Accepting Credit Cards

[GreenMonster]

I've been toying with the idea of accepting credit cards this year. To be honest, I've done zero research so far, but seems as though it could make things a bit more convenient, especially as I try to expand the maintenance side. It could also help close sales with folks who don't want to dish cash out of their pocket for a service.

Of course, all I keep hearing is it's too much money. Does anyone have any first hand experience?

Is it really that expensive for non point of sale type operations?

Are there particular vendors or systems that are better than others?

Any advice appreciated.

[Frontier-Lawn]

go to my website and click pay-online thats how i do credit cards for my comp.

[marko]

Search on this site w/ the search feature. Alot of people use Quickbooks pro or higher (basic quickbooks wont be able to run credit cards). I just signed up for the service and it is comparable. $59 fee to sign up, $17.99/month, 2.79% for keyed in transactions, and like .23 cents per transactions. No contract, no equipment, no statement fees. I think it is very comparable to what I saw locally, but this will save you time by preventing double entering the info if you use quickbooks anyway. No matter who you talk to, go with their key in rate (it is what you will be using and it is always higher than the swipe rate).

[GreenMonster]

thanks so far guys


no one else?

[cleancutccl]

I run mine through paypal with a link on my website. It costs a percentage of each transaction, I think 1.9%. Overall its pretty cheap to get your money right away and not have to worry about a bounced check from a customer.

[fga]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

thanks so far guys


no one else?

my wife deals with that in her store. she's trying to get me to do it, says theirs a small percentage, and a fee per transaction?? thing is, the fee may not add up to much on big payments, but small rountine lawn service bills my not pay off. i'll ask her in a minute... when her mothers on the phone, she can't get off.

[fga]

i was also told the Nextel has a phone where you can swipe it right there on the spot, instead of calling up the office (wife) and having her run it through. that sounds cool.

[fga]

she just told me, its 1.83 % per transaction. but there is a fee if there is less then a set minimum of funds coming through.

also have to buy machine and supplies...

[GreenMonster]

Originally Posted by fga

also have to buy machine and supplies...

yeah, but that for a store front point of sale system, right?

For our use, you would run a customer through once a month, I would assume, thru the internet. No machine or supplies needed, right?

I'll catch up w/ ya tomorrow....

[marko]

For our use, you would run a customer through once a month, I would assume, thru the internet. No machine or supplies needed, right?


Correct. The easiest way will be to keep the number on file and run it at your convience. If you have to go and get it, swipe it, etc, whats the point? Average rates are 2.19 - 2.39% for non swiped transactions. I think the rates are going up 40 basis points soon (if they have not already)