Central Iowa Vapors Saves $247,000 Annually Without Cutting Jobs
News related to:Central Iowa Vapors · 1 min read
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, Sept. 30, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Central Iowa Vapors, an 11-location retailer in Iowa, has found a way to save approximately $247,000 annually on payment processing without cutting jobs or closing doors. The company, which was founded in September 2012 to serve adult smokers looking for alternatives to combustible cigarettes, has implemented a dual pricing system using Lifelong's point-of-sale and payments platform.
The move comes as vape retailers across the country face increasing state product regulations and record-high card processing fees. According to the Nilson Report, swipe fees reached a record $198.25 billion in 2025. Central Iowa Vapors enrolled in Lifelong's dual pricing program, which allows the company to compliantly pass card processing costs on to customers who choose to pay by card. Every item now shows both a cash price and a card price, giving customers the option to decide how they want to pay.
The company processed about 190,000 transactions across its stores in 2025. The switch to dual pricing has caused almost no customer friction, with most customers not even noticing the change.
Central Iowa Vapors tested the platform for several days at its West Des Moines store before rolling it out to its other 10 locations: Ames and Altoona, Ankeny (two locations), Cedar Rapids, Clive and Grimes, and Des Moines (three locations). The data migration was seamless, with any issues quickly resolved by Lifelong's responsive team.
The company offers vapes, disposables, and e-liquids, along with nootropics and hemp-derived edibles, tinctures, and topicals, sourced from reputable manufacturers for adult consumers. Central Iowa Vapors is committed to being an inclusive, engaged neighbor in the communities it serves.
Lifelong is an Atlanta-based fintech company that provides an all-in-one point-of-sale, merchant services, and marketing platform to bars, restaurants, general retailers, and high-risk specialty retailers across the United States. The company is known for its bar-tab functionality, multi-location reporting tools, and 20 hours of live customer support every day.