accepting credit cards on road

[Titanpicking]

Been reading the posts for awhile, but this is my first question.
If I did the search right, there where not any other posts to this subject.

Has anybody been using mobile CC machines, or the I-phone or similar products?

And if so which company are you using (best rates, best service, etc...).

Also if using them, what have you been using for a paper trail, for liability, and records purposes.

Appreciate the responses in advance!

[lunchb0x]

We have a mobile CC machine at work so if I know that the job is being payed for with CC I take that, otherwise if the customer doesn't want tme to write the numbers back, or if I'm not going straight back to the workshop I will call work and get them to run the payment for me, then with all jobs if the customer is after an invoice we will post one out to them as we don't have any recipt to give them on site.

If you work for yourself and don't have anyone at the workshop to phone the CC numbers through to I suggest getting a mobile machine that way you don't have to hold onto the numbers and it gets the payment out of the way, as for which company to use.. I don't know how that works here for us, I don't pay the bills but as far as I know there is a base rate and depending on what cards you want to be able to do (Amex, Diners etc..) the price goes up from there.

[Titanpicking]

Thanks for the INTEL. There are alot of scam companies out there. Nothing like loosing customer loyalty, and respect when they think you are the one for scamming there CC, or full fledge identity theft.

[unlisted]

Thanks for the INTEL. There are alot of scam companies out there. Nothing like loosing customer loyalty, and respect when they think you are the one for scamming there CC, or full fledge identity theft.

Normally if your a locksmith, the client would not worry about this, since you have full access (in their minds) to their house.

Best thing to do is shop around for those portable Credit card/debit card machines. Has a cell phone built in for data, and you can process right on the spot.

[Titanpicking]

Yeah, that is what I am looking into. I bought a I-phone for that purpose (and the convenience of some other applications) there are several applications with different companies.

As far as the trust with the client, maybe I should of explained it better. It was more of the CC processing company being un-scrupulous, and our reputation taking the hit. That was why I was asking if anybody had any "referrals" for a company that they use with confidence.

I submitted a request to the BBB in my area, but people do not exactly rush in Mississippi, especially being from NYC originally where everything needs to be done yesterday! Drives me crazy the slow pace sometimes...

[globallockytoo]

I accept Paypal on my site and using the iPhone, I just log into my site on the road and enter the customers details, address and email address using Paypal as the merchant medium.

No fees, just 3.25% on each transaction. No monthly's no transaction fees, no minimums. No worries. You get a receipt number and you can transfer direct to your bank account only takes a day or two.

[Titanpicking]

Thanks,

that is exactly the info I was looking for.

Is it an APP you download via I-tunes, or go through paypal first, and get the app from them?

[globallockytoo]

Thanks,

that is exactly the info I was looking for.

Is it an APP you download via I-tunes, or go through paypal first, and get the app from them?

I log into my website using the Safari browser.
I saved my website to my home screen.

when i need to use the paypal processor, I simply touch the app for my site, then touch the paypal link there. It opens directly to a processing page. Fill in customer details, get receipt number. Customer receives email from paypal as do I.

Thats all.

Really simple, relies on you having an internet connecton (either wifi or 3G/Edge)

[mmccormick]

Not sure if you are interested in other options besides standalone, however, i know Intuit (makers of Quickbooks) offer merchant services through one of their sites.

They currently offer storefront, mobile through mobile broadband internet and mobile through your cell phone.

if your phone is bluetooth compatible and listed as being compatible, you can also get a card swipe machine and receipt printer that will connect to it and you can issue receipts to your clients on the spot.

Alternate mobile means would be mobile broadband access through your cell phone provider and having an account. I would highly recommend using a card swiper at the very least as most companies charge additional percentage fee for each transaction.

For instance most charge 1% more on the transaction if you call it in or don't have the card to swipe. You can still print the receipt with your mobile laptop computer with these. And if you use quickbooks, it can integrate with it as well.

[Curleylocky]

We have a mobile CC machine at work so if I know that the job is being payed for with CC I take that, otherwise if the customer doesn't want time to write the numbers back, or if I'm not going straight back to the workshop I will call work and get them to run the payment for me, then with all jobs if the customer is after an invoice we will post one out to them as we don't have any receipt to give them on site.

Same here, well this machines will cost you a little bit money and some customers wants to save more money even in rendering some services

[NewSBowner]

This is an advancing art, and I use this feature with my business. Credit/Debit cards are the payment engines of choice these days, and to stay competitive you have to take them. You need to adopt this if you want to collect your payments when services are rendered. Otherwise you will most likely be chasing down customers for payment.

[globallockytoo]

I now use the product offering from Square. www.squareup.com
It is fantastic. Works simply, is cheaper than paypal. They send you a card reader that you stick into the headphone jack on your smartphone. You get creditted to your bank account daily. On your smartphone, run the app, swipe the card, get client to sign with their finger directly on your smartphone. You can email the receipt to them through the app. It is very quick and simple and cost effective.

Still use Paypal for online store transactions, but Square is brilliant for the road.

[globallockytoo]

I forgot.....the reader they send you for free.

[compromizer]

If you have an iPhone Squareup is the only way to go hands down. I have dealt with 2 credit card merchants already. No contract or monthly fees with squareup. Plus they send you a free card reader

[inquisitor35]

If you have an iPhone Squareup is the only way to go hands down. I have dealt with 2 credit card merchants already. No contract or monthly fees with squareup. Plus they send you a free card reader

This. If you do the math the turnover point for the slightly higher per-use fees with Square is around $2400, not including the mobile card reader you'll likely have to buy. So if you're doing less than that a month it's absolutely the way to go.