Tech Buisness - Need Credit Card Terminal?

Footyyank · 09-27-2006, 01:40 PM

Greetings, everyone. I'm fairly new here and have been lurking a bit. I'm considering starting a Home PC Help services business, and I'm evaluating the long term prospects of such a business.

Here's a question I'm currently pondering:

If I'm doing in home PC help for residential consumners, do I need to be able to take Credit Cards? Is it an imposition on customers to require a check or cash? (I for one, never have either, but make arrangements to have one or the other if say, a plumber is coming over).

How about check gaurentee services?

I'd like to hear some thoughts or experiences....

Thank you!

Jim

**Cellus** · 09-27-2006, 04:33 PM

Cash is of course good, but you should always hand out receipts (you can buy/order blank receipt books at office supply stores). Checks are nice, but since you're doing a residential service I wouldn't (myself) accept personal checks as they can bounce (bank drafts are good though). This can cause headaches. You can accept credit cards as a merchant, though there are a few hoops you'll have to jump through depending where you live - contact your financial institution for more information on acquiring a merchant account to start accepting credit cards.

If you're starting to get serious about doing residential PC repair (getting actual income) then think about it, otherwise stick with cash.

VincentWong · 09-27-2006, 05:02 PM

You should make it as convenient as possible for your customers when it comes to paying you. Accepting credit cards is pretty much the norm these days, and most companys that need your services will want to either pay by check or cc for tax expensing purposes.

If you do not want a terminal, you should look into a web-based cc processor. For example, CyberSource offer a virtual terminal where you enter all the cc info, and deposits are made into your bank account. That way, you could record the info and run the transaction when you get to your office.

You might be alienating a lot of customers if you limit your forms of payment.

Footyyank · 09-27-2006, 05:09 PM

I tend to agree with both of you, oddly enough. Costco has a plan to accept CC transactions for small businesses via a web interface which seems fairly convenient (1.64% +.27 per transaction, through virtual terminal via internet). Up front about $180.

Still, I can't help but wonder if it's a pre opening requirement or just something to look for down the road. Particularly since I'm looking to focus on residential.

Good point on the checks. I live in a market where you wouldn't think it was a problem, but then again, somtimes I'm too trusting.

Thanks for weighing in...

VincentWong · 09-27-2006, 05:59 PM

Footyank, I just realized you are in Northern VA. I am located in Reston. I tried Costcos cc processor, and the startup cost is for the hardware, which you do not need for a virtual terminal.

PM me, I might be able to help you.

**PanamaGal** · 09-28-2006, 03:34 AM

I wouldn't accept credit cards right away. Give it some time and assess how you might fare fee-wise. If you only get a few credit card customers a month, you'll likely lose money. Sure, you may lose a few customers at first, but most are fairly understanding of the fees involved for a business as small as yours.

**Cellus** · 09-28-2006, 10:49 AM

PanamaGal is definitely right - the fees do add up. While it is nice to be able to process credit cards, it is by no means necessary. And no, it isn't really a "right of passage" either as many experienced people still do not do credit cards. So long as they know up-front that you do not process credit cards, they should be fine. Just don't drop the anvil after the job is done and the plastic is in their hand.

VincentWong · 09-29-2006, 07:06 AM

A good startup solution would be to use a PayPal merchant account for now. There is no charge for the account and you can email your customer an Invoice. This would be a start.

Footyyank · 09-29-2006, 07:19 AM

Yes, I considered that. But I view my market as being people who are not savvy enough to even know what a Paypal account is. I can see them freaking out as I enter their credit card into an account in my name on the Interweb.....

NWPhotog · 09-30-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Footyyank

Yes, I considered that. But I view my market as being people who are not savvy enough to even know what a Paypal account is. I can see them freaking out as I enter their credit card into an account in my name on the Interweb.....

Paypal is ok but I found Propay easier and more effective. It is very low cost and does not require a terminal. You can definately get by wo cc acceptance but it is just one nore thing that makes you look professional.

