Final advice: audit monthly and demand transparency

Eric urges dealers to monitor processing monthly or outsource audits to prevent fee creep.

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Today I’m joined by Eric Cohen, CEO at Merchant Advocate.

We break down why credit card processing is one of the most overlooked expense lines in dealerships, how 60–70% of stores are overpaying, and which “non-negotiable” fees are actually negotiable.

Eric explains where the hidden charges live, how to audit statements properly, and why transparency matters more than ever in a largely unregulated space. The payoff: real strategies dealers can use to reclaim margin without cutting people or growth.

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