First I need to state as instructed by SmokeyJoe that this thread was approved by him directly prior to its being posted.
On the forums yesterday a supplier made a thread mentioning being declined for merchant services. In his post he posted the response from the provider he attempted to go through, the response stated that the denial was from MasterCard directly due to all the issues with the FDA. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-news/22823-fda-mastercard-merchant-approval.html
Im really not the best in the world with words but I will do my best to explain everything as completely as possible.
I wanted to let the suppliers on here know that I work for a merchant services company and what this supplier was told is not totally accurate. Most merchant providers would not set up E-cig suppliers in the beginning because they didnt understand what you are selling. Initially they all believed that e-cigs MUST have tobacco in them, because theres no way you can get your nicotine without tobacco right? Now that the word has gotten out and people understand what e-cigs are merchant providers are using the FDA issues to deny you for that reason. The reality is that they are scared; they do not truly understand this product or the customer base behind it. They are afraid that it is a gimmick product and that the charge back ratio will be excessively high, but from what Ive seen it is very low, especially for an internet business in general. I think that this is because of the wonderful customer service provided by the suppliers in combination with the great people in this community.
The good news for the suppliers is this: The company that I work for WILL do electronic cigarette merchant accounts. Were not some low end middle man wanting to charge you 5 and 6% for the privilege either. We will give you great pricing and customer service and we do not require reserve accounts to do this as Im sure a few of you have quite possibly ran into in the past. Im not a salesman, Im admin, I dont make extra money from setting up your accounts I do it because I feel a sense of responsibility to this community and the suppliers that make it possible. Because I know the right people I can give all U.S. Suppliers a 90% guarantee of approval. I will personally be the one taking care of you and your accounts, I think Ive been around long enough (though I have a tendency to be quite shy and sometimes even weird sometimes) that I fell like some of you know me, at least a little, or I hope that you do any way.
I already hold the merchant accounts for several suppliers and while some of them asked to remain anonymous for their various personal reasons (and some did not respond to my email asking if they would like to be listed) the following is a list of the ones that gave their specific permission to be listed here. I personally feel that an especially honorable mention should go out to Phil over at e-Smokey Treats e-Smokey Treats - Electronic Cigarette's, The healthy alternative to traditional tobacco cigarette's for being the guinea pig and paving the way for everyone to get their merchant services done. He went through quite a headache to get his account set up in the beginning but thanks to him we have been able to streamline the setup of accounts for the e-cig suppliers and in most cases can have the accounts set up and ready to roll in 3 business days on average.
The other suppliers that specifically agreed to be mentioned:
Bloog Electronic Cigarettes By Bloog
VaporNine Electronic Cigarette Store at VaporNine:The Smoke Alternative - with the requested quote Tell them I personally recommend you
PHX Smokeless Cigarettes PHX SMOKELESS CIGARETTES - The future is here! The PHX Smokeless Electronic Cigarette - Merchant Now Financial and Beth Suddreth have responded to all our needs promptly and thoroughly. Beth is both efficient and a pleasure to deal with, and we are very pleased that we were referred to Merchant Now.
If I get a response from the others Ill be sure to edit and list them later.
I was going to post all of my contact information but when I sent it to be proof-read by SJ he suggested conducting things through PM so that I dont get spam emails (the thought never occurred to me.) So everybody, feel free to PM me (even non-suppliers) with your questions and Ill be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
On the forums yesterday a supplier made a thread mentioning being declined for merchant services. In his post he posted the response from the provider he attempted to go through, the response stated that the denial was from MasterCard directly due to all the issues with the FDA. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-news/22823-fda-mastercard-merchant-approval.html
Im really not the best in the world with words but I will do my best to explain everything as completely as possible.
I wanted to let the suppliers on here know that I work for a merchant services company and what this supplier was told is not totally accurate. Most merchant providers would not set up E-cig suppliers in the beginning because they didnt understand what you are selling. Initially they all believed that e-cigs MUST have tobacco in them, because theres no way you can get your nicotine without tobacco right? Now that the word has gotten out and people understand what e-cigs are merchant providers are using the FDA issues to deny you for that reason. The reality is that they are scared; they do not truly understand this product or the customer base behind it. They are afraid that it is a gimmick product and that the charge back ratio will be excessively high, but from what Ive seen it is very low, especially for an internet business in general. I think that this is because of the wonderful customer service provided by the suppliers in combination with the great people in this community.
The good news for the suppliers is this: The company that I work for WILL do electronic cigarette merchant accounts. Were not some low end middle man wanting to charge you 5 and 6% for the privilege either. We will give you great pricing and customer service and we do not require reserve accounts to do this as Im sure a few of you have quite possibly ran into in the past. Im not a salesman, Im admin, I dont make extra money from setting up your accounts I do it because I feel a sense of responsibility to this community and the suppliers that make it possible. Because I know the right people I can give all U.S. Suppliers a 90% guarantee of approval. I will personally be the one taking care of you and your accounts, I think Ive been around long enough (though I have a tendency to be quite shy and sometimes even weird sometimes) that I fell like some of you know me, at least a little, or I hope that you do any way.
I already hold the merchant accounts for several suppliers and while some of them asked to remain anonymous for their various personal reasons (and some did not respond to my email asking if they would like to be listed) the following is a list of the ones that gave their specific permission to be listed here. I personally feel that an especially honorable mention should go out to Phil over at e-Smokey Treats e-Smokey Treats - Electronic Cigarette's, The healthy alternative to traditional tobacco cigarette's for being the guinea pig and paving the way for everyone to get their merchant services done. He went through quite a headache to get his account set up in the beginning but thanks to him we have been able to streamline the setup of accounts for the e-cig suppliers and in most cases can have the accounts set up and ready to roll in 3 business days on average.
The other suppliers that specifically agreed to be mentioned:
Bloog Electronic Cigarettes By Bloog
VaporNine Electronic Cigarette Store at VaporNine:The Smoke Alternative - with the requested quote Tell them I personally recommend you
PHX Smokeless Cigarettes PHX SMOKELESS CIGARETTES - The future is here! The PHX Smokeless Electronic Cigarette - Merchant Now Financial and Beth Suddreth have responded to all our needs promptly and thoroughly. Beth is both efficient and a pleasure to deal with, and we are very pleased that we were referred to Merchant Now.
If I get a response from the others Ill be sure to edit and list them later.
I was going to post all of my contact information but when I sent it to be proof-read by SJ he suggested conducting things through PM so that I dont get spam emails (the thought never occurred to me.) So everybody, feel free to PM me (even non-suppliers) with your questions and Ill be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.
(I've always hated their gateway pricing)
