Credit Card payment options

[Adrian Taylor]

I need to take credit card payments from customers for events. Ideally I would just invoice and have money paid by bank transfer but it some prefer to pay by card and at least it means the money comes in quicker.

Past companies I have worked for just have a space for credit card details on the booking forms but of course I then need to process this. What is the best way?

I know you can use pay-pal and other things online but a) do these cost a lot? and b) what info will I need from my clients?

Thanks for any advice and apologies if this is posted twice - I posted earlier but don't think it worked, can't see the post anywhere now :(

cheers
Adrian

[shopintegrator]

Hi Adrian,

I really like using Pay Pal. I'm sure you'll hear others who disagree, but they have millions of customers so you'll never please all of the people all of the time.

The reasons I like Pay Pal are:



Free to set up an account
No monthly subscription charge
A low percentage fee rate per customer order (around 3% per transaction fee)
A quick and easy set up process to allow you to start collecting money straight away
Processes your customers debit & credit card transactions without them needing a Pay Pal account.
Allow your customers to pay with their Pay Pal account
A trusted global brand making your customers feel safe when entering their payment details online with Pay Pal, especially as it is the principal payment method used my the millions of eBay customers.

[bdw]

I agree that Paypal would be good for you. Their "Request money" option would seem to be a good fit for your requirements. All you have to do is fill in the amount and input your client's email address. They will then receive an email with details of how to make the payment. They don't need to be a Paypal account holder.

Paypal also offers a more fully featured inviocing system if you need this. https://www.paypal.com/uk/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/sell/invoicing_intro-outside

Paypal's charges are a bit higher than the banks at 3.4% (reduces with volume) but you can factor this in as a CC or handling charge.

[TopShopper]

Paypal cost about 3.4% but you can factor this into your selling price.
There are other options as well like SecPay, TotalWebSolutions and NoChex - all with different charges. You need to do the research.

Look for a shopping cart that interfaces with a few of these so you can easily swop later.
Regards

[bdw]

Paypal cost about 3.4% but you can factor this into your selling price.
Isn't that what I said? :p

[matt.chatterley]

I'd agree that something along the lines of PayPal or Google Checkout (go for one of the big names that laypeople will recognise) is probably perfect for you to get started.

Did I read correctly that you were alluding to having customers details mailed to you / printed out?

If so, do NOT do this..!

[Moneyman]

hit this tool. put in what cash amounts etc you think you will have. press go and it does the rest. why the heck business links hides this very useful tool is a mystery but i guess it would be helpful and they dont do that:
http://www.electronic-payments.co.uk/costs_index.jsp