What would you think if you went in to a shop and they used a virtual terminal..

[arcon5]

Hi,

I'm just wondering what you would all think as consumers in this situation..

.. my canvas printing business was initially a web based business - I work from retail premises in a lower end of a high street and finding a much greater need to take orders over the phone nowadays..

.. now, since I only recently moved to these premises I am thinking of processing in-store customers cards using my virtual terminal rather than spending money on a terminal. The amount of customers purchasing in store won't be vast at all - maybe 1-3/day.

I have placed a notice on the countertop saying we use a Virtual Terminal for processing the card payments and that we do not store any card information at all and made mention to the face it is 100% secure.

Now my question is... if you went in to a shop and they processed your card in this method would it put you off at all and would you allow it ?

The customer can see it being done in front of them - the monitor can be made to face them so nothing secretive and all open and honest. Is this a viable idea or will I end up turning people away do you think? I do plan on taking note of customer responses once I have started advertising offline more.

All thoughts welcome..

 

[Kernowman]

I would have though by using your virtual terminal it is no more insecure as an ordinary terminal, provided as you say they can see the transaction being completed on the screen.

I would also give them a receipt if you don't already do so, even a hand written one with the date and exact time on. or can you do a screen dump to a printer there and them to reassure them?

This also might protect you if someone like the local curry house takes a few quid more off their card than they should do at a later date, so the customer cannot blame you.

 

[JamieM]

I am pretty sure you are not allowed to do this. You have to use a PDQ and chip and pin for cardholder present transactions.

Speak to your merchant bank.

 

[benjamin_c]

I was under the impression that virtual terminals could only be used for CHNP transactions. but even if it is alowed as a customer i wouldn't like it.

 

[thecyclingartist]

While it doesn't bother me (I know a gallery agent who does this), I have had a friend who used one and ALL her transactions from a very busy day (unusual activity, 5 large-ish transactions) were reversed. It didn't matter that all the customers vouched for her - since they were present it violated the virtual terminal terms of service. Fortunately she managed to get cheque payment afterwards from all her customers. (lovely people!)

Unfortunate because she and I do use this system knowing the risk due to our very occasional need to accept cards at events (only 2-3 times a year).

Tina.

 

[wwdg]

I have had this happen to me before now but as it was a family members company i didn't mind , i'm not sure though i would like it in any other case.

The customer has there security of the chip and pin , keep it with them. I cant see any benefit from having a virtual terminal for you customers , which are the most important thing.

 

[wwdg]

on a second note as well , but putting up a sign it draws the customers mind to it , they will then start to think about security. Such signs are needed on an online website but as soon as a customer see's a chip and pin machine 99% of the time they are happy. Im sure though for the 1% they can draw some money out and pay by cash ?

 

[Kernowman]

So what then is the difference with a phone sale and taking the card details and for that matter an internet sale? Surely the customer is more at risk when over the phone it could be a shady scamster in Nigeria taking the card details?

 

[Alex C.]

So what then is the difference with a phone sale and taking the card details and for that matter an internet sale? Surely the customer is more at risk when over the phone it could be a shady scamster in Nigeria taking the card details?

I've got an image now of you having to get customers to hide behind a wall and call you to pay so they're technically 'not present'