Helcim Fee Saver

Zero-cost payment processing with Helcim Fee Saver!

Overview

Zero-cost credit card processing with Helcim Fee Saver

What is Helcim Fee Saver?

Helcim Fee Saver simplifies card brand rules on surcharging and convenience fees for small businesses, allowing you to pass on processing fees to customers with ease. With Fee Saver, eligible Helcim merchants can enjoy zero-cost payment processing on credit card and credit-enabled debit card payments.

With Helcim Fee Saver, you can pass on a fixed fee to customers when they choose to pay with a credit card or credit-enabled debit card when you use select Helcim tools. This will appear as a “convenience fee” on your customer’s online invoices and receipts, and as a “surcharge” on card-present transactions on the Smart Terminal.

Log in to enable Helcim Fee Saver

What's in it for you?

Savings! If your customers choose to pay with a credit card or credit-enabled debit card, the entirety of the processing fee will be passed on to them in the form of a fixed fee.

Online Helcim Fee Saver allows you to pass on a fixed fee on your online invoices, website integrations, and payment requests should they opt to pay with a credit card , or credit-enabled debit card that utilizes credit payment rails to process payments.

If your customers don’t want to pay the fee and opt to pay through ACH / EFT payments or non-credit rail debit cards, it’s still a win for you as our ACH and debit card processing costs are significantly lower than credit card processing fees.

In-Person Helcim Fee Saver enables you to pass on a fixed fee for credit card transactions on the Helcim Smart Terminal. If some of your customers choose to skip the fee by paying with an alternative method such as debit or cash, you will still lower your overall processing fees.

What is a “credit-enabled debit card”?

Certain debit cards in the U.S. and Canada (i.e. those branded with a Visa or Mastercard logo) can be used in a similar way as a credit card. When a debit card is used in-person at a point of sale in the same fashion as credit card (i.e. swiped and signed for), the payment will be routed via the credit card rails, and will be treated as a credit card payment (so credit card interchange rates will apply). In order to be processed as a debit card (to have debit fees rather than credit card interchange fees apply), the customer must select “debit” at the point of sale, select their account, and enter their banking PIN.

Regardless of the routing method of a debit card payment, in-person debit card payments cannot be surcharged. Helcim’s systems identify debit cards via their bank identification numbers to ensure that surcharges are not applied to in-person debit card payments.

Conversely, for online payments, if a credit-enabled debit card is used to make an online payment it will be treated a a credit card payment and when Fee Saver is enabled for online payments, credit-enabled debit cards will be charged a convenience fee. To avoid the online convenience fee, your customer must opt to pay via ACH / EFT rather than using their Visa or Mastercard enabled debit card (or similar credit-enabled debit card).

Who is eligible for Helcim Fee Saver?

Online Fee Saver

Online Fee Saver requires both Credit Card and ACH / EFT payments to be available in the payment tool you are using in order to pass on the processing fee to your customers.

In-Person Fee Saver

In-Person Fee Saver is available to merchants using the Helcim Smart Terminal in eligible locations. Non eligible locations are:

• Connecticut

• Maine

• Massachusetts

• Oklahoma

• Colorado

• Quebec

Note: follow state, federal, provincial, and card brand rules, along with Helcim's Fee Saver Terms and Conditions (USA version | Canada version), before activating Fee Saver. When in a location that prohibits surcharging, comply with state and provincial laws. Merchants using In-Person Helcim Fee Saver must disclose added fees as surcharges. The disclosure should include the following:

• The surcharge is being imposed by the merchant.

• The surcharge is not greater than the applicable merchant discount rate at the merchant location.

• Consumers must be given the opportunity to opt out of the sale or pay by other means before the surcharge is added to the sale.

You can make your own disclosure displays or you can download templates here:

Additionally, in New York, merchants should display prices for both cash and credit card transactions. See examples below

On shelf: 

Verbally quoted: 

What are the pass on rates and how are they calculated?

Helcim Fee Saver enables you to pass on a fixed fee to your customer. This fee can be seen by your customer before they settle their bill; in the payment details. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the total transaction amount, inclusive of taxes and tips.

How to Enable Helcim Fee Saver

PLEASE NOTE:

Online Fee Saver is available for Pay Now Invoicing, Payment Requests, Payment Pages, and integrations to HelcimPay.js.

Online Fee Saver is not available for Subscriptions, Recurring Invoices, Manually Keyed/ Virtual Terminal payments, or through our WooCommerce, Xero, or QuickBooks Online integrations.

In-person Fee Saver is available through the Helcim Smart Terminal and integrations to the Smart Terminal API.

Method 1: After Sign Up

If you’re new to Helcim, you can enable this feature during the onboarding process, immediately after completing your application.

Method 2: In your Settings

1. Click on 'All Tools' 

2. Select 'Settings'.

   

3. Under Payments and Plans, select the Fee Saver settings you would like to enable and toggle it on. You may enable both if your industry and location permit.

