Accept Discover Cards

One of the ways you can increase sales is to accept credit cards. Indeed, customers who use credit cards tend to spend more than customers who use cash or debit cards. And, if you sell your services and products online, it is especially important that you accept credit cards. One of the cards you can accept is Discover.

Setting up a merchant account with Discover

In order to accept Discover credit cards, it is vital that you set up a merchant account with Discover. You cannot set up with MasterCard, Visa or American Express and automatically have the ability to accept Discover cards. This means that you have to go to Discover and get an account. This means that Discover will facilitate transactions made using its cards between your customers and your business. As long as you do not have a past record of problems with merchant accounts, you should be able to get an account to accept Discover credit cards.

For the most part, your main fees will be the discount rate charged by Discover. Every time a customer uses a Discover card, a percentage of the sale will be deducted and Discover will keep it. You might also be subject to monthly fees. It is also worth noting that Discover charges a $25 setup fee, which will appear on your first statement.

While you can set up through Discover, you are most likely to set up your Discover credit card acceptance through a Referral Agent Program. The Discover program allows others to set up merchant accounts that can accept Discover. Vantage Card Services is an example of this. Indeed, such services can be useful, since they offer “one stop shopping” that allows you to get accounts with other major credit card providers as well. You statements, however, will come from Discover.

When you set up an account with Discover, you will also be able to accept Diners Club cards. Discover acquired Diners Club (the first general use credit card) relatively recently, and this means that you can accept Diners Club with the same merchant account that you have with Discover. Debit cards issued by Discover’s network of financial services companies can also be accepted in this manner.

Accepting other methods of payment with a Discover merchant account

Discover also has what are known as Smart Cards. You can also accept checks and even echecks through Discover. There are also what are known as “contactless” payment acceptors. This means that the customer has only to wave their card in front of the terminal to be accepted. Discover has some of these cards that work in this manner, and it can be a way convenient way for customers to make payment for products – especially those that total less than $25.

You should carefully consider your needs before deciding which credit cards to accept. Figure out what fees you can pay, and whether your sales justify accepting all the major credit cards. Evaluate which cards your customers use, and plan accordingly. You need to make sure you do what is best for your business.