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Jellybelly BearsI was just wondering about accepting payment via visa or mastercard. I've been asked to pay directly by mastercard...how would I accept this myself without the customer having to sign up to Pay Pal? I've noticed that many of you have the little visa signs on your websites, but there is no link to go to..I've googled it, but can't find anything either?? Would be great to have that feature on my site.
thanks :hug:
xx sarah
I take credit cards direct Sarah, through a company called 'Streamline'. They are linked in with my bank. When I originally set up you paid a lump sum and then a commission on each sale, these days though, I think you are obliged to pay a standing charge each month, as well as a commission on each sale. I still use the old paper voucher system, but I think that's pretty much obsolete now and they expect you to have an electronic terminal system instead.
I would suggest shopping around for providers though, because they can vary in price and facilities.
Patsy Lake BearsSarah I take credit cards and can take card payments over the phone... As all my credit card payments are done on my phone (mobile when I am at shows. ) I have my merchant facilities with my bank
Sarah,
I accept credit cards over the web through a company called Pro Pay....their site is www.propay.com. I have been with them for 2 years, a yearly fee and a commission on each transaction. I have no electronic, just the paper vouchers that I enter into the website when I get back home. You can also check with your bank or credit card company.
pandamac
Jellybelly BearsThankyou Paula, Patsy and Ellen :hug:
I guess this service is a lot like Pay Pal with the comissions and fees...Maybe my bank will have the same service as Patsy's...
What I did was send my customer a Pay Pal invoice and she was fine with signing up and paying that way. She spoke in French, so I was a little unsure that we would understand each other, but all went okay :)
thanks again 
I use ProPay too. They never answer emails but I've also never had a problem with them so I have no complaints especially because they're relatively cheap. What you're talking about, Sarah, is called a "merchant account" or "merchant services."
My bank offers this service but the fees are exhorbitant. They wanted money every month from me to rent a "machine" for processing chrages, or they wanted to charge me a huge fee like $500 or $700 dollars to BUY one. Then there's a monthly service fee (even if you don't use the service that month!) and a per-charge fee. They sent me a bajillion packets of information on how to use their service and then one from each charge company (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, AmEx.) It was like drowning in BS and fees, I tell ya!
ProPay is a one-time annual fee and you can do everything over the internet or by phone, from anywhere in the world. No other BS involved.
I don't like that they never got back to me when I had questions, but as I said, I've processed two shows through them plus a few other transactions and have never had a single problem.
Good luck sorting it out!
Canna Bear PaintCheck with your local Chamber of Commerce (or it's Australian equivalent), or small business associations. I shopped around the local towns' Chambers until I found the best one, then signed on with them. I get fairly reasonable health insurance rates through them, a lot of various small business perks, and they also linked me to a local credit card processing company. We bought a very basic machine for a small fee and are charged $5 a month for having the service. Individual transaction fees are equal or less than what PayPal charges. It's paid for itself many, many times over by now, and we haven't really had it that long... so it was very worth it. Some people HATE PayPal and refuse to use it, so it's nice to even give people who buy from you online another option. And it has been much appreciated that we accept credit cards when we travel to shows. Our machine is too basic a model to travel with (definitely not a wireless one), so we just use a slider to imprint the card at the show, then punch in the information when we get home. So far, so good.
Hope this helps!
Kelly
Posts: 1,836With Propay (or other phone optional services): at shows do you process the sales immediately or do you hold them until the evening (I'm guessing cell phones might not work in convention halls too well??).
With all systems: Have you ever had an issue in processing after the show/sale....declined card, etc? I know it happens, doesn't have to be intentional, could be a mistake. Would you make a friendly call? Have yo ever had to? ( I guess it goes for checks too...)
:hug:
~Chrissi
It's a trust thing for certain. We tried to process by phone in real-time but yes, you pegged it Chrissi; the stone halls prevented good cell phone reception and we found we couldn't do it. So instead I record all info and process via internet immediately after the show. Teddy bear people tend to be good people but there is the chance that something bad could happen doing business this way.
I've never had a problem working in this fashion.
Interestingly, I find that people either use credit cards or pay with cash; I've rarely had a customer at a show use a check, which to me is odd, because I use them all the time, and rarely carry cash around with me.
Little Bear GuyInterestingly, I find that people either use credit cards or pay with cash; I've rarely had a customer at a show use a check, which to me is odd, because I use them all the time, and rarely carry cash around with me.
We have a merchant account through our bank, we only pay a small monthly fee of about 10.00 and a very small commission to the card company. Each company is different and so are their rates.
