There is a lot of mystery and bad information about credit cards and merchant account programs and we hope you will find our Frequently Asked Questions page will help to take the mystery out of the subject and help you to make informed decisions.

If you have other questions that are not answered below, please email us and we will be most pleased to promptly reply.

What do I need to take credit cards?

Where do I get supplies and parts for equipment that I buy from you?

Can I pay for the equipment or software with my personal or corporate purchase card?

If I move my merchant account from my present processor and I don't like the service what are my options?

Who will train my staff on the use of the equipment or software?

What if my equipment fails?

What makes dabow-inc warranty so special?

Can I purchase a terminal or printer from you without signing up for a merchant account?

I am changing banks as well as my merchant account, can I use the Tranz330 from my old bank with my new merchant account?

What if I already have my equipment?

What is the warranty on the terminals that you provide?

Is there anything I need other than an electronic terminal to take credit cards that are electronically draft captured?

What equipment do I need to purchase?

What are discount points and transaction fees and how do they work in the electronic payment system?

Is the discount rate for swipe transactions the same as telephone sales?

What is the discount or percentage rate that is charged on each transaction?

Is there a transaction fee?

Are your prices competitive?

What about "lowest rates" I have seen on the Internet?

What kinds of business will dabow-inc accept?

How long does it take to get my money on MasterCard/Visa Transactions?

Can dabow-inc provide check and credit card fraud training for my cashier's?

What is the Address Verification System?

Are all credit card terminals AVS compatible?

What if I need help?

What type of cards may I accept?

Who will help once my account is activated?

Is there a problem if I have a bad credit rating?

Can I find out how the application process is going?

How long will the approval process take?

How do I know what is being deposited in my account?

What kind of information will be asked on the merchant account application?

What is check recovery? How does it work? How can dabow-inc offer this service for Free?

Do you charge annual fees or charge penalties for cancellation?

Do I need a pin pad for debit transactions?

If I can run my clients debit cards as a credit transaction, why do I need to have a pin pad? Or have a debit merchant account?

What are the necessary steps to set up an Internet Business?

I have a retail merchant account with a card swipe rate at my bank. I wish to do business on the Internet; my bank is not interested in setting up an Internet merchant account. Can you help us?

I have a restaurant and would like to accept credit cards on my P.C. based cash register. Can you help me?

What is a Gateway?

What is SSL?

Can you set up monthly recurring billing for MasterCard and Visa?

What is eCheck?

What is check guarantee? How does it work?

What is Electronic Check Conversion?

What is Check Verification?

With a merchant account for credit cards, can I eliminate checks entirely?

Can I lease equipment from dabow-inc?

Can dabow-inc set me up as wireless merchant?

Why should a retail store need a website?

What would a website cost to set up?

What exactly is AIRCHARGE and what solutions do we offer?

Do you offer a card reader that the phone actually slides into?

Can I use a IRDA (infra-red) printer?

When I try to "REFRESH" the AIRCHARGE software on my phone I get the message "CANNOT connect to server. Please try again later". Why is your server unavailable?

Do I need a Total Connect plan with public or private IP from Nextel?

Can I use AIRCHARGE software anywhere on CDMA networks (Verizon, ALLTEL, Sprint, and others) that I have coverage?

My processor says you are not on their certified product list, why?

Does the AIRCHARGE software have "Store and Forward"?

Does the AIRCHARGE software work with "debit" cards?

FAQ: What do I need to take credit cards?
Answer: There are two things you need to accept credit cards, a Merchant Account and a Processing Solution. Merchant Accounts are issued by a Visa/MasterCard authorized Bank and or an agent of an authorized bank. The Processing Solution can be hardware like a Tranz330 or software that authorizes the transaction and is capable of settling the transaction on your PC. Your dabow-inc agent can access your needs and make a recommendation after the interview.

