MCC Codes: How Your Business Category Affects Your Rates
Your Merchant Category Code determines which interchange tier you fall into. If it's wrong, you could be paying more than you should.
Read more →Payment Processing, Explained
Plain-English guides for business owners who are tired of overpaying and not understanding why.
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What Happens When You Swipe Your Card
Follow your transaction from terminal to bank — and see who takes a cut along the way.
Read →Flat Rate vs. Interchange-Plus
The real math behind both pricing models — and which one actually saves you money.
Read →Free Guide: Statement Checkup
Find out in 5 minutes if you are overpaying. Includes a rate calculator and red flag checklist.
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The Truth About "Free" Payment Processing
If your processor says processing is free, someone is still paying. Usually it's your customers — or you, in ways you haven't noticed yet.
Read more →ACH vs. Credit Card: When to Use Each and What It Costs
ACH costs a fraction of card processing, but it's not right for every situation. Here's how to decide which payment method to push.
Read more →How Chargebacks Affect Your Processing Rates — And Your Account Standing
Too many chargebacks don't just cost you money on the dispute. They can put you in a monitoring program or get your account shut down.
Read more →Payment Terminals 101: What to Buy, What to Lease, What to Avoid
Leasing a terminal can cost you 10x its purchase price over a contract term. Here's what you should actually be paying for hardware.
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Why Your Processor Can Raise Rates Without Telling You
Most merchant agreements include a clause that lets the processor increase fees at will. Here's where to find it and what to do about it.
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The Real Cost of Accepting Amex — And When It's Worth It
American Express has a reputation for being expensive. But the gap has narrowed, and refusing Amex might cost you more than accepting it.
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What Is Interchange — And Who Actually Sets Your Rates?
Interchange is the biggest chunk of what you pay to accept cards. Here's who controls it, how it's calculated, and why your processor can't lower it.
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Level 2 and Level 3 Data: How B2B Merchants Cut Interchange by Half
If you sell to businesses or government agencies, sending additional transaction data can slash your interchange rate. Here's how.
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PIN Debit vs. Signature Debit: The Cost Difference Nobody Talks About
The same debit card can cost you two different rates depending on whether the customer enters a PIN. Here's which is cheaper and why.
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The 5-Minute Merchant Statement Checkup
Grab your most recent statement and find out if you are overpaying — in under 5 minutes. Includes a rate calculator, comparison chart, and 9-point red flag checklist.
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