When you collect payments by card or online, commission charges are inevitable.
But paying too much can often be avoided.
Many professionals (merchants, e-merchants, freelancers...) think they've got their transaction costs under control, when in fact they're accumulating errors and invisible additional costs.
Here are the 5 most common pitfalls, and how to avoid them.
❌ 1. Rely solely on the rate displayed
"I pay 1% commission." Really?
In most cases, this transaction rate does not reflect reality.
Why?
- The rate is "from...", but varies according to card type
- Some charges are excluded: Amex, pro cards, non-EU cards...
- Fixed costs are added: terminal rental, maintenance, subscription, minimum billing
➡️ As a result, a rate posted at 1.2% can rise to over 2% when everything is added up.
👉 To find out your true commission costs, you need to analyze the overall cost of collection.
❌ 2. Accepting your banking contract without discussion
All too often, the payment contract is signed at the same time as the opening of a business account. No questions asked. Without competition.
What it means:
- Imposed materials
- Rigid conditions, little customization
- Long-term commitments (often 3 to 4 years)
- Uncompetitive standard rates
As a result, you leave with a fixed banking contract, rarely aligned with your volumes or needs.
❌ 3. Underestimating "invisible" costs
Even with a good commission rate, your payment costs can rise due to additional fees:
- Monthly subscription
- Payment terminal rental
- Chargebacks and disputes
- Minimum monthly charge for low sales
💡 Example:
Monthly cash flow: €6,000 at 1.2% = €72
- 25 € rental + 15 € fee = 112 €
👉 Actual rate = 1.9%, not 1.2%.
❌ 4. Choosing a solution ill-suited to your business
Not all pros have the same needs:
- A food truck needs a mobile VSE
- An e-merchant wants a smooth payment tunnel
- A liberal practice favors simplicity
- A network of boutiques awaits multi-point management tools
By choosing a "generic" solution, you risk :
- Pay for unnecessary services
- Lack of tools that could simplify your life (or boost your sales)
👉 The right POS solution is the one that fits your field reality.
❌ 5. Never question your contract
A contract signed 3 or 4 years ago doesn't necessarily hold water today.
Rates change, technologies evolve... and your volumes may change.
Many pros leave their contracts as they are, for reasons of comfort or lack of time.
But this is often where transaction costs soar unnecessarily.
💡 Tip: compare what's out there at least once a year.
Changing solutions can be easier (and more profitable) than you think.
✅ Who we are
Easytransacis a French solution that has been simplifying card and online payment for over 10 years.
Mobile payment terminals, online payment, e-commerce solutions: we make it easy for professionals to pay, without jargon or hidden costs.
🔍 A project or a question? Contact us atWe're here to help you, with no obligation.
