Merchant guide

Card-processing fees worth reviewing

A statement can contain many legitimate charges. The goal is to understand what you pay, why you pay it, and whether the service received matches the cost.

Transaction fees

These change with the number, amount, or type of transactions. Review percentage and fixed per-transaction charges and compare how in-person, keyed, online, and card-not-present sales are classified.

Monthly fees

These may include service, platform, statement, reporting, security, compliance, or maintenance charges. Identify recurring items and confirm which service you receive for each one.

Equipment and software

Look for rentals, leases, licenses, maintenance, and insurance connected with terminals or systems. Confirm the agreement length, cancellation conditions, and whether equipment is purchased, rented, or financed.

PCI and compliance

Some providers charge for compliance programs or when requirements are incomplete. Ask what action prevents the fee and how to document that the account is current.

Chargebacks and refunds

Review dispute, investigation, refund, and recovery fees. Separate the disputed sale amount from the administrative fee to understand the complete cost.

Adjustments and annual fees

Charges appearing once or only a few times per year are easy to miss. Review at least twelve months to identify annual fees, renewals, or adjustments.

When to request a review

Consider a review when new charges appear, costs rise without a clear explanation, equipment no longer meets business needs, or service problems are difficult to resolve.