Offshore Merchant Account Facts and Non-Fallacies

Upon hearing the term, offshore merchant account, first thing that comes to mind is a merchant account that's somewhat illegal and scrupulous nature. Also,that those who get an offshore merchant account are those who want to evade legalities, to get rich teh quick way. Well, everybody's entitled to their own POVs, but have made the move her to answer all the possible questions about an offshore merchant account.

WHAT is an offshore merchant account?

WHY get one?

HOW to have it?

WHERE to go for it?

Hopefully, after reading this post, you'll be on the enlightened list. :D

Offshore Merchant Account's Tips on Saving Your Online Reputation - Part Three

Numerous posts, not only in this blog, have emphasized on the importance of maintaining an online reputation. In this virtual world where your ecommerce business can be tainted with a single negative comment, it is vital to know damage control measures. A high risk business with an offshore merchant account is a no stranger to bad rumor.

I have researched on ways on how to keep your online reputation intact, and also provided tips if the unfortunate scenario has already come your way.

In the event that a bad rumor hits the blogosphere, here are ways to clear the skies:

1. make contact with the source of the rumor
2. address the issue
3. coordinate with the SEO damage control specialists
4. call in the men in gray suits
   

To know what to do when a rumor sets in, read the whole article:

Offshore Merchant Account's Guide for Guarding your Online Reputation - Part 3

Offshore Merchant Account's Suggestions to Replace the Forbidden Phrases in Customer Service

Even if we already have the knowledge on what not to do, we have tendencies to actually go against the rules, and enjoy the feeling of rebellion in the process. This is but normal. But we can't allow ourselves to succumb to doing the opposite of we ought to do.

Moreover in customer service, where everything is sensitive and every word you say can make or break your business relationships with your customers. Have come up with the five phrases that ticks the sensitive part of your customers aspired with offshore merchant accounts.

This post aims to let you know, as a telemarketing merchant account holder, to know what you shouldn't ever say to your customers. Because if you say these, you're in for a heated discussion that will lead to unsatisfied customers. You don't want that to happen in your business' lifetime,right?

The five forbidden phrases in customer service are as follows:

I don't know..
What should you say instead?
We can't do that..
What should you say instead?
You'll have to..
What should you say instead?
Just a second..
What should you say instead?
No.
What should you say instead?

Words matter the most

Your choice of words spells what your customer will feel. Especially if the response will be via a phone call or a snail mail, or an email. Hopefully the above-mentioned offshore merchant account suggestions will be effective tools in pursuing a smooth resolution to your customers' seemingly impossible demands.

Know what are the right words to say by reading the whole article: Offshore Merchant Account's Suggestions to Replace the Forbidden Phrases in Customer Service

Offshore Merchant Account's Cardinal Rules of Customer Service

We're on a customer service mood this week, so, you'll be seeing a series of posts on offshore merchant account's take on all things imaginable related to customer service. Indulge.

Many articles have been written, so much tips have been offered on how to achieve on making your customers contented and satisfied over your product and services. If your satisfaction ratings are up, then your customer retention will be consistent. If your satisfaction rating are up, you can attract new customers through your regulars who'll speak only high praises of you.

The cardinal rules to live by

Well, these aren't actually rules. But tried and tested strategies on dealing with customers to make sure that the next time they'll visit will be to buy, not to argue. That the next time that they'll call for a supervisor will be to commend not to downgrade. As an offshore merchant account holder, you should be able to sink these all in.

I. PEOPLE COME BEFORE PAPERWORK. I know, we all have documents to prepare, presentations to draft, proposals to submit, and all other black and white forms to fill up. But the most important thing is your customers. Make them your first priority. Know you'll say that, obviously they have always been your number one on the list. But is this truly what you or your staff practice?. Give it a thought.

II. DON'T RUSH THE CUSTOMER. Talk about being physically present but not actually being there. This happens when you have another million things lined up at the back of your mind. Make it a point to make them feel like they are the customer of the day, that you're just fresh from opening every system. When they feel that you're rushing them, they'll think you don't want them around. Need to tell what happens next after that?

