Inflation isn’t just a headline. It’s a daily reality for small business owners—eating into margins, raising costs, and forcing tough decisions.
From raw materials and shipping fees to utilities, insurance, and labor, prices have continued to creep upward. Even as the broader economy shifts, the damage lingers in the form of contracts, supplier rates, and long-term overhead that doesn’t easily reset.
That’s the reality facing many of the business owners our team at Valued Merchant Services (VMS) talks to every single day. They’re not just worried about competing—they’re worried about surviving.
And yet, there’s one area where we consistently help them reclaim control and protect their margins: payment processing.
The Hidden Drain: Processing Fees
If you’re a business owner, you already know that every transaction costs you money. Credit card processing fees can silently siphon away thousands each year—money that could otherwise go toward inventory, staffing, or simply staying afloat.
Unfortunately, most businesses are locked into outdated contracts, flat-rate providers, or tiered pricing systems that favor the processor, not the business owner.
And while inflation is squeezing every other line on the balance sheet, most merchants haven’t even looked at this one. That’s where our team comes in.
What We’re Seeing on the Ground
Our sales agents—most of them small business owners themselves—are on the front lines. They’re visiting retail shops, restaurants, contractors, clinics, salons, and other local operations that are fighting the same uphill battle:
✅ Ingredient and material costs up 12-30%
✅ Shipping and fuel surcharges passed on to the buyer
✅ Monthly insurance premiums rising 8-15%
✅ Wage pressures due to labor shortages
✅ Lease escalations compounding annually
And in the middle of that chaos?
They’re paying 2.75% to 4% or more in credit card processing fees… often without even realizing it.
That’s the equivalent of having another utility bill—or two—show up at the end of every month. But this is one area they can do something about today, without waiting for the economy to change.
Real Savings. Real Fast.
We start by offering a free, no-obligation savings analysis—breaking down their current costs and comparing them to the custom rates we can offer through Valued Merchant Services.
In many cases, we’re able to:
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Cut their monthly processing fees by 10-100%
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Offer no-cost EMV/NFC hardware upgrades
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Introduce Dual Pricing or Cash Discount programs that pass fees to the customer (compliantly)
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Offer next-day funding to keep cash flow strong
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Replace complex pricing models with simple, transparent interchange-plus rates
We’re not tied to one-size-fits-all pricing. Our agents are trained to listen, assess, and structure a solution that matches the specific business—whether it’s seasonal, startup, or high-volume.
Inflation Relief Isn’t Just a Tax Credit—It’s a Smarter Payment Strategy
While policy makers debate relief packages and tax incentives, we’re empowering small business owners with something immediate and impactful: cost control on every sale they make.
Think about it this way:
If a café doing $40,000/month in card transactions switches from a 3.5% flat rate to a 2.25% interchange-plus model, they save $500+ per month. That’s $6,000 a year—without selling a single extra cup of coffee.
That’s a utility bill. A part-time employee. A piece of kitchen equipment. It matters.
Our agents don’t just sell merchant accounts. They build relationships and become advocates for local businesses who are too busy to read the fine print, but smart enough to know they need to adapt.
This Is Bigger Than Credit Card Fees
For many of our clients, switching processors opens the door to other tools they’ve been putting off:
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Tablet-based POS systems to reduce staff strain
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Mobile payment solutions for on-the-go service businesses
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E-commerce integrations to diversify revenue
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Loyalty programs to drive repeat sales
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Business loans and working capital to bridge gaps during lean months
Every one of these adds resilience—the kind small businesses need more than ever in a world of rising costs.
Local Agents. Nationwide Support.
One of our greatest strengths is our people. Every sales agent at VMS is trained not just in product knowledge, but in problem solving. We approach every conversation with a simple question:
“How can we help you make more and keep more?”
We’re not the biggest name in the industry—but we’re one of the most responsive, transparent, and owner-first teams out there. That’s how we’ve grown since 2006. That’s how we’ve kept clients for 5, 10, even 15 years.
In uncertain times, trust matters. So does follow-through. That’s why our agents are there from the first handshake through onboarding and beyond—because no small business should feel like they’re navigating inflation alone.
Final Thought
The economy may be unpredictable. Inflation may persist. But when margins are tight and survival is on the line, every dollar counts.
If you’re a small business owner—or know one who’s struggling to keep up—it’s time to take a closer look at the silent costs hiding in plain sight.
Let us help you find the savings, simplify your systems, and position your business for a stronger tomorrow.
Valued Merchant Services
Smarter Payments. Local Support. Proven Results.
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