Payment Methods

Introduction: Secure, Flexible, and Hassle-Free Payments

At MARKWTDesigns LLC, we understand that the checkout experience is one of the most critical moments in your shopping journey. A complicated, insecure, or inflexible payment process can ruin an otherwise perfect shopping experience. That is why we have invested heavily in creating a payment system that is not only secure but also fast, convenient, and accommodating to a wide variety of customer preferences. Whether you are a professional beauty artist purchasing supplies for your salon, a spa owner placing a bulk order, or an individual treating yourself to high-quality lashes and body care products, you deserve a payment process that works for you, not against you.

Our payment infrastructure is powered by Stripe, one of the world’s leading payment processing platforms. Stripe is trusted by millions of businesses, from small startups to global enterprises like Amazon, Shopify, and Lyft. By partnering with Stripe, we offer you enterprise-grade security, lightning-fast transaction speeds, and support for virtually every major payment method used in the United States and internationally. We also accept Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit and debit cards. In this detailed guide, we will explain every payment option we offer, how Stripe protects your financial data, what to do in case of payment issues, and how we handle refunds, chargebacks, and currency conversions. Our goal is to give you complete confidence when you click that “Place Order” button.

Why We Chose Stripe: The Gold Standard in Payment Processing

When we founded MARKWTDesigns LLC, we evaluated multiple payment processors, including PayPal, Square,  and Braintree. After rigorous testing and consideration, we selected Stripe as our exclusive payment partner. The reasons for this decision are numerous, but they all boil down to three core priorities: security, reliability, and customer experience.

Enterprise-Level Security

Stripe is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Level 1 certified, which is the highest level of security certification available in the payments industry. This means that Stripe undergoes annual, rigorous audits by independent security firms to ensure that their systems are impenetrable to hackers and data breaches. When you enter your credit card information on our website, that data is encrypted using TLS (Transport Layer Security) and sent directly to Stripe’s servers. We, at MARKWTDesigns LLC, never see or store your full credit card number. All we receive is a secure token that allows us to process charges, refunds, and recurring payments without exposing your sensitive financial data. This tokenization system drastically reduces the risk of your information being stolen, even in the unlikely event of a breach on our systems.

Global Reach and Currency Support

Because we serve customers across the United States and internationally, we needed a processor that could handle multiple currencies, international payment methods, and cross-border fees efficiently. Stripe supports over 135 currencies and automatically converts prices at competitive exchange rates. When you shop on markwt.shop, all prices are displayed in US Dollars (USD) by default. However, if you are an international customer paying with a non-USD card, Stripe will perform the currency conversion at the current market rate, and your bank or card issuer may add a small foreign transaction fee. We recommend checking with your bank before placing an international order.

Seamless Checkout Experience

Stripe’s technology integrates seamlessly with our website, creating a checkout flow that is fast, intuitive, and minimizes cart abandonment. The average checkout process on markwt.shop takes less than 60 seconds for returning customers and under two minutes for new customers. Features like autofill for saved cards, one-click payments for repeat customers (if you opt to save your card securely), and real-time address validation all contribute to a frictionless experience.

Accepted Payment Methods

We are proud to offer a diverse range of payment methods to accommodate virtually every customer. Below is a detailed breakdown of each method, including any limitations or special considerations.

Credit and Debit Cards

We accept all major credit and debit cards issued by the following networks:

• Visa (including Visa Debit and Visa Electron)

• Mastercard (including Maestro)

• American Express (Amex)

• Discover (including Diners Club)

• JCB (Japan Credit Bureau)

• UnionPay (for international customers, primarily from China)

When you pay with a credit or debit card, we authorize the charge at the time of purchase. Depending on your bank, the authorization may appear as a pending transaction immediately. Actual capture of funds occurs when your order is confirmed and processed by our warehouse, typically within a few hours. For pre-order items or back-ordered products, we may authorize your card immediately but only capture funds when the item is ready to ship. You will receive clear notification of this timing at checkout.

