Calculator Commentary

We provide a Merchant Rate Calculator tool so that you can instantly create a custom Interchange rate quote and easily modify it to compare with other offers.

Bookmark this site as a reference tool where you can monitor your costs. You may also want to mark you calendar to check your rates each May and November (your first merchant statement after the industry implements most Interchange modifications).

You will accept a diverse mix of credit and debit cards everyday for payment and failing to find out how these different charge types will be billed will lead to higher bottom line processing expenses. We strongly recommend that you take time to understand Interchange rates before selecting a payment processing partner.

And please consider these best practices when shopping for merchant services:

• Month-to-Month processing contracts eliminate "introductory rate" offers typical of long term contracts. Carefully read the legal terms and conditions and pay close attention to both the contract term and any early termination fees. Make sure the person "waiving" terms is party to the contractual obligation you are entering otherwise it is meaningless.
• Compare more than the "rate as low as" quote. Look for terminology such as "mid-qualified" and "non-qualified", and compare rates on all card types and in which "tier" these transactions will fall. Avoid tiered pricing plans with an Interchange rate structure.
• Remember, nothing is free, so find the gotcha before jumping into a contract promising "free" anything.

For more information on the payment industry and selecting a provider, visit our corporate site at www.vantagecard.com

Calculate your rates and fees NOW. It’s fast, easy and educational. You will find that our transparent Interchange rate pricing method is by far your best option.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide this information. We hope you find it useful.

• A powerful resource, MerchantRates.com is a calculator tool that provides an instant merchant rate quote.
• Unbeatable Rates: Transparent Interchange pricing plans that eliminate Mid and Non qualified tiers.
• Reduced Fees: No monthly minimum fees, No batch closing fees, No contract early termination fees.

Why settle for a one size fits all- “rates as low as” merchant services rate quote that does not recognize that your business is unique. Use the Merchant Rate Calculator to generate an instant online merchant account quote specific to your industry, location size, volume and average size ticket.

Our guarantee to you:

• No application fee
• No long-term contract
• No early termination fee
• No equipment leasing

Remember, not all merchant services contract agreements are alike just as generic pricing plans are not suited for all merchants. Please take the time to read the fine print before making a decision.

We offer the size, volume and technology solutions of the largest companies in this industry while providing a high-level of personal attention and service. Vantage serves as your payment systems advocate and catering to our customers is our number one priority. You will have the same personal point of contact for sales and after-the-sale service, so please contact us with any questions to ensure that your merchant account is set up properly.

1. Obtain specific Interchange pricing to accept credit cards at your business based on your individual industry and transaction size and volume.
2. Accept credit cards on your own terms. Set your own processing fee structure and monitor it using this calculator tool.
3. Low rates and cost are offered to ALL customers who accept credit cards with us, not just NEW customers.
4. Always know that your merchant account is priced at the best price we have to offer - check it here anytime.
5. Accept credit cards with a No Risk merchant account! No long-term 3-year agreement to sign and NO early termination or cancellation fee penalties.
6. Accept credit cards and earn Vantage Points for every MasterCard and Visa transaction processed. Earn rewards from distinguished Vantage Points program partners like: American Airlines, Marriott, Hyatt, Staples, Starbucks Coffee and more.
7. Accept credit cards from a full service provider - not just another sales organization. Today, it seems like everyone is selling merchant services. But who is actually servicing merchants? From sales, to deployment and implementation, to ongoing support, your account relationship team is all under one roof.
8. We provide many payment processing services - all backed by professionals to help you select the best ones for your business.

Compare your rates at Merchant Rates.com

Signs that you are currently paying too much...

1. You have the same rates for both MasterCard and Visa transactions
2. You have only one Qualified Rate
3. You pay Mid & Non Qualified Rates

Merchants must pay even closer attention to their rate structure than to their rate. Because it is important to understand the value of pricing strategy; merchants should be asking “what’s your rate structure”, not “what’s your rate”! Having more knowledge about what determines your rate and the fees that impact your bottom line cost will help you make an informed decision when selecting your next credit card processing provider.

Do you have the same rate for both MasterCard and Visa transactions?

MasterCard and Visa carry different Interchange pricing. Since Visa may account for as much as 70% of your transactions, if you pay the same rate for both MasterCard and Visa transactions, you are not qualifying for the lowest rates available.

Do you currently have only one qualified rate?

If you do, you are not able to qualify for all the reduced incentive Interchange pricing levels available to you. For example:

• Restaurants can qualify for reduced Interchange rates for credit and signature debit (check cards) transactions under $15.
• Signature debit card transactions that qualify for both Merit 3 Debit and Restaurant Debit will qualify at the lower of the two rates depending on the transaction size.

Do you currently have a tiered rate structure with qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified bucket pricing?

• Traditionally, most merchants only paid attention to the qualified rate; therefore merchant account providers have built expensive margins into their mid and non-qualified pricing.
• You will want to avoid this pricing structure since you will find that many of the transactions that once were defined as Qualified rates may now be re-defined as a Non-qualified rewards card – increasing your bottom line costs.

