<\/span><\/h3>\nThe fees a processor charges significantly impact your bottom line. Look for a processor with transparent rates and minimal hidden fees. Interchange-plus pricing is typically the most straightforward, with a small markup over the interchange fee charged by card networks like Visa and Mastercard. Flat-rate or tiered pricing often includes higher markups and more hidden fees.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Customer Service and Support<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nYou’ll want to work with a Credit Card Processing that provides high-quality customer service and technical support. Look for 24\/7 phone support, a dedicated account representative, and a quick response time. Poor customer service can lead to headaches, lost sales, and damage to your reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Security and Compliance<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nCredit card processing involves sensitive customer data, so security and compliance are crucial. Choose a processor that is PCI DSS compliant and uses encryption and tokenization to protect data. Fraud prevention tools like address verification (AVS) and card security codes (CVV) provide added security for card-not-present transactions.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Payment Methods<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nThe processor you choose should support all the payment methods your customers want to use, such as credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and PayPal. This allows you to provide the best checkout experience and avoid losing sales. Look for a processor that allows you to enable and disable payment methods easily as your business needs change.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Advanced Features<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nConsider the additional features you may want like a virtual terminal, recurring billing, checkout customization, or a mobile card reader. The right features for your business depend on your industry and sales model. An all-in-one solution may be more convenient, but individual tools integrated with your other systems could provide more flexibility. Compare options from different providers to find the best value.<\/span><\/p>\nChoosing a Credit Card Processing is an important decision that impacts your business success and bottom line. Evaluating fees, customer service, security, payment methods, and features will help you find the perfect match for your needs. With the right processor by your side, you’ll be set up to thrive.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Watch Out for These Red Flags<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nWhen evaluating Credit Card Processing, keep an eye out for these common red flags that could end up costing you in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Hidden Fees<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nBeware of companies that lure you in with promises of \u201cno hidden fees\u201d or \u201clowest rates guaranteed.\u201d Unfortunately, the fine print often reveals various non-negotiable charges like gateway fees, PCI compliance fees, statement fees, and more. Get details on the total cost of Credit Card Processing, including any potential surcharges, to avoid unwanted surprises on your monthly bill.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Long-Term Contracts<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nLocking into a long-term contract, typically 3 years, can be risky if you end up unhappy with the service or find a better deal elsewhere. Look for companies that offer month-to-month terms so you have the flexibility to switch providers if needed without penalty. Some may charge slightly higher rates for month-to-month, so compare total costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Poor Customer Support<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nIn the fast-paced world of credit card processing, you\u2019ll likely have questions or issues come up from time to time regarding your account, statements, card terminals, or other services. Choosing a company with unresponsive or unhelpful customer support can lead to frustration, missed chargebacks, and loss of business. Look for 24\/7 phone support and quick response times.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Outdated Technology<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nUsing antiquated card terminals, payment gateways and processing systems will make transactions slower, less secure, and more prone to errors. The best Credit Card Processing stays up-to-date with the latest payment technology like EMV chip card compatibility, NFC payments, and tokenization to protect customer data. They pass on the benefits of these advanced systems to business clients with modern card terminals, virtual terminals, and mobile wallets.<\/span><\/p>\nBy being on alert for these common red flags, you can avoid problem providers and confidently choose a Credit Card Processing with fair rates, transparent fees, strong customer service, and cutting-edge technology to suit your business needs. The extra diligence upfront will save you headaches and money in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>How to Negotiate the Best Rates and Fees<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nWhen it comes time to negotiate rates and fees with Credit Card Processing, you want the best deal for your business. Don\u2019t be afraid to compare offers from different processors and use that information to your advantage. Here are some tips to get the lowest rates and fees possible:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Do your homework.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nResearch the average rates for your industry so you know if an offer is reasonable or not. Processors make money from the fees they charge, so they have room to negotiate.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Be upfront about your business.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nProvide details about your average ticket size, monthly volume, and chargeback ratio. The processor can tailor a competitive offer if they fully understand your business.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Ask for interchange plus pricing.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nThis model charges you the interchange fees charged by card networks like Visa and Mastercard plus a small markup for the processor. It\u2019s very transparent and offers lower rates than a tiered pricing model. Push for interchange plus if it\u2019s not offered upfront.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Negotiate each fee individually.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nDon\u2019t just focus on the overall rate. Look at fees for interchange, assessments, monthly minimums, gateway access, and PCI compliance. Ask if any fees can be reduced or eliminated. One less fee means more money in your pocket.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Get it in writing.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nOnce you\u2019ve negotiated the best deal, make sure all rates, fees, and terms are explicitly outlined in the contract before you sign. Verbal promises won\u2019t protect you from unexpected rate increases or new fees down the road.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Be willing to walk away.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nIf a processor won\u2019t budge on rates or refuses to negotiate in good faith, walk away. There are many options out there, so you can easily find a processor willing to work with you to secure a competitive offer that benefits you both. Don’t feel pressured into a bad deal.<\/span><\/p>\nWith some persistence and negotiation, you can get credit card processing rates and fees that maximize your profits without hurting your bottom line. Stand up for your business and don’t settle for less than the best offer.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>Conclusion<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nSo there you have it, the real truth about credit card processing reviews and fees. The options out there can be confusing and frustrating to sort through, especially when sales reps are throwing around terms and promises that seem too good to be true. But now you’re armed with the knowledge and insights to cut through the noise. You understand the types of fees, how rates work, and the right questions to ask to determine if a processor is the right fit for your business’s needs and budget. With this guide as your roadmap, you’ll avoid getting locked into an expensive multi-year contract or dealing with hidden fees and rate hikes down the line. Keep this information handy, do some research on your own, and don’t be afraid to negotiate the best deal for your business. The power is in your hands to choose a credit card processing solution that won’t break the bank. You’ve got this!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"So you’re in the market for a new Credit Card Processing\u00a0and you’ve started checking out reviews to find the best option for your business. But how much can you trust what you’re reading? The truth is, that many reviews could be more transparent. Processors often incentivize customers to leave positive reviews or pay review sites…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":9989,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[118],"tags":[2277,2278,2276,2274,2275],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9988"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9988"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9988\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9988"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/friendsoftoms.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}