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    <title>MerchantCouncil</title>
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    <description>Merchant account and credit card processing information to help businesses save money and avoid headaches.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:48:00 EST</pubDate>
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    <managingEditor>contact@merchantcouncil.org</managingEditor>



<item>
	<title>Top 10 Questions to Ask When Getting a Merchant Account</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-questions.php</link>
	<description>There's a steep learning curve involved in getting the best merchant account, and it's natural to feel a little overwhelmed. We've put together the following ten questions that you should ask prospective merchant service providers. The answer to which will help you avoid some of the largest pitfalls that face businesses that are in the market for a new merchant account.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-questions.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>Credit Card Machine Leasing: Enough is Enough</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/equipment-software/credit-card-machine-leasing.php</link>
	<description>Complex rates and fees and obscure merchant account pricing contribute a great deal to the healthy skepticism that merchants feel toward the credit card processors. But one of the greatest contributors, for which there is little justification, is the outrageous practice of leasing credit card equipment used throughout the industry.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/equipment-software/credit-card-machine-leasing.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Shopping for a merchant account: What you're really comparing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/shopping.php</link>
	<description>When shopping for the best merchant account, you're really looking for the lowest markup over base costs. There are true costs associated with credit card processing that providers can't control. Think of credit card processing as a tangible product for a moment. Like with any product, there are costs to bring it to market that aren't negotiable at the retail level. The aspect of price that is negotiable is the markup over wholesale.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/shopping.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Rates Too Good to be True</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/too-good-to-be-true.php</link>
	<description>An online search for merchant accounts through your favorite search engine will produce countless results from merchant service providers promising retail rates as low as 1.39%. You know the ads - the ones that "guarantee the lowest rates and fees". Aside from the fact that these rates seem too good to be true, doesn't it seem kind of that every provider can guarantee lowest merchant account rates?</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/too-good-to-be-true.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Pricing &amp; Volume</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/merchant-account-pricing.php</link>
	<description>When it comes to credit card processing and paying interchange fees - the more you make, the more you pay. But when it comes to the rates and fees that you pay to your merchant account provider, this is not always the case. Tiered, enhanced recover reduced (ERR) and interchange plus pricing are all volume based pricing models, but flat fee merchant account pricing is not.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/merchant-account-pricing.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>The Affect of Interchange Fee Increases at the Merchant Level</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-fees-increase.php</link>
	<description>Businesses that accept credit cards feel the pinch when Visa and MasterCard raise their interchange fees, but some are affected more than others. Depending on which type of pricing structure your merchant account utilizes, you may be paying a lot more than you think when interchange fees are increased.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-fees-increase.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>How to Save on Credit Card Processing: 2 Golden Rules</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/save-card-processing.php</link>
	<description>Shopping for or comparing merchant accounts is a task that many business owners dread. The pricing is confusing, the sales pressure is intense and every provider promises to offer the lowest rates and fees. Luckily, there are two fundamental things that you can do to cut through the fog and ensure you're paying as little as possible to processing credit cards.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/save-card-processing.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>Inconsistent Buckets</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/flat-fee-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>The interchange plus merchant account pricing model is quickly becoming the most sought after form of pricing for businesses seeking the best merchant account. It's often touted as the only truly transparent way to process credit cards. While this may be true, it doesn't tell the whole story.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/flat-fee-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>Inconsistent Buckets</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/inconsistent-buckets.php</link>
	<description>If you're processing credit cards on a tiered merchant account pricing model, inconsistent buckets are a vital subject for you to understand. The term inconsistent buckets is used to refer to a merchant service provider's ability to dictate at which tier an interchange category is charged on a tiered merchant account pricing model.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/inconsistent-buckets.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>5 Quick Tips to Big Credit Card Processing Savings</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/credit-card-processing-tips.php.php</link>
	<description>There are many things that you can do to save substantially on your monthly credit card processing fees, and most of them don't take much time at all. This article covers five things that you can do to reduce your merchant account fees. Some of these tips only require a few minutes of your time but can impact your costs substantially.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/credit-card-processing-tips.php.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Residuals - Cause for Chaos</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-residuals.php</link>
