IndieCommunication: Credit Card Processing

Here's the IndieCommunication Newsletter for Friday, July 24:

Upcoming Change to Credit Card Processing - FAQs

Our recent announcement regarding the upcoming change in credit card processing on IndieCommerce websites generated some questions from member stores. Below are a few of the more frequently asked questions we’ve received. There are more frequently asked questions available online here.

Why is ABA doing this now?

In recent months, the high volume of online sales has made it apparent that the ABA account for credit card processing does not scale well. We’ve seen bank delays in issuing funds to our members, difficulties in managing refund requests, and the fee structure that we require for covering fraudulent online transactions is onerous for struggling stores.

To address these issues and to lower credit card processing costs for stores using IndieCommerce and IndieLite, we’ve decided to transition stores off of the ABA merchant account and onto their own credit card merchant account. This transition will start with IndieCommerce websites.

I have an IndieLite site. Do I need to find my own credit card processing service?

Right now, we just want to move IndieCommerce (IC) stores off of the ABA credit card merchant account. After all or most IC stores have been moved, we will reach out to IndieLite stores about moving them over to their own credit card merchant accounts.

Do we have to choose a Credit Card Processing Service recommended by ABA?

No, you have two options to consider:

a) Use your current merchant account - If your bookstore currently has a credit card processor that you use for processing in-store credit card purchases, you may be able to use that service on your IndieCommerce website as well. Check with your credit card merchant account provider and ask if they work with the Authorize.net gateway and if the merchant account will process Visa/MC/Amex/Dis cards for online orders.

b) Sign up for a new credit card merchant account - This can be any credit card processing service provider that works with Authorize.net. Although you now have many options, we've tried to make this transition as easy as possible by vetting a recommended credit card processor and pre-negotiating the rates.

Is there a deadline to switch over to the store’s credit card processor/merchant account?

We strongly suggest that bookstores strive to get this done before the start of the fourth quarter of 2020 (October 1). We expect online holiday shopping to start early this year due to COVID-related shipping delays that consumers have been experiencing.

I’m ready to make the move. What are the next steps?

Whether you are just starting the process or are already working with a credit card processor, please refer to our updated help document for next steps.

If you have more questions after reviewing all of the FAQs, please send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help.

Indie Next List Ad Banners Available For IndieCommerce and IndieLite Websites

For IndieCommerce and IndieLite sites, booksellers can select to add an Indie Next List ad banner that promotes titles from the current list. The ad features the book’s cover, the title and author, and a bookseller quote along with the Indie Next List logo. One title will appear at a time and will be shown at random from the current month’s titles; the block can be placed anywhere on the page. To enable this function, contact [email protected]. See an example here. The ads also appear on IndieBound.