Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check here to find out what people are asking about Retriever Services. Simply click on one of the FAQs listed below in order for the questions and answers to display. If you have a question you would like to submit to us, click here.

My application is reviewed by your credit department. Why?

Simply put, giving you the authority to accept credit cards is equivalent to giving you an unsecured line of credit, and that takes a thorough review of your business credit history.

What factors would cause my application to be rejected?

While Retriever Services works hard to find a way to provide payment processing services to almost all businesses, occasionally we do decline applications. Reasons include, but are not limited to, a bad credit history of a business or its principal partners and bankruptcies of the business within six years. In some cases, home-based merchants may not qualify.

What factors would cause my application to be rejected?

Retriever Services offers extraordinary security and real-time processing of business-to-business payment needs with Level II services. We continue to expand our services as technology improves and the demands of business change. Contact Retriever Services for a complete review of your needs and the cost-saving solutions we provide.

What cards can be accepted?

Virtually all major cards can be accepted for payment, depending upon your business requirements. We support the following types of cards:

• MasterCard®
  
• Visa®
  
• American Express®
  
• Discover®
  
• JCB®
  

How does Retriever Services determine the discount rate it charges?

Retriever Services will customize a rate that fits your business. Some factors that are considered include your sales volume, average ticket size, and type of business.

What services does Retriever Services offer for e-businesses?

Retriever Services provides a wide range of services for the specialized needs of e-business including superior online authorization, proven batch processing and extra security measures to help protect against fraud.

Will switching to Retriever Services disrupt my business?

Absolutely not. We make the change to Retriever Services as seamless as possible, with no downtime for your business. Conversion takes little time and training sessions are scheduled at your convenience.

Q: What is Merchant Account processing?

A: Merchant Account processing services are provided by a bank or a third party processor (on behalf of the bank) to the Merchant. These services include authorization of credit cards, settlement of funds through the bank associations (MasterCard and Visa), depositing of funds to checking accounts, merchant billing and account activity reporting.

Retriever Services - Internet Merchant Processing

Q: How do I sign up to accept credit card transactions via the Internet?

A: There are 2 ways to set up a Merchant account. Once you have chosen a financial institution that Retriever Services is affiliated with, access their website. Their website will either contain a Virtual Application (online application) or a phone number to reach their sales office.

If there is a Virtual Application available through their website, upon completion it will go directly to the credit department for review. Once the information is verified and the credit check is complete, you will receive an email with your Merchant information (if approved). Twenty-four hours after receiving this confirmation you can begin to accept credit cards via the Internet.

Note: There is a Help Desk available for any inquiries you may have regarding processing and the Virtual Application.

Q: How will I get paid for credit card transactions?

A: Funds are automatically transferred to your business checking account via an electronic ACH transfer. Funding occurs after a transaction has been captured and settled for payment.

Q: I already have a retail Merchant account. Do I need another Merchant account to conduct Internet and/or Mail Order/Telephone Order transactions?

A: Financial Institutions and the Visa and MasterCard Associations have different criteria for evaluating the potential risk involved in credit card transactions where the card is not physically present at the time of the transaction. This type of business is typically referred to as "card not present" or "MO/TO" (mail order/telephone order). Due to the risk, an additional separate Merchant account may be required.

Q: Why should I extend my business to the Internet?

A: Electronic Commerce (or e-Commerce) is relatively new, but all indications show that it will be a major commercial influence within only a few years. Over 100 million people worldwide are now connected to the Internet, and online stores have a nearly unlimited potential customer base. Even the most conservative estimates indicate that e-commerce growth in the next few years will be enormous. From approximately $500 million spent in 1996 by online shoppers, figures for online sales in the year 2000 are estimated at $6 billion to $8 billion and higher.

While the biggest names in retailing are establishing a presence on the Internet, stores of all sizes have nearly equal opportunities to attract customers and expand their business. With available search engine tools, all Merchants have an opportunity for e-commerce exposure.

Q: Can a Merchant outside of the United States apply for a Merchant account with Retriever Services?

A: Due to bankcard association and system limitations, the Merchant credit card acceptance accounts offered through Retriever Services are only applicable to Merchants located in the United States that have a relationship with a U.S. financial institution and a valid checking account.

Q: How much does Internet payment processing cost?

A: Prices and options are delegated by the Financial Institutions. Contact Retriever Services for their specific prices and options.

Q: What kind of security do you have for online transactions?

A: Our servers are Apache Web Servers that support the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption protocol. This protects credit card transaction information between merchants and their customers. Shoppers who use a browser supporting the SSL protocol can shop with confidence. We have designed our order processing software to detect whether a browser supports secure transactions and to submit order data to a secure URL (Uniform Resource Locater - basically a "website address").

Q: What is a payment gateway and what is the benefit of having one?

A: A payment gateway is a service that gives Merchants the ability to perform real-time credit card authorizations from a website over the Internet.

Security: Gateways keep customers' credit card data behind firewalls so that the Merchant doesn't have to worry about someone 'hacking' into their system.

Encryption: Gateways use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) channel encryption to prevent message tampering while the credit card information is being transmitted over the Internet.

Back-up redundancy: Gateways have a backup system in place to ensure that Merchants can continue processing in the event of an emergency.

Up-to-Date technology: Gateways are services that are constantly upgraded to be up to date with the latest technology. And, because the gateways are not on Merchants' computers, there is no need for the Merchants to upgrade their hardware.

Price: Gateways save the cost of an additional phone line that would be needed in a dial application.

Certified standards: Gateways all must comply with standard Retriever Services certification policies prior to being deemed an acceptable processing solution (Certified gateways can be provided by your financial institution).

Q: Do I need equipment or a separate phone line to access and use my payment gateway?

A: No, all you need is a web browser and internet access.

Q: Can I process any type of credit card through the payment gateway?

A: Through the payment gateway, you can process Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express®, and Discover® cards if your Merchant account is authorized to accept them.

Q: How do I prevent fraud on my credit card transactions?

A: Visa and MasterCard require each Merchant to perform AVS (Address Verification Service) on all transactions where the card is not present. However, this is just one form of fraud prevention and there is no guarantee that the transaction is not fraudulent. The Merchant is responsible for all transactions accepted regardless if AVS is approved. If you feel a transaction is possibly fraudulent, you can contact the cardholder as well as the Financial Institution that the card is affiliated with to verify authenticity.

Q: Are Internet services available in Canada?

A: Due to bankcard association and system limitation, the Merchant credit card acceptance accounts offered through Retriever Services are only available to Merchants located in the United States who have a relationship with a United States Financial Institution and a valid tax ID.