Check the payment setup before you switch
Start with three representative statements and the payment methods you need to keep. Ask for the complete written account cost, including monthly charges, online payment costs and equipment terms. A standalone terminal is not the same as an integration with your business software.
| Payment job | What to check |
|---|---|
| Counter payments | How cash and card prices appear on the estimate, terminal and receipt. |
| Deposits and remote invoices | How deposits and final balances stay connected to the correct job or customer. |
| Existing software | Confirm the exact product, version and supported integration in writing. A separate terminal may require manual reconciliation. |
| Refunds and settlement | Confirm refund fees, funding timing and how disputed payments are handled for your account. |
What card fees take from car washes
Small sales feel the fixed charge A $15 wash carries both a swipe charge and a percentage fee. Together, they take a larger share than on a bigger sale.
Membership fees repeat Processing a $39 unlimited plan costs $1.38 each month for each member.
Check the kiosk's terms An unattended pay station often comes with its own processing agreement and markup.
Card costs using the 3.54% benchmark
Express wash ($15): $0.53 in processing cost.
Monthly membership ($39): $1.38 in processing cost.
Full detail ($250): $8.85 in processing cost.
Monthly card sales ($45,000): $1,593 in processing costs. 3.54% is BlueFinch clients' average all-in effective rate before switching. These are calculated examples, not promised savings.
What's included in the offer
Properly configured, eligible credit and debit card transactions can use a 0% merchant processing rate. BlueFinch provides a free standalone terminal without an equipment lease, long-term contract or cancellation fee, plus signage and help getting started.
Monthly, PCI, gateway, batch, chargeback and other fees specific to your account may still apply. State law, underwriting, network rules, the processor or acquirer, payment channels and customer-facing prices determine the exact program.
Using both prices in daily work
Post package prices: Use the menu board to display cash and card prices for each package.
Charge the chosen price: The kiosk or attendant takes payment at the price the customer selects.
Agree on membership pricing: Get members' agreement to their plan prices when they sign up, before storing a card.
Reconcile your sales: One report brings together washes, memberships and detailing payments.
Likely to suit you
Card payments make up most sales
Your boards or kiosks can display both prices
You bill stored cards for monthly memberships
You offer higher-priced detailing services
Check these first
Another processor controls your pay stations
Fleet or partner programs provide most revenue
Your kiosk software can't display two prices
A franchise sets your pricing rules
Answers for business owners
Can our pay stations use it? Some kiosks require a particular processor. We'll check yours. Regardless, the free terminal can serve the counter and detail bay.
Can membership payments use these prices? Yes. Stored-card plans can follow this pricing when members agree during sign-up.
Will customers see a change? The menu board clearly shows the prices. Most customers keep their usual payment method.
Can I use it in my state? Yes. We work in all 50 states, each with its own card-pricing rules. We set up your prices and signs to fit the rules where your business operates.
Can I keep my POS? Yes. Some POS systems require their own merchant account and charge a much higher rate to cover the software. If yours works that way, we'll explain your options.
How soon can I switch? In minutes once you're approved. Plug in your terminal, connect to Wi‑Fi and start taking cards.
Check the numbers and the rules.
- 2026 processing cost report
Inspect the 3.54% BlueFinch benchmark, calculation method and dated primary sources.
- Merchant statement decoder
Use settled card volume and all fees from the same statement period.
Primary references
- Visa: cash discounts and card-acceptance rules
Visa permits a cash discount as a reduction from the standard price. Its surcharge rules are a separate program; your acquirer agreement and local requirements also apply.
- Mastercard: credit-card surcharge rules
Mastercard distinguishes credit-card surcharges from debit and prepaid transactions. Do not treat a surcharge and a posted cash/card price program as interchangeable.
Get a free three-statement audit
BlueFinch will work out your effective rate, separate fixed charges from those tied to volume, and show every cost that would remain in the proposal.
Get the free audit