Carl Loder- CEO, CentralRacingParts.com

"Thrive did a great job building my online store.  I wasn't always sure of some of the decisions that were made in the construction process but Michael has won my trust!  Recently, five suppliers I had lined up to purchase from, visited my site.  Normally they require a "buy-in" for an initial order which can be upwards of $10,000.  When they saw my site, they were calling ME to represent them.  They waived their buy-in and are getting in line to be a supplier."

Solution: E-commerce store and credit-card processing

Dave Mace, First Employee, Maverick Creative Group

"Michael combines several talents to create an incredibly valuable service for his clients. He is part designer, part technician and part business strategist, making him a formidable partner. I've enjoyed working with him, and I've learned a lot from him."

Aaron Davis, Sedgwick County Health Department

"What does it for me when it comes to Thrive is their dedication to detail. Thrive takes the time to really listen to what I want and need and then make sure that they produce exactly what i asked for. I really appreciate their customer service, Michael and the team isn't perfect but when they make a mistake their team jumps on it to make sure any problems are resolved in a timely fashion. If you need an web-application built that works, I recommend Thrive!"

Solution: Emergency Responders Registration Database

Marta Curry, Waddell and Reed

“While Thrive Business Solutions is the company name, Michael personifies integrity in his industry. Thrive is genuine in their approach to listen, offer assistance and solutions to your agendas. Strive is one word as they pledge to help others, but they really thrive at it. I am fortunate to collaborate with them regularly through our Chamber Leads Group #3 - where many strategies and business networking goals are shared - and achieved!”

Pat Knolla- Founder / Owner, Knollas Pizza on 13th

“Thrives customer service has really impressed me. When I call they solve whatever I throw at them right away. I have been processing credit cards and have had my website with them for three years now and the rates have always been fair. Most importantly, they have integrity. I have never had to question if Thrive is doing something with my rates or service that I should be concerned about.”

Solution: Website, Online-Ordering, E-mail Marketing and Credit-card Processing

Mark Oelze, Owner, True Life Marriage and Family Counseling

"Michael is not only a man of great vision, but a man who has the mind and ability to take that vision apart and see it happen one step at a time. He does so with a steadfast spirit about him in a confident but gracious manner. When you are around Michael you are caught up in the same confidence that together what has been set out to do will indeed be accomplished. I can't say enough good about this man!"

Mike Steele, Co-Founder, The Galleon Company

“Michael is a man of high character and competence. He accomplishes what he sets out to do. I recommend his services without reservation.”

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The biggest lie about visa and mastercard services E-mail

It's tough times and everyone is looking to cut costs any way that they can. For many service based businesses with a recurring expense this can be a fantastic time to increase your customer base and create a loyal fan club. A business who really wants to serve the community can offer a savings and good service to gain clients who wouldn't have considered switching even 8 months ago.

This opportunity has also created a fantastic market for fast-talking swindlers who share half-truths to earn your business. One of the least understood expenses that a small business incurs is Visa and Mastercard processing fees. It is difficult to understand because the industry has been shrouded in secrecy and dishonesty for so long. Did you know:

  • There have been multiple class action lawsuits against Independent Sales Offices in the US in the last 10 years for dishonest sales practices and price gouging?
  • That the Visa / Mastercard interchange charts (a detail of costs from the card associations) were not a matter of public record until just a few years ago? As a result, you as a small business could never know if you were getting a good deal or not!
  • Leasing a credit card terminal will cost you 3 to 4 TIMES what you would pay for it in cash
  • That MOST sales contractors for Independent Visa / Mastercard sales offices only quote there BEST rate-- and when you sign on the dotted line you will be taken to the cleaners on your first bill!


All of the above are true but what Thrive Business Solutions is focusing on in this article is the 4th issue mentioned.

I had a several existing customers call me in the last several weeks and say something like this: "I got a call from a merchant services company the other day and they said my rate was going to be 1.39%!"

Now, you may have heard something like this and may have even recently switched companies on this bait. I am sorry but a quote like that simply is not honest. Without confusing the reader let me succinctly break down the scenario I just gave you.

  1. Every Independent Sales Office for Visa / Mastercard has access to the same pricing structure as their cost.
  2. As a result of this from the largest bank offering merchant services to the smallest one operator shop we all have the same starting place in terms of cost from Visa / Mastercard.
  3. Every transaction that your run from your terminal, virtual terminal, Point of sale terminal, etc., falls into a predefined category managed by the card associations and determined on risk for fraud or chargeback
  4. There are over 100 distinct risk categories and a rate assigned to each and only 10 or so have a COST less than 1.39%
  5. This is the most important-- No one sells below their cost.

Think about it for a moment. If less than 10% of the total transaction categories have a cost of less than or equal to 1.39% and the company quoting the rate still has to add their margin to the deal to be profitable, how in the world will they give you a rate of 1.39% on all of your transactions? To do so would be financial suicide for the company. In fact I know from the countless calls from merchants over the last 6 years begging for rescue from the hostage situation that they have signed off on that that in reality the rate that they are getting is much higher than what they switched away from in the first place.

The latest scam is actually more heinous than the first. Instead of not being honest about what the merchant is actually being charged the sales rep is in fact being honest but all they are quoting is the margin on the deal. So in fact, what the rep is saying is that you will have whatever Visa and Mastercards cost is, plus 1.39%. I have seen several merchants in this plight in just the last couple of weeks. That kind of a scam could cost your company thousands of dollars per year in extra merchant services fees.

The moral of the story is: If the deal seems too good to be true it probably is. What can you do to protect yourself? Research. Make sure that the company you select is reputable. Ask for references and most importantly go with an expert. If they don't seem like they understand the business don't take, "Trust me!" as a satisfying answer!

Thrive Business Solutions has been in the payment industry for 6 years and is truly an expert on accepting payments regardless of if it is by terminal, Point of sale, mobile or web. If you have questions on your merchant services or would just like to know if you have have a good deal contact Thrive today!