ACH and card invoice cost model
Compare a capped ACH quote with a card quote and entered handling costs.
Use the interactive tool without signing up. It runs in your browser: enter your numbers, save a comparison, download results or print a working copy. Your numbers are not sent to BlueFinch.
Illustrative example inputs
These starting values show how the math works. They are not industry averages, customer results or a quote.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
Invoice collection Same invoice amount for both methods. | $10,000.00 |
ACH percentage Enter the written percentage as a number. For 2%, enter 2. | 1 |
ACH minimum fee Enter the written minimum. | $0.00 |
ACH maximum fee Enter the written cap. For an uncapped quote, enter a ceiling at least as large as the calculated ACH fee. | $10.00 |
ACH handling or other costs Add known business costs separately. | $0.00 |
Card percentage Enter the written percentage as a number. For 2%, enter 2. | 3 |
Card per-payment charge Written fixed fee for one collection. | $0.20 |
Card handling or other costs Add known costs separately. | $0.00 |
Example results
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
Modeled ACH cost 10 with the fictional 1% rate and 10 cap. | $10.00 |
Modeled card cost 300.20 in the fictional example. | $300.20 |
Card minus ACH cost 290.20 difference in the fictional example. | $290.20 |
Calculation detail
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| ACH percentage charge before minimum and cap | $100.00 |
| Written ACH minimum | $0.00 |
| Written ACH cap | $10.00 |
| ACH handling costs | $0.00 |
| Card percentage charge | $300.00 |
| Card fixed charge | $0.20 |
| Card handling costs | $0.00 |
Model assumptions
- All starting values are fictional examples, not quoted prices or industry averages.
- Use one consistent period and actual written terms. Unknown costs are unresolved, not zero.
- Only aggregate amounts belong in this public tool. No card, bank, customer or health information.
Read alongside these results
- The cap must be at least the minimum. Verify every term before treating this as a comparison.
- One payment. Returns, reserves, cash-flow timing and buyer payment approval are outside this cost model.
Download this worked example (CSV). Use the interactive version to export your own inputs and results.
When considering a payment method for a machining invoice for payment by ACH or by credit card, note that there is significant difference in the cost to pay for both, in the timing of payment, and in the handling of exceptions. Review the business account offering for both methods, the bank charges for both, and the terms and conditions of approval for credit card payment for both.
Ask whether ACH means a buyer-initiated credit or a debit your business initiates with authorization. The process, timing and records differ. For a debit arrangement, confirm the required authorization and account verification with your provider. Avoid sending bank credentials through an ordinary CRM note. Keep the invoice number and payment status linked through the approved accounting and payment systems.
Use with this guide
buyer payment and invoice references
Resolve buyer payment and invoice references before treating a cheaper method as an accepted purchasing option.
machining record privacy
Keep machining record privacy controls in place when discussing bank-transfer setup and supporting documents.
Returned machining ACH: review the open order balance
Review a returned machining ACH payment against the actual invoice and release decision. Use the exception sheet before requesting another collection.
Browse the complete machine shop guides and worksheets.
Compare written quotes on the same invoice
The timing of payment status updates as described in Stripe’s documentation for ACH Direct Debit is delayed and can fail or go into dispute. The timing options are described in terms of eligibility and setup by your provider. Which status indicates that payment has been initiated, confirmed, is available, and then paid out to your business bank account?
Use the invoice cost model to compare one invoice under a quoted ACH fee and card fee. Enter the invoice amount, ACH percentage, minimum and maximum charge, then the card percentage and per-payment charge. Add a separately identified handling cost for each method if you have a defensible estimate. The output shows the entered collection costs and the difference, not a recommendation to extend buyer credit. Resolve buyer payment and invoice references before treating a cheaper method as an accepted purchasing option.
Sources for this section: Stripe: ACH Direct Debit timing, authorization and failures · Visa: merchant surcharge requirements
Show the cap in the calculation
For an illustrative $10,000 invoice, a hypothetical ACH price of 1% with a $10 cap costs $10. A hypothetical card price of 3% plus $0.20 costs $300.20. The arithmetic difference is $290.20 before other services or exceptions. These values are fictional offer inputs, not BlueFinch pricing, a quoted buyer benefit or evidence a particular ACH transaction is capped.
Be very clear with the provider of the ACH offer whether or not there is a fee cap for transactions under your payment service (plans/channels, etc.). there may be minimum charges for you, for example, for accounts setup etc. Be clear on this and add to your written review of the provider’s offer the unresolved price for the machining invoices ACH payment service. do not assume it is free and put a zero cost into your cost model for now.
Sources for this section: Stripe: ACH Direct Debit timing, authorization and failures
Review timing and failed-payment handling
Review settlement against your material and payroll commitments. If the buyer initiates payment on the due date, your bank balance might not show usable funds that day. Ask about cutoffs and business days, including what happens around a holiday. The cost model does not price financing or predict a failed payment. Use a separate cash schedule when timing changes your ability to release work or buy material.
Verify that the person who agreed to ACH payments also has the authority to change bank instructions (e.g., add/remove payees, change bank account information, etc.). Verify changes to payment information via a trusted contact rather than via an unexpected email with an invoice to pay.
Sources for this section: Stripe: ACH Direct Debit timing, authorization and failures
Check buyer permission and price terms
An exception owner is needed for any additional payment methods. Who is responsible for investigating a return, for reconciling a partial payment, for confirming a duplicate payment? The invoice, payment and all bank references must be saved for this purpose. Stripe describes refunds to be paid by ACH in the form of separate credits, thus payment status and refund status must be tracked separately. The provider’s procedure for refunds must be confirmed, it is not the same as for a reversal of a credit card payment (e.g. debit of bank account).
Card acceptance might remain useful when the buyer requires a purchasing card. Compare approved customer pricing with the purchase-order terms before adding any payment-price difference. Do not add a credit-card surcharge to debit or prepaid cards. Enhanced commercial-card data is another question for the provider, not a reason to assume the buyer's card will qualify for lower charges. Keep machining record privacy controls in place when discussing bank-transfer setup and supporting documents.
Sources for this section: Stripe: ACH Direct Debit timing, authorization and failures · Visa: merchant surcharge requirements
Save the comparison with the accepted quote
BlueFinch reviews payment arrangements for owner-run machine shops. Bring your buyer's permitted methods, invoice amounts and written provider charges. This guide does not promise a BlueFinch bank-transfer integration or qualify your business for a particular rate. The free model helps you separate an arithmetic cost question from account approval, timing and buyer authorization.
Save the terms agreed with the buyer to their respective accounts receivable file. Verify status before marking invoice as paid. Compare actual charges with model after first set of collections for given payment method. Even lower transaction fees are of little use if your staff cannot collect and account for them properly.
Sources for this section: Stripe: ACH Direct Debit timing, authorization and failures
Primary sources
BlueFinch last reviewed these sources on October 4, 2026. Payment rules and state requirements can change.
Use this page for general business information. It is not legal, tax, or accounting advice.
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