FAQ: Where do I get supplies and parts for equipment that I buy from you?
Answer: dabow-inc services and repairs the equipment it sells, and stocks a complete line of receipt paper and ribbons.

FAQ: Can I pay dabow-inc for the equipment or software with my personal or corporate purchase card?
Answer; Most certainly we gladly accept MasterCard and Visa.

FAQ: If I move my merchant account from my present processor and I don't like the service what are my options?
Answer: Many of our clients have been with dabow-inc for 10 years or more. We want happy clients that will refer us to their business associates and friends. If you are not 100% satisfied with the quality of our service, just let us know in writing within the first 90 days of service and dabow-inc will pay your company up to $250.00 for any applicable charges to switch back to your previous merchant service provider.

FAQ: Who will train my staff on the use of the equipment or software?
Answer: We have chosen to support only user-friendly credit card terminals and software. Equipment is shipped preprogrammed and ready to go with a little telephone instruction from us you will be ready to do business in a few minutes.

FAQ: What if my equipment fails?
Answer: Call our 24-hour toll free number that is on the equipment you purchased from dabow-inc. We will overnight a like piece to replace yours and you will send the broken equipment back in the package our customer service representative will provide. If under warranty at no charge to you. If out of warranty the repair/replacement of equipment is $75.00 plus shipping.

FAQ: What makes dabow-inc warranty so special?
Answer: We want our merchants to have dependable P.O.S. equipment. dabow-inc doesn't care why it isn't working, we want to get you an operational terminal or printer in your establishment at once. In most cases we can have a replacement to you overnight.

FAQ: Can I purchase a terminal or printer from you without signing up for a merchant account?
Answer: Yes, we are aware that this type of equipment is used for all sorts of data capture applications. We even sell to our competitors

FAQ: I am changing banks as well as my merchant account, can I use the Tranz330 from my old bank with my new merchant account?.
Answer: This question should always be asked prior to changing merchant service providers. The Tranz 330 comes in both Trac I and II. Some banks cannot program on a Trac I. We have both Verifone Trac1 and Trac 2 terminals in inventory and our bank can program both.

FAQ: What if I already have my equipment?
Answer: If you already have credit card processing equipment that will do the job, we usually can reprogram it. If you need up-grades for debit, or checks we can take your old equipment in trade. If you wish to have your existing equipment reprogrammed, indicate in the "Comments" field on the Online Request Form the type of equipment you have.

FAQ: What is the warranty on the terminals that you provide?
Answer: We offer both new and refurbished equipment. The new terminals and printers come with a factory warranty. Our refurbished equipment is reconditioned by factory-trained technicians and is fully tested prior to you receiving it and has a one-year “No Hassles” warranty.

FAQ: Is there anything I need other than an electronic terminal to take credit cards that are electronically draft captured?
Answer: Yes, if you make face to face transactions where the card is present, you will need a manual imprinter even if your equipment has a built electronic printer. If cards will not swipe and (1 out of 10) cards are not readable by electronic POS systems, you should manually imprint the non-readable card after keying in the transaction. Remember, manually keying in the customer credit card information does not constitute proof of a sale.

FAQ: What equipment do I need to purchase?
Answer: It is difficult to determine that without any information concerning your business needs, we have excellent state of the art equipment and business specific software available at reasonable prices. dabow-inc wants to provide you with the proper equipment for your specific application. We can sort out your equipment or software needs during our interview.

FAQ: What are discount points and transaction fees and how do they work in the electronic payment system?
Answer: Banks and guarantee check services charge merchants discount points or rates to accept credit cards or guarantee checks. The discount rate or points is the percentage of each transaction that the processing company charges to handle the transaction for your business. Humbolt Merchant Services deducts this fee as the daily batch (deposit) is made. A transaction fee is a charge you pay each time you accept a credit card or check for guarantee. For example, if you have a swipe discount rate of 1.79% with a transaction fee of $.25 and you make a retail swipe for $100.00, your bank account will be credited $98.21. The transaction fees are deducted the first week of each month for the previous month's transactions.

