Customers paying by credit card ?

[HologramTam]

I see some small company’s take credit card payments these days . This is all new to me as I cant see how these tradesmen can take the payment from working out of a van. I have heard of a hand held machine but not sure how this would work ? Anyone use them and do you think you get more business if a customer knows they can pay you on there card.

Am possibly sounding silly here but am genuinely interested in the cost of this machine service and if its worth looking further into it.

Tam.

 

[expertgasman]

We use these:

http://www.cardsave.net/e-commerce/online-card-processing/online-card-processing

Expect to pay about £20 - £25 per month plus 1.5% credit cards and 20p per debit card. beware that they have an automatically renewing ANNUAL contract

 

[tonto33]

we use these
http://www.123send.net/

 

[WoodYouLike]

We have a hand-held too, and we do charge a surcharge of using a credit card, so don't forget to tell your client about this.

You are allowed to pass on the costs of credit card to your clients nowadays - so most then find their debit card.

 

[markfxy]

Make sure they sign something to say they are satisfied with the work done, Stops them trying to claim back from cc company.

 

[WoodYouLike]

They can't that easily claim back from cc company. Before that happens the cc company will request all documentation etc - like payment slips of the credit card payment, order confirmations etc.
Not being satisfied with the work would not automagically mean your client can simple call the cc company and have their money back - not many businesses would accept credit cards if that was the case.

 

[HologramTam]

Thanks Lads. Considering getting one on a short term hire see how it goes.

 

[mattchip]

Since i've started my locksmith bus. i'm now considering getting one as soon as possible, from people i've spoke to they sound the dogs, no late payments, no waiting and no uncertainty

 

[expertgasman]

Since i've started my locksmith bus. i'm now considering getting one as soon as possible, from people i've spoke to they sound the dogs, no late payments, no waiting and no uncertainty

not entirely. Read regs and T&C's carefully

 

[yaleguy3]

I have a website set up with paypal buttons so payments can be made online. I also have a small netbook with a dongle in case the client doesn't have internet access..usually if someone has just moved into a new house.

I have payment buttons set up for particular regular jobs and costs and a couple of ones that are just £10 and £5 enabling any figure to be made up by simply multiplying them.

The clients don't mind paying online as it is all through secure pages.

costwise the website costs £40 a year to run. my payments take three days to arrive and are less paypals fee.

 

[harleythedog]

REMEMBER ONE SIMPLE RULE. if your product or work can be paid for on a card, you can also be requested to pay the whole lot back if the customer has an issue at any time in the future. eg warranty, guarantee or workmanship. In 10 yrs my company had a regular issue with card payers in Merseyside (no offence, but true), all after 2-3 yrs and all countermanded by the card company. Be carefull ourt there, some 'customers' play this game as a hobby.

 

[markfxy]

My point exactly although wouldyoulike will disagree

 

[WoodYouLike]

I disagree in so far that the card company cannot just take the money back without an investigation (been there, client DID NOT get their money back through card company based on him disputing the contract - which he signed).
It's like Harleythedog says: the client can request the money back from the card company - but it is not automagically credited!

Other way around: we - as business - did get our money back taken by almost fraudulent hire company who debited our card extra for "so-called damage to van when returned". There was no damage, they couldn't prove there was so we got our money back. (They had 90 days to react and prove the opposite, they couldn't).

 

[opps]

Before you can hire a mobile terminal you will need a business account and then a merchant account and gateway.

The card processing gateway will pass the money to the merchant account (for a fee) and then the money is passed to your business account (again for a fee).

As soon as you have a merchant account you will probably get one of the old fashioned card swiping machines (the carbon copy type). This would be cheaper than hiring a mobile terminal but looks less professional(?), no worries about phone signals either.

Shop around for a merchant account and gateway, some charge £200 to set the account up. We went with Stream Line (merchant account) and RBS Worldpay (for our website gateway) because there was no set up fee for FSB members. The processing rates aren't brilliant though. We then use a virtual terminal for processing cards over the phone and use 123send for hiring a cellular mobile terminal and as when we need one.

There are some firms that act as a gateway and merchant account- for example PayPal Pro.

If your credit rating is crap you will struggle to get a merchant account (less of a problem for opening a business account). In this case you can open a standard paypal account and in time upgrade to the pro version once they trust you.

The following forum might be able to give you more specific advice about deals etc

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=59