Questions, Questions & More Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from both our clients and our prospective clients. If you have a question that is not included here, please submit it using our Contact Us form, or simply email your question to info@epconsulting.com.

What are your fees?
Our fees are contingent upon realized savings, not "hoped for" or "anticipated" savings. We split the realized savings 50/50 over a 36 month period.
How do you calculate the realized savings?
We review three to six of your most recent merchant processing statements and determine what you are effectively paying to process your card activity. By dividing the amount of Bankcard (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Debit sales settled by your processor) sales volumes into the total amount that you are paying each month, we can determine your Average Effective Rate.

We present you with our findings and we then come to agreement on the Average Effective Rate that will be used. Once you begin receiving statements (after EP Consulting has performed our services), the Average Effective Rate will be applied to your Bankcard sales volumes to determine what you would have paid. We then subtract what you actually did pay, from what you would have paid, which yields your realized savings.

This method ensures that as sales volumes fluctuate an accurate realized savings amount will still be obtained. In addition, the merchant has a say and a comfort level in determining what would have been paid. Prior to payment of the invoice, EP Consulting reviews the realized savings with each client. For the avoidance of doubt, if the client and EP Consulting cannot agree to the amount saved, client shall be excused from EP Consulting�s fee for that given month.
What if there are no savings?
Then there is no fee.
How and when do we pay your fee?
Following the first affected processing cycle, each month EP Consulting provides a clear and straightforward savings summary and invoice. Client may pay by paper check, eCheck, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
What if my processor won't cooperate with you?
That rarely happens, but it is a possibility. In the unlikely event that does happen we have several reputable alternative merchant services providers who have agreed to the very same terms we are requesting from your current provider.

There is no obligation for you to switch to any of them. You may choose to select another processor or remain with your current provider under the current terms they are giving you.
How much time will I have to invest?
Very little; Usually less than 1 hour. About 10 minutes gathering and sending the initial statements for review. 20 minutes during the Gameplan call, and 10 minutes walking through your first month�s results.
What do processors think about your services?
After having done this with hundreds of clients over the last four years we can safely say that the overwhelming majority of processors are very cooperative. While they are not thrilled to give up the margin that generally ensues when we get involved, they do realize that the likelihood of you ever leaving over price is eliminated. The secret in running a successful merchant processing company is to make a little money from a lot of clients. Attrition is a much bigger problem than margin compression and we actually reduce attrition.
What are the possible downsides?
There are none.

Contact Us today to learn how we can help your business add more profit in the next 60 days. (951) 303-0897

You Should Know...

  • There is much more to minimizing this cost than price. On average pricing reductions yield only half of our client�s overall savings.
  • You don't have to be a large company to see significant cost savings. We help small and mid-size firms reduce this cost category even more.
  • While 9 out of 10 businesses we initially interview feel they have already minimized this expense category, we were able to add even more savings in over 87% of each case.
  • Today's wasted money becomes tomorrow's incremental profit.
  • There are no up front costs for our services, only savings.