FAQ: Is the discount rate for swipe transactions the same as telephone sales?
Answer: No retail credit card sales require a signature at the time of sale. The customer usually receives the product or service at that time. This is the type of transaction where the merchant gets the best discount rates. When you see low rates offered, it is for this type of transaction. Telephone or mail orders are charged a higher discount rate because of the increased risk that the customer will not receive the product or the possibility of a fraudulent sale. You should be sure the agent you choose to write your merchant account fully understands the difference between retail, telephone, mail order and Internet. Not only are the fees different but also the programming and needed equipment or software varies greatly.

FAQ: What is the discount or percentage rate that is charged on each transaction?
Answer: The bank that approves your application determines it. Expect the rate to be between 1.69% to 2.95%.

FAQ: Is there a transaction fee?
Answer: Yes, all banks charge a transaction fee. Transaction fees are set by the card associations and passed on to banks and merchants. The transaction fee is never more than .30cents. Most merchants pay .25 cents on swiped business and .30 cents on keyed business. Should you be offered a rate without transaction fees it means that the processor has simply bundled the fee into the discount rate.

FAQ: Are your prices competitive?
Answer: You bet, but that is what you expect us to say. Remember we want your business. We will work hard to get you approved and by representing several banks we succeed 99% of the time. We also provide your equipment at discount prices and offer a no haggle warranty.

FAQ: What about "lowest rates" I have seen on the Internet?
Answer: Be real careful! One of the most recent ploys we have heard about is the practice where you are promised a low discount, and then, after you have signed up, your rate is drastically increased. Your rates are fixed in writing by our banks.

FAQ: What kinds of business will dabow-inc accept?
Answer: We accept all legitimate businesses, and have been able to place all types of entrepreneurs, retail, service, medical, mail and telephone order. All home based and Internet business submitted to Humbolt Merchant Services in the last 24 months have been approved.

FAQ: How long does it take to get my money on MasterCard/Visa Transactions?
Answer: Your money less the discount rate will be electronically transferred in two business days to the bank account you specified on your application for a merchant account.

FAQ: Can dabow-inc provide check and credit card fraud training for my cashier's?
Answer: As a client you may check out videotapes and books on check and credit card fraud free of charge. dabow-inc President David Bowles is a well-known authority on check and credit card fraud, and is available for training and seminars as his time permits. As a client you will receive periodic literature and bulletins on fraud prevention.

FAQ: What is the Address Verification System?
Answer: If you sell mail order/telephone order, you do not want to send a product to a false address and have the risk of the cardholder not receiving the order as well as a charge back to you. The Address Verification System (AVS) lets you enter the customer's billing or home address and compares it to the address on file with their credit card company. If someone uses a stolen card, and wants products shipped to a false address, AVS will detect this for you.

FAQ: Are all credit card terminals AVS compatible?
Answer: All the equipment and software that dabow-inc handles is AVS compatible with its banks. Some of our competitor's banks cannot program AVS on a Tranz 330. Ask your prospective processor this important question before signing the contract. We know of processors who use this as an opportunity to coerce unknowing merchants into buying expensive new equipment.

FAQ: What if I need help?
Answer: You are provided a toll free number to handle problems or questions that arise. It is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Additionally your dabow-inc agent is only a phone call or e-mail away.

FAQ: What type of cards may I accept?
Answer: When your processing equipment is installed it will provide MasterCard, Visa, and debit if you ordered it. All other major credit cards, including American Express, Discover can be added to your system with our assistance free of charge.

FAQ: Who will help once my account is activated?
Answer: dabow-inc is service orientated, after you have been set up you will receive a welcome letter with a toll free number and the name of your customer service representative, and their mobile phone number for emergencies. This is how we have done business since 1990. It works and our clients refer their friends and business associates to us.

