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Credit and Debit Card Services
Check Processing
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
Gift Cards
Gift Card FAQ
CREDIT AND DEBIT CARD SERVICES
PAYMENT PROCESSING
Mercury Payment Systems provides complete
processing capabilities for all major
credit, debit, and purchasing cards. Mercury
and its partner, Global Payment Systems,
process billions of transactions a year,
authorize the transactions in seconds, and
then direct the information to the
appropriate card network for payment. With
one of the most reliable networks in the
industry, you can be assured of quick
connections and continuous service.
DISCOVER PROCESSING EFFICIENCY
Mercury is at the forefront of IP Payment
Card Processing. In partnership with Datacap,
we have developed an integrated processing
solution so that POS dealers and their
merchants only need to support one system,
instead of a multi-vendor environment. Our
swipe-to-settlement services are the most
comprehensive available, including
everything necessary for accepting the
nearly 800 million cards now in the hands of
American shoppers:
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Transaction authorization and data capture |
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Settlement and funds movement through HSBC Bank |
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Online access and reporting |
A POWERFUL REPORTING TOOL
Mercury understands how vital transaction
reporting is to your business. Mercury
Payment Systems offers real-time web
reporting to review transactions
virtually instantaneously. This versatile
internet-based platform offers a vast array
of reporting options designed to satisfy
your company’s reporting requirements. With
this product you can:
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Perform research queries and generate reports on all
Mercury supported transaction types |
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Review transaction history |
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Generate a statement according to whatever timeframe
you choose |
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You can specify a date or amount range, view by
operator, shift, invoice, or whether the
transactions were approved or declined. You can also
view by transaction and card type, a reference
number, whether or not a transaction was voided or
batchclear/closed, cardholder name or by batch
number. Merchants can retrieve all transaction
details on any transactions they select. |
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CHECK PROCESSING
One of the most vital aspects of your business is financial
safety and security. With the proliferation of check use for
all types of purchases - more than 18 billion yearly, and
expected to increase 20 percent by the year 2005 - it
becomes harder and harder to minimize loss at the point of
sale, while trying to increase your sales growth. Mercury
Payment Systems, a world leader in IP Payment Processing,
offers the total check payment solution for personal checks
with a variety of cost-effective products to meet every
retail need for check guarantee and verification.
In conjunction with our partner, Global Payment Systems,
Mercury Payment Systems offers the following services
through the Global Payments @dvantage service:
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Check Verification and Check Recovery |
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Check Guarantee |
CHECK VERIFICATION AND CHECK
RECOVERY
Global Payments' Check Verification and Check Recovery @dvantage
program combines cost-effective protection against check
fraud loss at the point-of-sale, and a comprehensive check
recovery program. Using multiple comprehensive national
databases that are updated on a daily basis, Global Payments
is able to verify the validity of a check in less than 3
seconds - well before valuable merchandise leaves the store.
And Global Payments makes the check collection process
easier for hundreds of thousands of merchants every day with
a check recovery program that maintains a customer-sensitive
approach -- effectively recovering merchant funds while
preserving customer good will. Global Payments takes check
payment protection to the next level with check recovery
services that provide 100% reimbursement of the face
value of every check collected.
Features:
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Reimburses merchant 100% of face value on collected
checks |
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Provides recovery services at no monthly fee to the
merchant; check writers absorb the cost of service
charges |
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Utilizes the Internet, post office, credit bureau,
and utility receipts to ensure quick contact with
check writers |
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Features skip tracing services to quickly alert
collectors of potential updated NSF check writer
data |
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Offers strategic electronic check re-presentment
services with E-Collect program |
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Provides
both information and control with comprehensive
paper-based or online reporting |
Benefits:
CHECK GUARANTEE: ACCEPT CHECKS
WITH CONFIDENCE
Global Payments' Check Guarantee @dvantage services make
accepting a check from anyone with a valid ID as safe as
accepting cash. Global Payments premier check guarantee
offering, Xpress Check, fits the requirements of most
merchants, in every market, as it provides the coverage and
protection needed to accept customer check payments at the
point of sale without risk. Merchants receive 100% of the
face value of checks returned from authorizing banks when
utilizing this flagship check service.