	<description>There's plenty of information available regarding the "hows" of merchant accounts and credit card processing, but hardly anything covers the "why." Why is the industry so competitive? Why is it so hard to tell exactly what you're paying for? Why are pricing models for credit card processing so confusing? These are all important questions that can help shed light on why things are as they are in the payment industry.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-residuals.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Credit card processing options for an ever changing market</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/types-uses/credit-card-processing-options.php</link>
	<description>Industry competition has produced more credit card processing options for businesses than ever before. In terms of both the number of different providers from which they can choose and the type of pricing structures available, merchants have never had more choices than they do in today's marketplace. This article will cover the different options available and will analyze the pros and cons that each has to offer.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/types-uses/credit-card-processing-options.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Just give me the best rate!!</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/best-rate.php</link>
	<description>The biggest mistake that you can make when searching for the best merchant account is to throw negotiation out the window in an attempt to strong-arm providers into giving you their lowest rates and fees right away. The problem isn't that they don't want to help; it's that they don't have enough information to offer a quote even if they wanted to.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/best-rate.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Contract</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/contract.php</link>
	<description>Much of the ill feelings toward the credit card processing industry are a result of horror stories surrounding lengthy contracts and hefty cancellation fees. The negative stereotypes aren't totally undeserved but their origins are quickly becoming a thing of the past.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 9 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/contract.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Comparison Charts</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/comparison-chart.php</link>
	<description>There are two big problems with these charts that render them virtually useless. First, they're extremely biased. Second, you can't accurately compare merchant accounts from one provider to the next because there is no set pricing structure to use as a basis.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/comparison-chart.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>Flat Rate Merchant Account</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/flat-rate.php</link>
	<description>A flat rate merchant account would make the lives of business owners and accountants much easier, but they eventually come to realize that there's nothing flat about merchant account fees. Fortunately, there is something close. While it still won't boil processing charges down to a single rate, interchange plus pricing does apply a flat mark-up to all discount fees.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/flat-rate.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Leads</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/leads.php</link>
	<description>If you've ever started or managed a business, you know that the payment card industry is fiercely competitive and the calls, letters and visits from salespeople can be relentless. The attention can be annoying and even aggravating at times, but as I'll explain in a moment, there is a money-saving silver lining to the cloud of sales pressure.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/leads.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Interchange Pass Through: What it is and why you need to know</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-pass-through.php</link>
	<description>The demand for interchange pass through pricing has been fueled by the rapid spread of information online that has led to increased merchant awareness. Interchange is a complex topic, but simply understanding the basics of how it affects the credit card processing fees that merchants pay is vital knowledge for any business owner or manager.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 1 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-pass-through.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant account consultant: A wolf in sheep's clothing or a merchant's best friend</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/payment-consultant.php</link>
	<description>There are experts in every field willing to sell their skills to anyone who could benefit from them, and the payments industry is no exception. The question is whether this new flood of payment consultants are simply salespeople giving themselves a new title, or if they're legitimate professionals that will help to combat the abuses toward merchants born out of the lack of unbiased information and support.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/payment-consultant.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>5 Tips to low merchant account fees</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/low-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>This article covers five tips to help you lower your merchant account processing fees. Even if a single one of these tips applies to your situation, you may be able to cut your processing expenses substantially.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/low-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Hold</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/start-accepting-cards.php</link>
	<description>There are many incentives to start accepting credit cards as a form of payment for the products and services that your business offers. In this article I'll talk about the importance of accepting credit cards, what to expect as you compare merchant accounts and how to keep your merchant account in good standing once you begin processing.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/start-accepting-cards.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Hold</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-hold.php</link>
	<description>An extremely important but seldom talked about topic regarding credit card processing is that of merchant account holds. One of the most financially devastating things that can happen to a business is for a processing bank to freeze its merchant account. If this happens to your merchant account, you won't be able to access the account and your funds from open authorizations will be held without deposit for an undisclosed period of time. This means that you can't accept new credit card transactions and the income from recently processed transactions will not be deposited for days, weeks or longer.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-hold.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Effective Rate</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/effective-rate.php</link>
