ACH Processing

ACH Processing: Gain Customers-Cut Costs

ACH Processing offers the ability to debit (and credit) checking and savings accounts.

If you are a merchant that accepts credit cards then you know those fees ONLY seem to go up. Depending on the product and your customers you can easily be paying 3% or more in blended fees. Trying to figure out exactly what are paying by examining you merchant statement can be an exercise in futility. These statements are at best confusing and at worst deliberately designed to make you not want to read (understand) them. Downgrades, surcharges etc. Certainly enough to give you a headache.

So what can you do? Accepting credit cards seems to be a necessary evil BUT you do have options. At the top of the options list HAS to be accepting ACH payments. An ACH Payment or an electronic check debits the customers bank account. Why not look at taking their check payment by phone or web? Most consumers have a checking or savings account that you can debit electronically for payment. You will gain customers by offering an alternative payment option and save big dollars on processing fees. If you take recurring payments it is very easy to enable recurring plans that debit checking accounts.

Here’s why you save so much: Typically an ACH/EFT check by phone/web might cost .35 or less with NO PERCENTAGE of the transaction. Look at the example of a $100 sale. For a credit card you will pay close to $3.00 for this transaction. Maybe 2.29% for QUALIFIED transactions but if this is a rewards card bump that to 2.6% plus a .30 transaction fee. In comparison the electronic check is a FLAT .30. You save 90%. If you have 1000 transactions per month that is a considerable sum.

 

Why is the credit card so much more? A credit card transaction “grabs” the $ and holds them for you to be paid meaning you WILL get the money.  Part of the credit card transaction is an authorization that checks that the credit card has the $100 available and also “grabs” it for you. An ACH one-time or recurring transaction has no “authorization” component and may be “rejected” because the customer did not have the requisite funds or the account has been closed or you typed the account number in incorrectly.

 

Typically the rejection rate may be 1-2% of the transactions you take in. In many cases you can automatically recollect these payments. In addition there are advanced check verification tools you can utilize to reduce payment risk. So you have a simple to implement tool to increase the number of customers you have AND save big dollars on processing fees. You may not do away with credit cards but of you can convince your customers to pay via ACH you are the winner. CONTACT US to learn how we can help save you 80-90% or more on fees.

 

We can also help increase the number of customer that pay via ACH with our proven marketing plan.

 

We know you will still take credit cards. If you would like to see what we can save contact us.

 

www.ACH-Payments.com Providing Secure, Efficient, Economical Payment Processing Solutions

 

ACH Processing: Website Solutions

ACH Processing actually began as a solution for large insurance agencies (among others) to collect premiums automatically. No waiting for the check to be mailed for State Farm and the like.

The small or mid sized business was not offered these services by the bank as it entailed some additional labor costs. Technology evolved and now any business can take advantage of an automated payment plan to debit checking, savings and credit card accounts like clockwork.

Wouldn't it be great if you could take payments by check ( ACH ) or credit card on your website and all you had to do was know how to cut and paste? We thought so and that's why we spent the time and money to make it so. You can create your payment page that is PCI compliant, secure and so efficient you can take one-time and recurring payments. Not only that but it can also have the look and feel of your site. It sure sounds good but what is the cost?

For a branded, hosted, secure payment page that can take one-time and recurring payments you know there are companies that will charge you hundreds if not thousands of dollars to do this. We know it's minimally worth $300 but for our existing and new clients that need a secure, efficient way to collect customer payments we charge $0. Yes that's right you pay nothing to be able to create this page.
Simply sign up for our ACH and credit card processing services and you get Web Payments for free. Want to see a sample with your data filled in? Click here --this is a simple version that can be completely customized. In a few short days you will be taking payments electronically and automatically, by phone or Internet as well as having the ability to set up automated recurring payments.
Let's recap what you get:

• Secure, Efficient, Economical payment processing for one-time and recurring payments done via our Virtual Terminal or using Web Payments
• Detailed Reporting of all transactions-you can export in many formats Automated receipt emails to your customers
• 60 Day GUARANTEED satsifaction 

If that sounds good contact us at info [@] ach-payments.com

ACH and Credit Card Processing: Google Gadgets

If you are a Google fan (like me) you may already use Google Desktop to quickly find anything on your computer.

