Two pages, plain English, no fluff. What you're really paying to take cards, the six lines to check on your statement, and the legal ways to stop card fees from coming out of your margin.
Written by Benjamin Olivares, owner of Elite Merchant Solutions in Las Vegas. Se habla español.
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Every card payment carries three costs. Interchange is set by the card networks and paid to the bank that issued the card. Assessments are small network fees on top. Processor markup is what your provider adds, and it's the only part that changes from one provider to the next. That's where most overpaying happens.
| Program | How it works |
|---|---|
| Dual pricing | Every item shows a cash price and a card price. The card price includes the processing cost, and the customer sees both before paying. |
| Cash discount | You post your regular price and give customers a discount for paying cash. |
| Surcharging | A fee added only to credit card payments. Card brand caps apply, it can't be charged on debit cards, and your processor needs written notice before you start. |
The full guide covers the do's and don'ts for each one, plus the contract terms to watch before you sign anything. If you want to see your own numbers first, try the free credit card fee calculator, or read how dual pricing compares to a cash discount program.
Nevada does not prohibit cash discount or dual pricing programs. The card brands have rules on how prices are shown and disclosed, so you need clear signs, both prices shown before the customer pays, and the right details on the receipt. The guide walks through each one.
Dual pricing shows two prices up front for every item. A surcharge is a fee added only when a customer pays with a credit card, and it has its own caps and notice rules. They are not the same thing, and mixing them up is a common mistake.
Businesses that qualify and run dual pricing with Elite Merchant Solutions get a credit card terminal at no cost for the equipment, subject to approval and the terms of your merchant agreement. Benjamin goes over every cost with you before you sign.
Elite Merchant Solutions is based in Las Vegas and works with businesses in Henderson, North Las Vegas, across Nevada, in Arizona and nationwide. Terminals ship programmed and ready to use.
Benjamin Olivares is the owner of Elite Merchant Solutions in Las Vegas. He spent more than 20 years in sales and luxury retail before starting Elite Merchant Solutions to give small business owners a straight answer about what they pay to take cards. He's also a jiu-jitsu black belt and coach, and he works with owners in English and Spanish.
Send Benjamin your last processing statement and he'll walk through it with you line by line. If your setup is already a good deal, he'll tell you that too.
Call or text (702) 956-7156 Email BenjaminGeneral information, not legal, tax or accounting advice. Card brand rules and laws change, so confirm current requirements with your processor or attorney. Savings depend on your sales volume, card mix and current pricing and are not guaranteed. Free terminal offers apply to qualifying businesses and are subject to approval and the terms of your merchant agreement. Elite Merchant Solutions LLC is an independent sales agent, not a bank or a payment processor. Square, Visa and Mastercard are trademarks of their respective owners. elitemerchantsolutions.net · Privacy · Terms