i'm looking to submit my application for a moneris.com merchant account and stated to them that i intend to process several sites, but similar services, under "one corporate name". they said that i would need a separate merchant account for each website, even though the name on the customer statements would be the same.

can that be true? why would i need several accounts if they're all processing under the same DBA name? or are they just trying to make more money?

Processors usually wants to open a MID# for each site to diversify chargebacks and avoid any slaps in the face by VISA/MC and be accused of issuing 3rd party accounts.

Im not sure if you sell the same type of products/services on all these sites but if different products/services etc its a question of coding it correctly as well.

Its not a question of making more money. Its a question of being safe rather than sorry.

We had accounts with 2Checkout and they also required one web site - one account. So, we had with them 2 accounts for 2 web sites.

If you are selling the same type of product / service there is no need to get a seperate MID, instead you can obtain several TID's under one MID and only pay fees for a single account.

If the sites sell different types of products / services you will absolutely need seperate accounts for each as they code the MID's to the product type.

Moneris employees are notorious for misunderstanding regs *sigh*

hope this helps and good luck :)

If you are selling the same type of product / service there is no need to get a seperate MID, instead you can obtain several TID's under one MID and only pay fees for a single account.

If the sites sell different types of products / services you will absolutely need seperate accounts for each as they code the MID's to the product type.

Moneris employees are notorious for misunderstanding regs *sigh*

hope this helps and good luck :)

thanks, that really clarifies it. so if i'll be selling shared hosting on one website and dedicated hosting on the other, but process both under the same DBA name, i can do it with one account, right? perhaps they just didnt understand right.

...and, what exactly does MID and TID mean? sorry if thats a stupid question!

MID is merchant ID and TID is Terminal ID.

If you are selling products that have the same SIC code or very similar, yes, get one merchant account. And have your DBA plastered everywhere. Send a receipt via email and have it at the top and at the bottom and maybe somewhere in between.

Contact your MAP (merchant account provider) and get them to also put your telephone number so that is appears on the consumer statement.

Hosting is the same SIC (7372) that most MAPs use. However, if you look at the definition (http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.display?id=149&tab=description), you will see it encompasses a lot more.

Also, having said that, your dedicated hosting consumers are goint to be paying more - a higher ticket. So make sure that your MAP knows and understands this. A lot of times, some MAPs will need to verify purchases on high ticket items.

well i talked to them again today asking if i could have several TIDs under one MID and they transferred me back and forth between departments, then finally i got to their ecommerce division and they stated that as long as i'm processing under the same DBA name, there wouldnt be a need for a separate merchant account, not even a separate TID unless i processed several hundred thousands of transactions per month, only then a separate TID was needed.

Very glad to hear that you got things worked out.

And definitely, if you are processing that amount of volume, a couple of merchant accounts might be recommend (and appreciated by your CPA :) )

Typically speaking though, most processing banks will not allow you to pre-charge clients for a yearly service unless you are an established & reputable firm.

Just mentioning this to you since you appear to be selling hosting services. If you talk with your provider explain to them that it is the same company that is processing payments for the different brands that are owned by your firm.

We have setup hundreds of accounts that have a similar type setup that you're looking at having done. Most of the time, it's just about the proper lingo. ;)