Features:
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Authorizes both credit card and check transactions
via a single solution |
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Provides fast, easy, and accurate transaction
processing at the point of sale |
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Optional check reader works with your terminal or
point of sale solution speeding service and
eliminating cashier keyed errors |
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Utilizes multiple national check information
databases updated daily for maximum protection |
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Performs both negative and positive file checks |
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Authorizes checks in less than 3 seconds |
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Provides seven-day reimbursement |
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Returns 100% of the face value of dishonored checks
to the merchant |
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Offers customizable combined check guarantee and
verifications programs with Choice Xpress solution |
Benefits:
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ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER
Mercury Payment Systems has added Electronic
Benefits Transfer (EBT) processing to the
payment acceptance options offered to our
merchants. The EBT card has dual
capabilities in a retail environment. An EBT
Food Stamp customer is able to purchase
eligible food items from grocery stores and
convenience stores with their benefits card,
eliminating the traditional paper Food Stamp
process. The EBT card can also be used like
a debit card for cash benefits. The card can
be used by qualified EBT customers to
receive cash from an ATM, pay for goods and
services, and receive cash back with a
purchase from participating merchants. EBT
transactions are PIN-based, just like debit.
IF MY STATE
OFFERS FREE EQUIPMENT AND TRANSACTIONS, WHY
SHOULD I USE A THIRD-PARTY PROCESS FOR EBT?
Although free equipment sounds like a good
deal, it may not be the best solution for
you if...
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Your checkout counter space is at a premium.
Two sets of equipment at checkout consume valuable
counter space and require expensive retraining for
checkout personnel. |
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You need to provide EBT service in all lanes.
Since most states provide lane equipment based on
food stamp dollar volume, your store may not qualify
for EBT equipment in all lanes. Obviously this
situation limits your store's flexibility in opening
and closing lanes and potentially causes long lines
at checkout - a customer service nightmare. |
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You want to accept ALL forms of electronic
benefits as they become available. Some states'
terminals only support food stamp benefits. As EBT
ramps up, cash benefit programs such as TANF
(Temporary Assistance to Needy Families), AFDC (Aid
to Families with Dependent Children) and,
eventually, Social Security will become electronic,
and you will not want to miss the revenues generated
by recipients of these programs. |
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You don't currently offer debit (ATM card)
payments, but would like to. Why not leverage
EBT payments by adding debit to your payment menu?
You can use the same PIN pad and terminal to offer
EBT, credit and debit payments to your customers. |
WHY SHOULD I
CONSIDER MERCURY PAYMENT SYSTEMS AS MY EBT
PROCESSOR?
Mercury is your best partner for EBT
processing if...
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You want to use or upgrade your existing store
equipment rather than adding another terminal in
your lanes. Mercury supports EBT transactions on
many different in-store solutions and is adding more
all the time. From large chains to single-store
operators, Mercury Payment Systems has a system that
will meet your needs. |
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You want easy settlement and reconciliation.
Nobody makes settlement easier than Mercury Payment
Systems. Although debit, credit and EBT networks
have different daily cutoff times that complicate
store reconciliation, Mercury insulates you from
this hassle, providing your funds, reports and
billing based on your end-of-day. This service saves
your accounting staff hours of valuable time. |
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You have stores in multiple states. Mercury
is committed to providing the best EBT service
available for magnetic stripe programs throughout
the U.S. A single EBT format insulates retailers
from each program's different requirements, enabling
you to add EBT services in available states with no
software changes. We can also provide consolidated
EBT transaction data for multiple states. |
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You want to accept EBT payments from neighboring
states. Mercury can give you access to EBT cards
for multiple states on a single system. Since each
state supports only its own benefits, you would need
to add an EBT terminal for each state whose EBT
benefits you want to accept. |
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GIFT CARDS
Gift cards are the top gift choice for consumers all year
long. Take advantage of Mercury's FREE gift card
transaction processing to generate new revenue and build
brand awareness.
