Cash vs Card

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / atm, cash, money / No Comments

If you’ve ever wondered how your peers seem to afford things that are out of your financial reach, the answer might surprise you. While some might pay for that new smartphone or vehicle through a secret second job or savvy saving practices, many people utilize credit to finance luxury purchases. While the majority of national household debt is comprised of home mortgages, a significant and rising percentage is made up of car loans and credit card purchases.

Credit Cards Make Spending Easy

The widespread use of credit cards can be attributed to how easy they are to use. Instead of having to carry multiple bills or coins, you can leave home with a single sliver of plastic. And monthly statements available online theoretically make tracking spending much easier than keeping a personal itemized list.

But the convenience of credit cards comes at a price. Studies show that people, even typically frugal ones, tend to spend more when using cards rather than cash. Unlike credit cards, debit cards deduct money from your account immediately. However, psychologically, it’s still much easier to thoughtlessly swipe that piece of plastic as opposed to handing over your hard-earned paper.

Even the usefulness of that monthly statement can be deceptive, as it will tell you when and where you spent your money, but won’t reveal what exactly you bought at that location and how you spend your money.

Cash Can Keep Spending in Check

Carrying cash instead of a credit card limits your spending to whatever you can buy with what’s in your wallet or can take out of an ATM. Instead of comparing numbers on a monthly statement, you can see your available resources in front of your eyes, giving you an immediate sense of what you can and can’t afford.

The greatest benefit of using cash over credit is avoiding debt. While many people rationalize their large, non-essential purchases by telling themselves that they’ll pay them off later, debt can quickly spiral out of control and take a toll financially and emotionally. Restricting your spending to cash eliminates this problem, as you can’t spend what you don’t have.

Make cash more convenient for you and your customers with Merchant 365. Visit https://www.merchant365.ca/ or call 780-909-5539 for all your ATM placement and service needs!

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5 Things to Consider when Choosing a Mobile Payments Processing Solution

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / Merchant Services / merchant services, mobile payments / No Comments

Everything You Should be Looking for in a Mobile Payment Processing Solution

Finding the right mobile payments processing solution for your business can be a daunting task. After all, there are a plethora of companies out there which offer you the perfect merchant services payment processing solutions for your business. These companies typically advertise that through their services, merchants can easily enter purchasers’ credit card information, manage clients’ accounts, and send receipts.

However, each of these companies has subtle distinctions in terms of its exact features, making some more suitable for your business model than others.

Here are five items worth considering when choosing a mobile payment processing solution:

1. Security: All mobile payment processing solutions claim to be secure. But are they really? If you are using Wi-Fi and processing payments, you find yourself in grave danger of compromising your private data, as well as that of your customers. In addition, this could potentially do serious harm to your business. Do your due diligence and make sure that your mobile payments processing solution is staying up-to-date with the most modern advances in payment security. You do not want to choose a company that is using yesterday’s technologies to combat criminals who are using today’s sophisticated means to steal your valued data.

2. Support: You don’t limit your business activity to a nine-to-five day workday and neither should your mobile payment processing solution. Before choosing one, check that it is always available, in some form at least, to manage your issues and provide vital payment processing support whenever you need it.

3. Customization: Think beyond the limitations you envision today. This certainly applies to your business model and it is also relevant to your choice of a mobile payments processing solution. Realize that your small business may soon grow into a large one and that the payment solution’s limited functionality, which is sufficient for your business in its current form, may be totally inadequate in the near future. Pick a company that allows you the flexibility to customize services according to your business’ needs.

4. Mobility (Really!): Yes, they are all mobile and can be accessed from your smartphone. But you’re on the go and your mobile payments processing solution should be too. That means allowing ease of use from any laptop or any mobile device, anywhere. Sounds simple but some of these companies limit your access to one mobile device.

5. Flexibility: You might want many employees having access to the systems, but not all on the same level. Ensure that your mobile payments processing solution provides you with the flexibility to allow multiple users to access their services but restrict the system’s functionality according to what you want to grant each individual the authority to do.

