How to Avoid Downgrades New Jersey

Whether you are currently accepting credit cards, or plan on doing so, it is important to know how to save money by avoiding downgrades whenever possible.

Local Companies

Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Jersey City, NJ
Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Elizabeth, NJ
Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Paterson, NJ
Merchant Warehouse
866-599-3217
Newark, NJ
Total Payment Group
888.759.4111 ext 4
2227 US Hwy 1
North Brunswick, NJ
Revolutionary Bankcard Merchant Services
(609) 296-3163
590 Route 9 S
Little Egg Harbor Tw, NJ
American Micro Loan
(201) 592-9925
2050 Center Ave Ste 200
Fort Lee, NJ
Merchant Services Inc
(908) 622-1200
2204 Morris Ave
Union, NJ
Bancard Inc
(609) 924-1376
Princeton, NJ
Retriever Payment Systems
(732) 542-1844
28 Eaton Rd
Eatontown, NJ


How to Avoid Downgrades

Written By: Lisah, Merchant Warehouse Customer Service

Whether you are currently accepting credit cards, or plan on doing so, it is important to know how to save money by avoiding downgrades whenever possible.

A downgrade simply means that you are being charged a rate increase because the type of card your customer is using has a higher processing cost or because a transaction was processed incorrectly by you, the merchant.

You can’t always prevent downgrades from happening, but this article will show you what you can do to keep your transaction costs as low as possible.

As an example, for a Retail or “Swiped” Account where the customer is handing over their card for processing, a transaction will get the Qualified Discount Rate (lowest rate possible) only if the card is swiped, the cardholder is present, and the card is a standard consumer credit card. If any of these criteria are changed, the account will “downgrade” to either the “Mid” or “Non” qualified level. These levels are each associated with a greater cost of processing.

Here is a more detailed description of what can be done to avoid many downgrades, and also what happens if certain criteria are not met.

Retail/Card Swiped Accounts

Qualified Rate

The Qualified Discount Rate is charged when all of the following occur:

  • Standard consumer credit card is used
  • Card is swiped accurately and data properly obtained
  • The customer’s signature is captured
  • The transaction is “Batched” or “Settled” within 24 hours

    Mid-Qualified

    The Partial/Mid Qualified rate will be applied when any of the following occur:
  • The card info is manually entered, or “keyed” & all AVS info is entered
  • The consumer uses a Rewards card
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 24 hours

    Non-Qualified

    If any of the following situations occur, a Non-Qualified rate will be applied to the transaction.
  • Card is manually entered with no AVS info entered
  • The consumer uses a Corporate, Government or International card
  • Authorization code is manually keyed in to your processing terminal.
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 48 hours

    Keyed “MOTO” or Internet Accounts

    For these types of accounts, the merchant manually enters credit card information into a credit card terminal or software after the order is placed or is collected through an online payment gateway.

    Qualified Rate

    The Qualified Discount Rate is charged when all of the following occur:
  • Standard consumer credit cards are used
  • All required Credit Card information is entered including AVS (address verification) for VISA® transactions.
  • The transactions are “Batched” or “Settled” within 24 hours
  • The order/invoice Number entered

    Mid-Qualified

    For MOTO/Internet Accounts, rates usually fall directly to Non-Qualified, not mid-qualify, but these are the possible reasons why a merchant may be charged a Mid-Qualified Rate
  • AVS information is not entered
  • Transaction/Batch is not settled within 24 hours
  • Card is a Rewards or Business card

    Non-Qualified

    If any of the following situations occur, a Non-Qualified rate will be applied to the transaction.
  • Any of the required card or transaction information is not entered
  • The consumer uses a Corporate, Government or International card
  • Authorization code is manually keyed in to your processing terminal.
  • Transactions are not settled/batched within 48 hours

    As you can see, there are many factors involved in determining which rates are assessed to your transactions. Follow the tips above, and you will keep your processing rates as low as possible. A Merchant Warehouse representative is always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
  • Featured Local Company

