Credit Cards

[esnipe8]

Credit Cards... do any of you installation contractors accept them? I have had a couple of potential customers ask me about them. I lost one $5,000 ($1500 2 day profit job) because I do not accept CC and a competitor did.

Lets hear the pro's and con's if any of you have any experience with them.

Thanks!!!

[Wet_Boots]

Check to see how credit card payments fit into your state's contract law. Since they are subject to recall, I would wonder if a credit card payment really satisfies any "money changing hands" requirements.

[esnipe8]

Check to see how credit card payments fit into your state's contract law. Since they are subject to recall, I would wonder if a credit card payment really satisfies any "money changing hands" requirements.

Good point. I have a cement contractor friend who accepts cc's and says that it has not been an issue for him (4-5) years. But further investigation will tell. I am more curious to see if others have seen an increase in sales or upgrades by offering to accept cc's.

[Wet_Boots]

I've missed out on some small jobs over not taking credit cards, but I really didn't want to be on the hook for an unsecured contract, and besides, it bothers me that borrowing is needed for a sprinkler system installation.

[bcg]

We do the vast majority of our work on credit cards. They allow us to decide when we get paid instead of leaving that decision in the customer's hands. The discount percentages suck but it beats waiting on checks to arrive.

[esnipe8]

We do the vast majority of our work on credit cards. They allow us to decide when we get paid instead of leaving that decision in the customer's hands. The discount percentages suck but it beats waiting on checks to arrive.

What type of system do you use? I have seen a couple different types. Do you use the standard system that you swipe the card, and the cc company charges you a percentage?

[ARGOS]

I accept all CCs. I wouldn't go back. I get paid WAY faster. You get the card and you run on completion. Crucial for service work.

[EagleLandscape]

We have handheld phone/computers in each truck that we can accept credit cards on the spot. Some customers like to pay CC, some write check, and some mail in a check. 1.5% or whatever the fee is; is better than waiting 30 days.

[esnipe8]

I accept all CCs. I wouldn't go back. I get paid WAY faster. You get the card and you run on completion. Crucial for service work.

We have handheld phone/computers in each truck that we can accept credit cards on the spot. Some customers like to pay CC, some write check, and some mail in a check. 1.5% or whatever the fee is; is better than waiting 30 days.

Did you guys google search to find a provider, referral, or through a local bank etc?

[bcg]

What type of system do you use? I have seen a couple different types. Do you use the standard system that you swipe the card, and the cc company charges you a percentage?

I'm using Pioneer StarTech for my call management software and it integrates with Sage Payments. I'm paying 1% + .20, 1.5% + .20 and 2% +.20 for qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified sales, respectively. We have a laptop in the service vehicles with a 3G connection and a magnetic stripe reader so they can swipe the card on site and run it. We always get a card when we book an appointment in case there's no one home and just to make sure the people are serious and understand they're going to have to pay.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Never did CC. Got a check at the door or one mailed to me. That CC fee is a killer in my book. Add up all those fees and it becomes a might chunk of money that at least for me would overwhelm the non payments and slow pay factor. With multiple service techs this may not be feasible.

I'm old school and times have changed though. I accept them now with pigtails but I'll gladly send an invoice and wait as well. I have to admit I sweat a little bit on those 1,000.00 orders to first time customers. I figure if they are smart enough to use a remote then they are pretty good business people in my book and well worth the risk. But do the math on CC charge on a 1,000.00 order. It really adds up and that all goes to empower the banks.

[DanaMac]

I took Fimcos advice and got set up through PayPal. No monthly fee. And around 2% I think. It is kind of a last resort. I have had 3 people use it. I do have to email them an invoice and they pay through PayPal without me or my guys handling the card.

This is for service only. No installs.

[WalkGood]

it bothers me that borrowing is needed for a sprinkler system installation.


Might not be that they need to "borrow" money. Rather, they are racking up points on their credit card that they redeem for airfares and/or vacations. Maybe a cash-back type of credit card.

