Explore every episode of the podcast Uncensored Direct Marketing

Are tariffs eating into your profits?

Import duties, trade talks, and sudden tariff changes are creating chaos for online businesses, dropshippers, and eCommerce store owners. In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down practical strategies to stay profitable through the tariff mess while keeping your customers happy and avoiding costly disputes or chargebacks.

You’ll learn:

✅ How tariffs affect dropshipping and imported products

✅ Why radical transparency with customers prevents chargebacks

✅ Checkout page strategies to avoid surprise duty fees

✅ How to offer prepaid duties and inclusive pricing models

✅ The role of strong customer support in reducing disputes

✅ Whether sourcing domestically or using U.S. fulfillment centers can protect your margins

✅ How to manage small price increases without losing customer trust

If you’re sourcing products outside the U.S. or running a dropshipping business, this guide will help you weather the storm, protect your reputation, and stay profitable during uncertain tariff times.

📌 Need help with disputes or payment processing? Reach out to Maria and her team at DirectPayNet. maria@directpaynet.com

👍 Like this video if you found it helpful, and don’t forget to subscribe for weekly strategies to make your online business more profitable.

0:00 Tariffs Can Destroy Your Business

1:02 Avoiding Tariff-Related Chargebacks

2:28 Be Transparent

5:27 Pre-Paid Duty

7:09 Send a Receipt

9:23 Actively Inform

11:13 Stay Up to Date

11:55 Local Fulfillment

13:39 Adapt Accordingly

14:45 Profiting Through Tariff Uncertainty

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Friendly fraud is one of the most frustrating challenges for business owners—and despite its name, there’s nothing “friendly” about it. In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down what friendly fraud is, why it happens, and how you can protect your business from rising chargebacks.

With Visa estimating chargebacks will rise by 42% in 2026, business owners need to understand the real costs of disputes: lost sales, product costs, service hours, and even the risk of losing your payment processor entirely.

👉 In this video, you’ll learn:

- The difference between friendly fraud vs. criminal fraud

- Why chargebacks are increasing across industries

- The hidden risks for “high-risk” businesses like supplements, coaching, and digital products

- Practical prevention strategies (clear checkout pages, billing descriptors, receipts, cancellation links, and more)

- How to handle disputes strategically and avoid getting match-listed

- Why choosing the right payment processing partner is critical for survival

If you’re dealing with chargebacks or worried about losing your merchant account, this episode will give you actionable tools and insider knowledge to protect your profits.

💡 Need help setting up chargeback alerts or a backup payment processor? Contact Maria and her team at DirectPayNet for expert support. maria@directpaynet.com

👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss future episodes on payment processing, fraud prevention, and growing your online business.

0:00 Chargeback Statistics

2:17 What Is Friendly Fraud?

4:37 Why Fraud Tools WON’T Target Friendly Fraud

6:43 Consequences of Friendly Fraud

8:37 How to Prevent Friendly Fraud

14:30 Fighting the Dispute

17:22 Choosing the Right Provider

Thinking about starting an online store or want to swap services but not sure if Shopify is the right fit? In this video, we break down the best Shopify alternatives in 2025 — including WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento (Adobe Commerce), and Shift4Shop so you can choose the right eCommerce platform for your business.

We’ll cover:

✅ Why Shopify might not be the best option for certain businesses

✅ Shopify Payments limitations & hidden fees you should know about

✅ How WooCommerce gives you low-cost flexibility and control over your customer data

✅ Why BigCommerce is powerful for scaling brands and B2B businesses

✅ How Magento (Adobe Commerce) supports enterprise-level eCommerce with advanced tools

✅ Budget-friendly options like Shift4Shop for quick setup with no extra payment processing fees

Whether you’re selling dropshipping products, print-on-demand, supplements, digital products, or direct-to-consumer goods, this guide will help you compare Shopify with other platforms and make the best decision for your store.

💡 BONUS: We’ll also talk about payment processing freedom — why owning your customer data and having a backup payment processor is critical to protect your business long-term.

👉 If you need help setting up your payment processing or choosing the right platform, drop a comment or reach out. maria@directpaynet.com

Think Stripe’s fees are just 2.9% + 30¢? Think again. In this video, Maria Sparagis (payment processing expert and owner of DirectPayNet) breaks down Stripe processing fees, reveals their hidden charges, and shows you exactly how to read your Stripe balance report so you can uncover the real cost of doing business.

We’ll cover:

• Stripe transaction fees explained
• How to find Stripe’s additional fees
• Understanding foreign transaction & currency fees
• Dispute & chargeback costs
• Stripe fees vs. your actual processing cost
• How to protect your account from holds and reserves

If you want to know the true cost of Stripe and how to spot unnecessary fees, this guide is for you.

Takeaway tip: Download your monthly Stripe Balance Report in PDF and check every single fee line—knowledge is power when negotiating rates or switching providers.

