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Frequently
Asked Questions:
Before
you have a Merchant Account
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Can't find
an answer to your question?
Email us at info@cellcharge.com
What
is a Merchant Account?
A merchant account allows a business to accept credit cards as
payment from customers. The account captures funds from the card
holder’s processing bank and deposits the money into the
business owner’s checking account. Cell Charge uses a unique
phone system that allows businesses to key credit card information
into their existing phone to receive instant card approval and
have the corresponding funds deposited into their existing checking
account.
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What makes Cell Charge different?
Like other providers, Cell Charge lets you accept credit cards
and have the funds deposited in your bank account automatically.
Unlike the others, you don’t need a “swipe”
terminal or any computer software to use Cell Charge. An existing
telephone or cell phone is all you need to make transactions with
us. Cell Charge is also unique in that it does not require any
length of contract to process. You can cancel anytime you wish,
and at no cost to you. Our fees are simple to understand, so you
always know what you are being charged to use the service. Our
easy application is simple and fast, we can have you accepting
credit cards in 24 hours.
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What do I get?
Cell Charge Merchants receive the following in conjunction with
their set up fee:
- Manual credit card
imprinter with an engraved name plate to make receipts for your
customers
- Package of 100 sales
drafts
- Access to your Cell
Charge account reports online
- Access to our customer
service to answer any questions you have about your account
- The ability to take
credit cards and receive instant transaction approval over any
phone, anywhere, anytime
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How do I use Cell
Charge to make a transaction?
- Dial our toll free
number (866) 750-0270 from any
telephone or cell
- Use the keypad to
enter the pertinent credit card data and transaction amount
- The system will
tell you if the charge is accepted or declined
- Approved transaction
funds are deposited to your bank in approximately 3 business
days
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How much does it cost?
Cell Charge has eliminated all of the normal fees associated with
credit card processing to bring you a low, bundled rate that includes
virtually all of your costs. Cell Charge costs $99 when you sign
up and $9.99 a month until you cancel. You can cancel at any time
at no cost. The cost to use the service is 3.85% of each transaction.
There are no other fees or hidden charges with Cell Charge. See
our savings chart to see how much we can save you!
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How will I save
money using Cell Charge?
Thousands of our Cell Charge Merchants have saved hundreds of
dollars each with Cell Charge as their processor. Our average
merchant saves more than $600 every year using Cell Charge. Check
for yourself:
| Fees
and charges |
Cell
Charge |
Competitor |
| Monthly
Terminal Lease Cost |
None |
$29.99 |
| Discount
Rate |
3.85%
|
2.45% |
| Transaction
Fee |
None |
$0.25 |
| Monthly
Minimum |
None
|
$25.00
|
| Monthly
Access/ Statement Fee |
$9.99
|
$10.00 |
| Mobile
Ability |
Yes
|
No |
| Length
of Contract |
None
|
2-5 Years |
| Cancellation
Fee |
None
|
$250.00
|
| Compare
20 transactions at $50 each per month |
Cell
Charge |
Competitor |
| # of
Transactions per Month |
20
|
20 |
| Average
Ticket Amount |
$50.00 |
$50.00
|
| Total
Processing Cost Per Month |
$48.49 |
$69.99 |
| Monthly
Savings |
$21.50
|
|
| Annual
Savings |
$258.00 |
|
| Savings
% |
31% |
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You want the
Lowest Total Bill - Not the Lowest Rate
Confused by all the rates and fees that other companies charge
for handling credit cards? There are set up fees, statement fees,
transaction fees, access fees, customer service fees, and so many
others that it's difficult to have a clear picture of what you
are being charged. You can never figure out who is better, and
who has the lowest cost. You look just at the discount rate and
sign a contract hoping for the best. Then, you find out that the
quoted rate isn't your only cost, but you are trapped in a two-year
contract. Just ask your business friends!
When is 3.85%
lower than 2.45%?
Answer: When you add all the processing fees together. The result
with Cell Charge is a lower overall monthly cost for the transactions
processed. The one-rate plan for small business is simple to understand.
