Accepting Credit Cards

[awebs86]

I've used CellCharge for the past year and have had absolutely no problems with it. The ten bucks is a low enough monthly fee for the convenience of taking cards (credit AND debit--very helpful since most folks, like myself, rarely carry a checkbook anymore). For clients who choose to pay this way I charge a $3 convenience fee per transaction, which covers my merchant and account fees. The vast majority of my clients pay with cash or checks, so I wanted something hassle-free and fairly inexpensive.

The funds have always been deposited very quickly, within the timeframe described. I've never had a problem with depositing.

I like that all I need is my phone, which I carry anyway. I note the transaction's authorization number on the client's chart (with all other info for that session) in case I need to reference it in the future, but I don't have to worry about carrying any other equipment or security and storage measures for receipts. The client's card information is not written down--you just punch it in as you go, and the ZIP code is right there on their intake form. Hand the card back, and you're done. It takes maybe 25 seconds.

If you WANT to do this the mechanical way where you imprint the card on slips, CellCharge can accommodate that, too. But that's not necessary for my practice.

 

[The Jenz]

Wow, y'all, that's pretty encouraging! (I was wondering how CCs have worked out for MTs.)

As of now, I don't take credit cards at all...someone mentioned some great reasons why they don't, and that has sort of been my position all along as well.

While I'm still not too excited about the idea, I AM looking to expand my home business to go totally private within the next 8-12 mos (still a long way off, but it'll creep up quick), instead of supplementing my income with income as a renter/IC at my old massage school's clinic like I have been. SO... I'd really like to offer another convenience for ppl, ESPECIALLY around holidays and Valentine's.

So I'm thinking of offering the credit card option ONLY for gift certificate sales OR to get my pre-paid 5-packs and 10-packs off the ground. (Packages cost a chunk up front and it's hard for ppl to have that kind of cash these days.) The CC wouldn't be for individual sessions paid for in person, but just GCs or the packages.

I'm also thinking of Pay-Pal. It seems to carry the lowest fees (no monthly minimums or anything), it eliminates the need for an expensive machine (leased OR bought), and it's easy and convenient for the clients, since they can make the purchase online anywhere.

Any thoughts? (As always, Thanks in advance!)

~Jyoti, just chillin'

 

[kshollywood]

Be aware that the merchant fees on a PayPal account accepting credit cards are pretty hefty. Clients can purchase through the web with paypal, but I much prefer if they give me their card and let me run it through CellCharge...it's cheaper for me and I get a lot more of the payment itself.

 

[Yeshuaman]

jyoti:

I have researched a bunch of different companies over the past few days and if you were to go the non PayPal credit card route, http://www.propay.com/ seems to be one of the best deals out there if you don't want to have to deal with equipment. You don't need a terminal, you can make CC transactions over the phone or online. You pay one yearly rate instead of monthly, and there are no start up or application fees and no monthly minimums.

I'm pretty sure I am going to go with them. For just under $60 a year (plus the discount rate and trans. fee) I will be able to accept the four major CCs and debit cards (with the Visa or MC logo) via phone and the internet. No equipment needed. I will buy a knucklebuster to imprint cards for my own protection though. You can get them on ebay cheap (and new) with a personalized name plate.

 

[eff j]

Just a warning about ebay imprinters. There is a major seller who I purchased a compact imprinter from. It never arrived and I had insured it. The seller refused to file a claim, accused me of lying and stealing, and kept my money.

If you want to know before you buy, PM me.