What is a merchant surcharge program?

A merchant surcharge program allows businesses to pass credit card processing fees (up to 3%) directly to customers who pay with credit cards. This is fully legal in 47+ states and can save merchants $20,000–$60,000 per year in processing fees.

What is a cash discount program?

A cash discount program offers customers a discount for paying with cash or debit, while customers who pay with credit cards pay the posted price which includes a service fee. This effectively eliminates credit card processing costs for the merchant.

How does Centurion compare to Square, Stripe, and Clover?

Centurion Payment Services consistently beats Square (2.6%+10¢), Stripe (2.9%+30¢), Clover (2.3-2.6%), and Heartland on effective rates. With our interchange-plus or surcharge programs, most merchants save 20-40% over their current processor.

Do you work with high-risk merchants?

Yes. Centurion specializes in high-risk merchant accounts including CBD, firearms, nutraceuticals, vape, adult content, travel, gaming, and more. We have dedicated high-risk banking relationships and fast approval times.

How quickly can I get set up with Centurion?

Most merchants go live within 48 hours of approval. We handle the entire setup process including equipment programming, gateway integration, and staff training.

What credit card processing rates does Centurion offer?

Centurion offers interchange-plus pricing, flat-rate pricing, and zero-fee/surcharge programs. Rates are customized based on your industry, volume, and processing history. We guarantee to beat your current rate or we'll pay you $500.

Is the merchant surcharge program legal?

Yes. Credit card surcharging is legal in 47+ US states. It is currently prohibited only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. Centurion ensures full compliance with state laws and Visa/Mastercard regulations.

What types of businesses do you work with?

Centurion works with all business types: restaurants, retail stores, medical practices, law firms, auto dealers, salons, hotels, e-commerce, contractors, healthcare, dental offices, veterinarians, gyms, nightclubs, dispensaries, and more.

What is Centurion Payment Services?

Centurion Payment Services helps you organize, track, and share your work in 1 unified workspace. Built for teams and solo users who want clarity and speed.

I'm just starting out — do I need a merchant account?

If you're under ~$5,000/month, a flat-rate provider may be fine to start. But get a free consultation anyway — Centurion offers startup-friendly pricing, and starting with the right setup avoids an expensive migration later.

What paperwork do I need to apply?

Typically: a voided check or bank letter, a government ID, and your business details (EIN or SSN for sole proprietors). Most small business approvals take 24–48 hours.

Does Centurion have local support for Jacksonville?

Yes — we serve merchants throughout Florida with dedicated account reps and 24/7 technical support. You'll have a direct line, not a ticket queue.

Can you help with invoicing and online payments too?

Yes — virtual terminals, hosted payment pages, e-commerce gateways, recurring billing, and card-on-file are all available under the same low-cost account.

Jacksonville - Small Business Payments

From your first card reader to zero-fee processing — what every Jacksonville small business owner should know before signing with any payment processor.

Small Businesses Power Jacksonville

Small businesses are the backbone of Jacksonville's economy — logistics, financial services, contractors, and neighborhood retail. And nearly all of them share the same pain: payment processing costs that creep upward year after year while service gets worse.

Most small businesses start with Square or Stripe because signup takes minutes. That convenience has a price: flat rates of 2.6–2.9% + 30¢ that punish larger tickets, no negotiating power, no support line with a human, and accounts that can be frozen by an algorithm.

When to Graduate from Square/Stripe

The tipping point is around $8,000–$10,000/month in card volume. Above that, a dedicated merchant account with interchange-plus pricing almost always beats flat-rate — and the savings grow with your volume. At $30,000/month, switching typically saves $200–$500 every month.

And with a surcharge or cash discount program, small businesses in Florida can eliminate processing costs entirely — the fastest 3% margin improvement available to any merchant.

Stop overpaying on processing fees.

Free rate analysis for Jacksonville businesses — response within 1 hour.

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What Centurion Offers Small Businesses

Month-to-month terms with no cancellation fee. Free equipment placement — modern smart terminals with tap-to-pay. Next-day funding. A dedicated rep you can actually call. Free contract buyouts in many cases. And our lowest-rate guarantee: we beat your current rate or pay you $500.

We serve Jacksonville and the surrounding Florida market with local support and 24/7 technical help.

Two Minutes to Find Out What You'd Save

Fill out the short form below or call (561) 221-2273. Share a recent statement (or just your monthly volume) and we'll give you a real number — your projected monthly savings — within one business hour. No pressure, no obligation.