ClearCost Payments, a merchant services company based in Orange County, California, is offering small businesses a free Rate Analysis that estimates their costs for accepting credit cards based on the statements provided. A merchant can send in two recent monthly processing statements. ClearCost says it reviews the fees shown and returns a side-by-side comparison with its pricing at no charge.
Processing statements often run several pages and spread charges across dozens of line items, so it is hard to answer a basic question: what is the average credit card processing fee my business pays? The ClearCost Free Rate Analysis estimates the merchant's effective rate from the statements provided, using total fees divided by total card sales. The comparison estimates the difference in dollars per month and per year based on the statements provided.
"When business owners send us their statements, the cost of taking cards is usually spread across pages of fees," said Scott Zech of ClearCost Payments. "We go through the statement line by line and show them their real rate in plain numbers. If we can save them money, we'll show them exactly how much. If we can't, we'll tell them straight."
How the Free Rate Analysis works
Send the last two full monthly statements, every page and every location, by upload, text or email.
ClearCost reviews each fee line by line and calculates the effective rate.
The merchant gets a comparison of current costs against ClearCost's plan and decides whether to switch. There is no cost and no obligation.
Two pricing options
ClearCost offers two pricing models. Interchange-plus pricing passes through the card networks' interchange cost and adds a fixed markup, so merchants can see what the networks charge and what the processor charges. ClearCost says its markup is fixed under the terms of the processing agreement. Interchange itself is set by the card networks and can change. The second option is dual pricing, which displays cash and card prices on the ticket; applicable pricing and fees depend on the merchant’s agreement. ClearCost recommends it only when a business's signage and receipts can show both prices clearly.
ClearCost says both options are month-to-month and have no cancellation fee under its processing agreement. ClearCost says qualifying merchants may be eligible for next-day funding and equipment without a lease, subject to applicable terms. The company also describes its processor and POS support as available 24/7, except on most federal holidays.
Setups for different types of businesses
Beyond processing, ClearCost helps merchants choose a POS and payment setup that fits how they operate. Supported systems include Clover, SwipeSimple, PAX, Dejavoo and FigurePOS. The company works with restaurants and bars, quick-service restaurants and self-order kiosks, retail stores, grocery stores, salons, contractors, auto repair shops, and medical and dental practices. It also sets up merchant accounts for new businesses that have no processing statements yet, and helps merchants who are leaving Square or Stripe move their card processing to a new merchant account.
ClearCost serves Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego and the Inland Empire, as well as merchants nationwide. Merchants can request a Free Rate Analysis at ClearCostPayments.com or by calling or texting 949-946-2442.
ClearCost Payments is a merchant services company based in Orange County, California, that helps businesses review what they pay to accept cards and choose a POS and payment setup. It offers interchange-plus pricing and a dual pricing option that displays cash and card prices, both month-to-month with no cancellation fee, and says qualifying merchants may be eligible for next-day funding and equipment without a lease, subject to applicable terms, as well as support described as 24/7. ClearCost serves Southern California and merchants nationwide. Merchant accounts are provided through PayBright, a registered ISO of Citizens Bank, N.A., Providence, RI. Learn more at clearcostpayments.com.