FAQs
- What are the advantages of obtaining my merchant processing service through the Costco/Elavon partnership?
- Why did Costco partner with Elavon?
- How long does it take to establish a merchant account through Elavon?
- Why do you need a credit check and/or my financials as part of the set up process?
- When can I begin processing?
- How long does it take to get the money from my credit card purchases?
- When do you charge my account for fees?
- What is interchange and how does it affect my processing costs?
- How can I save money on my credit card transactions?
- What about controlling card costs for non-retail businesses?
- What is a Chargeback?
- How can I avoid Chargebacks?
- What is PCI-DSS?
- What does PCI-DSS mean to me and my business?
What are the advantages of obtaining my merchant processing service through the Costco/Elavon partnership?
Through Costco's partnership with Elavon, you can be sure you're getting the highest quality products and services for the best price available. The service features extremely low transaction rates, low account fees (no application or statement fees for Executive Members), discounts on your equipment and access to a range of value-added payment solutions to help manage your business. In addition, your transactions will be processed over Elavon's secure network.
Why did Costco partner with Elavon?
As the fourth largest merchant acquirer in North America, Elavon processes over 2 billion transactions annually for over 1 million merchants worldwide. Elavon provides an end-to-end network and vast processing capacity, a wide range of payment solutions, extensive fraud management and risk control, and unparalleled customer service.
How long does it take to establish a merchant account through Elavon?
The average time from Elavon's receipt of your signed, completed application to your equipment delivery is approximately 7 business days. This timeframe covers application underwriting and boarding, equipment set up and deployment, and shipping time. Equipment is sent via UPS 2nd day air unless expedited shipment is requested at the merchant's expense. Upon receipt of equipment, any necessary merchant training is typically completed within 2-3 business days.
Why do you need a credit check and/or my financials as part of the set up process?
Credit checks are required by Visa and MasterCard and are necessary to determine if the business owners are financially sound. Elavon extends virtually unlimited lines of credit when a merchant account is set up. Financial stability is the most critical component of the approval process.
When can I begin processing?
Once you receive your equipment and go through a brief telephone training process, you can activate your account. Your equipment is typically deployed within 48 hours of account approval.
How long does it take to get the money from my credit card purchases?
Funds are electronically settled within two business days.
When do you charge my account for fees?
Your account will be charged for all appropriate fees on or around the fifth of the month following the activity, via an Automated Clearing House (ACH) transaction. The detail of your fees will appear on your merchant statement that would be received the first full business week of the month following the activity.
What is interchange and how does it affect my processing costs?
All bankcard transaction rates - regardless of who processes the transaction - include a cost for "Interchange." Interchange rates represent the fees that the VISA and MasterCard Associations charge a Merchant to get the funds into his bank (Merchant Bank) and to get the billing information to the Cardholder's Bank (Issuing Bank). All interchange rates are expressed as a percentage of the total transaction.
Interchange rates vary by type of merchant or industry (retail, restaurant, hotel, mail order) and by the type of bank card the consumer uses. There are many variables that determine interchange rates. Discuss these with your sales representative to find out what options your business may have.
How can I save money on my credit card transactions?
Retail businesses can keep transaction costs to a minimum by taking steps to ensure they process "qualified" transactions. The "qualified rate" is the cheapest category of Interchange and it applies to a transaction in which the merchant physically swipes the bankcard through the terminal and receives authorization for the transaction. The transaction can be authorized only once and the authorized transaction amount must match the "settled" (deposit) transaction amount. In addition, for a transaction to be charged the "qualified rate" the merchant must settle the transaction (electronically transmit the transaction for payment by the issuing bank) within 24 hours.
What about controlling card costs for non-retail businesses?
Interchange costs are higher for non-retail businesses where the purchases are made with the customer not present, but you can keep the costs to a minimum by "batching" or depositing in a timely manner and providing any additional information required by Visa and MasterCard on each of your transactions. Required transaction data will vary based upon business type and processing environment.
What is a chargeback?
A chargeback is a transaction disputed by the cardholder or card issuer. There are many reasons for chargebacks, but the most common are returned merchandise, terminated services, disputes, errors, or fraud. Merchants must be able to provide proof that the disputed transaction is valid and in accordance with Visa/MasterCard regulations or risk having their account debited for the disputed amount.
How can I avoid chargebacks?
To avoid chargebacks, act promptly if contacted directly by the cardholder to resolve a dispute. By working directly with the cardholder, you can avoid costly fees and processing costs as well as promote goodwill with your customer. It is important to carefully track and manage the chargebacks that you receive, and know your representment rights. A chargeback translates into extra processing time and cost, a narrower profit margin for the sale, and possibly a loss of revenue.
What is PCI-DSS?
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS) is a set of requirements for enhancing payment account data security. These standards were developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which was founded by American Express, Discover Financial Services, JCB International, MasterCard Worldwide and Visa International to facilitate industry-wide adoption of consistent data security measures on a global basis.
What does PCI-DSS mean to me and my business?
All entities, merchants and service providers that store, process, or transmit cardholder data must meet PCI-DSS requirements. Requirements for certification vary depending on the number of transactions an entity processes, and the manner in which they are processed.