I think I'm ready to take the plunge into the realm of accepting credit cards for payment. I don't forsee much of this, and will mostly be getting numbers over the phone. What should I look for as far as equipment and services? What used equipment is available that will not be soon outdated? Are there services available for occassional users that get a higher percentage and don't require a big monthly minimum? Have you found ways around the cards with customers that only pay that way? Thanks for your helpful directives.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Hi Rick,
If you are familiar with QuickBooks I'd give them a shot. We use their Wells Fargo Merchant service and have never had a problem. We started with Chase through Quickbooks and it stunk.
Check it out.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Rick
Keep in mind that when you accept a CC over the phone, your percentage fee is higher than if you actually scan it w/a card reader machine. I have been extremly happy I took the plunge.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
I got a free, used/refurbished "Verifone Zon Jr. XL" with my deal. The printer was either 50 or 100. Don't remember. I have had no trouble with either machine. My cost is a $10 monthly statement fee, 25 cents per scan, 1.6% per transaction(if I scan the card), and no monthly minimum.
I only have one client who calls in their orders. This costs me double the transaction rate. My merchant account rep told me it's because it's a higher risk than scanning the card.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
quote: Have you found ways around the cards with customers that only pay that way?
I've threatened to "take the plunge" a few times over the years & did a bunch of research.. & ended up not plunging yet.
But to answer your last question... I have found a few buyers who were able to pay my by CC using my paypal account. They also need to have a paypal account, but it is easy & quick to set-up. Like most things, depending on who you talk to, there are risks to consider with Paypal, but I have had at about 2 dozen trouble-free transactions.
Posted by Linda Schmidt (Member # 2337) on :
Rick- I set mine up with First National Merchant Solutions. If you are a member of the U.S.Sign Council they have a really good deal. I bought the software program for $100 from them that eliminates the need for a machine (no scanning). I've had this for a month because so many people asked if I took CC- wouldn't you know- haven't had a single person ask since I installed it!
You can contact Gina Patterson @ 800-516-6264 ext. 4964, (email is gpatterson@fnni.com). She's very pleasant and no high pressure.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Rick,
I use a Virtual Terminal on my computer to accept credit cards. Basically I log into AuthorizeNET's system online and enter all the information right there.
I pay more for this service because of its convenience, $30/month whether I have a sale or not (Note: since accepting credit I've always had extra sales to cover it) plus the usual transaction and discount rates. The convenience comes in because I can use the system to accept credit and debit cards at physical locations, it can also be integrated into my website for real-time authorization, plus I can make use of the Address Verification System where it compares the address the customer gives with the address listed with the account - to avoid fraud.
I'm signed up with AuthorizeNET through my Wells Fargo merchant services.
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Linda what are their fees? I use them but didn't know anything about a deal if being a memeber of USSC. Normally the lowest I pay, I think is 1.6%, then 2.7% if its a Corporate card or if I take a non scanable order (like a phone order). Last month they socked me for 3.2% for the first itme. It was then that I decided to find another company.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Looks like QuickBooks doesn't use Chase anymore. Apparently I'm not the only one who thought they stunk.
Looks like you can get lower rates with them for swiped cards if you buy the card reader for $90.
I love it. Easy as pie! But you do need to be using QuickBooks.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
I take credit cards through First National Merchant's solutions - got hooked up with them through advice my very helpful son gave me at the time. They gave me a special deal on an old fashioned swiper for free ( it does not work properly, so I type in the info, but I am not counting the teeth in that horse's mouth)
What I want to contribute here is that the ability to take credit cards, in my small homebased business, has made a big difference in how I am perceived over the phone and in the important moment of nailing down a sale.
Deposits and prepayment are no longer a problem, or even raise an eyebrow. Just like I expect to pay for custom orders, when I go into a shop of any kind, I am laying down the law to my customers without a second thought and don't get any flack for it.
This way I am able to be sophisticated and small time at the same time. I take their credit card number at the time of sale and tell them that is to make sure I get paid in the end. That when the work is picked up they can pay me any way they want. I encourage payment by check or the ever acceptable cash. But I run the charge if that is the only way to get my money.
And when it comes to those who always pay by credit card I simply tell them that I prefer a check and then be quiet. The check usually materializes. If not I am grateful for having gotten paid on the spot Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
I got my credit card machine in last spring for one customer! I have a military base real close and they only pay by credit card. The environmental guys on base spent $1500 on the first order! I went throught Sams Club, new machine 600 and lowest rate, 1.45% I found. Best investment I have ever done. I sell flags as a side, sell 1 flag every few days on machine, small sales add up!
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
What Myra says sums it up for me also. It shores up some slow payers and gets you deposits now to get going on jobs. They do suggest you not try to charge more for credit card purchases as many would be offended by that (I would).
I have looked at going the quickbooks route being that the rates are fair, but if you don't do a whole lot of transactions, the 18 dollar monthly fee seems high. (Is this true Amy?)
Time for me to review my present service though, it seems to me that they charge an exorbidant amount on non-swiped cards.
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
I started with EFS as a member service from ISA but now we are with our local bank. Kept our machine we bought from EFS and were told there are a number of used units available from the bank too which are suitable for a small number of transactions. No monthly fee, pay a little more for phone transactions but have increased some business because customers like to earn their miles or whatever. Also many government entities use a card for small purchases and come to us because we accept the card. Consider including Amex in the mix because a lot of corporate cards and government cards are with them.
Posted by Kent Smith (Member # 251) on :
I started with EFS as a member service from ISA but now we are with our local bank. Kept our machine we bought from EFS and were told there are a number of used units available from the bank too which are suitable for a small number of transactions. No monthly fee, pay a little more for phone transactions but have increased some business because customers like to earn their miles or whatever. Also many government entities use a card for small purchases and come to us because we accept the card. Consider including Amex in the mix because a lot of corporate cards and government cards are with them.
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
I think taking credit cards a is pretty fundamental service today.
The banks & I have come to a nice working relationship, they don't sell signs & I don't lend money.
Do you offer credit? "Yep, both kinds, Visa & Mastercard"
.... I do wish I could work that way all the time, but most of my business is B to B and 30 days is the norm. I don't offer credit to non commercial sales and I now require a personal guarantee on the credit application for new accounts. The good news is that more & more business customers are paying with credit cards.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
We offered the service for several years and had very few people use it. Maybe a half dozen a year at the most. It might be the nature of our business compared to other sign shops, I don't know, but it wasn't worth the monthly fees, so we dropped it.
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