Merchant Cost Consulting (MCC) is an independent cost reduction firm that helps museums and cultural institutions lower operating expenses without changing vendors, systems, or daily operations.
Our primary focus is credit card processing, a major expense for organizations that rely on ticketing, memberships, gift shop sales, events, and donations. We review existing merchant statements to identify hidden fees, pricing inefficiencies, and contract issues, then work directly with current processors to negotiate improved rates. Nothing is implemented without approval, and if no savings are found, there is no cost.
Beyond processing, we help reduce expenses across other key operational areas, including telecom, utilities, waste and recycling, shipping and logistics, SaaS subscriptions, and banking-related fees. The approach remains the same. We optimize what is already in place rather than introducing new vendors or creating disruption.
MCC works with a wide range of museums and heritage organizations, from local institutions to nationally recognized facilities. We act as an independent advocate, using data-driven benchmarking and industry expertise to ensure expenses are aligned with competitive market rates.
The process is simple, requires minimal involvement, and delivers measurable savings while maintaining full control over existing operations.