How to Offset Inflation Without Raising Your Prices

If you could time travel back 100 years, you’d be rich. That $20 bill in your wallet would be enough to send you on a nice shopping spree through town – just imagine how much damage you could do with the rest of your savings!

Unfortunately prices don’t stay still; they’re constantly soaring or falling. As prices rise, the power of your dollar – how much your dollar can buy you – drops. This is called inflation, and it’s the last thing most merchants want to deal with. Inflation often forces merchants to raise their prices so they can maintain their profits, angering many of their customers in the process.

Believe it or not, there are ways you can offset inflation and keep your goods affordable for your customers. Later on, I’ll teach you the one hack that promises to do just that.

It all starts with cutting costs, and there’s no better way to do that then to optimize your credit card processing structure.

Cut Unnecessary Costs

When business is booming, it’s easy to overlook all the ways you might still be losing money. I mean, why would you when you’re already making a ton of money? Yet once inflation hits, businesses often find themselves in scramble mode: they’re forced to slash costs but often have no idea where to start.

What’s the secret to cutting costs? You have to lean out your business and increase your efficiency. See if there are any software subscriptions, excess inventory shipments, or other miscellaneous costs your business can survive without. (Tip: Try to resell what you don’t need to make a little extra side profit)

You might have a tough time slashing the “fat” off of your business. Here’s one thing to keep in mind: a lot of the things you feel are essential actually aren’t – with a little ingenuity, you can both restructure your business and maintain your current levels of production, all while cutting costs.

Why You Should Check Your Processing First

Still not sure where to cut costs? Look no further than your merchant processing system. Many businesses are overpaying their banks and credit card processors without even knowing it because those processors often prioritize their bottom line over their merchants. They’ll sell businesses on processing programs that end up costing them much more than they deserve to pay.

Many business owners go with the big-name payment processors simply because they assume they’ll receive the best deal that way. But going with a big name doesn’t automatically secure you the ideal payment processing solution for your business.

For example, one notable processor charges a flat rate of 2.75% for most transactions, and a slightly higher rate for higher-risk payments. That sounds great; if you do, say, less than $75,000 in monthly processing volume then it might not make much of a difference.

Now what if inflation hits and you need to cut costs? Chances are you can secure a much better deal by going with an interchange plus rate, which is much lower than that 2.75% flat rate and doesn’t increase when processing higher-risk transactions. By switching payment processors, you’ll save a lot of money per month. That will help you recoup your inflation losses and spare your customers from price spikes.

Cash Discounts: The Fee-Slashing Hack

There’s another way to save thousands of dollars a month in processing fees: enrolling in a cash discount program. In a cash discount program, you charge card-paying customers an added service fee for processing their card. However, cash-payers will receive a “discount” and will pay your normal prices instead.

This is one of the most reliable ways to offset inflation and regain the majority of your revenue. Most people these days pay in card, so in essence you’ll recover most of your inflation losses with every card transaction you make. That’s great news for you, and it’s not necessarily bad news for your customers either. If they ask you why they have to pay extra to use their card, just let them know that the service fee is how you’re able to keep prices from skyrocketing.

QRev, our cash discount program, offers you unlimited transactions of all types for an affordable monthly rate. Click here to learn why our cash discount program is perfect for pretty much any high-ticket business out there.

Conclusion

So what’s the bottom line? Inflation isn’t the end of the world, and your business can combat it without burdening customers with higher prices. As you begin to slash costs, evaluate your current payment processor and make sure they’re giving you the deal you deserve. Run a cash discount program at your place of business to offset inflation every time you swipe a customer’s credit card.

Here’s what you need to do. First, figure out how much you’re currently paying in processing fees. Then, click here – we’ll send you a free merchant analysis so you can see how much you stand to save with the right processor.

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Effective Date: January 1, 2024

1. Scope

1.1. This Agreement applies to and governs Merchant’s access to and use of the Services, Hardware, and Professional Services ordered by Merchant under a Free Hardware and Software Order. The Services may include, but may not be limited to, (a) mobile and web applications for use by Merchant’s Employees and Customers to place orders and process Payments; (b) Point-of-sale hardware for use by Merchant’s Employees and Customers to place orders and process Payments; (c) processing of Payments and facilitating payment of Net Sales Proceeds to Merchant’s Bank Account; (d) providing Merchant with certain reporting on its sales and activities; and (e) working with Merchant with respect to any Customer inquiries related to Payments or placing orders, in each case under Merchant’s account with Quantum Electronic Payments.

