Biggest Issues Merchants Are Still Facing as the Pandemic Continues On

Who knew this would be how 2020 played out? It is cliché now to say that we did not see the tumultuous effect that COVID-19 would have on the world when the year began. Even in March when things were locked down, no one could have guessed that we would still be in the throes of the pandemic at the years end. Businesses have suffered over and over with closures and social distancing. Even as we end the year, there are 4 areas that businesses will continue to struggle with as we enter 2021 with the pandemic still raging.

1. Conversion to online payments and online ordering is still a challenge for many merchants. Understanding that fraud is a much bigger risk in this conversion is one of the many overlooked parts of this process. There are factors of cost and additional equipment that may be required. Merchants have to make the decision to change as well as be prepared for the time that it will take to do it. HERE is an additional article to read to Understand How Fraud Is Occurring in Your Business.
2. Merchants don’t really know if the changes they are making in online payments and contactless payments have future sticking ability. Merchants could be spending a lot of time and money for short term solutions that will not stick as new business practices when the pandemic ends.
3. Chargebacks continue to be a threat to merchant’s profits. In most scenarios, outcomes of disputes tend to favor the customer. It is an uphill battle for merchants to win disputes. Understanding how to prevent chargebacks and how to manage them when they come in is just one more task on the ever mounting tasks of change during 2020. Check out this article for Simple Tips to Prevent Chargebacks.
4. Complexity of many different payment methods at the point of sale confuse and complicate a simple transactions. Merchants need to understand and train their employees on all the different methods in accepting payments. This is confusing to the customer and can lead to mistakes in the sale.

At Electronic Merchant Services we take data security of our clients and their customers seriously. We are here to advise the best ways to protect your business.

Using a Certified Payments Professional (ETA CPP) when setting up your merchant account is a way for you to know that you are working with an expert in the Payments Industry. These individuals are certified through the Electronic Transaction Association (ETA). 

The ETA CPP program sets the standard for professional performance in the payments industry and is a symbol of excellence. It signifies that an individual has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to perform competently in today’s complex electronic payments environment.

Discovering whether or not your sales agent is certified is as simple as vising ETA CPP Registry and inserting the sales agent’s name (We did find that some names needed to be entered in all caps).

Electronic Merchant Services is structured so that all accounts are managed by a Certified Payments Professional. If you are looking for a new merchant account or would like to have someone help you navigate the complexities of what you currently have in place you can reach us at info@emspayments.com or 208-273-5575.