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What is a Merchant Account?
A merchant account allows a business to accept credit cards as payment from customers. The account captures funds from the card holder’s processing bank and deposits the money into the business owner’s checking account. Salon Charge uses a unique phone system that allows businesses to key credit card information into their existing phone to receive instant card approval and have the corresponding funds deposited into their existing checking account. For more information, please review “Credit Cards 101” under Merchant Protection.

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What makes Salon Charge different?
Like other providers, Salon Charge lets you accept credit cards and have the funds deposited in your bank account automatically. Unlike the others, you don’t need a “swipe” terminal or any computer software to use Salon Charge. An existing telephone or cell phone is all you need to make transactions with us. Salon Charge is also unique in that it does not require any length of contract to process. You can cancel anytime you wish, and at no cost to you. Our fees are simple to understand, so you always know what you are being charged to use the service. Our easy application is simple and fast, we can have you accepting credit cards in 24 hours.

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What do I get?
Salon Charge Merchants receive the following in conjunction with their set up fee:

Our Salon Charge “Deluxe Package” that will give you everything you need to process credit cards in your salon business. This includes:

• Manual credit card imprinter with an engraved name plate to make receipts for your customers
• Package of 100 sales drafts
• Access to your Cell Charge account reports online
• Access to our customer service to answer any questions you have about your account
• The ability to take credit cards and receive instant transaction approval over any phone, anywhere

This helpful window cling to help advertise to your clients that you now accept credit cards

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How do I use Salon Charge to make a transaction?

• Dial our toll free number (866) 750-0270 from any telephone or cell
• Use the keypad to enter the pertinent credit card data and transaction amount
• The system will tell you if the charge is accepted or declined
• Approved transaction funds are deposited to your bank in approximately 3 business days
  
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How much does it cost?
Salon Charge has eliminated all of the normal fees associated with credit card processing to bring you a low, bundled rate that includes virtually all of your costs. Salon Charge has a low cost sign-up of $99 and $9.99 a month until you cancel. You can cancel at any time at no cost. The cost to use the service is 3.85% of each transaction. There are no other fees or hidden charges with Salon Charge. See our savings chart below to see how much we can save you!

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How will I save money using Salon Charge?
Thousands of our Salon Charge Merchants have saved hundreds of dollars each with Cell Charge as their processor. Our average Salon therapist saves more than $600 every year using Salon Charge. Check for yourself:

The “Compare 20 transactions” is an example. Try entering your own numbers by clicking this pop-up. If you have a pop-up blocker, please set it to allow this pop-up

You want the Lowest Total Bill - Not the Lowest Rate
Confused by all the rates and fees that other companies charge for handling credit cards? There are set up fees, statement fees, transaction fees, access fees, customer service fees, and so many others that it's difficult to have a clear picture of what you are being charged. You can never figure out who is better, and who has the lowest cost. You look just at the discount rate and sign a contract hoping for the best. Then, you find out that the quoted rate isn't your only cost, but you are trapped in a two-year contract. Just ask your business friends!

When is 3.85% lower than 2.2%?
Answer: When you add all the processing fees together. The result with Salon Charge is a lower overall monthly cost for the transactions processed. The one-rate plan for our salon business independents is simple to understand. 3.85% per transaction, plus a low $9.99 monthly access fee - that's it! There are no transaction fees, statement fees, minimums, lease fees, or termination fees.

Do you want a low rate or a low total bill?
It turns out that the Salon Charge plan is much lower overall than those so called low rate plans. These "low rate" plans only cost less when you start processing upwards of nine thousand dollars every month. The real cost of a merchant account is the total amount that you spend to process transactions, not merely the rate that is quoted.

No expensive equipment to buy - Simply use your existing phone to process credit cards
Salon Charge uses a telephone to process all of your transactions. This is great news for those smaller salon professional businesses that don't process huge volumes of credit card transactions each month. The Salon Charge Program eliminates the high up front/on-going costs for purchasing a swiping terminal that can amount to $500-$2,000; or a lease that may run $40-$60 per month for 4-5 YEARS. In addition, you will not need to add another dedicated phone line which can run as much as $33/month for the swiping terminal to work. You would need to process $9,100 per month to make any of these programs worthwhile. Avoid these costs and the commitment to a long term contract and equipment lease by choosing Salon Charge instead. With the Salon Charge Package, you will get everything they need to begin accepting credit cards.

No long-term contract
Other credit card processors enter you into a long-term contract. These contracts come in two forms: First, all other companies require a 3-5 year lease for the expensive equipment plus hefty monthly fees. These payments must be made no matter what you process that month, and are typically at $40-$60/month. Second, other companies require a service contract with a lot more fees that are automatically renewed every year. There is a small window to cancel, but a big penalty if you miss it. This is designed to make even unhappy customers continue to pay. Salon Charge has NONE of these!

Simplicity - A single rate
Our system has no hidden charges for mid-rates and special processing. Our rates do not vary; we charge all salon merchants the same 3.85% and $9.99 per month.

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What information do I need to properly fill out the Merchant Account application?
On our secure website, Salon Charge provides a simple online application that requires just enough information for Salon Charge to process your credit card transactions and put the proceeds in your bank.

The information you provide is sent over an encrypted secure network and will not be sold or shared with anyone other than the institutions necessary to process transactions.

