Merchant Newsletter - March 15, 2004

  FRAUD Protection: Built into Transaction Central is a feature called AVS (Address Verification System).  This compares the billing address (that the customer gives you) to the billing address that the credit card company has on file.  If they match, great!  If they do not, beware!  Can you imagine NOT knowing where the bill for YOUR credit card shows up?  If the customer really does not know where the bill for the card is delivered, you are looking at FRAUD, or an really bad case of amnesia.
Accept credit cards anywhere!

Once you have verified the address, SHIP IT THERE!  For the mail order, or internet merchant, the ONLY protection against chargebacks is PROOF OF DELIVERY to the billing address of the cardholder.  We provide the address confirmation, and UPS, FedEX, and others provide the signature on delivery service you need to fully protect yourself.
Accept credit cards anywhere!Shipping to an alternate address:  Some merchants have no alternative than to ship to an address that is not the verified billing address. This may be because the billing address is a PO box, or because the purchase is a gift.  You CAN filter out the most obvious fraud by following a few simple steps. A fraudster wants to keep his identity a secret, and will want to give you false contact information.  There are ways to verify contact and delivery  information to minimize this risk.  First, you can call information (411), and get the formal address of the person or company, to see if it matches.		  common fraud practice is to leave a cell phone number, insist on a land line, and check it out.  Remember, if you ship to another address, you lose any ability to fight a chargeback.  For this reason, for high-ticket, or high theft items, many companies require that the customer FAX a copy of their driver's license and credit card along with a signed receipt.  This gives you the proof VISA requires, and if the documents are forged, you have something to submit to the police.
Accept credit cards anywhere!


  WOW, a complete wireless merchant terminal system featuring the TREO 300 color Palm Smartphone with the Pocket Merchant card reader and printer for only $449.00 (plus shipping, and tax for CA.)  In addition to this incredible price, your merchant account is 'reclassified' as 'Retail', and you get the 'Retail' or 'Swiped' rate of only 1.69% for the transactions you swipe. We have been able to get a supply of factory reconditioned Handspring TREO 300 units, ready for activation.  This includes software, hardware, everything you need!  You will need to have this unit activated by calling Sprint and either moving your existing Sprint number to this phone, or signing up for new Sprint service. Charge will be dependent on the number of voice minutes, and the plan you select.
This exact configuration is the one used in the Mobility Magazine interview with one of our merchants, the Ben Taylor Band!

  Track your web site's popularity, and your competition's as well!  The Alexa toolbar for Microsoft Internet Explorer can give you full metrics on how popular your site is, how many pages of the average visitor views, and how long they stay!  AND ITS FREE TOO!  Another advantage it has, is that BLOCKS ALL THOSE POP-UP ADS as well.  In addition, Alexa's Related Links are a great way to discover new sites. As you surf the web, the toolbar is constantly updating with information about where other users visit ( a great research aid, and it shows you all the competitors for every site you visit, including yours!)
Accept credit cards anywhere!


What the heck is a Froogle??  EVERYONE knows Google, the fantastic search engine.  In Fact, if you are not using Google Adwords to promote your site, then the best advice I have is: START NOW.  If you are, or aren't, but want to take advantage of a new, FREE method of boosting your Google listings, list your products in Froogle, Google's younger sister.  Why??  Well, how about this:  Google is serving Froogle results in it's searches... at the top!   
Accept credit cards anywhere! Price increases on our incredibly popular, award winning, Palm VIIX systems will go into effect on April 15th.  We are giving all our merchants the advanced notice and opportunity to purchase "The Works", our system with Palm VIIx, and Pocket Merchant at its special $349 price.  After April 15th, our web site will be updated to the regular price of $399.00.  This is the system that received "Top Pick" by Handheld Computing magazine, where they called it "Just about Flawless"

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