Frequently asked questions
Questions about service fee programs, China payments, complex business models, and pricing. Can't find your answer? Contact us directly.
General Questions
Do you require contracts?
No. We work month-to-month. You can cancel anytime with 30 days notice. No early termination fees, no penalties. You stay because the processing works, not because you're locked in.
How long does implementation take?
Most implementations complete in 2-4 weeks. Complex multi-entity structures or industries requiring extensive compliance documentation may take 4-6 weeks. Timeline depends on your business model, required services, and how quickly we can complete underwriting.
What makes a business "complex"?
Your business is complex if standard processors decline you, assign elevated pricing without reviewing your performance, or consistently struggle to understand your processing model. Common examples: subscription platforms, nutraceuticals, high-ticket B2B services, multi-entity organizations, and businesses where automated underwriting flags normal transaction patterns as suspicious.
Do you work with businesses that have been declined elsewhere?
Yes. Many businesses are declined not because they're risky, but because their business model doesn't fit standard processor templates. We evaluate your business model, operations, track record, and compliance requirements to determine if we can support you. Not every declined business is a fit, but many are declined for reasons that don't reflect their actual risk.
What information do you need to evaluate my business?
We typically review recent processing statements, basic financial information, a clear description of your business model and transaction patterns, and any existing compliance documentation relevant to your industry. The more context you provide, the more accurate our evaluation and pricing.
Can you help if I'm already processing but having issues?
Yes. We frequently step in when businesses face frequent holds, high decline rates on legitimate transactions, pricing that doesn't reflect their risk profile, or ongoing account instability. We can evaluate your current situation and show how direct merchant accounts provide better stability.
Service Fee & Surcharge Programs
What's the difference between a service fee and a surcharge?
Service fees can be applied to all payment types (credit, debit, cash, check). They're typically structured as a flat fee or percentage. Surcharges apply only to credit card transactions and are subject to specific card brand rules. The right approach depends on your business type, state regulations, and customer payment mix.
Is this legal in my state?
Service fees are legal in all 50 states when structured correctly. Credit card surcharges are legal in most states but have specific requirements. We review your state's regulations during setup and ensure your program complies with both state law and card brand rules.
How much can I charge?
Service fees are typically 3-4% for professional services and municipalities. Credit card surcharges are capped at your actual cost or 3%, whichever is lower, per card brand rules. We help you calculate the right fee based on your processing costs and what's legally compliant.
Will customers complain?
Most businesses see minimal pushback when programs are implemented correctly with clear communication. We provide engagement letter templates, signage, and staff talking points. Clients who explain the fee properly and offer payment alternatives (ACH, check) typically see 85-90% of customers accept the change without issue.
What's included in the setup fee?
Full compliance review for your state and business type, documentation templates (engagement letters, signage, policies), card brand registration (for surcharges), staff training materials, and ongoing compliance support.
Do I need to register with card brands?
Only for credit card surcharges. Service fees don't require registration. If you're implementing a surcharge program, we handle the 30-day advance notification to Visa and Mastercard as part of setup.
China Payments
Why can't I just accept UnionPay credit cards?
UnionPay credit cards work through Discover in the U.S., but 90% of Chinese consumers have debit cards, not credit. UnionPay debit requires separate acceptance and authentication that standard U.S. processors don't support. You're missing most of the market if you only accept UnionPay credit.
Do I need to accept all three payment methods?
It depends on your business. Luxury retail benefits from all three. Health & Beauty companies selling to China should prioritize UnionPay debit (70% of spend). Digital goods providers need Alipay and WeChat Pay. We recommend based on your vertical and typical transaction types.
Can I charge in my home currency or do I need to accept CNY?
You have the option of charging in your home currency although we recommend charging in CNY. If you charge in your home currency the currency conversion happens on the customer's end through their Chinese bank or payment app. Studies have shown that pricing in local currency increases average order value as the customer does not need to figure out conversion rates on their own.
What's the cost?
UnionPay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay typically cost 3.0-4.0% per transaction depending on volume. This includes multi-currency settlement, technical integration, and customer support. Monthly fees vary based on transaction volume and integration complexity.