Please have the following information available in order to complete your application for your Salon Charge merchant account:

• Drivers License
• Drivers License Number
• State of Issuance
• Expiration date
• Social Security Number
• Information about your bank account where your settlement funds will be deposited
• Bank name
• Account name
• Routing number (first group of numbers on the bottom left of the check)
• Account number (usually follow the routing number, between quotation marks)
• Your Credit Card information to pay the $99 set up fee
• Card number
• Expiration Date
• 3 digit security code (last three digits on back signature panel)
• 5 digit billing zip code of credit card

If you have questions please contact one of our customer service agents at (866) SELL BY CELL (866 735-5292).

Once you have sent the application form to us, our customer service department will contact you to finalize your account.

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What if I try it and don’t like it?
If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your Cell Charge service within the first 30 days, simply contact us toll free at (866) SELLBYCELL (866 735-5292) for a full refund. Your “deluxe“ personalized manual imprinter kit must be returned to:

Salon Charge, Inc.
5740 Corsa Ave. #108
Westlake Village, CA 91362

Upon receipt of your imprinter kit, a full refund will be issued.

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Can I change my merchant pin?
Yes, you can change your pin. The person on the account must call Customer Service at (866) 750-0271. Please have three optional 6 digit numbers you would like to use. Customer Service will process the request and give instructions for proceeding. There may be a small administrative fee for making the change.

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Can I raise my Monthly processing limit?
Processing limits are set in accordance with our bank’s credit criteria. Merchants can contact Customer Service with their request for an increase of their processing limits. Based on information in our system, Customer Service will take the request and advise the merchant of the procedure in their special instance. Do not accept more in charges in any given 30-day period than you are allotted by Salon Charge. If you foresee a month with excessive charges, contact the risk department at (866) 209-4442 prior to reaching your 30 day limit to discuss possible solutions. If you do not know what your processing limits are, call customer service at (866) 750-0271, listen for the proper prompt, and enter your PIN number.

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Can I raise my approved highest ticket?
Highest ticket limits are set in accordance with our bank’s credit criteria. Merchants can contact Customer Service with their request for an increase of their high ticket limit. Based on information in our system, Customer Service will take the request and advise the merchant of the procedure in their special instance. Do not accept charges for more than your current high ticket allowance. If you have a higher ticket than your present limit and would like to find out if you can process it, call risk at (866) 209-4442. If you do not know what your processing limits are, call customer service at (866) 750-0271, listen for the proper prompt, and enter your PIN number.

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How do I get more Credit Card slips?
Merchants can call (866) SELL BY CELL (866 735-5292) or email supplies@saloncharge.com and request additional sales slips. Sales slips are mailed out the day after the request. Merchants must allow enough time for delivery, usually 3 business days. Expedited orders are sent only with the merchant paying an additional “rush” shipping fee. To expedite your supply order request, please utilize our imprinter and supplies order form at www.saloncharge.com/form.htm

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Where is my Welcome Package?
Welcome kits are mailed the day after the merchant account is approved. They include 5 sales drafts, a copy of the Terms and Conditions, an instruction card on how to make transactions, and a supply order form. If you have not received your Welcome Kit within 5 days of that date, contact Customer Service and tell them you still do not have your Welcome Kit. We will need to verify your mailing address.

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What if I forget my PIN?
You can obtain you Merchant PIN by calling (866) 750-0269. Listen for the proper prompt and enter your social security number. Please note, you must enter the Social Security number for the primary owner that is listed on the application.

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What is my settlement fee?
Your settlement fee is the discount rate you agreed to on your merchant application. For all Salon Charge merchants, its 3.85%

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How do I get a copy of my Terms and Conditions?
A copy of your Terms and Conditions is included in your Welcome Kit. Applications are processed via mail, fax, and phone. You may also view the Terms and Conditions from this web site.

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How do I cancel my service?
Please call (866) 750-0271 or email customerservice@saloncharge.com with your request. Only the person who opened the account may request the account be closed.

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If I have another location, do I need a separate account?
Credit card processing rules state that each location must have their own merchant account. Different types of business and difference locations are two reasons for having separate accounts.

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My money is not in my account yet, what do I do?
Funds are sent via the ACH System (Automated Clearing House) and all merchants are required to have a checking account that accepts ach. Funds are net deposited minus fees for each day's batch total for Visa and MasterCard. American Express, Discover, and Checks are the same but the funds are sent by those entities to your account. Below is a chart showing when you can expect your funds. It is always the responsibility of the owner of the checking account to verify funds are deposited and can be used before writing checks against those funds

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How do I change my checking account information?
Checking account changes must be in writing from the owner of record. Please fax the request with a copy of a voided check and front page of the corresponding bank statement to (866) 209-4446. Please allow 7 days for any changes to take affect. In the meantime, do not close your previous account in case transactions and deposits are in process. Any recent charges will not be able to be changed, but will continue to go to the old account.

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Can I charge my own credit card?
A test transaction of between $2.00 and $5.00 is recommended in order to verify that your account is working properly. Any merchant that charges their own card for more than $5.00 faces fines and termination of their merchant account. Credit card processing rules are very strict and a test transaction is the only exception, as charging the merchant's own card is considered circumventing the cash advance laws by Visa and MasterCard. If you have a question about a test transaction or the subsequent deposit, call customer service at (866) 750-0271.

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What is the credit card’s CVV2 number?
This is the 3 digit security code located on the back of the card on the signature panel. Note: This applies to all Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. For an American Express card, the CVV2 number is a four digit number located on the front of the card.

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