Merchant accounts FAQ

What is a Merchant Account?

A merchant account is a special bank account that enables your business to accept payment by credit card. Credit card payments can only be processed through a merchant account. You must have a merchant account in order to be able to accept credit cards.

What is a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway links your buy page (i.e., the page on your web site where your customers enter their credit card information) to the credit card associations and to your merchant account. Within seconds, the gateway obtains authorization for payment from the credit card associations. The gateway also handles the transfer of funds into your merchant account. Total Merchant Services offers several Internet Gateway products including Authorize.Net and VeriSign Payment Systems, two of the industry's most widely used and reliable Gateways.

How Do I Apply for Merchant Account and Payment Gateway Services?

Simply complete the online application at

What Credit Cards will I be able to Accept?

We are currently able to process Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit card transactions. Online check services are also available.

What is a Discount Rate?

The discount rate is the processing fee associated with your merchant account. It is a percentage of your gross sales.

What is a Per Transaction Fee?

The per transaction fee is a nominal amount charged on each transaction, which is associated with the processing of each transaction through the payment gateway and the merchant account.

What is a Charge back?

A charge back occurs when a cardholder informs the credit card company that the charge was not authorized, or that goods were not delivered as promised. Total Merchant Services merchants are protected as far as possible against the former instance by means of our payment gateway's state-of-the-art fraud screening capabilities. If a customer alleges the goods or services paid for were not delivered, the merchant has 7 days to produce evidence that the goods were received or that the cardholder's account was credited.

Do I need to have SSL on my web site?

No. In order to ensure that your customers are protected when they enter their credit card information onto your buy page, Total Merchant Services Gateway packages utilize and provide Secure Socket Layers (SSL) to encrypt sensitive personal information, including credit card numbers, when transmitted to the payment gateway.

How often will I receive payment?

Total Merchant Services transfers funds from your merchant account into the local bank account you designate for settlement of funds on a daily basis.

What type of Equipment do I need to process credit card transactions using Total Merchant Services?

All you need is a personal computer and an Internet connection.

What is an Acquiring Bank?

The acquiring bank is the bank in which the merchant's merchant account is held, and from which funds are transferred into the merchant's local bank account daily.

How is Total Merchant Services Different from other Payment Processing Services?

Total Merchant Services provides both merchant account AND payment gateway facilities, so that there are no hidden charges. Total Merchant Services rates cover everything you need in order to get set up to accept payment by credit card online.

Total Merchant Services offers both technical and merchant account customer support. We utilize the nation's largest processors for card authorization and merchant account fund settlement.

Total Merchant Services can approve your business regardless of past personal credit. With our built-in fraud monitoring software, we are equipped to enable your business to grow securely, without unreasonable ceilings being imposed on the amounts you are able to process through your merchant account.

Our turnaround time is among the quickest in the industry. Apply today and accept credit cards tomorrow. You will be able to use your merchant account directly with the IQuest hosting packages, a web-based easy to use e-commerce solution.

What if I have any questions?

The sign-up form is a simple step-by-step process, but if you have any questions please contact us by e-mail or call 877-456-8956. (Be sure to mention that you are a IQuest Hosting customer so that they quote you the special discounted rates)