Collecting Payments

[krtechsolutions]

I was wondering how others are handling payments for remote support, do you get a credit card right up front or do you send an email invoice?

I have done some remote work and sending an email invoice and getting paid is like going to the dentist and getting a toe nail removed.

I think from any remote session I do now I am going to ask for a credit card number up front.

 

[mrapoc]

+1 on this subject. Hopefully ctg the guru of remote support can shed some light.

 

[Instant Housecall - Corey]

Different folks have different opinions on this, but here's what I recommend to my customers:

- Connect to your customer for free
- Poke around to get an estimate
- Charge their card *during* the session for the estimated amount
- Then proceed with work

You build good faith by connecting and giving an estimate, if you go over you can charge the remainder, and you ensure you get paid at least for the estimate. It also avoids you having to post refunds if you can't connect or fix it remotely (which avoids merchant fees). HTH

 

[cypress]

Different folks have different opinions on this, but here's what I recommend to my customers:

- Connect to your customer for free
- Poke around to get an estimate
- Charge their card *during* the session for the estimated amount
- Then proceed with work

You build good faith by connecting and giving an estimate, if you go over you can charge the remainder, and you ensure you get paid at least for the estimate. It also avoids you having to post refunds if you can't connect or fix it remotely (which avoids merchant fees). HTH

Good and sound advice. I like to get the First hour paid up front at. If they are repeat clients I will offer to "poke around and see what's going on" then give them an estimated amount.

 

[mrapoc]

How about using go cardless? I intend to and it means you can setup a direct debit and authorise a one off payment after?

That way I feel like you are in charge of charging their card? No work done until their name crops up in your list

 

[cypress]

Seems like that is a service available only for UK but I think Paypal does the same thing? Not completely sure.

 

[BryanLee]

You can purchase remote support from my website. You pay and then you get a download link in the email along with your receipt. I don't always do it this way, but it is an option.

Another option is that I do the work, then send a PayPal money request. I have never had someone not pay their bill. It could happen I guess, but so far it hasn't.

 

[Larry Sabo]

For new customers, I have them pay $60 as a deposit on account (via Paypal) before starting a session, and have them accept my Terms by clicking an acknowledgement link on my Terms page that generates the e-mail body; they just fill in the blanks and click Send. If the session comes to less than $60, I keep the balance on account or refund it as they please. Never had a problem with that approach.

 

[Kurt]

How about using Paypal virtual terminal?

Then you can manually enter the CC# into the webpage/app while you are on the phone with them.

This requires a Paypal business account and I think the service costs around $30 per month.

 

[callthatgirl]

I use paypal virtual, collect CC and preauthorize first, (so you can collect more later) and then take the payment as a "Deposit".

Then it's either payment or you collect more afterwards.

If you're just starting out, make it a rule...

Client agreement form before every job
Payment/Deposit before every job

Just get used to this, took me many years to get this down. I hate chasing invoices and there is no point with remote.

 

[Kurt]

If you're just starting out, make it a rule...

Client agreement form before every job
Payment/Deposit before every job

Do you have an online version of your client agreement for your remote support jobs? (like something that says "click here" or "agree" to client service agreement) And would that even cover you if something happened?

I could not imagine requiring a remote user to fax back a signed document before starting work.

 

[scott_p]

How about using Paypal virtual terminal?

Then you can manually enter the CC# into the webpage/app while you are on the phone with them.

This requires a Paypal business account and I think the service costs around $30 per month.

Does anyone know if authorize.net offers a service similar to this?

Until I build up capital for a service like pay-pal business or authorize virtual terminal, I am trusting my customers to pay the invoices I send them usually at the end of the session unless they are a first time customer in which case they get sent an invoice for the connection fee that must be paid before the appoinment is confirmed.

It also helps that I have terms and conditions that must be signed and kept on file.

 

[Stine]

anyone know if there would be a screenconnect extension for this in the up coming release? Would be awesome for the client to input their CC number and you get a receipt before you started work.