Whole-account cost planner
Separate monthly services, annual charges and estimated remaining transaction 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 |
|---|---|
Required monthly services Include account, gateway, software and connectivity without double counting. | $40.00 |
Required annual services Total annual fees from the written offer. | $120.00 |
Remaining monthly transaction costs Include debit, refunds and other payment-method costs for the comparison month. | $0.00 |
Optional monthly products Keep voluntary subscriptions separate from required charges. | $0.00 |
Example results
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
Average monthly fixed cost Monthly services plus one-twelfth of annual services. | $50.00 |
Estimated required account cost Fixed and entered transaction costs. This is not a quote. | $50.00 |
Total including optional products Separates optional subscriptions without hiding their cost. | $50.00 |
Calculation detail
| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Required monthly services | $40.00 |
| Annual services divided by 12 | $10.00 |
| Remaining monthly transaction costs | $0.00 |
| Optional subscriptions | $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
- Annual averaging is for comparison, not the actual date a bank debit occurs.
- Equipment purchase, disputes and reserves require a separate review when applicable.
Download this worked example (CSV). Use the interactive version to export your own inputs and results.
A zero-fee processing offer answers one question: who pays the eligible card-processing charge? Your shop still needs an answer to another question: what will the entire payment account cost each month? Ask for a written list before comparing the offer with your current statement. A zero merchant rate does not mean every service, device or payment method is free.
Start with the statement month, card sales, transaction count and fees paid. Include deductions from deposits and separate account debits, without counting the same fee twice. Your advertised rate describes only part of the account if other charges sit outside each transaction. Review a complete month instead of choosing an unusually quiet week or the largest repair invoice.
Use with this guide
effective processing rate
Use the effective processing rate guide to build a matching current-account baseline.
changeover reconciliation checklist
Before closing the old account, follow the changeover reconciliation checklist for final payouts and refunds.
Repair processing fees: track statement price changes
Track repair-shop processing fee changes by notice, fee code and effective date. Use the change log to separate new pricing from a changed payment mix.
Browse the complete auto repair guides and worksheets.
Check your own costs: calculate your effective processing rate or upload a merchant statement for analysis.
Separate pricing from account costs
Be clear as to whether you are discussing pricing models versus account bills. A surcharge is an additional charge to eligible credit card transactions. A merchant who offers different prices for approved payment methods is engaging in dual pricing. A cash discount is the reduction in the applicable posted price of a good or service where the payment method of the purchase qualifies for the discount.
Visa publishes merchant surcharge guidance and requires notice to the acquirer before a surcharge program begins. Your state and other accepted card networks also matter. Ask your processor which requirements apply to your shop and each payment channel. A terminal approval does not establish approval for invoices, online deposits or stored-card transactions. Do not add a credit-card surcharge to debit or prepaid transactions. Use the effective processing rate guide to build a matching current-account baseline.
Sources for this section: Visa: merchant surcharge requirements
Build the full cost comparison
Use the account cost planner to enter required monthly services, total annual charges, estimated remaining transaction costs and optional subscriptions. Keep a supporting list of each charge, its frequency and its document reference in your business records. Include software, connectivity, required support and equipment obligations in the appropriate group. Separate optional products from required services so a voluntary subscription does not become a processing requirement.
For an illustrative offer, a monthly account charge of $40 and an annual charge of $120 produce $50 of average monthly fixed cost. The calculation is $40 plus $120 divided by 12. Those values are examples, not BlueFinch prices. Transaction charges, refunds and payment-method costs sit outside this fixed-cost subtotal. Enter your written offer instead of treating the example as a quote.
Check refunds and other payment methods
Check how the offer handles refunds. Ask whether the original processing fee returns, whether a separate refund charge applies, and how a returned customer payment changes the settlement. Ask about disputes and any reserve terms. A pricing program changes who bears an eligible transaction cost. It does not remove the obligation to refund a customer correctly or respond to a dispute.
Many payment methods, including ACH, business payment apps, and debit, will have their own set of provider-specific charges as well as specific requirements for how you will be operating. Be sure to account for the business-account price, funding time, and return process for each customer payment method, and make sure to keep track of any differences between customer payment and the merchant’s cost to process.
Sources for this section: Visa: merchant surcharge requirements
Keep the comparison month consistent
When comparing, compare identical months, same # of transactions, same sales, same payment types. Unknown charges should be recorded as unresolved, not as zero. Note that a counter payment offer may not include online invoices on other services. Therefore, all accounts, including the omitted invoice subscription and the separate gateway account, should be included in the comparison and the associated costs compared.
BlueFinch reviews processing arrangements for owner-run businesses. Its 0% merchant-rate program depends on the approved setup and written terms. Ask for your remaining account costs in the same conversation as the transaction-rate review. The free planning tool organizes the questions. It does not issue an account quote or establish program eligibility. Before closing the old account, follow the changeover reconciliation checklist for final payouts and refunds.
Review the first statement
Save the completed comparison with dated offers and current bank statement(s) to reference for a month or so after you go live with the new payment processing account. Then compare the actual debits posted to your accounts with the charges listed in the comparison. Make sure to have all supporting documentation ready to reference in case of any unexpected charges.
Sources for this section: Visa: merchant surcharge requirements
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.