Credit Card Processing On The Internet
By Ted Roxan
So you have finally finished your e-commerce web site, hired
the best web publisher, added all the bells and whistles,
outstanding graphics, and great merchandise. Now, how does your
prospective customer pay you for your products? Clearly, it is
necessary for your site to accept, and process credit card
payments, in real time. Failure to do so, would result in a
failing enterprise.
Before you can begin the application process, there are several
standards that all credit card processors have set. Follow this
checklist and you will save yourself a significant amount of
time, and aggravation.
1) The checkout, and transaction pages must be secure. This
protects the customer from credit card, or identity fraud,
which has become epidemic. You achieve this “security” by
installing a secure socket layer certificate, or SSL. SSL
encrypts information being entered on your site as it is sent
across the Internet, so hackers are unable to steal the
transmitted information. This Certificate has become very
common, and any web host would be able to assist you.
2) A robust Shopping Cart software that utilizes the highest
degree of security, and is compatible with the credit card
processor. This program must be able to receive, and process
orders. Collect personal data, and securely transmit the credit
card data from software to the credit card processor. Most
importantly, the software should provide the building blocks
for a complete, successful customer experience.
3) Your server must have a firewall, especially if you plan on
storing the credit card information on your server. Basically,
a firewall is a combination of software, and hardware, that
inspects incoming data, and filters unwanted, or potentially
destructive packets of information. This firewall will not
allow hackers to enter your server, and steal sensitive
information.
When all these conditions have been met, you are ready to
contact your bank to open a credit card merchant’s account.
Once your account is opened, your bank will suggest a credit
card Gateway. A credit card Gateway receives the customer’s
credit card information from your web site, approves or
declines the charge, and ultimately transmits money to your
bank.
Although the process appears to be very complicated, it is
quite straightforward when you know what you are doing. Plan
ahead, avoid frustration, and provide your customers with an
easy, secure experience that will make them come back for more.
About the Author: Ted Roxan is a contributing editor of
Internet Credit Card Processing Resource. For more details on
Internet merchant accounts and Credit Card processors go to:
http://myinternet-credit-card-processing.com/
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Getting A Credit Card Is A Big Responsibility
By Connie Gutchrif
Owning a credit card can be quite an advantage. Whether making
online purchases, booking an air ticket or a hotel room on the
phone or simply being in need of some emergency cash, having a
credit card can be a big help. However, getting a credit card
is also a huge responsibility and if you don't keep an eye on
your spending habits, credit cards can create some serious
problems. Here is an excellent list of tips on proper credit
card use and if you follow these, you will likely stay out of
trouble and your credit card will be a blessing instead of a
curse:
1. When you make a purchase with the credit card, it is akin to
taking a loan from your bank. What you have borrowed has to be
returned - so do not borrow beyond your capacity to pay it
back.
2. Always be aware of your outstanding credit card balances.
This will help you determine whether you can make additional
purchases. Even small purchases can really add up to big
balances and substantial interest charges.
3.Any credit card receipts should be kept until you can compare
them to your monthly statement. If you find any purchases you
did not make, or higher charges than those on the receipt,
contact your credit card company immediately.
4. Never give out your credit card to anyone! This includes
people in your family and any of your friends. It is not that
you cannot trust these individuals, but you cannot track
purchases you are not even making.
5. Never charge more than you can repay. When you do, you can
hurt your future chances of getting any kind of credit,
including car loans, home mortgages and other forms of loans.
6. Pay your credit card bills on time or even before they are
due. Doing so will not only help improve your credit scores,
but also help avoid additional costs associated with late
payment charges and accrued interest.
7.Try to pay all your credit card bills in full each and every
month. Have payments of a certain amount in your budget and try
not to purchase more than that amount.
8. Use your credit cards for new purchases only. Too many
people use one credit card to pay another credit card bill and
that always leads to more spending and higher balances.
About the Author: Connie Gutchrif is the President of FN
Credit, LLC - An excellent resource for information on credit.
To learn more, be sure to visit: http://www.fncredit.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Connie Gutchrif
Owning a credit card can be quite an advantage. Whether making
online purchases, booking an air ticket or a hotel room on the
phone or simply being in need of some emergency cash, having a
credit card can be a big help. However, getting a credit card
is also a huge responsibility and if you don't keep an eye on
your spending habits, credit cards can create some serious
problems. Here is an excellent list of tips on proper credit
card use and if you follow these, you will likely stay out of
trouble and your credit card will be a blessing instead of a
curse:
1. When you make a purchase with the credit card, it is akin to
taking a loan from your bank. What you have borrowed has to be
returned - so do not borrow beyond your capacity to pay it
back.
2. Always be aware of your outstanding credit card balances.
This will help you determine whether you can make additional
purchases. Even small purchases can really add up to big
balances and substantial interest charges.
3.Any credit card receipts should be kept until you can compare
them to your monthly statement. If you find any purchases you
did not make, or higher charges than those on the receipt,
contact your credit card company immediately.
4. Never give out your credit card to anyone! This includes
people in your family and any of your friends. It is not that
you cannot trust these individuals, but you cannot track
purchases you are not even making.
5. Never charge more than you can repay. When you do, you can
hurt your future chances of getting any kind of credit,
including car loans, home mortgages and other forms of loans.
6. Pay your credit card bills on time or even before they are
due. Doing so will not only help improve your credit scores,
but also help avoid additional costs associated with late
payment charges and accrued interest.
7.Try to pay all your credit card bills in full each and every
month. Have payments of a certain amount in your budget and try
not to purchase more than that amount.
8. Use your credit cards for new purchases only. Too many
people use one credit card to pay another credit card bill and
that always leads to more spending and higher balances.
About the Author: Connie Gutchrif is the President of FN
Credit, LLC - An excellent resource for information on credit.
To learn more, be sure to visit: http://www.fncredit.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Friday, April 27, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Low Cost Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Low Cost Credit Card Processing
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
By Thomas Morva
Low cost and efficient credit card processing is very important to the success of any online or offline business. Low cost credit card processing involves a cheaper means to accept credit card numbers, apply them to the merchant's account, and obtain payment from the creditor for the amount. A business?s success or failure depends on whether or not it accepts credit card orders.
Low cost credit card processing is indispensable to raise the profitability of your business. Many people waste considerable amounts of money on extravagant processing. Often, processing statements are so difficult to read that it is virtually impossible to estimate how much money you are actually paying. Low cost credit card processing helps you run a more successful business operation.
In the United States, the cost of credit card processing is about $10 to $20 (per month) in flat fees, plus a small percentage of your sales, known as a discount rate. The discount rate is as low as 1.69% for an offline business, while discount rate for mail order and online merchants is about 2.19%. Using a low cost credit card processing technique, the transaction fee averages only about 25 cents for all merchants.
Low cost credit card processing falls into three types. The first is using a virtual terminal that allows manual addition of mail. The second employs a simple integration technique that connects your website directly to the credit card and bank system. The third type uses an advanced mechanism for custom-linking your system to other more composite systems using a transaction gateway server.
Lots of card processing companies offer you reliable, low cost and comprehensive credit card processing. A reliable low cost credit card processing service uses modern encryption technology to ensure security.
