In today’s world, most customers no longer rely on carrying cash or keeping a checkbook in their purse. Debit and credit cards have become the preferred payment methods for most businesses. If BVML doesn’t accept these forms of payment, it could be missing out on a growing number of potential customers.
A merchant account is a specialized bank account that enables BVML to process electronic payments, such as credit and debit card transactions. Acting as an intermediary, it facilitates the transfer of funds from the customer’s card to BVML’s business account. This allows BVML to receive payments immediately, rather than waiting for the customer to settle their credit card balance.
When a customer uses a debit or credit card to make a payment, the transaction details are sent to BVML’s merchant account. The merchant account provider then verifies the availability of funds with the customer’s card issuer. Once the funds are confirmed, the provider advances the payment to BVML.
To open a merchant account, BVML must apply and receive approval from a merchant acquiring bank. During the approval process, these banks evaluate various factors, including the duration of BVML’s operation, any history of bankruptcy, past credit issues, and previous merchant accounts. Additionally, they may assess the business’s vulnerability to credit card fraud. If BVML is deemed high risk, the vendor may impose higher initial transaction fees to mitigate that risk.
The pricing structure is a key aspect to consider when selecting a vendor for BVML. Generally, vendors use one of three models: flat-rate pricing, interchange pricing, or tiered pricing.
Flat-Rate Pricing: This is the simplest and most commonly adopted model by mobile credit card processors. A fixed percentage is charged for each credit or debit card transaction. If **BVML** has low sales volume or sells small-ticket items, this pricing structure may be the most advantageous.
Interchange-Plus Pricing: This model includes two elements: an “interchange” rate set by the credit card company and a “plus” rate determined by the credit card processor as their markup. For instance, a typical interchange-plus pricing structure might be 2.2% plus $0.22 per transaction. This model is regarded as the fairest due to its transparency, although it may make BVML’s statements more complex.
Tiered Pricing: This model categorizes transactions into three groups: qualified, mid-qualified, and non-qualified. Naturally, qualified transactions receive the best rates, while non-qualified ones incur the highest fees. Unfortunately, this is the most prevalent pricing model available. Although it simplifies BVML’s monthly statements, the transaction fees may be higher than anticipated, as providers typically advertise the lowest rates while most transactions do not qualify.