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Programs
Surcharging and cash discount programs
Card fees don't have to come out of your margin. We set up surcharge and cash discount programs the right way, with the signage and receipts they require.
The short version
A surcharge program adds a disclosed fee to credit card transactions to cover the cost of processing. A cash discount program posts one price and gives customers who pay with cash a discount. Either one can reduce or offset what card processing costs your business. TM Services Inc. sets up both for merchants across the country.
Surcharging: rules to follow
- Display the signage. Surcharge disclosure signage must be displayed at the point of sale at all times.
- Credit only. Debit card transactions do not get a surcharge.
- Refund from the original sale. The surcharge is refunded only when the refund is processed from the original transaction. A standalone refund not connected to a transaction won't refund the surcharge.
Which program fits?
It depends on your customers, your prices and how you take payments. Surcharging and cash discount programs also come with card-brand rules that change over time. We'll walk through the options with you and set up the one that fits, so your receipts and signage stay correct.
Questions
Surcharging questions
Can I surcharge debit cards?
No. Debit card transactions do not incur a surcharge, even when the customer runs the card as credit.
What's the difference between surcharging and a cash discount?
A surcharge adds a fee when a customer pays by credit card. A cash discount lowers the price when a customer pays with cash. Both offset card processing costs, and both have their own signage requirements.
What happens to the surcharge on a refund?
If you refund from the original transaction, the surcharge is refunded too. An independent refund that isn't linked to the original sale won't refund the surcharge.
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