John Burroughs

Credit Card Machine August 14, 2026 34 min read

Buying a Used or Refurbished Card Machine: Locked Devices, Reprogramming, and Verifying It Isn’t Tied to Another Processor

A used credit card machine can look like an easy way to save money. A terminal that originally cost hundreds of dollars may appear on a marketplace, auction site, or equipment reseller’s...

Explore Article

Credit Card Machine August 14, 2026 34 min read

First-Install Checklist for Payment Agents: Boarding Files, TID Assignment, and the Three Config Errors Behind Week-One Support Calls

A payment terminal can be unpacked, powered on, and connected in minutes. A successful installation, however, begins much earlier. Many first-week failures originate in merchant boarding, device assignment, feature configuration, or settlement...

Explore Article

Payment Processing June 14, 2026 36 min read

Payment Gateway vs Payment Processor: Key Differences Explained

For many business owners, the terms “payment gateway” and “payment processor” sound interchangeable. Both are part of payment acceptance. Both help businesses take card payments.  Both are involved when a customer taps,...

Explore Article

Payment Processing June 14, 2026 27 min read

How Payment Authorizations Work: A Practical Guide for Merchants

Payment authorization is the approval step that happens before a card transaction can move forward. When a customer pays with a credit card, debit card, contactless card, digital wallet, online checkout form,...

Explore Article

Payment Processing June 14, 2026 41 min read

Understanding Payment Processing Fees: A Practical Guide for Businesses

Payment processing fees are the costs businesses pay to accept electronic payments. These fees can apply when a customer pays with a credit card, debit card, digital wallet, mobile payment, online checkout,...

Explore Article

Payment Processing June 14, 2026 43 min read

Merchant Account Approval Requirements Explained: A Practical Guide

Merchant account approval requirements can feel confusing when a business is trying to accept credit card processing, debit card processing, online payments, mobile payments, or in-person card-present transactions for the first time. ...

Explore Article

Cash Discount June 14, 2026 42 min read

Cash Discount vs Surcharge Program Explained: Key Differences for Businesses

Payment processing costs are a real operating expense. Every card transaction can include interchange fees, assessment fees, processor markup, gateway fees, transaction fees, chargeback fees, and other merchant account costs.  For small...

Explore Article

Chargeback June 14, 2026 29 min read

Common Chargeback Reasons Explained: A Practical Guide for Merchants

A chargeback is a payment dispute process that allows a cardholder to challenge a credit card or debit card transaction through the issuing bank.  If the bank accepts the dispute, the transaction...

Explore Article

Card Brand Fees March 3, 2026 9 min read

How to Stay Compliant with Evolving Payment Laws in 2026?

The world of payments has entered uncharted territory. Speeding up the movement of funds with new technologies such as real-time rails, embedded financing, and AI to detect fraudulent transactions is enabling global...

Explore Article

Cash Discount August 21, 2025 5 min read

Upcoming FTC Rules Every Online Merchant Should Know in 2025

If you have an online business in 2025 and your focus is only on providing the best customer experience possible, then shift your focus a little. This is because you also have...

Explore Article