Scaler Technologies_
    [01]_SCALER PAY
    NEW YORK

    Zero-Fee Credit Card Processing in New York — Compliant With NY GBL §518, No Setup Fee

    New York's credit card disclosure law has specific requirements — and most processors don't explain them. Scaler Pay's cash discount program is built for New York compliance: dual-price signage, proper terminal disclosure, and $0 in processing fees. New York restaurants and New York salons using the program save $500–$1,200/month.

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    Tell us about your business — we'll call you with rates and answer any questions. No commitment required.

    [02]_NY LAW

    New York's Credit Card Disclosure Law: What GBL §518 Actually Requires

    New York General Business Law §518 — updated February 11, 2024 — requires merchants to display both the cash price and the full credit card price together. You can't post a single blended price and then charge more at the register. The law was designed to prevent hidden surcharging, and it has real teeth: non-compliance is a misdemeanor.

    Cash discounting is the legally cleaner path: you're offering a lower price for cash rather than adding a surcharge to the card price. Surcharging triggers §518 compliance obligations and Visa/Mastercard registration requirements; cash discounting avoids them entirely. No competitor page explains this distinction or cites the statute.

    WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOUR BUSINESS

    A cash discount program with proper signage and terminal disclosure satisfies GBL §518 by design. You post both prices — the cash price is your base, the card price includes the disclosed service fee. The law is satisfied. The fees are covered. Your margin stays whole.

    [03]_LEGAL DISTINCTION

    Cash Discount vs. Surcharge in New York — Why the Distinction Matters Legally

    Many New York business owners conflate cash discounting and surcharging. They are different models with different legal footprints — and the distinction matters under New York law.

    ModelHow it works
    Cash DiscountPost lower price for cash, standard price for card
    SurchargeAdd a fee to card transactions

    For the full breakdown, see our cash discount vs. surcharge comparison.

    [04]_SAVINGS

    How Much New York Businesses Save: Restaurant, Salon, Retail, and Auto Shop Examples

    With Scaler Pay: $0 in processing fees on any of these volumes.

    Business TypeMonthly FeesAnnual Fees
    Restaurant$725/mo$8,700/yr
    Salon$435/mo$5,220/yr
    Retail Store$1,160/mo$13,920/yr
    With Scaler Pay$0/mo$0/yr

    Based on 4% cash discount vs. previous card processing fees. Actual savings vary by card mix and processor.

    [05]_COMPLIANCE SIGNAGE

    What Compliant Dual-Pricing Signage Looks Like Under New York Law

    Under GBL §518, your signage must clearly show both prices before the transaction is completed. Scaler Pay provides all signage templates with your terminal package — you post them, we ensure they're compliant.

    • 01Two-price display Cash price displayed prominently alongside the card price. No blended single price permitted under GBL §518.
    • 02Point of entry and point of sale Required at your front door or entry point AND at the payment terminal. Both locations are mandated.
    • 03Receipt disclosure Receipt shows both the cash price and the card price, with the service fee as a clear line item.
    • 04No deceptive framing The program must be presented as a cash discount — not as an added fee. Framing matters legally under the statute.
    [06]_SERVICE AREA

    Serving NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and All of New York State

    Scaler Pay serves businesses across New York. Setup is remote — no on-site visit required — so same-week activation is available statewide. For Long Island businesses specifically, we have a dedicated page with Nassau and Suffolk County detail.

    • 01New York City: All five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island.
    • 02Long Island: Nassau County and Suffolk County — commercial corridors and neighborhood businesses alike.
    • 03Westchester & Hudson Valley: Westchester County, Rockland County, and the Hudson Valley corridor.
    • 04Upstate New York: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and all upstate markets — same GBL §518 compliance applies statewide.
    [07]_FAQ

    Questions, answered.

    Yes. Cash discount programs are legal in New York State and all 50 states. New York GBL §518 (updated February 11, 2024) requires merchants to display both the cash price and the card price — a cash discount program satisfies this requirement by design, since the cash price is your base price and the card price includes the disclosed service fee.

    New York General Business Law §518, updated February 11, 2024, requires merchants to display both the cash price and the full credit card price together at the point of sale. You cannot post a single blended price. A properly operated cash discount program — which shows both prices on signage and at the terminal — satisfies this requirement.

    Surcharging adds a fee on top of your posted price when a customer pays by card. Cash discounting starts from a higher base price and offers a reduction for customers who pay cash. Cash discounting is the legally cleaner path in New York: you're offering a discount for cash rather than adding a fee for card use. Both models require dual-price disclosure under GBL §518, but only surcharging triggers additional Visa/Mastercard registration requirements.

    Savings depend on monthly card volume and your current processing rate. A New York restaurant processing $25,000/month saves approximately $8,700/year. A New York salon processing $15,000/month saves approximately $5,220/year. These estimates assume a 2.9% processing rate replaced by Scaler Pay's $0-fee structure.

    Yes. New York GBL §518 explicitly requires merchants to display both the cash price and the credit card price together. Dual pricing (showing two prices) is not just permitted — it is required for any merchant who charges different prices for cash and card transactions. Scaler Pay provides compliant dual-price signage with your terminal package.

    Merchants who violate GBL §518 by failing to display both the cash and credit card prices risk being found guilty of a misdemeanor and can face fines. The law also allows consumers to seek damages, attorney's fees, and court costs. Scaler Pay's compliant signage package covers all required disclosures.
    [08]_APPLY

    Get a New York Cash Discount Quote — Same-Week Setup, No Contract

    Apply in 2 minutes — we'll call you within one business day with your rates, compliant signage, and setup details. Learn more about Scaler Pay.

    Free rate check

    Get Your New York Cash Discount Setup

    Same-week activation. Local support. No contract.

    Payment processing services provided through licensed processing partners. Approval subject to review. Cash discount programs are compliant with NY GBL §518 when properly disclosed at point of sale.