III. BE FRIENDLY BEFORE YOU KNOW WHO IT IS. Admittedly, there is a group of regulars, whom you truly adore in a business sense, who gets in our nerves due to their never-ending arguments regarding the same topic. No matter how hard you serve them the best way you can come up to, they'll still find something to put their finger on. But be careful in getting used to this for you may end up branding your customers ,that you will not end up making false assumptions in treating an incoming customer.

IV. DON'T BE TOO BUSY TO BE NICE. Even if you so many things to do with so little time, this is not an excuse for to be oblivious, to put it mildly, to your customer's inquiries. You basically work to give them a better service, not to keep files. Well, you also have to that, but get someone to that for you.

V. DON'T USE MILITARY LANGUAGE ON CIVILIANS. Use credit card instead of plastic. Visa or Mastercard instead of credit card processor. Talk to them using universal terms. Leave the company jargon between you and your staff.

VI. "THERE 'YA GO ISN'T "THANK YOU" AND "UH-UH" ISN'T "YOUR WELCOME"

. Now, this isn't opposing the previous rule, but just saying in another context. Being polite and friendly to your customers means treating them in a professional way. Using thank you and you're welcome is part of being professional. Again, leave this between your staff or close pals.

Learn more about getting your customer satisfaction ratings above the horizons, read the whole article:
Discover Offshore Merchant Account's Six Cardinal Rules of Customer Service

License to Date: Offshore Escort Service Merchant Account's Saving Grace on Avoiding Trouble from the Feds

If you are leaning towards running an escort business service, most people around you would tend to shy away or vigorously persuade you to not venture mainly because of one reason, you'll get in hot water with the police. But you have no need to worry your heart out, just have to do things the right way to not only legalize your business, but also your offshore escort service merchant account.

Have everything officially sealed and signed

It is imperative to know that operating an escort service business is an entirely within the bounds of the law. There are quite a number of escort businesses being maintained by highly-reputable businessmen who lead blameless lives and are active members of the community.

Your ticket to a worry-free operation of your escort business is to get a license from your city clerk office. Submitting all the paperwork will validate the fact that you are a professional business person, and that contrary to popular belief, operating an escort service is not a clandestine business,owing to the fact that your making your business workings a public record.

Leaving a paperwork trail

After hiring the staff and the escorts and before actually going live, make a that trip to the town hall and fall in line to get your license. Just treat the situation as a déjà vu of your driver's license application. Below are the steps to get your license to operate your escort business:


1.Obtain the application form from the city clerk's office.

2.Indicate all the particulars as asked from the application form.

3.Present your birth certificate proving you're 18.

4.Include at least two photographs in 2x2 inches of size.

5.Submit to a fingerprinting procedure.

6.If applicable, surrender any documentation stating any previous denied or suspended applications.

7.Sign a form validating that you have read and understand and will comply the escort services provisions.

8.Pay the required escort service license fee.

9.Comply with the safety regulations set by the city or the state.

Know how getting a business license can help your escort business and escort merchant acount get on the top by reading the whole article: License to Date: Offshore Escort Service Merchant Account's Saving Grace on Avoiding Trouble from the Feds

Does your Fortune Telling Business Need a Merchant Account?

Don't leave your fortune telling business' success to what your crystal ball says. After doing much ado with ways to secure your profits, an offshore merchant account may be the light at the end of the tunnel.

The “gift”

No need to actually define what a fortune telling is, right? The word speaks for itself. We're not going to discuss if the ability to foresee the future actually exists, or how to determine if a person truly can tell what's going to happen when you turn 30 or something, or the forever debate if it's an art or a science. Safe to say, fortune tellers generally associate their “readings” with divination, a foretelling ritual practiced by pagans done in religious texts.

Know what the future holds for your fortune telling business by reading the whole article: Reasons why an Offshore Merchant Account is Ideal for your Fortune Telling Business

Eyeing Europe for an Offshore Merchant Account

Choosing the country where you want to set your offshore merchant account can be at most, tricky and confusing. With a lot of countries lining up at your doorstep, picking the “one” means closely examining their attributes and what they have to offer.

So, let me give you a good headstart on knowing the best possible choice to set up an offshore merchant account. Banks across Europe have the edge in accommodating merchant accounts, especially those who operate high risk businesses. We can categorize adult, travel, online pharmacy, online gambling, telemarketing, multilevel marketing, high volume, escort service, and dating service under the the high risk nature. Why Europe, you may ask. Europe boasts of their flexible terms applied with strict confidentiality yet bounded by law.