Merchant 365, an independent broker for mobile payment processing solution company, First Data, specializes in payment solutions optimization in Alberta, Canada. In addition to providing Alberta with ATM machines, this company, through First Data, offers various merchant services, particularly those relating to mobile payment processing. Its wide array of services includes industry leading Alberta ATM machines placement, payment processing and transaction monitoring, constant customer support, comprehensive cash management, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week customer support, and extensive consulting services. When examining your business’ needs, as well as what you should be looking for in a mobile payment processing solution, Merchant365 Alberta ATM machines and merchant services should be given serious consideration.

Contact us today and find out how we can provide you with the right merchant services for your business needs.

– Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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5 Fun Facts To Celebrate The 50th Birthday Of ATMs

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / atm, history, service / No Comments

The automatic teller machine (ATM) just turned 50. Over the last five decades, it has become one of the world’s most important devices, giving people the option to conveniently get cash, make deposits and handle many more banking tasks. Want to learn more about this helpful machine? Here are five fun facts.

1. Multiple People Invented Versions of the ATM

Depending on who you ask, you’ll get a markedly different story on who invented the ATM. History.com says it was Don Wetzel, who came up with a machine to dispense cash in 1969. Wikipedia gives credit to John Shepherd-Barron, who had his version debut in 1967 for Barclays Bank. There was also Luther George Simjian, who invented his Bankograph in 1960, although it wasn’t successful.

2. Credit Shephard-Barron’s Wife for the Four-Digit PIN

Shepherd-Barron also came up with the idea for the personal identification number (PIN). Although he was easily able to recall his army number, which was six digits, he asked his wife how many numbers she could remember. She said four, and thus, the four-digit PIN was born.

3. ATM Limits Were Once Just $14

When Shepherd-Barron’s ATMs debuted for Barclays Bank, the maximum amount you could withdraw was 10 pounds, which is around $14. Of course, with inflation, $10 in 1967 is equivalent to over $70 today. Still, ATM limits have gone up considerably, with most banks setting their limit at $1,000. A few have lower limits, such as $400 or $500, but some also have limits in the $2,000 to $3,000 range.

4. They’re Widespread – and They Just Keep Spreading

The number of ATMs has increased at a steady rate, but it really exploded in the 80s. The total number of ATMs worldwide is now over 3 million, and a new one gets installed around every three minutes. There is even an ATM all the way out in Antarctica.

5. Banks Grew Because of ATMs

Even though bank accounts are very popular nowadays, that wasn’t always the case. Before the ATM came out, many Americans instead opted for getting paid in cash. The ATM changed that. Because banking was more convenient and even cool, in its own way, more people started signing up for bank accounts. Although banks instituted ATM fees in the 90s, by that point, banking was already established as the best way to keep track of your money.

If you are in need of renting an ATM for your event reach out to us so we can provide you the best solution.
Picture Source: Pixabay

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Common Questions on Switching Card Processing Suppliers

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / Merchant Services / Card Processing, FAQ / No Comments

Thinking Of Changing Your Card Supplier? Here Is an Efficient Method

You may have noticed that the ISOs are offering better rates as compared to banks when processing your card. The common question that one could be asking is whether these ISOs are dependable enough. What the clients need to understand is that the ISOs are not dealing with transactions. Their bank partners do it. After recruiting the merchants, they help them to obtain an account or a gateway for online payments.

Why is it cheaper to use ISOs?

Because of the huge volumes that they handle, the ISOs get discounts from the banks. They, at the same time, do not need complex technology for the transactions. As a result, they make the merchant services affordable. Those who offer Alberta terminal services can make more coins with this lower rate on all merchant services. At the same time, it becomes easy for their SME merchants to enjoy the discounted rates otherwise accessible only by corporate businesses directly from the banks. Low-income business people benefit from this arrangement, and they can now afford to offer their clients services. If you would like to enjoy cheaper Alberta terminal services with your new supplier, do not hesitate to make the changes.

You can arrange for a smooth transition

To have a smooth changeover, the merchants should sign up for installation before terminating the services from the old supplier. The savings involved is worth the trouble of filling the new forms. The new supplier will not be able to use the first data that you submitted to your supplier. With the increasing competition, many of the suppliers are working day and night to ensure that services are not disrupted by a technical failure. There is no fear of losing any first data that you collected from your clients while doing the changeover.

