A story to share

Stay In Touch!

The following story serves a two fold purpose. Number one it illustrates the importance of staying in touch with your customers, and number two it highlights a very important service that we provide that can be invaluable, cash advance!

Last Friday, when it was thunder-storming here in Southern California so ferociously, I had an appointment in the San Fernando Valley. Afterwards, I figured since we hadn’t spoken for at least a year or so, I’d stop by and see Tony Dodge at ‘Dodge Bros. Automotive’ (Our deceased partner ‘Doc’ used to love him!). Sometime last year we needed to do a download on Tony’s terminal and Marc Ellen, our vice president, went over to Tony’s place twice, once at 5:30 am one day and once at 6:00 am another day, because that’s the only time Tony isn’t too busy!

Never the less Tony unceremoniously ushered Marc out both times; claiming he was just too busy and we were unable to get the download done.

This was a great opportunity for me to just get it handled! After my appointment, I drove through a torrential downpour to get over to Dodge Bros. and when I got there Tony was busy as usual hunched down at his desk flipping through papers and making notes. After shaking hands and greeting each other, I announced that I was here to get the download completed. He briefly glanced at the download instructions and said “Rick, I haven’t been with you guys for over a year! I needed some funds after American Express cut my credit line in half last year and these other guys got me $50,000 advanced on my credit card transactions!”

I quickly apologized for not having kept in touch. Because number one, I didn’t even know that he wasn’t processing with us as he never cancelled his account. And number two, we offer the very same service for less than what Tony ended up paying!

I asked Tony if I could earn his business back and he responded “come back next week when I’m not so busy and we’ll get signed up”, so I’m scheduled to drop by this week to re-sign Tony and to re-establish our relationship.

I can not stress enough the importance of communicating with your customers. Not only did we lose a sale we almost lost a merchant-partner, all because we had not maintained proper communication! Fortunately the relationship is being restored and we’re learning from our mistake.

When Tony wants more cash advanced, around summertime this year, ABC Processing will be the folks providing the value this time around.

By the way, here’s a ‘shout out’ to Tony Dodge for allowing us the opportunity to earn your business back, ‘Thanks Tony!’

Building Business

February Value Add:

Our ‘Value Add’ is near the top of our Newsletter this month to ensure that all of us that are so busy that we hardly have time to read an entire newsletter, are able to take advantage of this simple yet exciting and valuable service, absolutely FREE!

We are currently offering all of our merchant-partners, rather than just our newly boarded merchant-partners, a quick and easy social media presence for your business.

Contact us, to provide the necessary information to create your business’ profile, we will set it up for you at no charge. And we will show you how to access, operate and promote your business on Facebook and other social media sites, again at absolutely no charge.

DIRECT FROM VISA:

Fraud and Security

Heads Up to the Warning Signs of Fraud

Certain customer behavior could point to bankcard fraud. But remember, it doesn’t necessarily indicate criminal activity – you know your customers, so let your instincts steer you in the right direction.

Watch Out for Customers Who:

• Purchase a lot of merchandise without regard to size, style, color, or price.
• Ask no questions on major purchases.
• Try to distract or rush you during the sale.
• Make purchases, leave the store, and return to make more purchases.
• Make large purchases right at opening or at the last minute when the store is closing.Refuse free delivery for large items.

If You See Signs that Make You Suspicious:

• Hold on to the customer’s card if you think you can do so safely.
• Follow your company’s procedures and notify your supervisor.
• Call your voice authorization center and request a “Code 10” authorization, using a normal tone of voice. An operator will tell you what to do.

Take note of the following tips when accepting cards at the point of sale.

• Keep payment cards in your possession during transaction processing. While waiting for authorization, check the card’s basic features and security elements.If any of the Visa card security features is missing or looks altered, hold on to the card and make a Code 10 call to your authorization center. You may be instructed to try to recover the card or simply to return it to the cardholder and decline the transaction.

• Always request authorization on an expired card. If the card issuer approves the transaction, proceed with the sale.

• Never accept a transaction that has been declined.

Last of all when you are presented with unsigned cards and the signature panel is left blank or says “See ID”

1. Request a signature. Ask the cardholder to sign the card and provide current government identification, such as a driver’s license or passport (if local law permits).
2. Check the signature. Be sure that the cardholder signature on the card matches the one on the transaction receipt and the additional identification.
3. Complete the transaction. If the signature appears reasonably the same and the authorization request is approved, continue the transaction. If the cardholder refuses to sign the card, do not accept the card.

‘The purpose of a man is in action, not thought’ – Thomas Carlyle

In life you have a choice. You can boldly go where others fear or you can quietly slip back into the herd unnoticed. The choice is yours.

Rick Berry

Building Value

Here at ABC it is our hope and belief that we will be your last processor, no more shopping every year for lower rates, no more rate jumps every six months, no more having to purchase new software or new equipment every time you switch your merchant processing. Each and every new merchant-partner receives a certificate ensuring them the rights that existing merchant-partners currently have,

1) Every single merchant receives a 3 year rate guarantee

2) Every single merchant receives our guarantee that if another processor offers

you lower rates than you’re currently getting, not only will we match it

or beat it, you’ll receive a brand new 3 year rate guarantee!

3) Any new credit card terminal leased or purchased through ABC Processing receives a lifetime warranty

In addition to the benefits outlined in the certificate above, we’ve been busy building value so that we really and truly make a difference!

We put into action what others only talk about.

By doing so we separate ourselves from the rest of the pack!

Some of these are…

• Monthly Newsletter

• Bi-Monthly Courtesy/Service Call

• Bank Contacts- Loans Etc.

• PCI Security Guidance and Expertise

• Gift and Loyalty Card Programs

• Refer a Merchant Bonus

• Check Imaging- Enabling merchants to accept a check without risk!

• Prompt and Courteous Top-Shelf Customer Service

• True Personal Service- Each and every merchant is assigned a personal service rep

• Mobile Marketing- Coming Soon!

• Mobile Banking- Coming Soon!

• Website, Shopping cart Development and Management Coming Soon!

Unfortunately fraud is a problem that is going to be a permanent part of the landscape and will continue to grow and become more sophisticated.

Our challenge is to uncover threats quickly, mitigate them, and make certain we deploy successful mitigation strategies. It’s also important when data breaches occur that we, and you, the merchant, have a clear set of uniform rules to follow in dealing with the aftermath of an attack on your system.

From skimming card numbers and pins at ATMs, to the recent spate of phishing attacks that almost all of us have experienced on either our computers or our phones, it’s imperative that we stay exceptionally vigilant, or regret the consequences.

Just Getting Started!

Hey everyone,
This blog is fresh and new but we've been providing newsletters to our merchants for a while now. To catch you up, the following posts will be a few of the last few newsletters we released. In the future we will keep you up to date with relevant security issues, the latest equipment and ways to increase your business by effectively providing your clients with what they want most, convenience.

Stay Tuned,
Charley






abc.cards@abcprocessing.net