FAQ: Is there a problem if I have a bad credit rating?
Answer: We have a special program for people who have gotten into financial trouble in the past. The Jump-Start program was designed for new merchants with less than desirable credit, who might otherwise be turned down for higher processing limits. Advise us up front of any credit problems and we will make every effort to get you approved.

FAQ: Can I find out how the application process is going?
Answer: We are advised by e-mail at 12:00PM and 6:00PM CST of the status of all applications. You may call or e-mail for the status of your application.

FAQ: How long will the approval process take?
Answer: Once you submit the pre-application and your dabow-inc agent submits the completed paper work, it usually takes about 5 business days. Once the bank issues your Merchant ID number by e-mail. dabow-inc will program your equipment and ship it to you and you can began accepting credit cards.

FAQ: How do I know what is being deposited in my account?
Answer: After every daily batch (an industry word for electronic deposit) the settlement of the day's credit card transactions, your credit card terminal or software will print a daily batch report. Consider this the same as a deposit slip. On about the 10th of the month you will receive a monthly statement to reconcile your bank statement for credits and debits from your merchant account. You also may subscribe to Merchant View, a service that is available on the Internet that utilizes interactive Web pages, and digital certification technology to provide you with simple and secure access to information about your merchant account.

FAQ: What kind of information will be asked on the merchant account application?
Answer: Your merchant account is a credit line from a federally insured financial institution. Your merchant account application will ask the same questions as if you were applying for a loan and the application is processed just like a loan application.

FAQ: What is check recovery? How does it work? How can dabow-inc offer this service for Free?
Answer: Our check recovery service has the resources to electronically represent a NSF check up to three times. Licensed and bonded check recovery professionals send notices and telephone the check writer as needed. Once the check is collected (which is about 78% of the time) the merchant is remitted 100% of the face value of the check. Those check writers that do not redeem their returned checks remain in the bad check data base to warn you and other merchants utilizing check verification to not take anymore of this persons checks. dabow-inc uses a well-known national database that not only serves as a deterrent to bad check writers, but is a great collection tool as well. The check writer pays the check recovery service a statutory NSF fee that in most states is $25.00. This state-regulated fee is how dabow-inc can offer FREE CHECK RECOVERY to its merchants.

FAQ: Do you charge annual fees or charge penalties for cancellation?
Answer: We have no annual membership fees, and you may cancel any time after 9 months wihtout penalty. Cancellation prior to 9 months results in a $99 cancellation fee. Some of our competitors do charge penalties of $250.00 or more to cancel their processing agreement. We want merchants to stay with us because we are doing a good job for them. Happy clients send us referrals and that makes us happy.

FAQ: Do I need a pin pad for debit transactions?
Answer: Yes for a true debit transaction to take place you must have an encrypted pin pad for the debit cardholder to enter their pin number. You can accept debit cards that have a Visa or MasterCard logo on them with out a debit account or pin pad. Your processor handles it just like a credit transaction and the debit cardholder's checking account is debited as if it were an actual debit transaction.

FAQ: If I can run my clients debit cards as a credit transaction, why do I need to have a pin pad? Or have a debit merchant account?
Answer: The cost savings to a merchant debit versus credit can be significant .The maximum debit charge to the merchant is $.45. If you ran a $100 credit charge with 1.99% discount rate your cost is $1.99 plus $.20 transaction fee for a total of $2.19. The savings to the merchant debit versus credit is $1.74. Merchants with high dollar purchases can quickly pay for a pin pad. Convenience and fast food stores with tickets under $15.00 have no incentive to offer debit for this reason.

FAQ: What are the necessary steps to set up an Internet Business?
Answer: First and foremost you should secure a Merchant Account to process the credit card payments for your business. If you can't accept electronic payments over the Internet your venture doesn't have much of a chance. Next you need A Domain Name registered, Your Web Store Designed, and Web Server Software selected. Make sure that the payment software is compatible with the processor of your merchant account.

