Every trader earns something, and the question is whether you can see it. Some take their margin entirely inside the rate, while others add visible fees. Neither is wrong by definition, but you cannot compare traders until you know all the costs.
The usual places costs hide
- Margin in the rate. The gap between what the trader sells for and what it pays you. Not itemised, but real.
- Admin or processing fees. A flat or per claim charge deducted from the payment.
- Registry or lodgement fees. Charges for the registry work, sometimes passed on.
- Subscription or platform fees. A monthly cost for portal access.
- Rejection or rework fees. Charges when a claim has to be resubmitted.
- Payment timing costs. An early payment option priced at a discount to the rate.
Calculating your real rate
Take the total cash you received on a claim, divide by the number of certificates, and compare with other providers on the same claim size. Then adjust for time: a trader paying in 20 days costs you the float. Our payment terms comparison shows how.
| Trader | Headline rate | Fee per claim | Paid in | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Higher | Yes | 20 days | Check net |
| B | Slightly lower | None | 1 day | Often better |
What to ask
Request, in writing, every fee that may apply to a claim, including rejections and early payment. Ask whether fees change as your volume grows. A trader that answers without hesitation is usually a trader with nothing to hide.
What this means for installers
Energy Merchants charges zero fees: no processing, admin, registry or subscription charges. Our rate is published daily on the pricing page, locked on lodgement of a complete claim and settled within 24 hours for established partners. See switching if you want to compare, and our trader checklist.
Finally, keep an eye on changes. Terms and fee schedules can be updated with notice, and a trader that was fee-free last year may not be next year. Review your trader once a quarter against a short scorecard, and do not be shy about asking questions when a deduction appears on a remittance that you did not expect.