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FREE gift card
transaction processing |
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FREE account maintenance |
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FREE customer care |
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FREE balance inquires |
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Several pre-designed Express program card choices,
or design your own custom cards |
CUSTOM GIFT CARDS
Mercury's Custom gift cards are an affordable way to get
customized gift cards. You get great looking cards that you
design. Plus, you also get real-time Web reporting, and
FREE gift card processing. Customized envelopes, hanging
presenters, gift card sleeves, tent cards and acrylic
displays can be ordered to promote your gift card program.
EXPRESS GIFT CARDS
The Express Program is a
quick, easy and inexpensive way to get started with gift
cards. It provides
all the basic ingredients for gift card success: great
looking cards with your logo, Point of Sale merchandising,
real-time Web reporting and FREE gift card
processing. Choose one of several card designs, send in your
logo, and you will receive your complete gift card package
within a few weeks from proof approval.
Choose from one of the following designs:
Package includes:
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500 cards with black
logo |
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500 standard
presenters |
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5 table tents |
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1 acrylic display |
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1 display insert |
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GIFT CARD FAQ
Q. Why use electronic gift cards
versus paper certificates?
Q. What are the benefits of this
program?
Q. How does the gift card work?
Q. How soon can the card be redeemed?
Q. How do I get the customer with an existing card to add more value?
Q. How do I get my employees fired up about the gift card program?
Q. In a nutshell, what are the advantages of Mercury gift cards?
EXPRESS GIFT CARD FAQ
Q. What is the Express Gift Card Program?
Q. How do I order Express Gift Cards?
Q. How quickly will the gift cards be shipped?
Q. What is the minimum amount of cards I can order?
Q. Can I reorder gift cards?
Q. When should cards be reordered?
Q. What if I want to create a look of my own?
CUSTOM GIFT CARD FAQ
Q. In creating my card design, what dimensions do I have to work with?
Q. What types of electronic format do you accept for artwork?
Q. Do you accept camera ready artwork?
Q. How many gift cards can I order?
Q. What is the time frame for receiving my completed gift card order?
Q. When should cards be reordered?
Q: Why use electronic gift cards versus
paper certificates?
A: The electronic gift card concept is quickly
becoming the medium of choice for retailers across the
country. Among the significant reasons are: No cash back
(value remaining after partial redemption stays on the card,
ensuring additional opportunities to solidify the customer
relationship or retain funds) and real time data capture
(virtually eliminates both the losses associated with paper
gift certificates and costly tracking and accounting).
Top of FAQ
Q: What
are the benefits of this program?
A: Electronic gift/stored value cards are convenient
(carried in wallet with other plastics), secure (cannot be
photocopied) and act as a "billboard in a wallet."
Q: How does the
gift card work?
A: When a customer asks to purchase a gift card, the
merchant takes a card from inventory and activates it for
the dollar amount desired by swiping the card through
his/her integrated Point of Sale terminal. The card is now
ready to be used at any participating store location.
Top of FAQ
Q: How soon can the card be redeemed?
A: The gift card may be used immediately after
activation. Gift card transactions are processed in real
time.
Q: How do I get the customer with an existing card to add more value?
A: This is a very important revenue generator and can
be very profitable for your business. The use of incentives
will entice consumers to add value to the card. For example,
if a customer adds $50 to his existing card, offer to give
that customer $55 worth of value or offer discounts or
additional services specific to gift card users. The
"add-value" feature of this card program offers limitless
marketing opportunities to enhance customer relationships,
increase purchase frequency, and build brand awareness.
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Q: How do I get my employees fired up about the gift card program?
A: Incentives, incentives, incentives—a concept that
works with customers and employees alike! A reward program
encouraging friendly competition between employees will
build a strong, goal-oriented team while promoting your new
and dynamic gift card program.
