Before You Sign Another Processor Contract, Ask These 5 Questions
Most businesses treat payment processing like a checkbox. Find a vendor, compare rates, and get set up. But behind that “simple” setup is a complex system that can quietly bleed money, waste time, and box you into terms you didn’t realize you were agreeing to.
Whether you're starting a new location or reconsidering your current setup, the processor you choose and how you choose it matters more than most realize. At PlutosPay, we’ve seen what happens when businesses don’t ask the right questions upfront.
Here are five questions every operator or CFO should ask before signing that dotted line.
1. What are the actual fees beyond the rate?
Rates are only one piece of the puzzle. What about:
Monthly minimums
Batch fees
PCI compliance or non-validation charges
Statement fees
Support or tokenization costs
These add up quickly and often aren’t mentioned until after your first billing cycle.
2. Who owns the gateway and can I take it with me?
Some processors bundle gateways and terminals in ways that make switching later painful. If your setup is locked into proprietary systems or equipment, you're at the mercy of their terms, support, and reporting.
Ask upfront: can your gateway, POS, and processor be separated if needed?
3. Is this pricing actually built for my business type?
Government, corporate, and B2B cards qualify for special rates when set up properly—but most processors don’t do it automatically. If you accept these card types and aren’t set up for Level 2 or 3 data, you're leaving money on the table.
Ask: are we optimizing for the types of cards our customers actually use?
4. How will issues be resolved and by who?
When chargebacks, deposit delays, or statement discrepancies happen, who owns the fix? Many processors push support tickets through offshore queues or point fingers between hardware and software providers.
You need to know: who’s going to pick up the phone when something breaks?
5. Can I get help evaluating my options before I commit?
Most processors pitch their own system as “the best.” But they rarely offer an unbiased comparison or help you understand how the backend will actually operate day to day.
That’s where PlutosPay comes in. We’re not a processor. We’re your payments partner helping you compare, negotiate, and build the right setup from the beginning. No lock-ins. No fine print surprises. Just clean payments, optimized for your business.
Final Thought
Too many businesses sign processor contracts that weren’t built with them in mind. Before you commit, ask the questions that actually matter and make sure your payment setup works for you, not against you.