Frequently Asked Questions

We're a real family business that prioritizes honesty and transparency. After my dad was burned by hidden fees in the industry, we committed to doing things differently. Karlee answers the phone personally, we never hide fees, and we treat your business like family. Our 5.0 Google rating speaks for itself.

Most of our clients save between $500-$2,000 per month when they switch to us. We'll do a complimentary rate analysis to show you exactly how much you're currently paying versus what you'd pay with us. No obligations, just honest numbers.

Absolutely not. What you see is what you pay. We provide transparent pricing upfront and there are zero hidden fees. This is a promise we make to every client because my dad learned the hard way how damaging hidden fees can be.

Most businesses get approved within 24 hours. Once approved, we can have your equipment shipped and you can be accepting payments within a few days. We move fast because we know every day matters to your business.

Yes! We specialize in helping businesses that other providers consider 'high-risk.' We have partnerships with processors who understand these industries and can get you approved when others won't.

We specialize in small local businesses including dental offices, auto body shops, medical practices, daycares, tire shops, truck accessory stores, fruit stands, salons, spas, and many more. If you're a small business owner, we can help.

Yes! Our AI-powered CRM is fully HIPAA-compliant, making it perfect for dental offices, medical practices, and other healthcare businesses. We take data security seriously.

No long-term contracts required. We earn your business through great service, not by locking you in. You're free to leave anytime if you're not satisfied (though our clients rarely do).

You can accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, contactless payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and chip cards. We offer solutions for in-person, online, and mobile payments.

Equipment costs vary based on your needs. We offer both purchase and lease options. During your complimentary consultation, we'll recommend the best equipment for your business type and budget.

Yes! Karlee and our team are available around the clock. When you call, you get real people who know your business and can solve problems fast. No automated systems, no endless hold times.

Absolutely! We design custom, mobile-responsive websites that are SEO-optimized and built to convert visitors into customers. Many of our merchant clients also work with us for web design.

Our AI-powered CRM helps automate your marketing, manage customer relationships, send automated follow-ups, and track customer interactions. It's included with your merchant account at no extra cost for qualifying businesses.

Simply call us at 1-866-993-8971 or fill out our contact form to request a complimentary quote. We'll analyze your current rates, answer all your questions, and provide a transparent proposal with no pressure or obligations.

Call Karlee directly. She'll walk you through any issues and get you back up and running fast. If hardware needs to be replaced, we handle it quickly. Your success is our success.

We are Karlee and her dad - a real family team based in Columbia, Missouri. After my dad was overcharged $10,000 for a POS system that should have cost $3,000, we decided to start Karma Merchant Brokers to provide honest, transparent merchant services. Karlee handles most client communications and support, while dad focuses on backend operations and partnerships.

We're headquartered in Columbia, Missouri and serve businesses across 18 states. Our strongest presence is in Missouri (Columbia, Boone County, Jefferson City, Mexico, Fulton, Moberly, Ashland), but we work with clients nationwide who want honest, personal service from a family business.

Processing rates vary by business type, transaction volume, and average ticket size. Most businesses pay between 1.5%-3.5% per transaction plus monthly fees. The problem is that traditional processors hide fees in confusing statements. We provide transparent pricing so you know exactly what you're paying and why.

Interchange-plus is the most transparent pricing model. You pay the base interchange rate (set by Visa/Mastercard) plus a fixed markup. This means you can see exactly what we make versus what goes to the card networks. We recommend this over tiered pricing, which obscures the true costs.

In most cases, yes. When we analyze your current statement, we typically find opportunities to save $500-$2,000 per month. Common issues include inflated rates, unnecessary fees, poor rate structures, and hidden charges. We'll show you a side-by-side comparison so you can see the difference.

Yes, we offer flexible options for equipment including leasing, financing, and outright purchase. For businesses needing payment plan solutions for their customers, our CRM includes tools for recurring billing and payment scheduling.

Our AI-powered CRM automates customer follow-ups, sends appointment reminders, manages marketing campaigns, and even handles voice calls. It's HIPAA-compliant for medical and dental practices. The best part is it's included with your merchant account for qualifying businesses - no extra monthly CRM fees.

We help you manage and dispute chargebacks effectively. While we can't prevent all chargebacks, we provide tools and guidance to minimize them and fight unfair ones. Karlee works directly with you on any chargeback issues.

Absolutely! When we design your website or set up your CRM, we use your existing business information, phone numbers, and branding. We're here to enhance your business, not change who you are.