2. Merchant Processing Agreement Requirement

2.1. Agreement. The merchant agrees to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of either 12 months or 24 months as defined by Section 2.2 and Section 2.3.

2.2. Free Smart Terminal Term. Merchants who Order a free Smart Terminal agree to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of 12-months.

2.3. Free Point-of-sale Station Term. Merchants who Order a free Point-of-sale station agree to enter into a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC for a minimum of 24-months.

2.4. Eligibility. The merchant is not eligible to receive free hardware or software until they have signed a Merchant Processing Agreement with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

3. Product List Requirement

3.1. Merchants subscribing to point-of-sale software agree to submit an accurate, up-to-date product list (i.e. menu) containing all product information, modifiers, and pricing to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

3.2. The merchant is not eligible to receive free hardware or software until they submit an accurate, up-to-date product list (i.e. menu) containing all product information, modifiers, and pricing to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

4. Hardware Ownership

4.1. Eligibility Requirements. The merchant takes ownership of hardware Ordered by the merchant after completion of the eligibility requirements as defined by Section 2.4 and Section 3.2. The specific hardware provided is subject to availability and may change at Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s discretion.

5. Taxes and Shipping

5.1. Taxes. The Merchant agrees to pay the applicable taxes for the full retail value of all hardware Ordered by the Merchant.

5.2. Shipping. The Merchant agrees to pay the shipping costs of the hardware ordered by the Merchant.

6. Term and Termination

6.1. Merchant Processing Agreement Termination by Merchant. The merchant may terminate their Merchant Processing Agreement (Section 2) with Quantum Electronic Payments LLC at any time.

6.2. Termination by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC. The Merchant Processing Agreement (Section 2) may be terminated by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC at any time and at the sole discretion of Quantum Electronic Payments LLC.

6.3. Early Termination and Hardware Return. If the Merchant Processing Agreement is terminated by the Merchant or by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC prior to completion of the required term as defined by Section 2.2 and Section 2.3, the Merchant is required to pay Quantum the full retail value of the free hardware Ordered by the Merchant; OR the Merchant may choose to return all hardware to Quantum Electronic Payments LLC within 30 days of termination in lieu of paying the full retail value of the free hardware Ordered by the Merchant.

6.4. Full Retail Value. The full retail value of the hardware Ordered by the merchant is defined by the list price displayed when the merchant places their Order.

7. Payment Processing Monthly Minimum

7.1. Merchants receiving free hardware or software agree to a monthly processing minimum as defined by the individual Merchant Processing Agreement entered into by the Merchant.

8. General Provisions

8.1. Governing Law and Jurisdiction. The Parties intend that this Agreement be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California without regard to any conflict-of-law or choice-of-law rules, and that the rule of construction that provides that a document is construed against the maker thereof be inapplicable in the construction of any of the terms of this Agreement. The Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act, and the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, shall not apply to this Agreement.

8.2. Dispute Resolution. Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, or in connection with Merchant’s use of the Services or our websites, shall be determined through confidential binding arbitration before one arbitrator. The confidential binding arbitration shall be administered by AAA pursuant to its Commercial Arbitration Rules, and the parties shall maintain the confidential nature of the arbitration proceeding and the award, including the hearing. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not preclude either party from pursuing a court action in the state or federal courts for the sole purpose of obtaining a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction in circumstances in which such relief is appropriate; provided that any other relief shall be pursued through an arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Agreement. In any event, any action or proceeding by Merchant against Quantum Electronic Payments LLC relating to any dispute must commence within one year after the cause of action accrues.

8.3. Prohibition of Class and Representative Actions and Non-Individualized Relief. Except where prohibited by Applicable Law and Rules, Merchant and Quantum Electronic Payments LLC agree that each may bring claims against the other only on an individual basis and not as plaintiff or class member in any purported class or representative action or proceeding. Unless both Merchant and Quantum Electronic Payments LLC agree otherwise, the arbitrator may not consolidate or join more than one person’s or party’s claims and may not otherwise preside over any form of a consolidated, representative, or class proceeding. Also, the arbitrator may award relief (including monetary, injunctive, and declaratory relief) only in favor of the individual party seeking relief and only to the extent necessary to provide relief necessitated by that party’s individual claim(s).