3.85% per transaction, plus a low $9.99 monthly access fee - that's
it! There are no transaction fees, statement fees, minimums, lease
fees, or termination fees.
Do you want
a low rate or a low total bill?
It turns out that the Cell Charge plan is much lower overall than
those so called low rate plans. These "low rate" plans
only cost less when you start processing upwards of nine thousand
dollars every month. The real cost of a merchant account is the
total amount that you spend to process transactions, not merely
the rate that is quoted.
No expensive
equipment to buy - Simply use your existing phone to process credit
cards
Cell Charge uses a telephone to process all of your transactions.
This is great news for those small businesses that don't process
huge volumes of credit card transactions each month. The Cell
Charge Program eliminates the high up front/on-going costs for
purchasing a swiping terminal that can amount to $500-$2,000;
or a lease that may run $40-$60 per month for 4-5 YEARS. In addition,
you will not need to add another dedicated phone line which can
run as much as $33/month for the swiping terminal to work. You
would need to process $9,100 per month to make any of these programs
worthwhile. Avoid these costs and the commitment to a long term
contract and equipment lease by choosing Cell Charge instead.
With the Cell Charge Deluxe Package, Members get everything they
need to begin accepting credit cards.
No long-term
contract
Other credit card processors enter you into a long-term contract.
These contracts come in two forms: First, all other companies
require a 3-5 year lease for the expensive equipment plus hefty
monthly fees. These payments must be made no matter what you process
that month, and are typically at $40-$60/month. Second, other
companies require a service contract with a lot more fees that
are automatically renewed every year. There is a small window
to cancel, but a big penalty if you miss it. This is designed
to make even unhappy customers continue to pay. Cell Charge has
NONE of these!
Simplicity
- A single rate
Our system has no hidden charges for mid-rates and special processing.
Our rates do not vary; we charge all merchants the same 3.85%
and $9.99 per month.
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What information
do I need to properly fill out the Merchant Account application?
On our secure website, Cell Charge provides a simple online application
that requires just enough information for Cell Charge to process
your credit card transactions and put the proceeds in your bank.
The information you provide is sent over an encrypted secure network
and will not be sold or shared with anyone other than the institutions
necessary to process transactions.
Please have the following information available in order to complete
your application for your Cell Charge merchant account:
- Drivers License
- Drivers License
Number
- State of Issuance
- Expiration date
- Social Security
Number
- Information about
your bank account where your settlement funds will be deposited
- Bank name
- Account name
- Routing number (first
group of numbers on the bottom left of the check)
- Account number
(usually follow the routing number, between quotation marks)
- Your Credit Card
information to pay the $99 set up fee
- Card number
- Expiration Date
- 3 digit security
code (last three digits on back signature panel)
- 5 digit billing
zip code of credit card
If you have questions please contact our customer service agents
at (866)
SELL BY CELL (866 735-5292).
Once you have sent
the application form to us, our customer service department will
contact you to finalize your account.
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Where
is my money?
The transaction usually requires 3 business days. Occasional delays
may occur outside of our control. If you have a question about
a deposit, call customer service at (866)
750-0271, or email accounting@cellcharge.com.
Payment
Depository Schedule
Transaction
Day |
Payment
Available Day |
Monday |
Thursday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
Wednesday |
Monday |
Thursday |
Tuesday |
Friday |
Wednesday |
Saturday |
Wednesday |
Sunday |
Wednesday |
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Can
I change my merchant pin?
Yes, you can change your pin. The person on the account must call
Customer Service at (866) 750-0271.
Please have three optional 6 digit numbers you would like to use.
Customer Service will process the request and give instructions
for proceeding. There may be a small administrative fee for making
the change.
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Can
I raise my monthly processing limit?