The installation is a DIY project

Terminal installation is now user-friendly unlike years back. The installation instructions are provided, and in a matter of minutes, you will be ready with your terminal once you receive your pack. Besides, the suppliers offer a help desk in case you are stranded. It is another way of saving on the installation cost as no one will charge any setup fee. The old suppliers will advise on what to do with the old terminal. They can ask you to return it or simply dispose of it if you have used it for four years and over. The first month of transition might cost the merchant two payments from both the suppliers, but that will be all. There is nothing like transferring the first data to the new machine. You only need to pay it off and switch to the new one.

Cost of terminating the supplier contract

Sometimes the supplier may charge some fee for terminating the contract before its term. What you pay for the remaining term may not be a huge burden compared to the benefit of using a cheaper supplier. Sometimes the new supplier may offer to pay part or the entire early termination fee.

You can change your online payment acceptance supplier without rebuilding your website

You can switch your merchant supplier without rebuilding your website. For online payment, you need either of the two products. That is either internet merchant account provided by either the ISOs or the banks or payment gateway using the popular SagePay or WorldPay. In most cases, the merchants use their gateway suppliers to source for their internet merchant account. Most of them do not realize they end up paying more compared to sourcing for it independently as a result of the transaction fee. All gateway payments are compliant with internet merchant account. When it comes to cost, it is more prudent to focus on internet merchant account other than resorting to using a payment gateway. The cost of payment per month may be more or less constant for all, but the cost of using internet merchant account can highly differ.

You should not hesitate to switch to the internet merchant account for a lower fee while still with your payment gateway. Technical effects of the switch are minimal. No clients will be inconvenienced in the process of change over. Since the payment gateway providers are the same ones who will provide you with internet merchant account, they will support you in your new move. At the same time, switching the payment gateway provider can be still not a complicated matter. Integrating a new payment page into your website may not be as complicated as it may sound.

In essence, you should not continue paying for the same services at a high rate when you can get them at a more affordable rate. The long-term saving is worth the seemingly high expenditure at the time of changeover. Give it a try now and experience the low rates the rest of your business term. All the Alberta terminal services should make use of the new rates for their merchant services.

Contact us today and find out how we can provide you with the right merchant services for your business needs.

– Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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The Critial Importance of ATM’s in Small Businesses

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / atm, services / No Comments

ATM Machines and Small Businesses

ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) can do wonders for small businesses that crave efficiency and convenience. It’s important for businesses to install these machines in areas that receive significant traffic. ATMs can give businesses access to a number of advantages.

ATMs can give businesses extra revenue. Surcharges for these machines can add up quickly. Businesses can reap the rewards of the surcharges while they’re open. They can often reap them while they’re closed as well.

ATM machines can help minimize processing problems for small businesses. It isn’t at all uncommon for smaller businesses to struggle to cover credit and debit card company processing charges. This is where ATMs come in handy. ATMs can decrease costs by promoting the use of cash. These machines even help reduce frustrating processing times. That’s because confirming the identities of individuals who pay using credit cards and checks can frequently eat up a lot of time.

ATMs can be lifesavers for those who need to be able to retrieve cash swiftly and easily. If a small business has one of these machines around, there’s a good chance that a user will put the cash he takes out toward a purchase there. ATMs are commonly seen in mini marts all around the United States. If a customer takes money out at a mini mart, he may feel the urge to buy something he sees while walking out. He may feel compelled to purchase bottled water, a bag of potato chips or something else equally fast and hassle-free.

ATMs, interestingly enough, can also make excellent and effective marketing and sales devices for businesses. Comprehensive programming practices enable these machines to operate as in-depth interactive platforms. These platforms can be beneficial to businesses that want to receive higher numbers of sales. The vast majority of businesses fall into this category. These platforms can also be a boon to businesses that want to get customers to come back for more and more. They can even assist businesses that wish to market their available products and services better. Video advertisements are frequently seen on the screens of ATMs. These promotional opportunities are just the beginning as well. Companies are only beginning to discover all of the marketing possibilities that ATMs bring to the table.

If you’re considering ATM installation for your small business, get in contact with Merchant 365 without delay. Merchant 365 specializes in first-rate debit terminals and merchant services.

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Everything You Need to Know About Merchant Services

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / Merchant Services / facts, knowledge, merchant services / No Comments

Merchant Services

It is high time for your organization to consider looking at the expenses of operation. One of the best places to discover savings is the merchant account fees. Continue reading to find some fantastic tips regarding merchant services.

