VMS-Washington – Accept Payments at Your Store

VMS-Washington – Accept Payments at Your Store

Looking for great merchant services rates for your business? VMS-Washington will offer rates starting at 0.30% interchange plus with 0.15 cents per transaction with our average savings of 20-50% off your current merchant services processor. For more information contact us at: www.vms-washington.com

Thank you,

VMS-Washington

800.531.8575 ext. 697
www.vms-washington.com
vmswashington.wordpress.com

VMS-Washington – PCI Compliance Video

This is a great video that explains PCI Compliance.  VMS-Washington encourages all business owners to learn more about credit card processing so they can save more money on their processing, learn better ways to processing and to know right from wrong when talking to a potential credit card processor.

If you’re interested or want more information about interchange and better rates from an “A Rated” company contact us, VMS-Washington is giving businesses the Summer Deal of the Year.  For a limited time we are offering rock bottom rates for new and existing businesses.  The questions we always ask business owners are:

• Have you checked out your current or potential merchant service company on the BBB?
• Does your current provider or potential provider promote your business?
• Does your current provider or potential provider send referrals your way?
• Are you getting the best rates in town?
• Has your current or potential merchant told you about the Durbin Amendment?

Wouldn’t you want an A rated company that and will promote your business though their social media and monthly newsletters.  For more information contact us.

Thank you,

VMS-Washington
washington@valuedmerchants.com
www.vms-washington.com
800.531.8575 ext.697

http://www.vms-washington.com

VMS-Washington – Behind Credit Card Transactions Video

This is a great video that explains what’s behind credit card transactions.  VMS-Washington encourages all business owners to learn more about credit card processing so they can save more money on their processing, learn better ways to processing and to know right from wrong when talking to a potential credit card processor.

If you’re interested or want more information about interchange and better rates from an “A Rated” company contact us, VMS-Washington is giving businesses the Summer Deal of the Year.  For a limited time we are offering rock bottom rates for new and existing businesses.  The questions we always ask business owners are:

• Have you checked out your current or potential merchant service company on the BBB?
• Does your current provider or potential provider promote your business?
• Does your current provider or potential provider send referrals your way?
• Are you getting the best rates in town?
• Has your current or potential merchant told you about the Durbin Amendment?

Wouldn’t you want an A rated company that and will promote your business though their social media and monthly newsletters.  For more information contact us.

Thank you,

VMS-Washington
washington@valuedmerchants.com
www.vms-washington.com
800.531.8575 ext.697

VMS-Washington – Behind Credit Card Transactions Video

VMS-Washington – Savings of 32.09%

VMS-Washington – Savings of 32.09%

VMS-Washington saved Flintoft Services 32.09%, that’s $3145.75 a year and 15,728.76 for 5 years!  We can beat anyone out there 20-60% off their current provider with average savings of 46.12%. Valued Merchant Services offers a free cost analysis to compare your current provider to us. In addition, anyone that sends us business our way will get $50.00 when sign the client signs. We also challenge you to beat our rates, if we can’t we will pay you $500.00 Cash. Has your current processor told you about the Durbin Amendment and how it can save you money on your processing rates and fees?

Due to the overwhelming replies and inquiries VMS-Washington wants to help your business out by giving you rock bottom rates for your processing.  We also can help your business by giving you great rates for unsecured business loans with an 90% approval rate for start-ups and existing businesses.  Call or email us if you want to know more.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697

VMS-Washington – Retailers Pay Higher Fees for PIN Debit Transactions

VMS-Washington – Retailers Pay Higher Fees for PIN Debit Transactions

The interchange fees charged to merchants accepting PIN-based debit transactions are now higher, on average, than before the Durbin Amendment was enacted, according to a recent Federal Reserve report. That is not exactly an unexpected development and is one that we predicted before the interchange limit was enforced, but for a first time we now have specific data to examine.
Now, it should be said that the Fed actually knew that the interchange for this type of transactions would increase after the reform took place. After all, the Fed, which the Durbin Amendment charged with determining the precise make up of the new interchange rate, had previously issued a highly-quoted report, in which the average pre-Durbin PIN debit interchange was calculated to have been lower than the proposed one. Let’s take a look at the new data and see what we can make of them.

Merchants Pay More for Accepting PIN Debit

Here is what the Fed is telling us about how the data for the fourth quarter of 2011, which began on the day the interchange reform was enacted, compare to the data for 2009:

The magnitude of the change in interchange fees from 2009 to late 2011 differs materially for signature debit and PIN debit transactions.4 The average interchange fee per signature debit transaction declined substantially (57 percent) for non-exempt issuers and more modestly (8 percent) for exempt issuers. The signature debit interchange fee as a percentage of the average transaction value declined 58 percent for non-exempt issuers and 4 percent for exempt issuers. In contrast, the average interchange fee per PIN debit transaction declined slightly (less than 1 percent) for non-exempt issuers but rose significantly (32 percent) for exempt issuers. The PIN debit interchange fee as a percentage of the average transaction value declined 5 percent for non-exempt issuers and increased 23 percent for exempt issuers.