   Note that by enabling Online Helcim Fee Saver you are also enabling ACH payments to be toggled on. Under 'Payments and Plans', select 'Helcim Fee Saver Settings', where you can simply toggle it on and hit 'Save'

Method 3: On your Smart Terminal

1. Navigate to your Settings by tapping More in the bottom right of the Smart Terminal menu and then tap Merchant Account Settings.

   

2. In your Merchant Account Settings, navigate to Helcim Fee Saver.

   

3. Under Helcim Fee Saver settings, toggle on the settings you would like to enable. By enabling this feature, you agree to Helcim’s Fee Saver Terms and Conditions.

   

Once enabled, you can process credit card payments for free.

Log in to enable Helcim Fee Saver

How to enable Helcim Fee Saver on Helcim Invoicing

With Helcim Fee Saver enabled, you can now choose to pass on the processing fees on any individual invoice.

1. Simply click on the 'Invoicing'  tool from the 'All Tools' section, or from the left navigation bar if you have pinned 'Invoicing' as a shortcut.

2. Select 'New Invoice'

3. In the invoice editor, input your product then ensure Helcim Fee Saver is toggled on. This can be turned off for any specific invoice.

4. Once your invoice is ready to send, select 'Actions' then hit 'Send Pay Now Email'.

5. When your customer or client receives the invoice and clicks the 'Pay Now' button, a payment pop-up will appear. They will now have the option to pay a "convenience fee" if they choose to pay via credit card. Should they want to skip paying the convenience fees they can pay with ACH bank payments.

Log in to enable Helcim Fee Saver

How to enable Fee Saver for Payment Requests 

If you are sending a Payment Request, you may also add the Fee Saver feature to it.

1. Simply click on the ‘Payments’ tool  in the ‘All Tools’ section ,  or from the left navigation bar if you have pinned ‘Payments’ as a shortcut.

2. From the tab options on the left, select ‘Payment Requests’

   

3. Then hit ‘New Payment’ 

   

4. In the payment request editor, key in the amount, your customer details, contact method, and ensure Helcim Fee Saver is toggled on. The feature can be turned on or off per payment request. Then hit ‘Request Payment’.

   

5. When your customer receives the payment request and clicks the 'Pay Now' button, a pop-up will appear. They will have the option to pay a "convenience fee" to pay with a credit card. If they want to avoid paying the convenience fee, they can pay with ACH bank payments.

How to use Helcim Fee Saver on the Smart Terminal

PLEASE NOTE:

In Person Fee Saver is not available for the Helcim Card Reader, or on debit card transactions. In Person Fee Saver is only available via the Smart Terminal.

Once Helcim Fee Saver is enabled on your Smart Terminal, it lets you pass on processing fees for in-person credit card transactions through surcharging.

1. Input the amount to be processed and tap Charge.

2. A fixed fee will be added to your customer’s total amount when they pay with a credit card. There will also be a notice for the fee before the payment and it will be printed on the receipt as a line item.

How to use Helcim Fee Saver on HelcimPay.js

If you are integrating HelcimPay.js on your website, platform, or software, you can also enable Helcim Fee Saver for your online payments as long as your business is eligible to accept ACH payments and have that payment method enabled. To learn how to use Helcim Fee Saver with HelcimPay.js, head over to our DevDocs site.

How to use Helcim Fee Saver on Hosted Payment Pages

If you are creating a Hosted Payment Page with Helcim, you may enable Fee Saver for it within the settings. 

1. Click on Payment Pages within All Tools

   

2. Decide if you are creating a payment page via Template, or Custom settings.

3.  Fill in the required fields. Within the settings you will see the toggle below with the following options:

   

4. When the toggle is ON, the options for payment methods and transaction types will be locked in as both Credit Card and ACH are required options for Fee Saver.

5.  Once settings are in place, click on Create Page.

For more in depth information on Payment Page settings, refer to the links highlighted in Step 2. 

Impact to your customers

Passing on credit card processing fees can be a sensitive subject for customers and this option may not be suitable for all businesses. It is entirely a merchant’s decision to enable Helcim Fee Saver and determine the best way to communicate any additional fees to customers. We have included some guidance on navigating any potential questions from your customers below.

Communicating with your customers

Ensure clear communication, both verbally and in writing, whenever there's a change, like passing on fees. This not only aligns with legislation and card brand rules, but also enhances customer satisfaction by managing their expectations. Despite these measures, some customers may have questions about the fees.

Some customers may benefit from learning that credit card transactions incur a cost to the business accepting the payment, and you are choosing to pass this fee on as a means of convenience to your customers so they may pay with a credit card. Here are some example questions together with a suggested explanation:

“Why am I being charged for paying by credit card?”

Credit card alternatives such as ACH, EFT, debit card or cash are our preferred method of payment because it saves you and our business the transaction fees. However, for your convenience, we offer the option to pay by credit card for a fixed fee.

“What if I don’t want to pay the fee?”

