Everybody likes options. This is no less true for purchasing options. With growing interest in “hybrid” purchase patterns, like buy online, pick up in-store (or BOPIS) smaller retailers are finding themselves confronted with more demanding interactions. Is your store keeping up? Make sure that you’re using the absolute best mobile credit card processing company before going further.
BOPIS appeals to customers because it, in theory, combines the convenience and control of both purchase methods. You get to easily use the online search options, see what’s in stock and what isn’t, all from the comfort of your own home. Then, when it comes time for the sale to be completed, you get to be in control again: instead of waiting around for the UPS guy, you can hop in your car and drive right up to the store to get your package.
While you are required to have new systems in place to make BOPIS possible, there are a lot of upsides to the BOPIS process for you the retailer, too. You can leverage your online shopping experience to cross-sell things that are related to the customer’s purchase. This cross-sell can also happen in the store when the customer picks up their package.
Something that must be said about BOPIS: you need to execute. The ability to impress your customer is high; but also, the chances of annoying them run higher, too. The last thing you want to hear is the complaint, “My packaging isn’t ready?! I could have just come in and picked it off the shelves myself”. If you’re a smaller retailer, and you’re experimenting with BOPIS, look at it as an opportunity to let your store shine, and to go farther than Amazon will ever be able to. Free gift wrapping, additional promotions encouraging more in-store pickups down the road, including free samples of this or that, if applicable to you, are all ways to make a good impression. If you do end up making a bad impression by letting down the person coming in, have a plan B ready to thank them for coming in, and to attempt to make it up to them. This could be a 10% off coupon, even more free samples, or some type of gift to say that you value their time, and their humanity. Most importantly, have the systems in place to execute.
As we mentioned, systems need to be in place before you can get your new BOPIS program off the ground. The best mobile credit card processing company can open the door to the right technology to accommodate your customers’ preferences, including the ability to synchronize purchases that happen online and in-store. If you’re looking for a card processing company that is up to the challenge, call Moolah today.
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A credit card surcharge is an additional fee added to a transaction when a patient chooses to pay with a credit card. The surcharge is intended to help offset the cost of credit card processing and applies only to eligible credit card transactions.
No. Debit card transactions may not be surcharged under any circumstances, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction or entered manually.
Yes. Credit card surcharges may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and are capped at a maximum of 3% of the total transaction amount, in accordance with card-network rules and applicable law.
Yes. Card networks require clear and transparent disclosure of any credit card surcharge. Practices must notify patients through appropriate signage at the practice entrance, point of sale, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, the surcharge must also be clearly disclosed on the practice’s website.
Yes. Some U.S. states and territories prohibit or restrict credit card surcharging. Practices are responsible for understanding and complying with their state’s specific requirements before implementing a surcharge.
No. While Moolah provides tools and general guidance to support credit card surcharging, compliance with all applicable laws and card-network rules is the responsibility of the merchant. Moolah does not provide legal advice and assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance.
Most major credit card networks permit surcharging when done in accordance with their rules, but additional requirements or restrictions may apply. Practices should ensure they have completed all required network notifications and disclosures prior to enabling surcharging.
Failure to comply with surcharging rules may result in card-network fines, required refunds, or other enforcement actions. Practices should ensure they fully understand all applicable requirements before applying a surcharge.
Flex does not currently offer built-in support for credit card surcharging. If a practice chooses to enroll in a surcharge plan, payments would need to be processed through Moolah’s payment platform, which is designed to support surcharging and integrates directly with Open Dental.
If you are considering introducing a credit card surcharge for your patients, it is important to understand that there are specific rules and regulations that must be followed when enrolling in and operating under a surcharge plan.
This article provides a general overview of common surcharging requirements. This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is the responsibility of each merchant to review, understand, and comply with all applicable laws, card-network rules, and regulatory requirements, including notification timeframes, signage requirements, surcharge percentage limits, and jurisdictions where surcharging is prohibited.
If you are unsure about the laws or regulations applicable to your practice, you should consult with qualified legal counsel. Moolah assumes no liability for a merchant’s compliance or non-compliance with credit card surcharging rules or regulations.
Transparent Communication
Card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, require merchants to clearly and transparently disclose when a credit card surcharge is applied.
Practices must clearly notify patients of a credit card surcharge through appropriate signage placed at the practice entrance, at the point of sale or terminal, and anywhere payments are accepted. If payments are accepted online, surcharge disclosures must also be clearly visible on the practice’s website. All disclosures must inform patients that the surcharge applies only to credit card transactions.
Surcharge Limits
Credit card surcharges must comply with both card-network rules and applicable law. The surcharge amount may not exceed the merchant’s actual cost of accepting credit cards and may not exceed 3% of the total transaction amount.
Card-network rules cap credit card surcharges at 3%, meaning that if a merchant’s processing costs exceed this amount, the excess portion cannot be passed on to the patient.
Network and State Restrictions
The major credit card networks, such as Visa and Mastercard, impose specific requirements related to surcharge limits, advance notification, and disclosure.
In addition, several U.S. states and territories regulate or prohibit credit card surcharging. At the time of writing, credit card surcharging is prohibited in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Other states, including Colorado, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, and New York, impose restrictions on surcharge amounts or require specific disclosures.
If your practice operates in a state that restricts or prohibits credit card surcharging, you must fully understand and comply with those requirements before implementing a surcharge.
Debit card transactions may never be surcharged, even if the debit card is processed as a credit transaction.
Applicability
Credit card surcharges may be applied only to credit card transactions. Other payment types, including debit cards and alternative payment methods, are not eligible for surcharging.
Regulatory Compliance
Merchants are responsible for maintaining ongoing compliance with all applicable card-network and legal requirements. This includes meeting advance notification obligations, using compliant signage and disclosures, adhering to surcharge percentage limits, and respecting jurisdiction-specific restrictions.
By following these guidelines, dental practices can implement credit card surcharging in a way that aligns with card-network rules and promotes transparency with patients. Clear and upfront communication helps maintain patient trust and supports a positive payment experience.