I know someone that pays just about everything on a credit card, just to get the points. Goes on an extra vacation each year basically for "free" using points.

[Mike Leary]

I lost a pretty good sized system to a couple who were avid travelers and wanted the frequent flyer points.

[ARGOS]

I just bought all my kids, yes all the kids (wait I didn't get one for the 1 year old), ipods with AMEX points. I use the Amex for everything and pay it monthly.

That is the majority of customers that want to use the CC with us.

[esnipe8]

Might not be that they need to "borrow" money. Rather, they are racking up points on their credit card that they redeem for airfares and/or vacations. Maybe a cash-back type of credit card.

I know someone that pays just about everything on a credit card, just to get the points. Goes on an extra vacation each year basically for "free" using points.

I do the same thing with my Cabelas card!

I lost a pretty good sized system to a couple who were avid travelers and wanted the frequent flyer points.

I do the same thing with my Cabelas card!

[DanaMac]

Re-floored my basement and bought a new table saw with my points this winter.

[Mike Leary]

Re-floored my basement and bought a new table saw with my points this winter.

Piker........

[DanaMac]

Piker........

Yup.

I have my card, and both employees have a card. All points go to me. Pay Ewing, Verizon, Qwest, Utility bill, almost all business purchases through the card. Get lots of good stuff couple times a year.

[AI Inc]

I got a chance to come realy close to punching out a weasel car rental counter boy at Hertz at the Gulfport/ Biloxi airport one night.

[esnipe8]

I got a chance to come realy close to punching out a weasel car rental counter boy at Hertz at the Gulfport/ Biloxi airport one night.

:confused:

[Mike Leary]

I got myself (wife helped) into credit card hell years ago; took us freakin' forever to get out of it, including selling a piece of property. Be careful with those cards, guys.

[DanaMac]

I got a chance to come realy close to punching out a weasel car rental counter boy at Hertz at the Gulfport/ Biloxi airport one night.

What the eff does that have to do with anything? You sniffing the glue again?

[DanaMac]

Geez, I feel so old and in the way: I got myself (wife helped) into credit card hell years ago; took us freakin' forever to get out of it, including selling a piece of property. Be careful with those cards, guys.

We got a little upside down with them a couple times. First time was easy. Second was recently due to the fact that my GF was having to pay bills with them while getting her masters degree and real estate business sucking. New job this last year, and all should be paid off end of this year.

[AI Inc]

What the eff does that have to do with anything? You sniffing the glue again?

No , tryed to use amex points to rent a car and the weasel tells me that it would have changed my daily rate from $79 to $179. This was at 9pm on a trip that started at 4 AM.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

I hate the points game. Only deal i get is with Amazon. They send me a reward check in the mail and I use it to buy books. Keeps me smarter than Boots.

[DanaMac]

I hate the points game. Only deal i get is with Amazon. They send me a reward check in the mail and I use it to buy books. Keeps me smarter than Boots.

I used to get e refund check instead of points. I'd get about $600 every 6-8 months. But they've changed it. now points towards gift cards. I give some to my guys as a bonus too.

[AI Inc]

I got myself (wife helped) into credit card hell years ago; took us freakin' forever to get out of it, including selling a piece of property. Be careful with those cards, guys.

Pay mine in full the day it comes in.Definatly dont live off em. I was at my accountants last week giving him an estimate, he said he has been doing many , many bankrupcies and the avergae credit card debt is over $100,000

[Mike Leary]

all should be paid off end of this year.

It took us years to pay off that stuff; debit card is us, now. I keep a unlimited card in the mo/ho just in case.:dizzy:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

You should keep one blank card for a severe medical emergency. If you croak with a bunch of debt on the card so what. The object is to die broke and fulfilled anyway. The trick is to know exactly when you are going to die.;)

[unit28]

I'm working for tips only....LOL
I have always tried to get payments in 1/3rds on big projects.

[Mike Leary]

die broke and fulfilled anyway.

Well said; would not be worth anything unless fun was had.

[WalkGood]

geez, i feel so old and in the way:
.
.
........