Ben Dwyer began his career in the processing industry in 2003 on the sales floor for a Connecticut‐based processor. As he learned more about the inner‐workings of the industry, rampant unethical practices, and lack of assistance available to businesses, he cut ties with his employer and started a blog where he could post accurate information about credit card processing. As the blog gained in popularity, Ben began directly assisting merchants in their search for a processor. Ben believes in empowering businesses by providing access to fair, competitive pricing, accurate information, and continued support. His dedication to transparency and education has made CardFellow a staunch small business advocate in the credit card processing industry.

Credit Card Processing

Credit Card Machine Companies

Some credit card machine companies provide merchant accounts, while others are solely equipment manufacturers. We’ll take a look at why that matters and give a rundown of the major equipment providers in the United States. This article is specifically about credit card machine companies, not the machines themselves. Need details on particular machines? Check out […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

There are a lot of options when it comes to credit card payment machines. Here are some of the leading equipment manufacturers.

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing, Specialty Businesses

Credit Card Processing and IOLTA

That depends on whether the client is paying an invoice or paying a retainer for use to bill against future charges. When the payment from a client is a retainer, that is where IOLTA comes into play. Lawyers have IOLTA or trust accounts at banks that are separate and distinct from the law firm’s operating […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) refers to a specific program with requirements for lawyers that receive funds belonging to clients. So how does it work when your law firm receives client payments by credit card?

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing

The Best Merchant Services Rates

The worst thing you can do for your business is call a processor and ask, “What are your rates?” or choose a company based on their inclusion in a “best processing rates” table. But that doesn’t mean we can’t show you how to find the most competitive pricing. In this article, we’ll discuss the role […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

When looking for the best merchant services rates, most business owners mean that they want the lowest possible pricing to take credit cards. For lowest total cost, “rates” isn’t the full picture.

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing

First Data Global Leasing Review

If you’ve browsed CardFellow’s blog, you’ll know we’re not big fans of equipment leasing. In most cases, leases are expensive and come with non-cancellable contracts separate from your processing agreement. Unfortunately, that holds true for FDGL. What is FDGL? Machines and POS Systems Are leases required? FDGL Costs Are leases ever a good idea? Alternatives […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

First Data Global Leasing, or FDGL, is the equipment leasing arm of processing giant First Data, now Fiserv.

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing

Mastercard Dispute Resolution Initiative (MDRI)

Mastercard planned to phase in MDRI over a 2 year period that began in 2018 and was completed in 2020. Now that we’re several years past 2020, we have more information on what the changes entail and what it means for your business. Keep in mind that more changes are likely in the future, and […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

In October 2018, Mastercard began a phased revamp to its chargeback process, calling it the Mastercard Dispute Resolution Initiative (MDRI).

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing

EMV Fallback: Fees and Definitions

There are a few situations where this can happen, which we’ll take a look at in this article. While occasional fallback transactions are okay, too many can bring fines and other penalties. Additionally, magnetic stripe transactions are not as secure as chip transactions, so you’re opening yourself up to greater liability if you don’t properly […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

EMV fallback refers to a transaction where a customer uses an EMV (chip) card in a chip-capable terminal, but the transaction doesn’t go through as a chip transaction. Instead it “falls back” on magnetic strip technology.

Read the full article

Credit Card Processing

Visa Claims Resolution Fees and Explanations

The system has some pros and cons, and VCR may result in some new fees if you incur a chargeback. Back in late 2018 or early 2019, you may have seen a notice on your processing statement about upcoming VCR charges. For example, some businesses saw this explanation: Visa recently announced they are delaying the […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Visa Claims Resolution (VCR) is a chargeback management system that Visa rolled out in 2018. It’s designed to streamline Visa’s chargeback process.

Read the full article

Case Studies

Tampa Bay Ponds and Rocks Ends Fee Frustration by Using CardFellow

What he hadn’t seen was low pricing that stays low, with excellent customer service. Enter CardFellow. Starting a Business More than two decades ago, George started out mowing lawns with a lawnmower he hauled around in the back of his beat up car. That turned into providing landscaping services, then pond installation, and finally retailing […]

TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

In 20+ years of running his landscaping and pond business, George Ruiz had seen it all when it comes to credit card processing. High rates? Check. Negotiating lower pricing only to see it rise again? Check. Good reviews that seemed questionable? Check.

Read the full article