Shelli I found it so funny when we went to the US for a show and just about everyone who bought a bear wanted to give us a cheque, unfortunatly we had to decline them. It takes about 30 days to get a US cheque to clear our bank, we have taken them on rare occasions but we don't make a habit of it. In Canada it's very rare to see someone write a cheque, we have cheques but I have not had to write one for a couple of yrs.
A lot of our stores here won't even take a personal cheque anymore, they will take cash, debit or cc but cheques are a no no. Most of our banking is done online , all bills are paid that way rarely even step foot inside a bank now adays. We also never carry cash we use are debit card to pay for everything.
I remember being in Michigan a couple of yrs ago for a show, Steve and I went to the local dollar store and I almost pee'd my pants when the lady in front of us was writing a cheque for like $4.00, it just seemed so alien to us.
Big Hugs
Shane
How funny! Obviously, you Canadians don't know how it's done. Totally cracking up here... :crackup: Not trying to start a border war, just making a joke!
I usually write checks because I'm too dorky to remember to get cash, and if it's in my wallet I spend it. Better to not see it, I figure; it's safer that way! Yes, I'm one of "those" types!
I'm glad to hear that your bank provides you with reasonable merchant services. Mine were through Wells Fargo and I fired them almost immediately upon hiring them. They've been a great bank for me on every other aspect; I got a terrific mortgage through them (low finance rate, no points). But on the merchant services thing, the best they could do really, totally, and entirely sucked.
I guess it all boils down to DOING YOUR RESEARCH for your own individual situation, in your own environment. It's so hard to advise about this kidn of thing especially when we're advising across international borders!
Thanks for the reframe; it's always refreshing to hear the other side.
PS I try to use my debit card whenever I can (less effort; no writing!) but doctor's offices, for example, don't take them, so I ended up paying with checks TWICE just yesterday, because both of my sons are either sick or injured right now!
Flying Fur StudiosWow, things are different in the US and Canada. I can't imagine having to pay ANYTHING at the doctors office. Oh my.....................
Question though, maybe it needs it's own thread, but if you don't have your own personal Credit card situation and you're at a bear show, does the promoter offer credit card services?
Heather, sometimes yes, sometimes no, is my understanding. Get Daphne's attention; she can tell you more. And Luann. And the ABC folks; they post here occasionally too (Connie & Amber.) The one show I do does not, that I'm aware of anyway, offer services to exhibitors. However, awesome nice teddy bear folk can sometimes help you out by accepting your credit card customers if you have a trusting relationship and can work it out with them. I haven't done that myself but when I was first starting out a very kind Donna Mettling offered to set me up with a friend of hers in this fashion and I was totally grateful, but happily figured out my own situation so I wouldn't have to glom on to them during their busy show.
If I were makign recommendations, however, from an exhibitor's perspective, I'd LOVE to have venues provide the credit card services and stop using mine altogether. But I may not represent the norm.
Sarah, we just changed (back- as much as I hated it lol) to the Commonwealth for out Visa/MC processing, they had a good deal with a mobile terminal- if you aren't doing a lot of shows you might not want/need that though.
Its not always easy to get phone/mail order processing clearance though, they are worried about fraud 9fromt eh merchant side) I guess.
re the check thing- it amazes me how Americans still love using their checks/cheques 
.... even at the supermarket I see people using checks, couldnt imagine someone here getting away with that hehe- we seem to be converted to EFTPOS/debit and I dont think we could go back;)
Past Time BearsHeather, sometimes yes, sometimes no, is my understanding. Get Daphne's attention; she can tell you more. And Luann. And the ABC folks; they post here occasionally too (Connie & Amber.) The one show I do does not, that I'm aware of anyway, offer services to exhibitors. However, awesome nice teddy bear folk can sometimes help you out by accepting your credit card customers if you have a trusting relationship and can work it out with them. I haven't done that myself but when I was first starting out a very kind Donna Mettling offered to set me up with a friend of hers in this fashion and I was totally grateful, but happily figured out my own situation so I wouldn't have to glom on to them during their busy show.
If I were making recommendations, however, from an exhibitor's perspective, I'd LOVE to have venues provide the credit card services and stop using mine altogether. But I may not represent the norm.
I do know that ABC does offer cc services and Luann doesn't - don't think Pat Moore does, either. Valerie
Rogers of Bright Star also provides the service . . . at least the last time I did one of her shows, she did. Not sure about Daphne, but she will post a reply, I imagine.
Flying Fur StudiosThanks Ladies.
I know Daphne doesn't offer a credit card service.
It does sound like it would be complicated to arrange, but it would be nice to be able to offer the service at my bear show.
I'll look around and see what I can dig up.