Google also offers Gadgets-tools that sit on your Google desktop that make tasks easier. Examples might be weather, maps, games, calendars etc. If you use Google Desktop you can now verify and process ACH and credit cards. You can simply download our gadget and when you need to process or verify an electronic  check or credit card you click on an icon and enter payment data. The ACH or credit card transaction is processed and a response quickly returned.

You can get detailed reporting through our ACH Gateway and also process recurring transactions (and much more)

Merchant wanting to take advantage of Google Gadget should visit www.ACH-Payments.comfor more info or email info[@]ach-payments.com

ACH Processing: Check Verification using IVR

Businesses that accept checks for payment run the risk of bad checks. Those businesses that perform a service in the consumer's home sometimes find out too late they have been provided a check from a closed account or one with stop payments or NSF's (non-sufficient funds) pending.

Until now those businesses had no efficient method of check verification. ACH Payments announces "CheckVerify" by phone: simply call an 800#, enter an account and routing number from the check and instantly find out if the account is open and in good standing or that the check will not be good. Merchants need protection from bad checks and CheckVerify provides that in an economical and efficient way. This is the first IVR (Interactive Voice Response) solution designed specifically for merchants that need to verify checks using a phone.

Merchant wanting to take advantage of CheckVerify should visit www.ACH-Payments.com for more info or email info[@]ach-payments.com

ACH Processing: Open Source Payments

ACH Payments (www.ach-payments.com) announces the availabilty of jBilling Payment Plug-In.

jBilling is the first open source payment processing platform. Open source is developed through a global community of contributors. Unlike proprietary software development, open source is not limited to the individuals hired by a specific company. Volunteers and individuals working for companies using jBilling contribute code, and through an extensive peer review, the best contributions are included in product updates.

ACH Payments has developed a third party payment processing plug-in specifically designed for jBilling users.  jBilling is at the cutting edge of payment processing technologies. ACH Payments is committed to developing and supporting payment processing innovations. By utilizing the jBilling plug-in companies can quickly and easily leverage the Payments Gateway platform for secure, efficient and economical electronic check, credit and debit card processing solutions.

ACH Processing: Martial Arts

ACH Processing actually began as a solution for large insurance agencies (among others) to collect premiums automatically. No waiting for the check to be mailed for State Farm and the like.

The small or mid sized business was not offered these services by the bank as it entailed some additional labor costs. Technology evolved and now any business can take advantage of an automated payment plan to debit checking, savings and credit card accounts like clockwork.

The Martial Arts world was actually an early adopter of ACH processing. The HUGE problem is that billing companies charge 2-6% of the studio owners revenue to process the payments. Martial Arts studio owners tend to be passionate about their sport but sometimes too trustworthy when it comes to their hard earned money. The billing company pays cents to process a $100 monthly payment and charges the studio owner $4 or more. Definitely a high margin business great for the billing company-not so much for the studio owner. So why should the owner pay THOUSANDS every year for something they can do themselves for 90% less? Good question. If you own a studio or know someone who does you don't need a billing company-put the money in your pocket. 

You can obtain easy to use powerful automated ACH and credit card processing systems that make this a breeze. Throw in accepting payments in person, by phone and via the Internet and you have a complete solution. All done at very reasonable costs.

ACH Processing: Payment Plug Ins

Although many businesses may use their ACH Processor's front end tools to upload or schedule transactions there are many other businesses whose needs are a little more complex.

If Business ABC uses a CRM system (eg SalesForce/GoldMine) or an ECommerce management platform (eg Magento/JBilling) then their processing needs are driven from within that platform. It becomes much more efficient to be able to process payments form within that app and in turn update accounting/reconciliation.

