Loyalty programs are popular with customers. But should you implement one? Many businesses are finding that it is worth the effort to reward customers for the loyalty they show. Here are some of the ways going with the right credit card processing for small businesses might also benefit you in your search for an effective loyalty program.
As the name implies, Loyalty programs make it more likely that customers will return to your business. If you offer rewards for repeat visits, customers will more likely return, which will ultimately help you financially. Getting customers into the store is a large part of the battle, so giving them the incentive to come in has immense value. Especially when online sales have become so popular and widespread. If you want to encourage repeat customers, you may want to consider a loyalty program.
A loyalty program can help you market your company and stand out to customers. Offering a card to patrons will help them remember your business, and be more likely to visit again. But you can make it even easier by allowing them to use a simple phone number at check out. Just knowing that they can do so will help them see the benefits of coming into your business.
Some of the most popular programs reward their customers for their patronage. A small gift on your birthday or discount during the holidays can go a long way in getting someone to feel good about frequenting your establishment. A discount after every few purchases, or points that can help go towards purchases, creates a perception of value that helps encourage more spending in the long run. The costs of providing small rewards can be easily outweighed by the response you get from customers. Additionally, reward programs open you up to data. Having a rewards program that keeps track of relevant dates and purchases can give you actionable info if you are able to track this data. This is a great reason to consider a loyalty program.
There are many reasons to consider implementing a loyalty program. Doing so can help your business. Another way to help your business is by finding the right payment processor, and find the tech to support this kind of program. The importance of credit card processing for small businesses can’t be overstated. People are making more and more purchases with credit and debit cards these days, so it is important to be able to accept card payments. At Moolah, we make the payment process easy. We provide credit card processing for small businesses, and also offer the point of sale tech to open the doors to the most useful apps and programs. We do our best to streamline the payment process and make it a worry-free experience for our clients. If you are looking for a way to help your business, consider your payment processor. Think of Moolah for your payment processing needs.
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A credit card surcharge is an additional fee added to a transaction when a patient chooses to pay with a credit card. The surcharge is intended to help offset the cost of credit card processing and applies only to eligible credit card transactions.
No. Debit card transactions may not be surcharged under any circumstances, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction or entered manually.
Yes. Credit card surcharges may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and are capped at a maximum of 3% of the total transaction amount, in accordance with card-network rules and applicable law.
Yes. Card networks require clear and transparent disclosure of any credit card surcharge. Practices must notify patients through appropriate signage at the practice entrance, point of sale, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, the surcharge must also be clearly disclosed on the practice’s website.
Yes. Some U.S. states and territories prohibit or restrict credit card surcharging. Practices are responsible for understanding and complying with their state’s specific requirements before implementing a surcharge.
No. While Moolah provides tools and general guidance to support credit card surcharging, compliance with all applicable laws and card-network rules is the responsibility of the merchant. Moolah does not provide legal advice and assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance.
Most major credit card networks permit surcharging when done in accordance with their rules, but additional requirements or restrictions may apply. Practices should ensure they have completed all required network notifications and disclosures prior to enabling surcharging.
Failure to comply with surcharging rules may result in card-network fines, required refunds, or other enforcement actions. Practices should ensure they fully understand all applicable requirements before applying a surcharge.
Flex does not currently offer built-in support for credit card surcharging. If a practice chooses to enroll in a surcharge plan, payments would need to be processed through Moolah’s payment platform, which is designed to support surcharging and integrates directly with Open Dental.
If you are considering introducing a credit card surcharge for your patients, it is important to understand that there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed when enrolling in and operating under a surcharge plan.
This article provides a general overview of common surcharging requirements. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each merchant to review, understand, and comply with all applicable laws, card-network rules, and regulatory requirements, including notification timeframes, signage requirements, surcharge percentage limits, and jurisdictions where surcharging is prohibited.
If you are unsure about the laws or regulations applicable to your practice, you should consult with qualified legal counsel. Moolah assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance or non-compliance with credit card surcharging rules or regulations.
Transparent Communication
Card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, require merchants to clearly and transparently disclose when a credit card surcharge is applied.
Practices must clearly notify patients of a credit card surcharge through appropriate signage placed at the practice entrance, at the point of sale or terminal, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, surcharge disclosures must also be clearly visible on the practice’s website. All disclosures must inform patients that the surcharge applies only to credit card transactions.
Surcharge Limits
Credit card surcharges must comply with both card-network rules and applicable law. The surcharge amount may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and may not exceed 3% of the total transaction amount.
Card-network rules cap credit card surcharges at 3%, meaning that if a merchant’s processing costs exceed this amount, the excess portion cannot be passed on to the patient.
Network and State Restrictions
The major credit card networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, impose specific requirements related to surcharge limits, advance notification, and disclosure.
In addition, several U.S. states and territories regulate or prohibit credit card surcharging. At the time of writing, credit card surcharging is prohibited in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Other states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, impose restrictions on surcharge amounts or require specific disclosures.
If your practice operates in a state that restricts or prohibits credit card surcharging, you must fully understand and comply with those requirements before implementing a surcharge.
Debit card transactions may never be surcharged, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction.
Applicability
Credit card surcharges may be applied only to credit card transactions. Other payment types, including debit cards and alternative payment methods, are not eligible for surcharging.
Regulatory Compliance
Merchants are responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with all applicable card-network and legal requirements. This includes meeting advance notification obligations, using compliant signage and disclosures, adhering to surcharge percentage limits, and respecting jurisdiction-specific restrictions.
By following these guidelines, dental practices can implement credit card surcharging in a way that aligns with card-network rules and promotes transparency with patients. Clear and upfront communication helps maintain patient trust and supports a positive payment experience.