Short and sweet

You have a great publication. Thanks.

Peggy Barnett, Bankcard Consultant
Redwood Merchant Services

Last thing needed is another gimmick

Dear Mr. Musante: I read your article in the >April 24, 2006 issue of The Green Sheet ["POS terminals are not cell phones or razors," issue 06:04:02] with hopeful optimism that there were others in our industry that felt as I. Like you, I have refused to jump into the "free terminal" game with our direct sales force here at EMS.

The sale of equipment is how we pay the bills for our highly trained, highly skilled and highly compensated sales force. What our industry is in desperate need of are intelligent, honest and skilled salespeople. The last thing we need is another gimmick. Your article was right on point.

Mark A. Gill,
Executive Vice President, Sales
Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS)

MATCH list and ISO registration

The Green Sheet has published a list of TMF [terminated merchant file or MATCH list] causes, i.e., reasons a merchant can be terminated. I'd like to review this information again. Where can I find it?

Please provide the section on Visa's or MasterCard's Web site that has information on the legality of a merchant asking for customers' identification at the POS. (I believe this is not allowed unless otherwise OK'd by Visa or MasterCard?)

Also, I am very interested in becoming a registered ISO or merchant level salesperson. How do I get started? Thank you,
Alois Scott

Alois: We have published the following on merchant termination that you might find interesting:

• "Blacklist Trick or Treat: MATCH List Horror Stories" by Adam Atlas, The Green Sheet, Oct. 25, 2004, issue 04:10:02
• "MATCH Myths" by David H. Press, The Green Sheet, May 10, 2004, issue 04:05:01
• "Payment Processing in 2003: Understanding Risk Management" by Jared Isaacman, The Green Sheet, April 14, 2003, issue 03:04:01.

  In response to your second question, try the following URLs for Visa and MasterCard:

• http://usa.visa.com/business/accepting_visa/ops_risk_management/card_present.html
• www.mastercard.com/us/merchant/how_works/merchant_rules.html

  And finally, if you are thinking about becoming a registered ISO, we recommend that you read Michael Nardy's three-part series for Street SmartsSM, "What is registration anyway?" (The Green Sheet, April 24, May 8 and May 22, 2006, issues 06:04:02, 06:05:01 and 06:05:02). The Industry FAQs and the Knowledge Is Power series on GS Online's MLS Portal may also be helpful. Good luck.

  Editor