0:00 Why your Stripe fees are higher than advertised

0:57 The balance report you NEED to download

2:13 High-risk merchant & out-of-region fees

3:39 Foreign exchange & risk reserves explained

5:29 Payout differences & surprise debits

7:32 Why 2.9% + 30¢ is misleading

8:28 How to track Stripe fees monthly

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Confused by payment processing fees? In this episode, Maria Sparagis breaks down the real costs behind merchant account statements — beyond the advertised “2.9% + $0.30.”

Whether you're using Stripe, Shopify, or have a standalone merchant account, this is the ultimate guide to uncovering hidden fees, understanding interchange rates, and negotiating better deals.

🔍 Learn what "interchange plus" really means, how to spot PCI compliance penalties, refund and chargeback traps, and why your true processing costs might be MUCH higher than you think.

📊 Maria walks you through an actual merchant processing statement and explains line-by-line what each fee represents — so you can protect your profits and make smarter business decisions.

🛠 Need help analyzing your own statement? Reach out to Maria and the DirectPayNet team for expert support.

🔗 Useful Links:

→ Shopify Fee Breakdown (Related Episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbGsvCa7eJ8

→ Open a Merchant Account: maria@directpaynet.com

💬 Drop your questions in the comments — and if you’ve ever spotted a hidden fee, let us know!

0:00 Intro

1:44 3 Processing Fee Models

4:20 Merchant Statement Breakdown

14:56 Chargeback Fees

16:39 Other Fees

19:53 Summing Up

24:23 Outro

Has Shopify Payments frozen or shut down your account out of nowhere? You're not alone—and you're not helpless.

In this episode, Maria Sparagis, owner of DirectPayNet, explains exactly what to do when Shopify pulls the plug on your payment processing. From understanding why it happened to setting up real alternatives that can handle high-risk businesses like supplements, digital goods, CBD, coaching, and subscriptions—we’ve got you covered.

✅ Learn how to:

- Get clarity from Shopify (even when they ghost you)

- Send a physical letter to escalate your case

- Switch to alternative gateways that won’t shut you down

- Set up a merchant account to avoid future disruptions

If you're doing $25K/month or more, Shopify Payments is too risky to be your only option. Get backup systems in place today.

📩 Need help? Reach out or drop a comment below.

maria@directpaynet.com

0:00 Intro

0:49 Contact Shopify Online

6:58 Contact Shopify by Mail

8:40 Shopify Alternatives

14:04 Merchant Accounts

16:11 Final Thoughts

🔗 Related videos:

Stripe Alternatives for High-Risk Businesses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJLzaK7e6OI&t

How to Write a Payment Processor Appeal Letter: https://youtu.be/ddLt38NVdSg?si=ItUDJOVV4qzJEHaZ

Visa’s VAMP rules are here and they’re reshaping how online businesses handle fraud, chargebacks, and card testing. In this episode, Maria Sparagis (with over 20 years in payment processing) breaks down exactly what the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) is, how it affects merchants, and what you must do to stay compliant.

What's Covered:

✅ What Visa’s VAMP rules mean for your business

✅ How acquirers are passing fraud liability to you

✅ The tools you should already be using to prevent disputes and card testing

✅ Why 3DS (3D Secure) is your new best friend—especially for high-ticket or international orders

✅ How AVS, CVV, and IP filters can make or break your fraud defenses

✅ The underrated risk of confusing billing descriptors

✅ What to know about chargeback alerts like RDR & Ethoca

✅ And what you need to do today to keep your payment processor happy

💸 Fraud prevention isn’t optional anymore. Get ahead of the curve before Visa or your processor shuts you down.

🔗 Referenced Episodes & Tools

🔹 Watch my original episode on VAMP rules:   

 • Visa Will SHUT DOWN Your Sales with New VA...  

🔹 Need help implementing these tools? Drop a comment or reach out—we're here to help. maria@directpaynet.com

📌 Like, share, and subscribe for more episodes on how to protect and grow your e-commerce business.

Why Stripe Declines Upsells & How to Fix It: Optimize Your Funnel for More Conversions

If your upsells are getting declined—especially after the front-end sale goes through—this episode is a must-watch. 💳 In this in-depth breakdown, Maria Sparagis explains exactly why Stripe and other payment processors may be flagging your upsell offers, and what you can do to increase approval rates in your checkout funnel.

🔍 Learn:

- Why upsells and order bumps get flagged—even after a front-end sale

- How Stripe Radar rules and default settings could be killing your conversions

- The importance of vaulting (tokenizing) customer card data

- Why low front-end price points might backfire on your funnel

- Pro techniques like "authorize and settle" for multi-step checkouts

- The risks of duplicate price points & how to avoid “do not honor” declines

Whether you're using Systeme.io, ClickFunnels, WooCommerce, or any other cart tool—if you rely on Stripe for payment processing, this episode will help you recover lost sales and maximize your AOV (average order value).

📈 For those running DTC funnels or subscription models, Maria shares specific Stripe Radar settings to audit, tweak, and monitor.

💬 Questions? Need help with Stripe or merchant accounts?

