From ORA’s President: Credit Card Processing – There is Only One ORA-Endorsed Program in Oregon

January 26, 2010 — Portland, OR

(Reprint of an editorial from the February, 2010 issue of Main Ingredient)

ORA performs a very important service for our members as we review and perform the due diligence on any proposed endorsed service. We know that our members don’t have the time to check out whether a business is financially solvent; if their current customers or clients are happy with their performance; how long the business has been in existence; if the pricing they’re quoting is competitive and will save them money; how they support their product or service if there is a problem; or how they market and sell their product. All very important issues to consider and ORA does that for each service that we endorse. We do that so our members can rest assured that an ORA endorsed product or service is not only safe for them to use without worry, but also negotiated at a volume based price that they won’t be able to match as an independent business. We take the worry out of your decision.

Five years ago we went through our vetting process for a credit card processing program through First Data Merchant Services in cooperation with the National Restaurant Association (NRA) known as the TakeCharge Program. We felt at that time that First Data not only met all of our due diligence criteria but also provided the best processing service as the nation’s dominant processor. That contract with First Data and NRA expired in January and NRA has opted to endorse Heartland Payment Systems and taken the TakeCharge name with them to this new program.

However, your association once again went through an extensive review of the First Data and the Heartland programs and have decided after going through this due diligence that our members’ needs are best served by staying with First Data. ORA feels that the First Data program will provide Oregon’s hospitality industry with the best service and pricing all provided by the processing industry’s dominant organization. ORA also feels an obligation to the 400 ORA members who are contracted to First Data and supporting their association’s programs. The five year history that we have with First Data tells us that we should stay right where we are.

So, where does that leave us moving forward? It leaves us with the same program in terms of pricing and fees that our members’ have enjoyed for the past five years. Pricing that is competitive with anyone in the industry – First Data will meet or beat virtually any competitor’s quote. We also have no monthly fees other then a chargeback fee plus free supplies. This program was designed with our industry in mind. It is simple, straight forward and you can be assured there are no hidden fees to jack up your monthly cost of credit card processing.

I tell you this to avoid confusion and reaffirm that the only credit card processing program that the Oregon Restaurant Association endorses for Oregon’s hospitality industry operators is the ORA/First Data Program. We no longer endorse the TakeCharge Program through the National Restaurant Association and Heartland. The current program is identical to the program we offered under that banner for the past five years.

The support of ORA's endorsed services allows your association to fund all the activities that support and defend your business at the proper amounts while keeping dues levels as low as possible. Utilizing an ORA endorsed program ensures you that you are dealing with state of the art programs, at volume based competitive prices with first class service and ORA’s bargaining power and influence to assist you when necessary. The ORA/First Data Program is such a program. You owe it to your business in these tough economic times to get a quote and see if we can save you money. Over the past five year ORA members have saved significant dollars the vast majority of the time. Contact your regional rep or the ORA offices if you want to get a quote.

Thanks in advance for your on-going support.

Steve McCoid
President and CEO
Oregon Restaurant Association