Apple Pay

For customers using Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac), Apple Pay offers a fast, secure, and touchless way to pay. With Apple Pay, you never have to manually enter your card details. Instead, you authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode. Your actual card number is never shared with us or stored on our servers. Instead, a unique Device Account Number is used to process the transaction. Apple Pay works with Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards that you have added to your Apple Wallet.

To use Apple Pay on markwt.shop, simply select the Apple Pay button at checkout (if you are on a compatible Apple device using Safari browser). Confirm your shipping and billing information, authenticate, and the order is placed. Apple Pay is available for both one-time purchases and for customers who wish to save their payment method for future orders.

Google Pay

Android users and Chrome browser users can take advantage of Google Pay, a similarly secure and convenient digital wallet. Google Pay stores your credit and debit cards, and optionally your shipping addresses, allowing you to check out with just a few clicks. Like Apple Pay, Google Pay uses tokenization to protect your actual card numbers. You authenticate using your device’s screen lock (PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics).

To use Google Pay, ensure you are signed into your Google account and have a payment method saved in Google Pay. On the checkout page, click the Google Pay button. A pop-up window will appear for you to confirm your details and authenticate. Once confirmed, your order is placed immediately.

Additional Digital Wallets (Klarna, Afterpay, etc.)

We are often asked whether we accept buy-now-pay-later services like Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, or PayPal Pay Later. At this time, MARKWTDesigns LLC does not directly integrate with these services. However, you may be able to use them indirectly if you have a virtual card or if your Klarna/Afterpay account provides a one-time use card number that you can enter as a credit card. We recommend checking with your BNPL provider. We are actively evaluating these options for future implementation.

PayPal (Not Currently Available)

Please note that we do not accept PayPal at this time. While PayPal is popular, we found that Stripe provides a superior combination of security, lower fees, and better integration with our inventory and shipping systems. We may add PayPal in the future, but for now, please use credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

How Stripe Protects Your Financial Data

Security is not a feature; it is a necessity. We want you to understand exactly how Stripe protects you every step of the way.

PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance

As mentioned, Stripe is certified as a PCI Level 1 Service Provider. This certification requires compliance with over 300 security controls, including network monitoring, access control, encryption, regular vulnerability scans, and penetration testing. Stripe undergoes these audits annually, and the results are publicly available on their security page. By using Stripe, we inherit this high level of security without you having to trust our small team’s own infrastructure.

End-to-End Encryption

When you submit your payment information on markwt.shop, your data is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher (the same technology used by banks and the military). Encryption happens in your browser before any data leaves your device. This means that even if someone were to intercept your internet traffic (e.g., on public Wi-Fi), they would only see scrambled, unreadable data. Once the encrypted data reaches Stripe’s servers, it is decrypted, processed, and never stored in plaintext.

Tokenization and Card Vault

For returning customers who choose to save their card for future purchases, we use Stripe’s tokenization and vault system. Instead of storing your actual card number in our database, we store a unique token that references your card in Stripe’s secure vault. This token is useless to anyone who might compromise our database, because it cannot be used to make charges on any other website. When you want to make a subsequent purchase, we pass the token to Stripe, Stripe matches it to your actual card (which only Stripe can see), and the charge is processed. You can delete saved cards at any time from your account dashboard.

Fraud Detection and Prevention

Stripe uses machine learning algorithms that analyze every transaction in real time, looking for patterns that indicate fraud. Factors such as the card’s BIN (bank identification number), the IP address location, shipping address, device fingerprint, and purchase history are all considered. If a transaction is flagged as potentially fraudulent (e.g., a card from New York being used to ship to a freight forwarder in Miami with an unusually large order), Stripe may either block the transaction outright or request additional verification via 3D Secure. 3D Secure (Verified by Visa, Mastercard SecureCode, American Express SafeKey) adds an extra layer of authentication, usually by sending a one-time code to the cardholder’s phone or email. While this adds a small step to checkout, it significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized use.

Payment Process Step by Step

For clarity, here is exactly what happens when you pay on markwt.shop, from the moment you click “Place Order” to the moment your payment is confirmed.

1. Cart Review: You add products to your cart and proceed to the checkout page. You enter your shipping address and select a shipping method.

