A few years back my pal Doberman Dan Gallapoo was telling me about how after almost 20 years of “hounds tooth clean” selling online, his merchant account shut him down out of the blue — without explanation or warning. Some muckety-muck simply decided he was a high risk business and that was that — even though his track record was spotless.
Luckily, he had a back up merchant account.
And, he simply switched it on and was back in bid’niz.
That is, until a week later that blessed back up merchant account shut him down, too.
Again, with no warning or explanation.
But ol’ Doberman Dan, being the sly dog he is, had a back up to his back up, and switched that on and was back in bid’niz and to my knowledge they didn’t shut him down.
Anyway, such is the fickle nature of merchant accounts.
And, why Dan had been on me like flies on poop for YEARS to not only have a backup merchant account, but a back of my back up, and a back up of that back up, plus an offshore merchant account just in case.
That’s a lot of work, though.
And, since elBenbo is the king of procrastination, I kept ignoring his advice.
(Sweating bullets the whole time.)
But a year ago, that all changed.
I had a similar talk with the Doberman and instead of lecturing me on the need for multiple merchant accounts (which I needed to hear, he is a good friend like that), he referred me to this guy Joe — who is to people who use merchant accounts what a good insurance agent is to people who use insurance. He is like a “go to guy” for setting you up with merchant accounts — including multiple merchant accounts, for added protection so your income doesn’t dry up if you’re suddenly shut down by yours.
(As Dan Kennedy sayseth: “1” is the most dangerous number in bid’niz).
He also goes to bat for you if there are any problems.
And, he talks to the merchant accounts on your behalf if need be.
(Not only freeing up your time, but possibly helping prevent someone from shutting down out of the blue, which can happen to any direct marketer — even if you have zero chargebacks and have done nothing wrong — without notice, reason, or explanation. All it takes is someone at the bank knighting your business as high risk, and BAM!)
Bottom line:
He keeps his finger on the pulse of everything for you.
And, gives your righteous self peace of mind.
Plus, like an insurance agent or list broker:
You don’t pay him.
The merchant accounts do.
So he’s free for you.
Anyway, I talk more about him and my other Ben Settle Show “approved” people and services on tomorrow’s podcast. While you’re waiting for it, check out our prior shows here:
Ben Settle
