2025-02-25
#payzone/articles
This is the #1 question I hear from business owners the moment they learn about surcharging. You're not alone.
In this article we're going to talk about:
Every month, businesses like yours pay hundreds (even thousands) in fees. That adds up. From the time you started your business, you might have paid tens of thousands in fees. Just on this alone.
That's money you can be using to repair that window you've been saving up for. Or covering the cost of all your software. Or even buying yourself a day off.
You're busy, and running a business is tough.
So what could you do with that cash if you didn't have to raise your prices by a single cent?
If you’re tired of covering the cost, there’s a another way.
Surcharge is simply giving the customers a choice. And giving you a way to stop eating fees.
Right now, you don't have a choice. You have to cover the cost of every single card swipe, from a $5 transaction to $5000 one.
Surcharging doesn’t force anything. It just lets customers choose how they want to pay:
Done correctly, it's not a penalty or a surprise. Just transparency.
Now this is the fear that most business owners have. And it's completely valid.
You worked hard to build trust. And your customers are the reason that you exist. You don't want to anger them right?
But to tell you the truth: Done correctly, most customers don't mind it at all. And more importantly, most keep coming back.
As business owners, you know that customers may say one thing, but how they spend tells the real story. And the numbers say this:
So yes, some customers might notice. But most won’t care.
One of our clients—a wholesale flower merchant—was nervous to roll out surcharging. She was sure her regulars would be upset. In the end? Only one customer complained—walked out, then came right back with cash. That same customer is still a regular today.
Now she just puts up a simple sign, explains it kindly when needed, and saves thousands a year without losing a single loyal customer.
Because ultimately, what they value is you and the service you provide. And they keep coming back becuase of that.
So you're thinking: "My invoices are in the thousands. A 3% fee on $5,000 is $150! That’s a huge ask for a customer."
And you're exactly right, which is why surcharging works in your favor.
The point of Surcharging is not that you force customers pay that fee. It's to incentivize them so that no one has to pay it.
Because the $150 doesn't go away. You're just currently paying it. For everyone.
But the customer is thinking the same thing you are: "I don't want to pay $150!" So they don't pay it: "I'll just write a check. Or send a Zelle"
And just like that, you both avoid the fee without raising prices.
High ticket industries already do this:
Because for high-ticket items, customers are far more willing to switch payments methods to save a noticable fee. So you don't have to lose the money, nor does the customer.
So the real question is: Is presenting that choice worth saving thousands each month?
Surcharging can feel like a big step. Especially if you've never done anything like it before. "How do I tell my customers? What’s legally allowed? How do you even start?"
You’re not alone in asking those questions—yet you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Schedule a quick chat with our team! We’ll talk through your setup, answer any questions, and see if it’s the right move for you.
No pressure. Just a simple, honest conversation to help you make the best decision for your business.
Book a free 30-minute consult with our team:
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