Uncensored Direct Marketing

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 ConversionsIf 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” declinesWhether 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-us0:00 Intro1:02 Stripe Causing Declines2:59 #1 Tokenize Data5:14 #2 Price Test7:05 Stripe Radar Tweaks8:11 Velocity Checks11:51 Gradual, not Rapid12:59 Don’t Contact Stripe14:11 Increase Conversions18:33 Bonus Tip22:14 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 2025Wondering 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” mythWhether 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 shutdownsSubscribe for more payment processing secrets, fraud prevention tips, and e-commerce success strategies!0:00 into0:53 2 Types of Processors2:00 Why Not Choose a PSP5:42 Scaling Your Business10:45 Plug-and-Play12:48 Application Process14:07 PSP vs Merchant Account21:31 OutroNeed 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 Liossis2:54 Who Are Webinars For?5:17 How to Get People to Join7:24 Where to Find Webinar Traffic13:19 Free vs Paid16:18 How to Get People to Opt In22:08 Providing Value25:33 Webinar Targeting27:57 Best Hosting Time30:05 How to Start34:30 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 #EntrepreneurshipNeed 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 Intro2:30 Meeting the Qualifications7:44 Read the Requirements12:03 Drop Your Ego16:04 When to Ask the Right Questions21:27 Pay Attention to Detail23:49 Showcasing Your Potential27:25 Outro#HiringTips #SmallBusiness #JobSearch #Recruiting #JobHunting #CareerAdvice #ExecutiveAssistant #GenZWorkforce #HiringMistakes #MariaAndAlexNeed 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 uncertaintyWhether 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 #MarketingStrategy0:00 intro1:47 #1 Opportunity for Businesses in a Recession8:25 Should You Spend More During a Recession?10:06 Pricing Strategies12:42 Payment Methods to Offer21:21 Optimizing Your Fees25:54 Reducing Disputes and Chargebacks31:59 Mobile Optimizations37:00 OutroNeed a merchant account? Get in touch! ➡️ directpaynet.com/contact-us

💸 Stripe’s NEW Dispute Fees Are Outrageous — What You *Must* Know to Protect Your BusinessStripe 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 Intro0:30 Stripe’s 30% Take and New Dispute Rules4:49 What Businesses Do WRONG About Disputes8:50 How to WIN a Dispute14:13 Best Stripe Alternatives18:00 OutroHOW TO PREVENT DISPUTES: https://youtu.be/ZpsuSibwbPgNeed 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-us0:00 Intro1:45 Your Fees Will Change5:37 CapOne Is the New AMEX10:39 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 Intro0:32 Previous Chargeback Guidelines1:08 What’s Changing6:58 Payment Gateway Fraud Protection8:08 Even More Changes10:18 Rules Coming to the US12:08 The Reason Why13:22 Lower Your Chargebacks18:33 OutroNeed 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 Intro0:36 Isn’t Stripe a Payment Processor?1:39 You Won’t Benefit from the Charter6:04 Stripe Changes7:16 Competition Increases8:33 Outro#Stripe #FintechNews #PaymentProcessing #BusinessTips #Ecommerce #StripeLicense #MALPB #MerchantAccount #SmallBusinessTips #MariaAsparagus