In the bustling neighborhoods of Queens, where neighborhood cafés, bodegas, and mom-and-pop shops compete for every dollar of revenue, rising credit card processing fees are an ongoing challenge. But a growing number of local businesses are turning to an innovative pricing model called dual pricing — and with help from Queens-based SwipeSave, many are keeping more of what they earn.
What Is Dual Pricing?
Dual pricing is a payment strategy that displays two prices for the same product or service:
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A standard price for customers paying with credit or debit cards
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A lower price for customers who pay with cash
Rather than adding a surcharge to card transactions — which can be legally restricted or frowned upon — dual pricing rewards cash payments with a discount. The result is price transparency and a clear incentive for customers to choose cash when possible.
This approach is completely legal in New York and across the U.S. when done properly, and it helps businesses reduce the amount they pay in card processing fees without raising advertised prices.
How Businesses in Queens Are Saving Money
Credit card processing fees typically range from about 2% to 4% per transaction — a significant expense for high-volume or low-margin businesses. By encouraging cash payments through dual pricing at checkout, merchants can keep more revenue in house instead of losing it to processing networks.
Swipesave, a locally founded merchant services company in Queens, has helped restaurants, cafés, retail stores, and other neighborhood businesses slash these costs while keeping daily operations running smoothly.
“Most business owners don’t realize how much they’re overspending on every swipe,” says Michael Louca, co-founder of SwipeSave. “We wanted to create a service that finally puts the power back in their hands — letting them reduce fees without sacrificing customer experience.”
Why it Works for NYC Shops
Queens’ independent business owners often operate on thin margins. A discount for cash payments — clearly displayed on the point-of-sale (POS) system — helps them retain more income per sale. When a customer chooses to pay with cash, the POS automatically applies the discount, reducing processing costs without hassles.
“Business owners need more than savings — they need visibility,” explains John Sanchez, who brings decades of local marketing experience to SwipeSave. “We’re not just lowering their bills; we’re helping them grow their presence in Queens and across NYC.”
This includes complimentary marketing support for local eateries and retail shops — a value proposition rarely seen with traditional payment processors.
POS Systems Make It Easy
Modern POS platforms can handle dual pricing automatically. With the right setup:
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Cash discounts are clearly shown up front
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Employees don’t have to manually calculate adjusted prices
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Receipts accurately reflect pricing differences
This automation ensures consistency and reduces the risk of mistakes at the register.
“We built our system to be seamless,” says Joe Carrozza, SwipeSave co-founder and technology lead. “Business owners shouldn’t have to think twice about how the discount applies — it just works at checkout, letting them focus on serving their customers.”
Customer Perception and Transparency
One common concern is customer reaction. But in Queens — where many residents still carry cash — customers often appreciate the lower price for cash purchases, especially when the pricing difference is communicated clearly at the point of sale. With proper signage and staff training, most customers understand they are being rewarded for choosing cash, not penalized for using a card.
Who Benefits Most?
Dual pricing can help a wide range of local businesses:
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Restaurants and cafés
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Convenience stores and bodegas
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Local retailers
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Salons and barbershops
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Service providers like auto shops and dry cleaners
For many in Queens’ diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, the cumulative savings from dual pricing can be significant — sometimes covering much of what they previously paid in processing fees.
