All it takes is these three steps:
1. Complete the online application on this site.

2. Have a US based company, address, and bank account.

3. Have the following items available for sign up:

• Articles of Incorporation
• US Drivers License
• Pre-Printed Voided Business Check
• Depending on your volume and history you may need to have financials, bank statements, tax returns, or past merchant statements available

To safeguard the transmission of data, CambridgEcommerce will  use the latest secure
SSL encryption technology to ensure data safety. However, it is the storage of data and
not the transmission of data that poses the biggest security threat to electronic
commerce. To prevent data compromise in the storage server, sensitive transaction
information must be stored on secure systems that cannot be accessed through the
Internet. Hardware and software firewall technology, and additional encryption technology eliminate all opportunities for intruders to "hack into" a server and compromise information.

Yes. Merchants can receive customer billing information through the web, and process it manually, however, this process can be more time-consuming. Manual processing does provide customers with the level of security they require. Running an online business can be a daunting enterprise, and extending a business to the web requires responsiveness and flexibility. CambridgEcommerce will provide automated services on a cost-effective, secure, and easy way to implement and manage Internet payment processing, enabling merchants to focus on their core business.

Yes. You can authorize a transaction without capturing the funds for the transaction. When you authorize a credit card, a funds hold is placed on the cardholder's credit limit for the period of the authorization.

Yes. You can take these orders manually, but process them online by using web-based tools. You can also use automated capabilities.  We recommend that you consider providing your customers with the ability to make their purchases online. It will expedite your operations, making them much more efficient, so you can devote more time to other aspects of your business.

No. CambridgEcommerce  stores all transaction information from your web store and using the latest secure SSL encryption technology to ensure data safety. While you have access to all transaction-critical information, CambridgEcommerce protects credit card data with the highest level of security, so you never have to worry about compromising your customer's sensitive credit card data.

Yes.  CambridgEcommerce provides you with an administrative site to generate reports that provide detailed information about all transactions processed through your account and allows you to change your account information.

Transaction processing involves the round trip transfer of financial transaction data (for example, consumer credit card information), from a merchant's web site to a processing network, and thereafter completes the transfer of funds to the merchant.

A typical transaction, including the response, will usually occur within 3 seconds.
If you do not receive a transaction response, or if you receive a "time out" error message, there may be problems with your Internet service, or other network communication errors. Check with your system administrator to verify that your system's Internet connections are functioning. If you are still experiencing errors, contact CambridgEcommerce.

No. Doing so is referred to as a processing "factory." This is against Visa/MasterCard regulations and may result in your Internet merchant account being terminated by CambridgEcommerce.

Because each of our customers has unique needs, our processing services are customized according to the specifics of their business. Pricing is based on factors such as type of industry, method in which payments are accepted, card types accepted and a number of other variables.

You can manually process transaction as well as issue voids, delayed captures, voice authorization, or credits, through your CambridgEcommerce Transaction Terminal.

You can void any sale, delayed capture, voice authorization or credit that has not settled. Once a transaction has settled, it cannot be voided, but you can issue a credit. Authorization cannot be voided.

Transaction Terminal and issue a credit for the proper amount to the customer. To issue a credit, locate the original transaction ID associated with the transaction in question, and issue a credit to the cardholder using the Transaction Terminal.

Yes. You will need to use the delayed capture transaction type . Delayed capture transactions allow you to authorize a transaction, and specify a wait time until you ship the product to settle the transaction and capture the funds.

Yes. This recurring billing service allows you to automatically charge your customers for regularly scheduled payments, such as membership dues or installment payments. It’s convenient for your customers, and it will make your business look more professional and help you manage your cash flow.

Online stores experience fraud 17 times more often than offline stores. An estimated $1.8 billion will be lost to credit card fraud in 2003. 1 in 6 online consumers has been the victim of credit card fraud. Even if you haven't experienced online fraud, odds are you eventually will. See the suggestions under “Fraud.”

As a registered processor with MasterCard and VISA USA, CambridgEcommerce will provide merchant account payment processing services for MasterCard, Visa, AMEX, Discover, JCB and Diners. In addition, CambridgEcommerce will also provide e-Check and ACH (Automated Clearing House) debit and credit services for those clients expanding their payment options.

No. Only merchants with a legal presence in the US can be accepted for merchant services.

Merchant accounts are approved based on actual or projected dollar volume. CambridgEcommerce monitors account activity and reserves the right to review accounts at any time should volume be significantly above or below the level represented on the merchant application.

When you apply for a merchant account, you are essentially applying for an unsecured line of credit. When a transaction takes place, the cardholder is debited and the merchant is credited for the amount of the transaction. The cardholder still has chargeback rights and can dispute the transaction for up to 90 days. When a cardholder initiates a chargeback with a valid reason code, the funds are automatically taken from the merchant's account and credited back to the cardholder. CambridgEcommerce wants to ensure that each potential merchant is financially sound, has a viable business and is operating in good faith and standing, so these disputes can be resolved with the merchant.

Check verification is a service that provides merchants with varying degrees of insurance against bad check losses by verifying the authenticity of each check and/or its presenter. Checks are verified through a national database gathered from retailers who upload bad check information. While a check verification service is not required, this service does help keep your business losses to a minimum.

Interchange fees are transaction-related costs that your payment processor pays to the issuer of the card as compensation. These fees are established by MasterCard and Visa and are based upon how a transaction takes place and in what type of industry.

Your Gateway is the internet tool that you use to upload data and download reports. Gateway support should also be available 24 hours a day year round.

Examples of Gateway Support:

Open A Ticket Request:

If you are experiencing any problems with your current processing then you may open a "ticket" request directly online. Technicians will be working on the request immediately.

Upon opening a ticket request, you can check its status directly online. A status report for a report does take a few minutes to be setup.

Support numbers for security or ticket information should be available on a 24/7 basis.

Merchants should be provided with the reports via 24/7 online access to personalized account information.

Reports allow you to:
-Reconcile deposits
-Retrieve deposit information
-View detailed reports of chargeback and retrieval histories
-Receive prompt answers to questions they submit via e-mail                         
-Receive daily summary emails that tie to your daily batches and deposits

With online reporting solutions, your business has a central access point for round-the-clock answers to your payment processing questions. From identifying downgraded transactions to managing exception items, these valuable programs help you get the most out of your most valued resources -- your time and money. With a few simple clicks of a mouse, your account data should be at your fingertips to answer your customer's questions when they call, allowing you to provide better customer service.

You can get data online by:
- Company
- Batch
- Date
- Amount
- Status
- Result

The major cost factors are the discount rate and the transaction fee. The discount rate is a percentage of the total transaction. An example would be 2.50%, therefore, if your total sale is $100, Visa will deduct $2.50 from your deposit.

Transaction fees work much the same way but are usually a flat fee, like $0.25 per transaction.

Therefore, using a sample transaction of $100, the Visa fees will be $2.50 plus $0.25, for a total of $2.75. The net deposit you will receive will be $97.25.