These rate structure examples illustrate the upside of having a professional payment systems consultant work with you to analysis your card processing activity to establish an Interchange rate structure for your specific industry.

Collecting payment can be equally complex in terms of pricing, regulations and technology. As credit and debit card acceptance has become increasingly widespread, the need for a professional consultative approach to help business owners evaluate payment processing costs and solutions has never been greater.

We provide professional consultation with a focus on bottom line savings, technology, risk and compliance education. In this complex and ever-changing industry, where new regulations and new fees are announced regularly, let us help you stay in compliance to qualify for the best pricing.

A Guide to Help You Decide

Establishing a merchant account is an important decision for businesses of all sizes.

Quality vendor relationships are important. Understanding the differences between service providers is critical when determining who to select as your partner.

Don’t shop for rates in isolation. We encourage you to broaden the criteria for selecting a provider beyond a rate quote. Vantage features the best value package of price, terms, service, solutions and incentives available in the payments industry.

Better Rate & Pricing Structure

Having consulted with thousands of merchants, we know the keys are:

• Understand Interchange
  • Card Type (MC/Visa), Charge Type (credit, debit, rewards, corp), method of acceptance (swiped, keyed)
  • Eliminate Mid & Non Qualified Rates
• Reduce Fees
  • Watch monthly minimums, batch closing, compliance fees and more.
  • Difference between billing on Interchange vs. Tiered rate plan
  • Difference between billing per Authorization vs. per Settled transaction
  • Difference between billing on Gross sales vs. Net sales
• Avoid Terminal Equipment Leases and “free” equipment offers
• Watch for the trappings of introductory offers
  • Avoid the “*” - rates as low as marketing game
  • Don’t sign a 3 year term with an early termination fee, or your quoted rate and promised service is not likely to last.

The Right Payment Solution and method of acceptance

What’s best for you?

• Credit Card Processing
  • MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover
• PIN Debit Processing
  • Star, Interlink, Maestro, Pulse, NYCE, etc.
• Gift & Loyalty Card Services
• Insurance Eligibility Verification
• Contactless Payments
• Visa Payroll Cards
• eCommerce Online Ordering
• Wireless & IP Solutions
• Check21, Guarantee & Conversion
• Terminal Management Services
• Point of Sale (POS) Software
• Emerging Payments
• Corporate & Government Payments
• Electronic Bill Presentment
• And more….

No Risk Contract Terms

Don't risk signing a three-year contract loaded with early termination / cancellation fees. Think about what happens when rates are not as quoted, poor service, delayed funding, etc. and understand there is NO upside to signing a long-term contract because rates are determined by the card associations, not your provider. No rate guarantees can be made given that there is no control by any single company over Interchange. Quoted termination fees plus statement fees, minimum fees, service fees, annual fees and equipment fees multiplied by the number of months remaining on your three-year term can add up to a penalty of thousands of dollars. Also note that by signing an “application” you will be agreeing to terms and conditions of the contract. Avoid the se pitfalls and make a no risk decision to select Vantage as your merchant services provider.

Personal Service

Everyone is selling merchant services, but who is servicing merchants? Vantage is a full-service provider- we don't outsource service. From sales, to deployment and implementation, to ongoing support, your account relationship team is all under one roof. Vantage provides a personal point of contact verses the standard mass call center approach to service found throughout the industry. We are your local payment system advocate

Unique Incentives

We add value beyond what's available with your ordinary providers. If you like earning points & miles when you use a credit card, now you can earn rewards when you accept credit cards.

Visit www.vantagecard.com/vantagepoints/ for more details.

Payroll Cards

A free program for employers, the Platinum Pay Visa® Debit payroll card is a huge improvement over traditional paper checks. The Platinum Pay card will save your organization money by streamlining the payroll process, eliminating paper check processes and costs associated with lost checks. There are no set up costs, no software to buy or learn, no card cost, and no minimum number of employees to enroll.

Gift Cards & Loyalty Cards

Brand, issue and process your own secure electronic gift or loyalty card. Completely customize a stored value card service to meet your program requirements. A full suite of reporting services will help you increase sales and manage liability.

Debit Processing

All major online PIN debit networks are supported through a variety of encrypted terminal and POS solutions using both internal and external PIN pads and through our wireless systems. ATM services available.

Check Services

Check processing solutions are available ranging from traditional check guarantee to the latest in point of sale imaging and check conversion as well as check21 and ACH debit and credit services.

Trade Credit Express

Trade Credit Express is a business payment platform to outsource your accounts receivable administration and trade credit financing. With Trade Credit Express you are in a position to extend more flexible credit and longer payment terms to your buyers.

• Increase your sales by extending your customer’s trade credit terms to 60 days and beyond
• Outsource your credit administration overhead including underwriting, credit monitoring, lock-box, payment matching and collections.
• Reduce your personal risk associated with your current line of credit and reduce bad debt with payment guarantees
• Increase your cash flow by closing the gap between sale and payment to as little as 4 days