Powered by PaybotX
Every major processor acts like paying their fees is just how it works.
It isn't. Here's what they don't tell you.
See if it's right for your businessThe pitch you've heard
Square, Stripe, your bank's merchant services — they all walk in with the same rate sheet. 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Maybe a monthly fee on top. Sign here, get your terminal, you're all set.
None of them mention that you have a choice in who absorbs that cost. The way they present it, paying is just the price of accepting cards. It's framed as a utility bill — unavoidable, fixed, move on.
You're being sold a version of reality that benefits them. There's another version they don't lead with.
"2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Simple, transparent pricing."
Translation: $1,450/mo on $50K in card sales.
"Integrated payments built for the internet. 2.9% + $0.30."
Translation: $17,400/yr that never shows up as a line item on your P&L.
"Competitive rates with the security of your bank behind you."
Translation: up to 3.75% — and a termination fee if you try to leave.
What you're actually giving up
On $50,000 in monthly card volume at 2.9%, that's what leaves your business every single month. Here's what that looks like as something other than a percentage.
A part-time employee
$1,450/mo covers 20+ hours a week at $15/hr — someone who could actually help you run the business.
Two months of rent
For many small businesses, $1,450 covers lease payments. It's not a rounding error — it's overhead.
Inventory reinvestment
That's a meaningful restock every month — product that actually generates more revenue instead of funding a processor.
A real marketing budget
Paid ads, a photographer, a local campaign — $1,450/mo buys actual visibility instead of quietly disappearing.
Equipment you've been putting off
The upgrade, the repair, the thing you keep saying you'll get to — it pays for itself in a month when you're not losing it to fees.
$17,400 a year, kept
Annualized, it's the kind of number that changes what you can actually do with your business.
What they don't tell you
Card networks — Visa, Mastercard — allow merchants to charge a convenience fee on card transactions. It's been legal and compliant for years. Processors just don't lead with it because it cuts them out.
Nothing changes on your menu, price tags, or invoices. You don't mark anything up. Your prices are your prices.
The terminal handles it. Customers see it before they confirm. Cash customers pay your regular price with no fee. No math for your staff, no explanation needed — it just works.
Example on a $20 sale
Customer pays cash
$20.00
Your regular price
Customer pays card
$20.80
$20.00 + 4% convenience fee
The 4% paid by the card customer covers the interchange cost. You receive your full price every time, regardless of how they paid. Nothing leaves your pocket on a per-transaction basis.
Card network rules require clear disclosure at the point of sale. We provide the signage as part of setup. Your staff don't need to explain or calculate anything — the terminal handles it before the customer confirms payment.
We come to you, install the terminal, integrate with your existing POS if needed, post the signage, and walk your staff through it. Ongoing support through us and PaybotX with no time limit.
What customers actually experience
The fee is smaller than almost every other cost a customer encounters in the same transaction. Here's what $20 looks like in the real world.
On a $20 purchase in New York
Standard tip (20%)
Expected at most sit-down restaurants
$4.00
NY sales tax (8%)
Applied to most goods and prepared food
$1.60
Cashswipe convenience fee (4%)
Only applies when paying by card
$0.80
On a $20 purchase
$0.80
Less than half a standard tip
On a $50 purchase
$2.00
Less than NY sales tax on the same order
On a $100 purchase
$4.00
Equal to a standard tip on a $20 meal
One of my favorite spots in the city. Packed every weekend, lines out the door, regulars every morning — and they charge a convenience fee on every card transaction. Nobody bats an eye. People aren't choosing where to eat based on a $0.80 fee. They're going because the food is great. Your customers are the same way.
Physical locations, online stores, and service businesses.
Restaurants, retail shops, salons, medical offices, service counters. Any brick-and-mortar business taking card payments in person.
Setup: PaybotX terminal installed on-site
Online stores and digital product sellers. The convenience fee is applied automatically at checkout, with no manual work on your end.
Setup: Valor online gateway, supports ACH and card
Contractors, mobile services, consultants, field technicians. Whether you collect in person or invoice remotely, we have the right setup.
Setup: terminal for in-person, Valor gateway for invoicing
No percentage of your sales. Ever.
Valor and Dejavoo terminals
Clover terminals available with plan-based pricing for restaurants and retail. Ask on the call.
Valor gateway (recommended)
Supports ACH and card in one place. Transitions to a physical terminal if you expand to in-person later.
Want a personalized breakdown based on your specific setup?
Go through the qualifier for exact pricingTakes 60 seconds to see if you qualify. No obligation.
See if we're a good fit