In this article, we’ll clear up these credit card processing misconceptions to help you avoid common pitfalls and misleading sales spin. Misconception 1: Flat Rate Pricing is the Cheapest Flat rate pricing, where a processor offers you a fixed rate for transactions, looks simple. Instead of various interchange rates, you’ll just see one rate. Com...

It's that simple. The article below will provide plenty of reasons why you shouldn't lease a credit card machine, and this page from the Attorney General of NY involving a large leasing company is further proof. Credit Card Machine Leases are Nonsense! Thankfully, the practice of leasing credit card machines has been declining in recent years, bu...

It’s a common situation – you’re considering a new credit card processor, maybe browsing a website or talking to a salesperson, when you’re offered a savings analysis. Perhaps you get a cold email from a processing rep. The website text or salesperson says that it’s free and will show you how much you can save by switching. There’s just one prob...

1. You have Non-Qualified Rates Check your statements. Do you see the word "non-qualified" or any variation? (NQUAL, nonqual, etc.) If so, you're paying too much for credit card processing. Huge red flag. 1a. Did you search for a processor based on "rates" and then sign up with the lowest, with a rate of 1.5% or less? You're probably overpayi...

Disreputable processors range from deceptive to outright scam, and it’s important to know what you’re getting into when you’re choosing a credit card processing company. Take a look at what this business owner was told about hidden fees, cancellation fees, equipment, and more to learn what to watch out for so you can avoid making decisions based...

The company’s culture is defined by a well-documented history of rampant scams, fraud, lawsuits, and even being sued in federal court for racketeering. Here’s a piece of advice if you’re thinking of leasing a credit card machine from Northern Leasing – don’t. Update: Subsequent to the June 2020 proceeding, the Office of the Attorney General broug...

Okay, the offer doesn’t usually include a unicorn, but it might as well for all the good it does you if you’re trying to secure competitive pricing. Credit card processors that offer cash if they can't "beat" or match your current processing rates will use a variety of tactics to get your business, and manipulate pricing so that they rarely have to...

Charts are easily manipulated, leaving you to try comparing apples and oranges. Even if the creator of the chart doesn't intend to mislead, a lack of complete information can be just as detrimental to finding the right solution. When you're looking for the best credit card processor, the key is to find the right one for your specific business. I...

In this article, I'll explain the benefits and limitations of interchange plus to help you avoid overpriced merchant accounts, and why "interchange plus" isn't enough on its own. Interchange Plus is a Pricing Model, Not a Guarantee Many of the articles here at CardFellow refer to interchange plus as a "pricing model." Some pricing models ar...

Despite repeated requests to correct its content, the SBA has chosen to mislead small businesses. On September 10, 2013 the SBA posted an article titled The Best Credit Card Processing For Small Business Owners, written by guest blogger and affiliate marketer Marco Carbajo. In the article, Carbajo makes numerous false statements in an att...