Getting a merchant account depends on several things
location, transaction history, and volume are the big 3
US mercs - lowest rates
I deal with one bank that wants volume only if its over 30k per month - good credit (need trans history)
another wants only those over 100k per month - great credit (need trans history)
and yet another than wants UNDER 20k per month - decent credit (does not need trans history but its useful if you have it)
offshore and/or non US mercs - higher rates and fees
while one bank needs stellar credit, great transaction history and over 100k
another couple need good credit, good trans history and over 20k
some want everything but dental records and others simply require basic company info.
some of these require local incorporation (incorp fees be from $2500 +)and others don't
most have other fees like these:
$500 - setup fee
$500 - application fee (due AFTER pre-approval)
$100 - monthly minimum fee
$150 - month maintenance fee
$30-35 - chargeback fee
so you see, with an offshore if you don't do over 20k or so a month the fees can eat into your profit margins. But when you are paying rates of 6% instead of 15 .. well you can do the math ;)
The best way to find out how difficult it would be to get your own merchant account is to speak one on one with a rep, they can pretty much give a once over of your info and know if its going to fly or not.
I'd be happy to help if you like
and don't worry, I'm not a newbie to the industry, I've been here since 1997 lol
hope this helps clear some things up for you