Credit Card Processing provides detailed information on Credit Card Processing, Online Credit Card Processing, Credit Card Processing Software, Wireless Credit Card Processing and more. Credit Card Processing is affiliated with Wireless Credit Card Terminals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Morva
http://EzineArticles.com/?Low-Cost-Credit-Card-Processing&id=353157
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Business Credit Card Processing - The Benifits
By Shane Penrod
In developing a personal, home-based, or small community
business, you may find that it will grow to the point that
informal transactions are no longer advisable – this is where
business credit card processing comes into the picture. You
will need to upgrade your operational methods in order to
provide customers with the highest quality of doing business
with your company, which will undoubtedly include the benefits
of business credit card processing.
Some merchants prefer to keep accounts on a cash-only basis.
They believe that money transactions can be handled more
quickly and accurately than business credit card processing.
However, what they do not take into account is the amount of
manual labor and the potential for human error that typically
accompany cash transactions. That is why, as your business
grows, it may be time to invest in a credit card processing
system.
Inexpensive and easy to operate, a business credit card
processing program will attract customers who enjoy the ease of
doing business with your organization. They will not need to
bring in the right amount of cash or worry about overspending.
Instead, they can shop for your products and services with an
easy mind, knowing that you will provide the convenience of a
credit card payment system. Whether you sell used books or
handmade baby clothes, a credit card payment option generally
attracts more clients who are willing to spend more than the
person who operates on a cash basis.
Wherever your business is headed, the going may be slow unless
you decide to grow your operation with business credit card
processing. Low monthly or per-transaction fees make this
equipment upgrade very affordable, even to merchants who are
still building a relatively small business. For example, some
companies require a small monthly gateway fee of perhaps $20 to
$25 or so in addition to a small rate per customer credit card
transaction. You may have the choice of paying perhaps 1.5% or
1.75% or 15 to 25 cents for each swipe of the card. Some
companies don’t even charge installation fees. A simply monthly
statement reflects the amount of business your new system is
bringing to the company. If after a few months you feel the
program doesn’t work well for your operation, you can always
stop using it and go back to the old way of doing things.
You can set up a retail credit card processing program using a
swiped card method of processing payments. Or you can use MOTO
for mainstream commerce. There is even an e-commerce option
when you are ready for the next step. Most systems are
compatible with numerous quality banking platforms for safe,
easy processing. It is important to work with a credit card
processing company that you can trust. Find one with a solid
reputation for quality business dealings. Get in touch with
staff members to ask questions and learn more about the
equipment, service and maintenance, as well as possible
benefits and problems with a credit card processor. Only then
should you consider signing a contract for the valuable and
exciting services provided by a business credit card processing
program.
About the Author: Shane Penrod is the founder of
Merchant-Account-Quotes.com Specializing in allowing merchants
the ability to shop and compare multiple quotes from national
merchant account providers. For free quotes on merchant account
rates and fees, please go to
http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
By Shane Penrod
In developing a personal, home-based, or small community
business, you may find that it will grow to the point that
informal transactions are no longer advisable – this is where
business credit card processing comes into the picture. You
will need to upgrade your operational methods in order to
provide customers with the highest quality of doing business
with your company, which will undoubtedly include the benefits
of business credit card processing.
Some merchants prefer to keep accounts on a cash-only basis.
They believe that money transactions can be handled more
quickly and accurately than business credit card processing.
However, what they do not take into account is the amount of
manual labor and the potential for human error that typically
accompany cash transactions. That is why, as your business
grows, it may be time to invest in a credit card processing
system.
Inexpensive and easy to operate, a business credit card
processing program will attract customers who enjoy the ease of
doing business with your organization. They will not need to
bring in the right amount of cash or worry about overspending.
Instead, they can shop for your products and services with an
easy mind, knowing that you will provide the convenience of a
credit card payment system. Whether you sell used books or
handmade baby clothes, a credit card payment option generally
attracts more clients who are willing to spend more than the
person who operates on a cash basis.
Wherever your business is headed, the going may be slow unless
you decide to grow your operation with business credit card
processing. Low monthly or per-transaction fees make this
equipment upgrade very affordable, even to merchants who are
still building a relatively small business. For example, some
companies require a small monthly gateway fee of perhaps $20 to
$25 or so in addition to a small rate per customer credit card
transaction. You may have the choice of paying perhaps 1.5% or
1.75% or 15 to 25 cents for each swipe of the card. Some
companies don’t even charge installation fees. A simply monthly
statement reflects the amount of business your new system is
bringing to the company. If after a few months you feel the
program doesn’t work well for your operation, you can always
stop using it and go back to the old way of doing things.
You can set up a retail credit card processing program using a
swiped card method of processing payments. Or you can use MOTO
for mainstream commerce. There is even an e-commerce option
when you are ready for the next step. Most systems are
compatible with numerous quality banking platforms for safe,
easy processing. It is important to work with a credit card
processing company that you can trust. Find one with a solid
reputation for quality business dealings. Get in touch with
staff members to ask questions and learn more about the
equipment, service and maintenance, as well as possible
benefits and problems with a credit card processor. Only then
should you consider signing a contract for the valuable and
exciting services provided by a business credit card processing
program.
About the Author: Shane Penrod is the founder of
Merchant-Account-Quotes.com Specializing in allowing merchants
the ability to shop and compare multiple quotes from national
merchant account providers. For free quotes on merchant account
rates and fees, please go to
http://www.merchant-account-quotes.com
Source: http://www.isnare.com
Monday, April 16, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Credit Card Processing Security Concerns
By Debbie Dragon
As an online merchant accepting credit card payments, you have numerous security issues that you must be aware of for the safety of your business and your consumers. At this time, there are two main aspects of credit card security for credit card processing, including “AVS” and “CVV”. Both allow credit card transactions to be completed anonymously over the internet, and any merchant accepting credit cards online should require both forms of information of your customers.
Address Verification Service
The “AVS”, or address verification service, is used to determine that the address provided by a customer matches the address associated with a credit card account. This helps generate confidence that the person who is entering the credit card details is the person who owns it. While the AVS is not required to process credit card transactions, when it is provided the transaction processor will send a response back with details of how much of the address provided matches the address on the credit card.
A credit card will not be denied if the address is entered wrong, it is up to the merchant to decide what to do if the address only matches partially or not at all. You can deny the sale, or require the buyer submit additional information, or give them the opportunity to correct the address information, before processing the transaction.
Card Verification Value
The “CVV”, or card verification value, sometimes referred to as the CVV-2 is a three to four digit number found on the back of American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards. It’s on the card but not on any statements, so that if an individual has found a credit card statement in the trash, they aren’t able to complete a sale that requires the CVV code for verification purposes. When a customer is able to enter the CVV code, it’s a strong indication that the customer has the credit card in hand, which increases the potential of the card belonging to the person who is attempting to use it to make a purchase online.
Most credit card fraud online occurs when a thief has found a discarded receipt or a thrown out credit card statement, but by requiring the CVV code, the merchant can eliminate that type of fraud.
If a CVV number is entered and is incorrect, the transaction will be declined by the credit card issuer.
Providing Consumers with Top Security
If you are going to accept credit cards online for payment for products or services offered through your website, it’s imperative that you provide your customers with a guarantee that you’re protecting their credit card information.
Credit card processing typically requires that the customer’s information is transferred about four times, which means there are four instances when someone could gain access to the cardholder’s details.
When a customer first sends the credit card information to you via your checkout or web based form. You are solely responsible for security as the internet merchant, at this stage in the credit card transaction process. Having a secure server and a valid security certificate with the https protocol will protect and encrypt private information you receive from customers.
You will want to be sure that the credit card transaction processing software you use for your business is secure by using a reputable processing company.
