Merchants' Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in accepting the Bearcat Card ("BCC"), which is a new way for UC students and merchants to conduct transactions with minimal risk, greater convenience, and improved accuracy. For your benefit, we have provided answers to merchants’ most frequently asked questions of us regarding BCC. Feel free to call our office at 556-2000 if you have any questions not covered on this site.

  1. What do I need to do to get started?
  2. How long does it take until the system is running at my store?
  3. What is the fee that must be paid to install my equipment?
  4. Who will train my staff to use the equipment?
  5. Where do I obtain the VeriFone equipment? 
  6. How much does the VeriFone equipment cost?
  7. What should I do if my equipment is not working?
  8. Will my business increase if I accept BCC?
  9. How much will my business increase after I accept? 
10. What marketing does the University provide for my business?
11. What happens if a student lacks sufficient funds to pay for the merchandise?
12. What happens if I accept a stolen card?
13. How will my business be reimbursed for sales? 
14. Cash Flow is obviously important to my business. Can't I be reimbursed for sales on a weekly basis?

 

1. What do I need to do to get started?
You need to (1) complete and return the Merchant Application form; (2) execute the Merchant Agreement form and return it to the University; (3) then, purchase your VeriFone credit card reader and printer; and (4) simply call 556-1271 to have our VeriFone technician program your VeriFone and train your staff. The fee of $500 is due and will be billed by University of Cincinnati.

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2. How long does it take until the system is running at my store?
It generally takes about two weeks from the time you call to make an appointment with the University technician for installation and training. (You must have your VeriFone reader and printer on premises before you schedule an appointment).

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3. What is the fee that must be paid to install my equipment?
There is a one time $500 fee due at installation. This fee covers installation and training of employees to use the VeriFone. This fee also covers development costs of the interface necessary to use the VeriFone readers with our debit card system.

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4. Who will train my staff to use the equipment?
Our BCC manager, technician or designated qualified trainer will train a reasonable number of your staff, and provide written documentation on using equipment.

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5. Where do I obtain the VeriFone equipment?
Check with your BCC manager or your bank or financial institution where you do business.  You can also check with your neighbor merchants who already have the equipment. If you need assistance on locations to purchase the VeriFone, contact our office.

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6. How much does the VeriFone equipment cost?
The Tranz 330 reader and printer costs from $99 to $120 as a set.  The Tranz 380x2 reader with printer is $129 as a set. You can buy each piece seperately, just ask your BCC manager for a price. 

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7. What should I do if my equipment is not working?
Call the BCC office at 556-2000.  Someone will promptly assist you thereafter. The warranty on your equipment is with the vendor where you purchased the equipment, not the BCC office.  However, we will check the equipment out for you. If necessary, we will give you a loaner in case your equipment has to go back to the vendor for repair.  The University is not liable for losses incurred for failure of the equipment to function properly.

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8. Will my business increase if I accept BCC?
More and more students are purchasing with the BCC. As more merchants sign on to participate in the program, many students will be exclusively using BCC. This is a pattern that occurs at most campuses switching to campus cards. Students are attracted by the safety and convenience of campus cards and begin to expect that their favorite merchants will accept such cards. Back to Top

9. How much will my business increase after I accept?
Sales volume increases can vary.   Sales volumes of participating merchants increased 10% to 18% after they began accepting the BCC.

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10. What marketing does the University provide for my business?
Merchants accepting the BCC are the beneficiaries of many free marketing efforts by the University. The University advertises for the Bearcat Card in the school newspaper and a variety of other publications. The University also posts numerous advertisements and distributes many brochures regarding BCC. Further, UC advertises BCC at most University sponsored events. Many of these advertisements and brochures list businesses accepting BCC. Our website, which is regularly updated, will also list merchants accepting BCC. In addition, future University promotions regarding coupons, discounts, or sweepstakes related to BCC will also likely provide information regarding participating merchants.

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11. What happens if a student lacks sufficient funds to pay for the merchandise?
This program strictly involves debit transactions, so if a student does not have sufficient funds for the purchase, the transaction will automatically be denied.

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12. What happens if I accept a stolen card?
If you accept a stolen card you are not eligible for reimbursement for the sale, so staff must be trained to carefully inspect all presented cards and ask for proper identification where necessary.

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13. How will my business be reimbursed for sales?
The University reimburses merchants by electronic deposit or check once a month for sales. UC deducts a 4% fee from the reimbursement. Payments are based upon reported sales in the BCC system. Merchants can check their daily BCC totals at the end of each evening from their verifone.
The university prepares funds for transfer or writes a check the third or fourth working day of the month. Funds will be deposited to your account monthly or weekly, or, if a check,  mailed. Checks cannot be held for pick up.

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14. Cash Flow is obviously important to my business. Can't I be reimbursed for sales on a weekly basis?
Some businesses elect to receive weekly electronic deposits or checks with a 5% service fee, rather than the usual 4%.

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