09-27-2006, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Footyyank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern Va. Posts: 15 OS: 2000 or XP	Tech Buisness - Need Credit Card Terminal? Greetings, everyone. I'm fairly new here and have been lurking a bit. I'm considering starting a Home PC Help services business, and I'm evaluating the long term prospects of such a business. Here's a question I'm currently pondering: If I'm doing in home PC help for residential consumners, do I need to be able to take Credit Cards? Is it an imposition on customers to require a check or cash? (I for one, never have either, but make arrangements to have one or the other if say, a plumber is coming over). How about check gaurentee services? I'd like to hear some thoughts or experiences.... Thank you! Jim __________________ ~<Insert Wry Witticism Here> Last edited by Footyyank : 09-27-2006 at 01:41 PM. Reason: spelling

09-27-2006, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	Cash is of course good, but you should always hand out receipts (you can buy/order blank receipt books at office supply stores). Checks are nice, but since you're doing a residential service I wouldn't (myself) accept personal checks as they can bounce (bank drafts are good though). This can cause headaches. You can accept credit cards as a merchant, though there are a few hoops you'll have to jump through depending where you live - contact your financial institution for more information on acquiring a merchant account to start accepting credit cards. If you're starting to get serious about doing residential PC repair (getting actual income) then think about it, otherwise stick with cash. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate! Last edited by Cellus : 09-27-2006 at 04:35 PM.

09-27-2006, 05:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Footyyank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern Va. Posts: 15 OS: 2000 or XP	I tend to agree with both of you, oddly enough. Costco has a plan to accept CC transactions for small businesses via a web interface which seems fairly convenient (1.64% +.27 per transaction, through virtual terminal via internet). Up front about $180. Still, I can't help but wonder if it's a pre opening requirement or just something to look for down the road. Particularly since I'm looking to focus on residential. Good point on the checks. I live in a market where you wouldn't think it was a problem, but then again, somtimes I'm too trusting. Thanks for weighing in... __________________ ~<Insert Wry Witticism Here>

09-28-2006, 03:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
PanamaGal Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Panama Posts: 1,240 OS: WinXP Pro SP2; Windows Server 2003; Windows Vista Ultimate; Vista Business	I wouldn't accept credit cards right away. Give it some time and assess how you might fare fee-wise. If you only get a few credit card customers a month, you'll likely lose money. Sure, you may lose a few customers at first, but most are fairly understanding of the fees involved for a business as small as yours. __________________ It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.

09-28-2006, 10:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cellus Moderator Networking Team Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,633 OS: Windows Vista Business SP1, Windows XP Professional SP3 My System	PanamaGal is definitely right - the fees do add up. While it is nice to be able to process credit cards, it is by no means necessary. And no, it isn't really a "right of passage" either as many experienced people still do not do credit cards. So long as they know up-front that you do not process credit cards, they should be fine. Just don't drop the anvil after the job is done and the plastic is in their hand. __________________ TSF Networking Team HijackThis 5 Step Process Donate!

09-27-2006, 05:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
VincentWong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39 OS: xp	You should make it as convenient as possible for your customers when it comes to paying you. Accepting credit cards is pretty much the norm these days, and most companys that need your services will want to either pay by check or cc for tax expensing purposes. If you do not want a terminal, you should look into a web-based cc processor. For example, CyberSource offer a virtual terminal where you enter all the cc info, and deposits are made into your bank account. That way, you could record the info and run the transaction when you get to your office. You might be alienating a lot of customers if you limit your forms of payment.

09-27-2006, 05:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
VincentWong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39 OS: xp	Footyank, I just realized you are in Northern VA. I am located in Reston. I tried Costcos cc processor, and the startup cost is for the hardware, which you do not need for a virtual terminal. PM me, I might be able to help you.

09-29-2006, 07:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
VincentWong Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 39 OS: xp	A good startup solution would be to use a PayPal merchant account for now. There is no charge for the account and you can email your customer an Invoice. This would be a start.

09-29-2006, 07:19 AM	#9 (permalink)
Footyyank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Northern Va. Posts: 15 OS: 2000 or XP	Yes, I considered that. But I view my market as being people who are not savvy enough to even know what a Paypal account is. I can see them freaking out as I enter their credit card into an account in my name on the Interweb..... __________________ ~<Insert Wry Witticism Here>