[Neil Mc Anulty]

Do any of you carry a terminal for accepting credit cards and debit cards. If so do you think it has incresed business?

[Joe H]

Costs are too much for me.

Great concept and I think many clients would take to it.

[garyj]

I was lucky because I already had a credit card terminal for another business.

I advertised on my leaflets & websites I took credit and debit cards and to my surprise never had one customer that I can remember take it up!!! I thought it was going to be a great selling point so glad I never had to pay the set up and monthly fees.

[Neil Mc Anulty]

I thought that too, The cost would be about 40 a month rental for a mobile terminal on a 12 month contract + credit card charges of 2.5 %. Slightly cheaper for a 3 year contract.

[Jim_77]

It doesn't suit our type of business unfortunately

Unless you're turning over a hell of a lot and can work the costing in, the charges they make for using credit card terminals are quite prohibitive for most in our industry I'd have thought.  I can only remember just a handful of times I've been asked to take a card payment and when I've said no it hasn't been a major obstacle, we've just sorted out other payment methods.

I think some customers get the impression I'm going to demand payment on completion but when I tell them I'm happy to invoice them it solves the problem.

I've never done it yet but now everyone more or less is on the net, an internet bank transfer rather than card or cheque payment is perfectly feasible as a payment method I suppose!

[M.Acorn]

Bank transfers work for me ! just get custy to phone or as Jim says on net,much easier than going to the bank everyday and clears faster.

[Jeremy]

In South Africa, I was reluctant to offer anything other than cash. Business was slow but there was never a cash flow problem (other than not enough).

I quickly learned that cash was a problem. Especially when the customer only knows the price one the techy has measured up. Internet banking was the only solution. Last financial year I wrote of about R2000.00 (divide by 15). This year, so far I have 2 customers that have not paid and probably will never.

Having said this you need to put in place the necessary processes to follow up with your custy (out of sight, out of mind - they forget).

Business is booming but I sit with outstanding invoices to the value of R40,000.00 admittedly most of which is corporate.

Internet banking is a must. It also gives you great marketing advantages as you can get home phone, cell phone, e-Mail and any other stuff you may need for your referral programs

Jeremy