Ask ten business owners what they pay to accept cards and you'll get ten shrugs. The average lands between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction - but the average hides the story.
The three layers
- Interchange - set by the networks, paid to the issuing bank. Non-negotiable.
- Assessments - the networks' own cut. Also fixed.
- Processor markup - the negotiable part, and where most businesses overpay.
Bringing it down
Interchange-plus pricing, a cash-discount or surcharge program, and clean chargeback hygiene are the highest-leverage moves. The markup is where a knowledgeable partner earns their keep.