Credit Card Payments? If you take them - what service do you use?

Charles,

When I mentioned prepaid CC's, I was referring to the Visa gift cards or AmEx or if the lady has a GD card, a .

I wasn't saying that the gents should have to go get a "hobby credit card." lol

If you have an Android or iPhone you can just download an app called Square. Supper simple. Just be sure to pay your taxes.

Prepaids might be ok since they don't have a trace record. I still think that cash is the best way. Pay it and forget it. I'm sure the provider will very happy with that also. lol

I was just going to mention about the wretched chargeback possibility. In the event a client is "caught" he/she can always report the card stolen and the charge fraudulent. Which, IMHO is the beginning of the long, hard eye.

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned charge backs.

In this business and knowing how pissy SOME guys can get, he could fight the charges and most likely win. Meaning, you're out the money. Sure you can blacklist him, but its not going to stop the fact that you're out money.

Taking credit cards in this business is a bad idea. I don't care if you pay your taxes or not. Not only could local LE get into your business, but FEDS could very easily pressure you with other "laws broken."

Accepting prepaid credit cards from Walmart/walgreens/etc. is easier and no damn paper trails.

Remember folks, this business is all about discretion and credit cards are NOT discrete. Originally Posted by MsElena

Well, actually, the hobbyist doesn't need to register the reloadable cards he purchases to pay for his meeting. The provider will need a registered card to load the monies onto though.

And a MO is usually a percentage of the total amount and may even have a limit.

Cash is great but I've enjoyed alot more business thanks to and PowerPay .

One more down side from the hobbyists standpoint.

A lot of mention has been made of prepaid CCs. Or even Green Dot. Nowadays, as I understand it, federal law requires you to register your real name and SSN even on these cards. Part of the Patriot Act, as I understand it.

About a year ago I started to purchase a GD card. Then I read the activation instructions. Never purchased it. I walked into a customer service counter at a grocery store chain and got a money order. They printed it in blank...for $.99. The cost of purchasing the GD card was $4.95, much more than the money order.

Just my .02. Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

What's Square?

If you have an Android or iPhone you can just download an app called Square. Supper simple. Just be sure to pay your taxes. Originally Posted by MisterBills

Okay, this is some sexy ass technology. I will have to do a full blog on this "Square" app. Exciting!
Thanks, Mister Bills

doing a full read on Square now

its free, going to install it on my phone.. they say you can get a free card reader too go with it.... will look into that

@Spirit13 - http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...der-2011-2.DTL

And it's Vivienne Tam. I'm installing it now, too )

read up on Squared and it has some issues.. like it does a tax rate, needs your SSN... but I am guessing that the reader might work on more than just Squared.. for the price its not bad.

Keep me posted!

read up on Squared and it has some issues.. like it does a tax rate, needs your SSN... but I am guessing that the reader might work on more than just Squared.. for the price its not bad. Originally Posted by Spirit13

Didn't know some of that. Thanks for the tip.

There are some stand alone machines you can buy that use connection to a pc to pass through to the net, or use a direct network connection, or dialup which allows you to swipe card, input amount, get authorization, and print a receipt.

The size is about that of a desktop calculator. One side of coin on a stand alone is that its stand alone, fairly small and can go with you. down side is if its a networked model (non dialup) then you cannot get approval till you get online. Dial up versions need a phone jack.

There is also that Green Dot. They can buy money paks with credit and give you. You just have to load on your green dot card, its a visa/master. You can load $2500.

Its in your real name but no bank account, know body has to know you have it.

If they dig hard sure they may find it but its less likely.


(from what I read on the website) was considering getting one.

In addition, I have heard from several ladies that GD will close your account if you use it for "commercial" purposes -- purchasing ads, for example.

That's exactly right. It's not to do with the amount you spend but whether it appears to be used as a personal or business card. If you are using it to book hotels, flights, pay for ads etc they will cut you off pronto. If you use it for an ad here and there and a cell phone bill and various other innocuous purchases you are all good. You have to use it for personal things only..nothing that looks business related. If you load cash which you just withdraw they will also cancel...money laundering concern.

Just a caution with GD cards.