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7 Questions to Ask A Potential Internet Merchant Account Provider

By: Bobette Kyle

Recently, I went looking for an Internet Merchant Account. My mission was two-fold:

1. Open an account for myself and

2. Research options for my new ecommerce information site Take-Payments-Online.com.

After some research, I thought I'd found an attractive Merchant Account offered through a reputable reseller. As it turns out, I learned the hard way that I was wrong.

Fortunately, my experience can help you avoid the same trap. Based on my own experience, I developed a list of questions to ask a potential merchant account provider. Understanding the answers to these questions before signing an application or agreement will help make for a solid partnership between you and your account provider.

But first, the story:

My Internet Merchant Account Experience

I found what looked to be a competitive Merchant Account offered through a program at a popular reseller. Fees were summarized on the reseller's site and applying was simple. I paid an $89 set-up fee, which took me to an online application I was required to submit to get the process going.

That's when things got interesting. Submitting an application meant agreeing to a previously undisclosed 45 page merchant agreement. An unmentioned termination fee was buried on page 11.

If I ever cancelled the account, I'd be hit with a $295 termination fee. I knew from my research that the large termination fee was not competitive with other merchant accounts and other aspects of the account were not attractive enough to compensate.

Suddenly, this merchant account was not such a good deal.

More critically, however, the termination fee was not disclosed before I was required to pay for set-up. I immediately asked for a refund.

Non-Refundable

Then things got even more interesting. I was told the $89 fee was non-refundable. I'd seen a footnote that the fee was non-refundable, but interpreted it to mean only if they actually did some work and processed an application. I had not completed an application and did not intend to after learning of the extra $295.

Using the email support system so I would have documented proof if I needed it, I insisted on a refund. Still no go.

When I explained there had been no set-up to justify a 'set-up' fee, they responded that the fee was really an 'application' fee - non-refundable, as explained in the footnote on the order page.

Basically, they were telling me I'd paid $89 for a link to an online application, which I had not and did not intend to submit.

Finally, A Refund

I explained I would not take no for an answer. If we couldn't work this out I'd report them to the Better Business Bureau for undisclosed fees, file a complaint with my credit card company, and copy the company president on each. My complaint was sent to the next level.

Finally, after an additional three day wait, the refund was approved.

Avoid An Intern....[MORE]

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