Zero Fee Credit Card Processing: How It Really Works

You'll see a lot of names for the same idea: zero fee processing, free credit card processing, no fee processing, fee-free processing. In nearly every case, the program is built on one of two models:

• Dual pricing: You post two prices for everything, a cash price and a card price. For example, $10.00 cash / $10.40 card. The customer sees both before paying and chooses.
• Cash discount: You post the card price and take a discount off for customers who pay cash.

Either way, the difference between the two prices is designed to cover what card acceptance costs you. Your monthly processing statement drops sharply because the fee is built into the card price. It doesn't disappear from the system.

A third approach, surcharging, adds a fee to credit card purchases at checkout. It comes with more rules: card networks don't allow surcharges on debit or prepaid cards, Visa caps surcharges at your cost of acceptance or 3% (whichever is lower), and some states restrict it. That's why most "zero fee" programs, including ours, are built on dual pricing. Read the full comparison: Cash Discount vs. Dual Pricing vs. Surcharging.

1. Your prices show both ways: menus, shelf tags, invoices, quotes and your website list the cash price and the card price.
2. Signs explain it: clear signs at the entrance and register. We provide them. (Grab our free cash discount and dual pricing signs.)
3. The terminal does the math: on Clover, dual pricing is built in. The terminal shows the right total for the payment type.
4. The card price applies to all cards: credit and debit both pay the card price. The cash price is for cash only.
5. Receipts match: the receipt shows the price the customer paid, so there's no confusion later.

• No setup fees and no contracts.
• Up and running within 72 hours once you're approved.
• New Clover equipment included for dual pricing accounts, depending on volume.
• Clover's built-in dual pricing, configured for you, plus signs and a simple staff script.
• ACH solutions for invoices and recurring payments. (We don't accept personal checks through our programs.)
• A free statement analysis so you see your numbers before you switch.

We don't publish a one-size-fits-all rate, because what you pay today depends on your current processor, card mix and volume. Send us a recent statement and we'll show you what changes.

Dual pricing tends to work best for businesses with posted prices and lots of in-person sales:

• Restaurants, bars and cafés
• Auto repair and tire shops
• Salons, barbershops and spas
• Retail and convenience stores
• Medical, dental and wellness practices with published price lists

It may be less of a fit if almost all your revenue comes from negotiated contracts, or if your customers can only pay by card. In those cases, we'll tell you so and look at your current pricing model instead. (Our guide to flat rate vs. tiered vs. interchange-plus explains the options.)

Most customer pushback comes from surprise, not the price itself. Post the signs, show both prices, and give staff one line: "We have a cash price and a card price. Both are on the menu." Gas stations have trained customers on this for decades.

A zero fee program only works long-term if it's set up correctly:

• Both prices are displayed before the sale.
• Signs are posted where customers actually see them.
• The difference between prices is reasonable and tied to your real card costs.
• Terminal settings, price displays and receipts all match.

State rules vary and change. For the legal background, read Is It Legal to Charge a Credit Card Fee?. For questions about your specific situation, talk to a qualified attorney.

1. Send us a recent processing statement through our contact page or call 786-383-1656.
2. We review it and show you what you pay now and what changes with dual pricing.
3. We set up your Clover with dual pricing, signs and staff training.
4. You're up and running within 72 hours.