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Frequently
Asked Questions:
Before
you have a Merchant Account
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Can't
find an answer to your question?
Email us at info@ascpcellcharge.com
What
is a Merchant Account?
A merchant account allows a business to accept credit cards
as payment from customers. The account captures funds from
the card holder’s processing bank and deposits the money
into the business owner’s checking account. ASCP Cell
Charge uses a unique phone system that allows businesses to
key credit card information into their existing phone to receive
instant card approval and have the corresponding funds deposited
into their existing checking account. For more information,
please review “Credit Cards 101” under Merchant
Protection.
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What makes ASCP Cell
Charge different?
Like other providers, ASCP Cell Charge lets you accept credit
cards and have the funds deposited in your bank account automatically.
Unlike the others, you don’t need a “swipe”
terminal or any computer software to use ASCP Cell Charge.
An existing telephone or cell phone is all you need to make
transactions with us. ASCP Cell Charge is also unique in that
it does not require any length of contract to process. You
can cancel anytime you wish, and at no cost to you. Our fees
are simple to understand, so you always know what you are
being charged to use the service. Our easy application is
simple and fast, we can have you accepting credit cards in
24 hours.
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What do I get?
ASCP Cell Charge Merchants receive the following in conjunction
with setting up your account:
- Access to your
Cell Charge account reports online
- Access to our
customer service to answer any questions you have about
your account
- The ability
to take credit cards and receive instant transaction approval
over any phone, anywhere, anytime
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How do I use
ASCP Cell Charge to make a transaction?
- Dial our toll
free number (866) 750-0270
from any telephone or cell
- Use the keypad
to enter the pertinent credit card data and transaction
amount
- The system
will tell you if the charge is accepted or declined
- Approved transaction
funds are deposited to your bank in approximately 3 business
days
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How much does it cost?
ASCP Cell Charge has eliminated all of the normal fees associated
with credit card processing to bring you a low, bundled rate
that includes virtually all of your costs. ASCP Cell Charge
has a one time set up fee of $79 and $8.99 a month until you
cancel. You can cancel at any time at no cost. The cost to
use the service is 3.79% of each transaction. There are no
other fees or hidden charges with ASCP Cell Charge. See our
savings chart below to see how much we can save you!
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How will I save
money using ASCP Cell Charge?
Thousands of our ASCP Cell Charge Merchants have saved hundreds
of dollars each with Cell Charge as their processor. Our average
merchant saves more than $600 every year using ASCP Cell Charge.
Check for yourself:
| Fees
and charges |
ASCPCell
Charge |
Competitor |
| Monthly
Terminal Lease Cost |
None |
$29.99 |
| Discount
Rate |
3.79%
|
2.20% |
| Transaction
Fee |
None |
$0.25 |
| Monthly
Minimum |
None
|
$25.00
|
| Monthly
Access/ Statement Fee |
$8.99 |
$10.00 |
| Mobile
Ability |
Yes
|
No |
| Length
of Contract |
None
|
2-5
Years |
| Cancellation
Fee |
None
|
$250.00
|
| Compare
20 transactions at $50 each per month |
ASCPCell
Charge |
Competitor |
| #
of Transactions per Month |
20
|
20 |
| Average
Ticket Amount |
$50.00 |
$50.00
|
| Total
Processing Cost Per Month |
$46.89 |
$69.99 |
| Monthly
Savings |
$23.10 |
|
| Annual
Savings |
$277.20 |
|
| Savings
% |
33% |
|
The “Compare
20 transactions” is an example. Try entering your own
numbers by clicking this pop-up.
If you have a pop-up blocker, please set it to allow this
pop-up
You want
the Lowest Total Bill - Not the Lowest Rate
Confused by all the rates and fees that other companies charge
for handling credit cards? There are set up fees, statement
fees, transaction fees, access fees, customer service fees,
and so many others that it's difficult to have a clear picture
of what you are being charged. You can never figure out who
is better, and who has the lowest cost. You look just at the
discount rate and sign a contract hoping for the best. Then,
you find out that the quoted rate isn't your only cost, but
you are trapped in a two-year contract. Just ask your business
friends!
