Wonder how prices are so low on Amazon? Yes, many items are stolen (at the time of purchase) or counterfeit, but there’s another reason: they’re bought after you buy them using stolen credit cards. In other words, they’re stolen after the ‘legit’ purchase. Recently, a retailer reported that it was being asked to ship Versace items to far off locations, only to have the credit card holder say it didn’t order them. They say their credit card was stolen. The reason the scammer ordered the goods ...
Read More
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2019
Social media (i.e. Facebook) is now the leading tool scammers use to successfully steal from people—beating e-mail, telephone, and websites.
Be wary of links leading to eBay and Craigslist, and stay away from bank and wire transfers.
Credit card may be the safest purchase option.
View Post
First read:
There are millions of indie stores in the world who don’t get to succeed online. They get ripped off by web designers and coders, pay more in local taxes than big tech companies, don’t have access to cheap money from Wall St. (like big tech companies), and can’t protect themselves from hackers looking to steal credit cards. They are prevented them from running their business, helping their customers, and servicing their communities. Due to these expenses and ...
Read More
May 20, 2019
May 20, 2019
We have GREAT graduation gifts at Barbara Stewart Interiors...from Clear wristlet w/ privacy pouch for all the football games, Daniel Wellington watches, Jewelry holders, Blessing bracelets, S'well insulated bottles, Drawstring makeup holder, Canvas/leather roller bag, Leather money clip and credit card holder, Canvas duffle bag...many of these can be personalized! Stop in and shop!
View Post
April 15, 2019
April 15, 2019
Are Indie Stores 'Digitally Poor'?
There are millions of indie stores in the world who don’t get to succeed online. They get ripped off by web designers and coders, have to pay local taxes unlike many Amazon sellers, don’t have access to cheap money from Wall St. like Amazon.com, and get attacked by hackers looking to steal credit cards, all factors which prevent them from running their business, helping their customers, and servicing their communities. Because of these expenses and obstacles, ...
Read More
April 8, 2019
April 8, 2019
Facebook is helping thieves share stolen credit cards. Thanks, Mark Zuckerberg.
Wired is promoting sharing the article on Facebook in the left-hand margin. Promoting sharing on a platform that has so many sharing holes in it is a bit ironic.
Are you paying credit card fees each month? If so, you may be interested in what store owner Laura May did.
Laura May, who owns the Ivy House in Texas, was paying thousands of dollars in fees to accept credit cards in her store each month. She thought she may be paying too much in fees. She asked Bridge to review her credit card statements. Bridge reviewed the statements and found problems preventing her from getting the fair, lower rates. In the end, Bridge saved her more than $7,000 per year ...
Read More
January 5, 2019
January 5, 2019
Amazon may start a bank—and become a competitor to JP Morgan. Imagine if Macy’s or Walmart owned a bank. When a customer makes a large purchase, would that make them more appealing than your business? Financing an engagement ring?
Amazon already offers third-party backed credit cards (Chase), cash cards, and a digital wallet, and it’s exploring adding financial integration with its Alexa platform.
Gifts he'll actually love! Shopping for your dad, husband or any man in your life isn't always easy, but we stock unique gifts that we know he'll enjoy. Check out these ~ TOP 5~ gifts for men selected by our very own staff.
This holiday season is going to be crazy. Customers will be rushing to checkout. Every spot in your store will be taken. What if there was a way to more quickly checkout customers and not take up counter space? There is: a mobile credit card scanner.
Do you need a mobile credit card scanner? If so, just ask Bridge. We rent mobile units to customers that have processing setup with us.
View Post
October 24, 2018
October 24, 2018
Are you ready to lose $500? You could if you don't update your authorize.net account settings.
Recently, an identity thief entered 2,000 different credit cards on a retailer's Bridge website. They did so using a bot that entered in card information automatically into the website. Please note: an identify thief can do this process on just about any e-commerce platform—it’s not unique to Bridge. Credit card fraud is widespread online. Many thieves buy files of 1,000s of stolen credit cards and ’...
Read More
You can now more easily see how an item was paid for online.
When you look at your orders page, your software now shows you the credit card logo used. If the credit card logo is not displayed, this means the customer did not pay online. You will have to call the customer to take its credit card information over the telephone and key it in your terminal.
In the example shown, the September 11th Michael Aram purchase does not show a credit card logo. This means that the credit card was not ...
Read More
July 31, 2018
July 31, 2018
Really hate a credit card brand? Do what Kroger did: just stop accepting it. Visa, along with AmEx, keeps raising its fees on merchants almost every month and claims to promote “customer choice.” That’s like promoting rioting in the name of looter choice. It’s not fair to keep giving out mileage and points cards and keep raising the fees on retailers.
View Post
July 31, 2018
July 31, 2018
AmEx ripped off customers reports today’s WSJ. Does that sound familiar? Again and again I butt heads with AmEx over their high fees. I really need to stop using their credit card. They promote a “small business” day, yet again and again charge high processing fees for services to small businesses. They’re a Janus and I don’t need bi-polar service providers.
View Post
October 1, 2017
October 1, 2017
Do you accept credit cards? If so, you are likely losing almost $200 a year. The reason is that your store likely has not completed its PCI compliance or it has expired.
Are you being charged a fee? Here's how to find out... 1. Please look on your credit card processing statement and see if you are being charged.
The charge will be in the “FEES” section and resemble something like this:
PCI NON-VALIDATION -$15.95
2. If you are not being charged this fee—and therefore are PCI compliant, then visit ...
Read More
August 13, 2017
August 13, 2017
Laura, who owns Ivy House in Texas, will save $7,000 in credit card fees this year. That's enough to take her family to Italy on vacation or buy five Apple computers for her staff.
How did she save this money? Laura asked me to review her credit card statements. I found that the credit card processor was charging her too much.
I then showed Laura that she could save $7,000 per year if she moved to Bridge’s processing. She gets the same or better in-store processing services and saves $7,000.
What if you could get a $20 credit on your next Bridge bill? You can. And, you can reduce your in-store credit card processing fees. You can likely save between $1,000 to $10,000 per year in fees.
Bridge supports indie stores and we know that stores are paying too much in fees. This hurts you--and it hurts Bridge's ability to connect you with other businesses. Let's help each other grow and save money.
Bridge has helped stores such as Ivy House in Texas and Glass Bazaar in Tennessee save $4,000 ...
Read More
August 3, 2017
August 3, 2017
Laura, who owns Ivy House in Texas, will save $7,000 in credit card fees this year. John, who owns the store Glass Bazaar in Tennessee, will save $4,000. That's enough to take a family to Italy on vacation.
How did they save this money? I helped Laura and John cut their credit card processing fees. I like helping stores lower their fees because it helps strengthen their ability to compete with big box stores and Amazon.com.
John had this to say:
"We are happy with the credit card processing ...
Read More
May 1, 2017
May 1, 2017
Want to help small businesses? Pay with a debit card. Debit cards cost small businesses less to process--while credit cards with travel perks cost the businesses the most.
View Post
April 11, 2017
April 11, 2017
Think Amazon is having all the fun? So do hackers.
Bridge doesn't store your credit card or payment information online, and as such isn't susceptible to the same hacking the article describes affected Amazon.
The article reminds us to create strong passwords--any unauthorized access to your account can be embarrassing and hurt business.
View Post