So, on average, PIN debit is now more expensive for merchants to accept. However, the higher average is entirely caused by the increase in the fees collected by the exempt issuers (financial institutions with assets of less than $10 billion). Here is a more detailed comparison:

Source: The Federal Reserve

Of course, the fee hike is not equally spread among all merchant types. The hardest-hit are the ones selling small-ticket items.

The Gap between Signature and PIN Debit Is Closing

The new Fed Data also reveal that the gap in interchange fees charged for signature and PIN debit transactions has largely been bridged (at least among non-exempted issuers). You can see that in the table above and here is more from the Fed:

The large disparity that existed in 2009 between the average signature debit and PIN debit interchange fees has narrowed substantially. In 2009, the interchange fee per signature debit transaction was, on average, about 2.4 times that for a PIN debit transaction (2.6 times if calculated using the interchange fee as a percentage of the average transaction value). In the fourth quarter of 2011, the difference between the average signature debit and average PIN debit interchange fees received by non-exempt issuers had largely disappeared; the average interchange fee per signature debit transaction was only 2 percent higher than that for PIN debit and 13 percent higher if calculated using the interchange fee as a percentage of the average transaction value. The difference between signature debit and PIN debit interchange fees was larger for exempt issuers but still much smaller than in 2009. The average interchange fee per signature debit transaction for exempt issuers in the fourth quarter of 2011 was 66 percent higher than the average interchange fee per PIN debit transaction (and 100 percent higher if calculated using the interchange fee as a percentage of the average transaction value).

It is quite something to see just how much more the non-exempted banks are collecting in debit interchange fees.

The Takeaway

So now we have some concrete data on the Durbin Amendment’s immediate effects on the debit interchange fee averages. These are as expected. Even as the retailers are paying higher fees for accepting PIN debit transactions, their overall interchange burden has decreased rather significantly.
Unfortunately, also as expected are the effects the interchange reform has had on the overall cost of consumer banking. The issuers had to find new revenue sources to make up for the lost interchange revenue and they have. A recent NY Times report, for example, tells us that about a third of all U.S. banks still offer free checking accounts, whereas three years ago almost all of them did. Moreover, we are told, “having stepped gingerly into the waters of monthly fees with relatively modest charges, the biggest banks are beginning to increase their rates.” At the end, the issuers will manage to find ways to recoup their losses and we will all be picking up the tab.

Due to the overwhelming replies and inquiries VMS-Washington wants to help your business out by giving you rock bottom rates for your processing.  We also can help your business by giving you great rates for unsecured business loans with an 90% approval rate for start-ups and existing businesses.  Call or email us if you want to know more.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697

VMS-Washington

VMS-Washington – Debit Interchange Limit Will Raise Fees on Small-ticket Sales

VMS-Washington – Debit Interchange Limit Will Raise Fees on Small-ticket Sales

The effects of the Federal Reserve’s new interchange limit rules on the cost ofaccepting debit card payments will be much more complex than many observers realize. I wrote last week about the strong probability that one consequence of the new fee structure will be the rising cost of accepting PIN-based debit. The same fate will befall merchants accepting small-ticket transactions and this will surely not go unnoticed. One consequence you can be certain of is that issuers will do their best to steer consumers into using the “right” card at the “right” place. Let’s take a look at the dynamics.

The Current State of Debit

The Federal Reserve gives us detailed data on debit and credit card use by card type and amount. Here is the breakdown:

	<$5		$5-14.99		$15-24.99		$25+
	Number (billion)	% of Total	Number (billion)	% of Total	Number (billion)	% of Total	Number (billion)	% of Total
General Purpose Credit Card	2.1	29%	3.7	25%	2.9	30%	11.2	41%
Signature Debit	3.6	50%	7.3	49%	4.0	42%	8.4	31%
PIN Debit	1.3	17%	3.5	23%	2.6	26%	7.2	26%
Open Loop Prepaid	0.2	3%	0.4	3%	0.2	2%	0.4	2%
Total	7.2	100%	14.9	100%	9.7	100%	27.2	100%

The report notes that:

General purpose credit cards and, particularly, signature debit use were the preferred methods for transactions below $5. Their high share of these low value transactions may indicate the success of card network rules (and promotional campaigns) to allow merchants and cardholders to forego a signature authorization for low value transactions.

