Non-qualified discount rates

I'm wondering if there's any way of configuring Zen-Cart and/or the payment modules to avoid the Non-Qualified Discount Rates as much as possible? More specifically, I'm talking about the address verification. I realize nothing can be done if people use rewards cards.

My merchant provider doesn't give the reason for Non-Qualified rates, so I have no idea what triggers the downgrades...

Thanks in advance.

Among the materials provided by your merchant services provider when you signed up should be a matrix that outlines the various qualification levels and what types of cards / transactions fall within each. If they didn't provide one, you should demand it.

In answer to your question, there isn't any way to configure Zen Cart to reject transactions based on qualification level.

RescoCCC:

Among the materials provided by your merchant services provider when you signed up should be a matrix that outlines the various qualification levels and what types of cards / transactions fall within each. If they didn't provide one, you should demand it.

I wasn't provided with any matrix like you speak of. Should I ask for the matrix showing qualification levels...or does it have a formal name?

RescoCCC:

In answer to your question, there isn't any way to configure Zen Cart to reject transactions based on qualification level.

That wasn't what I was asking at all.
I don't want to discourage Non-Qualified Sales, I was curious if any Zen-Cart settings might lessen/increase the odds of a sale being downgraded to Non-Qualified status?

Ah, misunderstood your question. There are no settings within the Zen Cart payment module configuration that effect the qualification level of the transaction.

If they don't call it a matrix, they might call it a chart or list.

Thanks, RescoCCC.

If not Zen-Cart configuration settings, maybe I can ask this another way. Forgive me for thinking "outloud" here. In my original post, I mentioned address verification and by that I was referring to AVS and other fraud detection services offered by merchant account providers, such as MaxMind. These tools closely scrutinize whatever info is entered by the customer. What happens when a sloppy or seemingly illiterate person tries to order something and their address looks like this?

john doe
p.o.box34212
losangeles ca 911644212

Say this order is accepted despite it's poor formatting, what are the odds it automatically downgrades to Non-Qualified status because of AVS mismatch?

If indeed that is likely, would it be possible to install some sort of address standardization module in Zen Cart?

Say this order is accepted despite it's poor formatting, what are the odds it automatically downgrades to Non-Qualified status because of AVS mismatch?

That is a question for your service provider.

As for fraud tools, there may be some in the free Addons section.

Kim:

That is a question for your service provider.

Merchant providers aren't very forthcoming about this information, and even if they were, I'm not sure I would trust what they say. The last time I inquired about Non-Qualified Rates, the person played dumb and transferred me to somebody else, who played the same game.

Then I would be escalating the call to a senior manager, someone who takes your concerns/questions as a customer seriously. And if they can't do it, go higher. And if they can't do it, find a provider who DOES care about you as a customer.
Some first-level call-center staff might not even understand the deeper answers to the questions you're asking anyway.

Say this order is accepted despite it's poor formatting, what are the odds it automatically downgrades to Non-Qualified status because of AVS mismatch?

If you have it set to do so in your merchant terminal, an AVS mismatch will result in a decline of the transaction. In other words, it wouldn't be accepted.

There are many, many reasons for a transaction resulting in non-qualified rates. AVS mismatch will only be one of those reasons if you are allowing approval of transactions with a mismatch.

It is very hard to control what is qualified and what is not. Personally I don't care if it is qualified or not as long as I am getting the sale.

Some merchants offer flat rate increase in non-qualified rates such as .35% over the base rate.

I would worry more about fraudulent transactions than if the card is qualified or not.

You can set rules for your Gateway to approve or not the non-AVS matching addresses but you take a chance on losing some sales. That helped me reducing the fraud by over 90% last year.