Best places in Europe

Now that you have a specific continent in mind, Europe, that is, it is more prudent to select from the countries in this continent to which you will have a fruitful business dealing with. Recommended are Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Cyprus. Tax jurisdictions in these countries range from 10-31%.

Multi-currency capability

Europe banks empowers merchants to settle and transact in multiple currencies which includes US Dollar, British Pound, Euro, Swedish Kroner and Swiss Francs to a direct merchant account. Also, aspiring offshore merchant account holders can have the luxury of using a payer authentication solution for Verified by Visa and MasterCard® SecureCode™ provided by merchant account providers setting up in Europe. You'll be able to enjoy this feature with these benefits:

* protection from fraudulent transactions

* safeguard from unauthorized payments

* offers a chargeback liability shift

Read the whole article for the criteria merchants need to fulfill:

Eyeing Europe for an Offshore Merchant Account

Why Panama is an Offshore Merchant Account Haven

You need to go the distance for a reliable offshore merchant account. Going the extra mile can't be that faraway though, you have Panama to go to.

When offshore merchant account is the hot topic of the moment, we talk about a merchant account set up outside of US shores. Generally, this type of merchant account caters to high risk businesses such as adult, travel, telemarketing, online pharmacy, high volume, lottery,and multilevel marketing. This businesses are considered a few notches higher in terms of risk and therefore have encountered hard and unfortunately, unsuccessful times in getting merchant accounts in their local banks.

There are many countries that are also friendly and most willing to accommodate offshore merchant accounts, but what makes Panama so special? Here's the reasons why:

* Secrecy and anonymity is protected by the statute

* Zero requirements in revealing beneficial owners

* Zero requirements in filing financial statements

* Zero requirements on holding shareholders' or directors' meetings.

* 100% tax exemption of businesses having merchant accounts in Panama but actual operation on foreign country.

* Merchant-friendly and flexible charging of fees.

* Zero capital requirements

* Registration fees on capital are to a minimal rate.

* Businesses can issue bearer or registered shares.

* All nationalities are eligible to be shareholders, director and officer

But you don't have to go the distance in getting relevant information on offshore merchant accounts set up in Panama, read the whole article for more:

Why Panama is an Offshore Merchant Account Haven

Offshore Merchant Account Revelations on Credit Card Terminal Scams

In order to have a smooth processing of your credit card payments for your offshore merchant account, you need a reliable and up-to-date credit card terminal. Now, with all the terminals being introduced almost every month, heck, every week, how would you know what to grab?

How it works

Credit card terminals are commonly seen in restaurant and retail businesses. Terminals appear in three versions; the traditional terminal, wireless credit card terminal, and the virtual terminal. The traditional terminal has a magnetic stripe reader, a keypad to enter prices and other information, and a small display. The displays are usually measured line lines and columns: an 8 x 20 display has 8 lines of text, 20 columns wide.

Wireless credit card terminals have built-in printers that enable you to carry it around. The factors you need to seriously consider are battery life, range, weight, and shock-resistance since it is going to be at arm's length during business hours.

When you talk about virtual terminals, it is a software that handles the credit card transaction, you simply type in the credit card number and the software handles the authorization.

Read for more details:

Offshore Merchant Account Revelations on Credit Card Terminal Scams

What an Address Verification Service Can Do for your Offshore Merchant Account

Accepting credit card payments has always involved risks. Be it in a physical storefront, Mail Order-Telephone Order (MOTO), or in what we are discussing, in an online setting, the possibility of encountering fraud and other scrupulous doings are waiting to happen but nevertheless can be avoided. Remember, credit card transactions will only have names and information, you just have the power to verify.

What AVS basically does is to verify the personal address information, plus the billing information given by the customer during the online credit card transaction, with the information filed on the credit card issuer. Sounds like a long process, considering if you have unlimited transactions on a daily basis.

That's why you need to get the Address Verification Service (AVS) to guard your offshore merchant account that will handle your credit card transactions.

