
From the Desk of Paul Ladd, Sales Support Manager
It’s important to know that as you’re onboarding a merchant, you’ll need to include information about its value-added resellers (VARs) — any software it uses that holds cardholder information. If that information is missing, unclear or incorrect, it could delay that merchant’s application by at least 24 hours.
This delay is called a “VAR pend” and it’s in your best interest to avoid it. For one, it can create a poor experience for that merchant by requiring you to ask them for more information. So, how do you prevent VAR pends?
Here are three best practices:
1. Collect the necessary VAR details. Make sure to ask a merchant up front for the information about each VAR you need to list. This includes the software name, the vendor name, and whether the software is installed on the merchant’s hardware or if it’s cloud hosted. (If installed, we ask for the software version as well.) Partner Sales Support is here to help if you aren’t sure what questions you need to ask.
2. Confirm the information is correct and clear. Listing a software or vendor name that doesn’t match what Elavon has on file is the most common reason for a pend. If you’re unsure if a name is spelled correctly, you can check if that software is in our WorksWith Elavon platform. Seller instructions contain step-by-step guidelines on how to board those accounts and, when followed, rarely lead to a pend. You can also do independent research to confirm the names and correct spelling.
3. Use electronic application software. Submitting a merchant application using a tool like SAT or PulsePoint reduces the odds of a pend because it uses an automated exception process to try to clear any missing or unclear VAR information.
If you are unable to find the necessary details about a VAR and need assistance, feel free to contact us at partnersalessupport@elavon.com
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