Frequently Asked Questions

How do we get started?

First, please take a few minutes to complete the "No Cost" online Pre-Qualification Form.
We will find out in advance whether we can get your business approved, and whether we can qualify you for an affordable lease.

We will contact you within two business days to let you know. If you would like to go ahead with your application, we'll overnight you complete bank documents for your review. When you receive the documents, you will sign where indicated, and return it along with the following materials:

• A copy of a business license, fictitious name registration, sales tax permit, or other official document from your State which has your company name listed
  
  

• Two VOID checks on the bank from where you want your lease payments to be drawn
  

• Copies of any advertisements, brochures, marketing materials, web pages, etc...

• A check for the application fee and lease deposit (first and last month's payment, made payable to ACS Merchants Express ACS Merchants Express)

After receiving this package back from you, we will order a site inspection from Property Resource Network (PRN). A PRN representative will set up an appointment to meet with you at your place of business. They will take pictures of the inside and outside of your business address. The site survey is a requirement, and its purpose is to verify that your business is legitimate and that you are actually operating from the location address listed on your application. Within seven days of ordering the PRN inspection, we receive the pictures and site survey.

At this time, we will forward your application to the processing center. Within 7-10 days, we receive your merchant account ID, and then overnight you the terminal equipment or software.

How and when do I receive the money from transactions?

All of your customers' charges are deposited to your free checking account at First Charter Bank of Beverly Hills. You have access to your money within two business days from when the transactions were processed. You can access your funds by simply writing a check.

Why do I need a separate account?

Our processing center and bank guarantees all charges accepted by their merchants. Our merchant account does not have any monthly minimum fees, and has an extremely low discount rate of 2% for Internet-based, mail/telephone order businesses. On average, our bank charges less than $3 per $1000 in sales. To protect itself and to prevent fraudulent activity, the bank asks that merchants deposit their funds in their settlement account. In this way the bank may monitor the activity, protect its interests, and earn interest on your deposits. This helps offset some of the costs associated with servicing your account.  Retail businesses that primarily swipe most of their transactions through POS terminals may be eligible to have their funds ACHed (i.e. wired) into your existing bank account. Please let us know if you fit this situation.

What type of Processing Equipment is right for me?

If you have an Internet-based business, or if you are taking most or all of your orders over the telephone, fax, or mail; we recommend that you get set up with credit card processing software. We offer both Windows-Based and Macintosh compatible software.

The software programs are designed as an alternative to the stand alone single function POS terminals many businesses use to process credit cards. The programs have complete address verification services which enable you to confirm the billing address you’ve entered matches the billing address of the credit card!!!

The Windows-Based program enables you to process credit cards in the foreground or background while you perform other tasks. You simply click on the program icon, enter the transaction information, click the process button and you're done. While the transaction is processing, you can now do other things like start your next order. Within about 15 seconds, you'll be notified that your transaction is complete.

What about reports?

These programs are more than a credit card processing program, they are a complete data base system. They will store all transaction information to the PC’s hard drive for fast and easy recall. They have extensive reporting capabilities that give you the information you need to analyze your business and recall transactions with specific detail.

How about Support?

The programs have been designed to make processing credit cards on your computer easy.
The program contains a clearly documented manual. They also have an on-line help system should a question ever arise. And, they provide FREE technical support for 90 days.

If you have a retail or service business, and you plan to be able to swipe the customer's card through a Point of Sale terminal at the time of the sale; we recommend one of the two Verifone POS terminals.

The Tranz 330 is a terminal that will enable you to either swipe the card through, or manually key in the card number and expiration date. To print all your receipts, you can simply use an imprinter, or get a Printer 250, an electronic receipt printer. All restaurants need to use this equipment.

The Tranz 460 is a terminal and printer all in one. It eliminates the cable between the terminal and printer, and requires one less power outlet.

Your processing equipment is covered with an initial 12 month warranty. After 12 months, ACS Merchants Express offers a warranty protection plan to continue to keep your equipment fully protected.

What is Address Verification System?

If you are doing business on the Internet, or over the telephone, fax or mail; you want to do whatever you can to make sure you've got a good credit card. If a person uses a stolen credit card that is not yet reported, and you ship your product or provide your service without getting a signed delivery receipt, you have a risk of receiving a chargeback. The Address Verification System (AVS) lets you enter the customer's home address and compares it with the address on file with the  credit card company. If someone uses a stolen credit card and tries to have something shipped to another address, AVS will detect this for you. You can then request some more information from the customer (like the correct billing address for the credit card) to help confirm their identity. If the person moved addresses, you may want to ask for proof of ID to verify that you have the right person.

How does the software or terminal lease work?

Your lease payment is based on the type of software or equipment you choose. The lease payments are fully tax deductible. At the end of your lease, you pay a lease buyout, approximately three lease payments on a 48 month lease. If you go out of business, the lease may be transferred to another party.

Most of our customers choose a 48 month lease. You can shorten this period to 36 months by adding $6 per month to your lease, or to 24 months by adding $20 per month to your lease.