A chargeback feels like a punch to the gut. You shipped the product, followed your process, and then weeks later the money is yanked back out of your account - along with a fee you can’t recover.

Every time a customer swipes, dips, or taps a card, you pay to process that transaction. But how you pay depends entirely on your pricing model—and the model your processor put you on may be quietly eating into your margins.

From rent and utilities to proteins and produce, restaurant operators are still navigating an environment where costs remain structurally higher than they were just a few years ago. While inflation has cooled from its 2022–2023 peaks, the financial pressures inside restaurants have not disappeared.

For merchants of all sizes, payment-acceptance costs remain a key pressure point. Recently…

Back in 2023, I wrote about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) was going to personalize merchant service, and today AI continues to slowly transform the digital payment landscape, enhancing security, efficiency, and customer experience…

The Durbin 2.0 Proposal has stirred significant debate in the payment processing industry. As an extension of the original Durbin Amendment, this new regulatory effort aims to further reshape how debit card transactions are processed, affecting merchants, banks, and consumers alike…

Jonathan: I recently spoke to Rhonda Sher, the expert on everything about LinkedIn, about how to get most out of LinkedIn’s platform.  Below is an edited version of our conversation:

Rhonda, what makes you the LinkedIn expert?…

Jonathan: I recently spoke to Yaro Shevchenko, the Saleforce and automation expert, about aligning business goals and technology. Yaro, can you give me a top-down view of the interaction between business and business goals and technology?…

Visa's Payment Passkey Service is a groundbreaking solution designed to enhance security and streamline online transactions. By leveraging the Fast Identity Online (FIDO) authentication standards, this service aims to provide a more secure, efficient, and user-friendly payment experience for both consumers and merchants…

Jonathan: I recently spoke to Alicia Connor MA, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and chef, about diet, meal planning, and nutrition.  Below is an edited version of our conversation…

My top payment prediction for 2024 is that businesses which can set-up a subscription like billing model will continue to do so.  They will prioritize the certainty of a consistent revenue stream even if it means having to offer a discount to clients or nudge some prospects look for other providers…

Pay at the Pump (PATP) merchant services, which allow customers to pay for their fuel directly at the pump using a credit or debit card, have evolved significantly in recent years. These services are becoming increasingly sophisticated, driven by advancements in technology, changing consumer expectations, and regulatory requirements. Here’s a summary of the current trends in Pay at the Pump merchant services…

Businesses are working not only to streamline transactions, but also to personalize them.  As consumers become increasingly discerning, the need for tailored and individualized experiences has never been more critical.  Merchant services are stepping up to the plate, leveraging data analytics and cutting-edge technology to create personalized customer journeys…

According to MasterCard, January retail sales, excluding the automotive sector, was up 8.8% over last January.  Spending in restaurants was very strong; up 24.2% over last January…

Selecting the right subscription management software is crucial for businesses looking to streamline their payment processes and maximize revenue. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to determine which platform will best suit your needs. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a billing system… 

Over the past few months the groundwork has been laid so that gun store purchases can be tracked. Not tracked by the government but rather by the card brands (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa)…

A recent conversation with a prospect yielded a lot of insight.  Her top priority was selecting “the Point of Sale (POS) system that had the most integrations”.  When asked why she explained that “having the most integrations means having the most options and the greatest likelihood that, whatever I need now or in the future, would be available to me”...

Venmo announced that they will start charging businesses and sellers who use their platform 1.90% + 10 cents per transaction starting in August…