My husband and I own our own excavation business but have found it unnecessary to open a merchant account. Most other businesses have merchant accounts already set in place. However our business consists of my husband and I. We provide a service to our clients who in turn pay us with checks or cash. For small jobs that my husband does, he will usually get paid on site after the job is completed. Our business is just not big enough for a merchant account yet. However as our business develops I look for us to have to open a merchant account just like every other business.