Merchant Newsletter - September 9, 2006

Handling the "AR22 Call Center" Message

"Call Center" means the bank will charge YOU for doing THEIR job!


  
Greg Lawler of Greg Lawler's Art Fair Sourcebook says: "I now use the "Pocket Merchant" swiper/printer with my Treo smart phone for all my art sales and AFSB transactions. I've been using them for six months and can endorse this product and service without reservations. Merchant Anywhere has created a very user friendly interface and their equipment works flawlessly. I find it VERY convenient to use, both in my booth and out on the street. If you can get a cell signal, with Merchant Anywhere you can get an authorization and print a receipt ... it's as simple as that. The tech support is excellent and friendly, with calls returned quickly and reliably. I LOVE the online tracking of all my transactions, no matter how old they may be. This is the easiest system I've used to date, and I'm very pleased to recommend it to my AFSB clientele. You won't be disappointed."

 
Use your receipts as a sales tool: Our customizable footer in Pocket Verifier can add contact and sales information to your receipts:

Pocket Verifier Professional for Palm OS or Pocket PC can do this easily, to see how, just see your user guide.



One of the most frustrating things that can happen to a merchant (especially a mobile merchant) is the dreaded "DECLINED - AR22/Call Center" message.  The "standard" procedure to handle this (or at least the procedure the card associations promote), is for the MERCHANT to call the voice center (a $1.50 charge), and get a voice authorization for the sale.

That is what they WANT you to do.  You see, the card was DECLINED. Usually, because the bank wants to get a hold of the cardholder to verify recent purchases.  They want YOU to do the work for THEM, and THEY WANT TO CHARGE YOU $1.50 TO DO THEIR JOB!

This is one of the many merchant rip-offs in the industry!  DON'T DO IT!  If you get an AR22 "Call Center" Have the customer call the 800 number on the back of his credit card, identify himself, and ask his bank to remove the restriction on his card!  Remember- the card was DECLINED by HIS bank, the problem is REALLY between your customer and their bank, you should not have to pay more for his bank's decision to watch a particular card.  After he has called and resolved his issue(s), just swipe the transaction, and get a "clean" authorization!

On the other hand, it is often easier to just tell the customer his card was declined, and ask them for a different card.  If they were purchasing online, that is what they would do anyway, or they would call the bank themselves and clear it up as we just described above.  


The top 10 unintentionally worst company URLs :

1. A site called ~Who Represents, where you can find the name of the agent that represents a celebrity : www.whorepresents.com

2. Experts Exchange, a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at: www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a pen? Look no further than Pen Island at : www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try Therapist Finder at : www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then of course, there's the Italian Power Generator company : www.powergenitalia.com

6. And now, we have the Mole Station Native Nursery, based in New South Wales: www.molestationnursery.com

7. If you're looking for computer software, there's always : www.ipanywhere.com

8. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is : www.cummingfirst.com

9. Then, of course, there's these brainless art designers, and their wacky website: www.speedofart.com

10. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at : www.gotahoe.com
 

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