Question

Accept Credit Cards

Asked by: cwhess

How should I accept credit cards for my computer repair business? I will be doing mobile work.

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Asked On
2009-10-10 at 11:42:50ID24801921
Topics

General Computer Systems

,

General Business & Productivity Software

,

Personal Computers

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
12

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Answers

 

by: leewPosted on 2009-10-10 at 11:47:26ID: 25543310

Find a credit card processor you want to go with.  Most if not all will have a web page you can enter the card details and process the charge.

 

by: awawadaPosted on 2009-10-10 at 11:49:37ID: 25543320

i use paypal ( https://www.paypal.com )

 

by: cwhessPosted on 2009-10-10 at 11:50:43ID: 25543329

How can I process the charge on-site? Or do I have to?

 

by: leewPosted on 2009-10-10 at 12:01:28ID: 25543369

On site, you open a web page and go to the web page that your credit card processor gives you, enter the credit card information, and you complete the charge.

 

by: awawadaPosted on 2009-10-10 at 12:04:53ID: 25543379

 

by: awawadaPosted on 2009-10-10 at 12:08:53ID: 25543390

as leew tells you, there are many services. paypal is just one form so many. i made good experience with them!

 

by: awawadaPosted on 2009-10-10 at 12:32:20ID: 25543472

 

by: moorhouselondonPosted on 2009-10-10 at 13:37:07ID: 25543709

I suggest you knock off the word "how" in your first sentence.

I went through the hoops of taking credit cards when I started up, but I never ever used the facility.  If you are visiting people's homes or offices you are better off not accepting credit card payments.  Cash or cheque are better, or invoice if you've done a bit of homework on who your client is.  First off there is not the same kind of commission charge, but the main thing is that credit cards are not as secure a payment method as people think.  It is far too easy to revoke a transaction: card processors are very sensitive to the fact that they have a liability on their hands if they do not respond to a chargeback request and it is justified.  They have no way of knowing who is right, they don't know the quality of your work and therefore they tend to go for the easy option.  People can give you duff cheques, but I feel there is more you can do to recover the money this way.

 

by: cwhessPosted on 2009-10-10 at 13:42:54ID: 25543734

I am looking at www.accept-by-phone.com, they have a $50 set up fee and then $5 a month and there is no contracts.

 

by: leewPosted on 2009-10-10 at 13:57:51ID: 25543779

That's nice... you really should contact other processors.  If I'm not mistaken, that 3.95% is the LOWEST % you'll pay.  If you are accepting business and rewards credit cards, they could be charging much more than that.  Typical "no-frills" cards can charge about 60% less than 3.95%.  Remember, for every $100 you accept in a credit card charge, you're PAYING the Credit Card vendor $3.95 - MINIMUM.

 

by: BillDLPosted on 2009-10-12 at 08:47:39ID: 25552226

This looks like a pretty good "comparison" site, although I am not sure if it is completely unbiassed:
http://www.merchantaccountguide.com/

An interesting device:
http://www.microsoft.com/casestudies/Case_Study_Detail.aspx?CaseStudyID=4000001050

Good article:
http://www.ehow.com/about_4703336_repair-credit-card-terminals.html

"If your credit card terminal is on the fritz, it's not the end of the world. There are other alternatives that will allow you to continue to accept credit cards" ..........

http://www.ehow.com/about_4673883_credit-card-imprint-machines.html
or the cash payment "terminal" alternative:


 

by: BillDLPosted on 2009-10-12 at 09:38:43ID: 25552686

Thank you cwhess :-)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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