Your Merchant Guru

An Enlightened Approach to Credit Card Processing

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Ask the Merchant Guru: Why Are There So Many Hidden Fees in Credit Card Processing Contracts?

Q) Ugh! I hate contracts. Why are there so many hidden fees in credit card processor contracts?

A) Read any invoice from just about any vendor – your wireless provider, the cable company or your utilities and you’ll see them: fees. Often, they are hidden in plain sight as line items or as confusing “terms of service” changes.

Some fees are very reasonable — they cover the cost of doing business and your shared risk of processing stolen or bogus credit card numbers.

Annual fee. Monthly fee. Minimum fee. Access fee. Line charge. Start-up fee. Maintenance fee. Processing fee. Programming fee. Katherine McPhee. While some of these fees are imposed by state and local governments, others are pure and simple profit centers for the banks, the credit card companies, your broker and everyone in between.

Ask for an official “explanation of fees” before you sign your contract. Many of these can be negotiated away. By asking “why” you just might be able to X out some useless charges.

(206) 852-1297

Ask the Merchant Guru

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  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Do Businesses Just Self-Report Their Line of Business to Credit Card Companies?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: What Are The Worst False Promises You’ve Seen From Credit Card Processors?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: How Much Do Vendors Pay to Credit Card Companies Per Transaction?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: What is Interchange? Are All Interchanges Created Equal?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Why Are There So Many Hidden Fees in Credit Card Processing Contracts?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Should I Break My Current Credit Card Processing Contract?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Should I Lease My Credit Card Machine?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Why Are One Processor’s Rates Way Lower?
  • Ask the Merchant Guru: Why Should I Pay for Credit Card Processing?

Credit Card Processing Services

Credit Card Processing

Your Merchant Guru is continually "cracking the code" of the rapidly evolving credit card processing industry so you don't have to.

By enlightening you about the latest technological solutions and finding the right fit for you, we can help you get paid faster and more easily while saving money.

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Bookkeeping Services

If your head is constantly buried in your company’s books, then your attention isn't where you want it to be — focused on growing your business.

Your Merchant Guru offers complete bookkeeping services for small and medium-sized businesses. We help you cover every base, make every payment and hit every deadline.

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Business Financial Planning

You’re making sales, but are you making money? When is the right time to invest in new equipment or personnel? Before you’re big enough to hire a CFO, call Your Merchant Guru.

Our expert business planner can analyze where you are now and create a custom plan to help guide you to where you need to be.

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