Do I need special hardware?
For in-person transactions, you need terminals that support international cards and QR code scanning. For eCommerce, you need proper payment page integration. We provide or recommend compatible hardware and help with technical setup.
How long does setup take?
Most implementations complete in 2-4 weeks. This includes account setup, technical integration, terminal configuration (if needed), and staff training. eCommerce integrations may take longer depending on platform complexity.
Complex Business Models
What's a direct merchant account?
You get your own merchant account with an acquiring bank, not aggregated processing through platforms like Stripe or PayPal. Your account stability is tied to YOUR performance—not shared risk pools or automated algorithms. Direct accounts provide better stability for businesses with complex transaction patterns.
How is this different from Stripe or Square?
Stripe and Square use aggregated merchant accounts with automated underwriting. They approve quickly but freeze accounts when transaction patterns don't fit their templates. We set up direct merchant accounts with proper evaluation upfront. Takes longer to get approved but provides long-term stability for complex business models.
Why does evaluation take longer than Stripe?
We review your business model, transaction patterns, compliance requirements, and operational controls. We match you with acquiring partners who understand your vertical. We present your business properly to underwriters—not just MCC codes and generic risk scores. This process prevents the account freezes and terminations that come from automated approvals.
Will my account be frozen during growth periods?
No. Because we evaluate your business upfront and configure authorization rules for your transaction patterns, growth doesn't trigger automated reviews. We monitor accounts proactively and flag potential issues before they become problems. Your processor understands your model from day one no surprises.
Do you support negative option billing?
No. We do not support negative option billing models in any industry.
Do you support Adult enterainment?
No. We do not support any adult entertainment related accounts.
Can you help with multi-entity structures?
Yes. We set up consolidated reporting across multiple brands, entities, or locations. You get unified reporting while maintaining brand-specific processing configurations. Common for businesses with multiple subsidiaries, franchises, or brands under one corporate structure.
Pricing & Billing
How does interchange-plus pricing work?
You pay the actual interchange cost (what card networks charge) plus a fixed markup. Transparent—you see exactly what goes to Visa/Mastercard vs. what you pay us. Most businesses pay between 2.3% - 2.9% (all-in effective rate) + $0.20-$0.30 per transaction depending on card mix and volume.
What are typical monthly fees?
Basic processing typically runs $25-$50/month. Multi-entity reporting, consolidated structures, or specialized compliance monitoring may increase monthly fees based on complexity. We don't charge PCI non-compliance fees, statement fees, or batch fees.
Are there setup fees?
Standard merchant account setup is typically included. Multi-entity configurations and specialized technical integrations are quoted based on scope.
How long does it take to get a quote?
Most quotes are provided within 1-2 business days. We need to understand your business model, review your transaction patterns, and match you with the right acquiring partner. The more context you provide, the more accurate your quote.
When do I receive funds?
Standard settlement is next business day for most transactions. High-ticket transactions or certain business models may have different settlement schedules based on underwriting. We establish settlement terms during account setup.
Technical & Integration
What platforms do you integrate with?
We work with most major eCommerce platforms, shopping carts, and payment gateways. Common integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, custom builds, and enterprise ERPs. We evaluate your technical requirements during setup and recommend the best integration approach.
Do you provide payment gateway services?
We work with established payment gateways and can recommend options based on your needs. For businesses with existing gateway relationships, we can often integrate with your current setup. Gateway costs are separate from processing fees.
What reporting do you provide?
Daily, weekly & monthly transaction reports, settlement summaries, chargeback reports, and account statements. Multi-entity businesses get consolidated reporting across all accounts. Custom reporting available for specialized needs.
Do you offer APIs?
Yes, we work with partners that provide robust APIs for businesses that need programmatic access. We evaluate your technical requirements during setup.
What about PCI compliance?
We provide PCI compliance tools and questionnaires. Your compliance level depends on transaction volume. We help you understand requirements and provide resources to maintain compliance.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us directly and we'll provide answers specific to your situation.