Solutions
Payment Processing
Every card payment passes through a few hands before it lands in your account. You don't need to memorize the plumbing. You do need to know what you're paying for and whether the rate you were quoted is the rate you'll get.
Solutions
The short version
01
What it is
Moving money from your customer's card to your bank account, plus everything that keeps it secure.
02
The three pieces
Interchange set by the card networks, network fees, and the processor's margin.
03
Why rates differ
Card type, whether the card is present, and how your account is priced all move the number.
04
Deposit timing
Most funding lands next business day. Timing depends on batch time and your bank.
05
Security
PCI compliance, encryption and tokenization so card data never sits on your counter.
06
Where we fit
We explain your options in plain terms and set expectations you can actually verify on a statement.
The part nobody explains
A big chunk of every processing fee is interchange, which goes to the bank that issued your customer's card. No processor controls it. That's why a quoted headline rate rarely equals your effective rate at month end.
- Interchange goes to the card-issuing bank
- Network assessments go to Visa, Mastercard and others
- Only the processor's margin is negotiable
How to compare offers without a spreadsheet
Take two recent statements and calculate total fees divided by total card volume. That effective rate is the only number worth comparing. A low advertised rate with a stack of monthly line items can cost more than a plain one.
- Effective rate, not the headline rate
- Monthly, PCI, batch and statement fees
- Equipment cost or lease terms
- Contract length and early termination
Dual pricing and cash discounting
Some businesses offset processing cost by pricing cash and card differently. It can work well in some categories and create friction in others. Rules vary by card network and by state, so this is a conversation, not a checkbox.
What we will and won't promise
We won't guarantee savings before seeing a statement. We will read your current statement with you, show you where the money goes, and be honest if you're already in a good spot.
Clover or Square
Clover or Square?
We sell both, so the recommendation comes from your workflow instead of our inventory.
Clover
Processing is bundled with the Clover platform through the merchant account tied to your device.
Explore Clover →Square
Square is both the POS and the processor, with published flat rates by transaction type.
Explore Square →FAQ
Questions we get
Can you beat my current rate?
Maybe. We won't claim it until we've read your statement. Sometimes the honest answer is that your pricing is fine and the real problem is the system.
What is an effective rate?
Total processing fees for the month divided by total card volume. It captures everything, including the small monthly items that get overlooked.
Are there contracts?
It depends on the platform and program. We'll tell you the term and any early termination language before you sign anything.
When do I get my money?
Typically the next business day, based on when you batch out and how your bank posts deposits.
Free consultation
Have Us Read Your Statement
Tell us how your business runs. We'll come back with a straight recommendation — including telling you if what you already have is fine.
Prefer to talk? Book a 15-minute call. Based in Southeast Wisconsin. Working with businesses nationwide.
Equipment at no cost, free setup, no long-term contract.
- No long-term contract
- Equipment at no cost
- Free setup
- Ongoing support
Locally owned since 2000 · owner-run in Southeast Wisconsin. What’s included →
Start with a conversation.
Tell us how your business runs. We'll help you figure out what actually fits — Clover, Square or a specific configuration of either.