Cheap ways to take card payments?

[Stu]

I am running a mobile computer repair business where I mainly go out to the customer. I do have an office but I rarely have the customer come to me as it is not really suitable.

One problem that keeps cropping up is the ability, or rather, my inability to take card payments, either at my office or at the customer's place.

In the past I used PayPal and customers could settle invoices by clicking a PayPal link through my website. I was never satisfied with this due to the high service charges, and I did get a few customers who were reluctant to enter card details online.

My question is, are there any cheap, but effective ways for me to take card payments?

Bear in mind I am in the UK, so some of your local bank stuff may not apply to me.

Thanks

 

[Jamie3188]

Stu,

I too have been looking into something more efficient. I have an IPhone and they have an app on there called 'Credit Card Terminal' its £29.99 and you have to pay something to paypal on a monthly basis I think. But you can type in your IPhone the Amount/Balance+Sort Code+Account Number and this charges the Customer. It may need some work but its a start.

Looks like a great idea and the reviews on the software are mixed but it might be something worth looking at.

Let me know if you get anything worth looking at

Jamie

 

[krutoi]

My question is, are there any cheap, but effective ways for me to take card payments?

There is 2Checkout.com but the fees are probably more than paypal. My advice would be to have a chat with your bank about setting up a merchant account.

 

[computergeek1]

I use paypal and there fees are expensive and could do with chaging as well, i look at streamline.

 

[ProTech Support]

I would give ProPay a good look. If you do a search on the forums you will find a few threads about them. One thing that may benefit you is the Micro card reader they have, it is very small portable credit card scanner.

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

 

[MrUnknown]

I was interested in ProPay, but it seems they are looking for a deposit for computer techs

 

[rockhoptec]

take a look at this company. Rates are reasonable, we use them for 2 businesses (pc tech and hair salon) and the usb card swipe is great and if you have access to a printer you can get a receipt.

We use it in office and on the road (need internet access) and there is a way to use it on your site if need be.

Like I said you can use it on the road with an internet access and since it is web based you can enter the CC# without swiping and works as well.

Here is the link:
http://www.payjunction.com/

Any questions or concerns let me know I can get you the name of the contact I use there if you have any questions relating to price or such.

 

[ProTech Support]

I was interested in ProPay, but it seems they are looking for a deposit for computer techs

A deposit for computer techs? What is that all about.

 

[angrypug]

A deposit for computer techs? What is that all about.

This is true. I was all signed up and ready to go. Purchased the reader and everything. I then get an email saying my business was high risk and they now require the first $1000 dollars to be kept in your propay account. After 180 days they will re-evaluate your account.

My high risk business is just a small computer repair store. No web sales, all transactions done in store. Most transactions are under $200.

have emails saved if further info is needed by anyone. They may have changed but this was only a couple months ago.

 

[MrUnknown]

I am actually confused now, I sent them an email just to check again and to ask about the deposit. They sent back an email that stated this:

You can sign up for our Basic or Premium accounts online without any reserves, but there are limits to the transactions you can process each month and each transaction. If those accounts are not big enough for your company, you can submit some simple application information and we can usually let you know in a few days what you could be approved for and how much reserve we would hold, if any.

so I don't know. So far I haven't had any issues with clients paying by check or cash only, but I definately would like to accept more.

 

[Tesla]

I enquired with Barclays merchant services here in the UK and iirc the cost is around £50 per month (3 year contract!) before taking any % off of any payments.

One of my customers uses a terminal and said his is much cheaper but I have forgotten who he has it through. Something like Transax?

 

[angrypug]

I am actually confused now, I sent them an email just to check again and to ask about the deposit. They sent back an email that stated this:



so I don't know. So far I haven't had any issues with clients paying by check or cash only, but I definately would like to accept more.

Heres what I got after I signed up.

Thank you for opening a ProPay Account.

After a careful analysis of the business for which your ProPay Account will be used, ProPay has determined that in order for us to support this account, a reserve of $1000.00 will be required. This determination was made in part because of the high-risk nature of the business and the relative newness of the account.

The reserve will be funded with the first $1000.00 in the ProPay balance. The reserve will be set aside for a minimum of 180 days while a processing pattern and account history are established. After 180 days, the reserve requirement will be re-evaluated.

