A self-service consulting playbook that helps merchants cut card fees 40–70% without losing customers or going cash-only.
This guide is for small business owners who:Accept credit and debit cardsPay $10,000+ per year in processing feesWant to reduce costs without upsetting customersPrefer practical systems over fintech hypeIf card fees feel unavoidable, this was written for you.
Card payments operate like a private toll system. Fees are embedded, fragmented, and difficult to challenge directly. Especially for small businesses.Most merchants overpay not because they chose the wrong processor, but because cards are treated as the default payment method.This guide shows how to change that default legally and calmly.
A step-by-step system to reduce card feesClear explanation of what is legal (and what isn’t)Exact signage and staff scriptsA conservative savings calculatorPrintable checklists and quick-start toolsNo software. No upsells. No calls required.
Keep accepting cardsMake lower-cost payment options visibleLet customers choose voluntarilyMost savings come from partial adoption—not forcing change.
Q: Is this legal?
A: Yes. The guide focuses on discounts, transparency, and widely used steering practices. It avoids high-risk surcharge tactics.Q: Will customers be annoyed?
A: When presented calmly and consistently, most customers accept this immediately.Q: Do I need to change processors?
A: No. This works with your existing setup.Q: How fast will I see savings?
A: Usually within the first 1–2 billing cycles.
Consulting Cody focuses on practical cost systems for small businesses. This guide comes out of MBA-level training in operations, pricing, and behavioral design—applied directly to real merchant problems.No hype. Just structure.