Processing limits are set in accordance with our bank’s
credit criteria. Merchants can contact Customer Service with their
request for an increase of their processing limits. Based on information
in our system, Customer Service will take the request and advise
the merchant of the procedure in their special instance. Do not
accept more in charges in any given 30-day period than you are
allotted by Cell Charge. If you foresee a month with excessive
charges, contact the risk department at (866)
750-0271 prior to reaching your 30 day limit to discuss
possible solutions.
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Can
I raise my approved highest ticket?
Highest ticket limits are set in accordance with our bank’s
credit criteria. Merchants can contact Customer Service with their
request for an increase of their high ticket limit. Based on information
in our system, Customer Service will take the request and advise
the merchant of the procedure in their special instance. Do not
accept charges for more than your current high ticket allowance.
If you have a higher ticket than your present limit and would
like to find out if you can process it, call risk at (866)
750-0271.
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How
do I get more Credit Card slips?
Merchants can call (866) SELL BY CELL (866
735-5292) or email supplies@cellcharge.com
and request additional sales slips. Sales slips are mailed out
the day after the request. Merchants must allow enough time for
delivery, usually 3 business days. Expedited orders are sent only
with the merchant paying an additional “rush” shipping
fee. To expedite your supply order request, please utilize our
imprinter and supplies order form at www.cellcharge.com/form.htm
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Where is
my Welcome Package?
Welcome kits are mailed the day after the merchant account is
approved. They include 5 sales drafts, a copy of the Terms and
Conditions, an instruction card on how to make transactions, and
a supply order form. If you have not received your Welcome Kit
within 5 days of that date, please email accounting@cellcharge.com
or call 877-514-1400 . We will need to verify your mailing address.
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What if
I forget my PIN?
You can obtain you Merchant PIN by calling (866)
750-0269. Listen for the proper prompt and enter your social
security number. Please note, you must enter the Social Security
number for the primary owner that is listed on the application.
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What
is my settlement fee?
Your settlement fee is the discount rate you agreed to on your
merchant application.
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How do I get a
copy of my Terms and Conditions?
A copy of your Terms and Conditions is included in your Welcome
Kit. Applications are processed via mail, fax, and phone. You
may also view the Terms and Conditions from this web site.
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How do I cancel
my service?
Please call (866) 750-0271 or email
customerservice@cellcharge.com
with your request. Only the person who opened the account may
request the account be closed.
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If I have another location,
do I need a separate account?
Credit card processing rules state that each location must have
their own merchant account. Different types of business and difference
locations are two reasons for having separate accounts.
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My money is not in my account
yet, what do I do?
Call Customer Service (866) 750-0271
to have your processing and checking account verified. Be prepared
with you checking account information for verification. Customer
Service will research your problem.
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How do I change my checking
account information?
Checking account changes must be in writing from the owner of
record. Please fax the request with a copy of a voided check and
front page of the corresponding bank statement to
(866) 209-4446. Please allow 7 days for any changes to
take affect. In the meantime, do not close your previous account
in case transactions and deposits are in process. Any recent charges
will not be able to be changed, but will continue to go to the
old account.
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Can I charge my own credit
card?
A test transaction of between $2.00 and $5.00 is recommended in
order to verify that your account is working properly. Any merchant
that charges their own card for more than $5.00 faces fines and
termination of their merchant account. Credit card processing
rules are very strict and a test transaction is the only exception,
as charging the merchant's own card is considered circumventing
the cash advance laws by Visa and MasterCard. If you have a question
about a test transaction or the subsequent deposit, call customer
service at (866) 750-0271.
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What is the credit
card’s CVV2 number?
This is the 3
digit security code located on the back of the card on the
signature panel. Note: This applies to all Visa, MasterCard, and
Discover cards. For an American Express card, the CVV2 number
is a four digit number located on the front of the card.
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What
if I try it and don’t like it?
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your Cell Charge service
within the first 30 days, simply contact us toll free at (866)
SELL BY CELL (866 735-5292) for a full refund. Your “deluxe
“ personalized manual imprinter kit must be returned to:
Cell Charge, Inc.
3653 East Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Westlake Village, CA 91362
Upon receipt of your imprinter kit, a full refund will be issued.
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