Merchant Account Glossary - D

Debit Networks
A multitude of companies that honor card transactions by debiting the cardholder’s checking account for the purchase amount.  Debit Networks are smaller than their credit based counterparts and are more numerous.

Direct Marketing
Direct Marketing is a scenario where a merchant solicits business to people who did not ask to be solicited, otherwise know as “junk mail”.  Direct Marketing is often confused with “Mail Order / Telephone Order”.  A merchant that sends catalogs or brochures to their prior customers or current subscribers is not a direct marketer.  A merchant that sends catalogs or brochures to everyone is a targeted area IS considered a direct marketer.

Discount Rate
This is a percentage fee a merchant pays to Ballistic Merchant Services when a merchant processes a transaction.  It is a quoted fee which discounts a percentage for each sale transaction.

Doing Business As (DBA)
The DBA is the business name displayed by the merchant, either with a sign in a physical store or on a website on the internet.  Each merchant requires a separate application for each DBA.