version which can be upgrade to "professional" version. Compare the features and see which one is the best for you. You might want to start with the standard version as it usually costs less and then upgrade when your business grows.

3. Does it come with integrated printer? If it doesn't then you have to purchase an additional stand alone unit. You need printer to issue receipts and slips. And if you decide that you need extra receipt printer, know that there are three types of them:

* dot matrix -inexpensive but slow about 1-4 lines per second

* thermal - faster, quieter and more reliable since they have fewer moving parts but slightly more expensive

* inkjet - rare, can print in multiple colors.


4. How about vendor support, service and training? You and your staff might need training how to operate it, especially if you purchase virtual credit card terminal, you must know how to install, specific requirement your software needs and light trouble shooting.

Accept credit card payment can increase your business value but the credit card terminal is not the only thing you must concern about. There are a few things those can be hidden cost for your business including fraud. See the complete guidance in http://cleaneasy.blogspot.com/2007/07/credit-card-terminal.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Hidayat http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Machine:-What-You-Need-to-Know-About&id=638854

Credit Card Machines

A Credit-Free Card: What Is A Prepaid Credit Card?
By David Riewe

In this high-tech era of computers and machines, the purchasing
power of people is mostly based on credit. Nowadays, credit
cards are almost indispensable in almost any business
transaction. For one, nobody can purchase anything online
without a credit card.

People who have a poor credit history though, will have a hard
time getting or renewing their credit cards. This is where
prepaid credit becomes useful.

There are lenders that offer prepaid MasterCards and/or prepaid
Visa Cards. Both these cards can be used like a regular credit
card. It is even hard to distinguish which card is prepaid or
not, by simply looking at it or even using it.

This is basically how prepaid credit cards work. When an
account is opened, the card should be “pre-loaded” with cash
up-front. This is like paying for a pre-paid calling card.
Prepaid MasterCards or Visas can be used anywhere as long as
these cards are accepted.

The prepaid credit card advantage:

1. Prepaid credit card can be easily obtained. It can be
purchased online or in local retail stores. It does not require
any credit check or proof of income.

The only thing to do is to fill out an application, pay a small
fee for setting-up the account and load the card with cash. The
amount of cash loaded will be the “credit limit”

2. No interest charges.

When a prepaid MasterCard or prepaid Visa is used, there is no
interest charge unlike the regular credit card. The reason for
this is that the money used is the owner’s actual money
therefore no interest is needed.

3. Prepaid credit cards are free from financial or credit
problems.

4. Prepaid cards can be used almost anywhere. Prepaid
MasterCards and Visa cards are almost accepted anywhere in the
world.

Disadvantages of Prepaid Credit Cards:

1. Usually a set-up fee of 5 to 50 dollars is needed when an
account is opened. Then another fee of $5 or more is paid every
time more money is loaded onto the card.

Regular credit cards usually do not charge a set-up fee or
annual fees.

2. Cash up front is needed before any purchase could be made
with the prepaid card.
This could be an advantage since compulsive spending can be
avoided.

3. There are some prepaid credit cards that cannot be used to
pay regular payments such as monthly electric consumption or
online services.

The Conclusion:

The prepaid credit card is a definite help for people who have
past credit problems. It is just a matter of choosing the right
prepaid credit card that suits ones’ needs.

About the Author: David Riewe is a Publisher and Online
Marketer. Visit his Credit Resources Blog Below:
http://www.push-button-online-income.com/creditcards/

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Credit Card Machines

Benefits Of Online Credit Card Processors
By Matt Garrett

We have all heard of PayPal. PayPal is an online credit card
processor that allows online businesses to securely accept
credit cards as a form of payment. In addition to PayPal, there
are additional online credit card processors.

Online shopping has dramatically increased in popularity and
each day more consumers think about purchasing online. Online
shopping is popular because it is generally easy and
convenient. Online credit card processors help to make online
shopping hassle free. Online credit card processors are used by
large or small businesses. In additional to nationally known
companies, online credit card processors make it easy for
work-at-home individuals to successfully make a profit selling
homemade or wholesale merchandise.

For individuals interested in starting their own online
business, finding the perfect online credit card processing
company make take sometime. Credit card number are valuable
information and unfortunately many account numbers are stolen
each day. In addition to protecting the assets of your
business, obtaining a secure online credit card processor will
also protect your customers. Consumers do not want to be
shopping or handing out valuable personal information to an
unsecured website or credit card processing company. The best
way to determine the success of online credit card processors
is by searching for customer feedback on the internet. Many
times clients will post feedback when they have had a positive
or negative experience with a company.

In addition to personal and business security, fully
researching the various different online credit card processors
is a potential way to increase your profits. For allowing you to
use their services, you are charged a fee. The fee and rates
will depend on the online credit card processor in question.
For this reason, it is important to shop around and find the
best value for your money. Although cheaper rates are nice, it
is not always better. Go with your gut instinct, if something
seems too good to be true it may be. Research is an important
tool in keeping your profits intact.