As customer information is moved in and out of a database through the transaction process, the security must be top of the line- and this is ensured by choosing a solid company that offers encrypted software for this part of the process.
Finally, when customer credit card information is viewed or handled by you or your staff, it’s important that you ensure security at this stage as well.
This article has been provided by Creditor Web. Creditor Web has the articles and other credit card processing resources to help you choose the right provider.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Dragon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Security-Concerns&id=520555
By Debbie Dragon
As an online merchant accepting credit card payments, you have numerous security issues that you must be aware of for the safety of your business and your consumers. At this time, there are two main aspects of credit card security for credit card processing, including “AVS” and “CVV”. Both allow credit card transactions to be completed anonymously over the internet, and any merchant accepting credit cards online should require both forms of information of your customers.
Address Verification Service
The “AVS”, or address verification service, is used to determine that the address provided by a customer matches the address associated with a credit card account. This helps generate confidence that the person who is entering the credit card details is the person who owns it. While the AVS is not required to process credit card transactions, when it is provided the transaction processor will send a response back with details of how much of the address provided matches the address on the credit card.
A credit card will not be denied if the address is entered wrong, it is up to the merchant to decide what to do if the address only matches partially or not at all. You can deny the sale, or require the buyer submit additional information, or give them the opportunity to correct the address information, before processing the transaction.
Card Verification Value
The “CVV”, or card verification value, sometimes referred to as the CVV-2 is a three to four digit number found on the back of American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards. It’s on the card but not on any statements, so that if an individual has found a credit card statement in the trash, they aren’t able to complete a sale that requires the CVV code for verification purposes. When a customer is able to enter the CVV code, it’s a strong indication that the customer has the credit card in hand, which increases the potential of the card belonging to the person who is attempting to use it to make a purchase online.
Most credit card fraud online occurs when a thief has found a discarded receipt or a thrown out credit card statement, but by requiring the CVV code, the merchant can eliminate that type of fraud.
If a CVV number is entered and is incorrect, the transaction will be declined by the credit card issuer.
Providing Consumers with Top Security
If you are going to accept credit cards online for payment for products or services offered through your website, it’s imperative that you provide your customers with a guarantee that you’re protecting their credit card information.
Credit card processing typically requires that the customer’s information is transferred about four times, which means there are four instances when someone could gain access to the cardholder’s details.
When a customer first sends the credit card information to you via your checkout or web based form. You are solely responsible for security as the internet merchant, at this stage in the credit card transaction process. Having a secure server and a valid security certificate with the https protocol will protect and encrypt private information you receive from customers.
You will want to be sure that the credit card transaction processing software you use for your business is secure by using a reputable processing company.
As customer information is moved in and out of a database through the transaction process, the security must be top of the line- and this is ensured by choosing a solid company that offers encrypted software for this part of the process.
Finally, when customer credit card information is viewed or handled by you or your staff, it’s important that you ensure security at this stage as well.
This article has been provided by Creditor Web. Creditor Web has the articles and other credit card processing resources to help you choose the right provider.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Dragon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Security-Concerns&id=520555
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Credit Card Processing Security Concerns
By Debbie Dragon
As an online merchant accepting credit card payments, you have numerous security issues that you must be aware of for the safety of your business and your consumers. At this time, there are two main aspects of credit card security for credit card processing, including “AVS” and “CVV”. Both allow credit card transactions to be completed anonymously over the internet, and any merchant accepting credit cards online should require both forms of information of your customers.
Address Verification Service
The “AVS”, or address verification service, is used to determine that the address provided by a customer matches the address associated with a credit card account. This helps generate confidence that the person who is entering the credit card details is the person who owns it. While the AVS is not required to process credit card transactions, when it is provided the transaction processor will send a response back with details of how much of the address provided matches the address on the credit card.
A credit card will not be denied if the address is entered wrong, it is up to the merchant to decide what to do if the address only matches partially or not at all. You can deny the sale, or require the buyer submit additional information, or give them the opportunity to correct the address information, before processing the transaction.
Card Verification Value
The “CVV”, or card verification value, sometimes referred to as the CVV-2 is a three to four digit number found on the back of American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards. It’s on the card but not on any statements, so that if an individual has found a credit card statement in the trash, they aren’t able to complete a sale that requires the CVV code for verification purposes. When a customer is able to enter the CVV code, it’s a strong indication that the customer has the credit card in hand, which increases the potential of the card belonging to the person who is attempting to use it to make a purchase online.
Most credit card fraud online occurs when a thief has found a discarded receipt or a thrown out credit card statement, but by requiring the CVV code, the merchant can eliminate that type of fraud.
If a CVV number is entered and is incorrect, the transaction will be declined by the credit card issuer.
Providing Consumers with Top Security
If you are going to accept credit cards online for payment for products or services offered through your website, it’s imperative that you provide your customers with a guarantee that you’re protecting their credit card information.
Credit card processing typically requires that the customer’s information is transferred about four times, which means there are four instances when someone could gain access to the cardholder’s details.
When a customer first sends the credit card information to you via your checkout or web based form. You are solely responsible for security as the internet merchant, at this stage in the credit card transaction process. Having a secure server and a valid security certificate with the https protocol will protect and encrypt private information you receive from customers.
You will want to be sure that the credit card transaction processing software you use for your business is secure by using a reputable processing company.
As customer information is moved in and out of a database through the transaction process, the security must be top of the line- and this is ensured by choosing a solid company that offers encrypted software for this part of the process.
Finally, when customer credit card information is viewed or handled by you or your staff, it’s important that you ensure security at this stage as well.
This article has been provided by Creditor Web. Creditor Web has the articles and other credit card processing resources to help you choose the right provider.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Dragon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Security-Concerns&id=520555
By Debbie Dragon
As an online merchant accepting credit card payments, you have numerous security issues that you must be aware of for the safety of your business and your consumers. At this time, there are two main aspects of credit card security for credit card processing, including “AVS” and “CVV”. Both allow credit card transactions to be completed anonymously over the internet, and any merchant accepting credit cards online should require both forms of information of your customers.
Address Verification Service
The “AVS”, or address verification service, is used to determine that the address provided by a customer matches the address associated with a credit card account. This helps generate confidence that the person who is entering the credit card details is the person who owns it. While the AVS is not required to process credit card transactions, when it is provided the transaction processor will send a response back with details of how much of the address provided matches the address on the credit card.
A credit card will not be denied if the address is entered wrong, it is up to the merchant to decide what to do if the address only matches partially or not at all. You can deny the sale, or require the buyer submit additional information, or give them the opportunity to correct the address information, before processing the transaction.
Card Verification Value
The “CVV”, or card verification value, sometimes referred to as the CVV-2 is a three to four digit number found on the back of American Express, MasterCard and Visa cards. It’s on the card but not on any statements, so that if an individual has found a credit card statement in the trash, they aren’t able to complete a sale that requires the CVV code for verification purposes. When a customer is able to enter the CVV code, it’s a strong indication that the customer has the credit card in hand, which increases the potential of the card belonging to the person who is attempting to use it to make a purchase online.
Most credit card fraud online occurs when a thief has found a discarded receipt or a thrown out credit card statement, but by requiring the CVV code, the merchant can eliminate that type of fraud.
If a CVV number is entered and is incorrect, the transaction will be declined by the credit card issuer.
Providing Consumers with Top Security
If you are going to accept credit cards online for payment for products or services offered through your website, it’s imperative that you provide your customers with a guarantee that you’re protecting their credit card information.
