You didn’t start your business to hand over 3-4% of every transaction to faceless corporations. When you’re already managing inventory, employees, and customers in Laurel, MD’s competitive market, the last thing you need is processing fees eating into your margins.
Here’s what changes when you work with us. Your transactions process faster, your monthly statements actually make sense, and you’re not calling customer service wondering why your rates jumped again. You get equipment that works, support that responds, and pricing that stays put.
The difference shows up in your bottom line. More cash flow means you can invest in what matters—better inventory, marketing that works, or finally taking that vacation you’ve been putting off since 2019.
We’ve been helping Maryland businesses since 1992, back when Laurel, MD’s median household income was half of today’s $94,000. We understand what it’s like running a business here—whether you’re serving the 9.4% of residents who run their own companies or the thousands working for private employers.
Our Annapolis headquarters isn’t just an address on paperwork. It’s where our 30+ full-time employees actually work, and where you can reach a real person when you need help. We’re not some call center in another time zone. We’re your neighbors, and we’ve built our reputation one satisfied customer at a time.
When Electronic Merchant Systems and other big players treat you like an account number, we treat you like the business owner you are. That’s why we won the 2023 Best of Annapolis Award for business development services.
First, we review your current processing statement together. No secrets, no fine print buried on page 47. We show you exactly what you’re paying now and what you’ll pay with us. If we can’t save you money or improve your service, we’ll tell you upfront.
Next, we design a solution that fits your actual business. Restaurant in downtown Laurel, MD? You need different equipment than a contractor working job sites. Online retailer? Your gateway requirements aren’t the same as a retail shop on Main Street.
Finally, we handle the setup and stay in touch. Your equipment arrives configured and ready. We test everything before you process your first transaction. And unlike other processors who disappear after signup, we check in regularly to make sure everything’s working as promised.
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Your payment processing includes credit and debit card acceptance, check processing, gift cards, and loyalty programs. Mobile payments for contractors and service businesses. Online gateways for e-commerce. Point-of-sale systems that track inventory and generate reports.
For Laurel, MD’s diverse business community—from the retail shops serving our 48% African American and 22% Hispanic populations to the service businesses supporting our growing tech sector—we have solutions that work. Whether you’re processing $500 a month or $50,000, the technology scales with your growth.
We’re also PNC Bank registered, which means your funds are protected and processed through established banking relationships. No fly-by-night processors or questionable offshore accounts. Your money moves safely from customer to your business account, typically next business day.
Most Laurel, MD businesses pay between 1.7% and 3.25% per transaction, depending on how the card is processed. In-person transactions with chip readers get the lowest rates, while phone or online orders cost more due to higher fraud risk.
The key is understanding what you’re actually paying. Many processors advertise low rates but add monthly fees, statement fees, PCI compliance fees, and other charges that double your actual cost. We provide transparent pricing upfront, so you know exactly what each transaction costs.
For a typical Laurel, MD business processing $10,000 monthly, the difference between a transparent processor and one with hidden fees can be $50-100 per month. Over a year, that’s real money you can invest back into your business.
Most businesses are processing cards within 2-3 business days of approval. The timeline depends on your business type and processing history, but we’ve streamlined the application process to eliminate unnecessary delays.
We handle the paperwork, order your equipment, and coordinate with your bank. Unlike processors that dump a box of equipment on your doorstep with a manual, we configure everything before shipping and provide phone support during your first transactions.
For businesses that need to start immediately—like seasonal retailers or new restaurants—we offer expedited setup. Rush processing and overnight equipment shipping can have you accepting cards within 24-48 hours when needed.
Yes, our e-commerce solutions work with popular platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and custom websites. We provide secure payment gateways that protect customer data and reduce your liability for fraud.
Online processing rates are typically higher than in-person transactions, but we offer competitive pricing and fraud protection tools that many Laurel, MD businesses find valuable. Features include real-time transaction monitoring, chargeback protection, and detailed reporting.
For businesses selling both online and in-person, we integrate everything into one system. Your inventory, sales reports, and payment processing work together instead of requiring separate logins and reconciliation. This is especially helpful for Laurel, MD retailers who expanded online during recent years.
You get immediate support from our Annapolis-based team, not a call center overseas. We answer during business hours and provide emergency support for critical issues. Most problems are resolved with a phone call, and we can remotely diagnose many equipment issues.
If your terminal fails, we overnight a replacement at no charge. For businesses that can’t afford downtime—restaurants during dinner rush, retail stores during holiday seasons—we provide backup solutions to keep you processing while we resolve the main issue.
Our technical support team knows the equipment we provide because we configure and test everything before shipping. This means faster problem resolution and less frustration when you need help most.
We offer both contract and month-to-month options, depending on your business needs and processing volume. Unlike many processors, we don’t use contracts to trap customers with poor service. Our goal is earning your business every month through reliable service and competitive pricing.
Maryland law limits early termination fees to $500 maximum, and we typically charge much less. We’re confident in our service quality and don’t need lengthy contracts to retain satisfied customers. If you’re unhappy, you should have the freedom to leave.
For businesses wanting the lowest possible rates, contract options can provide additional savings. We’ll discuss both approaches during your consultation and recommend what makes sense for your situation and cash flow.
Debit cards typically have the lowest processing costs, followed by basic credit cards, then rewards and business cards. The difference can be significant—basic cards might cost 1.8% while premium rewards cards cost 2.8% or more.
Card-present transactions (chip, swipe, or tap) always cost less than card-not-present (phone, online, or keyed-in). This is why many Laurel, MD businesses encourage customers to bring their physical cards rather than reading numbers over the phone.
We provide detailed reporting so you can see exactly what each card type costs your business. Some processors hide these details in confusing statements, but understanding your true costs helps you make better business decisions about pricing and payment policies.
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