2. Payment Method Selection: You choose whether to pay by credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

3. Data Entry (Card): If paying by card, you enter your card number, expiration date, CVV/CVC code, and billing zip code. If you have a saved card, you select it and enter your CVV (for security).

4. Tokenization: Your browser encrypts the card details and sends them directly to Stripe’s API. Stripe returns a secure token representing that card.

5. Authorization: Our server sends the token, along with the order total and currency, to Stripe. Stripe sends an authorization request to your bank or card issuer.

6. Verification: Your bank may perform fraud checks, verify available funds, and potentially trigger 3D Secure. If approved, your bank places an authorization hold on the funds (this reduces your available credit but does not actually transfer money yet).

7. Order Confirmation: Stripe notifies our server that the authorization was successful. Our server then creates the order in our system, assigns an order number, and sends you an order confirmation email. At this moment, you see a “Thank You” page.

8. Capturing Funds: Within a few hours (or when your order is shipped), our system sends a capture request to Stripe. Stripe then requests the funds to be moved from your bank to our merchant account. This is when your bank statement shows a completed charge. For pre-orders, the capture may be delayed until the item is ready to ship.

9. Settlement: Stripe batches transactions and settles funds with our bank, typically within 2-3 business days. This is when we actually receive the money, minus Stripe’s processing fees.

Refunds and How Stripe Handles Them

We have a generous refund policy (detailed in our Refund and Return Policy), but here we will focus on the payment mechanics of refunds. When we issue a refund, whether for a return, a cancellation, or a price adjustment, Stripe processes that refund back to your original payment method.

• Timing: Once we initiate a refund in our Stripe dashboard, the funds are typically returned to your bank or card within 5-10 business days. However, your bank may take additional time to post the refund to your account. Debit card refunds can sometimes take up to 14 days, while credit card refunds are usually faster.

• Partial Refunds: We can issue partial refunds (e.g., if you keep one item and return another). The refunded amount will appear on your statement as a separate credit transaction.

• Original Payment Method Required: Refunds must be issued to the same card or digital wallet that was used for the original purchase. We cannot refund to a different card or send cash. If your original card has expired or been closed, please contact your bank; they will typically accept the refund and apply it to your new card or send you a check.

• Store Credit Option: If you prefer, we can offer store credit (gift card) instead of a refund to your card. Store credit is issued instantly via email and never expires. We also offer an extra 10% bonus when you choose store credit (e.g., return a $100item,receive$110 store credit).

Apple Pay and Google Pay: Detailed Usage Tips

While Apple Pay and Google Pay are generally straightforward, there are some nuances you should understand.

Apple Pay Requirements

• Device: iPhone 6 or newer, iPad Pro, iPad Air 2 or newer, iPad mini 3 or newer, Apple Watch, or Mac with Touch ID (or paired with iPhone/Apple Watch).

• Browser: Safari on iOS, macOS, or iPadOS. Apple Pay does not work on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge on non-Apple devices.

• Card: You must have a supported card added to your Apple Wallet.

• Authentication: Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.

Troubleshooting: If the Apple Pay button does not appear on our checkout page, check that you are using Safari, that your device is not in “Private Browsing” mode (which can block some features), and that you have a valid card in Wallet. If issues persist, use manual card entry.

Google Pay Requirements

• Device: Any Android device running Lollipop 5.0 or higher, or any computer with the Chrome browser (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook).

• Account: You must be signed into your Google account and have a card saved in Google Pay.

• Browser: Chrome is recommended; other browsers may have limited support.

Note: Google Pay on desktop requires you to have saved your card in Chrome’s autofill settings. You will still need to enter your CVV for security. On mobile, authentication is via screen lock.

Payment Issues and Error Messages

Despite our best efforts, payment transactions can sometimes fail. Below are common error messages you might see, their meanings, and what you can do.

Error: “Your card was declined.”

• Meaning: Your bank rejected the transaction. Common reasons: insufficient funds, incorrect CVV or expiration date, card not activated for online purchases, or fraud prevention blocks.

• Solution: Double-check your card details. Contact your bank to authorize the transaction. Try a different card or payment method.

