Although eCom Merchant Solutions provides merchant services to merchants of all sizes in a wide variety of businesses, we have recently worked with several VR Owners and by happenstance it has become a niche market for us!  My name is Kristie Kliese and I am the President of eCom Merchant Solutions but I am also an owner of 3 vacation rentals myself and I frequently visit the VR forums.  On many occasions I’ve seen VR Owners asking about merchant accounts, where to get one, who to work with etc. or they are often talking about the issues they are experiencing with their current merchant service provider.

In just a few months eCom Merchant Solutions has worked to set up over 100 VR Owners with merchant services.  Some with one property and some with several properties and I for one have enjoyed it immensely because being a VR Owner myself I can speak both languages; making working with fellow VR Owners a natural!   In addition, I have gotten ideas from other VR Owners that I would have never thought of on my own so the experience has been invaluable to me!  

We not only set up new VR Owners with merchant services but we have saved several VR Owners with existing merchant accounts a lot of money.  We will provide you with tips on how to get qualified rates more often than not.  In addition , my team and I are so confident that you will be happy with our rates, fees and service that if for any reason you choose to leave eCom Merchant Solutions there is no closure fee (when a 30-day notice is given)!

Since eCom Merchant Solutions started working with VR Owners we have had the good fortune to team up with Joe Godar of iVacationOnline www.ivacationonline.com which I use for my properties and highly recommend to all VR Owners no matter how many properties you own/manage!  I have also met Emily and Alfred Glossbrenner.  Truly two of the most intelligent, informed and interesting people in the VR business! 

Because we have made working with VR Owners our niche, the whole eCom Sales Team is informed and ready to work with you and answer your questions!

Call us at 888.277.3332 or email me direct at kkliese@eComMerchantSolutions.com

Why should VR Owners accept credit cards???

• It offers your guests a fast and convenient way to pay!
• It defines Vacation Rental Ownership as a Genuine Business!
• It helps secure damage control!
• It will increase rental occupancy!
• Your competition does!

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Who is eCom Merchant Solutions?

eCom Merchant Solutions acts as the liaison for both the gateway and Merchant Account service; we not only help our valued clients understand how the services work but we also facilitate the application and approval process for final implementation. Once all of these tasks are completed; we are dedicated to providing top notch customer support assisting in all aspects of the gateway and MSP service needs. 

We are an Oregon based company established in 1997, a proud member of the Better Business Bureau and D&B (number 158792791) and we are in excellent standing with both!  eCom Merchant Solutions is recognized as one of the leaders in the credit card processing industry because of our innovation and unparalleled knowledge of our industry.  More importantly; we are well known and respected for the outstanding service we provide.

FAQ

Q: Do I need a Merchant Account?
A: Yes. The Merchant Account is responsible for the transfer of funds from your customer’s card into your bank account. Without establishing a Visa/MasterCard Merchant Account you will not be able to accept these cards.

Q: Do I need a gateway?
A: Yes. Before your Merchant Account can receive the information necessary to complete funds transfer this information must be securely entered into the Authorize.Net gateway where it is encrypted, funds are authorized and placed on hold for later transfer.

Q: What fees will I pay to process my customer’s credit or debit card?
A: There are two types of fees that are universal within the processing industry; processing fees and monthly fees.

The processing fees are deducted from the total amount of the individual transaction. There is a discount rate (a percentage taken out of the total amount of the transaction), and a per transaction fee (a flat fee charged in addition to the discount rate whenever your card is authorized and/or funds are transferred).

The monthly fees are a set amount deducted on a monthly basis. This generally entails your monthly gateway access fee and a service/statement fee and can be extremely affordable.

Q: Are there fees that I can avoid?
A: Yes! We want to make sure you are paying the lowest rates possible. There are two ways to do that; Using “Address Verification” and avoiding “chargebacks”.

1. Higher risk goes hand-in-hand with higher rates. You can decrease the risk involved in a transaction by using your gateway’s Address Verification System (already a built-in feature).
   

   By confirming the card holder’s address information with their bank you are taking a necessary step to ensure the customer is, in fact, who they say they are. Keep in mind that foreign cards do not provide address information, and so will always be higher risk.

In addition, all business cards and some rewards cards will be determined as nonqualified card types. That is why we place our vacation home owner clients on the "business to business" grid to ensure that the majority of their business cards qualify.

2. Another great way to avoid fees is to avoid chargebacks. A chargeback occurs when your customer disputes the sale and turns to their bank to reconcile the dispute for them. Their bank will reverse the sale and provide you with an opportunity to produce your information to validate the sale.