Wazza Bears AustraliaHi sarah
I have a merchant account with my Bank. I paid a one off fee for the machine thing ( manual ), and I pay a yearly fee, Plus pay a small % on each purchase. I only use it at shows, when I take orders over net they pay via paypal, or in Aus the pay direct into my bank acc.
I did shop around and the 2 I found with no monthly extra fees was bendigo bank and the commonwealth.
Wazza Bears AustraliaI forgot,
You must show your business reg and ABN
Back Road BearsI do not, at this point in time, offer such a service. For my first show last year I had enough to try to work through without figuring out how to offer a credit card service. No one who did my show last year asked about having such a service available and none of the artists who have signed up for this year's shows have asked about it. Unless I get requests I do not plan to offer it.
Paypal has a credit card service where the card holder doesn't have to have a Paypal account and you can call in for approval as well as enter the card info for online approval. Very reasonably priced plan and no inactivity fees or monthly fees if I recall. It's one of their business accounts. I have the service but haven't used it yet. I got it to replace my merchant account through my bank.... which I pay an arm, a leg and an ear for!
Jane Perala Designs Ltd.Heather - you should get in touch with Mark McKay of Teddy Bears on Vacation. He offers the credit card service at his shows. It certainly is a great service to have. I don't take credit cards anymore except by Paypal, because the merchant service wanted me to re- apply after about 15 years of previous service. They found out that I was taking telephone sales and said that I would have to also pay a "bond" - possibly of several thousand dollars - I told them they could keep their #$%^&*&$# credit card services!!!
If you cannot offer credit card services, then it would be great to have the show where there is a cash machine nearby.
Jane P.
BruinwerksI don't have my own merchant acct.'s because as previously mentioned, the costs were too high for the amount I used them. I have done several shows that offered the service but some have been good and some I thought were really high.
The BearFair in Calgary, charged a flat fee (I think about $20) to use the service and then whatever the Credit Card fee was. Other shows I have been to have charged 10% of the sale price of the bear. That's OK for the convenience of selling one or two bears but one show I paid the promoter almost $350 in fees 
(it was a GOOD show !! :dance: ) on top of a large entrance fee. I might as well have given bears away! I understand that there are additional costs (like people to work the machine, etc) but I think 10% is too much! It is something that is a convenience for your sellers and the buyers that come to the show...I personally don't think it should be a big revenue generator for the promoter. Again, just my opinion.
I'm also in the 1 or 2 cheques a year category!
Cheryl
Flying Fur StudiosCheryl, thanks for the advice. I'll look into it. It's nice to know how much it has cost you in the past. Great info!
Jane, thanks for the advice, I'm going to try and hunt down his contact info because it would be really, really nice to offer that service.
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Back Road BearsMark McKay's info:
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)I have no complaints especially because they're relatively cheap.
How cheap is cheap Shelli?
My bank, Chase, uses Paymentech, which costs $7.50 a month (used or not) and a small percentage per invoice charge. It works out to be about the same as 1 or 2 PayPal auctions as a Business acct. (Fees collected for all incoming monies, none for outgoing) which I still consider cheap (eBay fees added in) over show entry fees and mag ads.
ABC was 10% when last used about 3 - 4 years ago.
My debit card is used only for $$ OUT OF the ATMs. Everything else is on the CC (rewards card), because of those nice little $25 and $50 checks that are rebated every time that much accumulates. I attended an event recently where the Guest Speaked was (I'm blanking on his name...) Frank ________, the bad-turned-to-good FBI/Security specialist, whose life was profiled in the Catch Me If You Can movie.
He never uses a Debit card; neither do we. If not paid online, then always by CC: you use the bank's money free if you pay off every statement when due, and get rebates as well. They may be only 1% but it's still money coming in, while yours is sitting somewhere else earning interest as well.
But I'm interested in the least amount of fees charged for CC purchases - Pls give company names and URLs!
Jellybelly BearsThanks again for all this information
Merchant Services...yes, thats the name I'm looking for...and am going to ask my bank as soon as I make the decision to do a show or not this year....maybe its cheaper in Oz..I don't like the idea of not knowing if the card will be accepted or not till later...
and Pro Pay, added that to my favourties, thanks guys
Karen, yes, I just don't think I sell or possibly make the volume of bears right now to justify all the fees. I really thought there would be an easy way with no fees lol and yes...we aussies like our cards hey lol
Kelly, yes, never thought of asking our small business place..thanks
Yes, it would be terrific if show organisers offered a eftpos machine
Daphne, I was looking into the Pay Pal accepting card thing...will need to look into it further..they do charge huge fees, esp changing money over, but when youre a very small business...it is the best way i suppose
When you say on your site that you will take the customers bank number, is this how it works through pay pal?
