Selecting a Credit Card Gateway

Credit card payment is a convenience for your guests at your event that speeds check out and improves record keeping. Both a merchant and internet gateway account must be established to use your auction software to process credit card payments. A merchant account allows for the holder to accept electronic payment. A gateway account allows one electronic system to communicate with the merchant account to make the transfer request.

Although we can electronically accommodate a variety of gateway account providers, we have providers who we have found give good service to non-profit organizations or those who do not routinely use such accounts. Plans vary so in deciding, beware of the total cost involved. These fees often include a start up fee, a monthly charge, a percentage of each charge or discount rate (variable based on the amount of identity confirming information sent with the card), and a per transaction cost. Add together ALL the costs to decide what works best for you. Although we aim to be accommodating, processing an application for a new account can take time and we do not control the timing or the result so the sooner one starts, the better.

Credit card providers distinguish between swiping a card and entering credit card information by typing it into a form sent over the Internet. On credit card applications, this distinction is described as "Card present" or "Card not present" and different rates and rules often apply. (It is not unusual to be asked to project what percentage of monies you will raise online versus with card present.) If you know you are going to do an online auction or ticket sales, it is useful to include that in your initial application. If you don't want to use it online or with "card not present" (e-commerce) and change your mind, most providers require that you amend your status to reflect the new activity. Some merchant accounts will not accept e-commerce at all and some gateway accounts consider it a separate account that requires its own set up fee and monthly charge which results in double the effort and cost. It is important to consider all these factors before choosing how you are going to accept credit cards.

RECOMMENDED CREDIT CARD SERVICE PROVIDERS

Make sure you tell the person you call that you are clients of Tofino or Northworld. Their rates are very competitive and their offerings include a single application for both the merchant account and gateway and for "card present" and "card not present' uses.

PayPlanners - Rob Hanczor - robert@payplanner.net - (415) 483-1700

Total Merchant Concepts - Eric Jenks - eric@totalmerchantconcepts.com - phone: 888.249.9919 or locally 360.253.5934

X-Charge Payment Processing - Lenora Hayes | Lenora.Hayes@x-charge.com - Phone: 800.637.8268 ext 110 - Fax: 270.813.8929

Merchant Support - Laura Arciniega - larciniega@merchantsupport.com - Phone: 650-692-9700 ext. 100

Sterling Savings Bank Merchant Services: - 866-724-2606 - merchant.services@sterlingsavings.com - Option 2 Lori Harada (direct 509-924-1551) or Barbara Derr (direct 509-363-6852) will take your application and assist with set up.

COMPATIBLE OR ACCEPTED CREDIT CARD SERVICE PROVIDERS

Authorize.net If you already have a merchant account, you can apply for a gateway account through authorize.net . Apply directly using the Authorize Net Existing Merchant Account (pdf) form. The rates and cost are part of the form which can filled out electronically to improve legibility. Since Authorize.net is a gateway, these fees are in addition to the existing fees on your merchant account.

If you want/need to establish both merchant and gateway accounts and choose authorize.net you should use the Authorize Net New Merchant Account (pdf) form.

When you receive notice that your authorize.net account is approved, refer to AuthorizeNet Api Key Instructions (pdf) to get the Key or password needed to put into Tofino to establish the connection. See Set up and Testing can be completed when API information is gathered.

Alternative Services
If you have an existing merchant and or gateway account that can do web processing, we are compatible with a range of services including:
Braintree,
Authorize.net,
Viaklix,
Linkpoint,
PayPal Payflow Pro,
Sage,
eProcessing Network.
Merchant Solutions,
Pay Trace,
X-Charge.
wonderpay
payjunction (Trinity)
transnational

Please contact Support if you have an alternative solution and we will work with you to see if it is compatible with your auction software.

Portland Schools with relationships with PSF, can request the use of their merchant account. The request needs to be made 90 days before the event or the time that connectivity is needed. The PSF contact is Holly Weems, holly@thinkschools.org, 503-234-5404 ext. 13 . Fill out this PSF Merchant Account Authorization Form (pdf) and follow the instructions.

PSF requests that the following language be relayed to guests.

Anyone bidding either in the silent or live auction agrees to pay the amount of his/her bid prior to leaving the auction. Payment may be made with cash, check or [choose appropriate] (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.) Payment in full must be made this evening. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. There are no exchanges or refunds. Cash refunds are not available on any unused portions of gift certificates.