Comments on: Citi Merchant Services Refuses To Process Credit Card Sales For Firearms

By: Merchant Accounts

Merchant Accounts — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:36:38 +0000

Hi, i like your blog, it’s so cool.
And want to have a link trading with you, look forward to your reply.
Thank you

By: Electronic Merchant Systems

Electronic Merchant Systems — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:52:48 +0000

We process credit cards for several retail guns stores. We would love to help all gun store owners

By: merchant accounts

merchant accounts — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:57:22 +0000

You need to ask your service providers what they are planning to do, and when. They may not have staff available to get this done in a reasonable time, and so you may be waiting an unacceptable time to get there. Know what is preventing early resolution and you may know whether it is worth hanging in with them, because switching can still leave you in the same problem soon.

By: Izaak

Izaak — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:49:41 +0000

It is totally understandable that people are fustrated about this issue, but it all boils down to risk and not so much ignorance of the law. Non face-to-face credit card sales are the highest risk for any merchant type and it is easy to overcome a background check so if the store sells any firearms and it turns out to be a big scam and the merchant then has to payback the consumers of which were violated and if the merchant cannot afford to payback the damages it then is up to the credit card processor, msp, and/ or iso to pay for it. It comes down to statistics based on industry and if the payment processor feels like the industry is a potential hazard then they can create a holden account and withhold funds or even terminate a merchant file to prevent future credit card sales. My suggestion would be to use a high risk payment processor that is willing to accept risky sales. I am all for firearms, but non face-to-face sales is extremely risky and easy to manipulate background checks.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:03:28 +0000

The money spent processing credit cards is minimal at best and should be looked at as a necessary business expense. We will find that on average, it costs a few cents or a small percentage for each credit card transaction.Nice posting, so informative .Thanks

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:56:19 +0000

I am extremely disappointed with Citi and First Data stance with their anti-gun policies. I have been a card holder for many years with Citi and I will now be closing my account with them. As a Life Member of the NRA and LEO, I will not support any organization that does not preserve the rights of law abiding citizens.

Todd

By: Tom Remington

Tom Remington — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:27:41 +0000

Thanks for that information Diane. I hadn’t taken the time to investigate how big their influence is.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:24:03 +0000

The problem is that FDC processes 60% or better of the credit card transactions across the country. They also ‘own’ most of the data lines that ATM information is transmitted across (they own the STAR system). I thought that I was safe with my USAA credit card, but USAA has confirmed that FDC processes the transactions for all of their credit cards. FDC and American Express also have an agreement — see it here:(http://home3.americanexpress.com/corp/pc/2007/fdc.asp)
First Data is everywhere and is not soley affliated with Citi.
I hope that they feel major backlash as a result of their decision but I am afraid that this just might be the start of something bigger. I will not give up my right to purchase and own firearms and will not have FDC or Citi telling me what to do or how to do it!!

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 17:08:13 +0000

Citi is one of the few businesses in town with a “no guns” sign on the front door.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 19:26:49 +0000

I don’t hold any Citi or First Data cards, nor do I do any business with them. If I did, the accounts would be cancelled immediately, and a reason for the cancellation would be provided in writing, both to the account manager and to the upper management.

I realize it’s a bit tougher for a retailer to switch credit card processing companies than it is for a consumer to drop a credit card, but I would hope that there is a mass exodus from the CITI/FDC services unless this issue is corrected in a satisfactory manner.