Ok so here is the problem. I use a wireless credit card system called Aircharge for my credit card transactions. It runs on my Blackberry and allows me to accept credit cards over the phone or on location (like weddings ). However, for my birthday my wife bought me an iPhone. I was thrilled so I immediately activated it and discontinued my BB. Oops. The iPhone doesnt allow third party apps. No 3rd party apps = no credit card system.
Sooo... now I am looking at either getting a second line on my account, getting a second account all together, or using another service. Paypal came to mind. I'm wondering if anyone uses them for their business transactions? It would certainly be simple enough to put a button on my website site with the "pay me through paypal" logo.
If you use them for this, how has it been? Any problems with Paypal? What do your customers think?
Paypal is really great. After a client signs a contract, we send them an invoice via paypal. They can pay us by check or via CC through Paypal. Everything is smooth and swift.
As long as you take the money out on a regular basis, it can work, though it exposes you to the usual Paypal horror stories. A bride could file a chargeback a week after the wedding saying the services weren't rendered and there's a good chance she'd win. In that case, they'd try to get it from your bank account. If they can't get it, you'll have that debt pending on your account for the next time a deposit is made and they might send a collections agency after you. I wouldn't do it.
Agree with Bacilonur. I have had that nightmare before. Try to avoid chargeback as good as you can. Backup your transactions with a legitimate email communication between you and the clients.
Even providing absolutely proof is not enough in many cases. I can't tell you an exact percentage of people who have been ripped off unfairly when a dispute came up because the ones who get ripped off are always a lot more vocal, but I know there have been a good number of cases where it's been proven that they didn't even look at the evidence (in the case of someone who has their own webserver and sends links to screenshots that never get viewed). Paypal sides with the customer and figures you can take the hit.
I use paypal, but only for smaller print orders. i had a wedding paid ONCE on paypal...and paypal decided unilaterally to stop the payment (a day after it told me that things were fine and the money was mine). Their excuse "well, it's such a big payment that we wanted to make sure there's no fraud involved. it's just protecting our clients"
So, I could not get paid until the Groom and Myself had gone through the PITA of talking to paypal and saying "ok by me to pay".
I love paypal for my print order payments...but would never use it for wedding payments.
bacilonur wrote:
Even providing absolutely proof is not enough in many cases. I can't tell you an exact percentage of people who have been ripped off unfairly when a dispute came up because the ones who get ripped off are always a lot more vocal, but I know there have been a good number of cases where it's been proven that they didn't even look at the evidence (in the case of someone who has their own webserver and sends links to screenshots that never get viewed). Paypal sides with the customer and figures you can take the hit.
ive been using paypal for about a year and its beel flawless...it does take 3% but it keeps my books in order so i can see who paid what and when without having to really do any bookkeeping on my own.
Google adwords are a waste of money IMHO. Might work for some, but I believe there much better ways to market. I'm getting slightly off topic...
Anyway, Paypal has become this oversized 'thing' that I hate resorting to unless it's the only option. I've started using Google checkout, which has been so simple.
For major transactions, it's always been checks (cash) though.
asimsoofi wrote:
Google adwords are a waste of money IMHO. Might work for some, but I believe there much better ways to market. I'm getting slightly off topic...
Couldn't agree with you more. I tried Adwords for a while and didn't really see the results. Just saying though if anyone is using Adwords, might as well take advantage of some savings while you're at it.
Back on topic though, I think being able to tell a client that you accept credit cards lends credibility to your business. (we all know that's not really true, but perception is everything).
Lost a wedding because of PayPal. Client wanted to pay entire amount upfront instead of in increments, PayPal wouldn't process that size payment. Client ended up going else where. Might be fine for deposits or smallish payments, but not too dependable for lump sum payments.
bacilonur wrote:
As long as you take the money out on a regular basis, it can work, though it exposes you to the usual Paypal horror stories. A bride could file a chargeback a week after the wedding saying the services weren't rendered and there's a good chance she'd win. In that case, they'd try to get it from your bank account. If they can't get it, you'll have that debt pending on your account for the next time a deposit is made and they might send a collections agency after you. I wouldn't do it.
This will happen with any Credit Card company, not just PayPal.
Matt Veldhuis wrote:
Well, it's pretty straight forward, they were smart enough to make it all one action if you don't have an account.
You just enter current email address, pick a password, then credit card info, phone and you're done.
I haven't had a single complaint.
For most people it's easy, but others haven't figured it out. I've had 2-3 clients in the past 3 months that couldn't access it correctly. Instead of trying to help them, I used something else.
). However, for my birthday my wife bought me an iPhone. I was thrilled so I immediately activated it and discontinued my BB. Oops. The iPhone doesnt allow third party apps. No 3rd party apps = no credit card system.