If you use Storable Payments, you can add a surcharge fee to credit card payments. Surcharging enables you to charge tenants a percentage-based fee on the total transaction amount when processing electronic payments to offset costs associated with payment processing and credit card payment fees.
Surcharging can only be enabled in SiteLink Web Edition one facility at a time.
Tips for Implementation
Be Transparent. Clearly explain that you are implementing a surcharge fee. Openness, why it is necessary, and clear communication can help reduce adverse reactions.
Limit Fees. Implement a reasonable surcharge limit to prevent high transaction amounts from alienating customers.
Offer Alternative Payment Methods. Inform tenants of alternative payment methods that do not incur a surcharge fee.
Do Your Research. Compare local competitor practices and adjust your strategy to remain competitive.
Before deciding, consider the financial benefits of passing on credit card fees versus the potential impact on customer satisfaction and retention.
FAQs
What amount can I set the surcharge for?
You can choose a percentage between 0% and 3%. If you use flat-rate processing, the maximum fee would be your Flat Rate fee or 3%, whichever is lower.
Please note: Some states have laws around maximum surcharging fees that are not accounted for in your software. Your use of the surcharging feature must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and card brand rules. By using this feature, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for the foregoing. Consult with a legal professional to ensure your compliance.
Certain states prohibit credit card surcharging. Among those are:
Massachusetts (MA)
Connecticut (CT)
California (CA)
Maine (ME)
If your facility is located in one of these states, SiteLink will automatically prevent any surcharging.
Nevertheless, as laws, regulations, and rules change, you are ultimately responsible for complying with those that are applicable to you.
Is there anything I need to do before enabling surcharging in SiteLink?
If you accept Mastercard payments, you should complete the Mastercard Surcharge Disclosure Webform at least 30 days before beginning surcharging. Select Product in the Type of Surcharge field on the form and enter Storable Payments in the Acquirer/Processor field. In the Payment Channel section, select eCommerce for online payments, Retail for in-person (EMV) payments, and Telephone for Mail Order / Telephone Order payments.
If you accept Visa payments, visit Visa’s Merchant Credit Surcharging page for more information. You are required to disclose the surcharge as a merchant fee and, for both in-store and online transactions, clearly alert consumers to the practice at the point of entry, the point of sale, and on every receipt. Visit this page for sample compliant signage.
Other helpful resources include:
If you’ve previously created a custom tenant charge to manually apply a credit card fee, we recommend disabling it and removing it from tenant accounts before enabling surcharging. This helps avoid charging tenants multiple fees. To disable any current tenant fees, see our help article.
What payments will include the surcharge fee?
Once enabled, surcharge fees will be added to credit card payments made online, in-store, over the phone, etc. They will apply to new one-time, auto-billed, and card-on-file payments. Please note that third-party payment sources, such as a custom website, will not include a surcharge fee unless the third party offers the feature.
Note on Batch Processing: During batch payment processing, SiteLink determines if the payment method is a credit card and, if so, calculates the Surcharge amount. The amount is added to the total, processed in the payment, and added to the grand total.
Will surcharge fees be applied to debit card payments?
No, the fee will only be applied to credit card payments. Card payment processing in SiteLink remains unchanged. Our software identifies the type of payment card, distinguishing between credit and debit cards. Surcharging is automatically applied to credit cards, and not applied to debit cards.
Where will customers see the surcharge fee?
The surcharge fee will be shown when taking a payment in SiteLink and on the payment receipt.
How do I enable surcharging and communicate with my tenants?
Follow the instructions in our Help Article.