Contact Maria’s team at DirectPayNet to get expert guidance and hands-on support. ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:02 Stripe Causing Declines

2:59 #1 Tokenize Data

5:14 #2 Price Test

7:05 Stripe Radar Tweaks

8:11 Velocity Checks

11:51 Gradual, not Rapid

12:59 Don’t Contact Stripe

14:11 Increase Conversions

18:33 Bonus Tip

22:14 Summary

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment if this helped you!

Choosing the Best Payment Processor for Your Online Business in 2025

Wondering which payment processor is right for your online store? In this episode, Maria Sparagis (CEO of DirectPayNet) explains the crucial differences between popular PSPs like Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and getting your own dedicated merchant account.

What you’ll learn:

- How Stripe and PayPal work for startups vs. scaling businesses

- Hidden fees you might be ignoring

- Why your business might outgrow Stripe sooner than you think

- How a merchant account can increase your approval rates and protect you from sudden shutdowns

- Easy integration tips that debunk the “merchant accounts are hard” myth

Whether you sell digital products, subscriptions, coaching, or physical goods, this guide will help you pick the best payment processor in 2025 to maximize your revenue and keep your business stable.

Many small businesses get lulled into Stripe’s convenience — until it bites them later with freezes, zero human support, or hidden fees. Graduating to a merchant account is not only about saving money but protecting your cash flow from algorithmic shutdowns

Subscribe for more payment processing secrets, fraud prevention tips, and e-commerce success strategies!

0:00 into

0:53 2 Types of Processors

2:00 Why Not Choose a PSP

5:42 Scaling Your Business

10:45 Plug-and-Play

12:48 Application Process

14:07 PSP vs Merchant Account

21:31 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Are webinars really making a comeback? 🤯 In this episode, I sit down with Gia Liossis of GIAffiliate Management to find out why webinars might be your brand’s untapped goldmine—especially if you’re in health, beauty, supplements, or coaching.

We get into:

- Why webinars still work in 2025 (and who they don’t work for)

- The best affiliate audiences for webinar conversions

- Tips to get people to actually show up live (hint: it’s not just giveaways)

- Live Q&As vs. product discounts – which builds more trust?

- What kind of opt-ins and show-up rates you should aim for

- Whether you need a doctor or influencer to run one (spoiler: nope)

Gia also shares behind-the-scenes stories from high-converting campaigns, including one affiliate who 10xed their earnings per click (EPC) just by running a webinar.

If you’ve been sleeping on webinars—or think they’re "so 2008"—this one will wake you up. 😅

0:00 Meet Gia Liossis

2:54 Who Are Webinars For?

5:17 How to Get People to Join

7:24 Where to Find Webinar Traffic

13:19 Free vs Paid

16:18 How to Get People to Opt In

22:08 Providing Value

25:33 Webinar Targeting

27:57 Best Hosting Time

30:05 How to Start

34:30 Outro

💬 Got questions about affiliate traffic or want to connect with Gia? Drop a comment below, DM me directly, or get in touch with her at https://www.facebook.com/gia.liosi

#AffiliateMarketing #Webinars #DigitalMarketing #HealthBrands #InfoProducts #Entrepreneurship

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

In this episode, Alex and get into the wild world of hiring — and what happens when 350 people apply for a job... but only eight follow simple instructions.

Whether you're a job seeker wondering why you're not landing interviews, or a small business owner trying to avoid the chaos of recruiting, this conversation offers raw insights, real numbers, and a surprisingly effective hiring hack that saved thousands in recruiter fees.

💡 Topics Covered:

- Why 97% of job applicants failed instantly

- The simple test that filtered 350 applicants

- Why younger candidates may be more coachable than experienced ones

- How to find great hires without a recruiter

- Advice for job seekers on standing out in a competitive market

🚀 Whether you're building a business or building your career, this episode will change how you approach the hiring process — and maybe even how you write your next job application.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts on today’s topic!

0:00 Intro

2:30 Meeting the Qualifications

7:44 Read the Requirements

12:03 Drop Your Ego

16:04 When to Ask the Right Questions

21:27 Pay Attention to Detail

23:49 Showcasing Your Potential

27:25 Outro

#HiringTips #SmallBusiness #JobSearch #Recruiting #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveAssistant #GenZWorkforce #HiringMistakes #MariaAndAlex

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Worried about the looming recession and how it might impact your online business? In this episode, we're diving deep into recession-proof strategies for e-commerce and direct response brands.

I’m joined by Alex to explore how businesses can thrive, not just survive, during economic uncertainty.

We cover:

✅ Why building a brand matters more than ever in 2025

✅ How micro-influencers can boost conversions and protect your PR

✅ Must-know payment trends: Buy Now, Pay Later, Apple Pay, ACH & more

✅ How to avoid chargebacks and reduce refund rates during downturns

✅ Mobile vs. desktop checkout optimization tips that really move the needle

✅ Whether you should be spending more on ads during a recession

✅ Smart pricing strategies amidst global tariff uncertainty

Whether you're running an e-commerce shop, coaching business, supplement brand, or selling digital products, this episode is packed with real-world tactics to stay ahead in a slowing economy.

