Expert Guidance

You wouldn't climb Everest without a Sherpa, would you? Credit card processing costs can be just as deadly (to your business). We can keep you from falling through the crevasses of hidden fees and nasty contracts.

We Navigate This Perilous Path Daily

Expert Fee Negotiation

Did you know that you can drastically lower your processing fees without switching providers?

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Worst Merchant Accounts

We've compiled a list of providers that consistently garner complaints.

See Who They Are

Best Merchant Accounts

These providers offer competitive rates, excellent service and secure technology.

Our Top Picks

How To Get Merchant Account Refunds

You are overpaying for credit card processing. But, by how much? How do you know if a new provider is really offering the lowest fees? Changing providers can be pain in the neck and you might find yourself paying as much as you were with your last provider. What if you could permanently get the lowest processing rates and refunds of previous excessive fees?

Press Inquiries & Assistance

Need help with a payments related story or want to feature CPO? Please feel free to reach out! I’ve been quoted in, and have provided insights for, publications including INC Magazine, Los Angeles Times, Computer World Magazine, and several others.

On a deadline? No problem. Let’s talk today.

My Top Trending Articles

Credit Card Processors

Stripe Review

We located hundreds of negative Stripe reviews, many of which claim the service is a scam or rip off; however, Stripe (stripe.com) rates as a better-than-average merchant services provider according to our standards. The company has seen an increase in complaints since our last update, but its overall complaint volume remains low. Stripe’s transparent pricing model appears to satisfy the majority of its clients, while its reserve policy, cancellation policy, and customer support… Learn more in this Stripe review.

November 3, 2020 469 Comments

Credit Card Processors

Square Review

Square (squareup.com), known for its Square Register and card reader app, has over 2,300 negative user reviews posted beneath this article. Square is often called Square Up or SquareUp but the official name is for the company is “Square.”

October 29, 2020 2,156 Comments

Credit Card Processing

How to Report Bad Credit Card Processors

Before you jump straight to reporting a merchant account provider, be sure you have exhausted all of your options with the company itself. Take notes and record the names of with whom you spoke, their titles and what they told you. This is important because most agencies will not get involved unless you have made a good faith effort to settle the disagreement directly.

July 28, 2020 22 Comments

employment

Should You Work In Merchant Services?

What is it like to sell merchant accounts and credit card processing services? How much can you make? Do you have job security? Find out here.

July 22, 2020 1 Comment

Credit Card Processing

Cancelling a Merchant Account Without Paying a Fee

If you want to cancel a merchant account, there are a few things you may want to do if you are expecting to be charged an Early Termination Fee that you believe to be unwarranted. First, check your last three months statements to see if any of your fees have been raised. Most state laws (and many contracts) say that if your fees have been raised during your service agreement, you can cancel with no penalty within a certain time frame. Learn more about the step for cancelling a merchant account in this article.

April 6, 2020 69 Comments

Credit Card Processing

Best Merchant Accounts for CBD

Finding a CBD oil merchant account can be difficult due to the high risk nature of the medical marijuana industry. This article can help you find a credit card processor that will allow you accept credit card payments for CBD oil… Learn more in this list of top merchant accounts for CBD oil.

February 1, 2020 5 Comments

Credit Card Processing

How to Fight Chargebacks and Win

Find out how to successfully dispute customer chargebacks. You can contest chargebacks by supplying evidence that counters the customer’s chargeback claim and then submitting the following evidence to your merchant account provider. Learn more about how to fight chargebacks in this article.

September 10, 2018 13 Comments

Credit Card Processing

How to Make Your Payment Processor Release Your Money

Are your funds being held? Did your payment processor freeze your account because of a chargeback? Were you deactivated by Square, Stripe, or PayPal? Make your merchant account provider release your cash reserve and get your money back now.

August 2, 2018 29 Comments

Credit Card Processing

How To Avoid Funding Holds With Square

This is a list of ways to avoid Square fund holds. Square withholds funds in order to establish a reserve account. A Square reserve account is established as a fraud prevention measure… Learn more about how to prevent Square from holding funds in this article.

July 3, 2018 91 Comments