Drapery, Window Covering & Upholstery Stores.
Window treatments and upholstery retailers.
- MCC
- 5714
- Category
- Miscellaneous Stores
- Cardflo support
- Yes
What MCC 5714 covers
Merchant Category Code 5714 is the ISO 18245 identifier used by the card networks for drapery, window covering & upholstery stores. Acquirers, issuers and regulators use this code to set interchange, scheme fees, fraud rules and reporting categories for every transaction your business processes.
Window treatments and upholstery retailers. Choosing the right MCC is critical: an incorrect code can lead to higher interchange, surcharges, or, in regulated categories, declined transactions and account holds.
Merchants in MCC 5714 sell drapery, window coverings, and upholstery. Transaction sizes vary, from smaller ready-made items to high-value custom solutions and bespoke upholstery services.
Purchases are generally infrequent, often tied to home renovation cycles.
Chargebacks can arise from issues such as 'merchandise not as described' (e. g. , incorrect fabric, colour, or measurements), 'damaged goods', or 'dissatisfaction with custom work'. Given the custom nature of many products, disputes over subjective quality or fit can occur.
Cardflo's detailed transaction logging and ability to attach supplementary documents to transactions, such as customer agreements or design specifications, can be invaluable in defending against chargebacks related to custom orders.
Merchants should prioritise robust payment acceptance across both in-store and online channels, catering to variable ticket sizes. For custom-made items, take a deposit via 3DS2-authenticated CNP transaction, with the balance upon completion and customer approval.
Given high-value custom work, maintain clear contracts and return policies to manage customer expectations.
If your dispute rate on custom orders exceeds 0.6%, consider a 2-3% rolling reserve on these specific transaction types, as acquirers are sensitive to 'merchandise not as described' claims for unique products with little resale value.
Acquirer and acquirer assessment stance.
Low-risk standard board. Requires careful management of custom order expectations.
Standard monitoring applies, and reserves are unlikely unless a pattern of disputes emerges from custom work.
Dispute and chargeback profile.
The most prevalent chargeback reason codes are 13.1 / 4853 (merchandise not as described) due to discrepancies in custom orders, and 13.3 / 4855 (defective merchandise) for quality issues. "Not as described" often relates to incorrect measurements, fabric, or colour.
Counter with signed order forms detailing specifications, fabric samples, and photographs of the finished product. For "defective merchandise", provide proof of quality control checks, maintenance instructions given to the customer, and records of legitimate repair attempts, showing due diligence was exercised.
See also: chargeback management · payment response codes · Compelling Evidence 3.0.
Book a scoping call to see how Cardflo would set you up.
How Cardflo handles MCC 5714
- Placement with acquirers that actively board MCC 5714 businesses in your region.
- MCC review during onboarding to confirm the right code for your products.
- Reclassification support if scheme rules or product mix change post-launch.
- Multi-acquirer routing to keep approvals stable for broad merchant categories.
- Dispute support tuned to the mixed-product chargeback profile this MCC sees.
- Dedicated onboarding manager rather than a generic ticket queue.
Payment methods typically enabled.
Onboarding checklist.
What acquirers typically ask to see when boarding MCC 5714. Cardflo collects this once and reuses it across every acquirer we route you through.
- Business registration and beneficial-owner documentation (KYB, UBO).
- Six months of processing statements or bank statements demonstrating trading pattern.
- Product catalogue extract confirming the MCC covers the goods actually sold.
- Refund, exchange and cancellation policy shown at point of sale and on the website.
- PCI DSS SAQ appropriate to the environment (A, A-EP or D as relevant).
- Website terms of service, privacy policy and clear merchant descriptor.
See also: Know Your Customer (KYC) · high-risk merchant · smart routing.
Talk to an acquiring specialist about your MID setup.
Common questions
What documentation is crucial for defending chargebacks on custom drapery or upholstery orders?
For custom orders, merchants must retain detailed specifications, customer approvals (e. g. , signed fabric samples, measurement confirmations), pre-payment agreements, and clear terms and conditions regarding returns or modifications for custom items.
These documents are vital evidence in chargeback disputes, especially for 'merchandise not as described' (Visa 13.3) or 'services not performed' (Mastercard 4863) claims.
Are there any specific scheme rules for partial payments or deposits taken for custom window treatments?
Card schemes permit partial payments or deposits, but merchants must ensure the cardholder is fully aware of the payment schedule and the conditions under which subsequent payments will be taken.
For card-not-present transactions, each payment should ideally be authenticated with 3D Secure, or clearly linked to the initial authenticated transaction. Clear disclosure on the receipt or invoice is paramount to prevent disputes.
How can Cardflo help businesses that primarily manage custom orders in this MCC?
Cardflo's payment gateway supports custom transaction descriptors and allows for robust client authentication processes, crucial for custom work.
Its multi-MID routing capabilities can direct transactions to the most suitable acquiring bank based on the transaction type, potentially optimising approval rates and managing risk for bespoke, high-value orders.
What specific payment and documentation procedures mitigate disputes on custom-made drapery or upholstery orders?
For custom drapery and upholstery, implement a clear upfront payment and detailed documentation process. Secure a non-refundable deposit for materials using 3DS2, confirming the customer's full understanding of the custom nature.
Ensure customer-signed contracts specify exact measurements, fabric choices, and detailed design elements. Provide fabric swatches for approval, keeping a signed record.
Before final delivery, obtain customer approval, perhaps through photographs or an in-person viewing, and process the final payment only after this satisfaction is confirmed. This significantly reduces 'not as described' claims.
How can I effectively manage customer expectations to prevent chargebacks arising from subjective dissatisfaction with custom window treatments?
Managing subjective dissatisfaction requires proactive communication and clear agreements. From the outset, set realistic expectations regarding colour variations, fabric textures, and mounting specifics, using samples and detailed visual aids.
Document all customer choices and approvals meticulously. Have clients sign off on design mock-ups and material samples.
Ensure your terms and conditions clearly outline that custom items are non-returnable unless demonstrably faulty or not to specification, not merely a change of mind. A comprehensive consultation process is your best defence, demonstrating that the final product aligns with agreed parameters.
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