💬 Got a question or a challenge you're facing? Drop it in the comments—your question might shape a future episode.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more insider tips on scaling smart in 2025.

#Recession2025 #EcommerceTips #DirectResponseMarketing #OnlineBusiness #PaymentProcessing #BuyNowPayLater #BNPL #MobileCheckout #Tariffs2025 #MarketingStrategy

0:00 intro

1:47 #1 Opportunity for Businesses in a Recession

8:25 Should You Spend More During a Recession?

10:06 Pricing Strategies

12:42 Payment Methods to Offer

21:21 Optimizing Your Fees

25:54 Reducing Disputes and Chargebacks

31:59 Mobile Optimizations

37:00 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

💸 Stripe’s NEW Dispute Fees Are Outrageous — What You *Must* Know to Protect Your Business

Stripe just changed the game — and not in a good way. Business owners now face a $30 fee to fight disputes, and if you let Stripe’s “Smart Disputes” AI win them for you, they’ll keep 30% of the recovered amount. Seriously.

In this episode, I pull no punches, breaking down why Stripe's new policy is deeply predatory, how it's forcing sellers into a lose-lose scenario, and what you can do to protect your profits.

👉 You’ll learn:

* Why Stripe doubled the dispute fee from $15 to $30 — even if you win

* How their Smart Disputes AI takes 30% of recovered funds (yes, really)

* Whether you should fight disputes manually or let AI handle it (and what it’ll cost you)

* Practical strategies to improve your win rate and avoid disputes in the first place

* Proof you need to gather (contracts, IP logs, delivery receipts, etc.)

* Why Stripe’s AI may *fail* you — and how to fight back

* Alternatives to Stripe with real human support

🧠 Whether you're running a 6-figure store or scaling past 7, this episode delivers hard truth, actionable tips, and clear guidance on navigating Stripe’s increasingly automated and costly system.

📩 Want my full chargeback-fighting guide? Drop a comment or reach out via Maria@DirectPayNet.com.

🔔 Like, share, and subscribe to stay ahead of the curve in fintech, e-commerce, and digital sales strategy.

0:00 Intro

0:30 Stripe’s 30% Take and New Dispute Rules

4:49 What Businesses Do WRONG About Disputes

8:50 How to WIN a Dispute

14:13 Best Stripe Alternatives

18:00 Outro

HOW TO PREVENT DISPUTES: https://youtu.be/ZpsuSibwbPg

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

In this episode my media guy Alex and I dive deep into the implications of Capital One's recent acquisition of Discover. We get into how this major shakeup could affect business owners who accept Discover cards, including potential changes to processing fees, merchant account structures, and overall payment dynamics.

There are parallels to Amex's OptBlue program, which might show how Capital One aims to streamline Discover's merchant onboarding process—potentially increasing costs but also making the card more widely adopted. Also, Capital One's likely strategy of boosting Discover's rewards program could drive consumer demand and force businesses to adapt.

If you're a business owner or just curious about the evolving payments landscape, this episode is a must-listen. Find out how these changes could impact your bottom line and what steps you might need to take to stay ahead.

💡 Questions about payment processing or Capital One's acquisition of Discover? Drop them in the comments!

🔔 Subscribe for more news, insights, and strategies.

📧 Get in touch at maria@directpaynet.com or apply directly at directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:45 Your Fees Will Change

5:37 CapOne Is the New AMEX

10:39 Forced Acceptance?

12:43 Deny Discover at Checkout?

15:55 Outro

#CapitalOne #DiscoverCard #Fintech #PaymentProcessing #MerchantAccounts #BusinessFinance #CreditCardProcessing

🚨 Visa’s New Chargeback Rules Could Shut You Down – Are You Ready? 🚨

Visa is flipping the script on chargebacks—and if you're an online business owner, this affects you. I'm breaking down the new VAMP (Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program) regulations that are already live in Europe and heading to North America.

From stricter chargeback thresholds (dropping to 0.9% in 2026) to new penalties for merchants who ignore card testing fraud, Visa's changes are tightening the noose on risky behavior. Even if you rely on Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR), guess what? Those alerts are now counted against you.

🔍 Learn:

- What VAMP is and why it matters

- Why relying on RDR is no longer safe

- How to calculate your chargeback ratio properly

- Why 3DS may become mandatory—and what that means for your conversions

- The silent risk of losing your payment processor even if you’re under 1%

⚠️ Don’t wait until you're fined or shut down. Get ahead of the changes and safeguard your business. ⚠️

👉 Subscribe for more insights on payment compliance, fraud prevention, and keeping your online business safe.

0:00 Intro

0:32 Previous Chargeback Guidelines

1:08 What’s Changing

6:58 Payment Gateway Fraud Protection

8:08 Even More Changes

10:18 Rules Coming to the US

12:08 The Reason Why

13:22 Lower Your Chargebacks

18:33 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Stripe has officially applied for a Money Transmitter (MALPB) license in Georgia. It's a move that will change what we know about Stripe in payment processing...at least in the U.S.

