MCC 5411 vs 5499: Why Two Food Stores Pay Very Different Rates
Grocery stores get some of the best interchange rates in the system. Convenience and specialty food stores don't. The line between them is one digit on your merchant account.
What MCC Code Is My Business? A Plain-English Lookup
Your Merchant Category Code decides which interchange rates you qualify for. Here's how to find yours, what the common codes mean, and why the wrong one quietly costs you money.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.