FAQ: I have a retail merchant account with a card swipe rate at my bank. I wish to do business on the Internet, my bank is not interested in setting up an Internet merchant account. Can you help us?
Answer: Most banks do not have the expertise to truly understand all there is to know about gateways, shopping carts, and online stores. We know and understand Internet merchant accounts and have Web-site designers who can assist you. We can provide you with an Internet Package and will throw in your retail account for free. No statement fees or monthly minimum for qualified select merchants on the retail account with the R&I Combo. This program was designed exclusively for those merchants who already have a retail account with their bank, and wish to add an Internet account. Ask for the R&I Combo by name and save.

FAQ: I have a restaurant and would like to to accept credit cards on my PC based cash register. Can you help me?
Answer: Yes, our primary bank will accept the following restaurant processing systems; POSitouch, Aloha and Digital Dining. Each of these restaurant software products has unique features that may or may not work for your restaurant. dabow-inc can put you in touch with a dealer who can explain the specific applications for their software. Once you have chosen your restaurants software application, dabow-inc will provide your equipment and software vendor with the merchant account set up information.

FAQ: What is a Gateway?
Answer: A Gateway is a combination of software and hardware that consolidates and translates payment transactions received from merchants operating Web sites on the Internet to the authorization and settlement systems. It facilitates a real-time authorization over the Internet.

FAQ: What is SSL?
Answer: SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a security device that securely encrypts (scrambles) information to prevent eavesdropping, tampering, or message forgery over the Internet.

FAQ: Can you set up monthly recurring billing for MasterCard and Visa?
Answer: Yes we can and we have a good selection of software options to make it all happen.

FAQ: What is eCheck?
Answer: eCheck is a payment service of Authorize.Net that allows merchants to accept and process electronic check payments on the Internet. dabow-inc is a reseller for Authorize.Net products

FAQ: What is check guarantee? How does it work?
Answer: Check guarantee is for merchants who want hassle free check acceptance. A premium is charged to insure that in the event the check was to bounce that the check Guarantee Company will honor the check. All check guarantee companies ask the merchant to follow basic check acceptance guidelines.

FAQ: What is Electronic Check Conversion?
Answer: The check is imaged at the point of sale with a special imaging check reader, after approval the check may be given back to the writer who signs an authorization to allow the check and a NSF fee to be electronically re-presented should the check be returned. Contrary to what many believe the check reader is not capturing the sale like a credit or debit card transaction, it is checking a database of known bad check writers and closed account information by bank account numbers from the MICR printing on the check. The Check Company presents the checks to the bank electronically the next business day and funds are deposited within 72 business hours. If the check is dishonored the Check Company can represent the check two more times and may instigate collection proceedings. This program should only be used with a check guarantee

FAQ: What is Check Verification?
Answer: A tool that gives the merchant an indication as to the check writers check writing history, much like a credit report. If used properly a good verification system can reduce check losses dramatically.

FAQ: With a merchant account for credit cards, can I eliminate checks entirely?
Answer: Yes, you can but remember 50% of American adults do not have a credit card. Checks are still the preferred form of payments and they cost less to take than credit cards.

FAQ: Can I lease equipment from dabow-inc?
Answer: Yes we do leases on purchases over a $1000.00. However, at our LOW prices most merchants just prefer to pay up front for their equipment and avoid the interest rates that leasing company's charge

FAQ: Can dabow-inc set me up as wireless merchant?
Answer: Yes and the technology while still expensive has come down dramatically over the last few years.

FAQ: Why should a retail store need an e-commerce website?
Answer: Think of an e-commerce website as another store location without all the expenses, staffing, and inventory associated with a second location. It's is a very inexpensive way to expand your business without all the headaches, expenses, staffing, and inventory involved in opening a "second" store.

