What card processors actually take
Card fees are usually quoted as a percentage plus a fixed amount per transaction —
something like 2.6% + 10¢. The percentage is the part people notice; the flat fee is the
part that quietly punishes small sales.
Fee = (Sale × rate) + fixed fee
Net = Sale − Fee
Why the flat fee matters more than you think
At 2.6% + 10¢, a $50 sale costs $1.40 in fees
— about 2.8%.
The same rate on a $5 sale costs 23¢ —
4.6%, nearly double the effective rate.
If you sell a lot of small items, the headline percentage understates what you are
actually paying. This is the real argument for bundles and minimums, rather than any
particular processor being cheaper.
Comparing processors honestly
Rates move, and the right choice depends on your average sale, not on which brand is
best known. The things worth comparing:
- In-person versus keyed-in rates. Manually typed card numbers almost
always cost more than tapped or dipped ones.
- The flat per-transaction fee, weighed against your typical sale size.
- Hardware cost, and whether a reader is a one-off purchase or a rental.
- Deposit timing. Next-day versus several days matters when you have
another show's booth fee due.
- Marketplace fees stacked on top, as with Etsy in person.
Reconciling a show
The deposit that lands in your bank is not your sales figure. It is sales, minus fees, and
it still contains the sales tax you collected on the state's behalf. To file correctly you
need those three separated — the deposit alone will not tell you what you owe. Working
back from a tax-inclusive total is what the
reverse sales tax calculator is for.
Related tools
Fees come straight out of your margin, so it is worth checking your prices still work with
the pricing calculator, and whether the show itself paid
off with the break-even calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate card processing fees?
Multiply the sale by the percentage rate, then add the fixed per-transaction fee. At 2.6% + 10¢, a $50 sale costs $1.40, leaving $48.60.
Why do small transactions cost more proportionally?
Because the flat per-transaction fee is the same regardless of size. At 2.6% + 10¢, a $50 sale is charged about 2.8% but a $5 sale is charged 4.6%.
Which payment processor is cheapest for craft fairs?
It depends on your average sale size. A low percentage with a high flat fee suits large sales; the reverse suits small ones. Compare using your own typical basket rather than the headline rate.
Does the deposit in my bank equal my sales?
No. The deposit is sales minus processing fees, and it still includes any sales tax you collected. All three need separating before you can file a return.
Should I add a card surcharge or set a minimum?
Surcharging is restricted or banned in some states and by some card network rules, and minimums have their own limits. Check your state and your processor's agreement before doing either.
Is the card fee reconciler free?
Yes — no sign-up, and it runs entirely in your browser.