That is where the ACH (and credit cards) plug-in comes into play. We will refer to it as a PayPlug. Using the PayPlug there is no need to go outside of your management application to process payments. From within Magento or JBilling the PayPlug kicks in as needed and securely transports transactions to be processed. Reporting comes back into the managment app via the PayPlug as well.

At www.ACH-Payments.com we have created PayPlug's for different management apps and if we don't currently support your app we can typically create it. For developer's interested you may want to visit www.ACH-Payments.com/integration.

To maximize your management app's effectiveness consider a PayPlug.

ACH Payments 

ACH Processing: Go Green

ACH Processing is 1) A tried and true method of electronically collecting customer payments and 2) An economical way to pay employees, vendors, affiliates etc.

Benefits include time and money saved in the payment process as well as predictable cash flow. Throw in significant cost savings as compared to credit cards and you have a compelling case for adopting ACH Payments.

But consider the following stats about environmental impact (from PayitGreen):

• Direct Deposit saves 1 pound of paper per person per year

• If all employees having access took advantage that's 11 million lbs per year saved

• 4 million gallons of gas saved

• 32 million lbs of greenhouse gas would NOT make it into the atmosphere

So on top of time and money savings you can throw in being environmentally responsible.

Take advantage of all ACH Payment Processing can do for your business.

Visit www.ACH-Payments.com for more info and solutions.

ACH Processing: Worldwide?

It looks like ACH Processing will soon be available from US <-> Europe. Early 2010 looks like release date:

The Federal Reserve Banks of the US and Equens, a payment processor in the Netherlands, have signed a memorandum of understanding on the processing of payments from the US to Europe and vice versa.

The Federal Reserve Banks and Equens said that, starting in early 2010, both parties will offer banks a cost-efficient channel for processing cross-border payments in multiple currencies, including the US dollar and euro. They added that the strategic partnership between them is based on an increasing market demand for efficient processing of low-value cross-border payments on a global level.

It is reported that the partnership with the Federal Reserve Banks will enable Equens to further expand its cross-border payments processing business.

Elizabeth McQuerry, assistant vice president of the Federal Reserve Banks's retail payments office, said: "When talking with clients, we saw a clear demand for expanded payment services to and from Europe. Together with payment processor Equens, we can offer our clients an excellent, secure and cost-efficient solution."

Michael Steinbach, chairman of Equens's board of directors, added: "The partnership with the Federal Reserve Banks is an important step for Equens and fits well with our vision on a global payments area. We are constantly looking for economies of scale, thereby creating opportunities for our clients -- the banks -- to further reduce their processing costs. By offering a standardised channel for cross-border payments processing, our clients do not have to worry about the complexity of maintaining different cross-border systems."

This is interesting on a number of levels but primarily of interest will be the cost savings as opposed to wiring monies or using credit cards.

Visit ACH-Payments.com -- Payment Processing Made Easy

P: 888.729.4968 x88 F: 866.873.8181

e: info@ach-payments.com

ACH Processing: Pest Control

ACH Processing actually began as a solution for large insurance agencies (among others) to collect premiums automatically. No waiting for the check to be mailed for State Farm and the like.

The small or mid sized business was not offered these services by the bank as it entailed some additional labor costs. Technology evolved and now any business can take advantage of an automated payment plan to debit checking, savings and credit card accounts like clockwork.

Pest Control Businesses do their very best to get a customer to sign up for multi month service. An automated system that debits checking, savings and credit card accounts makes the payment collection part of this service simple. By not having to remind the client to pay their monthly fee the client doesn't "think" about that money coming out of their pocket. When that payment is automated they just see the debit on their statement and know what it was for. In addition the owner knows exactly how much and when the revenue rolls in.

You can obtain easy to use powerful automated ACH and credit card processing systems that make this a breeze. Throw in accepting payments in person, by phone and via the Internet and you have a complete solution. All done at very reasonable costs.

ACH Processing actually began as a solution for large insurance agencies (among others) to collect premiums automatically. No waiting for the check to be mailed for State Farm and the like.

