Proof, Not Promises
When an MCA Actually Made Sense
$30K same-day MCA for an emergency grease trap and ventilation repair. Health department gave her 48 hours. No time for a term loan. MCA funded same day. Bobby was upfront about the cost — and showed her a cheaper refinancing option 90 days later.
Result: $30K funded → same day → refinanced into cheaper product at 90 days
$25K MCA for emergency engine rebuild. Customer’s car was on the lift, parts were needed TODAY. Same-day funding. Expensive — but the repair billed $8K and kept the shop’s reputation intact.
Result: $25K funded → same day → $8K repair revenue → reputation saved
$50K MCA to bridge a 2-week gap between draws. GC was 14 days late on a $180K payment. Crew needed to be paid Friday. MCA covered payroll. When the GC payment hit, he paid off the MCA and total cost was $4,200 for the 2-week bridge.
Result: $50K funded → crew paid → $4,200 for 2-week bridge
$20K same-day MCA for engine failure on I-40. Shop wanted payment before starting. No time to apply for a term loan. MCA wired to the shop by next afternoon. Truck back on the road in 3 days.
Result: $20K funded → next day → truck running in 3 days
$40K MCA to cover an inventory gap — injectable supplier required prepayment and the order was time-sensitive. Funded same day. Treatments from that inventory generated $120K in revenue over 60 days.
Result: $40K funded → $120K revenue generated → 3x return
$75K MCA to grab a time-sensitive inventory closeout. Supplier was liquidating — 48 hours to decide. The inventory sold for $140K within 30 days. Net profit after MCA cost: $52K.
Result: $75K funded → $140K revenue → $52K profit after MCA cost
“Bobby told me upfront the MCA would cost $4,200 on a $50K advance. He also told me to pay it off the second my GC payment hit — and helped me set up a line of credit so I'd never need an MCA again. That's the kind of transparency I needed.”
James R.
General Contractor | Houston, TX
Qualification Estimator
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We'll check if a cheaper product fits first. If MCA is the only option that works for your timeline, we'll find you the lowest factor rate available.
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Estimated Approval Range
Based on 100-150% of monthly revenue
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Full Transparency
The Truth About MCA Costs
How factor rates work
Multiply your advance amount by the factor rate to get total repayment. Example: advance x factor = total you owe. The difference is your cost.
Why total repayment matters most
Factor rates can be misleading. Always ask for the total repayment amount — that's the number that actually matters for your business.
Early payoff may not save money
Most MCAs have a fixed total repayment. Paying early means higher daily payments, not less total cost. Some newer products offer early payoff discounts — we'll find those when they exist.
Daily payment structure
A fixed amount is debited from your business account each business day until total repayment is reached. Your daily payment depends on the advance amount and term.
When MCA makes sense
MCAs are the fastest and most accessible funding product. They're also the most expensive. Use them for true emergencies where the revenue or savings exceeds the cost by a clear margin.
Factor rates can be misleading. Always ask for the total repayment amount — that's the number that actually matters.
Always calculate total repayment before signing. Multiply your advance by the factor rate — that's what you actually owe. Use our calculator to see the full picture.
Rates and terms depend on credit, revenue, time in business, and lender. Every business is unique — see what 70+ lenders will offer you in 60 seconds. Soft-pull pre-qual.
Want to see the REAL cost of an MCA?
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Calculate Your MCA Cost →Side by Side
MCA vs Working Capital vs Line of Credit
Bobby's take:
I'll fund an MCA when a business owner needs money today and no other product can get there fast enough. But I'll also tell them the real cost, show them cheaper alternatives, and help them refinance into a better product in 90 days. Anyone who pushes MCAs without explaining the cost isn't looking out for you.
Bobby Friel
Founder, Basecamp Funding
If you're considering an MCA over $500K — stop. Our commercial team can structure working capital, term loans, or a capital stack at a fraction of the MCA cost.
Talk to a Commercial Specialist →Fear Removal
Every Objection Answered
Is an MCA ever actually worth it?
