Charging AheadOpening a merchant credit card account is easier than you think--once you understand the process.

Like any good business owner, when John Greenlee's customerstalk, he listens. "We were doing festivals, and customersasked if we took credit cards," says Greenlee, who sellsleather handbags and accessories at festivals, expos and homeshows. "I started keeping count, and at six different events,[a total of] 25 people asked. That's 25 customers I lostbecause they didn't have cash, and I'm leery aboutout-of-state checks."

The solution to his problem seemed simple--establish a merchantcredit card account. Companies offering merchant status seemedplentiful, and Greenlee found one whose program sounded good. Butwhen he read the contract, he found some glaring omissions thesales representative had neglected to mention: "I had to signa four-year contract," he says, "and if I didn't doat least $2,500 a month in [credit card] sales, I would have to payan additional charge."