FAQ: What would an e-commerce website cost to set up?
Answer: It is like asking what a new house costs to built. However, a good e-commerce website, with features like database driven product selection, shopping cart technology, ups/fed ex shipping options, today's special and new addition sections, wish lists, site reports, inventory tracking, banner advertising, target marketing technology, and transaction processing, should run in the range from $5,000 to $10,000. As we stated above, when compared to opening another location a good e-commerce website is very inexpensive.

We work with several award winning and experienced website development firms and would be happy to work with you on creating your e-commerce website. Complete our Online Request Form and we will contact you within 24 hours, it's free, and there is no obligation

FAQ: What exactly is AIRCHARGE and what solutions do we offer?
Answer: AIRCHARGE offers a suite of products ranging from wireless credit card processing to wireless check conversion and/or guarantee. Our most popular product, AIRCHARGE, allows you the ability to perform swiped credit card transactions on select cellular phones. AIRCHECKZ gives you the ability to perform check guarantee and conversion!

The AIRCHARGE, AIRCHECKZ, and CrossCheck J2ME product lines provide tools for retailers, manufacturers, distributors, service companies, and transportation companies to name just a few. Experience the ability to break the traditional bonds of credit card payment and check processing. We provide complete customer solutions that meet the needs of our clients by implementing the latest technologies available.

FAQ: Do you offer a card reader that the phone actually slides into?
Answer: No, when choosing what devices worked best we found that most companies did not want an attached device that made the phone any larger than it already was. Our solution is to use connections from the phone to the credit card hardware. If you look at a competitor's product you'll find that when the card reader is attached, the battery cover is replaced and not easily removed. Our card reader models are made to be easily removed in an instant so you do not need to keep a battery cover with you.

FAQ: Can I us a IRDA (infra-red) printer?
Answer: No. After extensive testing and customer input AIRCHARGE decided against using infra-red communications with printers as we found the communication error rate to be unacceptable.

FAQ: When I try to "Refresh" the AIRCHARGE software on my phone I get the message "Cannot connect to server. Please try again later". Why is your server unavailable?
Answer: The issue is not with the AIRCHARGE server. This response indicates that your data plan is not active yet. Contact your carrier to confirm that your data plan is active.

FAQ: Do I need a Total Connect plan with public or private IP from Nextel?
Answer: You may use either type of IP connection for the AIRCHARGE software.

FAQ: Can I use AIRCHARGE software anywhere on CDMA networks (Verizon, ALLTEL, Sprint, and others) that I have coverage?
Answer: No. CDMA networks usually use the older Analog system as a back-up to their digital coverage and data connections will not work on Analog signals. You phone will usually identify what type of signal you have on the screen. "A" would mean you are in Analog coverage and you will not be able to use AIRCHARGE from that location.

FAQ: My processor says you are not on their ceritified product list, why?
Answer: The AIRCHARGE software is built for cellphones and PDAs, not processors. Our software works in cunjunction with payment gateways.

FAQ: Does the AIRCHARGE software have "Store and Forward"?
Answer: No. "Store and Forward" is a liability both to our company and to you. Look at the savings you may receive vs. the risk you take. "Store and Forward" makes accepting cards in this manner no better then using manual receipts and processing them later. Our programs are designed to let you process in the field and avoid the risks of manual receipts entered later. (which themselves could be considered "store and forward")

FAQ: Does the AIRCHARGE software work with "debit" cards?
Answer: Yes and No. There are two types of debit cards in the market today. The first and most common are issued by a bank, and has a MasterCard® or Visa® logo on it. This type of card is often called a check card or signature debit card, and when used on a point of sale terminal works the same way as a credit card. This type is accepted with our software.

The second type which is specifically a debit/ATM card uses a personal identification number (PIN) and does not have a MasterCard® or Visa® logo on it. This card type is not compatible with our software.

dabow-inc of San Antonio, Texas is the One Company….Many Solutions for all your point of sale needs. We offer credit card machines, atm machines and supplies, electronic and automatic payments, electronic check collections, POS supplies, credit card machines replacement parts, and much more.