January 28, 2010
Is There A Way To Accept Credit Cards Without Setting Up A Merchant Account?
Pam E asked:
I run a small landscaping business, and once in awhile (not very often) I get a request from someone who wishes to pay with credit card. Because I rarely get this request, it’s not worth my time/money to set up a merchant account, however, I don’t want to lose business by not having the ability to accept credit cards. Is there a service available, with which one can accept credit cards on an as-needed basis….something that’s not too horribly expensive?
I run a small landscaping business, and once in awhile (not very often) I get a request from someone who wishes to pay with credit card. Because I rarely get this request, it’s not worth my time/money to set up a merchant account, however, I don’t want to lose business by not having the ability to accept credit cards. Is there a service available, with which one can accept credit cards on an as-needed basis….something that’s not too horribly expensive?
Thanks!
I should add that I’d be working with payments in the multiple $1000′s. An average job might be 10K (most of this goes towards purchasing materials/labor) when all is said and done. I’m looking for an option to PayPal, as I think their fees would kill me, with the above amounts in mind.
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Comments on Is There A Way To Accept Credit Cards Without Setting Up A Merchant Account?
Paypal is quick and easy.
That’s what my company uses, and hundreds, if not thousands more. It is the most widely used company of it’s kind.
Now if they are paying you in person rather than online (which is most common for Paypal), then have a computer they can use at your place (or a laptop with a wireless card if you go to them) and you can go to the Paypal website and pay then and there.
Alternately they can go to the paypal website in advance of you doing the work or you can email them an invoice and they could just click and pay.
There is always Pay pal…. there is also several on-line merchants that will process the card for you, take out a fee, and deposit the rest into your checking account. I don’t know of any reliable ones off hand, so I would google ‘accept credit cards’ or something like that. Then check them with the better business bureau website to make sure they are a good company. I used one when I did Mary Kay, but I can’t remember what the site was that I used.
Your high transaction amounts may pose a problem when processing. Be sure to be upfront with your processing company about these amounts and provide any necessary documentation they request. A good, experienced representative will be able to cater to your transactions and if they are interested in a long standing business relationship they will create an affordable solution for you.