It is not uncommon to come across online credit card processors
that offer certain guidelines or restrictions on their services.
For example, there may be a select few of online credit card
processors that limit the amount of sales it processes. This
limit may be monthly, weekly, or even daily. If your business
becomes a success, this restriction could only hurt it and
could cause you to lose potential profits.

Another restriction may include the type of business that you
are operating. Although each online credit card processor is
different and they tend to operate under different standards,
some online businesses may be a violation of their standards. A
few examples of the businesses that online credit card
processors may refuse to service are gambling sites, adult
sties, or pharmacies. Before entering into a contract with an
online credit card processing company, it is important to read
through their contract rules and guidelines.

Credit cards are used by consumers because they are a
convenient and easy way to participate in online shopping. If
you are operating an online business, whether it be large or
small, consider accepting online credit cards. There a wide
number of online credit card processors available to serve your
needs and help your businesses grow.

About the Author: Matt Garrett, SEO Services
http://www.Accept-Credit-Cards-Online.co.uk

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Credit Card Machines

Credit Card Processing On The Internet
By Ted Roxan

So you have finally finished your e-commerce web site, hired
the best web publisher, added all the bells and whistles,
outstanding graphics, and great merchandise. Now, how does your
prospective customer pay you for your products? Clearly, it is
necessary for your site to accept, and process credit card
payments, in real time. Failure to do so, would result in a
failing enterprise.

Before you can begin the application process, there are several
standards that all credit card processors have set. Follow this
checklist and you will save yourself a significant amount of
time, and aggravation.

1) The checkout, and transaction pages must be secure. This
protects the customer from credit card, or identity fraud,
which has become epidemic. You achieve this “security” by
installing a secure socket layer certificate, or SSL. SSL
encrypts information being entered on your site as it is sent
across the Internet, so hackers are unable to steal the
transmitted information. This Certificate has become very
common, and any web host would be able to assist you.

2) A robust Shopping Cart software that utilizes the highest
degree of security, and is compatible with the credit card
processor. This program must be able to receive, and process
orders. Collect personal data, and securely transmit the credit
card data from software to the credit card processor. Most
importantly, the software should provide the building blocks
for a complete, successful customer experience.

3) Your server must have a firewall, especially if you plan on
storing the credit card information on your server. Basically,
a firewall is a combination of software, and hardware, that
inspects incoming data, and filters unwanted, or potentially
destructive packets of information. This firewall will not
allow hackers to enter your server, and steal sensitive
information.

When all these conditions have been met, you are ready to
contact your bank to open a credit card merchant’s account.
Once your account is opened, your bank will suggest a credit
card Gateway. A credit card Gateway receives the customer’s
credit card information from your web site, approves or
declines the charge, and ultimately transmits money to your
bank.

Although the process appears to be very complicated, it is
quite straightforward when you know what you are doing. Plan
ahead, avoid frustration, and provide your customers with an
easy, secure experience that will make them come back for more.

About the Author: Ted Roxan is a contributing editor of
Internet Credit Card Processing Resource. For more details on
Internet merchant accounts and Credit Card processors go to:
http://myinternet-credit-card-processing.com/

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Credit Card Machines

Be Smart With Your Credit Card
By Peter Kenny

We all wish that our credit cards were interest free all the
time. How much pleasure would it be to know that what you spend
is what you pay back and there would be no interest to pay. What
is happening is the credit card companies are fighting it out to
see who can get the most customers and one way is to offer us 0%
interest deals.

The credit card companies are offering introductory offers
including 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 6 or 9
months, so everything you buy is interest free how great is
that! These offers are becoming more popular by the month, the
credit card companies realise we will go with these credit cards
first and that interest free deals for any period of time is a
great way to pull in the customers.

Break free from your high interest credit card…

All credit cards can be interest free if you pay off your full
balance on time and at the end of every month, but most of us
cannot afford to do this. When the APR comes into force, usually
a typical rate of 15-20% will be charged. There are however some
better rates about if you are willing to search for them,
including a rate of 9% and maybe even lower. Always check what
your rate will be once the introductory period is over.

Many credit card holders are using the 0% deals to their
advantage. The term “Rate Tart” is used to describe people who
transfer their balance from one card on to a credit card that
has the 0% deal. This will cut out the interest payments on
their existing card, however, you really have to keep on top of
this especially if you have more than one credit card, as you do
not want to get confused as to when and where your balance
transfers are due.

Take advantage of the 0% deals…

There has never been a better time to take advantage of these
great 0% deals with the big companies fighting for your
business. If you’re using the 0% deals for transferring your
balance and are intending to use the card after the interest
free period, double check the interest rate once the
introductory period is over as it may be higher than the card
you have.

· Switch your balance to a 0% deal
· Check the APR that will be charged when the 0% deal is over
· Start searching for a new credit card 4-6 weeks before your
existing deal runs out

0% deals are great as long as you watch what you are doing. The
more cards you have the more chances are of getting transfer
balance dates confused, but if you have a good head on your
shoulders and are well organized then you will benefit greatly.