If you do not wish to create a reserve amount, funds already in your account will be held for a period of at least 180 days and then released. Or, if you’d prefer, you can issue full refunds to your customers and then close your ProPay Account. To issue a refund, you need to complete the following steps:

1. Log into your ProPay Account.
2. Click "Completed" or "Pending" (depending on the status of the transaction) under the "My Reports" heading on the lower right side of the page.
3. Find the transaction to be refunded, and click the transaction number next to it.
4. Enter the amount to be refunded into the refund box at the bottom of the page that pops up.
5. Click "Submit" and the money will be moved.

You could then obtain a different form of payment. Please let us know which option you would prefer.

We hope that this requirement will enable both you and ProPay to move towards a mutually beneficial business relationship based on trust and integrity.

Thank you,

 

[Suther]

I'm also in the UK and looking for a credit card handler.

Have tried StreamLine and Elavon Merchant Services. Both wouldn't take me on because they deemed it a high risk business in the current economic climate.

I know with PayPal Payments Pro you can get the Virtual Terminal which allows you to accept credit card payments over the phone. You just enter the customer details and c.c. details into a web page and they take care of the rest. Not really that satisfactory for taking in-store payments though.

I've read about a PayPal card-swipe system that plugs in to the PayPal Virtual Terminal, so that you can swipe a card instead of typing in the details. I've only seen it mentioned in the US though. Does anyone know if this works in the UK, or has anyone tried this in the UK?
www.paypal.com/vtswipe

 

[ibamars]

http://www.thetransactiongroup.net/?a_aid=toptenreviews

Check this one out. I use them and I don't need any equipment. I call the number with the customers credit card number and I get instant approval.

They have options for printing but I don't use it. I just print the last 4 of CC and put the approval card manually on the invoice.

 

[usacvlr]

Paypal is cheap. If you think they're expensive then you've already ended your search..

I am running a mobile computer repair business where I mainly go out to the customer. I do have an office but I rarely have the customer come to me as it is not really suitable.

One problem that keeps cropping up is the ability, or rather, my inability to take card payments, either at my office or at the customer's place.

In the past I used PayPal and customers could settle invoices by clicking a PayPal link through my website. I was never satisfied with this due to the high service charges, and I did get a few customers who were reluctant to enter card details online.

My question is, are there any cheap, but effective ways for me to take card payments?

Bear in mind I am in the UK, so some of your local bank stuff may not apply to me.

Thanks

 

[RitechSystems]

I use Quicken to take credit cards, it is free first 3 months, then 12.95 a month. Fees are listed here: http://payments.intuit.com/pricing/

You can take payments through iphone at https://merchantcenter.intuit.com/iphone

 

[Graystar]

To those using Intuit services either through Quicken or Quickbooks (my service) they process these charges through Innovative Merchants in Woodland Hills CA.
I have issues with them for several months since I signed up with them and I have gotten through most of them via the phone.
Currently I am perplexed by the fact they are charging me 3% plus on Mastercards.

If i may ask are those of you using this service in the same boat?
I want to be armed with info before I make my monthly call to them.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Matt]

Card Payments...

Hi all, I am new to techbnibble. I have Been browsing the forums for quite some time and must say this is a great place. I have also bought the computer business kit & highly reccommend it. Its brilliant.

With regards to the question about cheap card payments.

Here in the uk their is secpay paypoint.net/secpay-payment-gateway which is run through paypoint. You can get a virtual terminal for as little as £5p/m and I believe this gives you 100 free processed transactions per month.


I personally will be signing up for this once business picks up enough to warrant the use of card payments.

I hope this helps and that you find the information of some use.

Regards

 

[usacvlr]

I'm using quickbooks card processor for pos transactions. It always works and if they're charging me 3%(I haven;'t checked the fees in awhile) then that's fine. 3 cents on the dollar is not a big deal.

To those using Intuit services either through Quicken or Quickbooks (my service) they process these charges through Innovative Merchants in Woodland Hills CA.
I have issues with them for several months since I signed up with them and I have gotten through most of them via the phone.
Currently I am perplexed by the fact they are charging me 3% plus on Mastercards.

If i may ask are those of you using this service in the same boat?
I want to be armed with info before I make my monthly call to them.
Thanks
Jim

 

[Kenhelms]

I make them pay me in cash, in the back of a van.


Just kidding,

I use Paynet.