Payments basics
- Batch settlement: how to batch out a credit card machineWhat a batch is, automatic versus manual batch close, how to batch out a credit card machine at the end of the day, and what to do if settlement fails.
- Credit card decline codes: what each code means at the terminal and what to doWhat common credit card machine decline codes mean (05, 51, 54, 14, 55, 57, 58, 91, 96, 41, 43, 04, 03) and what to do at the terminal for each one.
- Decline code 51 (insufficient funds): what it means at the terminalDecline code 51 means the card does not have enough funds or credit for this amount. What to tell the customer and what to do at the terminal.
- Do not honor (decline code 05): what it means at the terminalDecline code 05 Do not honor means the card's bank refused the sale without a reason. What to tell the customer and what to do at the terminal.
- Invalid merchant ID (decline code 03) on a card terminal: what to checkInvalid merchant or code 03 on every card usually means the terminal's merchant or terminal ID does not match the processor. What to check and who must reprogram it.
- Pre-authorization on a credit card terminal: pre-auth, incremental and captureHow a credit card pre-authorization (auth only) works at the terminal: placing the hold, adding to it, capturing the final amount, and releasing a hold you will not use.
- Store and forward (offline transactions): how it works and the riskWhat store and forward (offline mode) on a card terminal does, why some stored sales are declined later, and why the processor must enable it.
- Tap to pay not working on a card terminal: what to checkWhy contactless or tap to pay fails on a card machine (card held wrong, phone not unlocked, amount needs a PIN, reader not enabled) and how to finish the sale.
- What is a terminal ID (TID) and a merchant ID (MID)?A merchant ID (MID) identifies your business to the processor; a terminal ID (TID) identifies one terminal. Where to find them and why to keep them private.
- Void vs refund on a card terminal: which one to useVoid a card sale that is still in today's open batch; refund (return) one that has already settled. How to tell which applies at the terminal.
- What is EMV? Chip cards explained for merchants (insert, tap, swipe)What EMV chip means, how insert, tap and swipe differ on a card terminal, when swipe fallback is allowed, and why a chip read can fail.