Getting Approved

How long is the wait time before a merchant account is approved?

Generally most applications receive approval within 5-7 working business days.

How will I know if I am approved?

Once the application is processed, you will be contacted via email by a Volusion Merchant Services representative.

Do I need to purchase an SSL in order to be approved for a merchant account?

Yes. All websites using Volusion Merchant Services are required to have an SSL certificate with a minimum 128 bit encryption for all credit card information.

What are my odds of getting approved?

Volusion has been very successful in getting a large portion of our applications processed, so it is highly likely that your application will get approved. If you are not approved, our department will work with you in order to help meet approval of another provider.

Is it possible to get a merchant account if I have bad credit?

Although we cannot guarantee it, Volusion will work very diligently with our underwriting team in order to help get your application approved regardless of your credit standing.

I do not have bad credit, but this is my first business. Will I still be eligible for a merchant account?

Yes. Volusion’s credit team works with thousands of new businesses owners every year in order to get approval for merchant accounts.

General Questions

I already have a retail terminal. Why can’t I just take credit card information from my website and process it offline?

Visa has very strict guidelines regarding the processing of credit cards. Processing your store's credit card orders offline violates the terms of most retail merchant account agreements, and does not comply with PCI card security guidelines. Additionally, transactions manually keyed into your terminal are usually processed at a higher rate than swiped or online transactions.

Why can’t I just accept Pay Pal or Google Checkout on my site?

Using a merchant account offers many advantages over both Pay Pal and Google Checkout. A merchant account provides your customers with a streamlined checkout process without any third party intervention. Using a merchant account gives your store a more professional, established and credible appearance- helping to increase your conversion rate.

Can I have multiple websites use one merchant account?

No. Due to credit card processing regulations, you can only have one storefront for each merchant account. .

Do you process orders for international merchants through your Merchant Account Services?

No. Volusion is unable to provide its Merchant Services to merchants outside of the United States at this time. However, we do have partners that can process these applications. For more information, please call (800)646-3517 ext. #4.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen in order to setup a merchant account through Volusion?

Yes. At this time, our Merchant Services are limited to U.S. citizens only. All merchants applying for a merchant account must have a valid Social Security number.

Can I accept American Express with Volusion Merchant Services?

Yes. During the application process, you may specify whether or not you would like to apply to accept American Express on your site.

Can I accept debit cards through Volusion Merchant Services?

Yes. Volusion Merchant Services will allow you to accept debit cards, in addition to standard bank issued credit cards.

Do you offer both swipe and online credit card processing?

Yes. Volusion Merchant Services offers both. If you would like to apply for a retail terminal, please contact Volusion Merchant Services department at (800 )646-3517 ext. 4.

Will I be able to see my customer’s full credit card number?

No. Due to PCI/CISP compliance regulations, we are unable to provide you with a customer’s full credit card number.

What is a Discount Rate? Interchange? Chargeback?

Discount Rate- a percentage of each transaction that the merchant is charged by the provider for facilitating a credit card transaction.

Interchange- the exchange of transactions between the credit card processing network and the issuing bank.

Chargeback- a transaction that is returned to the merchant by the card issuing bank, generally due to a disputed transaction. The merchant bank has the option of returning or “charge(ing) back” the merchant for this transaction.

Once Approved

Who must I contact if I need assistance with credit card processing?

Please call Volusion Merchant Services at (800) 646-3517 ext.4 with any questions you may have.

How do I link my merchant account to my Volusion store?

The process is easy. Go to your Admin Area and Click Settings-->Quick Setup. Then, enter the Volusion Merchant Services information you were provided with into the Payment field. If you need any assistance during this process, please contact our Tech Support department at 800-646-3517 option 1.

How long will it take before I can begin accepting credit cards?

Generally most merchants are able to accept credit cards within two to four business days.

How long will it take to receive funds into my checking account after a transaction is processed?

It usually takes 2-3 days for the card companies to settle the transaction, and to make funds available for withdrawal.

How do I change my personal information (account number, contact info, etc.)?

Any changes to your merchant application will need to be completed by a Volusion Merchant Services representative. To submit a change, please email your request to VMC@volusion.com from the address you entered on your application.

For any additional questions, please contact Volusion Merchant Services at (800) 646-3517 ext. 4