What to verify before signing a merchant-services or equipment agreement
A low processing rate can still become a bad deal if the equipment obligation, cancellation language, monthly fees, or support terms are not understood.
Use this checklist to compare SecureTrust, Clover providers, banks, independent processors, or any other merchant-services offer before signing.
Serving businesses across Florida, with sales representatives in New York and additional expanding markets.
The contract should answer what happens before, during, and after the relationship
Why isn't every merchant-services price published?
Not every merchant account can be identical. Business type, monthly volume, transaction method, risk, card mix, equipment, software, gateways, and other requirements can legitimately affect the structure of a merchant-services account.
Merchants should also understand that quote-only pricing can give the provider or salesperson greater discretion over the markup presented to each business. When pricing is not publicly established, similar merchants may receive different proposals based on account structure, negotiation, competing offers, or other sales considerations.
That does not automatically mean the pricing is unfair. It does mean the merchant should ask more questions before comparing offers.
The easiest way to compare merchant-services offers is to compare the complete expected monthly cost rather than one advertised percentage or one small markup.
The checklist before signing
These questions are designed to uncover obligations that may not be obvious from the headline processing rate.
What is the exact processing structure?
Ask for the percentage rate, per-transaction charge, monthly platform cost, gateway or software fees, and other account-specific charges in writing.
What is the equipment arrangement?
Confirm whether Clover or other equipment is purchased, rented, financed, placed, or leased, who owns it, and whether equipment obligations are separate from processing.
What happens if the business closes?
Ask whether documented business closure creates a cancellation path, what proof is required, whether equipment must be returned, and when cancellation becomes effective.
What happens if the business is sold?
Ask whether an approved transfer process can move the equipment agreement to the new owner instead of requiring an unnecessary early termination.
Who supports the account after activation?
Ask who handles statement questions, funding questions, chargebacks, equipment problems, gateway issues, payment-program questions, and account changes.
What must be kept in writing?
Keep the merchant application, pricing schedule, equipment agreement, gateway details, special terms, and support contacts. Do not rely only on verbal promises.
SecureTrust equipment protections to verify in writing
These are important because equipment obligations can outlast the processing relationship if the merchant does not understand the agreement.
Processing and equipment obligations may be separate
Canceling or changing payment processing does not automatically mean a separate equipment agreement ends.
Merchants should understand both documents and confirm how cancellation, return requirements, and transfer terms work before signing.
Compare the published processing numbers separately from equipment
One of the easiest ways to compare merchant-services offers fairly is to separate processing, monthly platform costs, optional payment programs, and equipment obligations.
| Item | SecureTrust published amount | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Standard processing | 2.00% + 3¢ | Approved account and applicable account terms |
| Platform fee | $25/month | Standard monthly platform cost |
| Dual Pricing / cash discount program | $9.99/month | Applies when the program is selected |
| Clover / payment equipment | Varies | Device, purchase, lease, financing, and package terms |
| Gateway / software | Varies | Selected tools and account-specific configuration |
Equipment, software, gateway, leasing/financing, chargebacks, and other optional or account-specific costs may apply depending on the selected setup. Card-brand assessments are not added separately on top of SecureTrust standard 2.00% + 3¢ processing.
Payment-program questions to ask
Different payment programs create different merchant and customer experiences. Ask how the program works before the POS is configured.
| Program | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Dual Pricing / cash discount | How are cash and card prices shown? What does the customer see? What fees remain? Does the provider keep the added card-price amount or does the remaining value stay with the merchant after processing? |
| Traditional processing | What is the percentage rate? What is the per-transaction charge? What monthly, software, gateway, PCI, batch, or other account fees apply? |
| Interchange Plus | What processor markup applies? How are card-brand assessments shown? What monthly and gateway fees are separate? |
| Virtual terminal / gateway | What keyed-payment, gateway, software, payment-link, invoice, user-access, and reporting costs apply? |
Support questions belong in the contract discussion too
A provider can have good pricing and still create a poor merchant experience if no one owns the relationship after activation.
The agent who earns the merchant stays involved
SecureTrust agents can continue earning from the merchant relationships they build, creating an ongoing incentive to keep the merchant satisfied, supported, and processing.
That gives the merchant a continuing point of contact instead of a one-time sales handoff.
Final document checklist before activation
Keep copies of the documents that control the merchant relationship. If something important is promised verbally, ask for it in writing before signing.
Merchant contract checklist questions
What is the most important thing to review before signing?
Review processing pricing, monthly fees, equipment terms, cancellation language, business-closure provisions, transfer options, gateway or software fees, and support expectations before signing.
What happens to a qualifying equipment agreement if the business closes?
For qualifying equipment agreements, documented business closure can support cancellation under the leasing-company process. Equipment must be returned, and cancellation is completed after the leasing company receives it. The written agreement controls.
Can an equipment agreement transfer if the business is sold?
An approved transfer process may allow the equipment agreement to move to the new owner, subject to the leasing-company process and the applicable written agreement.
Are processing and equipment obligations always the same?
Not necessarily. Processing and equipment obligations can be separate. Merchants should understand both agreements and whether equipment obligations continue if processing changes or ends.
Can SecureTrust review my current statement before I switch?
Yes. SecureTrust can review current processing volume, transaction count, average ticket, effective cost, monthly fees, equipment, gateway use, and payment workflow before recommending a setup.
Is this checklist legal advice?
No. This checklist is general educational information. Business owners should review the actual written agreement and consult qualified advisors when legal, tax, or compliance questions arise.
Want help reviewing the full merchant-services setup?
SecureTrust can help review your current statement, processing structure, equipment setup, payment workflow, contract questions, and support expectations.