Credit card processing typically requires that the customer’s information is transferred about four times, which means there are four instances when someone could gain access to the cardholder’s details.
When a customer first sends the credit card information to you via your checkout or web based form. You are solely responsible for security as the internet merchant, at this stage in the credit card transaction process. Having a secure server and a valid security certificate with the https protocol will protect and encrypt private information you receive from customers.
You will want to be sure that the credit card transaction processing software you use for your business is secure by using a reputable processing company.
As customer information is moved in and out of a database through the transaction process, the security must be top of the line- and this is ensured by choosing a solid company that offers encrypted software for this part of the process.
Finally, when customer credit card information is viewed or handled by you or your staff, it’s important that you ensure security at this stage as well.
This article has been provided by Creditor Web. Creditor Web has the articles and other credit card processing resources to help you choose the right provider.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Dragon
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Processing-Security-Concerns&id=520555
Friday, April 13, 2007
Credit Card Processing
How to Understand Credit Card Processing
By Mario G. Churchill
Many people are aware that after they fill out a credit card application, it has to go through a few considerations on behalf of the credit card company, and that this is known as credit card processing. This process may seem to be a vague technicality for individuals who apply for a credit card, through which they will eventually learn if their application for the credit card will be approved or denied. By understanding specifically what happens during the credit card processing procedure, an individual can make sure that their information will be applied to a card that they will be more likely to get accepted when it comes to their application. If a person tries to apply for too many cards at once, they may be denied only on the basis that too many people or companies are accessing their credit file at that point in time. A person that applies to a bunch of credit cards all at once may be desperate about their financial situation and will apply for any and every credit card just to help ensure that they will be able to get some help. However, this approach may end up hurting the individual more than helping, and they may not be able to get any help from any of the credit card companies for which they apply. By understanding what is being looked at in the credit card processing state, an individual can more accurately ensure that they will be able to get a credit card by making sure that their personal information falls in line with what the credit card company is looking for in their candidates.
A credit score is a person’s rating based on the credit that they have accumulated over the years. The higher a person’s score is, the more likely they are to be considered a successful candidate for the credit card company and in return be issued a card. There are a number of things that will influence a person’s credit rating and even if a person does not know their exact credit score, they can generate a fairly accurate idea of what it would be by looking at the different things that generate the score. For example, making timely payments for other credit cards and bills will increase the rating. Missing payments will likely detract from the rating. Having more bills and credit cards and loans will make a person less likely to get another credit card, and this is especially the case when the individual has missed payments on any of these things within the last 12-24 months. There is one instance in the United States in which a person’s credit will not be affected. This is if a person misses a medical bill payment or has outstanding debt with a physician, hospital or other medical company.
The social security number will be needed as well. This is required to be valid and will be used in order to check the credit of the individual. Because of this, it is very important that the person be able to supply the correct and accurate social security number. If the name and social security number do not match up, the individual will not be able to get approved since the company will not be able to accurately research the individual.
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written many articles on various subjects. For more information on blue american express or to get a american express blue card checkout his websites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_G._Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Understand-Credit-Card-Processing&id=479143
By Mario G. Churchill
Many people are aware that after they fill out a credit card application, it has to go through a few considerations on behalf of the credit card company, and that this is known as credit card processing. This process may seem to be a vague technicality for individuals who apply for a credit card, through which they will eventually learn if their application for the credit card will be approved or denied. By understanding specifically what happens during the credit card processing procedure, an individual can make sure that their information will be applied to a card that they will be more likely to get accepted when it comes to their application. If a person tries to apply for too many cards at once, they may be denied only on the basis that too many people or companies are accessing their credit file at that point in time. A person that applies to a bunch of credit cards all at once may be desperate about their financial situation and will apply for any and every credit card just to help ensure that they will be able to get some help. However, this approach may end up hurting the individual more than helping, and they may not be able to get any help from any of the credit card companies for which they apply. By understanding what is being looked at in the credit card processing state, an individual can more accurately ensure that they will be able to get a credit card by making sure that their personal information falls in line with what the credit card company is looking for in their candidates.
A credit score is a person’s rating based on the credit that they have accumulated over the years. The higher a person’s score is, the more likely they are to be considered a successful candidate for the credit card company and in return be issued a card. There are a number of things that will influence a person’s credit rating and even if a person does not know their exact credit score, they can generate a fairly accurate idea of what it would be by looking at the different things that generate the score. For example, making timely payments for other credit cards and bills will increase the rating. Missing payments will likely detract from the rating. Having more bills and credit cards and loans will make a person less likely to get another credit card, and this is especially the case when the individual has missed payments on any of these things within the last 12-24 months. There is one instance in the United States in which a person’s credit will not be affected. This is if a person misses a medical bill payment or has outstanding debt with a physician, hospital or other medical company.
The social security number will be needed as well. This is required to be valid and will be used in order to check the credit of the individual. Because of this, it is very important that the person be able to supply the correct and accurate social security number. If the name and social security number do not match up, the individual will not be able to get approved since the company will not be able to accurately research the individual.
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written many articles on various subjects. For more information on blue american express or to get a american express blue card checkout his websites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_G._Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Understand-Credit-Card-Processing&id=479143
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Credit Card Processing
The Truth About Credit Cards For People With Bad Credit
By Max Anderson
When it comes to credit cards for people with bad credit, there are dozens to choose from. However, that doesn't mean they are all good credit cards to have. While some bad credit credit cards really do work towards improving a person's credit, others do nothing but fleece the pockets of those who need a second chance.
Here are seven things to look for when dealing with credit cards for people with bad credit.
1. Fees, Fees and More Fees
It is true that credit cards for people with bad credit almost always have an annual fee attached to them. That being said, a few of the questionable bad credit credit cards charge much more than just an annual fee.
One of the popular credit cards for people with bad credit advertises a $48 annual fee. Not bad, right? It wouldn't be -- if that's where the fees ended. Unfortunately, this card also charges a processing fee of $29, a one-time program fee of $95 and a participation fee of $6 each month.
That's a whopping total of $178 being charged to your card before you even get it in your hands. Considering most applicants only qualify for a credit limit of $250, that leaves you with an available credit line of just $72. Not exactly the credit card you were hoping for, is it?
Do yourself a favor... When dealing with credit cards for people with bad credit, make sure you understand all of the fees involved and don't just judge a card by the annual fee or the interest rate.
2. The Facts About Secured Credit Cards
When looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, there are two categories of cards you will be looking at. These categories are called secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards.
With a secured credit card, you have to secure your line of credit with a savings account. Sometimes your credit limit will be equal to your savings account and sometimes it can be more. It really depends on the specific credit card and your personal situation.
Now understand that when you place a deposit for a secured credit card, it goes into a savings account. This is much different from a prepaid credit card. A prepaid credit card will require a deposit as well, but it works more like an ATM card than a credit card and it doesn't get reported to the credit agencies.
Because people looking for credit cards for people with bad credit usually want to improve their credit rating, it's important that you find a true secured card and not a prepaid card. Otherwise, you're not doing your credit rating any good.
3. Cash Up Front Is a Con
We've discussed that credit cards for people with bad credit often charge fees. This doesn't, however, mean that it is acceptable for them to ask you to pay for these fees up front before they issue you a card.
If a credit card company wants you to send them money before they send you a credit card, run in the other direction. Nine times out of ten, it's a scam. You'll never get the card and you'll be out your hard-earned money.
