Notes
Do I Need Processing History to Apply?
No. Startups and smaller merchants can apply. Here is what a bank looks at instead.
By ResearchPay Team ·
No. Startups and smaller merchants can apply. Without history, you usually start on a starter processing setup sized to your volume today, then move to a dedicated merchant account as volume and history build. Customers pay by card the normal way, and you receive US dollars. Underwriting leans on the website, the products and the owners.
What does the bank look at instead?
- The website: research-use-only labeling, product pages and refund policy. See the RUO website checklist.
- The products and where they come from, with certificates of analysis.
- The owners and the business registration.
- Expected monthly card sales and % B2B.
Does history help if I have it?
Yes. Recent statements with low disputes give the underwriter something to price on, and they help when moving to a dedicated merchant account. One research peptide merchant came to us at about $10k a month with two months of processing history. Six months later they were processing about $100k a month on their own dedicated merchant account. Results depend on underwriting. A store closed by a platform processor should say so on the application. See frozen funds: the first 72 hours.
What does it cost?
Public ranges are B2B about 4 to 6% and B2C about 6 to 9.5%, subject to underwriting. New stores may see a reserve.
ResearchPay works only with merchants that sell products labeled and marketed for research use only, not for human or animal use. Pricing, reserves and settlement terms are set by the acquiring bank during underwriting. This is general information, not legal advice.