Reputable reps
It is a vital area, and you must be careful when looking for someone to represent you. The person that acts as your rep should be someone you can trust. Some salespersons can take advantage of the business. Also, it should be someone with the experience that is required in the field.

Understand pricing models that are common
Regarding processing of credit card, there are pricing models that are standard. They include tiered pricing, flat rate, and interchange or the cost-plus pricing. Some of the processors that made flat-rate pricing famous are PayPal and Square. For Merchants who process small volumes monthly, flat-rate pricing could be the best. Though you may pay more per every transaction, you will be able to comprehend everything, and in many times there is no ancillary fee. There are three levels or even more at times for tiered pricing. The three features are mid-qualified, non-qualified and qualified.

Asking the right questions
Regarding a merchant account, there may be many ancillary fees. It is therefore important for you to ask the right questions at the time of negotiation with a new provider or even up front. Some of the issues you should ask include the following:
• Whether the fee charged is annual
• Whether you are paying monthly minimum penalty
• Whether what you are signing is a contract term and what the early termination fee is
• Knowing the monthly service
• Knowing the batch fee
• Knowing the American Express transaction fee
• Whether there is a set-up fee
• Whether there is application fee
• Knowing the PCI compliance fee
• Knowing the funding times
• Whether you have Amex One Point
• Whether your charges will be debited monthly or daily
• The type of online reporting that you will be availed
• Whether there are fees regarding reprogramming of your existing payment gateway

Understand contract terms that exist
If you discover that the processor currently has been overcharging you for years, but there is another processor that you can trust hence you want to move the business, you can consult with the new processor. They may decide to split the termination fee if you agree to sign a contract with the new processor. Merchant 356 is one trustworthy merchant that you can take advantage of and be successful. It is therefore highly encouraged to use Merchant 356 and experience the best merchant services.

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Why You Need to Rent an ATM for Your Next Big Event

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / atm, ATM rental, ATM rental benefits, cash, rent an ATM / No Comments

Many things go into planning a fair, festival or another special event; from finding the right location and obtaining the necessary permits to hiring vendors and actually getting people to come. One other thing you’ll definitely want to consider for your event is an ATM rental, as it’s an easy way to ensure that your event is more profitable for everyone involved. You may ask why?
You’ll obviously want to encourage people to spend as much money as possible at your event. Therefore, it only makes sense to have an ATM or two onsite since this will ensure that people have easy access to cash.

Truth is most people go to festivals and other special events prepared to spend money, often much more than they would ever consider spending on a typical night out. In fact, people will often spend so freely that they run out of cash. Unfortunately, many event vendors are unable or unwilling to accept credit card payments, which means everyone involved is potentially missing out on profits.This is obviously where an ATM rental can come in handy. In many cases, having an ATM nearby will actually encourage people to spend more money. Better still, statistics show that people who take out money at special events tend to end up spending everything they take out at the event. In this way, having easy access to cash, all attendees will have a positive experience, especially those who forgot to bring cash with them.

All of these factors point to an ATM rental being one of the smartest decisions you can make in regards to planning your event. Ensuring attendees have access to cash will help make them and all of the vendors much happier and more satisfied in the long run. Best of all, the process couldn’t be simpler. All you need to do is rent an ATM from Merchant365 for your event and see a dramatic increase in profits.

 

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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Here’s Why Cash Is Still Important For Small Businesses

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / atm, cash, cash benefits / No Comments

In this age of high-tech payment methods, most businesses will happily accept a good old dollar bill. Your small business should encourage customers to use cash. It is a simple payment that is cheaper and more secure than credit and debit cards. Your business and your customers both benefit when you work with paper money.

According to data from Intuit, around 55 percent of small businesses don’t accept credit cards. Another survey found that 72 percent of business owners don’t prefer credit card payments, and there are many reasons for this. Paying with plastic makes things more complicated for shopkeepers. It requires more bookkeeping, and you have to wait a few days for your money. Plastic also requires slow machines, which have gotten even slower since banks introduced the new chip-enabled cards.

Paper money is also more secure. Yes, you can lose it, but it can’t get hacked like a credit card system. You don’t want to end up like Home Depot, a company that lost $10 billion thanks to criminals hacking into their transactions data in 2014. Credit card machines are also vulnerable to crashes. This is a lesson that shopkeepers in the UK learned the hard way on Valentine’s Day in 2015. On that day, businesses lost thousands of sales because card systems went down.