4. They Want To Charge You What?
Yes, you have bad credit. No, it's not the end of the world and you don't deserve to be tortured with ridiculous interest rates.
I've seen credit cards for people with bad credit that charge more than 20 percent interest. Forget about them. Even with bad credit, you should be able to get a credit card with a decent interest rate (lower than 18 percent).
5. Rewards vs. Rates
When looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, you might be surprised to find rewards cards on the table. Yes, people with bad credit can qualify for rewards credit cards -- but you will pay a price.
Before applying for bad credit credit cards that offer rewards, remember that these credit cards usually have higher interest rates attached. Since you're working on rebuilding your credit, you may want to focus on the lower interest rate rather than the rewards aspect of the credit cards that are available.
6. Reasonable Grace Periods
Before applying for any bad credit credit cards, make sure you know what the grace periods are. Late payments may be what got you here in the first place, and if you want to get your payments in on time, you're going to need time to do it.
Many credit card companies have whittled their grace periods away to little or nothing. Credit cards for people with bad credit should offer a minimum grace period of 20 days (preferably 25). If the card you are thinking about applying for offers a grace period of less than this, you should look elsewhere for your credit card needs.
7. The Respect Factor
While respect may not be something you think about when looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, it is definitely something you need to consider. Credit card companies should treat you with respect, regardless of your credit history.
One woman I know inquired about the high fees associated with a certain credit card and was yelled at by the company's employee. She was also criticized for her credit history and was basically told she deserved to pay the high fee. This is completely unacceptable. The companies offering bad credit credit cards that treat you with anything but the utmost respect should be avoided at all costs.
Remember, bad things happen to good people. You may have credit issues now, but you won't always be in this boat. By following the above advice and applying for good credit cards for people with bad credit, you'll make your first steps towards repairing your past and building your future.
For more tips on getting the best credit cards for people with bad credit, saving money and avoiding getting taken, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Truth-About-Credit-Cards-For-People-With-Bad-Credit&id=508080
By Max Anderson
When it comes to credit cards for people with bad credit, there are dozens to choose from. However, that doesn't mean they are all good credit cards to have. While some bad credit credit cards really do work towards improving a person's credit, others do nothing but fleece the pockets of those who need a second chance.
Here are seven things to look for when dealing with credit cards for people with bad credit.
1. Fees, Fees and More Fees
It is true that credit cards for people with bad credit almost always have an annual fee attached to them. That being said, a few of the questionable bad credit credit cards charge much more than just an annual fee.
One of the popular credit cards for people with bad credit advertises a $48 annual fee. Not bad, right? It wouldn't be -- if that's where the fees ended. Unfortunately, this card also charges a processing fee of $29, a one-time program fee of $95 and a participation fee of $6 each month.
That's a whopping total of $178 being charged to your card before you even get it in your hands. Considering most applicants only qualify for a credit limit of $250, that leaves you with an available credit line of just $72. Not exactly the credit card you were hoping for, is it?
Do yourself a favor... When dealing with credit cards for people with bad credit, make sure you understand all of the fees involved and don't just judge a card by the annual fee or the interest rate.
2. The Facts About Secured Credit Cards
When looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, there are two categories of cards you will be looking at. These categories are called secured credit cards and unsecured credit cards.
With a secured credit card, you have to secure your line of credit with a savings account. Sometimes your credit limit will be equal to your savings account and sometimes it can be more. It really depends on the specific credit card and your personal situation.
Now understand that when you place a deposit for a secured credit card, it goes into a savings account. This is much different from a prepaid credit card. A prepaid credit card will require a deposit as well, but it works more like an ATM card than a credit card and it doesn't get reported to the credit agencies.
Because people looking for credit cards for people with bad credit usually want to improve their credit rating, it's important that you find a true secured card and not a prepaid card. Otherwise, you're not doing your credit rating any good.
3. Cash Up Front Is a Con
We've discussed that credit cards for people with bad credit often charge fees. This doesn't, however, mean that it is acceptable for them to ask you to pay for these fees up front before they issue you a card.
If a credit card company wants you to send them money before they send you a credit card, run in the other direction. Nine times out of ten, it's a scam. You'll never get the card and you'll be out your hard-earned money.
4. They Want To Charge You What?
Yes, you have bad credit. No, it's not the end of the world and you don't deserve to be tortured with ridiculous interest rates.
I've seen credit cards for people with bad credit that charge more than 20 percent interest. Forget about them. Even with bad credit, you should be able to get a credit card with a decent interest rate (lower than 18 percent).
5. Rewards vs. Rates
When looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, you might be surprised to find rewards cards on the table. Yes, people with bad credit can qualify for rewards credit cards -- but you will pay a price.
Before applying for bad credit credit cards that offer rewards, remember that these credit cards usually have higher interest rates attached. Since you're working on rebuilding your credit, you may want to focus on the lower interest rate rather than the rewards aspect of the credit cards that are available.
6. Reasonable Grace Periods
Before applying for any bad credit credit cards, make sure you know what the grace periods are. Late payments may be what got you here in the first place, and if you want to get your payments in on time, you're going to need time to do it.
Many credit card companies have whittled their grace periods away to little or nothing. Credit cards for people with bad credit should offer a minimum grace period of 20 days (preferably 25). If the card you are thinking about applying for offers a grace period of less than this, you should look elsewhere for your credit card needs.
7. The Respect Factor
While respect may not be something you think about when looking for credit cards for people with bad credit, it is definitely something you need to consider. Credit card companies should treat you with respect, regardless of your credit history.
One woman I know inquired about the high fees associated with a certain credit card and was yelled at by the company's employee. She was also criticized for her credit history and was basically told she deserved to pay the high fee. This is completely unacceptable. The companies offering bad credit credit cards that treat you with anything but the utmost respect should be avoided at all costs.
Remember, bad things happen to good people. You may have credit issues now, but you won't always be in this boat. By following the above advice and applying for good credit cards for people with bad credit, you'll make your first steps towards repairing your past and building your future.
For more tips on getting the best credit cards for people with bad credit, saving money and avoiding getting taken, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Truth-About-Credit-Cards-For-People-With-Bad-Credit&id=508080
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Birds Cages - How To Choose The Right One
By David Hermansen
So you're faced with the hard decision of choosing a bird cage for your bird? Well, there are multiple things to think about, but this article will discuss the 3 most important issues involved in that decision. If you abide by the guidelines discussed below, you'll find a great cage at a great price that you're truly happy with. There's a lot to think about - not just the dimensions of the cage and the spacing between the bars. However, that is a great place to start, so let us cover that first in this article.
Choosing the right size cage & also making sure the bar spacing is safe
This is the very first issue you need to consider when shopping for bird cages. You can't even look at the other details or features of a cage until you've determined it's the right size of cage and has the right bar spacing. As a general rule of thumb; the bigger the the cage is the better, as long as the bar spacing's not too wide. At our web store, we separate birds into 3 categories; small birds, medium birds, & large birds. These categories slightly overlap because some birds fit into the high end & the low end of 2 different categories. For example, Lovebirds fit into the small birds category, but they also fit into the medium birds category.
For your education, let us quickly give you the minimum dimensions & maximum bar spacing measurements for most species of birds:
Small birds (i.e. Finches, Canaries, and Parakeets) should be in a cage that is no smaller than 18"(W) x 18"(D) x 22"(H) and they should not have bar spacing that's wider than 1/2".