	<description>The trap that many people fall into is that they get intimidated by the volume and apparent complexity of the different charges associated with merchant processing. Instead of looking at the big picture, they fixate on a single aspect of an account such as the discount rate or the early termination fee. This is understandable but it makes recognizing the total processing costs associated with an account very difficult.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 5 May 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/effective-rate.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Basis Points and Merchant Accounts</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/basis-point.php</link>
	<description>The terms "basis point" in reference to credit card processing and merchant accounts is used to refer to the percentage of a sale that a business pays their service provider to processing a credit card transactions. Basis points sound a lot more complicated than they really are. Simply put, the basis points are 1/100th of 1 percent or 0.01% and they're used specifically when referring to the discount rate that a merchant pays to process credit cards.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/basis-point.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Cost &amp; Considerations to Cancel a Merchant Account</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/cancel-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>Cancelling a merchant account is as simple as contacting your merchant service provider and requesting that the account be closed. For security reasons, some providers may require you to submit information verifying your identity before they will process a merchant account cancellation request. Although the process of closing an account is simple, it is sometimes accompanied by a surprise in the form of a potentially large early termination fee.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/cancel-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>The Mainstreaming of Interchange Pricing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-pass-through-pricing.php</link>
	<description>Until recently interchange pricing has only been available to merchants with enough processing volume to support the profits that merchant service providers have become accustomed to reaping from the conventional three-tier pricing structures that have dominated the merchant account landscape.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-pass-through-pricing.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>The Lowest Merchant Account Rate isn't Always Cheapest</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/lowest-rate.php</link>
	<description>The most diligent business people will do their homework when shopping for a merchant account. They'll get multiple processing quotes from different providers and negotiate the lowest rates to get what seems to be the least expensive processing solution. Here's the kicker, merchant accounts with very low discount rates are not always less expensive than accounts with higher rates. If fact, more often than not – they're substantially more expensive. In this article, I'll explain how merchant account rates work and I'll cover the vital question that you need to ask providers in order to get the least expensive rates for your business.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 4 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/lowest-rate.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>When to Switch Merchant Account Providers and How</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/switch-provider.php</link>
	<description>Businesses primarily cancel their merchant account because they no longer need to accept credit cards or because they're switching to a different provider that has offered them lower rates and fees. When an account is cancelled because a business no longer needs to accept credit cards, it usually means that the business is being dissolved and there's no reason to have an account at all. However, cancelling a merchant account to switch to another provider that promises lower rates may be more trouble than it's worth - literally.</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 26 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/switch-provider.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Rates: Interchange-Plus VS. Tiered Pricing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-tiered-pricing-structure.php</link>
	<description>If you're like most business owners, deciphering exactly how merchant account fees are charged is a necessary but confusing task. Understanding the different pricing options available and which one is best for your business isn't always easy. This guide will explain the different merchant account rate structures with minimal industry jargon to provide you with a solid understanding of how fees are assessed.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/interchange-tiered-pricing-structure.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Paying Credit Card Processing Fees on Sale Tax</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/sales-tax-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>Improperly deducting credit card processing fees paid on sales tax at year-end can be a costly mistake. Sales tax can have a significant impact on merchant account fees that many merchants who do their own business taxes fail to consider.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/sales-tax-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Accounts for Non Profit Businesses</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/types-uses/non-profit.php</link>
	<description>Not for profit businesses are often able to receive discounted pricing for many business services because of their legal structure. However, most merchant service providers don't give non-profit merchant accounts special consideration. The news isn't all bad, though. If you're a non-profit business looking for credit card processing, you can get low rates and fees by finding a niche provider or by using your company's legal structure as bargaining power.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 4 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/types-uses/non-profit.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Credit Card Processing Fees, Refunds and Customer Returns</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/return-fee-refund.php</link>
	<description>Credit card processing fees are not refunded when a customer returns an item that they've purchased. Not surprisingly, this is a point of contention that many business owners have with merchant accounts and credit card processors. Credit card processing charges are not returned when a transaction is reversed. In fact, many merchant account providers will charge additional fees such as a return fee to reverse a transaction.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 2 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/return-fee-refund.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Multiple Merchant Accounts May Help Save on Processing Fees</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/multiple-merchant-accounts.php</link>
