How to Cut Credit-Card Processing Fees

Long before I was an editor for a small business magazine and knew anything about the issues facing small business owners, I remember thinking it was odd to see a sign in a small gift shop that said, "5 percent discount if you pay cash."
Of course, now I understand exactly why a merchant would offer such a discount—because that discount is cheaper than the fee the merchant pays when a customer uses a credit card.
Credit-card fees are a huge hassle for small business owners. They're hard to understand, they're always changing, and they're different for everybody. Congress is trying to streamline some of the regulations that apply to credit-card processing fees, but in the meantime, there are some steps you can take to reduce the fees on your own. If you're in NFIB, you can sign up with Solveras Payment Systems, which offers reduced negotiated rates for members. If you're not an NFIB member, you should definitely read this BusinessWeek article about the owner of Dollhouse Bettie, a San Francisco lingerie boutique.
With some dedication, she negotiated better terms with her credit-card processing company, which she estimates will save her $4,000 a year.
Read the article to find out what hidden fees she got reduced or removed, and then check your last statement for similar charges. You may be due some savings, too.