Finally taking the plunge to accept credit card payments.

[Ruben Rocha]

Although I only have three customers that ask me to take credit card payments.
I finally have decided to give it a try.

I just don't know what method to try that works best and of course the least cost.

My bank has merchant accounts.
I see things such as pay pal.

But what do most of you see as the most common situation to get paid via plastic?
In the field?
Online?
Use a mobile card reader?

I am asking the most remedial question here. So don't beat me up to much.
It looks to me if I go with all the bells and whistles to accept a couple of payments per month for any situation it would cost several hundred dollars to get started.
Then the transaction fees.

[rm25x]

I set up with charge.com
fee's are reasonable.

I only take credit cards, I charge the day after service for both lawn care and snow plowing. Makes life a lot easier, and no more waiting weeks for payment.

[Ruben Rocha]

Okay but how do you interface with the customer to get the payment?
If you charge them the day after service. How do you follow up to get a payment.
Tell them to do what?? to pay you.

[Craig3]

Okay but how do you interface with the customer to get the payment?
If you charge them the day after service. How do you follow up to get a payment.
Tell them to do what?? to pay you.

CC #'s on file and simply fills in the blanks himself?
maybe sends them a receipt after?

[Hanau]

Credit card authorization form. Fill in the customers info (some customers have worse handwriting than me), CC #, and the dates payments will be withdrawn (calendar dates, after service is completed, according to contract terms are the 3 methods I use), have them sign and date.

On big jobs I like a second CC, just incase the limit is hit on the first one.

Then plug the information into the program you use and wait for your bucks.

[nam328i]

look into sam's club and costco. i've seen them run promotions on mobile card readers and low fees. they're usually a bargain

[lawnman_scott]

do an internet search for "credit card processers". find one that you can do over the phone, thats the way i do it. nothing to put out to start, and they charge 2.35% plus 35cents per transaction.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Caterkillar]

I have one that costs me $6 a month, and 2-3% depending on what type of credit card it is. I do mine over the phone. It seems like renting that credit card equipment is a scam.

[ICS]

I have taken cc payments for a few years. I quit using a dedicated machine with monthly fees. I have been quite happy using Google Check Out. No monthly fees and reasonable fees per a individual charge. We just email the client a invoice via Google Checkout and that's it.

[Mahoney3223]

you gotta take CC's anymore..we have the over-the-phone system..lots cheaper than renting a machine which is a gigantic rip off

[Ruben Rocha]

you gotta take CC's anymore..we have the over-the-phone system..lots cheaper than renting a machine which is a gigantic rip off

So I assume over the phone is a way the customer gives you the card info you punch that in the phone?
Where can I find some info on that type of system.

[Craig3]

what about paypal?

[Ruben Rocha]

Well I had a bad experience with Paypal.
Not for merchant service but a personal purchase I made on a site.
So I am a little leery of pay pal.
While waiting on some call back from my bank.
I am looking at quickbooks merchant service. They also now have a echeck feature.
I already have quick books but it looks like I need to upgrade to 2010 to get the echeck feature.
Problem is my accountant is not on 2010 yet.