Slightly larger small birds (i.e. Cockatiels, Lovebirds, and smaller types of Conures) shouldn't be in a cage smaller than 20"(W) x 18"(D) x 24"(H) and they're bar spacing shouldn't be wider than 3/4".
Medium birds (i.e. most Conures, Timnehs, and smaller Amazons) should have a cage that's at least these dimensions; 22"(W) x 20"(D) x 28"(H) and should have bar spacing no wider than 1".
Large birds (i.e. Congo African Greys, most Amazons, smaller Cockatoos) should have a parrot cage that is at least 32" x 24"(D) x 30"(H) & the bar spacing should be no wider than 1".
The biggest of the big birds (i.e. large Macaws, large Cockatoos, Toucans, and Hyacinth) should be in a cage no littler than 38"(W) x 30"(D) x 48"(H) & they can get away with spacing that's up to 1-1/2" wide. Most large parrot cages feature 1" bar spacing & that is just fine.
If your species of bird isn't named above, just find a species above that's similar in size to your bird & follow the dimension & bar spacing guidelines shown.
Choosing a good quality cage & not spending more than you have to
This is another hard aspect to face. If you have owned a generic bird cage before, you know you do not want to go through that again. The majority of first time cage buyers get a very cheap, generic cage, but they usually don't make that mistake twice. Some of the top brand names around are Kings, Avian Adventures, Invision Cages, Animal Environments, California Cages, Cages By Design, Liberty Cages, Visionary Acrylic Cages, & HQ Cages. At our web store we offer what we consider to be the very best 3 brand names available, but we have heard good and bad about all of them. The reason we offer the cages we offer is for the following 3 solid reasons;
1. The manufacturer's stand behind their cages & warranties,
2. The materials used are truly tested safe for birds (most manufacturers do not do this), and
3. We've offered or seen every brand name listed & have decided what ones we think are the most solid. Most cages offered by the brand names listed above are within approximately the same price range, so you just have to look around & see what fits you budget & your bird's specific needs. A great place to do research is within online bird forums & bird discussion boards. You can talk with other bird owners who've tried the brand name you're considering & they will gladly offer feedback on the cage that you are looking at. We do offer a bird lover's forum & the website address is listed in my biography at the bottom of this article. I urge you to visit our forum and others on the web as well, they provide great insight into what cages would work best for you & your bird.
How to choose the best retailer to buy from
This is the third and final part of this article, but it's only listed last because of how important the 2 factors listed before it are. This too is a very important part f your decision making process. If you can find a reputable store front in your region that offers top brand name cages at decent prices then that may be a good place to start. However, you will probably find that most pet supply store fronts that are offline are either extremely high priced, or they do not have any true parrot cages at all - they strictly offer small economy boxed cages that aren't large enough for the smallest of birds. This is because local store fronts have a very tough time competing with the internet retailers. Local store fronts have multiple overhead costs that need be buried into their product prices, and online stores do not have much overhead at all. So once you look locally, you'll most likely be on the web cage shopping. Now that you are online, how do you decide who you can trust? That's a great question, and not an easy one to answer. There are a few really good indicators that you can use to make a good judgment on who the trustworthy web stores are; One of the ways is something we previously discussed; head to the bird forums - if other people had a pleasant experience with an online store, you're likely to as well. I also recommend checking the sites you visit for positive customer testimonials. Web sites that do not post positive customer feedback they've received, probably haven't received any positive feedback. If you had one single customer contact you to tell you how great of an experience they had, wouldn't you place that testimonial on your web store? The last way to help determine whether a business is solid or not is to make sure they take all major credit cards, and not strictly PayPal. A site that takes all major credit cards strictly through PayPal is a red flag in my opinion. You may be wondering why on earth that's a red flag, well consider this; if a web store takes all major credit cards and the credit card companies receive too many complaints from their customers, they can actually lose their credit card processing account. That's right, the credit card processing company will actually pull their account & not let them take credit cards anymore. This then forces that online retailer to strictly offer PayPal or Google Checkout as their payment method. All internet retailers should take all major credit cards, and if they do not, it may be because they have lost their credit card processing account because of excessive customer complaints. I'm not saying that a web store shouldn't accept PayPal as a payment method, they should, but they should also be taking credit cards directly through the store's shopping cart as well.
Well, we have now covered what I consider the big 3 issues to consider when choosing a cage for your new bird. Again, there are many other factors, but these are the most important in my opinion, and if you follow these guidelines you will be very pleased with the decision you make. Plus, your bird will be proud of the decision you make on his behalf!
Until next time, this is Dave Hermansen signing off. If you'd like to read more great articles or visit the web store I am a part of see my bio below. I'm providing the web addresses for our forum, and the bird cage store I am a partial owner of. Best of luck to you on your personal venture to find the perfect cage for your feathered friend!
NOTE: This article is free to copy and use on other web sites as long as it's copied in it's entirety and any links are left in place and active.
Dave is an expert on bird cages for sale in the online market today. Also visit the Everything Birds, Bird Lover's Forum as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hermansen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Birds-Cages---How-To-Choose-The-Right-One&id=483560
By David Hermansen
So you're faced with the hard decision of choosing a bird cage for your bird? Well, there are multiple things to think about, but this article will discuss the 3 most important issues involved in that decision. If you abide by the guidelines discussed below, you'll find a great cage at a great price that you're truly happy with. There's a lot to think about - not just the dimensions of the cage and the spacing between the bars. However, that is a great place to start, so let us cover that first in this article.
Choosing the right size cage & also making sure the bar spacing is safe
This is the very first issue you need to consider when shopping for bird cages. You can't even look at the other details or features of a cage until you've determined it's the right size of cage and has the right bar spacing. As a general rule of thumb; the bigger the the cage is the better, as long as the bar spacing's not too wide. At our web store, we separate birds into 3 categories; small birds, medium birds, & large birds. These categories slightly overlap because some birds fit into the high end & the low end of 2 different categories. For example, Lovebirds fit into the small birds category, but they also fit into the medium birds category.
For your education, let us quickly give you the minimum dimensions & maximum bar spacing measurements for most species of birds:
Small birds (i.e. Finches, Canaries, and Parakeets) should be in a cage that is no smaller than 18"(W) x 18"(D) x 22"(H) and they should not have bar spacing that's wider than 1/2".
Slightly larger small birds (i.e. Cockatiels, Lovebirds, and smaller types of Conures) shouldn't be in a cage smaller than 20"(W) x 18"(D) x 24"(H) and they're bar spacing shouldn't be wider than 3/4".
Medium birds (i.e. most Conures, Timnehs, and smaller Amazons) should have a cage that's at least these dimensions; 22"(W) x 20"(D) x 28"(H) and should have bar spacing no wider than 1".
Large birds (i.e. Congo African Greys, most Amazons, smaller Cockatoos) should have a parrot cage that is at least 32" x 24"(D) x 30"(H) & the bar spacing should be no wider than 1".
The biggest of the big birds (i.e. large Macaws, large Cockatoos, Toucans, and Hyacinth) should be in a cage no littler than 38"(W) x 30"(D) x 48"(H) & they can get away with spacing that's up to 1-1/2" wide. Most large parrot cages feature 1" bar spacing & that is just fine.
If your species of bird isn't named above, just find a species above that's similar in size to your bird & follow the dimension & bar spacing guidelines shown.
