Credit cards

jmsbrush · Feb 6, 2009

What are or what is the easiest way to get set up taking credit cards?
Having a mobile one in your van? (Which when I looked into this it was expensive).Or having a secretary at the office and giving her the numbers over the phone?
Or having it set up on you laptop some how?
I don't want to save the info then have to go to the shop then do the transaction. I want to know if the money is there.
Also I want to set up some type of monthly payment for service agreements by credit cards.

wireguru · Feb 6, 2009

I have (for another business -not EC) a merchant account where they have a virtual terminal you log into on your computer over the internet. You can call it in if you need to as well. You can set up recurring billing in it as well.

Another option is quickbooks. I know they have a few different solutions.

Bottom line, whatever you do dont get roped into purchasing or leasing terminal hardware -you dont need it.

480sparky · Feb 6, 2009

Seems to me someone here provided a link to a business that is perfect for the occasional CC user....

You call an 800 number, give 'em all the pertinent details, and that's it.

kbsparky · Feb 6, 2009

Try using PayPal.

You can get a virtual terminal on your laptop, with a cell phone air card and perform authorizations right there in your vehicle, without having to purchase any other equipment.

wireguru · Feb 6, 2009

kbsparky said:
Try using PayPal.

You can get a virtual terminal on your laptop, with a cell phone air card and perform authorizations right there in your vehicle, without having to purchase any other equipment.

the problem with paypal, is they ALWAYS side with the customer on reversed charges. You put in a ceiling fixture, 3 weeks later the lightbulb burns out, the people dispute the charges saying the light doesnt work, and paypal will refund the money to them. Other issues with paypal is they hang onto money sometimes, and reject any credit card that has ever been associated with paypal. So if you have a customer who used their card on a paypal account 3 years ago, they cant use it to pay you -they would have to send you money through paypal instead.

I use paypal ALOT, but wouldnt go anywhere near it to use it to receive payment for contracting work I did.

jmsbrush · Feb 6, 2009

Thank you guys
:smile:

TOOL_5150 · Feb 6, 2009

wireguru said:
the problem with paypal, is they ALWAYS side with the customer on reversed charges. You put in a ceiling fixture, 3 weeks later the lightbulb burns out, the people dispute the charges saying the light doesnt work, and paypal will refund the money to them. Other issues with paypal is they hang onto money sometimes, and reject any credit card that has ever been associated with paypal. So if you have a customer who used their card on a paypal account 3 years ago, they cant use it to pay you -they would have to send you money through paypal instead.

I use paypal ALOT, but wouldnt go anywhere near it to use it to receive payment for contracting work I did.

I use paypal a lot as well [purchasing], but I have to agree with this mostly... paypal is definately geared to the buyer.

~Matt

tonyou812 · Feb 6, 2009

I have phone authorization and it works fine for me. Im not doing multiple credit card transactions a day so the wireless one is a bit overkill for me plus you have to rent the equipment which raises the cost of doing buisness. I usually just go in the van and phone it in and in a few minutes voila. Many people seem to like the convienence of it.

ceb58 · Feb 6, 2009

jmsbrush said:
What are or what is the easiest way to get set up taking credit cards?
Having a mobile one in your van? (Which when I looked into this it was expensive).Or having a secretary at the office and giving her the numbers over the phone?
Or having it set up on you laptop some how?
I don't want to save the info then have to go to the shop then do the transaction. I want to know if the money is there.
Also I want to set up some type of monthly payment for service agreements by credit cards.

I checked it to this my self. To lease a wireless reader was $80.00 per month for 12 months plus 3% of total bill for the service. Or they would give you a card slider to print the card and call it in for $10.00 ea transaction.
PM me your credit card number and we will see how it works:grin:

wireguru · Feb 6, 2009

ceb58 said:
I checked it to this my self. To lease a wireless reader was $80.00 per month for 12 months plus 3% of total bill for the service. Or they would give you a card slider to print the card and call it in for $10.00 ea transaction.
PM me your credit card number and we will see how it works:grin:

yeah for 1/2 the $80/mo for wireless reader you can get wireless internet card for your laptop and use a virtual terminal

ceb58 · Feb 6, 2009

wireguru said:
yeah for 1/2 the $80/mo for wireless reader you can get wireless internet card for your laptop and use a virtual terminal

That is why I told them not no but h** no for the service

jmsbrush · Feb 7, 2009

wireguru said:
yeah for 1/2 the $80/mo for wireless reader you can get wireless internet card for your laptop and use a virtual terminal

Whats a virtual terminal? Where can I get one?

wireguru · Feb 7, 2009

jmsbrush said:
Whats a virtual terminal? Where can I get one?

virtual terminal is an online app you simply log into on the internet. It is provided by your merchant account provider. For example, i have an online merchant account and they provide a free virtual terminal where i can log in and enter credit cards for phone orders. That way you dont have to have a physical terminal.

jmsbrush · Feb 7, 2009

do people have to sign anything? Do you just print a receipt from the van?

iwire · Feb 7, 2009

My nephew is a plumber and he takes credit cards via his nextel phone some how. Claims it is very easy.

aline · Feb 7, 2009

I process credit cards in the field with my cell phone using these guys.
You can get started for as low as $49.
When I process the card I receive a ticket code number that I write on the invoice.
The customer just signs the invoice. Them money shows up in my account about a day or two later.
http://www.merchant-accounts.com/merchant_account_wireless.htm
http://www.merchant-accounts.com/credit_card_processing_touch_tone_processing.htm

Fulthrotl · Feb 7, 2009

jmsbrush said:
What are or what is the easiest way to get set up taking credit cards?
Having a mobile one in your van? (Which when I looked into this it was expensive).Or having a secretary at the office and giving her the numbers over the phone?
Or having it set up on you laptop some how?
I don't want to save the info then have to go to the shop then do the transaction. I want to know if the money is there.
Also I want to set up some type of monthly payment for service agreements by credit cards.

there was a guy in my BNI group who did wireless terminals, and assuming
you ran like $1,500 a month thru it, it was...... free....

PM me if you like, and i'll give you his contact information, but i am sure
there are others doing the same thing....

randy

Credit cards

jmsbrush

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wireguru

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480sparky

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kbsparky

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wireguru

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jmsbrush

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TOOL_5150

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tonyou812

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ceb58

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wireguru

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ceb58

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jmsbrush

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wireguru

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jmsbrush

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iwire

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aline

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Fulthrotl

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