Merchant Services, Explained Without the Fine Print
Transparent Fee Structure
A fixed percentage per transaction, quoted up front, with no unexplained line items on your statement.
Secure Payment Gateway
PCI DSS-aligned processing with EMV chip, contactless, and tokenized card data — nothing sensitive stored on your terminal.
Next-Day Payout Option
Funds from a closed batch can arrive in your account the next business day rather than the standard 2–3 day wait.
24/7 US-Based Support
A real support line for processing questions, disputes, or a terminal issue — not a ticket queue.
What Actually Makes Up a Credit Card Processing Fee
Most merchants have never seen their processing fee broken into its actual parts. Here's what you're really paying for on every swipe, dip, tap, or keyed transaction.
Interchange Fee
Set by the card networks (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) and paid to the customer's card-issuing bank. This is the largest component of most transactions and varies by card type — a rewards credit card typically carries a higher interchange rate than a standard debit card.
Goes to: The card-issuing bankAssessment Fee
A smaller fee charged by the card network itself (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) for using their network, separate from what goes to the issuing bank.
Goes to: The card networkProcessor Markup
The fee your payment processor adds on top of interchange and assessment costs for handling the transaction, the gateway, statement, and support. This is the only layer that's genuinely negotiable between providers.
Goes to: Soireeinc / payment processorWhy we don't publish a flat percentage here: Because interchange rates vary by card type and transaction method, and processor markup depends on your industry and monthly volume, an accurate rate can only be quoted after reviewing your actual transaction mix — not estimated from a generic number that wouldn't match your real statement.
Flat-Rate vs. Interchange-Plus Pricing
Both models are legitimate — the difference is how predictable your statement is versus how much you could save at higher volume.
| Model | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-Rate | One fixed percentage per transaction type, regardless of the specific card used. Simple to predict, but averages out higher and lower interchange cards into one number. | Lower-volume merchants who value a predictable, easy-to-read statement |
| Interchange-Plus | Interchange and assessment fees are passed through at cost, plus a fixed markup. More line items on the statement, but transparent about exactly what the processor keeps. | Higher-volume merchants who want to see, and potentially reduce, the true cost per transaction |
Not a rate quote. This section explains how processing pricing models work generally. Your actual rate depends on your industry, average ticket size, and monthly volume — request a quote for figures specific to your business.
What "Secure Processing" Actually Means Here
PCI DSS-Aligned Processing
Transactions run through infrastructure aligned with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard requirements via our processing partners.
EMV Chip & Contactless
Chip and tap-to-pay transactions carry stronger fraud protection than magstripe-only processing, and shift certain liability away from the merchant when used correctly.
Card Data Tokenization
Sensitive card numbers are replaced with encrypted tokens rather than stored in plain form on your terminal or in your systems.
Fraud & Dispute Monitoring
Transaction monitoring flags unusual patterns, and our support team walks you through the chargeback response process when a dispute happens.
Category-Matched Processing
Your merchant category is matched to a processing partner suited to it before your account goes live — reducing the risk of a mid-quarter account freeze on higher-risk categories.
Offline-Capable Terminals
PAX and select terminals continue accepting payment offline and sync securely once reconnected — no lost sale during a connectivity drop.
How Next-Day Payout Actually Works
Waiting 2–3 business days for yesterday's sales to hit your account is the processing industry default. Here's what changes with next-day payout.
Your batch closes
Transactions from the business day are grouped and submitted for settlement at your terminal's nightly batch cutoff.
Funds settle overnight
The batch is processed through the card networks and your processing partner overnight rather than sitting in a multi-day settlement queue.
Deposit posts the next business day
Funds typically post to your business bank account within 24 hours of the batch closing, weekends and banking holidays excepted.
Timing varies. Next-day payout depends on your bank's posting schedule, batch cutoff time, and account standing. Confirm exact timing for your setup during onboarding.
Getting Set Up on a New Merchant Account
Tell us your business
Your industry, average ticket size, and monthly card volume — the inputs that actually determine your rate.
We match a processing partner
Your merchant category is matched to the right partner among Fiserv, Paysafe, Micamp, NAB, or Merchant Industry.
We configure your gateway & terminal
Secure gateway, EMV/contactless, and next-day payout settings are verified before you process a live transaction.
Go live with 24/7 support
Start processing with a support line staffed for statement questions, disputes, or a terminal issue.
Merchant Processing Matched to Your Category
Some categories need more than a generic merchant account. These are a few we've built dedicated processing setups for.
Grocery & Supermarkets
EBT/SNAP-native processing for high-SKU grocery retail.
Clothing & Apparel
Card-present fraud controls suited to higher-ticket retail.
Pharmacy Front Store
IIAS-ready FSA/HSA processing alongside your dispensing system.
Age-Restricted & Specialty Retail
Processing matched for categories generic processors often decline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interchange goes to the customer's card-issuing bank and varies by card type. Assessment is a smaller fee paid to the card network itself. Markup is what your processor adds for handling the transaction, gateway, and support — it's the only part that's genuinely negotiable between providers.
Funds from a closed batch typically post to your business bank account within one business day, though exact timing depends on your bank's posting schedule and excludes weekends and banking holidays.
Pricing and contract terms are confirmed during your quote based on your industry and volume — ask your specialist for the specifics in writing before signing.
Yes. Most merchants can switch processors without changing their bank account, though your current provider may have its own contract terms to review, including any early termination fees.
Chargeback and dispute monitoring flags unusual activity, and support walks you through the response and evidence submission process for the dispute.
Categories like vape, tobacco, or other specialty retail are sometimes declined by generic self-serve processors. As a registered MSP/ISO, Soireeinc matches these categories to a processing partner suited to that risk profile rather than declining outright — get a quote to confirm your specific category.
Get Your Actual Processing Rate, Not an Estimate
Tell us your industry and monthly volume, and a specialist will give you a real fee breakdown you can compare against your current statement.
- Free consultation, no obligation
- Processing matched to your merchant category
- Secure gateway & next-day payout configured before go-live
- 24/7 US-based support after installation
Prefer to call? +1 214-831-4739 · sales@soireeinc.com
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