Choosing a good quality cage & not spending more than you have to
This is another hard aspect to face. If you have owned a generic bird cage before, you know you do not want to go through that again. The majority of first time cage buyers get a very cheap, generic cage, but they usually don't make that mistake twice. Some of the top brand names around are Kings, Avian Adventures, Invision Cages, Animal Environments, California Cages, Cages By Design, Liberty Cages, Visionary Acrylic Cages, & HQ Cages. At our web store we offer what we consider to be the very best 3 brand names available, but we have heard good and bad about all of them. The reason we offer the cages we offer is for the following 3 solid reasons;
1. The manufacturer's stand behind their cages & warranties,
2. The materials used are truly tested safe for birds (most manufacturers do not do this), and
3. We've offered or seen every brand name listed & have decided what ones we think are the most solid. Most cages offered by the brand names listed above are within approximately the same price range, so you just have to look around & see what fits you budget & your bird's specific needs. A great place to do research is within online bird forums & bird discussion boards. You can talk with other bird owners who've tried the brand name you're considering & they will gladly offer feedback on the cage that you are looking at. We do offer a bird lover's forum & the website address is listed in my biography at the bottom of this article. I urge you to visit our forum and others on the web as well, they provide great insight into what cages would work best for you & your bird.
How to choose the best retailer to buy from
This is the third and final part of this article, but it's only listed last because of how important the 2 factors listed before it are. This too is a very important part f your decision making process. If you can find a reputable store front in your region that offers top brand name cages at decent prices then that may be a good place to start. However, you will probably find that most pet supply store fronts that are offline are either extremely high priced, or they do not have any true parrot cages at all - they strictly offer small economy boxed cages that aren't large enough for the smallest of birds. This is because local store fronts have a very tough time competing with the internet retailers. Local store fronts have multiple overhead costs that need be buried into their product prices, and online stores do not have much overhead at all. So once you look locally, you'll most likely be on the web cage shopping. Now that you are online, how do you decide who you can trust? That's a great question, and not an easy one to answer. There are a few really good indicators that you can use to make a good judgment on who the trustworthy web stores are; One of the ways is something we previously discussed; head to the bird forums - if other people had a pleasant experience with an online store, you're likely to as well. I also recommend checking the sites you visit for positive customer testimonials. Web sites that do not post positive customer feedback they've received, probably haven't received any positive feedback. If you had one single customer contact you to tell you how great of an experience they had, wouldn't you place that testimonial on your web store? The last way to help determine whether a business is solid or not is to make sure they take all major credit cards, and not strictly PayPal. A site that takes all major credit cards strictly through PayPal is a red flag in my opinion. You may be wondering why on earth that's a red flag, well consider this; if a web store takes all major credit cards and the credit card companies receive too many complaints from their customers, they can actually lose their credit card processing account. That's right, the credit card processing company will actually pull their account & not let them take credit cards anymore. This then forces that online retailer to strictly offer PayPal or Google Checkout as their payment method. All internet retailers should take all major credit cards, and if they do not, it may be because they have lost their credit card processing account because of excessive customer complaints. I'm not saying that a web store shouldn't accept PayPal as a payment method, they should, but they should also be taking credit cards directly through the store's shopping cart as well.
Well, we have now covered what I consider the big 3 issues to consider when choosing a cage for your new bird. Again, there are many other factors, but these are the most important in my opinion, and if you follow these guidelines you will be very pleased with the decision you make. Plus, your bird will be proud of the decision you make on his behalf!
Until next time, this is Dave Hermansen signing off. If you'd like to read more great articles or visit the web store I am a part of see my bio below. I'm providing the web addresses for our forum, and the bird cage store I am a partial owner of. Best of luck to you on your personal venture to find the perfect cage for your feathered friend!
NOTE: This article is free to copy and use on other web sites as long as it's copied in it's entirety and any links are left in place and active.
Dave is an expert on bird cages for sale in the online market today. Also visit the Everything Birds, Bird Lover's Forum as well.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hermansen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Birds-Cages---How-To-Choose-The-Right-One&id=483560
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Credit Card Processing
Credit Card Offers - Navigating Through The Choices
By Max Anderson
Credit card offers aren't exactly a rare occurence. In fact, many people are bombarded by multiple credit card offers each and every day. The question is, how do you know which credit card offers are the good ones and which ones should be thrown in the trash (after being shredded of course)? Follow these seven bits of advice.
1. What Does "Pre-Qualified" Really Mean?
First things first -- when you get those credit card offers in the mail that say you're "pre-qualified," it does not mean that you've been approved for the credit card that is being offered. You still have to apply for the card (and have your credit history run) before you'll actually be approved.
Many people have gotten frustrated because they respond to a "pre-qualified" offer only to find out they're not really approved.
Don't take it personally. "Pre-qualified" credit card offers are nothing more than a marketing gimmick.
2. The Razzle, The Dazzle and Then The Punch
When you see credit card offers touting very low interest rates (or even no interest at all), try to remember that these are "teaser" rates that will eventually go up (and may go up drastically). The credit card offer may still be a good deal, but that all really depends on what the interest goes up to after the introductory period.
Before jumping to apply for a low-interest credit card offer, see what the interest rate is really going to be after the introductory period is over.
3. Keep The Perks In Perspective
Many credit card offers include perks such as points or cash back that can be earned with each purchase. Remember, these perks may not be as great as they first appear.
A credit card with rewards attached also usually has a higher interest rate attached as well. If you carry a high balance on your credit cards, those perks are going to cost you big time.
4. It's Not About the Prize
Some of the credit card offers we receive don't even come by mail -- they come during checkout at the local store. Oftentimes, these credit card offers have a one-time discount attached, such as 10 to 15 percent off your total purchase if you apply on the spot (and approval is instant as well).
If you think it's a good idea to open a credit card to get the discount and then close the account afterwards, that's really not such a great concept. A part of your credit score is determined by how long you keep relationships with your creditors. If you have a history of opening accounts and then quickly closing them, it's going to impact your creditworthiness in the eyes of lenders.
5. What You Shouldn't Settle For
The credit card industry is definitely competitive. Because of this, you should never respond to credit card offers that require an annual fee or a "processing" fee (unless you have problems with your credit history).
If a credit card company requires an annual fee or charges you for processing your application, go elsewhere for your credit card needs. There are a number of credit card companies who will welcome your business (and won't make you pay extra for the privilege).
6. Seek Them Out
If you're not happy with the credit card offers you're being solicited with, it doesn't mean there isn't a credit card out there to meet your needs. You may just need to look a little harder.
There are hundreds of different credit cards available and finding the one that is right for you may just be a matter of doing a little online research. Many consumers turn to the web to find the credit card offers that are perfect for them.
7. Seek and Destroy
After you have reviewed a credit card offer, what do you do with it? I'll tell you what you should be doing.
Make sure you shred each of the credit card offers you receive before throwing them in the trash or you may find yourself becoming the next victim of identity theft.
Those credit card offers that infest your mailbox are also an identity theft criminal's best friend. If you don't want those credit card offers falling into the wrong hands, make sure you dispose of them properly.
By taking the above advice into consideration when dealing with credit card offers, not only will you be able to find the credit card that's right for you, but you'll also be able to avoid making a mistake due to credit card confusion.
For more tips on getting the best credit card, saving money and avoiding getting ripped off - a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Offers---Navigating-Through-The-Choices&id=499883
By Max Anderson
Credit card offers aren't exactly a rare occurence. In fact, many people are bombarded by multiple credit card offers each and every day. The question is, how do you know which credit card offers are the good ones and which ones should be thrown in the trash (after being shredded of course)? Follow these seven bits of advice.