	<description>Getting multiple merchant accounts may seem counter-productive when you're trying to save money on merchant account fees, but for many businesses another account would actually lower credit card processing charges.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 25 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/save-money/multiple-merchant-accounts.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Convenience Fees: What are They, and Can You Charge Them</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/convenience-fee.php</link>
	<description>The subject of convenience fees can get pretty confusing, but for the right businesses, they can be a money-saver. Convenience fees are a confusing topic, especially since each card brand has a different take on what they are and when they can be applied. This article examines the topic of convenience fees as they apply to the four major card brands.</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/convenience-fee.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>How to Get the Best Merchant Account</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/best-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>Every business owner wants the best merchant account with the good rates, great customer service and added features and benefits, but there's no provider that can offer the perfect account to every business that asks for a merchant account quote. Providers may claim 100% satisfaction, but as the saying goes, "You can't please all the people all the time" and the same is true with merchant accounts. The definition of the perfect merchant account is different for every business.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/best-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>





<item>
	<title>Merchant account quotes: Where to Get Them and What to Look For</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-quotes.php</link>
	<description>For many businesses, merchant account fees are responsible for a significant portion of monthly operating expenses. To be sure that you're paying as little as possible for credit card processing, it's a good idea to periodically check the market by getting merchant account quotes from a few different providers.</description>
	<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-quotes.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>New Merchant Account Business Guide</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/new-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>If you're in the market for a new merchant account, but you don't have the time to devote to learning everything about processing - this guide is for you. We've compiled a no-nonsense new merchant account guide to help get you started down the right path.</description>
	<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/new-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Where do I get the best merchant account? Who offers the lowest rates?</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/services/cardfellow.php</link>
	<description>We receive questions like these on a regular basis. Until now, we haven't been able offer much help because of our policy to refrain from endorsing particular service providers. We're still holding true to this policy, but we've discovered a promising new service by the name of CardFellow that can help.</description>
	<pubDate>Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/services/cardfellow.php</guid>
</item>



<item>
	<title>Five Ways to Save Money on Credit Card Processing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/save-credit-card-processing.php</link>
	<description>Credit card processing fees account for a substantial portion of monthly expenses for many businesses. Keeping processing expenses low is a very worth-while priority that requires consistent attention and diligence. This article covers five specific things that you can do to lower your monthly processing fees and keep them low.</description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/save-credit-card-processing.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Chargebacks - The Best Offense is a Good Defense</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/fraud-chargeback/credit-card-processing-chargebacks.php</link>
	<description>A chargeback occurs when a cardholder disputes a merchant's charge against their account. Although they're relatively uncommon, chargebacks are an inevitable and potentially expensive part of credit card processing. Taking precautions to prevent chargebacks is instrumental in winning a dispute when one of your customers issues a chargeback.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/fraud-chargeback/credit-card-processing-chargebacks.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Chargeback Fraud and Illegitimate Chargebacks</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/fraud-chargeback/chargeback-fraud-illegitimate.php</link>
	<description>A proactive and thorough plan to prevent and deal with chargebacks is a must-have for any business that accepts credit cards. Without an effective plan, chargebacks can become costly and a high chargeback ratio can even prompt a processor to close a merchant account.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 30 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/fraud-chargeback/chargeback-fraud-illegitimate.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Charging a Minimum on Credit Card Purchases</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/charge-minimum-pay-credit-card.php</link>
	<description>One of the most contested issues in credit card processing is whether a merchant should have the ability to impose a minimum purchase amount on credit card transactions. At one point or another we've all walked into a store to make a quick purchase and after seeing a sign that read "minimum credit card purchase $10," realized we didn't have any cash.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 29 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/charge-minimum-pay-credit-card.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Credit Card Processing Sales Reps - Don't Let One Bad Apple Spoil the Bunch</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-sales-reps.php</link>
	<description>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.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 23 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-sales-reps.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Reviews - Learn to Recognize the Useful and Avoid the Useless</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-review.php</link>