The small or mid sized business was not offered these services by the bank as it entailed some additional labor costs. Technology evolved and now any business can take advantage of an automated payment plan to debit checking, savings and credit card accounts like clockwork.

Pest Control Businesses do their very best to get a customer to sign up for multi month service. An automated system that debits checking, savings and credit card accounts makes the payment collection part of this service simple. By not having to remind the client to pay their monthly fee the client doesn't "think" about that money coming out of their pocket. When that payment is automated they just see the debit on their statement and know what it was for. In addition the owner knows exactly how much and when the revenue rolls in.

You can obtain easy to use powerful automated ACH and credit card processing systems that make this a breeze. Throw in accepting payments in person, by phone and via the Internet and you have a complete solution. All done at very reasonable costs.

Ten Easy Steps to Increase AutoPayment Participation

Ten Easy Steps to Increase Customer Participation in an Automated Payment Program

Autopay programs via ACH and/or credit card are statically proven to increase customer retention. When a person does not have to think about writing a check or handing over a credit card each month they are much less likely to think “Do I want to keep paying for this service”?

 

If you ask a business that relies on monthly or weekly payments to list his or her biggest source of stress it would typically be Payment Collection. Clearly a business owner that does not have to spend hours each month running around or calling clients to pay for their valued service has extra time to spend ON the business and not IN it. Business consultants consistently and unequivocally agree that until a business owner can transition from the day to day minutia that consume time that owner will not realize the businesses true potential. This is where the power of an automated payment collection system can transform your business.

 

We all know that the more customers on an automated payment plan program the better it is for business. The challenge can be getting your customer to get on board. Though some businesses are in a position to mandate automated payments (health clubs have done this for years) most businesses have to rely on customers agreeing to the change. Here are 10 easy steps to either increase your participation rate in an ACH and/or credit card automated program or encouraging the customer to move from a credit card to an ACH (echeck).

 1) Every time you speak with a customer whether they are paying a bill, signing up for service or calling for support let them know about the convenience of an automated payment plan or check by phone.

2) Include information about your automated payment plan or check by phone option on all invoices and customer correspondence. Include a call to action to sign up for the automated plan and make it easy for them to do so. This might include a sign up form on your web site or being able to fax a form.

3) Make your web site a billboard for your automated billing plan and Check by Phone capabilities. Include sign up forms and directions (for helpful forms and information visit http://www.ach-payments.com/marketing.htm

4) Start an incentive campaign for automated payment sign up.  Consider giving away free certificates (see step 6) or possibly offer 5-10% off their next 3 months billing or some other motivational offer. Consider partnering with a local business and offer cross promotional coupons for 10% off products in return for program sign up.  An example might be a restaurant.

5) Telemarket your customers and let them know about the program and advantages of signing up. You can use internal staff or hire a telemarketing firm (we can recommend a service-contact us for info) to call for you. For a couple of evaluate hundred dollars you may be able to up your participation rate dramatically. 

6) Consider an Incentive program whereby you can reward the customer with a free certificate for: $300 in Gas or Groceries, free vacation, hotel and/or airline tickets. For $99/month you can provide an unlimited supply of these certificates. Your business makes $5 per redeemed certificate as well. For info visit: http://www.ach-payments.com/thanks.htm  , you are welcome to download a certificate for yourself and evaluate. We think this can be a BIG help.

7) Consider implementing an Auto Pay only option for new customers. If you give them a choice of paying automatically via check or credit card as long as they choose you can rely on their revenue each month.

8) Consider posting posters with testimonials form current Autopay users bragging on the benefits of not having to remember to write a check each month.

9) Offer a raffle for 3 month’s free service to the winner. You only get a ticket if you are a current AutoPay user or you switch over.

10) Ask your current payment processor to provide a $50 cash card to be randomly awarded to new AutoPay subscribers.

Be creative and WORK at it. The benefits are there for the taking. More free time, less stress, reliable cash flow and greater customer retention-Priceless.

Visit www.ACH-Payments.com for more info or call us at 888.729.4968