Accepting Credit Cards

[Shannon]

I need to get set up to accept credit cards.  Any suggestions on what to look for (and what to look out for) or recommendations on particular companies?

 

[Mads]

Accepting Credit Cards

I can't help you with the credit card thing, but I can tell you why I never set myself up with credit cards...**I live in New York and there are 2 or 3 ATM machines on EVERY block. I have made it a religion to tell clients when they are making their first appointment that cash and personal checks are fine for payment, but we do not take credit cards. All clients have been OK with this policy. **ALL monies coming in are then taxable and vulnerable to interest from the credit supplier. Usually, there is a 2-5% fee for the machine.**This would be another aspect of my income to keep track of. More statements, reciepts and signatures would be needed. I don't want that headache.**When clients want to tip, that income would then be taxed, if they put gratuity on the credit card.**I have other L.M.T.'s that work for me, and my policy with them is payment at the end of their shift. I pay them in cash, which takes away the paperwork on my part. The therapist is then responsible for their own taxes. They are independent contractors already, why should I have to wait for the money from the bank, on money I've already paid out.I do see why people would want to offer this easy service for the client's sake. Maybe they would get more massage if they didn't have to pay for it upfront. Also, maybe they would buy more packages of massage (series of 5 or 10 hours or whatever), but I'm willing to opt out of this perk. I like the way I have control over all money coming into my practice.Some things to think about.Andrea

 

[Clare.]

Accepting Credit Cards

I use charge america only costs $99 to sign up and then nothing ever again unless you take a payment.  there is no equipment to rent buy or deal with all you need is a phone.  if you use the service they take 3.95%
great deal for the infrequent user.

http://www.chargeamerica.com

good luck

p.s. I have never had a problem, money is in my account in two days.

Gwin Westenbarger

 

[Bunny]

Gwin, thanks for the info.  That's great to know.  I never even investigated it in my private practice thinking it would be expensive.  Great info.  Joe E.

 

[music<3]

One place to check is with your bank.  My bank waived all fees and set-up charges and gave me the credit card machine if I signed a two year agreement.  I have been with the bank for over 20 yrs so not much chance of moving anyway.  They charge 1.65% of trans. and a $5 a month fee.  plus the money is in my checking account the next day.  Another place to check with is Costco.  I believe they only charge 1.35% for exec. members, but there is a set-up fee, and a monthly fee.Dale

 

[reme_1]

I checked with some online providers- Wells Fargo seems to have a good deal no down payment- 29.00 a month  30. cents a transaction and i think 2.35 percent for each charge- but no equipment fee or lease-rental -so if you have a computer..........i can't find my papaer with the exact amounts but that must be pretty close

 

[concerned]

I ended up going with http://www.paynetsystems.com/They offered no minimum (at least for the first year), low per-transaction fees, and no cancellation fee (in case it doesn't work out as planned)  I picked up refurbished (looks new to me!) equipment, to save a few bucks.I'm hoping to make my multi-massage packages a bit easier for clients to purchase as well as encourage impulse retail and gift certificate purchases.  (I'm crossing my fingers!)

 

[hephaestus]

Thanks for the great links!  I bookmarked both of them for future reference.  ;DArnold

 

[ya_staff]

I have a home party business that I do as well as massage, and for that, I accept credit cards (Visa/MC) through http://www.propay.com  It's only $35/year plus the fees for transactions, I believe it's between 2-3% and it takes 1-2 business days for the funds to become available, and then you can just transfer it to your bank account, and each transaction is $.35 (I think, check the website though).  I do it all online, so I don't have to pay for a machine and on the credit card statement, it shows up with my e-mail address.  I've used it for a couple of massages, and I like it, because, as mentioned before, some people may opt to purchase an entire package.  Hope this helps!

 

[Mr Frazier]

PayPal.com is another option.  No start up or equipment fees.  Everything is done online.  I have been using it for my practice for the past two months with no problems.  The fees are less than 3% per transaction and you can designate where you want the money to go.  Another feature on it that I like is the ability to send a bill to a client thru them.  Tracy

 

[Jeff]

Accepting Credit Cards

A Company Website:http://www.expandyourbusiness.comand the Point of Contact:jkimball@expandyourbusiness.comAnother good resource that will give you straight answers.TOM

 

[Rosemarie K]

Tracy,Re: Paypal, don't the clients  have to have an email address or an account to perform the transaction?  If you could give some details on how it works I'd appreciate it.Thanks,Cassandra

 

[CHiL0Sa]

Accepting Credit Cards

We accept credit cards at our Day Spa and our business has increased by at least 25%. And our packages have an increased by double.

 

[ben lam]

Accepting Credit Cards

Well Michelle, You decided to use the same co. I just signed up with last month. Paynet sys. I just opened my own location and was so surprised how many cc purchases were made in person, over the phone, or just stoppping by. This certanly made my first month in the black. I hope it will do the same for you. Good Luck.

 

[Ardnaid Janus]

I've been looking into credit card acceptance as well and found costco to have the best deal...you may have to be a member but it's probably worth it  costco.com

 

[Dannuele]

This weekend I read about the CellCharge of California company. You use a regular land line or cell phone to call in credit card charges and there is no equipment to use or buy. Below is a list of benefits that they sent me today. I was wondering if anyone has used this company and what they think of it? They have a web site too....www.cellchargeca.com  It almost sounds too good to be true. Any thoughts?"We are a unique, pay-as-you-use service that only charges our merchants 3.95% of a transaction when they use us and absolutely nothing if they don’t."With the CellCharge advaneforum.xxxe there are:No Statement FeesNo Transaction FeesNo Cancellation FeesNo Membership FeesNo Annual Renewal FeesNo Monthly Minimums to MeetNo Expensive Equipment to Buy or Lease.Attention new merchants, starting April 1st. there will be a $9.95 monthly access fee for all new accounts signed up after April 1st.

 

[jelainazareno]

I have been using cell charge for a year and they have sent me an notice they will be chargeing most accounts old and new the $9.95 a month .  still a good service but be aware of the charge!gwin

 

[Tom]

Accepting Credit Cards

Do you find that the money, in fact, does get deposited into your account within the 24-48 hrs as stated? Have they ever "dipped into your account" for unauthorized charges? I am seriously considering this service to help my business grow, but the thought of them having access to my account makes me VERY nervous!Thanks!

 

[time.]

It's been a few months, so I thought I'd follow up.Having the ability to take credit cards has helped quite a bit.  I know for a fact that I sold more gift certificate packages at Christmas and Valentine's Day than I would have otherwise.  Sure, there are fees involved with taking cards, but I'd rather have 98% of a sale than 0% of a sale.  From that perspective, it's totally worth it.There has also been a benefit that I didn't anticipate.  I don't understand why, but having the credit card reader sitting there in my office and having the credit card logo on my brochures has made the public's perception of me and my business more professional.  Even if the client intends to pay by cash or check, the reaction "Wow! I didn't realize you took credit cards. I'll have to keep that in mind." has been positive.

 

[RaZzor]

Has anyone here had recent experiences with http://www.chargeamerica.com/? I see that a previous poster had good things to say, but that was back in 2003. I think I have whittled it down to them or http://cellcharge.com/. They seem to be the most cost effective for me and I don't have access to a landline at my office so I can't use an online service or one that requires a terminal.

Thanks.