Never will it hurt for you to read the whole article:

What an Address Verification Service Can Do for your Offshore Merchant Account

Shield Your Business: Offshore Merchant Account's Saving Guide to Preventing Online Credit Card Fraud

Doctor's rule of thumb: Prevention is better than cure. Same goes with protecting your online business from fraud. And if your business encounters fraud, then your offshore merchant account is in hot water as well.

The vastness of the cyber world is incalculable. Makes a most feasible place to sell. On the other hand, you never know who's lurking behind the names, the addresses, the accounts. There is always the danger of fraud.

The fraud scare, even if we try to ignore, will be there to just lurking in the shadows, with fraudsters waiting to make their moves.

Worry before the problem comes

You have your ecommerce site, everything seems to be flawless. But, it pays to be cautious, since we're talking about your business, your investment, your bread and butter. Sad but true, we can only get hold of the problem when it actually exists. When a customer calls and let us know of a package that they paid for but never received or a wrong address on file, that's the only time we will know that something's not right.

Prevention vitamins

Before the bad comes to worst, you should be able to at least be prepared of how fraudsters can do damage to your online business. Remember, their first target is your credit card transactions.

Read the whole article for the complete information:

Shield Your Business: Offshore Merchant Account's Saving Guide to Preventing Online Credit Card Fraud

Offshore Merchant Account's Guide for Guarding your Online Reputation - A Sequel

Hey,if movies have sequels, my blog can have one as well, right?

The sum of all fears has happened. A negative buzz about your business brand has spread all over the cyber community. Even if it was true or not, it's out there, so, are you gonna wave the white flag? Hold your horses, you can get through this. My previous article talked about what you can do to keep your online reputation,how to keep things in a good place This time, we'll deal with the worst-case scenario, when your business has been put into a bad light. Hey, this is what-ifs and those who are experiencing the heat.

Assesing the damage

It can't be all that bad, can it? You may wonder that it's only in the internet, as if everyone alive has online access or a computer for that matter. You have a point, but the thing is, everyone who can get online is a potential customer. And they can spread the news to the physical realm. You should never underestimate the influence of the internet on your business. Doing business online is just as equally serious as running a physical business with cemented walls.

To control the situation, read the entire article:

Offshore Merchant Account's Guide for Guarding your Online Reputation - A Sequel

What an Offshore Merchant Account Recurring Billing Can Do to Keep the Money Comin' In

It is an undeniable fact that recurring billing is one of the things that makes an offshore merchant account tempting to get.

Recurring billing is part and parcel of offshore merchant account services. A recurring billing occurs when a customer allows a merchant to periodically and automatically charge their credit card accounts for recurring products or services, such as subscriptions, installment plans, or membership fees.

Focal features
A recurring billing has to be created upon the agreement of the customer and the merchant. As a merchant, you should be able to create conditions so that the customers will feel that you are flexible to their needs and can adapt to any situation. Here's what you can incorporate to your recurring billing system. You should be able to :

● Manually set up the recurring billing for your customer.

● Incorporate the recurring billing to any payment method that any shop currently accepts.

● Set-up any number of billing installments.

● Setting the installment either on a weekly, monthly, yearly, or any number of days.

● Send the customer’s bill through e-mail and mail.

● Install an Address Verification Service (AVS) system into the recurring billing.

To know the benefits of recurring billing, read the article in its entirety:

What an Offshore Merchant Account Recurring Billing Can Do to Keep the Money Comin' In

Offshore Merchant Account's Guide to Protecting your Online Reputation

If you have a high risk business that has an offshore merchant account, how the consumers see them is crucial to keep the money comin' in.

The internet can make or break your business. When you have a high risk business such as adult, escort service, telemarketing, travel, online pharmacy, multimarketing, or high level, and the like, the effort to make it look good is twice as compared to those belonging to the low-risk category.

Ironic as it may seem, but people tend to crowd more in a place when there is tragedy, drama, controversy,and the sense of the unknown. The exhilarating feeling of going to the unknown draws people to give it all their all. This can be seen as the case of customers who stay loyal to high-risk businesses.

Just the same, it feels better if you know that people are coming in because they know they rely on the good things of your product or service, not because of a scandal or a controversial notion.