But what does this really mean for your business?

In this episode, I, Maria Sparagis, payment processing expert and founder of Direct Payment, break down the real implications of Stripe becoming its own payment processor.

From bypassing big banks like Wells Fargo and Barclays to potential changes in who Stripe approves (or rejects). These are the questions many aren’t asking: Is this truly good news for online merchants, or just a power and profit play?

🔍 What you'll learn:

- What Stripe’s MALPB license means and why it matters

- Why Stripe isn’t actually a payment processor (yet)

- The truth about Stripe’s approval process

- How this could impact high-risk and online businesses

- What to watch for in Stripe’s terms & conditions going forward

- Why legacy banks might be forced to innovate now

⚠️ Heads-up: this might not be the win for merchants you were hoping for.

📩 Have questions about payment processing or need a backup for Stripe? Reach out to me and my team at Direct Payment. maria@directpaynet.com

📋 Or apply directly at directpaynet.com/contact-us/

👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe for more insights on payment processing, tech trends, and business growth strategies.

0:00 Intro

0:36 Isn’t Stripe a Payment Processor?

1:39 You Won’t Benefit from the Charter

6:04 Stripe Changes

7:16 Competition Increases

8:33 Outro

#Stripe #FintechNews #PaymentProcessing #BusinessTips #Ecommerce #StripeLicense #MALPB #MerchantAccount #SmallBusinessTips #MariaAsparagus

Your mobile checkout page NEEDS to be optimized. Mobile is rocketing past desktop for sales, which means more people are tapping around on your mobile site than ever before. If you've left your mobile checkout page unchecked, you're LOSING MONEY.

In this video, I'm covering 9 ways you can optimize your mobile checkout to secure sales and bump your bottom line.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:08 Mobile Checkout Stats

2:10 #1

3:05 #2

3:43 #3

4:28 #4

5:30 Desktop vs Mobile

8:50 5 Optimizations

15:30 Outro

Stripe Radar is the built-in fraud tool Stripe offers directly through the dashboard. But if you leave this tool unconfigured, you'll either block valid payments or accept fraudulent ones. So here's how you can tweak Stripe Radar to fit your business better and convert more sales, no matter what region you're in.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

1:15 Stripe Radar Flags

4:41 Business Impact

5:53 How It Works

11:46 Configuring Stripe Radar

20:48 Outro

Monthly subscriptions are a more sustainable choice for businesses. Not only do customers like them more for various reasons like lower price points, but they help lower your risk profile.

Lifetime access sounds appealing—having accessing for an entire lifetime. But that is also the catch. You have to support that product for a lifetime, and if you don't then those customers will win a chargeback suit against you.

If you're still interested in selling lifetime access, I've got a few tips for you in the video.

Watch until the end, and don't forget to like and subscribe if you found value in this content!

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:58 Lifetime of Chargebacks

2:43 Lifetime, Yearly, Monthly

4:05 Say NO to Lifetime

8:10 Maximize Conversions

10:22 Outro

What to do when Square closes your account and you can't accept payments.

Just like with Stripe or PayPal or Shopify Payments, Square is keen on shutting down any account that has the slightest tinge of risk. If this happens to you, immediately open a backup account—but don't stop there. That acount is just for 10% of your transactions and to tide you over while you open a real merchant account.

Don't fall into the Square payments trap. If it's too easy to sign up and too good to be true, then run.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:46 Why Square Shut You Down

4:01 Next Steps

7:49 Square Reopens Your Account

9:19 How to Get Your Money from Square

11:37 Outro

You've been upselling wrong this whole time. Here's how to do it the RIGHT WAY. And for when the upsell doesn't hit or your customer simply can't afford, I've thrown in a few alternatives for you like downselling and affiliate offers.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:55 What Is an Upsell?

1:48 How to Upsell

14:22 Downselling

18:59 Outro

Shopify Payments, the gateway and processor that Shopify uses and AGGRESSIVELY pushes you to use is actually powered by...Stripe! So if you're not able to use Stripe, then you're also not able to use Shopify Payments and vice versa.

But luckily, I have some great alternatives for those of you who still want to use Shopify's platform without Shopify Payments.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:33 Shopify v Shopify Payments

1:52 What is Shopify Payments?

2:47 Alternatives

6:06 Why Choose Alternatives?

7:51 When to Use Shopify Payments

8:39 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Jason Schappert has been an entrepreneur his entire life and is here to share the ins and outs of building wealth as a business owner. One of the greatest pieces of advice he gives is to PAY YOURSELF FIRST. Listen and watch as he dives into how to invest, what to invest in, how to pay yourself, and taking your business to the next level.

