Is it really worthwhile to purchase the optional Card Security that most credit card companies offer?
916286
in my opinion no because\na. im not enough credit card debt to worry what would happen if i became injured or other\nb. they all do that with free introductory offers that make it easy to forget you are already enrolled when they start charging you\nc. its another form of insurance and IMHo - at least for me but does not pertain to the general public - insurance is a scam. if i bet myself every time i'll be doing just fine
650505
The small print can make a big difference.  The finance company through which the card is issued is more important to evaluate than the type of card itself.  I believe you have to evaluate the contract and READ IT for the charges and conditions.
783544
I like Amazon.com.  They have everything from books, movies, watches.  Anything you can imagine.  I have used them several times and have never had a problem.  Their website is very user friendly also.\n\nToday, there are many websites that are safe.  When you are inputting your credit card information and so forth, make sure the address has https, rather than the basic, http.  The "s" stands for secure.
1081687
The most expensive part of accepting credit cards for your business is paying the "discount rate", to the credit card processing bank.  The cheapest, lowest, "discount rate" is  physically running a card through a machine or "swipe rate", like you do when you shop.  The next rate is called a "keyed in rate."  Where the customer puts the number into the pad off the computer with the 3 digits off the back of the card as proof.  This is an added security measure the banks like to see that will win you the next rate.  The highest rate is when the customer calls you on the phone and verbals the number to you a, "non-qualified rate."  Basically each level is an added amount of risk the processing bank is making you pay for with each transaction.  There is one more rate and it should be lower, more around the keyed in rate, and this is for debit cards.  Today, 80% of all cards used in the market place are debit cards.  Also Discover card and American Express have the highest rates.  So all this said, your business "is going to incure a bit of an expense" in order to accept your first credit card.  However, in order for you to be in business at all, especially an e business, you HAVE to accept CC's.  \n\nNow back to your question,  you have to shop around.  I would suggest shopping the conventional cc processors first.  Who are they?   Look in the phone book in every major city.  Or go to a couple local businesses and ask them for a referral.  Stay away from "Heartland"  Look for a company who does not lock you into a contract.  Also you should not have to buy any equiptment other than the link.  If you do buy a machine, buy it.  Do not lease it for 8 times more than it is worth.  The non-internet based cc proccessors will probably give you better rates than any internet based cc processor.  I used to work for a proccessing bank and we had an option for internet based businesses.  Basically, shop around until you find the lowest discount rates, on Visa and Master Card around 1.5 - 1.75 at a .10 transaction fee" and no statement fee. If they can offer you these rates for "swiped in rate".  The keyed in rate which is where you business is, is around 1.00 higher.  That is a great rate.  Disc & Amex will be around 3.5-4.0, far less people use  these cards and you don't have to accept them if you so choose. They will charge you $150 to $200 to set up your account and they will give you a link your web designer can easily add to your site.  Each month you receive a statement call the processor and have them explain it to you.  You want to make sure they don't change the rates on you.
1090470
basically a secured credit card is one based on a deposit, say you deposit $ 100, and they give you a credit card of $ 100 or more (sometimes they may offer 2-3 times the deposit).\nIf you have no credit, you can probably get a store credit card quickly and easily and then by that virtue a major unsecured credit card within  a couple months.
898454
A credit card company will solicit customers to open a new account, sometimes at a lower rate than their current card or cards, and offer to transfer the balances from the customer's old cards over to the new card at some reduced rate.  This sounds like a good idea because the customer gets a lower interest rate and the new company gets a new account (usually with a substantial balance).  The trick here also is that it frees up credit on the old cards and tempts people to recharge on those cards which yes, it does give more available credit, but that is not necessarily a good thing.  In this country most of us are bogged down in credit card bills as it is, and the last thing that many of us need is more available credit.  I will get off my soapbox now!  I just think that credit - though necessary and a wonderful thing at times can so easily be abused, usually by the people least able to afford that and you end up paying thousands for absolutely nothing.  Just be wary and careful.
1168544
Pros: \nIf done properly, it allows you to establish your credit and provides a means of aquiring goods that can be paid for orver a period of time.\n\nCons:\nIf you have no self control to abusing it, a credit card can and will bankrupt your finances and place you in a fiscal purgatory.
