06/02/2026
We understand why more businesses are adding credit card surcharges.
Processing fees are real, and for some businesses they are high enough to get attention.
What we tell business owners is this: once you add that fee, it becomes part of what the customer thinks it costs to do business with you. You can separate it on the receipt, but you do not separate it in the customer’s mind.
That does not make it wrong. It does mean it deserves more thought than simply passing along an expense because more businesses are doing it.
Sometimes a surcharge is the right answer. Sometimes it is a sign that pricing has fallen behind costs. Those are two different situations.
Instead of starting with the fee, perhaps start with the margin. If the numbers support it and it fits the way you want to run the business, then fine. But it should be a deliberate decision, not a reflex.
If this question keeps coming up in your business, it may be worth taking a closer look at what your pricing is carrying and what it is not.
