Learn the game before you play it.
Short, honest guides on how payments actually work — written by advisors who've spent careers on the inside. No fluff, no sales pitch.
Fundamentals
3 articlesInterchange, explained without the jargon
The wholesale cost of every card swipe — who sets it, why it varies, and how to read it on your statement.
Interchange-plus vs. tiered vs. flat-rate
The three pricing models, side by side. Which one actually costs less depends on how you run.
Assessments, dues, and other 'network' fees
The fees you can't negotiate — and the ones you can.
Statements
3 articlesHow to read a merchant statement in 5 minutes
The four numbers that matter, and the fees that quietly add up.
12 hidden fees to check on your next statement
A checklist to run through before you pay your next bill.
Effective rate: the one number that matters
The 30-second calculation that tells you if you're overpaying.
POS & Equipment
3 articlesChoosing a POS: what actually matters
Hardware is 20% of the decision. Here's the other 80%.
Leasing vs. buying your terminal
Why terminal leases are almost always a bad deal — and the two exceptions.
EMV, NFC, tap-to-pay: what to look for
The must-have hardware features in 2026 — and the ones that don't matter.
Growth
3 articlesWhen switching processors actually makes sense
And when it doesn't. A short checklist before you sign anything new.
Surcharging vs. cash discount: what's legal, what's smart
Passing card fees to customers is legal in most states — but the two models are not the same.
Chargebacks 101: preventing and winning disputes
Every chargeback is a chance to lose the sale, the goods, and a $25 fee. Here's the playbook.
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