Error: “Incorrect CVV.”

• Meaning: The 3- or 4-digit security code on the back (or front) of your card was entered incorrectly.

• Solution: Re-enter carefully. For Amex, CVV is on the front, 4 digits.

Error: “Invalid billing address.”

• Meaning: The address you entered for billing does not match the address your bank has on file for that card.

• Solution: Enter the exact address (including street number, apartment if any, city, state, zip) as it appears on your bank statement.

Error: “3D Secure authentication failed.”

• Meaning: You failed the additional security challenge (e.g., entered wrong OTP code or timed out).

• Solution: Retry the transaction. Ensure you have access to your phone or email for the OTP. Contact your bank if you never receive the OTP.

Error: “Transaction amount exceeds limit.”

• Meaning: Your card has a daily or per-transaction spending limit.

• Solution: Contact your bank to raise the limit, split your order into multiple smaller orders, or use another card.

Error: “Stripe is unable to process this payment at this time. Please try again later.”

• Meaning: A temporary technical issue with Stripe or your bank. This is rare.

• Solution: Wait 15-30 minutes and retry. If persistent, email us.

If you continue to experience issues after trying these solutions, please contact our customer service at lottiedelsie1vc@hotmail.com or call +8416812530380. Provide the error message and the time of your attempt. We can check our Stripe logs for more details and may be able to offer alternative arrangements (e.g., invoice payment via bank transfer for large wholesale orders).

Statement Descriptors: What Will Appear on Your Bank Statement

When you make a purchase from MARKWTDesigns LLC, the charge on your credit card or bank statement will appear with a descriptor that helps you recognize the transaction. Our standard descriptor is “MARKWTDesigns”. Depending on your bank, it may appear as “MARKWTDesigns LLC” or “MARKWTDesigns.COM”. For Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions, the descriptor may include “APPLE PAY” or “GOOGLE PAY” as a prefix.

If you see a charge from us that you do not recognize, first check with any family members or employees who may have made a purchase using your card. If you still do not recognize it, please contact us immediately. We will help you identify the order and, if necessary, initiate a fraud investigation with Stripe.

Currency Conversion for International Customers

Our website displays all prices in US Dollars (USD). If you are shopping from outside the United States, your credit card issuer or bank will convert the USD amount into your local currency using their own exchange rate. Stripe does not charge any additional currency conversion fees, but your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee (typically 1% to 3% of the transaction amount). We recommend checking with your bank before placing an international order to understand these fees.

For customers in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union, we are often asked whether we can display prices in local currencies. Currently, we only support USD. However, many modern browsers and banking apps will automatically show you an estimated conversion before you confirm the payment. You can also use online currency converters.

Saving Payment Methods for Future Purchases

To make repeat shopping faster and more convenient, we offer the option to securely save your credit or debit card information to your MARKWTDesigns account. This feature is completely optional. If you choose to save a card, the following applies:

• Your card is tokenized and stored in Stripe’s vault, not on our servers.

• When you return to checkout, you will see the last four digits of your saved card(s) and the card brand (e.g., Visa ending in 4242).

• To use a saved card, you must re-enter the CVV/CVC code. This extra step prevents unauthorized use if someone else accesses your account. (You can also opt to skip CVV for future purchases, but we strongly recommend against it for security.)

• You can delete saved cards at any time from your Account Settings > Payment Methods.

• We never share saved payment methods with any third party.

If you check out as a guest (without creating an account), we cannot save your payment method. You will need to re-enter your card details for each order.

Payment Security Tips for Customers

While Stripe and MARKWTDesigns LLC take extensive measures to protect your data, you also play a critical role in keeping your financial information safe. Please follow these best practices:

• Use strong, unique passwords for your MARKWTDesigns account. Do not reuse passwords from other websites.

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your email account, because your email is often used to reset passwords.

• Never share your card CVV or online banking credentials with anyone, including anyone claiming to be from MARKWTDesigns. We will never ask for your full card number or CVV over the phone or email.

• Monitor your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately and then to us.

