The short answer
For businesses with average tickets under $15, the per-transaction fee is the dominant cost. A plan at 2.4% + $0.10 costs more on a $4 sale than 2.9% + $0.05. Always model small-ticket pricing on your actual average ticket rather than comparing percentages.
Small-ticket interchange programs
The card networks publish specific small-ticket interchange categories for qualifying merchant types with low average tickets. Many small merchants are never enrolled in them because nobody checked their MCC against the program.
What to ask for
Ask for a quote expressed as total cost on your actual average ticket and monthly transaction count, not as a percentage. If a provider cannot produce that number, they have not modelled your business.
Key takeaways
- Compare total cost per transaction, not percentages
- Check eligibility for small-ticket interchange programs
- Debit-heavy small-ticket businesses benefit most from per-item negotiation
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