Propay or someone else

[naeno]

I do face-to-face meetings for clients to order pictures. I've been looking for a way to accept credit cards, and I'm considering Propay. I was wondering if any of you use it, or have suggestions for other companies.

I want a service that doesn't have a huge monthly fee as I'm a very small business anyway and don't want all my profits eaten up in fees. I've seen several smartphone apps starting up soon, too. I don't currently have a Droid, but my contract is up Oct. 6, and may upgrade if it would allow me to take cards without many fees. (I understand that it means I'll be paying for a data plan every month, but at least that gives me more than just the ability to swipe a card).

I met with a couple the other day and when they asked if I could accept credit cards, I told them that I could send them a PayPal invoice. They looked a bit crestfallen and said no thanks. They paid with check, but I had a sneaky suspicion I would have made more money if I had been able to slide a card.

Anyway, enough rambling. What works for you?

[Jim Poor]

I have Propay and it works well for on-site sales. The downside is that you can't integrate it into your website. There is a shopping cart out there with propay integrated already, but for t he life of me, I can't remember what it is.

You can get a virtual terminal from Paypal and take CC info the old fashioned way - on paper.

Paypal is a pain at times and they aren't subject to banking rules so they can basically do whatever they want with your money.

[BuddhaPi]

oscommerce is an open source shopping cart that has a ProPay maodule available, if you wish to integrate it into the web-site

[Jim Poor]

It's not a very good cart for photography though unless you're doing a few limited edition type things.

[naeno]

I'd also be hesitant to use open-source software for financial transactions. Just the thought of it makes me a bit nervous. I do appreciate the information, though, BuddhaPi.

Mostly I'm looking for a way to take cc in person. Virtual Terminal has a $30/mo fee plus additional fees on top of that. I don't know that it will be worth it for me to pay all the fees.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by naeno

I

Mostly I'm looking for a way to take cc in person. Virtual Terminal has a $30/mo fee plus additional fees on top of that. I don't know that it will be worth it for me to pay all the fees.

I dont know about the States, but in NZ Credit Card Companies allow you to withdraw cash from your creditcard, as well as transfer money from the credit card to a personal account.

If i get asked for credit facilities, i just tell them to transfer the cash out of the card and then deposit to my business account.

save a lotta of money on fees.

[Jim Poor]

Propay has similar fees plus if you want to swipe, you have to buy the swiper and pay additional fees for that. Still worth it for me, but they aren't real clear on the fees.

Originally Posted by naeno

I'd also be hesitant to use open-source software for financial transactions. Just the thought of it makes me a bit nervous. I do appreciate the information, though, BuddhaPi.

Mostly I'm looking for a way to take cc in person. Virtual Terminal has a $30/mo fee plus additional fees on top of that. I don't know that it will be worth it for me to pay all the fees.

[naeno]

I thought there was an upfront $90 fee for the swiper, then a 3.50 % + $0.35 fee for each transaction. I figured that the $90 fee would pay for itself in 3 months. Am I reading it wrong?

[kuvahmagh]

Originally Posted by candleman

I dont know about the States, but in NZ Credit Card Companies allow you to withdraw cash from your creditcard, as well as transfer money from the credit card to a personal account.

If i get asked for credit facilities, i just tell them to transfer the cash out of the card and then deposit to my business account.

save a lotta of money on fees.

I think you are referring to what is known around here as a Cash Advance on your credit card which for me carries a 5% interest premium over regular transactions that starts from the DAY OF THE TRANSACTION rather than from x# of weeks after my statement arrives as per normal transactions.

Its not a huge deal for you the vendor but I won't do it as a customer because of those added fees and terms.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by kuvahmagh

I think you are referring to what is known around here as a Cash Advance on your credit card which for me carries a 5% interest premium over regular transactions that starts from the DAY OF THE TRANSACTION rather than from x# of weeks after my statement arrives as per normal transactions.

Its not a huge deal for you the vendor but I won't do it as a customer because of those added fees and terms.

1. if they are using a credit card they are paying interest anyway.
2. in NZ the CCcompany takes a percentage of all transactions from the vendor.. so that means I am now lumped with another expense...

so, I'm supposed to take a shaft up the tailpipe because they cant afford the luxury they are buying?
i've never had a customer not buy because i dont ccept credit cards..

If they want it, they will pay for it.