Consumers finally got some relief from abusive credit card practices last week. Not so small businesses, who continue to pay fees they cannot negotiate and cannot elude if they want to remain in business. Visa, MasterCard, and the banks that issue their cards take as much as 3 percent off the top of every transaction in the form of interchange fees. For retailers, restaurant owners and others squeezed by the recession, the fees turn the screws a little bit tighter. And high fees can translate into a waiter not hired or equipment not replaced. If a card is presented, the merchant must accept it, no matter how small the transaction/Bert Caldwell, Spokesman-Review. More here.

Question: Do you own a small company that is hit hard by interchange fees from credit card companies?