Processing fees are eating into your margins. You’re waiting days for deposits to clear. And when something breaks, you’re stuck on hold with a call center three states away.
That’s the part nobody talks about until you’re already locked into a contract. Here’s what changes when your payment processing actually works: funds hit your account in 2-3 business days, not whenever they feel like it. Your processing rates stay transparent, so you’re not hunting for mystery fees every month. And when you need help, you’re talking to someone who knows your account and your business.
You’re not just accepting payments. You’re running tighter cash flow, cutting down on the time you spend troubleshooting terminals, and giving your customers the payment options they expect—cards, mobile wallets, contactless, all of it.
We’ve been serving Virginia businesses for over 30 years. We’re a registered ISO of PNC Bank, BBB accredited, and we’ve earned recognition as one of the best in our category—not because we talk a good game, but because we show up.
Arlington’s business landscape is competitive. You’ve got retail shops near Clarendon, professional services downtown, restaurants in Ballston, and fleet operations running all over the DMV. We’ve worked with all of them. That means we understand what you’re dealing with, from high-volume card processing during lunch rushes to managing fleet card data for vehicles on the road.
We’re local. We answer the phone. And we don’t bury you in jargon or fine print.
First, we review your current processing setup. What are you paying now? What’s working, what’s not? We go through your statement with you—line by line if needed—so you know exactly where your money’s going.
Then we recommend the right equipment and services for your business. If you’re running a storefront, that might mean a countertop terminal or a wireless system. If you’re mobile or doing deliveries, we’ll set you up with something portable. If you’re processing fleet cards for trucks or service vehicles, we’ll make sure you’re capturing the right data to stay compliant and avoid chargebacks.
Once you approve the setup, we handle the application, equipment delivery, and installation. You’ll have a dedicated contact who walks you through everything, and we test the system before you go live. After that, you’re processing payments. Funds move into your account within a few business days, and if anything comes up, you’ve got a direct line to someone who can fix it.
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You get full credit and debit card processing—Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express. That covers your counter sales, but it also extends to online payment acceptance if you’re running e-commerce or taking orders over the phone.
Fleet card processing is a big one for Arlington businesses managing vehicles. WEX, Visa Fleet, Mastercard Fleet—we handle all the major programs. These cards require specific data capture at the point of sale, like odometer readings and driver IDs. If that data’s missing, you’re looking at higher fees or even declined transactions. We make sure your terminals are set up to collect what’s needed so you’re not leaving money on the table.
Wireless payment acceptance is standard now, not a luxury. Contactless payments are expected by most customers, and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are growing fast. We’ll get you equipped to handle all of it without forcing you into a system that’s overcomplicated or overpriced.
Loyalty and gift card programs are also on the table. If you want to drive repeat business or offer branded gift cards, we can build that into your setup. These programs have been shown to increase customer spend and visit frequency—especially in retail and hospitality.
Interchange fees are the largest and least negotiable. These are set by the card networks and passed through to you. They vary based on card type, transaction method, and whether the card is present or keyed in.
What you can control are the processor markup fees—things like per-transaction fees, monthly service charges, and statement fees. Some processors also tack on PCI compliance fees, early termination fees, or “miscellaneous” charges that aren’t clearly explained. We lay all of that out upfront so you’re not surprised three months in.
If you’re processing fleet cards, there’s another layer. Missing required data at the point of sale can trigger downgrades, which means you’ll pay a higher rate on that transaction. That’s avoidable if your terminal is set up correctly from the start.
Most transactions settle within 2-3 business days. That means if you process a sale on Monday, the funds typically hit your bank account by Wednesday or Thursday.
Some processors offer next-day funding, but that usually comes with higher fees or stricter requirements. For most Arlington businesses, standard 2-3 day funding works fine and keeps costs down.
The key is consistency. You don’t want a processor that holds funds randomly or changes your deposit schedule without notice. We keep your funding predictable so you can plan your cash flow without guessing when money will show up.
Yes. Fleet cards like WEX and Visa Fleet require terminals that can prompt for and capture additional data—odometer readings, vehicle numbers, driver IDs, and sometimes department codes or job numbers.
If your terminal isn’t set up to collect this information, the transaction will either decline at the pump or register, or it’ll process at a higher “non-qualified” rate. That costs you more per transaction, and if it happens often enough, it adds up fast.
We make sure your equipment is fleet-ready from day one. That means the right terminal, the right programming, and a quick test to confirm everything’s pulling the data it needs. If you’re running a service business with vehicles or managing a fleet yourself, this isn’t optional—it’s how you avoid unnecessary fees.
It depends on your terminal. Older equipment might not support NFC (near-field communication), which is what powers contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and tap-to-pay cards.
If your terminal is more than a few years old, there’s a good chance it’s not equipped for this. And that’s a problem, because more than two-thirds of customers now prefer contactless payment options. If you can’t offer it, you’re creating friction at checkout.
We’ll assess your current equipment and let you know if you need an upgrade. Most modern terminals support contactless out of the box, and the cost to upgrade is usually offset by the speed and convenience it adds to your checkout process. Faster transactions mean shorter lines and happier customers.
Loyalty programs increase repeat visits. The data’s clear—customers enrolled in a loyalty program spend more per transaction and come back more often. Some studies show visit frequency can jump by as much as 60% when you’re rewarding repeat business.
Gift cards do something different. They bring in new customers and create a built-in revenue stream. When someone buys a gift card, you get paid upfront. When it’s redeemed, that customer often spends more than the card’s value. And if the card never gets used, you’ve still made the sale.
For Arlington businesses—especially in retail, dining, and services—these programs aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re tools to build a base of regulars and drive consistent revenue. We can set you up with both, and they integrate directly into your payment system so you’re not managing multiple platforms.
Pull your last three months of processing statements. Look at your effective rate—that’s your total fees divided by your total processing volume. If you’re paying more than 3% on average for standard card-present transactions, you’re likely overpaying.
Also check for junk fees. Monthly minimums, statement fees, PCI non-compliance fees, annual fees, and batch fees can all add up. Some processors load these in quietly, and you don’t notice until you’re reviewing the fine print.
We’ll review your statements with you at no cost. We’ll show you exactly what you’re paying, where it’s going, and what a better setup would look like. No pressure, no games—just a transparent breakdown so you can make an informed decision.
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