zero COST Processing has Arrived!
YES, it’s true! NO COST PAYMENT PROCESSING IS A REALITY!
For the past few years, merchant processing companies have been super busy creating and launching programs that enable business owners to accept card payments cost free. We know, it sounds too good to be true but for business owners ready to end the madness of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars each month in processing fees, your time has arrived!
Before you fall out of your chair, let’s dig a little deeper into these programs so you can decide if it is right for your business. Below, we explain the “no cost” program, how it works and what you should look for when selecting a processing provider.
What is “No Cost” Processing?
You will here different terminology from the various payment providers in the market today when talking about these programs. The most common terms are ‘Cash Discount’ and ‘Surcharge’ Programs. At it’s essence, all of these programs do the same thing, transfer the cost of payment acceptance from the business owner to the customer. And why not? Many of us remember the days when buying gas had both a Cash and a Credit price, right? Well, this is the same concept, use Cash and Save!
As business owners, we have all heard it a thousand times. The customer pulls out a card and then suddenly says, “Oh, use this card instead so I can get my points”! Although we as business owners are crystal clear, the customer simply doesn’t understand that they are taking an additional 1/2 to 1% right out of the owner’s pocket!
Why should we continue to pay for our customers rewards program?
HOW SURCHARGE PROGRAMS WORK
Now that we have talked about why surcharge programs are on the rise in the payments industry, let’s look at how they work.
With a surcharge/cash discount program, the merchant is agreeing to be charged a flat percentage rate for every card transaction. On average, the flat percentage rate charged to the merchant is 3.5% but could also be as high as 4.0%.
In order to recover the cost, the terminal will be programmed to automatically add the surcharge to the customers ticket, usually at the same rate charged to the merchant, in this case 3.5%.
For example, the merchant sells a $ 100 product or service and the customer uses his/her credit card for payment.
Product/Service Cost = $ 100.00
Surcharge % Rate = 3.5% or $ 3.50
Total Charge to Customer = 103.50 ($ 100 + $ 3.50 surcharge)
In this example, the merchant/business owner has agreed to pay the processing company 3.5% and in turn is adding the surcharge of 3.5% to the customers ticket, thus recovering the cost.
PRICING STRUCTURE
As of the day of this writing, Surcharge/Cash Discount Programs are priced as “flat rate”, meaning the merchant is charged a flat percentage rate for every card payment transaction that occurs. On average, the flat rate percentage charged to the merchant is 3.5% but could also be higher.
With these programs, the merchant will then charge the customer
Other monthly fees may apply such as Statement Fee, Program Fee, Transaction Fee, etc. so make sure you understand what additional fees are involved before signing any merchant agreement.
Contract Term
Be very careful here. Merchant processing providers have long been known for failing to disclose the agreement term, leaving business owners with hefty early termination charges when trying to cancel down the road.
Look for a provider who offers a month to month agreement option and make sure that the paperwork states that there will be no early termination or contract cancellation costs if and when you decide to cancel the agreement. Do NOT take the salesperson’s word for it, make sure it’s in the Agreement!