Accepting card payments also costs your small business money. When your customers pay you with dollar bills, you don’t owe any fees to a third party. Compare that with the cut from each sale that credit card companies take. These fees average around 2% for MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. American Express takes an average of 3%. All cards charge a flat 20 to 30 cent fee per transaction on top of these percentages.

Your customers also benefit when you encourage cash payments. A study by Allpoint found that 49% of consumers said they paid with dollar bills last year, while 43% said they used cards. Most of your potential customers simply prefer paper over plastic, but some don’t have a choice. When your business is dollar bill friendly, consumers without traditional bank accounts can buy your goods and services.

Putting an ATM in your small business is a good way to encourage your customers to pay with paper. At Merchant365, we have placed many money machines in businesses across Western Canada. Our ATMs are reliable and we offer 24/7 technical support to our clients. Contact us today for more information about how an ATM from Merchant365 can help your business gain all the benefits of cash.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

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Merchant Processing Myths and Facts: About The Merchant Processing Industry

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / Merchant Services / facts, merchant processing, merchant services, myths / No Comments

When it comes to merchant services and payment processing, there are many misconceptions out there. These can cost your business money if you believe them, which is why it’s important to separate myth from reality. Here are five of the biggest myths and the truth behind them.

1. Services Are the Same Across All Merchant Processing Companies
This couldn’t be further from the truth, as one merchant processing company could offer vastly different features and services. For example, one may help you with terminal setup while another does not. One may not have cash advances at their terminals or won’t offer gift card programs. It’s important to verify that a merchant processing company has the features your business needs for right now and in the future.

2. Merchant Processing Companies Have Similar Pricing
The amount you pay for merchant processing can vary significantly depending on the company you choose. Each will have its own standards regarding what constitutes a high-risk company, and they will also have their own pay scales. This is another reason why it’s smart to check out multiple options.

3. You Can’t Get Out of Your Contract
Think that you’re locked in once you sign a contract? There’s often a way out, and when you’re switching to a new merchant services company, the new one may help you get out of your original contract.

4. There’s No Need to Pay for a Terminal
There are plenty of companies that provide standard terminals free of charge, but this is one of those situations where you get what you pay for. A modern, high-grade terminal will have more features and be better for your customers.

5. It Won’t Impact Your Bottom Line If You Fail to Accept Certain Payment Methods
If you don’t accept certain payment methods, you’re cutting down on your business’s potential profits and risking dissatisfied customers or potential customers. You’re going to have customers who wish to pay with their debit card, a gift card and a payment app, such as Samsung Pay or Apple Pay. Not everyone will have an alternate payment method available, which is why it’s best to accept as many payment options as possible.

It can be tricky to choose a merchant processing company, but here at Merchant 365, we can handle all your merchant services needs. Give us a call today to get started.

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ATM Card Skimmers – What You Need To Know

Posted By Merchant365 ATM Placement / ATM News / No Comments

Criminals have developed a new way to target ATMs all across the nation. This plan involves the use of a skimmer and a hidden camera. If you regularly use ATMs, it’s important to be aware of this scheme because it is possible that criminals could obtain your personal information. Here’s some more information on ATM schemes and the ways in which you can protect yourself from them.

Skimmers are devices that can collect information from the swipe of a bank card. It appears that now there is a two-part scam going on that involves the addition of a small camera. This camera is installed, usually alongside a skimmer, to obtain as much victim information as possible. Once the information is obtained, the criminal has easy access to your bank account and the finances contained within it. Making matters worse for civilians is the fact that the two-part system only takes a few minutes to install.

But there are steps that can be taken to protect yourself from criminals that target ATMs. First, always slightly wiggle the card when inserting it into the machine to see if it is legal. In addition, covering your hand while you enter your PIN number offers you protection against potential cameras in the area. Seeing error messages within a group of ATMs could be another potential warning sign. The most shocking fact is that there are times when criminals will intentionally surround ATM machines to get potential victims to go to their skimmer.

So what should you do to protect your business from such activities? The answer is simple – If you want to make sure you own quality ATMs contact us today and find out how we can provide you with the right ATM machine for the needs of your business.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com

 

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