245155
A secured credit card is when you put up say $1000 and the credit card co. gives you a charge card with a $1000 limit on it - they extend you credit because you've already given them the money to back the card, so they don't lose any money if you default.  When you close the account you get the money back.  It's a good way for people with bad or no credit to improve their credit score.\n\nAn unsecured card is when they issue you a credit line of $1000 but you've given them no money as colateral, so if you default, they may lose that money that you've charged but might not pay back.  \n\nUnsecured cards are a bigger risk for credit card companies but they usually get a bigger return on them.
279902
it is a very competitive business. watch for hidden extra fees and charges. shop around, check the internet and negotiate with the one you feel comfortable with, using the prices you have found elsewhere.\n\nFirst Data Corp was the big provider when I used to do Credit cards.
571444
Please don't do that...you would be paying fees and not getting to borrow money like on a regular credit card (they actually shouldn't call it a credit card) You should open up a checking account instead..you will still be building credit, most banks have visa or mastercard logos on there debit card, and you won't be paying as much in fees. \n\nIf you really want a credit card, but can't get a regular one, try a secured credit card.
564135
This is a trick by the card companies to get them to spend more on their cards so they can be fleeced out of more and more interest.  I would rather keep my money safe than have cheap trinkets and meaningless offers; stuff credit cards- its just profiteering from those who can't afford it, like the Lottery.
686928
It can be argued that the ease of use of credit cards, the easy access to the "good life", along with high interest rates, are exploitative.  However, card companies make clear what their interest rates are, and they don't force cardholders to use them.
187167
It sure sounds like a great deal.....but read the fine print VERY CAREFULLY on the agreement.\n\nWhat it means is for a set period of time (lets say 6 months) you can use the credit card to make purchases, and not pay any interest fees at all.\n\nAfter that period, you start paying a set amount of interest on the unpaid balance.  Sounds cool, right?\n\nThere are the traps you have to know about.\n\nMany people run the card up, and have a large balance at the time interest kicks in.  They make minimum payments, the card never gets paid off, and everything gets out of control.\n\nDepending on the offer, the interest rate is pretty low, maybe 15% (or lower).  The credit card companies have buried land mines in the contract, and if you step on them you die!\n\nExample #1:  If you go over your credit limit and do not bring it down by the next billing cycle, they will automatically (and without notice) increase your interest rate.  There are no notices and no warnings.  You only find out when you get the next month's statement.  It's not uncommon for people to be paying 25%-30%.  OUCH!!!  \n\nIn the past this would never happen, because if you tried to charge something, and that charge would go over your limit, it would be rejected.  But those nice Credit Card companies decided to "allow" you to "temporarilly" increase your limit so you can buy that item.  They do this "as a favor to you".  Some favor.\n\nExample #2.  If you are ever late on a payment, they will raise your interest rate.  Don't EVER be late.\n\nWish the government would pay more attention to these credit card companies's scams and less time to other nonsense issues.
8498
Probably your bank. They can usually open a secured credit card based on the amount in your savings account. It's also the safest bet for you, because it's a place where your money already is, and it's with a company you trust and already have a history with.
1119928
That is one reason you have to look at your statement each and every month when it comes and make sure that you have made the purchase.. if not then get in touch with your company.. they will not make you pay for items that you did not buy.. never leave your credit card bill laying on the table at a restaurant either, always make sure the server picks it up before you leave, you are just asking for trouble, anyone can pick that up .. most places now are just showing the last 4 numbers of your credit card on the bill , but some are not.. for the most part people are honest, but there are people out there that are going to take advantage of us.. you just never know.. it is just the chance we all take.. most times they are to busy to get your info off the card.. or to double swipe.. and it would do them no good to double swipe in a restaurant.. are they going to eat the same thing you did?? don't think so.. just always make sure you get your card back in a store, and by law you do not have to sign your card !!! you do have to have a picture ID on you to prove it is your card.. anyone can sign your card.. make them look at a picture ID to make sure it is your card...
1183702
There's alot you can do via internet search for best bets on credit cards, so I won't go into all that.\n\nThe thing to always keep in mind with credit cards is that they create hefty financial profits for the companies that issue them.  And the reason is that most card holders 'do not' pay off their balance each month, so pay finance charges on the debt that gets carried over each month.  They will hope that you are one of these buyers that is not too careful.  But the card is also a good tool for you, because it is a means of establishing credit.  It just needs to be used wisely, as any tool in your tool box.
224998
Visa and Mastercard.  If you pay by credit card and there's a problem, you have a little protection.