	<description>Accurate, useful merchant account reviews do exist, but they're not always easy to find. The majority of merchant account reviews aren't worth the time it takes to read them, but there are helpful reviews out there and we're going to show you how to recognize them. The following article explains the downfalls that plague many merchant account reviews and it shows you how to recognize a bad review quickly.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/merchant-account-review.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Accounts and Personal Credit</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/personal-credit-merchant-account.php</link>
	<description>A Merchant account is essentially a line of credit so it's not surprising that a principal's personal credit standing is an important consideration during the application process. While personal credit is an important factor in the merchant account application, it doesn't have the same effect as it would on a conventional line of credit or loan application.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 18 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/personal-credit-merchant-account.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Compare Merchant Accounts: The Key is to Compare Providers, Not Accounts</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/compare-merchant-accounts.php</link>
	<description>If you're in the process of comparing merchant accounts you probably familiar with the exhausting tables that compare rates, fees, contracts and other merchant account features from various providers. I'm happy to say that you won't find one of those tables here. There's certainly no shortage of information, comparison tables and advice on the Internet about how to compare merchant accounts. The issue is how useful this information is - if at all.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/compare-merchant-accounts.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>5 Reasons Why Businesses Overpay for Credit Card Processing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/overpay-credit-card-processing.php</link>
	<description>Credit card processing and merchant account are complex things and it's tough to get a handle on everything. However, taking a few minutes to learn a few quick pointers can help ensure that you don't overpay for credit card processing services for your business.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/overpay-credit-card-processing.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Free Credit Card Machines and the Fine Print</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/equipment-software/free-credit-card-machine.php</link>
	<description>Gone are the days when a credit card machine cost a small fortune to purchase or rivaled a mortgage payment in monthly lease fees. Nowadays it seems like every merchant service provider is itching to give away free credit card machines. Most people see the word "Free" and can't help but to raise an eyebrow waiting for the catch.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 13 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/equipment-software/free-credit-card-machine.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Credit Card Processing - 5 Costly Myths and Misconceptions</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-myths.php</link>
	<description>The subject of credit card processing is confusing. Information about credit card processing can vary from one source to the next and even from one provider to the next. It's tough to know who to listen to and what can and can't be taken for granted. To set the record straight, the list below addresses five costly myths and misconceptions...</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-myths.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Credit Card Reward Programs - Merchants Lose, Consumers and Banks Win</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/cost-accept-rewards-credit-card.php</link>
	<description>Frequent flyer miles, retailer discounts, cash back and more; if it exists, you can get a credit card to earn rewards for it. As the overall use of credit cards increases so too does the demand for rewards credit cards. Credit card rewards programs have virtually no negative aspects for issuing banks.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/rates-fees/cost-accept-rewards-credit-card.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Mistakes - How to Keep your Account in Good Standing</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-mistake.php</link>
	<description>Stories abound of credit card processors closing merchant accounts and freezing funds. Most of these stories portray the processor as the evil villain out to steal from the small business owner. While this interpretation makes for an interesting plot, it's far from accurate.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 9 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/merchant-account-mistake.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Online Credit Card Processing Quotes - Help or Hindrance</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-quote.php</link>
	<description>Have you ever used an online service that promises to deliver multiple credit card processing quotes from different vendors? If you're like other business owners who have used this method to find the best credit card processing account, you probably have mixed feelings about its effectiveness.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 8 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/review-compare/credit-card-processing-quote.php</guid>
</item>


<item>
	<title>Credit Card Processing - Charging Customers a Fee to Pay with a Credit Card</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/pass-fee-customer.php</link>
	<description>As credit card processing gets more expensive, a burning questions on the mind of many business owners is, "can I pass credit card processing fees on to my customers, and if so, how?" In short, the answer is yes; you can charge customers a fee for paying with a credit card, but the issue is far more complex than that.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 7 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/operation/pass-fee-customer.php</guid>
</item>

<item>
	<title>Merchant Account Declines - Save Time and Learn the Reasons Ahead of Time</title>
	<link>http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/reasons-merchant-account-decline.php</link>
	<description>Contrary to some of the marketing material that's floating around on the Internet, there's no such thing as a guaranteed merchant account. Some merchant service providers can legitimately advertise a 98% approval rate or higher, but that's because they pre-qualify clients before submitting a merchant account application to the processor.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 6 Dec 2008 12:00:00 EST</pubDate>
	<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.merchantcouncil.org/merchant-account/apply-set-up/reasons-merchant-account-decline.php</guid>
</item>

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