Are your credit card declines climbing and your approval rate dropping? Every failed transaction means lost revenue. In this episode, Maria breaks down how to fix payment declines , boost approval rates , and recover more sales through smarter payment processing strategies . If you run an ecommerce store , sell online, or operate in a high-risk industry , this episode will help you uncover why payments fail — and what you can do to fix it. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Read and interpret decline codes ...
Oct 16, 2025•22 min•Ep. 206
Visa’s new fraud monitoring rules are officially in effect — and the Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP) could put your business at risk if you’re not prepared. In this episode, Maria breaks down exactly what VAMP means, why Visa introduced it, and how to protect your business from fraud penalties and shutdowns. You’ll learn: ✅ What Visa’s VAMP program is — and how it works ✅ Why stricter fraud monitoring is rolling out now ✅ The key metrics Visa monitors (and what they mean for you) ✅ 10 pr...
Oct 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 205
Most businesses only find out they’re high-risk after getting shut down. Learn what the label really means and how it impacts your ability to accept payments. Are you running an online business and wondering if you’re considered high-risk ? High-risk merchant accounts are one of the most misunderstood parts of payment processing. The truth is, most e-commerce, subscription, and digital product businesses fall into the high-risk category — even if they’ve never had issues with payments before. In...
Oct 02, 2025•15 min•Ep. 204
Amazon’s $2.5B FTC settlement is a warning for subscription businesses. Learn the new rules and 5 compliance practices you need now. The FTC recently hit Amazon with a record $2.5 billion settlement over deceptive subscription practices — from unclear free trial terms to making it difficult for customers to cancel. This isn’t just about Amazon. The case highlights how the FTC is cracking down on subscription businesses and setting new compliance standards that every company must follow. If your ...
Sep 29, 2025•17 min•Ep. 203
Visa has introduced new chargeback rules through its Visa Acquirer Monitoring Program (VAMP). While it’s aimed at acquirers, merchants can’t afford to ignore it because, as acquirers scramble to protect their portfolios under Visa’s stricter fraud guidelines, merchants will be the ones who get cut off, restricted, or penalized. 📥 Get your free downloadable guide to protect your business from VAMP here . In this video, Maria breaks down: ✅ What VAMP is and why Visa launched it ✅ How the fraud-to...
Sep 25, 2025•16 min•Ep. 202
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 ✅ C...
Sep 11, 2025•16 min•Ep. 201
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 en...
Sep 04, 2025•20 min•Ep. 200
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...
Aug 21, 2025•18 min•Ep. 199
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 v...
Aug 14, 2025•9 min•Ep. 198
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 pro...
Jul 31, 2025•25 min•Ep. 197
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 t...
Jul 17, 2025•18 min•Ep. 196
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 disp...
Jul 10, 2025•24 min•Ep. 195
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 - ...
Jun 26, 2025•24 min•Ep. 194
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...
Jun 19, 2025•22 min•Ep. 193
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 ...
Jun 12, 2025•35 min•Ep. 192
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...
Jun 06, 2025•28 min•Ep. 191
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 ...
May 30, 2025•38 min•Ep. 190
💸 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 pr...
May 23, 2025•19 min•Ep. 189
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 makin...
May 09, 2025•18 min•Ep. 188
🚨 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...
May 01, 2025•19 min•Ep. 187
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 appro...
Apr 25, 2025•9 min•Ep. 186
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 ...
Apr 19, 2025•16 min•Ep. 185
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 Outr...
Apr 10, 2025•21 min•Ep. 184
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...
Mar 11, 2025•10 min•Ep. 183
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 r...
Mar 04, 2025•12 min•Ep. 182
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
Feb 04, 2025•19 min•Ep. 181
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 Payme...
Jan 29, 2025•9 min•Ep. 180
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/...
Jan 22, 2025•45 min•Ep. 179
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...
Jan 14, 2025•10 min•Ep. 178
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 Alterna...
Jan 07, 2025•16 min•Ep. 177
