Cash Discount Merchant Account Policies and Offers

If you are a merchant in the merchant service industry, then you must have heard about the cash discount merchant account programs. It is gaining more and more popularity among merchants and also among sales agents. But, there is still a lot of doubt and confusion when it comes to cash discount programs. People are not able to benefit from it as much as they could because they don’t know what it is. In this article, we try to explain in simple ways what exactly a cash discount merchant account is and how you could benefit from using it.

Processing fees

This program directly benefits the merchants the most. They can eliminate their processing fees by a full 100%. They do this by adding customer service fees on all the sales that are made. However, they have to inform the customers with a prior notification about the customer service fees that are charged on all the transactions. Notifying the customers about the cash discount merchant account sale works in the business as well as the customer’s favor. If the customer chooses to pay by cash, then the company will have quick access to it, and if the customer chooses to pay by card, the company won’t have to pay any fee.

It doesn’t matter how big or small the amount may be, once a debit or credit card is swiped then the merchant or the company doesn’t have to pay any amount from their own pockets. The customer has to pay it. Most of the time the amount is so little that they don’t even give it a second thought. It also removes the need to have a minimum purchase amount for a card to be able to purchase it. If the customer pays by cash, and cash discount merchant account policy comes into play.

Customers are fairly used to paying the amount, and no one even questions it anymore. It is an accepted fact if the customer has to pay the fee while paying with a card. However, in some rare case if a customer does object and doesn’t want to pay the extra money, then they are most welcome to pay with cash. There are no charges levied on payment. In fact, customers are encouraged to pay with cash so they could get discount on the cash discount merchant account policy. A lot of the times the customers don’t want to pay the extra money but do it because they don’t have cash on them.

Surcharge

Although convenience fees and surcharging has become a lot more accepted in the past few years because of the court ruling. But, it is still not available in all the states. The customers don’t get the feeling that they are being overcharged because they have already been notified about the customer service charge through notifications. But, customers who choose to pay with cash will receive a discount. So a cash discount merchant account should not be misunderstood as being the same thing as a surcharge.
Cash discounts are very transparent in a way that it is entirely up to the customer on what mode they want to pay in. It is their choice if they want to pay by card realizing the extra fees that will be charged or whether they want to pay with cash and avoid all that. Another fact to be kept in mind is that cash discount programs are automated.

A marketing strategy

Some companies and merchants try to make the most of cash discount merchant account by using it as a marketing tactic to lure in more customers. These new customers come in with the idea of discount on their mind. This is another reason why a lot of stores always have some sale going on throughout the year. A cash discount offer is a very powerful tool if it is used correctly.

The reason why merchants work hard on the cash discount merchant account sales is that it saves them a 100% of the fee that they would have to pay otherwise. The merchants and companies get the customers to pay the amount if they choose to pay with a credit or a debit card.

As amazing as this opportunity may sound, like in every other industry, people try to exploit the cash discount program for their gain here as well. It is being exploited by certain ISO and MLS leading to a lot of unethical and illegal practices. To avoid falling victim to any such practice, it is crucial that you pay attention to detail and are aware of the person you are partnering with.

A lot of these programs that you see are implemented by industries. But, an interesting fact that is not common knowledge is that cash discount merchant account methods could be set up by an individual business owner without needing any outside help. It is as simple as raising the price of your products as well as the discount that you offer on payment with cash. This is the method that almost all the gas stations use as well.

If you are currently working on one of these types of programs together with a merchant processing organization, then you will notice the requirement to use a particular processing terminal and nothing else.  Whether these programs prove to be beneficial for you or your business also hugely depends on the region that your business is set up in. Things like customers and economic situations also play a significant role in deciding the success of such programs.

As long as the customers are okay paying the little extra money, it shouldn’t be a problem, but if the customers feel cheated and are not eager to pay the amount, then they could always choose to pay with cash. The primary focus in such situations should be on pleasing the customer, so you don’t end up losing their trust. To help gain the confidence of the customer, cash discount merchant account policies come into play.