Unless you are pushing major volumes, I would stick with 3rd party billing.
Those fees (higher percentage) you do not pay would just get gobbled up in your own fraud protection or staff, plus the fees that go along with a MC. We have used 3rd party billing (and still do) as well we have our own merchant account. While I agree the 14-15% can be excessive. You better understand the "why" when you get into your own processing.
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Should You Email Your Members?
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Enough Said. 
"Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"
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