Do Credit Card Processing Calculators Really Work?

It seems like credit card processing calculators areWhat I can't decide is if the creators of these
becoming more and more popular everyday. At firstcalculators ever intended them to be useful tools or
glance, the idea of these calculators seems great.not. After all, there are so many variables that go into
They are often presented as a tool that will allowa single transaction that creating a credit card fee
business owners to see how much they should/couldcalculator that produced an accurate output would be
be paying for their monthly credit card processing fees.nearly impossible. I find it very odd that there are
But how accurate are these calculators?hundreds of interchange categories that a transaction
Being in the industry as long as I have, I have had thecould be considered, yet most online calculators
opportunity to review and use several differentassume the lowest qualified rate.
calculators. Every time a new one comes out IWith all the advances in technology it is feasible that
approach it with excitement and hopes that this willwe might someday have the luxury of an accurate
make my job easier. Unfortunately, this is never thecredit card processing fee calculator. But until that day
case. It has been my experience that the online ratecomes, it's best to put your trust and your credit card
calculators are more of a marketing item designed toprocessing in the hands of a reputable merchant
collect prospect data than anything else.service provider.