Methods of payment

[contradict]

I now run a performing arts school and we charge by the term.

In our 1st term we only held 1 class so we were happy accepting cash onsite given that class is run by myself and my girlfriend. However we are now in our second term and we have another 5 classes run by other teachers.

This leaves us in a position where we need to find other methods of accepting payment. At present we accept cheques and we also have accepted direct bank transfer which worked well. What didn't work so well was paying money in over the counter as that has no name or reference attached to it so we are unable to determine who's paid and when which is obviously unworkable for a growing business.

I'd like to allow payment over the counter by giro in much the same way that you might pay your gas bill etc, i would imagine that this would show a reference (account no?)

what i'd like to know is, do you have any tips for accepting payment in this kind of set up.

I'd like it so it is easy to reference who has paid etc.

Thank you in advance

 

[webgeek]

Um, payment envelopes? A simple sheet with name and student # would make it easy to get it right every time.

I'd sure have thought this woulda been a lot better via paypal/credit card, but that's just me.

 

[contradict]

Yeah it would be. Except i don't want our teachers excepting payment.

What seems simple on initial thought usually is not so.

 

[123Simples]

Um, payment envelopes? A simple sheet with name and student # would make it easy to get it right every time.

I'd sure have thought this woulda been a lot better via paypal/credit card, but that's just me.

Look again at the answer given above contradict
Basically you have students enrol and then they send YOU payments direct, not give it to the teachers

 

[webgeek]

The envelopes with names/numbers overcomes the issue presented which was inability to figure out who gave the money. If you have a trust or cash in hand issue, that wasn't mentioned.

Paypal sovlves the problem. Barclays pingit solves the problem. A simple pc with internet set up like an internet cafe style would allow walkins to login and pay on the spot, electronically, with no need for cash.

Alternatives? UKash. You can buy it on any streetcorner and it spends like cash. eCurrency for the win!

 

[HFServices]

If you have a trust or cash in hand issue, that wasn't mentioned.

I noticed that.

What you could do is when people enrol they do not pay there and then but fill in the enrolment form so you can then bill them by email with a paypal or other online payment invoice or they can post you a cheque.

 

[contradict]

Thanks for your input.

Just to put you in the picture. There are 6 classes in 3 venues which are community halls. I want my teachers to have no responsibilty other than to turn up, teach and go ho home. It has nothing to do with trust, its more that this is a growing business, in 5 months we have gone from myself and my girlfriend to now adding another 3 teachers, the summer break and winter terms will see the number of teachers increase further. It's a growing beast and all methods of payment need to work with 6 classes or the projected 15 classes per week we will be running by Winter.

There are no drop in students, as students enrol per term.

My initial question most likely wasn't written in the most concise way.

I may allow paypal payments through the website although it's not really something I want to do, it is convenient.

The majority of our client base are single parents or low income families and seem most comfortable dealing with cash. Out of all the payment options on offfer over 60% paid in cash or over the counter.

What I really want is a way of accepting these cash payments over a counter that I can track. That's it....

No on site payment methods are acceptable for this business.

Also I was wondering if anybody has used www.eazipay.co.uk for direct debit payments. If i can get this working then i'd just make it compulsory to pay by DD and i'd be happy and i'd only need to chase failed DD's - happy days..

 

[webgeek]

UKash is the solution you're looking for. They can buy from almost anywhere and simply email you a voucher code from their mobile phone (if you don't want to spend the money buying an app)..

 

[Daniel.ChannelGrabber]

I think you may be over complicating this a bit. You need to do what your customer wants and as you say that is in cash. You may be better off looking at an efficient way for them to pay in cash on the day.

If I wanted to do a class and was told I had to go in to a bank and make a payment for it then I don't think I would bother with the hassle or will at least feel put out. I would rather pay £5 extra for the term for example if it meant I could just pay at the class.

The direct debit service you mentioned doesn't sound too bad, in my experience they usually charge quite a lot for it. Another similar service to look at is http://saasy.com/ but I really think you should come up with a better way to take cash. Would be cheaper to issue your staff with prepaid special delivery envelopes and have them post it to maybe.

You have 2 things going on here, 1 is how your customer wants to pay and 2 how you want to pay. In this circumstance I would find it more professional to pay in cash to my teacher.

 

[jewelery1949]

thanks, i want to know it ,too.

 

[jacknarvy]

Well, nowadays accepting payment online is a trend. It's a more sophisticated way to accept credit card payments and provides the convenience of an internet merchant account and gateway all in one.

 

[Christine Hough]

At our music school we set up payments by standing order. Its free and takes the reference onto the bank statement. You can also spread the annual amount monthly whch
customers like and you still get paid in holidays.

Draft a form with Standing order on it in bold at the top
Dates from and to (cover a year or a term as appropriate as long as there are at least 2 payments you can use this)

From
their bank details :name, bank sort code account number

Into
Your bank details :name, bank sort code account number

Reference (you fill this in with a reference you want to see on your bank statement can be their name or a student registration number)


A place for them to sign

Get them to sign and fill in their details and give it back to you.
It is worth you while taking it into their bank so you know it has been dealt with.

It worked well for us.