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Replies

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  Nick Steele August 25, 2010 at 6:03pm

  It depends which bank you choose to supply your credit card services; prices vary quite widely bank to bank. Also some trade organisations have special centrally negotiated rates - the HTA have for instance, but I'm not sure if that extends to APL members.
  
  Very broad budget numbers : £20 per month to hire a terminal (more if you want one thats "mobile" (ie works via the mobile phone network rather than a landline) plus about 2% fee on credit card payments, and c. 25p for every debit card payment.
  
  Payments arrive in your current account a few days after processing.
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  Claire Brown August 25, 2010 at 7:10pm

  Another alternative might be paypal, so people can pay you. - I use this for my workshops, - free to set up and then they charge you per payment, - about 3% so you have to take that into account.
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  Mark Brierley August 25, 2010 at 8:37pm

  thought about paypal myself as I already have an account. This has come to light due to a few of my customers asking if they can pay via credit card. Thanks for the replies
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  Fenlandphil August 27, 2010 at 5:17am

  I keep looking at this but costs and pitfalls deter me, paypal is an option but I can't actually get to talk to someone there which doesn't inspire confidence.
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  Michèle Martin August 27, 2010 at 10:57am

  I've used paypal for my courses for a few years now and find it very good.
  It saves me the hassle of having to go to the bank and I get an e-mail as soon as money has been paid allowing me to acknowledge payment. If I've had to cancel a course I can easliy refund the fees without incurring any extra charges.
  Customers can pay by credit card or other means and it's secure for them and you.
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  Anne Wareham August 28, 2010 at 10:51am

  Quite - what's wrong with BACS?
  
  
  colin said:

  just use online banking
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  Mark Brierley August 28, 2010 at 7:01pm

  Thanks for the reply Anne.
  Bacs is fine I agree if the cutomer has the funds but I feel that all the cutomers asking want to use the credit on there cards.
  
  Anne Wareham said:

  Quite - what's wrong with BACS?
  
  
  colin said:

  just use online banking
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  Mark Brierley August 28, 2010 at 7:01pm

  THanks Carl
  I will look into that
  Regards Mark
  
  Karl Harrison said:

  Hi Mark
  
  I have been taking card payment for a while. Cardnet was the choice for me for reasons based upon service, cards accepted and charges.
  
  Debit cards are processed for less than 50p per transaction irrespective of amount.
  
  Credit cards are processed for (you have to negotiate on this depending on transaction frequency and amount) a small percentage and a standard fee.
  
  Cardnet make payments every 3 days direct to your account for the full amount and take their fees and payments owed on a monthly basis.
  
  There is a set up fee of a couple of hundred quid, do remember to negotiate here. There is also a monthly fee for the machine, mid £20's.
  
  The most cost effective way is to have a card machine in your office, people ca then pay the invoice over the phone, I haven't had someone refuse as of yet.
  
  If you want online card services the fees are somewhat higher and the running costs are higher by quite a margin, you will then be faced with charges from, the bank, the card service provider and also the online card services provider, (no I haven’t repeated myself). There is also the upkeep of your website page for payments.
  
  As I am not a member of the FSA and not authorised to quote on charges etc. The up to date information can be provided direct by CardNet or LloydsTSB. They come and see you in person to discuss.
  
  I find this service brilliant and if people want to pay you via credit card, that’s fine. This enables you to get projects where people can then make their own credit arrangements without companies being regulated directly by the FSA and get paid legitimately.
  
  I hope this helps
  
  Karl from www.exteriordecking.co.uk