When is
3.79% lower than 2.45%?
Answer: When you add all the processing fees together. The
result with ASCP Cell Charge is a lower overall monthly cost
for the transactions processed. The one-rate plan for our
ASCP massage therapists is simple to understand. 3.79% per
transaction, plus a low $8.99 monthly access fee - that's
it! There are no transaction fees, statement fees, minimums,
lease fees, or termination fees.
Do you
want a low rate or a low total bill?
It turns out that the ASCP Cell Charge plan is much lower
overall than those so called low rate plans. These "low
rate" plans only cost less when you start processing
upwards of nine thousand dollars every month. The real cost
of a merchant account is the total amount that you spend to
process transactions, not merely the rate that is quoted.
No expensive
equipment to buy - Simply use your existing phone to process
credit cards
ASCP Cell Charge uses a telephone to process all of your transactions.
This is great news for those small businesses that don't process
huge volumes of credit card transactions each month. The ASCP
Cell Charge Program eliminates the high up front/on-going
costs for purchasing a swiping terminal that can amount to
$500-$2,000; or a lease that may run $40-$60 per month for
4-5 YEARS. In addition, you will not need to add another dedicated
phone line which can run as much as $33/month for the swiping
terminal to work. You would need to process $9,100 per month
to make any of these programs worthwhile. Avoid these costs
and the commitment to a long term contract and equipment lease
by choosing ASCP Cell Charge instead. With the ASCP Cell Charge
Package, Members get everything they need to begin accepting
credit cards.
No long-term
contract
Other credit card processors enter you into a long-term contract.
These contracts come in two forms: First, all other companies
require a 3-5 year lease for the expensive equipment plus
hefty monthly fees. These payments must be made no matter
what you process that month, and are typically at $40-$60/month.
Second, other companies require a service contract with a
lot more fees that are automatically renewed every year. There
is a small window to cancel, but a big penalty if you miss
it. This is designed to make even unhappy customers continue
to pay. ASCP Cell Charge has NONE of these!
Simplicity
- A single rate
Our system has no hidden charges for mid-rates and special
processing. Our rates do not vary; we charge all merchants
the same 3.79% and $8.99 per month.
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What
information do I need to properly fill out the Merchant Account
application?
On our secure website, ASCP Cell Charge provides a simple
online application that requires just enough information for
ASCP Cell Charge to process your credit card transactions
and put the proceeds in your bank.
The information you provide is sent over an encrypted secure
network and will not be sold or shared with anyone other than
the institutions necessary to process transactions.
Please have the following information available in order to
complete your application for your ASCP Cell Charge merchant
account:
- Drivers License
- Drivers License
Number
- State of Issuance
- Expiration
date
- Social Security
Number
- Information
about your bank account where your settlement funds will
be deposited
- Bank name
- Account name
- Routing number
(first group of numbers on the bottom left of the check)
- Account number
(usually follow the routing number, between quotation marks)
If you have questions please contact our customer service
agents at (866)
SELL BY CELL (866 735-5292).
Once you have
sent the application form to us, our customer service department
will contact you to finalize your account.
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What
if I try it and don’t like it?
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your ASCP Cell
Charge service at any time, simply call us toll free at (866)
SELL BY CELL (866) 735-5292 and your account will be
immediately closed.
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Can
I change my merchant pin?
Yes, you can change your pin. The person on the account must
call Customer Service at (866) 750-0271.
Please have three optional 6 digit numbers you would like
to use. Customer Service will process the request and give
instructions for proceeding. There may be a small administrative
fee for making the change.
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Can
I raise my Monthly processing limit?
Processing limits are set in accordance with our bank’s
credit criteria and your membership in the ASCP. Merchants
can contact Customer Service with their request for an increase
of their processing limits. Based on information in our system,
Customer Service will take the request and advise the merchant
of the procedure in their special instance. Do not accept
more in charges in any given 30-day period than you are allotted
by ASCPCell Charge. If you foresee a month with excessive
charges, contact the risk department at (866)
209-4442 prior to reaching your 30 day limit to discuss
possible solutions. If you do not know what your processing
limits are, call customer service at (866)
750-0271, listen for the proper prompt, and enter your
PIN number.