If you prefer not to pay the fixed fee for using your credit card, you may use other payment methods such as cash, debit card, or ACH/EFT payments.

Downloadable materials for surcharging notice

Merchants using In-Person Helcim Fee Saver must disclose added fees as surcharges. 

• The disclosure should include the following:

• The surcharge is being imposed by the merchant.

• The surcharge is not greater than the applicable merchant discount rate at the merchant location.

• Consumers must be given the opportunity to opt out of the sale or pay by other means before the surcharge is added to the sale.

You can make your own disclosure displays or you can download templates here:

Additionally, in New York, merchants should display prices for both cash and credit card transactions. 

Helpful FAQs for Merchants

What is the difference between Online Helcim Fee Saver and In-Person Helcim Fee Saver?

Online Fee Saver lets your business offset the expenses associated with credit card acceptance on select Helcim online payment tools such as Invoices, Payment Requests, Hosted Payment Pages and HelcimJs for your embedded payments while offering an alternative payment method.

In-Person Helcim Fee Saver is for in-person payments and serves as a means to pass on the cost of credit card acceptance when customers opt to pay with a credit card rather than debit or cash for card-present transactions. This option is available exclusively on the Smart Terminal.

Will my customers be aware of the extra fee?

If you have enabled Helcim Fee Saver, your customers will always be prompted about the additional fee when they click on the payment button and when they select the option to pay by credit card. 

The fee will also be visible on their invoice and receipt as an individual line item.

Additionally, it is the merchant’s responsibility to have the required disclosures on passing on fees for credit card payments. In New York, merchants should display prices for both cash and credit card transactions.

Do I need to register and notify Mastercard before enabling Helcim Fee Saver?

Merchants must ensure they adhere to applicable state/provincial laws, cardbrand rules, and Helcim’s Fee Saver Terms and Conditions before enabling Fee Saver.

In the case of Mastercard, merchants need to give the cardbrand thirty (30) days advance written notice. Merchants can notify Mastercard through the following online forms.

• Canada: Notification form

• US: Notification form

What disclosures are required when using Helcim Fee Saver?

Merchants using In-Person Helcim Fee Saver must disclose added fees as surcharges. The disclosure should include the following:

• The surcharge is being imposed by the merchant.

• The surcharge is not greater than the applicable merchant discount rate at the merchant location.

• Consumers must be given the opportunity to opt out of the sale or pay by other means before the surcharge is added to the sale.

You can make your own disclosure displays or you can download templates here.

Additionally, in New York, merchants should display prices for both cash and credit card transactions.

What happens if I don't want to enable Helcim Fee Saver for a particular customer?

If you have Online Helcim Fee Saver enabled on your invoices or payment requests, but don’t wish to apply it for a particular customer or transaction, you can simply toggle Helcim Fee Saver off per transaction on your invoice editor or your payment request editor before sending it to your customer. If you turned it on for your Hosted Payments Page, you can toggle it off for a particular payment page.

For In-Person Helcim Fee Saver on the Smart Terminal, you can disable the feature altogether on your merchant account settings before processing the payment.

What happens if I want to refund a transaction with Helcim Fee Saver?

If a customer requires a refund for a transaction where Helcim Fee Saver was enabled and they were charged an additional fee you can process a refund using your Helcim transaction dashboard. The full amount, including the passed on fee will be refunded to the customer. This applies for Chargebacks as well, the full amount, including the passed on fee will be refunded.

What if a customer doesn’t want to pay the “additional fee”?

Enabling Helcim Fee Saver on a particular transaction does not mean the fee is mandatory. Customers can choose to pay with ACH/EFT payments or debit cards, which does not include an additional fee. For merchants, there will be a cost associated with processing debit cards or ACH payments but it is often significantly lower than credit cards. Our ACH transactions rates are 0.5% +$0.25 to a maximum of $6 for transactions under $25,000. 

Note: If you would like to process ACH payments greater than $25,000, please contact our Support team. These transactions would be charged 0.05% on the amount above $25,000 (e.g for a $40,000 transaction, $15,000 would be subject to the 0.05% fee). 

Is Helcim Fee Saver applied before tax or after tax?

Helcim Fee Saver is applied on the total transaction amount after taxes. For example, if your customer's invoice total was $95 before taxes and $100 after taxes and the fee is ~3%, it is applied to the $100 - making your customer’s total  $103.00.

Is Helcim Fee Saver available for subscriptions/recurring payments?

Helcim Fee Saver is not eligible for automatically billed payments including Subscriptions or Recurring Invoices. Customers cannot choose to pay by ACH/EFT payments per transaction for these cases, which is required for Fee Saver functionality. 

Is it possible to enable Helcim Fee Saver for both online and in-person payments?

Helcim Fee Saver can be activated for both your eligible online payments and in-person transactions, as long as your business meets the eligibility requirements.

However, it is important to note that each transaction can only have one pass-on fee. For instance, in-person transactions using the Smart Terminal can include surcharging but cannot have an additional convenience fee.