Yes — in specific situations. Emergency repairs with a deadline. Inventory that generates 2-3x its cost. Bridging a gap when a payment is 2 weeks late. The math works when the revenue or savings from the advance exceeds the cost by a clear margin. If you’re borrowing to cover general cash flow, an MCA is almost never the right product.
Can I refinance out of an MCA?
Yes — and you should as soon as possible. After 4-6 months of on-time MCA payments, you build a payment history that qualifies you for cheaper products. We help clients refinance MCAs into term loans or lines of credit at half the cost. The MCA is the bridge, not the destination.
Why not just wait for a cheaper option?
If you CAN wait 2-5 days, you should. Working capital and lines of credit are significantly cheaper than MCAs. We’ll tell you if a cheaper product can fund fast enough. But if you need money today and no other option works, that’s when MCA earns its place.
I already have an MCA — can I consolidate?
Sometimes. If you’ve been paying on time for 4+ months and your revenue supports it, we can often refinance your existing MCA into a cheaper product. Stacking a second MCA on top of the first is almost always a bad idea — the daily payments compound and crush your cash flow. Let us look at consolidation first.
How do I calculate the real cost?
Multiply the advance by the factor rate to get your total repayment. Then subtract the original advance — that’s your cost. Divide by the number of months to see monthly cost. Always do this math before signing.
What if I pay it off early — do I save money?
Usually NO. This is the #1 trap with MCAs. Most MCAs have a fixed total repayment — you owe the same total regardless of when you pay. Paying early just means higher daily payments, not less total cost. Some newer products offer early payoff discounts — we’ll find those when they exist.
Don’t Wait for Perfect Terms
MCA is often the first step, not the last. Many borrowers start with a merchant cash advance to solve an immediate need, then refinance into a lower-cost product after 6-12 months of strong payments. Your funding specialist can map this path from day one.
Ask your funding specialist about rate review options after 6-12 months.
See What You Pre-Qualify For →Simple Process
How a Merchant Cash Advance Works
Tell us how much you need and why speed matters
60-second application — we check for cheaper alternatives first
If MCA is the best fit, we find the lowest factor rate
Review the FULL cost — total repayment, daily payment, effective APR
Accept only if the math works — fund same day
Right Fit?
Who an MCA Is For — and Who It's Not For
Great Fit
Not the Right Product
Not sure if an MCA is your only option? Try the qualification estimator — you might qualify for something cheaper.
Full Transparency
What Kills Your MCA Application
You Likely Qualify If
Red Flags That Cause Denials
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Let Us Check If Something Cheaper Fits First
Most business owners who think they need an MCA actually qualify for a cheaper product. Pre-qualify in 60 seconds — we'll show you ALL your options, not just the fastest one.
See What You Could Qualify For
Slide to your average monthly bank deposits.
Estimated Approval Range
Based on 100-150% of monthly revenue
Soft-pull pre-qual · No obligation · Estimate only
FAQs
Merchant Cash Advance FAQs
Merchant Cash Advance — Same-Day Funding, But Know the Real Cost Before You Sign
MCAs are the most accessible and fastest funding product in business lending. They're also the most expensive. We fund MCAs when business owners need money today and no other product works — but we also tell them the real cost, show cheaper alternatives, and help them refinance in 90 days. Run the numbers on our loan cost calculator before you sign anything.
If you're a restaurant owner in Kentucky facing a health code deadline, a contractor in Alabama bridging a late GC payment, or a shop owner in Nevada with a truck down — an MCA can save your business. But if you can wait even 2-3 days, working capital at half the cost is almost always the better move. We fund MCAs for every industry, but we'll always check for cheaper options first. One 60-second application, soft-pull pre-qual, and a real conversation about what actually makes sense for your situation.
MCA often funds emergency repairs, equipment replacement, and business operations. If you need commercial coverage for your business assets, our sister company InsuranceService365.com provides business insurance across 29 states.
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