STUMPFOOT

Is it worth it to take credit cards? Is it expensive to do so? How much of a hassle to get set up?

George Z

Easy to set up.
1.7%
Almost everyone pays us by Credit Card.
Collecting downpayments, progress payments and balances is a breeze.

Do a search here first and then do it.

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STUMPFOOT

Is that 1.7% of the total amount of the transaction?

George Z

Yes

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MeridianNE

One taking cash from anyone is always hard, cash is just so hard for anyone to part with. credit cards makes it much easyer for someone to buget out the expence of getting a job done. It also seperates you from cheap competition most dont have a bank account (LOL). theirfore unable to even set up an account. You can even do debit and check by phone transactions. I have one throurgh PDCA and quickbooks very happy $12.50 per mo. 1.7 % is in the area. used to use moble processing unit but monthly fees were too high like $127 per month lease and service but lower rate.

lukachuki

I just easily signed up with paypal. I bought one of those manual imprinters from ebay for 20 bucks and then whenever I get to an internet connection I enter their information.

I pay 3% but it is still worth it for me.

let us know what you find.

search these forums their is lots of info already posted.

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Tim

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the night. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. - Terry Prachett

Brian

If you aren't accepting credit cards you are missing out on a great chance to offer more value to your customers.

The cost is insignificant, and besides, your customers should be paying for it. If it costs you 2%, add 3 to 5% to your price. Accepting credit cards is an additional value. Customers pay for value.

Brian Phillips

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dougchips

You will close more deals when you offer credit cards. Make sure that you sign up with Amex and Discover, their rates are higher but once again you will close more deals.

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Teetorbilt

IMHO anyone who has to resort to CC's to pay for big ticket items has financial problems. Only somebody in trouble or a financial idiot would pay those interest rates.

Most of them have 30 days to contest the charges (if they find a bug in the paint) and negotiations can drag on for up to a year or more. You're losing more money with every step of trying to vindicate yourself.

Personally, I have a brand new one (3 yrs. old and never actuated) that I keep for emergencies.

If you can't afford it, don't buy it.......especially with a CC.

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mahlere

WOW! what an incredibly misguided generalization...

dougchips

um, who cares if they carry a balance or if they pay them off monthly. I pay for everything I can on my Amex card and it is paid off monthly.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

thom

I use my cc all the time. About $150,000 annually. Lumber, drywall, roofing, all the materials I can. It's easier than maintaining multiple supplier accounts. I don't need to set up a new account to work with a new supplier, AND I GET MILES. I earn about 5 round trips to the Carribean each year, free airfare. I use the trips for scuba diving.

Some years I go over the $150,000 and that's the limit they will pay miles on. So I get 150,000 air miles for the year.

CC's are way more convenient than carrying the checkbook or maintaining open supplier accounts. The balance gets paid every month so no interest charges.

Same Old

A lot of people want the miles and they pay it off at the end of the month.

Teetorbilt

The miles are coming to an end and they only apply to retail tickets. Not too long ago I got r/t from PBI to KPVD for $82 on the web. The miles aren't worth the hassle.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Brian

[quote=Teetorbilt;225755]IMHO anyone who has to resort to CC's to pay for big ticket items has financial problems. Only somebody in trouble or a financial idiot would pay those interest rates.[quote]

I don't disagree. But I'm not a financial advisor. I'm a painting contractor.

I've accepted credit cards for more than 12 years. I've yet to have a customer contest the charge. I think that's a red herring.

Brian Phillips

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Houston Painters
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Teetorbilt

I'm just going by what I know (financials and CC interest rates +++) and what I hear from others. It might best be said that we have many ethnic communities, I don't want to end up like Imus.

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You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

STUMPFOOT

If people want to pay for a paint job with their CC and pay the intrest rates thats their business.

KellyPainting

I've been toying with the idea myself lately... But I have to be honest.. I think like teeter... thats the only thing that holds me back.

THINKPAINTING

We have only been asked once in last few years if we take cc cards.

I am sure if you advertise that you take cc cards it will be a plus for your marketing. I am going to do it just cannot find a decent company to go with yet.

Cuz

I'm with Teetor on this one cc scare me. if people would just live within their means. I have a VISA debit card but i have no intentions on trying to pay for home repairs with it either.