How This Site Makes Money
Up until recently, I wasn't making anything off of this site, but I obviously need to start generating some kind of profit if I'm to keep providing a decent level of value. The reviews are free, and you're free to do what you want with them. Use them to make a better choice, or just see how your current provider stacks up.
When you use them to make a choice on which provider to go with, I give you the opportunity to visit that merchant account provider's website through a referral link. If you sign up with them, then I get a commission, which probably raises the question...
Are your reviews unbiased?
The FTC has recently cracked down on review websites that receive incentives to write positive reviews. The high profile case of Belkin, was what set the whole thing off.
I want to clear the air for all of my readers, and for the FTC right here. I do not get paid for writing positive reviews. In other words, if a merchant account provider approaches me with a load of cash and says; "hey give me a 5 out of 5," I will turn them down. My intent is to provide unbiased reviews, and taking cash would obviously jeopardize the integrity of my site, but that raises another question...
Can you be unbiased when you are receiving referral commissions?
To that I say, why can't I? So far, I've reviewed 80+ merchant account providers. I don't think that I've even hit the halfway mark. There are many great companies and many bad ones, and since my reviews are always in flux, a 5 out of 5 today, might become a 4 out of 5 tomorrow, but there's always another company out there that can take that top spot. There will be no shortage of merchant services providers that I'd be happy to refer you to, and ALL of them would be happy to get that referral. So, my question to you is...
If it doesn't matter which of the top merchant providers I refer you to, then why would I be biased?
With that said, if you notice that I'm off course, then call me out on it. Tell me what I'm doing wrong, and I'll listen. That's my promise to you. And, if you have a problem with me receiving any type of monetary return on the reviews that I've posted, just open a new tab and go to the provider's website while bypassing my links. Sound good?
Finally, if you have a better idea of how Merchant Maverick can provide value to you without dipping into the referral commission structure, then by all means, please tell me. Feel free to leave your comments below.
For those of you that are ok with me earning some dough for my hard work, then please know that I appreciate your kindness and will return the favor any day, any time.
Thank You!
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May 17th, 2010 - 10:10
This is a great blog. I have been in the payments business for over thirty years and love finding this type of research available for free. I am sure that at this moment someone is plagiarizing your hard work and selling it. Currently I am consulting and doing a fair amount of research in the acquiring space. If I see something that might interest you I will send it to you. Thanks again for providing this resource. If you ever get to the point of offering subscriptions, I’m in.
May 20th, 2010 - 00:57
Thanks Terry,
Oh the wonders of publishing free content on the internet, right?