Word of mouth perils

Before giving out what you can do to keep the goods coming in, it is beneficial to know what can lead to the downfall of your online reputation. The years of effort can be shattered by posts in a blog, bad comments on online message boards or in forums, and critic reviews. Your customers' views are affected by the words of their peers, webmasters, bloggers, and those self-proclaimed business authorities.


To know how to guard your online reputation, read the whole article :

Offshore Merchant Account's Guide to Protecting your Online Reputation

Exploring the Wonders of Internet Porn with an Offshore Adult Merchant Account

Mum's the word when it comes to setting up an offshore adult merchant account.

Ironic as it may seem, even though the internet is continuously flocked by adult businesses, people generally are awkward to openly discuss about venturing into this kind of endeavor. Just like any other high risk business, adult businesses encounter hard times when getting merchant accounts from domestic banks or local processors. Reasons are summed up in one word, controversy.

Adult equals porn

You have to prepare yourself if you have a great deal of interest in the internet porn business. It's an open secret that they are perceived as malicious acts, but, hey, you have a large market out there. Though it is considered taboo, when people are at the comfort of their homes or confined in solitude, they look for porn sites, it is safe to say that looking for adult content is part of human nature.


Experience the thrill by reading the whole article:

Exploring the Wonders of Internet Porn with an Offshore Adult Merchant Account

E-tailers: The New Breed of Offshore Merchant Account Holders

A recent news on MSNBC showed that more than half of US households regularly shop online. More shoppers spell more market for the growing number of e-tailers (electronic retailers) who flaunt their merchandise in the internet. And when you talk about internet purchases, you talk about paying with your credit card.


In order to accept credit card payments for your cyber store, you need to get a merchant account. But not just a merchant account, an offshore merchant account may be the ideal setup for your expanding online business.

Read on for more:

E-tailers: The New Breed of Offshore Merchant Account Holders

Offshore Merchant Account's Antidote for Ripoffs

A smooth business is always the target of merchants. And a ripoff is definitely not included in the drawing board of offshore merchant account holders.

The term, ripoff, has bred familiarity among anyone who buys anything, even for those who consider the internet as the new Fifth Avenue.


A ripoff is basically paying more than the original price of a product or service. This is certain context synonymous to scam, whose main aim is to make you pay more, difference is that the product actually arrives. It is saddening to note that a lot of people have been ripped off because of limited information on how a ripoff takes place.


Avoid getting ripped off by reading more :

Offshore Merchant Account's Antidote for Ripoffs

Keeping the Money Pouring in with an Offshore Credit Card Merchant Account

Venturing into the competitive yet challenging world of selling entails a lot of hardwork and strategies in order to achieve the ultimate goal, gain a large revenue, and one to achieve this is to set up an offshore credit card merchant account.


Sounds long to say isn't it? You may think that an offshore credit card merchant account is similar to the common definition of an offshore merchant account. Quite close, but the thing is, an offshore credit card merchant account is part of the services than an offshore merchant account offers.




Read the article in its entirety:

Keeping the Money Pouring in with an Offshore Credit Card Merchant Account

The Bahamas: the place to be for your offshore merchant account

The Bahamas is not only a tropical country ideal for vacationers, but also for your offshore merchant account.

Having an merchant account in a Bahamas bank is practically combing business with pleasure. This country is coined as paradise haven for celebrities, high-powered business owners, moguls of different industries, and yes, offshore merchant account holders.

Cool drinks, blue waters, surfers, bikini-clad natives and vacationers, these are what comes to mind when you think of this paradise. Thing is, one of the lucrative attractions of this tropical island is the offshore banking.

Surf through the raging yet exhilarating offshore banking in the Bahamas by reading the whole article:

The Bahamas: The Place to be for your Offshore Merchant Account

Risking then losing : Reasons why your merchant account application was denied

After all that's been said and done, your merchant account application at your local bank was stamped DENIED. Total bummer.


All of us feel bad when rejected, and more or less, go through moments of anger and sadness, especially if you really worked your hardest. You are already taking more than the usual risk if your business is already classified as high risk such as adult, travel, pharmacy, escort service, dating service, telemarketing, high volume, and multilevel marketing. But, there will come a time that you'll feel alive and again, and at that moment, how do you bounce back?

Practice resiliency here by reading the article full blast:

Risking then Losing : Reasons Why your Merchant Account Application was denied