Balancing cash flow while providing customers with flexible payment options is a challenge every contractor and supplier faces. Waiting weeks for invoices to clear can slow down business, and credit card fees—often 2.5% to 4% per transaction—can take a big bite out of profits, especially on high-dollar sales. But turning down a sale because a customer needs more time to pay isn’t the answer.

Auto repair costs are climbing, putting both customers and dealerships in a tough spot. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Motor Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Consumer Price Index, repair costs increased 5.9% year over year in January—continuing a trend of steady increases.

The building materials sector faces significant challenges in 2025, influenced by factors such as inflation, potential tariffs, and rising demand for sustainable products. As the economy remains unpredictable, suppliers must find ways to streamline operations and mitigate financial risks, with a focus on efficient payment processing.

In the world of B2B commerce, payments are the lifeline of strong partnerships. For businesses like auto parts suppliers, building materials suppliers, veterinary and medical equipment suppliers, office supply dealers, and more, accepting checks remains a cornerstone of business transactions. But with checks come inherent risks, like returned checks for insufficient funds or stop payments. CrossCheck, a leader in payment solutions, offers several tools to secure your transactions and streamline payment processes: Check Guarantee Check on Delivery (COD) Multiple Check

Returned checks have been a challenge for businesses since checks first appeared in the U.S. in 1681. Solutions for this issue vary widely, from promises of "free online check verification" to advice on "how to verify check funds before they bounce." But the truth remains: free check verification is as mythical as a free lunch.

In the competitive world of auto sales, a perfect Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) score is more than a badge of honor; it’s a crucial measure of success. CSI scores, derived from post-sale customer surveys, reflect the overall buying experience at a dealership. High scores signify excellent service, attracting new buyers and fostering customer loyalty, while low scores can harm both reputation and profitability. A 2024 J.D. Power Customer Service Index study on luxury and mass market brands outlines the most important areas of focus for dealers:

The furniture industry may have cause for optimism as we look ahead to 2025. Recent economic trends and evolving consumer behaviors suggest the potential for increased furniture sales, driven in part by improvements in the housing market. Here’s why:

Check fraud, often referred to as "paperhanging," occurs when individuals intentionally write bad checks. While accidental mistakes can happen, repeated offenses are criminal. In 2023, total check fraud attempts soared to approximately $18.5 billion. Successful fraud losses climbed to about $1.4 billion. However, U.S. banks continue to prevent over 90% of these attempts through early detection.

When it comes to check processing, merchants often face the frustrating issue of declined checks. This can lead to lost sales and decreased profits. Smooth and efficient transactions are vital to a thriving business and choosing a check processing company that is willing to assume more risk by approving and guaranteeing more check can be the difference between a large sale and no sale.

The only thing certain about the current economy is uncertainty. Economists are unsure of the future because, while inflation is stabilizing, unemployment is slowly rising. According to the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of August 2024, the unemployment rate in the United States stands at 4.3%. That is only a slight increase from 4.1% three months ago but the trajectory points upward. As the Fed readies to lower interest rates following stabilizing inflation, economists are worried we could be headed towards a recession. Economists are by no means unanimous in their predictions but uncertainty abounds.