About the Author: Peter Kenny is a writer for creditcards-gb,
For additional articles and an extensive resource for everything
about credit cards, please visit us at
http://www.creditcards-gb.co.uk and
http://www.creditcards2go4.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Credit Card Machines

Credit Card Machines
By Alan Jason Smith

Credit Cards Machines come in all shapes and styles. Credit
card machines come in a variety of price ranges, offering
enough choices that you can select exactly the model your
business would thrive with. Credit card machines are a must for
any business to succeed in today’s market. Credit card machines
tap into the most popular form of payment for products and
services: credit cards. Since the evolution of the atm card
into a debit card, credit card machines have developed many
talents. Credit card machines can run payments on a card as a
check, as a debt transaction straight from a checking account,
or as a credit card payment that a patron will pay at a later
date as decided by the credit card company.

Credit card machines offer the security of positive payment. A
credit card machine offers increased reliability, ensuring
money is in an account before your clients leave with product.
Money saved in bad check recovery more than makes up for the
cost of credit card machines. There are many different kinds of
credit card machines.

Some credit card machines tap into the credit system without a
printer. These terminals make sense for mail order or phone
order businesses. When a merchant does not need to issue a
receipt of sale at the time of the sale, the merchant can save
money by not buying a terminal-printer combo.

Credit card machines without a printer are the cheapest
machines, costing between two hundred and five hundred dollars.
Landscaping, locksmith, and plumbing businesses, businesses
where travel and on-site payment is required without immediate
access to a credit card terminal, all benefit from credit card
machines lacking printers.

Credit card machines that include a printer are the most common
form of credit card machine used in industry today. Printers on
credit card machines can be integrated impact or thermal. A
single unit dually functions to process the credit card
transaction and then to print a receipt. These machines can be
more expensive than those terminals without printers, but they
are reasonable and effective in medium volume retail. These
credit card machines range from under three hundred dollars to
nine hundred dollars. Additional options can be ordered, such
as a built in pin pad. These enable customers to enter their
pin number for debit transactions without the merchant needing
to purchase an additional machine. Some credit card machines
with built in printers require ink cartridges, but some do not.
While those that do not require ink cartridges may be slightly
more expensive they may save time and add efficiency to sales.

Wireless credit card machines provide the same functions of
general credit card machines with a few overwhelming
advantages. Wireless credit card machines do not require
separate wires to trip on. They do not require a separate phone
line. Wireless credit card machines access credit systems
faster, and provide faster turn around on sales. Wireless
credit card machines are more expensive and require wireless
service packages, but may be a must for high volume businesses.
They are effective and reliable, consisting of the most up to
date technology.

Regardless of the type of credit card machine you choose to
invest in, credit card machines can aide your business. Credit
card machines are a must for the twenty-first century and have
advanced to be more effective for you and for your customers.

About the Author: Alan Jason Smith is the owner of
http://www.creditcardspdq.com which is a great place to find
credit card links, resources and articles. For more information
go to: http://www.creditcardspdq.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Credit Card Machines

Credit Card Applications – Getting Approved After Refusal
By Joseph Kenny

It can be disheartening when you apply for a credit card and
get turned down. However, in the vast majority of cases, it
really is not anything that you need to worry about. While
there are some people out there who would be approved for
virtually everything they could think of applying for, for the
vast majority of us, applying for a credit card can take a
little time and some trial and error.

Credit card providers generally have pretty strict criteria
that they are looking for from applicants when they launch a
new credit card. They will be targeting the card at a specific
segment of the market and will have a credit score range that
they are seeking from applicants. If you do not fall within
this score range, you will not be in their target range and
will be refused the card. But this does not mean that you will
not be successful when you apply for another credit card that
is targeting your section of the market. And it is important
not to take the rejection to heart.

Determining Your Credit Score

You may feel that you are trustworthy and always pay your bills
and that you should not be turned down for credit, but remember
that credit approval is no longer a personal exercise but is by
and large automated and subject to computer credit checks and
the like. A computer will look at your credit score and give a
yes or no answer, and no individual attention will be paid
personally to your application at all. It is a necessary way of
running the system for lenders who have literally thousands of
clients and applications to manage as efficiently as possible.

The Next Step After Rejection

If you are refused for credit, then apply to a couple more
companies. You should try not to rush the process and apply for
one card at a time. You usually receive your answer within a
couple of days. The reason for this is that if you apply for
too much credit too quickly, it will show up on your credit
report and may cause lenders to turn you down. So be patient
and if possible, ask the lender why they have rejected you.

Patience is a Virtue in Credit Card Applications Too

The chances are you are simply applying for the wrong type of
card, for example, if you are a student, you will really only
be approved by companies that make a point of providing credit
cards to students and most other will reject you as a matter of
course. So by a little patience, and taking the time to make
your application to a credit card company that targets the
segment of the market that you fit into, you should be able to
get your hands on a credit card before too long.

About the Author: Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the UK
credit card comparison site http://www.creditcards121.com/ and
also the new UK credit information site
http://www.cardguide.co.uk/, for an fresh look at card offers
in the UK.

Source: http://www.isnare.com