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Plain answers about taking card payments.
What chargebacks really cost, how the rules catch people out, and how to read a statement you were never meant to understand.
What is a payment gateway, and do you need one?
A payment gateway is the software that carries a card payment from your checkout to the card networks and back, approvi…
How to accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express
Accepting the major card brands does not mean signing up with Visa or Mastercard directly. It means opening a merchant …
What is a virtual terminal, and when should you use one?
A virtual terminal turns any computer or phone browser into a card terminal. You type the card details in yourself, whi…
How Long Does Merchant Account Approval Take? What Speeds It Up and What Stalls It
Approval time is mostly determined before you submit. Here is what underwriting actually looks at, and how to avoid the…
You sell online. That shouldn't make you a problem.
Online businesses need a way to accept card payments, either through a merchant account with a payment gateway or throu…
Interchange isn't the part you negotiate
The cost of accepting a card splits three ways: interchange to the issuing bank, assessments to the card brands, and ma…
What is an effective rate, and how do I calculate mine?
Your effective rate is total fees divided by total processing volume for the month, expressed as a percentage. It is th…
How to read your merchant processing statement
A merchant processing statement shows what card acceptance cost your business for the month. It breaks into three parts…
Would a straight answer help?
Send a recent statement and we will tell you whether we can beat it. No call unless you ask.