Once the Fed’s interchange fee cap takes effect later this year, the card networks will have a much bigger incentive to increase the share of small-ticket transactions paid with a debit card. Here is why.

Why the Interchange Fee Structure Matters

The new rule states that issuers can charge no more than $0.21 per transaction plus 0.05% of the sale’s amount and can charge an additional $0.01 per transaction for fraud prevention measures they have implemented.
In order to make sense of what the new pricing means, we will have to look at how it compares to the (still) current fee structure. As there are many different debit interchange rates, I will only take one that applies to small-ticket Visa debit transactions (and the one that incidentally is of interest here) – the Visa CPS / Small Ticket, Debit – which right now is at 1.55% + $0.04. The table below shows how the two pricing structures compare for amounts of $5, $10, $15, $20 and $25.

InterchangeStructures	Transaction Amount
	$5	$10	$15	$20	$25
Old Interchange1.55% + $0.04	$0.1175	$0.195	$0.2725	$0.35	$0.4275
New Interchange0.05% + $0.22	$0.2225	$0.225	$0.2275	$0.23	$0.2325

As you see, under the new structure the interchange fee amount grows very slowly as the sales amount increases, which makes small-ticket transactions much more profitable for issuers on a per-dollar basis. This is due to the much higher weight the per-transaction fee carries in the new interchange arrangement. Crucially, it also means that the new pricing structure will allow issuers to make more money from debit transactions in amounts of up to $11 or so than they currently do. Moreover, as the credit card interchange fees are unaffected by the new rules, bigger-ticket transactions will be much more profitable for issuers if made with a credit card than with a debit card and the difference will only grow with the sales amount.

The Takeaway

So issuers will have a very strong incentive to steer consumers into using debit cards for small-ticket transactions and credit cards – for everything above $11 or so. Exactly how they will do that I don’t know but that they will try I have no doubt.
The other side of the coin is that merchants selling small-ticket items will end up paying higher fees for debit transactions than they currently do.

Due to the overwhelming replies and inquiries VMS-Washington wants to help your business out by giving you rock bottom rates for your processing.  We also can help your business by giving you great rates for unsecured business loans with an 90% approval rate for start-ups and existing businesses.  Call or email us if you want to know more.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697

VMS-Washington

VMS-Washington – FD-55 Credit Card Terminal

VMS-Washington – FD-55 Credit Card Terminal

First Data has come out with a replacement for their FD-50ti with a new and improved FD-55 which is far better than the FD-50ti.  This is the easiest machine to program, work with and is very reliable for your business use.  Here’s some information on the new FD-55.

First Data™ FD55 Terminal

The Challenge

As new payment methods continue to emerge, customers want full flexibility, speedy transactions
and protection from fraud when paying for purchases. Further, with limited counter space, merchants 

need a compact terminal that can handle everything—credit, debit, gift cards, checks, electronic

benefits transfer and even loyalty programs. Despite the complexities, cost-conscious merchants

operating in this difficult economy are looking for affordable solutions to their point-of-sale needs.

The Solution

The First Data™ FD55 terminal is an economical point-of-sale terminal that enables merchants to
accept virtually every payment option—PIN-secured* and signature debit, Visa®, MasterCard®,

American Express®, Discover®, Diners Club International® and JCB®, plus EBT

(electronic benefits transfer)*, First Data gift and loyalty cards.This space-saving device is compatible

with many standard peripheral devices, including the FD-10 PIN pad, PP1000SE and PP1000SE with 

contactless capabilities. With the addition of optional equipment, the FD55 terminal can also accept paper
or electronic checks. The FD55 terminal has the latest fraud detection and prevention technologie

built right in to keep your customers safe and your business compliant with industry guidelines.  First

Data’s new TransArmor® solution offers a layer of protection previously unavailable anywhere

on the market. This innovation combines encryption with tokenization, which completely removes

card information from your environment so it cannot be used for fraud.

Here’s How it Works

If you choose to connect via your existing Broadband Internet service, our Datawire Secure Transport
solution provides speed and security, and may even save you money over dial-up or other options.
Optional dial backup is also supported in the event that Internet connectivity is temporarily unavailable
(analog phone line required). At a speed of 18 lines per second, the device’s built-in printer powers

through text for fast checkouts. It’s built for jam-free operation, and it’s a snap to reload—just open the

cover and drop in the standard-sized paper roll. Installation is simple, taking just minutes per terminal. 

Operating the FD55 terminal is just as effortless, with intuitive buttons to guide you as customers offer
different methods of payment. No matter what the lighting situation is in your workplace, the large, bright
display makes the device easy to read.