Q: In a nutshell, what are the advantages of Mercury gift cards?
A: MercuryGift is designed to provide fast and
affordable gift card processing to merchants of all sizes
and types. Some of the advantages of working with Mercury’s
gift card program include:
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State of the art processing at the Point of Sale
(POS) |
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Easy activation, redemption, and reloading |
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Real-time web reporting |
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24/7 live customer and technical support |
Top of FAQ
Q: What is the Express Gift Card Program?
A: The Express Gift Card Program is a quick, easy,
and inexpensive way for merchants to get started selling
gift cards. It provides all the basic ingredients for gift
card success: great looking cards, Point of Sale
merchandising and program reporting.
Q: How do I order Express Gift Cards?
A: Simply
Contact Us or
speak to a customer service representative
by using our Live Chat.
Specify which card design you would like, the color, and the
font that you would like to use for your business name.
Top of FAQ
Q: How quickly will the gift cards be shipped?
A: Cards for the Gift Card Express Program are
preprinted and warehoused for rapid fulfillment. Most orders
will ship within 2 weeks after proof approval.
Q: What is the minimum amount of cards I can order?
A: An initial order of 500 cards is required to start
the program. These cards come with POS tools: 500
presenters, 5 tent cards and an 8.5 x 11 acrylic display with
a colorful insert promoting your gift card program.
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Q: Can I reorder gift cards?
A: Yes! Express Gift Card reorders are submitted to
Mercury Payment Systems. Please
Contact Us
or speak to a customer service representative by using our
Live Chat for a re-order form.
Q: When should cards be reordered?
A: Merchants should always be aware of their card
supply so as not to deplete their inventory during peak
seasons. Keep in mind that when reordering cards, the
process will take 2-3 weeks from proof approval.
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Q: What if I want to create a look of my own?
A: If you wish to create your own look Mercury has a
Custom Gift Card Program, which is discussed in the next
section. For additional information, please
Contact Us
or speak to a customer service representative by using our
Live Chat.
Q: In creating my card design, what dimensions do I have to work with?
A: The finished
card size is: 3 3/8" (3.375) x 2 1/8" (2.125). A Magnetic
Stripe (two track LoCo.300 oersted, 7/16" or 5/16") is
placed 3/16" from the edge of the back of the card. Art work
that bleeds must extend 1/8th" beyond the edge of card. A
1/8" trim safety margin inside of the card edge is
recommended for all type and essential art elements. The
card’s dimensions are the same as a standard credit card.
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Q: What types of electronic format do you accept for artwork?
A: We currently accept digital files for both the Mac
and PC platforms with any of the following programs: Quark
Express 5.0 or lower Adobe Photoshop 6.0 or lower Adobe
Illustrator 9.0 or lower Macromedia Freehand 8.0 Adobe
PageMaker 7.0 or lower Corel Draw 8.0 (Win) & 6.0 (Mac) In
Design 2.0 (Mac Only). All high res tif, eps and vector.
We accept files via floppy disk, 100 MB zip disks (IBM and
Mac), CD, e-mail file size below 20 MB, and can download from
your ftp site.
Q: Do you accept camera ready artwork?
A: Yes, we accept separated film and camera ready
artwork. Photocopies and pre-printed materials (business
cards, brochures, etc.) are not suitable for high-quality
graphic production, but are sometimes used. Complete card
design services are available for a moderate fee.
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Q: How many gift cards can I order?
A: An initial number of 1,000 custom cards is
required to start the program.
Q: What is the time frame for receiving my completed gift card order?
A: Once acceptable artwork has been received, an
electronic proof will be created and distributed via email
within 3 to 5 business days. A color paper proof can also be
sent upon request for a $25 fee. Once the proof has been
signed, production requires approximately 30 business days.
Top of FAQ
Q: When should cards be reordered?
A: Merchants should always be aware of their card
supply so as not to deplete their inventory during peak
seasons. Keep in mind that when reordering cards, the
process will take 30 days from proof approval.
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