Get in touch with Jason:

https://www.facebook.com/MoolaCopilot/

https://www.instagram.com/jasonandmagda/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonschappert/

https://x.com/jasonandmagdaYoutube

 @JasonandMagda 

http://www.moo.la/

Upsell Tactics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7T_MwCENX4&t=606s

Chargeback Mitigation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P6IDLmMkoI

0:00 Meet to Jason Schappert

4:56 AI, Crypto, Finance

9:55 Moola

13:04 Best Tip for Building Wealth

22:38 How to Invest as a Business

31:22 Balance Business v Personal Funds

34:51 Crypto Portfolio Percentage

38:11 Real Estate Portfolio Percentage

44:13 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

If your Stripe account has disappeared or you can't access it, here's how to recover.

Stripe Account TERMINATED: https://youtu.be/L6075XCHvOw

0:00 Intro

0:25 Why Your Account Disappeared

1:05 #1 Forgotten Email or Password

2:05 #2 Stripe Account Terminated

3:02 #3 Accidental Deletion

6:19 Following Through

7:55 Securing Your Stripe Account

9:36 Outro

The best Stripe alternative for your business really depends on what you sell and where you sell. Stripe won't accept a ton of risk, so returns and chargebacks can literally destroy your business. PayPal, Square, and Shopify Payments act the same. While there is a place for any of these payment services, there are also much safer options to keep your store running no matter what happens.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:47 Why You Need an Alternative

2:25 Top Stripe Alternatives

5:04 How to Choose an Alternative

12:21 Test Your Setup

15:31 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Insufficient funds, error code 51 in your payment gateway, doesn't have to the end of that customer's journey. Aside from the obvious, here's what insufficient funds can mean and 4 ways to save the sale and profit from these customers.

0:00 Intro

0:47 Insufficient Fund Declines

1:36 Why Insufficient Funds Happen

3:53 Strategies to Save the Sale

5:30 #1 More Payment Modes

7:02 #2 BNPL

7:51 #3 Installments

9:48 #4 Low-Cost Offer

11:17 Outro

DO NOT HONOR ERROR: https://youtu.be/6gDW8RVhLdA

ISSUING BANK DECLINES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h24Crsa9ng

A contract will save you from declines, refunds, and chargebacks. Here's what you need to include in yours:

1. Service Timeline

2. What's Included in Your Service

3. Pricing

4. Refund Policy

5. Payment Terms

6. Confidentiality Agreement

7. Cancelation Policy

8. Customer Specifications

9. Jurisdiction

0:00 Intro

0:40 High Ticket Products

1:20 Declined Transactions

4:21 How to Make a Contract

14:24 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

What is the MATCH list? Or the TMF? How did you get on it in the first place, and how do you get off? I answer all these questions right here so you can continue running your business as low-risk as possible.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Black Friday Cyber Monday is almost here, and I've got the PERFECT BFCM strategy for you.

You also may not realize this, but Black Friday is a GOLDMINE of customer data. It's honestly more valuable to gather this data than to make a one-time sale. Let's get into it.

Liss Graham Email Strategy: https://youtu.be/KnC8-bM4Dec

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:45 Chargeback-proofing Sales

3:30 One-Time Payment Products

4:45 Customer Data

6:39 Subscriptions

7:41 Genius BFCM Strategy

Click to Cancel doesn't have to be the downfall of your business. The FTC's new rule is aimed at protecting consumers, but also offers businesses a new type of sales funnel.

Cancellations can be a sales funnel. Don't let customers off the hook so easily, but don't force them to stay on. Finding the balance is key.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:58 Click-to-Cancel

2:10 Negative Options

2:49 Opt-Outs

4:45 Why the FTC?

6:44 Amazon and Adobe

8:27 Cancellation Funnel

11:48 Always Be Closing

20:01 Outro

Today, I'm speaking with someone who knows the business well and has worked with me for quite some time. Together, we're answering the more common questions we get about Stripe, reserves, backups, and essentially how to continue accepting payments when your Stripe account freezes over.

0:00 Intro

2:30 Low Chargebacks, Funds Held – Why?

4:22 Chargeback Ratio Safety Zone

7:09 How to Accept Payments

10:52 Solid Backup Processor

13:00 Will Shopify Close Your Store?

14:50 Stripe Reserves

17:39 Frozen Stripe Account

20:02 Chargeback Alerts

27:14 Backup Volume

30:32 Outro

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

Authorize.net is one of the best and most versatile payment gateways for any online business. Here's why you should use it and how to connect it to your Shopify account.

Need a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

00:34 What Is Authorize.net

1:52 Getting an Account

3:41 Connecting to Shopify

6:50 Outro

Not converting at checkout, or even before? Here's what might be going on and how to solve it.

Checkout conversions are the make-or-break moment for your business. Without sales, you're toast. Understanding why customers drop off and where they drop off is a key factor in improving not only your checkout flow but also your product and your business.

0:00 Intro

00:47 How to Increase Conversions

02:31 A Winning Checkout Page

4:32 Understanding Your Declines

7:20 Biggest Decline Reasons

14:28 Outro

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Chargebacks suck. They're inevitable... but also preventable! Let's get into the timeline of a chargeback, how you can save yourself some $$$ with chargeback alerts, and methods any business can utilize to reduce chargebacks to a minimum.

