I know this was discuss before but I was wondering how do you handle payment from you customer. Do you only accept cash and checks? What about credit cards?

Cash. I'll take a check if it's someone I know well - otherwise, cash.

Paypal also works for me.

When I worked from home, I took credit cards, but you really need to have a good bit of volume to justify the expense of having one of those machines in your house.

People tend to spend more if they pay with plastic, than if they pay with cash. I think the stat is something like 22% or 28% more.

Cash, checks and credit cards, but I have a separate biz where I really have to accept credit cards. Then the final balance I pretty much require them to use PayPal.

I accept cash, cheques and credit cards through Paypal. I have actually had clients tell me that they called me over competitors because I accept credit cards - they like to collect their points!

When using the PayPal method do you charge the customer the fee or do you write it off? Also is this PayPal safe? How fast does it post to your account? Sorry for the questions...... I really need some good advice.

I'm not sure how Paypal works, but in the agreement with MC, VISA, etal, you are not allowed to charge the customer the credit card fees.

You can discount for cash ... but you can't charge extra for credit.

As with anything legal .... all things could vary by state.

Before you add any fees to your customer's invoice, check with Paypal first to see if they have a policy in place. It seems I recall seeing "something" about it (in my heavy ebay-buying/selling days), but I just can't recall.

I kinda figured it was not right to charge them for the convience. Thanks so much!

With credit card with out Premier account

4.9% + $0.30 USD (limit of 5 transactions per 12 month period)** for domestic or U.S. transactions

2% + applicable Fees Fees for cross border payments

4.9% plus $0.30 USD for card payments received using PayPal on Skype

Premier/Business account

1.9% to 2.9% + $0.30 USD

I find the convenience of accepting Paypal (credit cards) probably pays for itself in getting more orders (some people probably order who cannot afford it in cash).

I do write off the Paypal fees, as its a service I'm paying for towards my business.

Cash is king.

Same as Kitagrl, I write off the Paypal fees - I find that it brings in so much business it pays for itself. I also work with ALOT of out-of-town (or out-of-country) brides who are coming home to Ottawa to get married, so having Paypal is very convenient for them to pay online...it even does the currency conversion for me automatically.

Our credit union had a really good deal for taking CC's. I dont rent the machine,I bought it for 200 bucks (which I can deduct) and I pay very low percentages every month and have no mim. You may want to check with your credit union. It was even cheaper then Costco. (Paypal is expensive to me! I guess you pay for the convience)

I do not put any order in my books until a deposit is made and the CC's have REALLY helped with the headaches of collecting that deposit. A lot of brides are collecting points for their honeymoons so they love it. And like Deb said, they spend more with a CC. And I can take an order on the phone and boom we are done.

I have been lucky I guess, never had a check bounce on me.

For low volume credit cards Paypal is the best, and it is probably one of the safest ways a client can pay you. I love it because I have a Paypal Business Debit Card and the second a customer pays me I have the funds available for use, no waiting 2 to 5 business days to collect my money for a credit card processor. Pretty cool, and I also write off the fees as a business expense on my taxes.

To my knowledge, It is a nationwide law that only non-profit orgs can upcharge on a credit card payment to accommodate a fee, no other entity can do so. So you take the tax cut instead...LOL!