Credit Card Processing Sales Reps - Don't Let One Bad Apple Spoil the Bunch

Did you ever have a bad experience with an individual sales agent that cast a shadow on your opinion of the credit card processor that they were representing? If so, you may want to reconsider for your own sake.

Independent sales organizations (ISO) and agents make up the vast majority of the sales force in the credit card processing industry. The relationship between agents and the credit card processors that they represent is as shallow as a legal contract that dictates the particulars of the business arrangement.

Things such as commission structure, pricing, and sales quotas vary from one contract to another. This means that one sales agent, based on their agreement, can offer different pricing than another agent working with the exact same processor. A good example of this is an agent's ability to waive certain fees. One agent may be able to waive a merchant account monthly minimum fee where another agent's contract with the same processor may prohibit this practice.

Another important point to make is that sales organizations and agents often can set their own pricing. Don't let the rates of one sales agent reflect directly on the processor that they represent. Another agent representing the same processor may have significantly lower merchant account rates or may even be willing to create a customized pricing structure to work with business's needs.

The most important aspects of a good credit card processing agent have nothing to do with rates or the processors that they represent but instead with the way that they conduct business. A sales representative doesn't, or at least shouldn't, disappear after you open a credit card processing account with them. They should be responsive and helpful with any issues that you have for as long as you're processing with them.

If you've worked with a less than helpful agent in the past, don't let the poor business practices of that agent spoil your opinion of the processor that they represented. Another agent working with the same processor may come along and prove to be the best agent that you've ever had.

It's not uncommon to have sales agents who represent the same processor compete for your business. This can be especially common with online venues like CardFellow where business owners get multiple credit card processing quotes from different vendors. When deciding between agents with the same processor affiliation, the selection process becomes a little easier. Instead of focusing on the processor, turn your attention to the qualities that the agent has to offer.

Let things like customer service, experience, responsiveness and overall business chemistry guide your decision. Remember, your credit card processing agent is your guide and the ambassador to the processor for one of the most important services that your business has.

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