Credit/Debit card servicers

Bob Sanders · May 12, 2013

I've been reading reports about companies that handle the credit/debit card transactions refusing to service accounts that involve firearms, ammo, anything firearm related including a gun t-shirt. I'm wondering how could this be legal? Ultimately, it's US currency, even if virtual, and legal tender for all debts, public and private. If a company deals with US dollars, they shouldn't get to pick and choose.

drmitchgibson · May 12, 2013

Have any of these reports been verified, or is this just ignorant paranoiacs making stuff up?

charger arms · May 12, 2013

Square and some of the other phone swipe services have sent FFL holders a cancellation letter recently. This is a current topic on the FFLonly forum I frequent. My cc provider is now going to charge a .35% additional fee they call a fraud fee. I guess they saw the huge increase in cc usage and wanted to make more profit. They claim a higher number of charge backs and cc fraud due to the panic buying the last 6 months.

And Bob, no where on the credit card does it say "US Legal Tender", credit cards are not currency. They are a service, and a very greedy one at that.

Square used to allow gun purcahses if the card was swiped but not keyed at an online terminal. I think Square is an off-shoot of paypal.

Bob Sanders · May 12, 2013

Authorize.net has it in their terms of service. And you're correct, it's a greedy service and the reason I have no credit cards, eventhough it is sometimes an inconvience. But from my perspective, it's Yankee Scrip that rolls out of my bank when I use that debit card! Still, I think if their ledgers reflect Yankee Dollars, they should not dictate what people can purchase. To me it would be like declining service because I'm bald, and potentially fat from 44oz big gulps.

Robusto · May 13, 2013

Bob-
I think Payment Alliance International has an NRA NSSF endorsed shooting sports payments package.

http://www.gopai.com/shooting/

charger arms · May 13, 2013

PAI is who I currently use. They are the ones that just sent out the "because of the increase in firearms sales and potential fraud" letter notifying me of a .35% increase. I think they will be loosing their endorsements. At a minimum they will be loosing my business.

Robusto · May 13, 2013

charger arms said:
PAI is who I currently use. They are the ones that just sent out the "because of the increase in firearms sales and potential fraud" letter notifying me of a .35% increase. I think they will be loosing their endorsements. At a minimum they will be loosing my business.

Didn't know. How about http://www.electronictransfer.com/blog/gun-firearms-news/gun-dealer-credit-card-processing ?

charger arms · May 13, 2013

I will check them out. What was nice about PAI, they were hooked up with Gunbroker and they provided a checkout and invoice function on auction end. Hopefully someone else offers that service. My rates go up on June 1 and I need to find someone else soon.