How to take credit cards?

[MoodyBlues]

I've seen doo-dads you can attach to your phone to swipe credit cards, but I need to know how a person who doesn't currently accept credit cards can do so. Specifically, my awesome contractor/handyman.

Is it easy to get set up to accept credit cards? Do you know of specific companies that do this? He's just an individual, not a company. Does that matter? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[ocnbrze]

I've seen doo-dads you can attach to your phone to swipe credit cards, but I need to know how a person who doesn't currently accept credit cards can do so. Specifically, my awesome contractor/handyman.

Is it easy to get set up to accept credit cards? Do you know of specific companies that do this? He's just an individual, not a company. Does that matter? Any info will be greatly appreciated.

square i think would be the best option. they have several different setups. the easiest is the one for phones, but you need either a iphone or a phone with a phone jack. but they do have other options.

check it out:
Square

 

[Brian706]

Square is what I was going to mention as well. I believe you have to pay for some sort of service plan to use it so they would have to weigh whether or not it's cost effective for their services.

Edit:

Looks like you pay per transaction according to their website:
https://squareup.com/us/en

 

[mikedt]

In the past you had to apply for merchant services with your bank, and they would actually loan you a credit card terminal to process card payments with. Don't know what happens these days, maybe online?

 

[MoodyBlues]

In the past you had to apply for merchant services with your bank, and they would actually loan you a credit card terminal to process card payments with.

Yes, that's exactly how it was when I first looked into it, in the late '90s! I hadn't heard of CafePress yet [that happened in 2001], and wanted to sell my designs on t-shirts. I didn't do it, though. I was too busy with my job, and I didn't want the hassle of stocking inventory. That all changed after joining CafePress, which is POD [print on demand], so there's no inventory involved, and they handle everything (billing, printing, shipping, returns, refunds, etc.).

Don't know what happens these days, maybe online?

Me either. I figured things had changed in 20+ years, so I thought I'd ask! I'm off now to look at the great info @ocnbrze and @Brian706 posted. Thanks, guys!

 

[tommo47]

Have you considered going down the Paypal route?

My wife and I use PayPal a lot and find it so easy to work with, and have never had a problem with it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Have you considered going down the Paypal route?

My wife and I use PayPal a lot and find it so easy to work with, and have never had a problem with it.

I'm not sure how you mean.

My handyman wants to be able to accept credit cards. I've had a PayPal account forever, but have never used or explored PP other than using its debit function to pay for things online. Do they give individuals the ability to accept credit card payments? So if he had a PP account, he could take credit cards? Or am I just totally confused?!

 

[ocnbrze]

I'm not sure how you mean.

My handyman wants to be able to accept credit cards. I've had a PayPal account forever, but have never used or explored PP other than using its debit function to pay for things online. Do they give individuals the ability to accept credit card payments? So if he had a PP account, he could take credit cards? Or am I just totally confused?!

yep

Should I Have a PayPal Business Account?

 

[MoodyBlues]

yep

Should I Have a PayPal Business Account?

This is almost hysterically funny!

I've had a PP Business Account forever [dating back to before I joined CafePress], and had no idea about any of this. *SMH*

It's not as idiotic as it makes me look, though. I opened PP and eBay accounts at the same time, when my idea was to sell t-shirts that I designed. Once I dismissed that idea [in its original incarnation], I basically forgot about them. Years later, after I had to quit working, and I started selling on CafePress, the PP account came in handy as CP could direct deposit my earnings, instead of mailing checks. So all these years that PP account has just sat there, with CP and Zazzle both depositing my earnings in it, and I use it to pay for things online that only take PP. I never had any reason to delve into anything else they offered...

Who knew?!

 

[tommo47]

I'm not sure how you mean.

My handyman wants to be able to accept credit cards. I've had a PayPal account forever, but have never used or explored PP other than using its debit function to pay for things online. Do they give individuals the ability to accept credit card payments? So if he had a PP account, he could take credit cards? Or am I just totally confused?!

Yes, I have a personal account with my debit card and credit card registered to the account, so when I buy something I can use my debit card or credit card to fund the purchase. Paypal takes the money from whichever card I nominate and then deposits that money in the Paypal account of the seller so in effect the seller has received a card payment but via PayPal. If the seller has a business account they will pay commission and that needs to be taken into account. But business accounts are principally for commercial enterprises. The benefit of Paypal is that you are able to make payments to family and friends completely free of charge so if your handyman is also a friend you can pay him as a friend who is doing you a favour.

 

[tommo47]

Payment security is also as good as, if not better than, the banks.

Paypal have a dedicated complaints and resolution team which we have had to use on a number of occasions when something has gone wrong with the transaction/purchase, goods arrive damaged or the wrong items are dispatched you just raise a complaint, try and sort it with the seller. If you can't resolve it between you then you make a claim and Paypal will ask both sides to put their case and will make a decision. Because we presented a good and honest case in our claims they have found in our favour every time and Paypal actually make any refund due and it's made within a few days of the decision.

They have always been very helpful.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Thanks for the info, @tommo47.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Just FYI, here's PayPal's info for their various ways merchants can accept credit cards through them. Some don't even require hardware or software!

 

[tommo47]

Just FYI, here's PayPal's info for their various ways merchants can accept credit cards through them. Some don't even require hardware or software!

That's interesting, I didn't realise the full extent of their services having only ever used the Personal Account.

 

[MoodyBlues]

That's interesting, I didn't realise the full extent of their services having only ever used the Personal Account.

Yeah, well, as I said, I've had their business account forever [since the late '90s], but had NO IDEA it offered all this stuff!

So all along, I could've been accepting credit cards...well, no...they did not offer that way back when. It was like @mikedt said. Back then, taking credit cards involved terminals, having a merchant account with a bank, etc. I wonder when PP added these features.

I sent my handyman the info I've gotten here, and he's going to check them out. If he could accept credit card payments, it would really open up a whole world of opportunity to him. He's an amazing craftsman, and doesn't know the meaning of impossible. He's done a few projects for me that I really wasn't sure could be done. But he did them, did them very well, and charged a fair price. I've gladly recommended him, but the fact he only took checks was a deterrent. I hope this helps him expand.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I have a Netspend card and I'm pleased with it. This card is a way of making funds that are already in your possession available via credit/debit card electronic payment technology. As for the process of taking, the netspend customer service helped me to do this fast.

Thanks for the info. I've never heard of Netspend, so I just want to make sure we're on the same page! You're saying that in my scenario, i.e., an individual (my handyman) can accept debit/credit card payments using this...service? product? What is it? Is there a physical component? Or is it all done online?

 

[MoodyBlues]

By the way, how can I check the reality of bank details? I read, there are cases of using purchased bank accounts

Can you clarify what you're asking about? Does it have something to do with an individual accepting credit card payments?

 

[gorb91841]

Yes, I have a personal account with my debit card and credit card registered to the account, so when I buy something I can use my debit card or credit card to fund the purchase. Paypal takes the money from whichever card I nominate and then deposits that money in the Paypal account of the seller so in effect the seller has received a card payment but via PayPal. If the seller has a business account they will pay commission and that needs to be taken into account. But business accounts are principally for commercial enterprises. The benefit of Paypal is that you are able to make payments to family and friends completely free of charge so if your handyman is also a friend you can pay him as a friend who is doing you a favour.

Thank you very much for the information provided