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Can
I raise my approved highest ticket?
Highest ticket limits are set in accordance with our bank’s
credit criteria and your membership in the ASCP. Merchants
can contact Customer Service with their request for an increase
of their high ticket limit. Based on information in our system,
Customer Service will take the request and advise the merchant
of the procedure in their special instance. Do not accept
charges for more than your current high ticket allowance.
If you have a higher ticket than your present limit and would
like to find out if you can process it, call risk at (866)
209-4442. If you do not know what your processing limits
are, call customer service at (866)
750-0271, listen for the proper prompt, and enter your
PIN number.
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How
do I get more Credit Card slips?
Merchants can call (866) SELL BY CELL
(866 735-5292) or email supplies@ascpcellcharge.com
and request additional sales slips. Sales slips are mailed
out the day after the request. Merchants must allow enough
time for delivery, usually 3 business days. Expedited orders
are sent only with the merchant paying an additional “rush”
shipping fee. To expedite your supply order request, please
utilize our imprinter and supplies order form at www.ascpcellcharge.com/form.htm
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Where
is my Welcome Package?
Welcome kits are mailed the day after the merchant account
is approved. They include 5 sales drafts, a copy of the Terms
and Conditions, an instruction card on how to make transactions,
and a supply order form. If you have not received your Welcome
Kit within 5 days of that date, contact Customer Service and
tell them you still do not have your Welcome Kit. We will
need to verify your mailing address.
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What
if I forget my PIN?
You can obtain you Merchant PIN by calling (866)
750-0269. Listen for the proper prompt and enter your
social security number. Please note, you must enter the Social
Security number for the primary owner that is listed on the
application.
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What
is my settlement fee?
Your settlement fee is the discount rate you agreed to on
your merchant application. For all ASCP members, its 3.79%
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How do I get
a copy of my Terms and Conditions?
A copy of your Terms and Conditions is included in your Welcome
Kit. Applications are processed via mail, fax, and phone.
You may also view the Terms and Conditions from this web site.
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How do I cancel
my service?
Please call (866) 750-0271 or
email customerservice@ascpcellcharge.com
with your request. Only the person who opened the account
may request the account be closed.
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If I have another location,
do I need a separate account?
Credit card processing rules state that each location must
have their own merchant account. Different types of business
and difference locations are two reasons for having separate
accounts.
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My
money is not in my account yet, what do I do?
Funds are sent via the ACH System (Automated Clearing House)
and all merchants are required to have a checking account
that accepts ach. Funds are net deposited minus fees for each
day's batch total for Visa and MasterCard. American Express,
Discover, and Checks are the same but the funds are sent by
those entities to your account. Below is a chart showing when
you can expect your funds. It is always the responsibility
of the owner of the checking account to verify funds are deposited
and can be used before writing checks against those funds
| Transaction
Day |
Payment
Available Day |
| Monday |
Thursday |
| Tuesday |
Friday |
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday |
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday |
| Saturday |
Wednesday |
| Sunday |
Wednesday |
.
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How do I change my
checking account information?
Checking account changes must be in writing from the owner
of record. Please fax the request with a copy of a voided
check and front page of the corresponding bank statement to
(866) 209-4446. Please allow 7 days for any changes
to take affect. In the meantime, do not close your previous
account in case transactions and deposits are in process.
Any recent charges will not be able to be changed, but will
continue to go to the old account.
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Can I charge my own
credit card?
A test transaction of between $2.00 and $5.00 is recommended
in order to verify that your account is working properly.
Any merchant that charges their own card for more than $5.00
faces fines and termination of their merchant account. Credit
card processing rules are very strict and a test transaction
is the only exception, as charging the merchant's own card
is considered circumventing the cash advance laws by Visa
and MasterCard. If you have a question about a test transaction
or the subsequent deposit, call customer service at (866)
750-0271.
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What is the
credit card’s CVV2 number?
This is the 3
digit security code located on the back of the card on
the signature panel. Note: This applies to all Visa, MasterCard,
and Discover cards. For an American Express card, the CVV2
number is a four digit number located on the front of the
card.
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