Do you accept credit card or check?

What's the best way to accept payments from your customers?

[mongoo]

Hi,

I am trying to figure out the best way to accept payment from my customers.

Check or Credit Card?

If I accept their credit card number, I might run into some liability issues if their credit card number was ever stolen. If it was stolen I could be blamed!
However, if I accept a check, I don't see that there would be as many possible hassles; although, bookkeeping could get a little tricky. What do I accept?

Help!

Mongoo

[phantombookman]

Credit cards all the way!
I take both on my sites and virtually nobody pays by cheque, all secure server and merchant account

[mongoo]

Hi PhantomBookMan!

Sorry, but I didn't mention that I am actually meeting with my clients. I am a Webmaster/SEO consultant like most of the people on Webmaster World. Therefore, I am taking there order and payment right on the spot... in person. So, do you still think I should take their credit card info?

Thanks for the reply!

Mongoo

[phantombookman]

Hi Mongoo
that is, of course, different. I presume most of your clients would expect you to invoice them for your services. Therefore cheque seems more likely, and cheaper for you.

Few people, certainly over here, would pay for professional services on a card.

[Pfui]

A major client prefers to pay via PayPal and also covers the fee PayPal charges me on each transaction. (2.5% Merchant Rate for > US $3000/month.) eBay-owned PayPal is quick and convenient for all involved.

[HRoth]

Is there any reason why you can't take both credit cards and checks?

[mongoo]

Pfui - That sounds like a good suggestion. I'll check into it.

HRoth - I would like to except both, I just wanted to make sure there isn't any unknown problems with taking credit cards.

If anybody sees any downsides to excepting credit cards, or, if you've had any "bad experiences" with taking credit cards from your clients, please let me know.

It would be great if I could charge my clients over the internet, however, because of the business I am running(meeting face to face with clients), that may not be realistic.

Maybe I'm overthinking this whole thing! If everyone else is charging their clients [in person] then I probably don't have anything to worry about.

Thanks everybody!

Mongoo

[Corey Bryant]

There are always going to be downsides. You have basically already pointed them out.

But how is your relationship with your clients? More than likely it is going to be last more than a month. If so that is always a good thing because it will help reduce fraud and chargebacks.

If you are in the United States and doing more than $1,000 a month, a merchant account is usually better for you in the long run. Otherwise, you might check out Paypal / 2CO

-Corey

[mongoo]

Thanks Corey!

[ByronM]

I wouldn't ever advise for PayPal. Atleast with credit card transactions you are insured to a degree.

Split up your transactions to smaller chunks at stages so if you get any issues you can isolate them before it costs you.

[mongoo]

Byron,

That's smart - I can tell you probably got burned at one point or another.

Mongoo