Originally Posted By: gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
We’re looking into how we can allow members to process credit cards through NACHI. There are quite a few legal and logistic issues. But I’m working on it.
Originally Posted By: Nick Gromicko This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
As an association we might do enough combined volume to keep the fees down. Doing it online would mean our members wouldn’t have to buy swipe machines and ribbon printers.
There's always the client who forgot his checkbook.
Originally Posted By: jburkeson This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Great idea Nick, you may want to look into using PayPal. Since I had a private account it was no problem opening up a business account with them. You can check out my link here…
Originally Posted By: dvalley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Aaron,
I personally do not like paypal. I’ve had alot of bad experiences with this money grubbin’ company. I recommend getting more opinions before we go that route. Just my 2 cents.
Originally Posted By: Aaron Rosenbaum This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
You mean problems with Paypal? What type? Just curious… because I guess the only problem I have had is them taking their “fee” that they take out when I receive money. I never had something go wrong with transactions (I used it for Ebay). But I guess if something did go wrong, it could be a problem with Paypal “customer support” (not sure how well their customer support is)…
Originally Posted By: Russell Stephens This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have never had any problems with PayPal but for the type of transactions that most of you do the fee’s would be to much at least for my blood. You have to save all you can.
by the way I am moving right along on starting the business. I am waiting on my insurance quote right now. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will be paying my membership. Just got a lot of training left.
Originally Posted By: jremas This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I use paypal on my website but have only had it used 2 times this year. Very rare to need it and I don’t push it because of the costs involved and I am a pretty cheapo. No problems with them yet…
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Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com
Originally Posted By: Richard Stanley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I have recently opened account with paypal. I have not had reason to use it yet. I understand the fee is 2.9%. Any time you have a credit card service there is a fee involved. I started it primarily for the convenience of some out of town clients. I have never accepted credit cards for inspection business. I have for other business. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll cancel. Someone mentioned exorbitant fees…What? Please explain.
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Any fees that you have to pay are exhorbitant fees. You have to pay PayPal or credit card fees because you use PayPal or credit cards. I get paid by check, cash, money order, cashier’s check, or gold bullion before the inspection. Therefore PayPal and credit card fees are exhorbitant fees for me.
Originally Posted By: jremas This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Fees are a pain in the a$$ but part of doing business. The key is to minimize them as much as possible. I don’t advertise that I take credit cards nor do I mention it. Only when the person asks do I admit it. I always tell them on the phone to bring their checkbook or cash so most of the time the stage is set. I did a HI, WDI, Septic, H20 and Radon for a client and the bill was $540. after the credit card fees, I was left with $524.34 I think that $16. is too much of a fee. Again, only twice this year and both were paid and deposited before I showed up for the inspection. Have it as a backup but don’t advertise…
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Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Every time I have checked on taking credit cards out here, there is a monthly fee involved, and the fee gets higher the less I charge. And the monthly fee is still there even if I don’t charge anything that month. I don’t like to be charged for something that I don’t use.
In a previous company, before there were exhorbitant charges and interest rates on credit card cash advances, I used to charge a cash advance on my credit card at the company I owned on the last day of the month, if necessary, just so I wouldn't be charged the monthly fee. The monthly fee was higher than the interest on the credit card.
Originally Posted By: gbeaumont This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Hi to all,
I think the credit card idea a great one and I know that in most areas customers would like the option to pay like this, also if you are doing it right you should be getting paid at the time of booking the inspection, not on the day. OK so you burn 2-3% of your gross but credit cards don’t bounce and can’t be stopped after the event. if 30% of your business could be paid in advance and you did not spend so much time going to the bank and chasing those occasional dud checks it has to be worth the expense.
Originally Posted By: rray This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
On chargebacks, remember that the company is always on the side of the card holder. Here it’s harder to get reimbursed for a chargeback than it is for a bad check.
Writing a bad check is simply a crime. Any disagreement has to be resolved outside of the bad check.
A chargeback indicates that there is a disagreement, and the credit card company gives the card holder the right to not pay any amount being disputed, for whatever reason the dispute is.
I'll take my chances with the bad check, for I have our District Attorney on my side there.
Originally Posted By: jmyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Russel,
I have to agree with you on the chargeback issue. Is what I do to compensate for that is to have the client place their signature on an agreement stating their name, the card number, the expiration date and of course the amount that will be charged.
In the case of the company processing the credit cards you are absolutely correct they are on the side of the card holder and leave it to you to prove they approved or requested you charge their credit card.
I include a copy of the credit card agreement with the inspection report so they can go back and compare their charges to their monthly statement. 
