I’m Teaching Classes at Larimer County SBDC for Credit Card Processing

Check out all the great classes from the Larimer County Small Business Development Center

I am really excited to teach classes on Credit Card Processing for Businesses and Non-Profits for the Small Business Development Center.

If you are a thinking of opening a business, or if you are business owner (even if you already accept credit cards), take this class!  It could pay you back in spades in saved fees and headaches.

In this class, you will learn how to:

• When should you use something like a phone swipe versus a “real” merchant services account
• Evaluate your statements for red flags and potential fee leaks (or hemorrhages)
• What to watch for in your contracts before signing
• How to avoid fraudulent charges
• How to avoid charge-backs and what to do when you get one
• What PCI is and why you should pay attention to it
• The difference between Tier Pricing Structures and Interchange Plus
• New technology and how it can affect your business
• New industry fees and how they will affect your busines

Check out all the great classes available through Larimer County SBDC.

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Can I charge more for credit card purchases?

Here you go…straight from Visa

Visa Warns Consumers about Retailer Checkout Fees

What is a Checkout Fee?

A checkout fee, or payment card surcharge, is an unfair surprise fee that a retailer tacks onto a consumer’s bill when he or she uses a credit or debit card. Visa rules do not allow retailers to charge cardholders a checkout fee for using their cards, mirroring laws in 10 U.S. states. Read on to learn more.

How to Spot Checkout Fees

• Look for signs or postings in the checkout line warning of the fee.
• Carefully review receipts where checkout fees often appear next to product descriptions.

What to Do if You Are Charged Checkout Fees

• Click here to report retailers that are charging checkout fees.
• Checkout fees are also prohibited by law in 10 U.S. states. Consumers who are subjected to checkout fees in states where they are protected by law may report the retailer to their state attorney general’s office.

Retailers Can Offer a Discount for Cash and Check Purchases

Retailers can encourage their customers to use other forms of payment, such as cash and checks, and can discount for PIN debit and cash and checks provided that the offer is made to all respective buyers.

10 States also Protect Consumers with No Surcharge Laws

In 10 states it is prohibited by law for retailers to charge consumers a fee for using a credit card (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma and Texas). Consumers who are subjected to checkout fees in states where they are protected by law may report the retailer to their state attorney general’s office.

Click a state below to read the laws on surcharging and find out where you can go if you suspect a violation.

State Laws & Attorney General Contact Information

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Florida

Kansas

Maine

Massachusetts

New York

Oklahoma

Texas

chants/operations/checkoutfees.html

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Interchange Plus versus Tier Pricing

Check out this two minute video explaining the difference between Interchange Plus and Tier Pricing and how you can save money through Interchange Plus.

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