Any tradesmen take credit cards?

[jimster_s]

Hi
im thinking of offering to take credit cards.

do any tradesmen here take credit cards?
do you think it actually wins you business just because you take cards?

i can see the added benefit for a plumber who does call outs, but what about regular jobs?

 

[MASSEY]

I am interested in the answer to this to. I am inclined to offer a pay by card facility because i think it is a good idea.

With the tv shows about dodgy trades, offering card payment is a piece of mind for many.

 

[jakeylakey]

Ive had one plumber who worked within a franchise take credit card payment from me.

 

[CESSCOTLTD]

I accept cards. I got a deal from a company who supplied me with a mobile card terminal. Its very handy and saves me trips to the bank to pay in cheques.

 

[BustersDogs]

Some of my customers are showing an interest, particularly for boarding which can be a big lump sum, and a few don't have cheque books anymore. I looked into it, but can't afford it for the few who ask for it. I would like to if I only had to pay a transaction charge, which I'd pass to that customer. I don't want to put my prices up for everyone to cover a few.

 

[MASSEY]

I accept cards. I got a deal from a company who supplied me with a mobile card terminal. Its very handy and saves me trips to the bank to pay in cheques.

You take cheques

How much does it cost a month to get the terminal, and what do you need to be able to get one, just apply?

 

[Matt1959]

You take cheques

not sure how to take this response:| majority of my customers (private householders) pay me by cheque. In fact I have never ever had someone alude to the fact they didnt use cheques anymore and very very few people ask if I take cards. Its cheque or cash every time and cheques most of the time!

But back to the OP, yes cards are a good idea one reason it gives you of credibility when people are comparing quotes etc...

 

[MASSEY]

not sure how to take this response:| majority of my customers (private householders) pay me by cheque. In fact I have never ever had someone alude to the fact they didnt use cheques anymore and very very few people ask if I take cards. Its cheque or cash every time and cheques most of the time!

Currently we only take cash, never cheques. Oh no no no.

But back to the OP, yes cards are a good idea one reason it gives you of credibility when people are comparing quotes etc...

It does give you more credibility, less shady.

 

[CESSCOTLTD]

I take cheques, cash or cards. I pay £25 a month for the rental of the machine, charges are about 1.2% (roughly). I used a company called 123send do a google search for them. Ive had not problems, they even set up my merchant account with streamline.
I deal face to face with customers so cheques aren't an issue, I know where they live! lol, seriously though Ive never had one bounce yet and Ive been trading since 2004.

 

[BustersDogs]

I can't see the problem with taking cheques either... I have had a couple bounce in three years, but both have been very embarrassed and paid cash immediately.

I prefer them as I collect when I collect the dogs, so it saves me having loads of cash hanging around in the van all day, and when I get home I can remember who paid what!

 

[MASSEY]

Well most jobs we do the first installment can be around 4k if for instance we fit a kitchen and central heating. With the outlay for materials best part of three grand needs spending straight away. A cheque takes a good few days to clear, and it is only a PROMISE of payment, not actual payment. Then they have to make the next installment halfway through the job.

If we get the cash straight away we can by the materials and start. It's not so much that we don't trust people, more we are a bit stretched with properties and cash flow can be tight. Everyone is happy to pay cash, but i want to get a terminal so i can make an issue of it on my sites, you can pay by card, people like a paper trail for large amounts of money, it will appeal to potential customers, im probably losing business now by people not being able to tell if i take card or not.

 

[BustersDogs]

That's a fair point, they take a while to clear. Being a service I don't have some of those issues, no outlay!

 

[DDPlumbing]

Have been looking into this myself, But have been finding a huge increase in people paying me by internet banking, so not too worried anymore.

I think of jobs over £2k I take about 70% though BACS now

 

[AnnetteT]

We take credit cards, helps with the cash flow to be able to take immediate payment especially on emergency call outs. Some larger clients are happy to pay by card too, especially if they're one off clients. We use Streamline.