Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

Barry Landis · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Accepting Credit Cards ?

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Barry,

Only once has a customer requested to use a credit card, which we don't accept. In this case they didn't have the funds($800) in the bank and was willing to charge it. The work has still not been done.

Hank

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

No credit card for me and it really hasn't made a deference. I don't offer the service and for the most part they don't ask.

Dan Dykstra · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We avearge 60% of customers paying by card. So far none have complained about the fee we charge for this.

SprayWash · Approved Exterior Cleaner

With the advent of SkyMiles and cash back rewards we find lots of customers use credit cards. We typically do not charge a fee unless it is over $1000. We find a lot of our larger commercial customers paying by credit card or "p-card" (purchase card). For those customers we charge, also our processing company charges us a higher fee for government cards.

One of our association managers put a HOA cleaning on a credit card earlier this year for over $12,000.

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Nice thing about credit cards, is that it's instant funds and you know if they have it. No bounced checks! We try to get a fee, but dont make it a deal breaker, but instead a deal closer. You can try Paypal alsI, I know some here have had success with it.

Fred W · Guru

I don't do credit cards per se but if someone wants to I can run it through my PayPal account. I think more and more people are being charged fees and so it's becoming more common place to be charged a fee. I'm really with John on this one and would state there is a fee. The odds are they will just pay in a different manner but if not you can leverage the CC issue to close the deal.

Ed Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We did over $100k last year in credit cards. It sets you apart a bit. It gives additional options to the buyer. More flexibility can equal more purchasing power. Proven fact people will spend more using plastic. Yes the fees bite but it's the cost of doing business. I use Paypal.

Doug Rucker · Vender

I thought it was illegal to charge a fee to use a credit card???

Fred W · Guru

Doug Rucker wrote:
I thought it was illegal to charge a fee to use a credit card???

Companies (big and small) do it all the time.

http://usa.visa.com/personal/get-help/checkout-fees.jsp

Merchant Surcharging – Understanding Payment Card Changes

What is a Surcharge?

A payment card surcharge is a fee that a retailer adds to the cost of a purchase when a customer uses a payment card.

Changes to Surcharging Fees in the United States & U.S. Territories

Beginning January 27, 2013, merchants in the United States and U.S. Territories will be permitted to impose a surcharge on consumers when they use a credit card.

Historically Visa has not permitted retailer surcharging, but allowing surcharging was a key provision required by merchants to settle long-standing litigation brought by a class of retailers in 2005.

Dave O · Retired Member

99% of our customers pay via checks. One actually paid us cash. When someone does prefer credit card, they can pay us via PayPal. We don't charge any fees.

Barry Landis · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thanks for the feedback. I like John's approach, using the surcharge as a deal closer.

tjteed · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Don't call it a surcharge. Include it in your price and offer a discount if they pay by check. I find that the money is typically available faster with a check. I don't know if I can deposit a check into my business account using a camera app like with a personal checking account. If you accept checks you can up-sell other items that may not have been in their budget.

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Whats the best Credit card company out there. They have been calling me every day for the past 2 weeks. They all claim they have the best deal

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

We use square.

Eric Schnaible · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We use Square as well. 2.75% when you swipe it, 3.5% if you take it over the phone (manually) its straight forward and simple. Generally we try to avoid payment by cards. I charged the last job the 2.75%.

waxman18324 · Founding Member Rest in Peace

Although in the past we have not accepted credit cards that will change come spring. The trend is leaning towards CC more often than not.

Hank

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Is it cheaper if you put a store on your site?

Liberty SoftWash · PWS Vender

Not sure Art.

John Aloisio · Approved Exterior Cleaner

We used Square the last two years with no issues, but might switch to Bank of America next year. Check with your bank. my bank will beat Squares fees by a full percent and guarantee funds in less time.

Jeff Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

tjteed wrote:
Don't call it a surcharge. Include it in your price and offer a discount if they pay by check. I find that the money is typically available faster with a check. I don't know if I can deposit a check into my business account using a camera app like with a personal checking account. If you accept checks you can up-sell other items that may not have been in their budget.

Tim - I deposit checks into my account all the time with my banks mobile ap. No problems.

Jeff Thompson · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Art O wrote:
Whats the best Credit card company out there. They have been calling me every day for the past 2 weeks. They all claim they have the best deal

Pay Pal works for me. They will send you a card reader you plug into your phone. You can swipe and have them sign right there. If they are not home to pay, you can enter their card info yourself from your office.

I think they charge me 2.9%. I rarely have had to use it, most my customers pay by check. But it's nice to have as an option. So far I haven't charged a fee, but won't hesitate to do so if the trend switches to paying with a credit card.

For those who don't know, Pay Pal has financing. Your customer can get 6 months no payment no interest. Pay Pal gives you your money up front and takes the payments over for your customer. If they default, Pay Pal handles it. You get your money and have no worries.

Dave · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I use flint. Don't need to have a card reader. just snap a picture of the card. They do have a limit of $1000 a week. but you can get this changed if you give them a call.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

In NY many gas stations charge more for cc use as it costs the business a fee.
I recently purchased a pay anywhere phone reader for $10.00 which I get a mail in reimbursement of $10.00 so it's free.
Cost is 2.69%. Upcharge for then offer a lower price for cash.

Reader is good if your on a job and a neighbor impulsively wants you to do their roof right then.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Wednesday 26th of November 2014 10:16:54 PM

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Maverick Contracting wrote:
In NY many gas stations charge more for cc use as it costs the business a fee.
I recently purchased a pay anywhere phone reader for $10.00 which I get a mail in reimbursement of $10.00 so it's free.
Cost is 2.69%. Upcharge for then offer a lower price for cash.
Reader is good if your on a job and a neighbor impulsively wants you to do their roof right then.

-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Wednesday 26th of November 2014 10:16:54 PM

http://pappc.payanywhere.com/?org=adwords395&source=17675&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Brand-Search-Alpha&utm_keyword=pay%20anywhere%20phone&utm_device=c&utm_network=s&utm_placement=&utm_content=Accept-Credit&mkwid=sAZ7akNvl_dc|pcrid|48564157362|pkw|pay%20anywhere%20phone|pmt|e

Art O · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Been using BOA Clover, Works when I need it and I get free Checking

Admin · Head Quarters

Mostly using the Joist app these days