    Merchant Warehouse

    866-599-3217
    Elizabeth, NJ

    Regional Articles
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Absecon NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Asbury Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Atco NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Atlantic City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Audubon NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Avenel NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Barnegat NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Basking Ridge NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bayonne NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bayville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Beachwood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Belle Mead NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Belleville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bellmawr NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Belmar NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bergenfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Berkeley Heights NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Berlin NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Beverly NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Blackwood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bloomfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Boonton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bordentown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bound Brook NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Brick NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bridgeton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Bridgewater NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Brigantine NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Browns Mills NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Budd Lake NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Burlington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Butler NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Caldwell NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Camden NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cape May Court House NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cape May NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Carteret NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cedar Grove NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Chatham NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cherry Hill NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Clark NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Clementon NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cliffside Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Clifton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Collingswood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Colonia NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Colts Neck NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cranbury NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Cranford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Denville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Deptford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Dover NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Dumont NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Dunellen NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades East Brunswick NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades East Hanover NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades East Orange NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Eatontown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Edison NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Egg Harbor City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Egg Harbor Township NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Elizabeth NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Elmer NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Elmwood Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Englewood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Englishtown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ewing NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Fair Lawn NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Fairview NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Flanders NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Flemington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Fords NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Forked River NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Fort Lee NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Franklin Lakes NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Freehold NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Garfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Glassboro NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Glen Rock NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Gloucester City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hackensack NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hackettstown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Haddon Township NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Haddonfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Haledon NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hammonton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Harrison NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hasbrouck Heights NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hawthorne NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hazlet NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Highland Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hightstown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hillsdale NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hillside NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hoboken NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Holmdel NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Hopatcong NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Howell NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Irvington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Iselin NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Jackson NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Jersey City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Keansburg NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Kearny NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Kendall Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Keyport NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Lakehurst NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Lakewood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Lincoln Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Linden NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Little Falls NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Little Ferry NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Livingston NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Lodi NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Long Branch NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Long Valley NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Lyndhurst NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Madison NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mahwah NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Manahawkin NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Manasquan NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Manchester Township NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mantua NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Manville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Maple Shade NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Maplewood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Marlboro NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Marlton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Matawan NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mays Landing NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Medford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Merchantville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Metuchen NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Middlesex NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Middletown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Millville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Monmouth Junction NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Monroe Township NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Montclair NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Montville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Moorestown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Morganville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Morris Plains NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Morristown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mount Holly NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mount Laurel NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Mullica Hill NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Neptune NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Neshanic Station NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades New Brunswick NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades New Milford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades New Providence NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Newark NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Newton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades North Arlington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades North Bergen NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades North Brunswick NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Nutley NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Oak Ridge NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Oakland NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Oaklyn NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ocean City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Old Bridge NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Orange NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Palisades Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Paramus NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Parlin NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Parsippany NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Passaic NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Paterson NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Pennington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Penns Grove NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Pennsauken NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Pennsville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Perth Amboy NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Phillipsburg NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Piscataway NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Plainfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Plainsboro NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Pleasantville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Point Pleasant Beach NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Pompton Lakes NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Princeton Junction NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Princeton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Rahway NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ramsey NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Randolph NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Red Bank NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ridgefield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ridgefield Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ridgewood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ringwood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades River Edge NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Riverside NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Riverton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Rockaway NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Roselle NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Roselle Park NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Rutherford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Saddle Brook NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Saddle River NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Salem NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Sayreville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Scotch Plains NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Secaucus NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Sewell NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Short Hills NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Sicklerville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Somers Point NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Somerset NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Somerville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades South Amboy NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades South Orange NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades South Plainfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades South River NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Sparta NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Springfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Succasunna NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Summit NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Sussex NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Swedesboro NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Teaneck NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Tenafly NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Toms River NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Trenton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Tuckerton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Union City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Union NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Ventnor City NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Verona NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Villas NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Vincentown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Vineland NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Voorhees NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Wallington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Warren NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Washington NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Wayne NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades West Milford NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades West New York NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades West Orange NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Westfield NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Westville NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Westwood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Wharton NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Wildwood NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Williamstown NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Willingboro NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Woodbridge NJ
    - How to Avoid Downgrades Wyckoff NJ
    Rate Article
         
    Articles Insider

    Rss   Delicious   Digg   Add To My Yahoo   Add To My Google   Bookmark   Search Plugin

    Topics:
    Advertising Educational Content Home Appliances Real Estate Resources
    Business Services Entertainment Home Electronics Software
    Career Family Home Services Technology
    Cars Fashion Internet Telecommunications
    Chamber of Commerce Financial Services Legal Trade Shows
    Computer Hardware Franchise Miscellaneous Travel
    Construction Health Nightlife Weddings
    Education Holidays Online Database World History