massage and bodywork professionals
a community of practitioners
To Take Credit Cards or Not...That Is The Question.
Views: 319
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher Gallagher on -
I also use the Square reader (squareup.com) with my iPhone4... it works great for me, but it does work with other phones/mobile devices. The great thing is that there are no annual or monthly fees and the card reader is free, the only thing you pay is the per-transaction fees which are comparatively low, and consistent across the board for all Visa, MC, AmEx, and Discover cards. If your customer is eco-conscious, they will appreciate being able to receive receipts via email, and Square's system makes it very easy for you to track your payments, clients, and schedule history, etc...
Bianca Berrios said:Thanks Jody for the info :) that sounds great but unfortunately I have not cared for the iphone in the past, here in CT many I know; nothing but porblems :( I'm a sprint girl and dedicated to my Palm Pre! Any other suggestions of vendors to go through for cc acceptance, besides the bank? Have a call to them yesterday afternoon, waiting to
hear back :)
br/>
Jody C. Hutchinson said:I am waiting for a card reader from Square. It's a free app that works with the iPhone 3&4. It uses the headset port for the card swipe, then the client signs on the screen and it goes to your checking account. I think it's only 2-3% per transaction, only. I can't wait.
I have used Pay Pal with one client whose mother paid from out of state, it worked great. I agree with using the CC to hold an appointment. However, when I worked for a spa, the no-show customers would often complain that they didn't get the service and the CC company would refund the $. I imagine that even if it's posted the client could still raise a fit.
By the way, I purchased a book at a trade show and was overcharged for it. The CC company wouldn't do anything, saying that I had to read the slip, since I signed it-I was stuck. I was lucky that the publisher refunded the difference.
That being said, I still get very few CC requests.
jh
-
Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on -
I don't take credit cards and never have in 23 years. It isn't a problem. I just tell people to bring cash or checks when I have them on the phone. If you take credit cards you need to have your fees reflect those fees as a cost of doing business - in other words you have to charge more. some people will add a processing fee on but I think that is illegal. Just charge more period and average out the expenses over your client base. That is the problem with cc- everyone really ends up paying more.
I never have an issue with clients not showing up for their first appointment. Maybe a few times in my career but can't even really remember. Most of the people find me from my clinic website which is why it is so important to have a good website. People are really looking for a massage and need one so they aren't likely to cancel not show up.
Julie
-
Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on -
It's not illegal to charge a processing fee, in fact, the company I use to process cc's specifically said that I could choose to add a processing fee if I wanted. I don't do that, but there are those who do and there are those who don't mind to pay extra for the convenience.
Bianca, a great way to find out what your clientele wants is to create a survey and toss these ideas to them, although you may have to offer an incentive to get folks to fill it out. You'd be surprised at what your clients REALLY want compared to what you THINK they want!
-
Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on -
Chris,
Good for you. I can't believe that some of the responders here have never had a no-show. How lucky you are! It took me a few years to catch up with my policies to stop clients from not showing up. The CC thing just makes sense.
jh
Christopher Gallagher said:I have a brand-new Mobile Massage business that is currently focusing on office chair massage, but I also will visit clients in their home, hotels, etc...
My main selling point is convenience, so accepting credit cards is a no-brainer. I applied for a cc processing account very soon after starting my business,
but did a lot of research before hand. My foremost considerations were rates, fees, portability, and customer service.
I'd say that offering cc processing increases my "last-minute" at home or hotel business. However, my office-visits are so comparatively short and less expensive
that cash has been th primary method of payment (80%), followed by check (15%), and a small percentage is paid by monthy billing where the company is paying
(5%). My price-points being much higher for home and especially hotel visits, the bottom-line increase thus far has been measurable. I have seen an 8% increase so far,
and project up to 20%. Seeing as I come to the client and i do thorough follow-up
I never have a no-call, show... Even when I've show up, and they have forgotten, they drop everything for some relief. The most important thing to consider is that choosing
a provider is not a marriage... There are TONS of providers out there and once you have a provider, you have leverage to
get other providers to drop their rates is you switch to them... Just don't sign any long-term contracts or agree to early termination fees.