Benefits

For Your Business

• Accept all payment options (credit, debit*, gift, EBT, loyalty, check)
• Save counter space
• Keep equipment costs low
• Simplify compliance with payment card industry regulations
• Fast downloads via Internet protocol (IP) with dial-up backup
• Easy, intuitive installation and operation
• Expands with your needs

For Your Customers 

• Lets them choose the payment method they prefer
• Fast transactions shorten wait times
• The First Data™ TransArmor® solution keeps them safe from fraud

Industries Served

• Retailers
• Convenience Stores
• Mail order/telephone order
• Restaurants
• Quick-service restaurants

Features

• Connectivity—IP with dial-up backup
• Sturdy, compact construction (3.6” wide, 2.9” high, 8.4” long)
• Compatibility—First Data FD-10 PIN pad, VeriFone PINPad 1000SE and VeriFone PINPad 1000SE with contactless reader
• Security—Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption;
• MasterCard PTS-certified; CVV2/CVC2/CID verification for card-not-present situations
• LCD display—128 X 64
• Thermal Receipt Printer—18 lines per second,
• virtually jam-free, standard paper
• ARM11, 32-bit CPU core, 400 MHz
• Three-track magnetic stripe reader
• 16-button keypad
• Memory—128MB Flash/32MB SDRAM
• One USB port
• Large batch capacity
• Dynamic Currency Conversion for merchants serving international customers
• Options—Electronic commerce indicator, recurring payments for credit Payment Solutions for Maximum Performance

Payment Solutions for Maximum Performance

Around the world every day, First Data makes payment transactions secure, fast and easy for merchants, financial
institutions and their customers. We leverage our unparalleled product portfolio and expertise to deliver
processing solutions that drive customer revenue and profitability. Whether the payment is by debit or credit,
gift card, check or mobile phone, online or at the point of sale, VMS-Washington helps you maximize value for your business.
For more information, contact your Sales Representative or visit www.vms-washington.com

Thank you,

VMS-Washington

www.vms-washington.com
washington@valuedmerchants.com
1.800.531.8575 x697

 

VMS-Washington – FD-55 Credit Card Terminal

VMS-Washington Can Integrate With DinerWare

VMS-Washington Can Integrate With DinerWare

Do you know that VMS-Washington can integrate with DinerWare for your business so you can get the best rates possible?  DinerWare can easily change your processors by just calling the customer service and letting them know who your new processor is and its very easy to take care of.  VMS-Washington will do all the leg work and from there you’ll have great rates, low fees and excellent customer service from an A-rated company that will take care of all your business needs and promote your business for free.  VMS-Washington can save your business 20-60% off your current processor with our office average savings of 46.52%.  We cut out the middle man (Banks, Costco, etc) which saves you money and puts money back into your business.  If we cannot beat your current processor we will give you $500.00 cash.  Due to the overwhelming calls and replies we are offering Interchange plus pricing at rock bottom rates.  Contact us now for more information.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697

Has your current processor told you about the Durbin Amendment and how it can save you money on your processing rates and fees?

http://www.vms-washington.com

VMS-Washington Savings of 43.04%

VMS-Washington saved Charlies Flame Broiled 43.04%. We can beat anyone out there 20-60% off their current provider with average savings of 46.52%. Valued Merchant Services offers a free cost analysis to compare your current provider to us. In addition, anyone that sends us business our way will get $50.00 when sign the client signs. We also challenge you to beat our rates, if we can’t we will pay you $500.00 Cash. Has your current processor told you about the Durbin Amendment and how it can save you money on your processing rates and fees?

Due to the overwhelming replies and inquiries VMS-Washington wants to help your business out by giving you rock bottom rates for your processing.  We also can help your business by giving you great rates for unsecured business loans with an 90% approval rate for start-ups and existing businesses.  Call or email us if you want to know more.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697

VMS-Washington: Savings of 33.15%

VMS-Washington saved Law Office of Anna G 33.15%. We can beat anyone out there 20-60% off their current provider with average savings of 46.02%. Valued Merchant Services offers a free cost analysis to compare your current provider to us. In addition, anyone that sends us business our way will get $50.00 when sign the client signs. We also challenge you to beat our rates, if we can’t we will pay you $250.00 Cash. Has your current processor told you about the Durbin Amendment and how it can save you money on your processing rates and fees?

Due to the overwhelming replies and inquiries VMS-Washington wants to help your business out by giving you rock bottom rates for your processing.  We also can help your business by giving you great rates for unsecured business loans with an 90% approval rate for start-ups and existing businesses.  Call or email us if you want to know more.

Michael Roberts

VMS-Washignton
www.vms-washington.com
washignton@valuedmerchants.com
(800) 531.8575 ext. 697