Those who have adult-oriented businesses know that the hunt to find a merchant account is tough. Maybe you did luck out with a reliable processor (like EMB), or maybe you have stuck with an online processor. Paetron and a few other “mainstream” businesses are now realizing that this is a lucrative industry – as well as an industry that doesn’t have the type of risks that some once though.
It does, however, have the same risks that all “high risk”-labeled merchants have, which is a chargeback due to fraudulent activity. This happens, but it isn’t the end of the world. Paetron seems to realize it, and perhaps later on other mainstream processors will, as well. Until then, your best bet to find an adult merchant account provider that understands your business. This maybe what ends up happening with Paetron. The site has decided that it will allow adult-oriented (aka pornographic) artwork to be featured and sold on its website, with payments going through PayPal’s subsidiary BrainTree. We shall see how long this lasts, but it is a welcoming sign that changes are coming.
If you are a mainstream merchants wanting to do business with an adult-oriented party, check around. Check that you will not have any payment troubles beforehand, and if so, consider switching to a merchant account that understands these companies. While it may take time for the mainstream to embrace the money-making abilities of adult-oriented sites and services, “high risk” processors such as EMB already do. The expertise that comes from dealing with these companies is something that cannot be found in a book or brochure – you have to experience it for yourself.
Trouble can arise in an adult-oriented business, but the payoff in revenue can be worth it. Paetron may soon find this out, and other businesses may follow suit. For an adult-oriented merchant, the first thing you need to do is to make sure that your merchant account provider will accept these payments. Without this, you cannot safely accept payments. If they are no cooperative, go elsewhere. Your business is worth it.