Overview

CardX, headquartered in Chicago, is a prominent payment processing firm that has been acquired and is now under the control of Stax. Renowned for its expertise in zero-cost credit card payment processing, CardX stands out as a leading player in the industry. With a transparent pricing model and an intuitive interface design, this merchant account provider has gained a reputation for seamlessly facilitating payment processing for businesses, making the entire experience hassle-free.

What is CardX?

Besides its highly competitive zero fees (surcharge) pricing model, CardX prides itself on being fully compliant with all regulations, ensuring a secure and reliable payment processing experience. The company confidently assures merchants that they can retain 100% of every credit card sale without any deductions. Moreover, CardX’s payment structure is designed so that businesses are only charged for transactions made via debit cards, providing a cost-effective solution for merchants seeking to maximize their profits.

CardX Features

CardX offers a versatile payment processing solution that caters to various business needs, whether you operate in-person, in-office, online, or a combination of all three. Their technology-driven approach is designed to help businesses minimize processing fees. CardX provides advanced administration and reporting capabilities, which can be conveniently accessed through its user-friendly CardX Portal.

Customer Software and Terminal

CardX provides each of its customers with a Verifone VX520 POS terminal equipped with EMV Quick Chip technology and CardX’s proprietary software pre-installed. Alongside the terminal itself, merchants receive essential accessories such as store signage (essential for surcharging compliance), a comprehensive “Getting Started” guide to facilitate setup, receipt paper for transaction documentation, and ethernet and power cords to ensure proper connectivity and power supply.

CardX adopts a fee structure that excludes any monthly plan charges. However, there is a $35 monthly rental fee associated with the POS terminal provided to each customer. In the event of an account cancellation, the equipment must be returned.

Online Payment Solutions

CardX offers a convenient setup for website payments through the use of the CardX Lightbox. The CardX Lightbox pops up, allowing customers to complete their purchases seamlessly without any redirection. When customers opt to pay with a credit card, CardX will transparently display the applicable surcharge fee. However, customers are also presented with an opportunity to choose a more cost-effective option, such as a debit card or e-check.

Government + Education

The Government + Education feature provided by CardX enables government agencies and educational institutions to accept online and card payments seamlessly. with this feature, these entities are relieved from bearing the burden of costs associated with other customers’ transactions. Instead, customers are responsible for covering the expenses related to their chosen payment methods.

Virtual Terminal

For businesses that accept telephone and mail orders, CardX offers a secure and efficient Virtual Terminal solution. This features advanced software that promptly identifies the customer’s card type (credit, debit, or prepaid). Additionally, it automatically calculates any payment processing fees that are relevant based on the chosen card type.

Reporting and Analytics

Upon logging into CardX’s platform, you’ll be greeted with a concise and informative overview of your business’s recent performance. The overview typically includes the number of recent sales (categorized by in-person and online transactions), the amount saved on credit card processing fees, and total deposit volume.

Plans and Pricing

CardX offers merchant services to a diverse range of entities, including businesses, government parastatals, and education institutes. They provide these services through two comprehensive pricing structures known as Card Acceptance Pricing and Technology Pricing.

The Acceptance Pricing structure is determined by the type of card payment accepted from customers, with distinct pricing for credit and debit card transactions.

Credit Card: Under this pricing plan, the merchant receives the full transaction value, ensuring you keep 100% of the payment. Meanwhile, your customers cover the payment processing fee, which is set at 3.5% of the transaction amount. Once the transaction is completed, your customers will see a concise, one-line credit card statement displaying your business name alongside the total amount.

Debit Card: In contrast to the credit card plan, the debit card pricing structure makes your business assume the cost of processing payments from customers using their debit cards. For each debit card payment processed through the in-person terminal, you will be charged 1% of the transaction value in addition to a flat fee of $0.25 per transaction. It’s important to note that the interchange fees associated with debit card transactions may vary based on the card processor used.

Technology Pricing offered by CardX is determined by the method through which you collect your customers’ financial details for payments.

In-Person: CardX offers a monthly fee of $35 for the In-Person Pricing Plan. When you subscribe to this plan, you benefit from a personalized CardX terminal equipped with EMV Quick Chip technology and the CardX software already installed. This specialized terminal enables you to process payments from various cards by either inserting or swiping them securely. As part of the package, CardX provides you with customized signage, ensuring compliance with payment regulations.

Online: The Online plan offered by CardX enables business owners to accept payments effortlessly when customers make purchases through their websites. This plan utilizes the CardX Lightbox payment gateway and virtual terminals to ensure smooth and secure online payments. What sets CardX apart from many other merchant account providers is that they do not redirect customers to another page for payment when they check out from your store.

In-Office: The In-Office plan offers flexibility in pricing, starting at $29 per month, with costs adjusting based on the transaction volume. With the In-Office plan, businesses can enjoy a hassle-free approach to receiving payments without the need to invest in hardware or install any software. Instead, the plan offers a convenient CardX virtual terminal, allowing merchants to simply key in their customers’ financial information for seamless payment processing.

CardX Set Up

While the option to apply online may not be available, setting up an account with CardX remains a straightforward process, thanks to their efficient and quick approval procedure. CardX’s sales representatives play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth onboarding experience for businesses.

You have two options to initiate the process of getting started with CardX. First, you can simply fill out an online form providing essential details such as your name, email address, phone number, and company information. Or you can directly reach out to their sales or customer support line to express your interest and inquire about their services.

For established merchants that have a credit card payment history, getting started with CardX is even more streamlined. You only need to submit the application along with a color copy of your driver’s license. Once these documents are provided, CardX’s underwriters will review your application promptly. The approval process for your account typically takes no more than 2 to 3 days. Even if your business lacks a history of payment processing the application process with CardX remains simple and hassle-free. The only supporting document required is a copy of your driver’s license.

Upon approval of your account, CardX will promptly send you your login credentials, granting you access to their Portal. you have the convenience of adding additional users to the account, each with unique login credentials. To enhance security and control, CardX allows you to set specific access preferences for each user.

Customer services

CardX’s commitment to providing excellent customer support is commendable, especially as a newcomer to the industry. Users have not registered any complaints regarding poor customer support, highlighting the effectiveness of their support systems. CardX offers a comprehensive range of customer support services, including:

• Email and toll-free phone lines for sales inquiries, users, and partners

• 24/7 customer support available to CardX users

• A detailed FAQ page with answers to basic concerns about the service

CardX’s phone and live chat support are available from Monday to Friday, with operating hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST.

Bottom Line

If you’re considering surcharging as a means to lower your payment processing fees, CardX emerges as an excellent choice. Among the top services available, CardX stands out as a painless, user-friendly, and compliant solution for zero-cost processing tailored to your business needs. Its flexibility and transparency extend to your customers.

While CardX may not match all the advanced merchant service features from other providers, it excels in delivering a crucial aspect: a worry-free payment processing solution. By focusing on key areas such as eliminating exorbitant fees, ensuring top-notch security measures, and maintaining compliance standards, CardX offers a reliable and user-friendly payment processing solution.