Remember, every business experiences chargebacks. But that doesn't mean your business has to suffer because of them.

Get payment processing that SUPPORTS your business:

directpaynet.com/contact-us

0:00 Intro

0:45 Every Business Experiences Chargebacks

1:41 Cardholder Rights

4:02 Common Reason Codes

6:51 Business Owner Rights

8:16 Win or Lose a Dispute

11:34 Tips to Prevent Chargebacks

17:37 Biggest Benefit

19:09 Outro

Connect with Maria:

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://x.com/directpaynet

Stripe paused payouts? Can't access Stripe funds? Can't accept payments?

These are all too common issues globally for Stripe users. This video will cover how to handle it step-by-step so you can keep your business running and get your money back.

Stripe shut you down: https://youtu.be/Y4SHOET94G8

Lower Stripe fees: https://youtu.be/dTCC0SSS8Bo

Backups and Application Approval: https://youtu.be/mz_KYFtEJf8

0:00 Intro

1:11 #1 Missing Account Info

2:41 #2 Disputes

3:57 #3 Your Niche

5:51 #4 You Scaled Too Quickly

7:57 #5 Restricted Businesses List

8:48 #6 Foreign Merchants

10:32 #7 Statement Warnings

12:05 3 Steps to Save Your Business

18:37 Outro

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Go High Level has tight Stripe integration, but that doesn't mean it's the only option. You connect many of the world's most popular and versatile payment gateways into your GoHighLevel account, opening up the opportunity to use a payment processor that better suits your business.

In this video, you'll find out if Stripe and GHL are right for you.

0:00 Stripe and GHL

1:18 Options Other Than Stripe

2:09 Stripe-Only Features

3:06 Benefits of Having a Backup

4:08 Should You Use GHL?

6:22 Optimizing Your GHL Experience

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Getting your merchant account application approved is not easy, but this video will cover everything you need to know to get banks and providers to say "yes" to yours.

0:00 Intro

00:58 What are you selling?

1:37 Is your product high risk?

3:24 Is your website ready?

8:11 Are you on MATCH or TMF?

9:40 Have you declared bankruptcy?

10:23 Do you have bad credit?

11:43 Is your bank account low?

13:31 Outro 

Stripe account suspended? https://youtu.be/duyX85tqSNk

Stripe permanently terminated? https://youtu.be/L6075XCHvOw

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Stripe Tokens are super useful if you go all-in on Stripe—but you should NEVER rely solely on one solution. As a business owner, it's risky to put all your eggs in one basket. Stripe Tokens don't let you move around so freely, though. So what can you do?

If you're selling subscriptions via Stripe and tokenizing that data (as you should be doing), then find a 3rd-party vault to transfer those tokens to. That way, you can use the same customer data and subscription data no matter when payment solution you choose.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

If Stripe shut you down without warning or notice and you need to get your store back up and running ASAP, THIS VIDEO IS FOR YOU!

Before trying to get your money back or your Stripe account unsuspended, open a new account somewhere else. Your first priority should ALWAYS be the ability to process payments. Without that, you don't have a business.

Follow my guide and your business will be back up and running in no time, Stripe or not.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Every business should have a podcast, and Justin Moore of Podigy Podcasts is here to show you just how it's done. No matter what you sell or what you offer, there is always a reason to have a podcast. It helps you connect with customers on a deeper level, building a relationship beyond the sale.

FInd out just what you need to get started and how to do it efficiently in this episode of Uncensored Direct Marketing.

Get in touch with Justin Moore:

🔗All the resources he mentioned are here: https://www.skool.com/the-coachcast-academy-3205/classroom/eb258c8f?md=a6062fc45f324219b4feec8b1d9944f5

➡️ Check out his podcast:  @podigypodcasts 

➡️ Check out his Instagram: instagram.com/podigypodcasts

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Issuing bank declines like insufficient funds, do not honor, etc. are KILLING your relationship with your payment processor and your bottom line. For every decline, you pay a fee. So why not scrub issuing bank declines from your transaction list? Here's how.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Is your Shopify account suspended? Did Shopify freeze your funds or terminate you?

I know this is a frantic time, but rest assured there are solutions. Using alternatives to Shopify Payments is your first step. This keeps your business up and running while you try to get in touch with Shopify Payments about unfreezing your account and releasing your funds as well as apply for a REAL merchant account.

A suspended Shopify account isn’t the end of your business. If you have any more questions, leave a comment down below or get in touch with me and my team directly.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

All you need to know about applying for a merchant account or a MID. I'm giving you exactly what to look out for in your business, or website, and your application so you can improve your chances of approval and start accepting payments ASAP.

FTC cancellation policy: https://youtu.be/jSxod26tmXE

Checkout page improvements: https://youtu.be/cF6wp6gs17g

Stripe balance report: https://docs.stripe.com/reports/balance

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

John Caprani is a beast when it comes to digital networking. But that's not all he does—in fact, he would tell you NOT to label yourself this way.