PCI compliance refers to security standards for handling credit card data. Yes, all businesses that accept cards need to be PCI compliant. Don't worry - we guide you through the process and provide the tools needed to maintain compliance. It's simpler than it sounds.

Yes! We provide payment gateways and processing for online stores, subscription services, and e-commerce businesses. Whether you need a shopping cart integration, recurring billing, or a custom checkout solution, we can help.

A merchant account is your business bank account that holds funds from card transactions. A payment gateway is the technology that securely transmits transaction data between your customer, you, and the bank. You need both for online payments. We provide both.

Yes, this happens more often than you'd think, especially for certain business types. We have relationships with processors who understand high-risk and specialty businesses. Call us at 1-866-993-8971 to discuss your situation confidentially.

National processors often route you through call centers where you're just a number. With Karma Merchant Brokers, you get Karlee's personal cell phone number. You talk to the same people every time. We understand local Columbia MO businesses because we are one. When you need help at 8pm on a Saturday, Karlee picks up.

With a cash discount program, your listed prices include a service fee to cover processing costs. Customers paying with cash receive a discount. This is different from surcharging and is compliant in all 50 states. It's a great way to offset credit card processing fees without losing money on transactions.

For restaurants, we recommend cloud-based POS systems that handle table management, split checks, kitchen routing, inventory tracking, and tip management. We'll match you with the right system based on whether you're quick-service, full-service, food truck, or catering. All our POS recommendations integrate seamlessly with payment processing.

Yes! Modern POS systems automatically deduct inventory when items are sold, alert you when stock is low, track product performance, and provide detailed reports. This eliminates manual counting and helps prevent running out of popular items.

Our AI CRM automatically sends customized appointment reminders via text and email at intervals you choose (24 hours before, 2 hours before, etc.). It can also handle confirmations, follow-ups, and rescheduling requests without any manual work. Perfect for dental offices, salons, medical practices, and service businesses.

Absolutely! We provide virtual terminal access that lets you securely enter card information for phone or mail orders. It works from any device with internet access and maintains PCI compliance standards.

Swiped/chip transactions have the lowest rates because they're most secure. Keyed transactions (manually entered) cost slightly more due to higher fraud risk. Online transactions fall in between. We'll explain exactly what you'll pay for each type based on your business model.

Most businesses receive funds within 1-2 business days after batching out. Some business types or new merchants may have slightly longer settlement times initially. We'll let you know your specific funding schedule upfront.

Yes! Our AI-powered CRM integrates with hundreds of popular business tools including QuickBooks, Google Calendar, Facebook, Instagram, and more. We'll help you connect everything so your data flows automatically.

For mobile businesses like food trucks, repair services, or market vendors, we recommend mobile card readers that work with your smartphone or tablet. They accept all payment types including contactless and chip cards, work anywhere with cell service, and provide instant receipt options.

Yes! We set up secure payment pages where customers can pay invoices online, schedule recurring payments, or make deposits. Perfect for contractors, consultants, service providers, and any business that sends invoices.

The AI CRM automatically sends birthday messages, thank you notes, review requests, promotional offers, and re-engagement campaigns based on customer behavior. You set the rules once, and it runs on autopilot. It's like having a full-time marketing assistant.

Yes! Cloud-based POS systems provide real-time dashboards showing today's sales, top products, employee performance, and more. Check your business performance from anywhere on any device.

You're never locked in. There are no cancellation fees or long-term contracts. If you decide to leave, we'll even help make the transition smooth. We're confident you'll stay because of our service, not because of a contract.

Your POS or payment terminal makes refunds and voids simple. You can process them directly from the device within minutes. We'll walk you through the process during setup, and we're always available if you have questions.

Yes! The CRM includes two-way SMS capability. Send promotional texts, appointment reminders, special offers, and even have back-and-forth conversations with customers. All compliant with text messaging regulations.

Our POS systems provide detailed reports including sales by day/week/month, product performance, employee tracking, tax reports, customer insights, inventory valuations, and profit margins. Export data to Excel or accounting software anytime.

We use payment tokenization which replaces actual card data with secure tokens. This means even if there's a data breach, the stored tokens are useless to hackers. It's the same security technology used by major retailers and is fully PCI compliant.

Yes! We process all major cards including American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. American Express typically has slightly higher rates, but we'll show you exactly what you'll pay with complete transparency.

While platforms like HubSpot are powerful, they require significant setup, training, and monthly fees starting at hundreds of dollars. Our AI CRM is built specifically for small businesses, comes pre-configured for your industry, includes AI automation out of the box, and is included with your merchant account. You get enterprise features without enterprise complexity or cost.