• Only shop on secure networks. Avoid entering payment information on public Wi-Fi (coffee shops, airports, hotels) unless you are using a VPN.

• Look for the padlock icon in your browser’s address bar when checking out on markwt.shop. This indicates a secure TLS connection.

Disputes and Chargebacks

In the rare event that you do not recognize a charge from MARKWTDesigns LLC or believe you were billed incorrectly, we strongly encourage you to contact us first before filing a dispute or chargeback with your bank. Why? Because chargebacks are costly and time-consuming for both parties. When you file a chargeback, your bank pulls the money from our account and imposes a fee (typically $15-$25). Even if you eventually win the dispute, we have still incurred that fee and the administrative burden.

If you contact us first, we can almost always resolve the issue to your satisfaction: a refund, a replacement, or a correction. Our customer service team is empowered to fix problems quickly. To initiate a resolution, email lottiedelsie1vc@hotmail.com with your order number and a clear explanation.

If you decide to file a chargeback despite our request to contact us first, here is what happens:

• Stripe notifies us of the dispute. We have a limited time (usually 10-21 days) to respond with evidence (e.g., proof of delivery, order confirmation, communication logs).

• We will provide all relevant evidence to Stripe and your bank.

• The bank makes a final decision. If the bank rules in our favor, the chargeback is reversed and the funds are returned to us. If the bank rules in your favor, the funds remain with you and we are charged a fee.

• Abusive chargebacks (e.g., claiming non-receipt when tracking shows delivery) may result in us blocking your account and blacklisting your shipping address.

We want to avoid chargebacks. Please give us a chance to help.

Payments for Wholesale and Bulk Orders

For wholesale customers (salons, spas, schools, retailers), we offer additional payment options beyond Stripe. While small wholesale orders can be placed through our website using the standard Stripe checkout, large wholesale orders (over $500) may be invoiced directly. Invoicing provides flexibility: you can pay by bank transfer (ACH or wire), company check, or credit card via a secure payment link. Terms are available for established accounts with credit approval (net 30 days).

To inquire about wholesale payment options, please email lottiedelsie1vc@hotmail.com with “Wholesale Payment” in the subject line.

Taxes and Duties

For domestic orders within the United States, we are required to collect sales tax in states where we have a physical presence or economic nexus. Currently, we collect sales tax for shipments to New Mexico (our home state). Tax rates vary by city and county within New Mexico. The exact tax will be calculated at checkout based on your shipping address. For other states, it is your responsibility to report and pay any use tax as required by your state laws. We do not collect sales tax nationally because our sales volume does not yet meet economic nexus thresholds in most states, but this may change.

For international orders, we do not collect or remit VAT, GST, customs duties, or import taxes. These charges are the sole responsibility of the customer. Your local customs office may assess duties upon delivery. Please check with your country’s import regulations before ordering. We are not responsible for delays caused by customs or for refusal to pay duties.

Gift Cards and Store Credit

In addition to standard payment methods, we offer digital gift cards and store credit. Gift cards can be purchased on our website in any denomination from $10to$500. They are delivered via email and contain a unique code. To redeem a gift card, enter the code at checkout in the “Gift Card or Discount Code” field. Gift cards never expire and can be used for partial payments (any remaining balance stays on the card for future use). Gift cards are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for cash.

Store credit is issued as a courtesy for returns, for price adjustments, or as compensation for shipping delays. Store credit functions identically to a gift card and also has no expiration date.

Conclusion: Your Payment Security Is Our Priority

We have designed our payment system to give you peace of mind. From the moment you enter your payment details to the moment your order ships, your financial information is protected by Stripe’s bank-grade security. We accept a wide range of payment methods to ensure that you can shop conveniently, whether you prefer traditional credit cards or modern digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. Our refund process is fair and straightforward, and we always encourage you to contact us first with any payment-related concerns.

Thank you for trusting MARKWTDesigns LLC with your beauty supply needs. Shop confidently at markwt.shop, knowing that your payments are safe, your data is protected, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you have any questions about payment methods that were not answered in this guide, please reach out to us at lottiedelsie1vc@hotmail.com or call +8416812530380. We are here to help.