Taking a broader approach to your business, connecting with people on a personal level, and understanding needs (both local and global) is the meat and veg of this killer digital networking strategy.

Sit back, get your notepad out, and start discovering just what it takes to a behemoth on social media.

Get in touch with John!

https://www.facebook.com/jdcaprani

https://twitter.com/JohnCaprani

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncaprani

https://www.instagram.com/JohnCaprani

https://www.youtube.com/@jdcaprani

https://www.firedigitalmarketing.com/

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

With Stripe recently restricting services for certain content creation businesses, many creators are searching for alternative payment solutions.

In this episode, we explore Stripe alternatives, how to recognize Stripe-like services that may restrict you, and how to secure your payment processing for the long run.

Throughout the episode, we provide actionable insights to help you select the payment processor that aligns with your business model, integrates seamlessly with your platform, and empowers you to thrive in the creator economy.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

In this revealing interview, I sit down with Dr. Ant Webb, former supplement industry titan, to discuss the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of his once thriving business.

Dr. Ant opens up about his early days as a driven entrepreneur, sharing the strategies and mindset that propelled his supplements company to astounding heights. However, success can be fleeting. He vulnerably recounts the red flags he missed as his business began to crumble beneath his feet.

With refreshing honesty, Dr. Webb reflects on the critical lessons he learned through his harrowing entrepreneurial journey. He offers invaluable insights on:

-Reaching the pinnacle of an industry and handling success

-Identifying the warning signs that your business is in trouble

-Coping with the mental and emotional challenges when facing failure

-Defining identity and self-worth outside of business success

-Rising from the ashes and rebuilding after a catastrophic loss

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or simply fascinated by the peaks and valleys of those who reach for greatness, this interview will leave you inspired.

Join me for a captivating conversation with a man who achieved extraordinary success and lived to tell the tale after losing it all. Dr. Ant Webb's story is one you won't soon forget.

Follow Dr. Ant:

https://x.com/thebrainwhisper

https://www.instagram.com/dr.ant.thebrainwhisperer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrainwhisperer/

https://www.facebook.com/AntTheBrainWhisperer/

Get unstuck in business:

https://website.brain-whisperer.co.uk/mindsetmastery

Get the book!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/QUICK-WAKE-PILOT-introduction-Thinking/dp/1802278575/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Are you frustrated with low conversion rates despite having stellar copywriting and sales techniques? In this eye-opening video, we dive deep into the often-overlooked aspects of payment processing that could be sabotaging your sales.

Today, I'm covering:

- Why even the best copy can fail to convert

- Common checkout issues that drive customers away

- How to identify and fix bottlenecks

- Strategies to optimize your checkout process for maximum conversions

Don't let technical issues undermine your hard work in crafting persuasive copy. Join me as I uncover the hidden culprits that could be costing you sales and explore actionable solutions to boost your conversion rates.

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Get ready to supercharge your networking skills in this game-changing episode featuring Raanan Rosenbaum, THE networking pro from Kendago! We dive deep into the world of in-person and digital networking, uncovering the secrets to building powerful connections that can transform your personal and professional life.

We also chat in-depth about media buying, when to let go of a traffic source, and so much more.

Raanan drops knowledge bombs on:

- Why networking is non-negotiable in today's fast-paced world

- Insider tips for crushing it at networking events and conferences

- Hacks for creating a digital network that opens doors

- The art of nurturing relationships and becoming a value-adding rockstar

- Mind-blowing success stories that prove the power of networking

You've heard it before, and we'll say it again: "your network is your net worth!" This episode is your golden ticket to unlocking the full potential of your connections and catapulting your success to new heights.

Get in touch with Raanan!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raanan-rosenbaum/

https://www.instagram.com/raananlr/?img_index=1

https://www.facebook.com/raanan.rosenbaum.79

✓ Need a merchant account?

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

High refund rates will kill your business. So how do you keep them low and what's the sweet spot?

Aim for less 5%, but really if you're at 3% then you're golden. Keeping refund rates low also helps against chargebacks (indirectly), improves your relationship with payment processors, and keeps conversions high. Less refunds, more solid sales, higher bottom line. What's not to like?

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet

Liss Graham, of Lisst Email Management, is a ROCKSTAR in the email marketing industry. She knows what to say, how to say it, and who to say it to. If you're hesitant about starting an email list, then Liss is here to show you how it's done. Tune into this episode on all things email marketing and email list management. From regulation and AI to how to start your first!

Want more on list management? Get in touch with Liss!

https://lissgraham.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-graham-9b34ba7/

https://www.instagram.com/mlgraham09

✓ Need a merchant account? Get in touch!

🔗 Maria Sparagis Website: http://mariasparagis.com

🔗 DirectPayNet Website: https://directpaynet.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariasparagis

🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariasparagis.directpaynet

🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directpaynet_paymentsolutions

🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/directpaynet