8.4. Pre-Arbitration Dispute Resolution. Quantum Electronic Payments LLC is always interested in resolving disputes amicably and efficiently, and most concerns can be resolved quickly and to the participant’s satisfaction by contacting Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s support team. If such efforts prove unsuccessful, a party who intends to seek arbitration must first send to the other, by certified mail, a written notice of dispute (the “Notice of Dispute”). The Notice of Dispute must (i) describe the nature and basis of the claim or dispute and (ii) set forth the specific relief sought. If Quantum Electronic Payments LLC and Merchant do not resolve the claim or dispute, despite good faith attempts, within sixty (60) calendar days after the Notice of Dispute is received, Merchant or Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may commence an arbitration proceeding. During the arbitration, the amount of any settlement offer made by either party shall not be disclosed to the arbitrator until after the arbitrator determines the amount, if any, to which the parties are entitled.

8.5. No Waiver. The failure of either party to enforce any right or provision in this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of such right or provision unless acknowledged and agreed to by such party in writing; and any waiver with respect to a specific circumstance will not constitute a waiver of the same provision or any other provision of this Agreement for any subsequent circumstance unless expressly provided by such written agreement, except that Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may modify this Agreement to comply with, and as a result of, amendments to Applicable Laws and Rules. The Section headings are provided merely for convenience and will not be given any legal import in the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement. No joint venture, partnership, employment, or agency relationship exists between Quantum Electronic Payments LLC and Merchant as a result of this Agreement or use of the Services.

8.6. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all exhibits, attachments, and addenda incorporated by reference herein and in any Orders and/or Quantum Electronic Payments LLC Master Services Agreement, represent the parties’ entire understanding relating to the Services and the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersede any prior or contemporaneous, conflicting, or additional communications, whether written or verbal, and will control over any different or additional terms of any non-Quantum Electronic Payments LLC ordering document, and no terms included in any such purchase order or other non-Quantum Electronic Payments LLC ordering document will apply to the Services or Hardware. This Agreement may be amended only by written agreement signed by the parties, except (i) that Quantum Electronic Payments LLC may update this Merchant Agreement via a general notice to its customer base by providing reasonable notice and having Merchant check a box agreeing to such updated Merchant Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is held by an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, if the essential terms and conditions of this Agreement for each party remain valid, binding, and enforceable, then such provision(s) will be deemed to be restated and construed to reflect the original intentions of the parties in accordance with Applicable Law and Rules with respect to the invalid or unenforceable provision(s), and with all other provisions of this Agreement remaining in full force and effect.

8.7. Assignment. Merchant may not assign this Agreement without the prior written approval of Quantum Electronic Payments LLC, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

8.8. Electronic Signature. Signatures transmitted and received electronically, such as through transmission of a scanned or faxed document, or via secure email or a service such as AdobeSign or a process that otherwise requires typing your name and acknowledging it as an electronic signature, or electronically indicating assent, acknowledgement or acceptance of an agreement, document or other writing, are true and valid signatures for all purposes hereunder and shall bind the parties to the same extent as that of a live signature on paper. Any transactions or services resulting from the Merchant’s instructions which Quantum Electronic Payments LLC receives in the Merchant’s name or under the Merchant’s credentials, including any electronic signature, shall be deemed to have been “a writing” and authenticated by the Merchant “in writing” for purposes of any law in which a writing or written signature is needed or required. All electronic signatures and records maintained by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC of transactions under the Merchant’s or its authorized users’ credentials shall be deemed to have been “signed” and will further constitute an “original” when printed from records established and maintained by Quantum Electronic Payments LLC or its agent in the normal course of business. The Merchant agrees not to contest the authorization for, or validity or enforceability of, Quantum Electronic Payments LLC’s electronic records and documents, or the admissibility of copies thereof, under any applicable law relating to whether certain agreements, files or records are to be in writing or signed by the party to be bound thereby. Records and “signed” documents, if introduced as evidence on paper in any judicial or other proceedings, will be admissible to the same extent and under the same conditions as other documentary business records.

8.9. Representatives. Each party shall be primarily responsible for each of its respective Representatives’ compliance with this Agreement.