   When fighting a chargeback your gateway’s reporting capabilities can be of great value to you. All of the transaction details will be stored and easily accessible in case of such an event. Of course, the best way to avoid chargeback fees is to reduce your chances of getting one.

   You can avoid chargebacks by ensuring your customer comes to you first to resolve any issues. This means keeping your Customer Support contact information and Doing Business As name up-to-date and in-line with your website listing. Make sure you clearly state your return and/or cancellation policies in writing where it can be easily accessed by your customer.

Q: When and how will I be billed for fees?
A: Fees will be automatically deducted from your checking account on a monthly basis.

Q: How competitive can eCom Merchant Solutions be and will they offer to meet or beat my current plan?
A: eCom Merchant Solutions has a unique advantage. Our Company President and CEO is not only one of the longest standing merchant service providers in the credit card processing industry, but she is also a vacation home owner. With extensive experience in both arenas she has insight into what pricing will benefit you as a vacation home owner and the industry clout needed to get the best possible rates for all of eCom Merchant Solution’s valued clients. Each member of our team has been specially trained by the Company President to cater to the specific needs of vacation home owners.

We are confident that our rates are the lowest and, therefore, welcome the opportunity to meet or beat pricing from a competitor offering similar services.

Q: Will my Merchant Account work with my current checking or savings account?
A: Yes. Your Merchant Account can be linked to any US bank account for purposes of deposit and fees deducted.

Q: Will I see the total amount of my daily transactions deposit to my bank?
A: Yes. Visa/MasterCard fees are deducted as a whole at the end of each month so that you see daily deposits in the full amount of your transactions.

Q: How long will it take before I see funds deposit into my account?
A: You will see funds electronically deposited into your bank account within 48-72 business hours (2-3 business days).

Q: How do I get started?
A: Simply complete our secure online preliminary application via our website, www.ecommerchantsolutions.com and a representative assigned to assist you with any additional requests will contact you shortly. Or, if you like, you can call us toll free at 888-277-3332, and any one of our qualified agents will provide you with immediate assistance.

Q: How long will it take before I can start accepting payments?
A: Once we receive the signed formal application we can obtain Merchant Account approval within 24-48 business hours (1-2 business days). Once approved you will only need to wait 24 hours before your account becomes “active” and you can begin processing credit and debit card payments.

Q: What cards can I accept with my Merchant Account?
A: Your merchant account will be established with Visa/MasterCard capabilities. American Express and Discover operate as separate entities, but can be added to your Visa/MasterCard capabilities easily. Simply inform your friendly and helpful agent that you would like to accept these cards and we will set-up these capabilities on your behalf any time you choose.

Please remember that, as separate entities, AMEX and Discover will have their own rates. Set-up generally takes 48-72 business hours (2-3 business days) at which point a representative from one of these organizations will contact you directly to inform you of their fees.

Q: What information will I need to provide to get approved for a merchant account?
A: A Merchant Account is similar to a line of credit according in the banking industry because funds are transferred prior to confirmation of satisfactory delivery of product or services. Therefore, due to the risk the bank is taking on; we will need Social Security Number, Tax ID, and date of birth. Your information will be kept secure and confidential.

We will also need to know what amounts you expect to process in a given month. Including the largest transaction you intend to accept.

Q: What if I do not know what volume my business will do on a monthly basis?
A: We can offer you guidance if you would like to speak direct with an agent. In addition, some standard guidelines to follow are provided below;

• Project a year from now to allow your business room to grow.
  
  
• Be optimistic, yet realistic. We want to promote the growth of your business so be sure not to limit yourself too strictly. On the other hand, It is not necessarily in your favor to request a number that does not realistically reflect your business’ volume expectations.

Remember, only you know the ins and outs of your business and so only you can predict these numbers. But, also keep in mind that our staff is here to work with you and your volume needs throughout the life of your account. Often a volume increase is as easy as contacting us to let us know what to expect.

Q: Do I have to have a Corporate Tax ID to apply?
A: Our services work for all business types, not just corporations. Many of our clients sign up as Sole Proprietorships, in which case, a Corporate Tax ID is not necessary as it can be replaced with your US Social Security Number.

Q: I am not a US citizen. Can I apply for a Merchant Account?
A: A Merchant Account requires your business to be US based with a US Tax ID and bank account before you can apply.

Q: How helpful is the eCom Merchant Solutions staff and can I count on them for all my account maintenance needs?
A: Yes! It is our mission to make you happy! Your agent is highly trained and assigned to assist you with any of your gateway or Merchant Account needs.

In addition, any one of our customer friendly staff can be of assistance. If you are calling after business hours we do provide 24/7 Tech Support lines for your convenience. You will always find a friendly, helpful representative to accommodate your business needs.