Guides
Payment processing, explained plainly.
No jargon and no sales pitch — just straight answers to the questions we hear most from owners dealing with fees, compliance, and processors that don't explain themselves.
New York Compliance
Is Credit Card Surcharging Legal in New York?
What GBL §518 requires since February 2024, and the difference between a surcharge, a cash discount, and dual pricing.
Merchant AccountsWhy Did Square or PayPal Hold My Funds?
The difference between an aggregate account and a dedicated one — and why only one of them freezes without warning.
StatementsHow to Read Your Own Merchant Statement
Every line decoded: interchange, markup, downgrades, PCI fees, and how to calculate your real effective rate.
ComparisonsToast vs. Square: What Each One Actually Costs
A side-by-side using each company's own published figures — including what one of them doesn't publish.
FeesWhy Did My Credit Card Processing Rate Go Up?
Seven common causes, how to tell which one applies to you, and what to do about each.