Mistakes and FAQ
Chargebacks Explained: How They Work, What They Cost and How to Prevent Them
A merchant's guide to credit card chargebacks in the U.S., including the dispute process, deadlines, evidence, costs and prevention steps.
Mistakes and FAQ
Common errors, red flags, scams, and honest pros and cons.
Most expensive payment problems are avoidable: long contracts with early termination fees, frozen funds from sudden volume spikes, chargebacks handled too late, or an unlicensed salesperson promising impossible rates. This section collects the mistakes merchants make most often, the warning signs of predatory offers, and straight answers to the questions people search for.
Use these guides as a review before you sign anything. They are educational, not legal or tax advice. If a contract is large, your business is high risk, or you have already had funds held, consider talking with an attorney or a qualified accountant. The switching payback calculator can also help you test whether changing providers is worth the effort.
Guides in this topic
Mistakes and FAQ
Is a Payment Gateway Worth It? Pros, Cons and Alternatives for Small Businesses
A balanced look at the benefits and costs of accepting cards through a payment gateway, with a break-even method and alternatives like ACH, cash and invoicing.
Mistakes and FAQ
Common Payment Gateway Mistakes to Avoid: Twelve Costly Errors Merchants Make
The most common and expensive mistakes U.S. merchants make when choosing and running a payment gateway, with practical fixes for each one.
Mistakes and FAQ
Red Flags and Scams in Payment Processing: How to Spot a Bad Merchant Services Offer
Learn the warning signs of predatory merchant services sales tactics, fake savings audits and payment scams targeting U.S. small businesses, and what to do about them.
Mistakes and FAQ
Payment Processing FAQ: Surcharges, 1099-K Forms, Held Funds and Refunds
Straight answers to common U.S. merchant questions about card surcharges, Form 1099-K reporting, frozen payouts, refunds and sales tax on card sales.