Like many other businesses, fuel stations and convenience stores can accept credit cards as payment. However, the fees associated with credit card processing can significantly affect their profits, as their profit margins are often on par with the interchange fees they must pay for each transaction. Here are the best merchant accounts for petroleum stations that you can choose as a merchant or an owner of a fuel station.
The corporate supervisors typically choose payment systems for merchants who are part of a petroleum franchise. However, the best approach for independent fuel stations and convenience stores is to research and find a trustworthy merchant account provider that provides an easy installation, reliable customer support, and, most importantly, the lowest markup. This way, they can continue to provide their customers with the convenience of credit card payments while minimizing the financial impact on their business.
Best Merchant Accounts for Petroleum Stations
Finding the correct merchant account provider for your gas station or convenience store can be daunting, so we have curated a list of the top providers to help you make an informed decision. These processors are compatible with popular POS equipment such as Gilbarco Passport and VeriFone Ruby. They can also facilitate the acceptance of EBT, fleet cards, prepaid cards, and other forms of payment.
These providers have been handpicked for their low processing rates and great review from industry experts and merchants. To ensure you find the perfect fit, we recommend contacting multiple providers from our list and comparing their rate quotes. This way, you can be sure you’re getting the best deal for your business while providing your customers with a convenient and efficient payment experience.
Stax
Stax offers a unique approach to credit card processing by eliminating the percentage markup that other processors typically charge on transactions. This makes it easier for gas stations and convenience stores to project their monthly revenue and manage their finances.
Additionally, Stax’s seamless integration with popular business management tools, such as inventory tracking, automatic low-stock alerts, and sales data analysis, is a huge advantage for businesses that need to keep track of inventory and in-demand products. This feature is particularly beneficial for gas stations with convenience stores or offering maintenance and repair services.
Stax’s pricing structure is based on the transaction volume, with the best value for businesses that process at least $5,000 in monthly transactions and the potential to save up to 40% on credit card processing for those businesses with a maximum transaction volume of $500,000 per year.
Host Merchant Services
HMS, a company based in Newark, Delaware, offers many options for gas stations and convenience stores. They provide a broad range of products and services, including online marketing tools, point-of-sale solutions, virtual terminals, online payment gateway, gift and loyalty programs, mobile credit card processing, and merchant cash advance.
All these features make Host Merchant Services an ideal fit for gas stations and C-stores. They have received glowing feedback on many public forums, with customers praising their customer service. Additionally, Host Merchant Services uses an interchange-plus pricing model with no hidden fees, which allows merchants to have a transparent pricing model and the freedom to cancel service without penalty.
PaymentCloud
This company serves many businesses, including gas stations and convenience stores. The company offers a variety of products and services, such as mobile phone swipers, point-of-sale solutions, a virtual terminal, an online payment gateway, merchant cash advances, and EMV-compatible terminals, which allow gas stations to keep inventory and charge for gas if they have a convenience store in the facility.
PaymentCloud assigns a dedicated account representative to all the new merchant members for the duration of their account and hasn’t received any negative or bad complaints on customer forums. Additionally, they customize their pricing to fit each merchant’s specific processing history and business type, making them an excellent option for gas stations and convenience stores. With PaymentCloud, merchants can streamline their payment process and focus on growing their businesses.
CDG Commerce
CDG Commerce, a privately owned company based in Chesapeake, Virginia, offers a wide range of payment processing solutions that make it a perfect fit for gas stations and convenience stores. The company offers a proprietary gateway, a discounted option for Authorize.Net’s payment gateway, QuickBooks integration, a virtual terminal, sales reporting, mobile phone processing, vulnerability scanning, and security breach protection. CDG Commerce is an excellent choice for businesses requiring a low-cost, simple, and integrated option to accept payments in person.
This company charges a fixed fee per every transaction and has competitive contractual terms such as no annual or termination fees or monthly minimums. Additionally, they offer next-day funding for most business types, making it an ideal option for gas stations and convenience stores. With CDG Commerce, merchants can process payments quickly and easily without worrying about hidden fees or complicated processes.
National Processing
National Processing, a merchant account provider, offers a variety of payment processing options that make it an excellent choice for gas stations and convenience stores. The company has a team of experts who can help merchants find the right virtual terminal or POS system that best suits their business needs. They offer two pricing options, a “zero-fee” program or an interchange-plus, both of which provide competitive rates.
This company has a solid reputation, with minimal complaints and only one bad customer review filed in three years, but it’s not really concerning. They are highly dedicated to customer satisfaction, and the team is available to provide assistance and support to ensure merchants have a smooth experience with their payment processing services.
Moreover, National Processing is constantly updating its services to provide its clients with the latest and most efficient technology. With their comprehensive and flexible options, they are an ideal fit for gas stations and convenience stores. With National Processing, merchants can focus on growing their business while they handle payment processing.
Flagship Merchant Services
Flagship Merchant Services, a merchant account provider, offers two pricing models for its clients: interchange-plus and tiered pricing. While tiered pricing may seem like the most cost-effective option, it is essential to note that in the long run, tiered pricing fees can end up being higher than interchange fees, particularly for small businesses.
Like National Processing, Flagship does not offer a free terminal unless you sign a long-term contract. It is recommended to purchase your equipment from Flagship as it will ultimately cost less in the long run, as you will not need to pay monthly insurance and maintenance fees.
Flagship does not disclose any information about pricing and fees on its website, and it encourages merchants to negotiate. Therefore, it is essential to contact the company to get a custom quote for your business and compare it with other providers.
Conclusion
When looking for a merchant account provider for a petroleum station, it is vital to consider the unique challenges and requirements of the industry. This includes factors such as the need for integration with existing POS equipment, the ability to accept various payment types, and, most importantly, the ability to offer competitive and low processing rates.
Each provider offers different features and pricing options. Doing thorough research and comparing the various merchant account providers and their services is recommended before deciding.
Additionally, it is crucial to consider factors such as customer service, company reputation, and the ability to cancel service without penalty. With the right merchant account provider, petroleum stations can lower their processing costs and increase their profitability.
