Is a surcharge program right for your business?
A compliant surcharge program can move card-processing costs off your books entirely. It is not right for everyone, here is the honest version.
Surcharging lets customers who choose to pay by credit card cover the processing fee themselves. Done correctly, your effective cost of card acceptance approaches zero. Done carelessly, it runs afoul of card-network rules and a handful of state laws. The difference is entirely in the setup, clear signage, the right terminal configuration, debit cards exempted, and the surcharge capped at the legal ceiling.
It tends to fit B2B, professional services, and higher-ticket retail, where customers expect it and margins are tight. It tends to fit poorly in hospitality and anywhere a few cents of friction costs you the sale. We will tell you honestly which camp you are in before you change a thing.
If you qualify, we handle the compliance, the hardware, and the staff script. If you do not, we will say so, and find the savings somewhere that does not touch your customer's receipt.
“Done right, your cost of card acceptance approaches zero. Done carelessly, it breaks the rules. The whole game is in the setup.”