-
Permalink Reply by Johnathan Womack on -
WOW!,
Great information. I will look into squareup for future CC transactions. I noticed, even myself are getting away from carrying cash. This would be a great way to make sure you get your payment for services rendered.
Thanks everyone.
Johnathan,
-
Permalink Reply by Lisa on -
Great suggestion. doesn't even have to be an official survey. just a question to all your existing clients after the session.
Rajam K Roose said:Bianca, a great way to find out what your clientele wants is to create a survey and toss these ideas to them, although you may have to offer an incentive to get folks to fill it out. You'd be surprised at what your clients REALLY want compared to what you THINK they want!
-
Permalink Reply by Lori Foster-Nixon on -
I've just recently learned the lesson about not signing agrements/contracts regarding termination fees. The contract I signed gave the company the right to waive the $295.00 termination fee if they wanted to. They didn't want to. It had nothing to do with an 'early' termination, it is just the way of their doing business. So all of you out there thinking about these companies - Please read the fine print carefully!! Again I learned that lesson the hard way.
-
Permalink Reply by Christopher Vallo on -
For me, credit cards represent a problem more complex problem just than the simple financial factors.
My experience has been that credit cards are a cause of great stress for many people. That stress can manifest in many ways, some being physical.Coupled with the uncertainty that comes from borrowing, I have seen those who pay with credit cards are more likely cancel and less likely to be a recurring client.
Since starting my private practice, I do accept PayPal credit cards via Square (for iPhone & Android) & for gift certificates, group events and package purchases to simplify the process for the individuals involved but I always offer that cash, check or debt card is a preferred payment method.
According to my numbers not accepting credit cards did erode my client retention or impact my bottom-line.
Generally, I discourage people from using credit cards simply due to stress associated with them. Self care should be a conscious choice not something put off addressing until the bill arrives or be subject to high interest charges.
My preference is to work within my client financial boundaries and gladly adjust fees on a sliding scale or barter.
Being a holistic health professional, I feel that the short term gain of taking credit cards is outweighed by the disservice I would be doing by accept them for day-to-day services.
-
Permalink Reply by Stephanie Keffer on -
I started using paypal on my website about six months into my practice. Several clients a month pay for their massages the night before a scheduled massage. This is much easier for them then going to the bank. I love it and right now the paypal thing is working. Once I get to the point I can justify CellCharge I will use that. I'm 11 months in to working for myself so I'm picky on things.
-
Permalink Reply by Norm Green - My Receptionist on -
So, it seems that the answer to the question that started the discussion is...
Decide to take credit cards based on what is best for you and your business objectives and goals. If you do decide that accpeting credit cards supports your 'practice plan', then do your research and read the fine print.
-
Permalink Reply by Betty Echols on -
Lisa said:Remember...you can always accept credit card payments through a Paypal account, but you would have to get paid before the session.
Also, I wonder if it's legal to charge someone's credit card for a no show. I would try and run that by a legal person as well.
-
Permalink Reply by Betty Echols on
-
I took c/c in Fl 10 years ago and everybody used them.....and I do mean every transaction.
I moved back to GA and NOBODY IN A YEAR used the c/c. I was paying outrageous fees back then.
I have been in Atlanta now for 2 years and have had a few request for the c/c.
THE TWO BIG REASONS TO ACCEPT CC IS THIS:
1.. YOU CAN SELL MORE GIFT CERTIFICATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2.. PEOPLE WILL GET MORE MASSAGES IF THEY CAN CHARGE IT.
3.. YOU CAN ARRANGE ON SITE CHAIR MASSAGES FOR COMPANIES....THIS CAN RUN INTO SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO THOUSANDS.....WE DID ONE THAT WE TOOK IN $8000.00.
THEY ALWAYS WANT TO CHARGE IT....THEY DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO ARRANGE FOR CHECKS TO BE CUT....BEEN THERE DONE THAT!
YOU JUST HAVE TO ACCEPT C/C
© 2013 Created by Lara Evans Bracciante.