1. What Does "Pre-Qualified" Really Mean?
First things first -- when you get those credit card offers in the mail that say you're "pre-qualified," it does not mean that you've been approved for the credit card that is being offered. You still have to apply for the card (and have your credit history run) before you'll actually be approved.
Many people have gotten frustrated because they respond to a "pre-qualified" offer only to find out they're not really approved.
Don't take it personally. "Pre-qualified" credit card offers are nothing more than a marketing gimmick.
2. The Razzle, The Dazzle and Then The Punch
When you see credit card offers touting very low interest rates (or even no interest at all), try to remember that these are "teaser" rates that will eventually go up (and may go up drastically). The credit card offer may still be a good deal, but that all really depends on what the interest goes up to after the introductory period.
Before jumping to apply for a low-interest credit card offer, see what the interest rate is really going to be after the introductory period is over.
3. Keep The Perks In Perspective
Many credit card offers include perks such as points or cash back that can be earned with each purchase. Remember, these perks may not be as great as they first appear.
A credit card with rewards attached also usually has a higher interest rate attached as well. If you carry a high balance on your credit cards, those perks are going to cost you big time.
4. It's Not About the Prize
Some of the credit card offers we receive don't even come by mail -- they come during checkout at the local store. Oftentimes, these credit card offers have a one-time discount attached, such as 10 to 15 percent off your total purchase if you apply on the spot (and approval is instant as well).
If you think it's a good idea to open a credit card to get the discount and then close the account afterwards, that's really not such a great concept. A part of your credit score is determined by how long you keep relationships with your creditors. If you have a history of opening accounts and then quickly closing them, it's going to impact your creditworthiness in the eyes of lenders.
5. What You Shouldn't Settle For
The credit card industry is definitely competitive. Because of this, you should never respond to credit card offers that require an annual fee or a "processing" fee (unless you have problems with your credit history).
If a credit card company requires an annual fee or charges you for processing your application, go elsewhere for your credit card needs. There are a number of credit card companies who will welcome your business (and won't make you pay extra for the privilege).
6. Seek Them Out
If you're not happy with the credit card offers you're being solicited with, it doesn't mean there isn't a credit card out there to meet your needs. You may just need to look a little harder.
There are hundreds of different credit cards available and finding the one that is right for you may just be a matter of doing a little online research. Many consumers turn to the web to find the credit card offers that are perfect for them.
7. Seek and Destroy
After you have reviewed a credit card offer, what do you do with it? I'll tell you what you should be doing.
Make sure you shred each of the credit card offers you receive before throwing them in the trash or you may find yourself becoming the next victim of identity theft.
Those credit card offers that infest your mailbox are also an identity theft criminal's best friend. If you don't want those credit card offers falling into the wrong hands, make sure you dispose of them properly.
By taking the above advice into consideration when dealing with credit card offers, not only will you be able to find the credit card that's right for you, but you'll also be able to avoid making a mistake due to credit card confusion.
For more tips on getting the best credit card, saving money and avoiding getting ripped off - a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Max_Anderson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Credit-Card-Offers---Navigating-Through-The-Choices&id=499883
Monday, April 9, 2007
Credit Card Processing
How to Understand Credit Card Processing
By Mario G. Churchill
Many people are aware that after they fill out a credit card application, it has to go through a few considerations on behalf of the credit card company, and that this is known as credit card processing. This process may seem to be a vague technicality for individuals who apply for a credit card, through which they will eventually learn if their application for the credit card will be approved or denied. By understanding specifically what happens during the credit card processing procedure, an individual can make sure that their information will be applied to a card that they will be more likely to get accepted when it comes to their application. If a person tries to apply for too many cards at once, they may be denied only on the basis that too many people or companies are accessing their credit file at that point in time. A person that applies to a bunch of credit cards all at once may be desperate about their financial situation and will apply for any and every credit card just to help ensure that they will be able to get some help. However, this approach may end up hurting the individual more than helping, and they may not be able to get any help from any of the credit card companies for which they apply. By understanding what is being looked at in the credit card processing state, an individual can more accurately ensure that they will be able to get a credit card by making sure that their personal information falls in line with what the credit card company is looking for in their candidates.
A credit score is a person’s rating based on the credit that they have accumulated over the years. The higher a person’s score is, the more likely they are to be considered a successful candidate for the credit card company and in return be issued a card. There are a number of things that will influence a person’s credit rating and even if a person does not know their exact credit score, they can generate a fairly accurate idea of what it would be by looking at the different things that generate the score. For example, making timely payments for other credit cards and bills will increase the rating. Missing payments will likely detract from the rating. Having more bills and credit cards and loans will make a person less likely to get another credit card, and this is especially the case when the individual has missed payments on any of these things within the last 12-24 months. There is one instance in the United States in which a person’s credit will not be affected. This is if a person misses a medical bill payment or has outstanding debt with a physician, hospital or other medical company.
The social security number will be needed as well. This is required to be valid and will be used in order to check the credit of the individual. Because of this, it is very important that the person be able to supply the correct and accurate social security number. If the name and social security number do not match up, the individual will not be able to get approved since the company will not be able to accurately research the individual.
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written many articles on various subjects. For more information on blue american express or to get a american express blue card checkout his websites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_G._Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Understand-Credit-Card-Processing&id=479143
By Mario G. Churchill
Many people are aware that after they fill out a credit card application, it has to go through a few considerations on behalf of the credit card company, and that this is known as credit card processing. This process may seem to be a vague technicality for individuals who apply for a credit card, through which they will eventually learn if their application for the credit card will be approved or denied. By understanding specifically what happens during the credit card processing procedure, an individual can make sure that their information will be applied to a card that they will be more likely to get accepted when it comes to their application. If a person tries to apply for too many cards at once, they may be denied only on the basis that too many people or companies are accessing their credit file at that point in time. A person that applies to a bunch of credit cards all at once may be desperate about their financial situation and will apply for any and every credit card just to help ensure that they will be able to get some help. However, this approach may end up hurting the individual more than helping, and they may not be able to get any help from any of the credit card companies for which they apply. By understanding what is being looked at in the credit card processing state, an individual can more accurately ensure that they will be able to get a credit card by making sure that their personal information falls in line with what the credit card company is looking for in their candidates.
A credit score is a person’s rating based on the credit that they have accumulated over the years. The higher a person’s score is, the more likely they are to be considered a successful candidate for the credit card company and in return be issued a card. There are a number of things that will influence a person’s credit rating and even if a person does not know their exact credit score, they can generate a fairly accurate idea of what it would be by looking at the different things that generate the score. For example, making timely payments for other credit cards and bills will increase the rating. Missing payments will likely detract from the rating. Having more bills and credit cards and loans will make a person less likely to get another credit card, and this is especially the case when the individual has missed payments on any of these things within the last 12-24 months. There is one instance in the United States in which a person’s credit will not be affected. This is if a person misses a medical bill payment or has outstanding debt with a physician, hospital or other medical company.
The social security number will be needed as well. This is required to be valid and will be used in order to check the credit of the individual. Because of this, it is very important that the person be able to supply the correct and accurate social security number. If the name and social security number do not match up, the individual will not be able to get approved since the company will not be able to accurately research the individual.
Mario Churchill is a freelance author and has written many articles on various subjects. For more information on blue american express or to get a american express blue card checkout his websites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mario_G._Churchill
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Understand-Credit-Card-Processing&id=479143
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