The card pricing signage checklist.
Clear disclosure is what separates a pricing program customers accept from one they complain about. Use this checklist before launch and every quarter after.
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At the entrance
Post a short, readable notice at each customer entrance describing your pricing program. Customers should know before they shop or order, not only at the register. Use plain words like card price and cash price.
At the point of sale
Place a second notice at every register, counter and pay-at-table device. If you surcharge, state that a surcharge applies to credit cards, that it does not apply to debit cards, and the percentage.
On menus, tags and price lists
For dual pricing, show both prices or clearly state the relationship between them on every price display. Check that printed menus, digital menus, delivery apps and shelf tags all match.
On receipts
Receipts should show the price charged and identify the program line, such as the cash discount applied or the surcharge amount. Test receipts for sales, refunds, tips and split payments.
Online, phone and invoices
Card-not-present channels need equivalent disclosure before payment: on the checkout page, read aloud on phone orders, and printed on invoices and estimates.
Staff script
Give every team member the same one-sentence explanation, for example: we show a cash price and a card price so customers can choose. Consistent, calm answers prevent most disputes.
Quarterly review
Walk your location every quarter: replace faded signs, confirm menu updates, and recheck rules in each state you operate. Rules change, and so do your prices.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cash-discount merchant program?
A cash-discount program offers a reduction from the advertised regular price when a customer pays with cash. The displayed price, disclosures and receipt treatment matter; simply adding a fee to card transactions is not automatically a cash discount.
Does a cash discount mean cards are no longer accepted?
No. Customers can still choose eligible card payments at the disclosed regular price. The objective is to make payment choices and their prices clear rather than surprise customers at checkout.
What should I change before launch?
Review advertised prices, entrances, menus, receipts and checkout prompts with your processor. Train staff to explain the discount and test refunds and tips. Requirements depend on your jurisdiction and card-network rules.
Is a cash-discount program right for an online store?
Not every online checkout or business model suits this approach. Evaluate available payment methods, platform integrations and clear pre-purchase disclosures before considering a program.
How much can a cash-discount program save?
The result depends on your volume, customers' payment choices and remaining account fees. Request a written comparison that accounts for both current expenses and all proposed costs.