Who takes credit cards ?

**Steve Jr.** · 11-17-2009, 08:05 PM

We have always been check or cash, but were considering taking cards, My question if you take them do you charge more to cover the fees involved? Thanks Steve.

**farleycarpet** · 11-17-2009, 08:12 PM

I take cards on my website only and I do not charge any more for cards. For one there a write off and sometimes that's the only way they can pay.

**Blind Dr** · 11-17-2009, 08:20 PM

Steve we accept credit cards as well. Not many of our customers use them. In my other businesses they do. Although I have seen a short trend now where many people are using cash instead of credit.

**TConway** · 11-17-2009, 08:23 PM

I got started 2 yrs ago and I thought that taking cc's would be good and it has come in handy a couple times and yes I state that there will be a charge to use a debit or cc (what they charge me to do the trans is added to the amount). But It really has not been worth the monthly exspense. I dont know how busy or how large your customer base is so it might be better for you than me in that way I really hardly use it its probably the most money I waste every month on something that really doesnt do me much good.

**farleycarpet** · 11-17-2009, 11:33 PM

The way I do it there are NO monthly charges

**TConway** · 11-17-2009, 11:56 PM

Brian,
what company do you use and how do you not have a montly bill

**Rob Allen** · 11-18-2009, 08:31 AM

We accept everything but American Express.

**Jason Whaley** · 11-18-2009, 01:29 PM

MC and Visa here..... I don't get very many per month and I do not charge a fee to use them.

**homebrewer27** · 11-18-2009, 01:58 PM

We take V/MC/Discover. It's just a cost of doing business and we don't charge anything more to the customer.

**Mr Bill** · 11-18-2009, 04:09 PM

I take all major credit cards, I went to merchants.com and got some quotes. Than I went to my bank and asked them if the could match the best offer and they beat it. I don't get allot of credit cards some months just 2 some months more that 10

Bill

**Steve Jr.** · 11-18-2009, 04:17 PM

Were just looking at the options, seems we get a couple of calls per month somebody will ask if we take cards.

**Jason Whaley** · 11-18-2009, 04:48 PM

Hey by the way.... Any of you guys that accept cards gotten the new security feature charge? I had to answer all these dumb questions on-line that didn't apply to me because I call all my cards in.

I am having to pay an extra $50.00 a year because of it. People who use a point of sale machine are paying higher rates. I think it was close to $200.00 a year.

Which brings up a new topic for Steve. Don't waste your money on a point of sale machine or wireless terminal. You can use your cell phone to call a card in. Very easy and quick while with the custy IMHO.

**Scottie** · 11-19-2009, 09:25 AM

Here, by law, it is illegal to charge an extra fee of any kind for the use of a credit card. You may set a minimum purchase amount but no extra charges.

**lastmansloppy** · 11-19-2009, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by homebrewer27

We take V/MC/Discover. It's just a cost of doing business and we don't charge anything more to the customer.

Same here.

**William Weaver** · 11-19-2009, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jason Whaley

Hey by the way.... Any of you guys that accept cards gotten the new security feature charge? I had to answer all these dumb questions on-line that didn't apply to me because I call all my cards in.

I am having to pay an extra $50.00 a year because of it. People who use a point of sale machine are paying higher rates. I think it was close to $200.00 a year.

Which brings up a new topic for Steve. Don't waste your money on a point of sale machine or wireless terminal. You can use your cell phone to call a card in. Very easy and quick while with the custy IMHO.

Jason, could you give us a few more details about calling in cards?

Thanks

Has anyone tried using PayPal?

**Jason Whaley** · 11-19-2009, 05:03 PM

I use a service called Merchant Services. http://www.merchantservices.com/ I have a minimum charged to my account of $16.00 a month if my 2% to 3% card processing rates are not higher. They tried to raise my minimum to $25.00 a month but I called and complained and they lowered them back to the $16.00 a month minimum.

All I do is call a 1-800 # and it prompts me to enter the info. My merchant # and then the customers Card #, expiration date and amount. Then I confirm the amount by hitting a # on the phone. It then gives me an approval number and the money is in my business checking account within 3 working days.

I usually put my phone on speaker so the customer hears me enter the info correctly. It only takes about 1 to 1.5 minutes to finish the transaction and I hand the card back to the customer. As I said before its easy. You do pay a little more of a percentage rate without a point of sale terminal but its minimal.

**dsimms** · 11-20-2009, 02:37 AM

If the client has email, then you can always send them their quote via paypal, and they can pay by credit card that way...

**MoJo** · 11-20-2009, 11:51 AM

Paypal holds funds for as long 3 month as reserves that why I don't use them.

I use Propay, no monthly fees, you can process visa/mc, discover, amex via internet or phone. You pay an annual fee of 35 to 300.00 bucks depending on how much volume you do. and 2.6-3.5% transaction fee. I have the 59.00 Platinum option. It has a $3000.00 monthly limit and a $500.00 per transaction limit.

https://epay.propay.com/account/

You can also buy a card reader for 100.00 with a 20.0 annual fee, You swipe the card to get immediate approval and upload when you get back to the office.

https://epay.propay.com/SPC/holidaypromotion.aspx

My average ticket for credit cards jobs exceed the cash or check payment option. Sometime folks call you because you advertise that you do take credit credit. You may as well give the potential customer another reason to call you

**steamprocc** · 12-13-2009, 04:14 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Jr.

We have always been check or cash, but were considering taking cards, My question if you take them do you charge more to cover the fees involved? Thanks Steve.

Yes u can charge more, I charge 3% for checks and 5% for credit cards...check are a pane in the butt if the bounce....

**owenscott** · 12-14-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by steamprocc

Yes u can charge more, I charge 3% for checks and 5% for credit cards...check are a pane in the butt if the bounce....

Whoa ... be careful with what you are suggesting ...normally its against terms and conditions for you to charge more to accept credit cards ... and also possibly against state law too. Discount for cash but not an extra charge for Credit cards. Silly but thats how i understand it.

If you could provide us a link to where you are specifically authorized to charge extra and not violate T&C i'd love to see it. If you need alink to T&C stating you cannot charge more i c an get that for you.