Online Credit Card Payments

[Hugmaster 0]

Hi folks

 

I'm trying out an experiement for a few months to see how it goes.

 

I've now added the facility from my booking from to make an online payment via Paypal. this will mean the customer can pay the deposit immediate and through the member's area, they can pay the outstanding balance.

 

I'm going push this one pretty hard while the test is running.

 

The thinking behind it is based on making it so simple for the customer to book us, how can they not want to do it?

 

Also, if I can get customers to pay before the date of the function, that'll make it easier to collect payments and not have to worry about it on the night.

 

I'll let you know how it goes, so far it seems to be working well with someone using it within 24 hours of the system being available.

 

Darren

[ChrisPointon 0]

Good Luck with the trial and let us know how you get on.

 

From a personal level and already accepting cards, I did try this myself and it didn't really take off, but you may find that it works for you.

 

Don't forget to allow for the cost of processing your payments though!.

[kazzachi 0]

Agree with crispy.... accepting credit card payments does cost YOU.... make sure you include it in your fee..... remember, when you book a holiday, most on line tour operators charge an extra 1.5% - 2% - but remember to work out all your set up charges and transaction charges and either work it into your fee or advise the customer that there is a charge for credit card payments.

[Paul Forsyth 0]

http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

 

Payment's a funny thing, or is it just me.

 

Although it's nice to be paid up front, I kind of miss not getting my hands on the dosh on the night http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/533.gif

 

Be better to get it both ways http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif

 

Vinnie

[OK KARAOKE 1]

QUOTE (Vinnie @ Sep 14 2004, 10:57 PM)

Be better to get it both ways http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/071.gif Vinnie

Almost happened to me once ;)

It was a £100 gig and they`d paid a £50 deposit. http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

On the night they offered me £100 and when I pointed out the error they said; "Oh, we thought the £50 was just a booking fee on top of the disco charge".

I cried about that for a whole week.... http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/014.gif

 

[Paul Smith 0]

Let us know how it goes Darren. Personally I get most of my payments up front by offering a discount, but only by cheque or cash, so I'm interested in adding this choice. From a DJing point of view by having payment in advance means that you can attend the gig with just your 'DJ Hat' on - you don't have to worry about chasing whoever has the money. It's also 1 thing less for the client to have to think about.

 

Vinnie's makes a point about getting your hands on the dosh on the night - what's better - getting your hands on the dosh 2 weeks before and then attending the night without the worry of who's gonna pay you and when.

 

It's different with a regular clients but when you are doing 1 off gigs for people it's more relaxing to know that the money is already in your bank account before you start, even if you offer a money back guarantee.

 

Let's face it, although we all enjoy the job (well most of us most of the time) we do it for money.

 

PaulS

[nrgize 0]

Sounds like a good idea! http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html/emoticons/beer.gif

[Steve 0]

Have not really looked into accepting card payments to be honest......it is so simple to send a cheque through the post.

 

Most of us on this forum are regular internet users understanding safe and 'dodgy' ways to make plastic payment online, those who rarely use the internet are likely to be still reluctant to entering credit card details onto ANY website.

 

QUOTE

Personally I get most of my payments up front by offering a discount,

 

Do you always offer a discount for upfront payment??? Ive never done this, I have always found that the customer asks you how / when you want the payment rather than me bringing it into the conversation. If the customer wants to book you and you offer a contracted gig I cant see anything wrong in taking full payment upfront.

 

 

Steve

[ChrisPointon 0]

Just something that hasn't yet been mentioned

 

with Paypal, doesn't the person making the payment also have to have to Paypal account?. If so what are the chances of a client having a Paypal account. I think it takes a few days for Paypal to make the security procedures and for the client to view the authentication details on their CC statements to verify and hence activate their their account?. Surely it would be faster to just send a cheque?. Especially as some clients may only have internet access at work, and be prevented at firewall level from making SSL transactions.

 

Or have you gone for the Merchant Service Account, Darren, where you can accept cards directly?

 

Let us know how successful it is in the coming months, since I may be tempted to try it again.

 

 

[Hugmaster 0]

Hi

 

Chris, Paypal will now do Credit card transactions without the purchasing needing a Paypal account, good move I'd say.

 

 

[Steve 0]

Sounds a lot more practical....i thought both parties needed a paypal account.

 

The takeup should be a lot higher now

 

Steve

[Paul Smith 0]

I thought I'd drag this one from the dungeon.

 

Darren how did the experiment go?

 

Which Paypal account are you using?

 

What are the charges (annual, monthly, set-up, per transaction).

 

I've just had a quote back from World Pay to take payments on-line for my new venture. Set-up £200; £30 per month to administrate; 4.5% of each transaction plus a lb of flesh http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/wacko.gif

 

PaulS

[jackcu 0]

That looks expensive - I set-up a Worldpay account at work - no monthly fee and a low % rate (but we're a charity). £30 a month just to have it doesn't seem worth it.

 

Cheers,

 

Jack.

[DJ Marky Marc 0]

paypal fees per transaction are 3.4% + £0.20

 

so if your Disco is £200 (just to keep the number easy) then you would lose

 

3.4% = £6.80

 

+ 20p = £7.00

 

£7.00 would cover fuel and drink on most gigs so why let pay pall have it. whats wrong with cash ???

 

if you do weddings in london at lets say £350 - 3.4% (£11.90) - 20p that leaves you £337.90....

 

if you did 2 weddings like this a month you would be paying PAYPAL £290.40

 

IT SOON ADDS UP.....

 

now also factor into this the people who DJ part time for a little extra money and dont tell the TAX man...

 

He will love paypal. its a paper trail... he will be able to tell you when you did a disco.... so no more discos at mates rates if they use paypal to send you the money

 

Its also not a secure way of doing things... If the credit card is stolen or customer wants to make trouble and try it on they will claw the money back from you. and leave you with nothing....

 

 

[jackcu 0]

That's the big drawback with credit card payments of any kind - if the transaction is fraudulent, it's the merchant that loses out every time. Even years after the event the money can be "chargedback". It's like never knowing if you've earned a penny for years http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/sad.gif

 

Of course, that's just the worst case scenario.

 

Jack.

Edited May 25, 2005 by jackcu

[FDDJ 0]

I offer to accept payments by Paypal but levy a 4% transaction charge to cover the payment fees.

 

Nochex is a cheaper alternative at 2.6% + 20p.

[DJ SPARKO 0]

never use the card via internet never just dont trust it nowadays. i just take my card to stupid various venues and batter my balence as ads knows http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/attentionwhore.gif http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Dynamicdiscos 0]

I have thought about offering this as an option but I'm really not sure if I trust paypal. Also I have my doubts that it would actually take off with the customers.

 

Let us know if it works for your Darren. You can be the guinepig for us http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif