Cheapest card machine

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Forestboy1978
Posts: 1000
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:57 am
Location: southampton, hampshire

Post: # 111176Post Forestboy1978

I've had it with chasing customers for money. It's one of those things that really ****** me off. I'll never understand the mentality of it. It's clear in my quotes 72 hours but 1 in 5 people delay. What's annoying is that if there's a delay I'm left wondering each time if I am never getting paid at all. Best case scenario, I've got to take time out of my day to make a phone call that I find uncomfortable and I'm sure the recipient does too.

So, out of you guys who use portables, how do you find them and what rates are you paying?

Many thanks

Forestboy1978
Posts: 1000
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:57 am
Location: southampton, hampshire

Post: # 111177Post Forestboy1978

I'd like to add.. when I go to a store to buy something I don't go there and make a purchase without having the facility to pay. I would never dream of not, upon assessment of any work I had carried out, immediately pay the contractor. Just would not dream of it. What goes through these peoples heads to assume it's fine to take a week or more to make a payment???? Grrrrrrrr

rxbren
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:41 am
Location: northampton

Post: # 111178Post rxbren

Got an izettle although don't use it there is around a 2% charge for using it. Last time I used it, it takes a while to get your money aboutva week or so and at the time if someone paid American express you had to wait a week then you would get 1k then over the next few days get 1k a day till the remaining balance was cleared

Forestboy1978
Posts: 1000
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:57 am
Location: southampton, hampshire

Post: # 111179Post Forestboy1978

rxbren wrote:Got an izettle although don't use it there is around a 2% charge for using it. Last time I used it, it takes a while to get your money aboutva week or so and at the time if someone paid American express you had to wait a week then you would get 1k then over the next few days get 1k a day till the remaining balance was cleared
Ta for the feedback.

Nope, not paying 2% for someone to then hold my money for at least a week. I find that almost as offensive as customers who drag their heels.

Gotta be something better.

I'll pay 2% but I want the machine for free and transactions to be instant.

Dave_L
Site Admin
Posts: 4732
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:47 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Post: # 111180Post Dave_L

Don't think you'll get a free machine with instant monies available.
RW Gale Ltd - Civils & Surfacing Contractors based in Somerset

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Forestboy1978
Posts: 1000
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:57 am
Location: southampton, hampshire

Post: # 111181Post Forestboy1978

I need to figure out whether my biz account will then also charge me for the transaction. I think not. I seem to recall electronic transactions are free.

Might bite the bullet on getting a delay then. Don't like it but at least I will know I've been paid. That's the main thing. God, I'm slowly becoming an angry pi**y individual gah

rxbren
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:41 am
Location: northampton

Post: # 111182Post rxbren

Doesn't matter who you use there always someone getting a cut even the proper card machines have a monthly cost before you pay a percentage.

GB_Groundworks
Site Admin
Posts: 4420
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 3:55 pm
Location: high peak
Contact:

Post: # 111184Post GB_Groundworks

dont paypal do one plugs into smart phone?
Giles

Groundworks and Equestrian specialists, prestige new builds and sports pitches. High Peak, Cheshire, South Yorkshire area.

http://www.gbgroundworks.com

rxbren
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:41 am
Location: northampton

Post: # 111187Post rxbren

Same as the izettle but depending in how much you use it rates 2.7% down to 1.5% then you got to deal with all the bs that PayPal has will they just be judge jury and executioner like they are for eBay related problems giving people refunds with no comebacks

lemoncurd1702
Posts: 712
Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2013 7:56 am
Location: South Wales
Contact:

Post: # 111188Post lemoncurd1702

Forestboy1978 wrote:I've had it with chasing customers for money. It's one of those things that really ****** me off. I'll never understand the mentality of it. It's clear in my quotes 72 hours but 1 in 5 people delay. What's annoying is that if there's a delay I'm left wondering each time if I am never getting paid at all. Best case scenario, I've got to take time out of my day to make a phone call that I find uncomfortable and I'm sure the recipient does too.

So, out of you guys who use portables, how do you find them and what rates are you paying?

Many thanks
If you take payment by bank transfer I think it's a case of "I'll do it this evening mate", then evening comes and the PC is not fired up or it simply gets forgot about due to other distractions.
I prefer bank transfer as it saves a trip to the ever decreasing banks but sometimes a cheque on job completion at least feels better.

I've never asked for a deposit on acceptance of quote or on commencement of job but of late I'm thinking at least cover the material cost. After all why should I fund the clients project.
Cheers
Lemoncurd

Forestboy1978
Posts: 1000
Joined: Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:57 am
Location: southampton, hampshire

Post: # 111189Post Forestboy1978

lemoncurd1702 wrote:
Forestboy1978 wrote:I've had it with chasing customers for money. It's one of those things that really ****** me off. I'll never understand the mentality of it. It's clear in my quotes 72 hours but 1 in 5 people delay. What's annoying is that if there's a delay I'm left wondering each time if I am never getting paid at all. Best case scenario, I've got to take time out of my day to make a phone call that I find uncomfortable and I'm sure the recipient does too.

So, out of you guys who use portables, how do you find them and what rates are you paying?

Many thanks

If you take payment by bank transfer I think it's a case of "I'll do it this evening mate", then evening comes and the PC is not fired up or it simply gets forgot about due to other distractions.
I prefer bank transfer as it saves a trip to the ever decreasing banks but sometimes a cheque on job completion at least feels better.

I've never asked for a deposit on acceptance of quote or on commencement of job but of late I'm thinking at least cover the material cost. After all why should I fund the clients project.
Yeah me neither. I have it written in my terms that we take payment on completion of the job. Specifically not after materials are dropped as improper use of materials can often render them useless. If the job is large we break it into stages.

I've thought about removing that and getting payment for materials cos otherwise being reviewable and having taken zero payment until completion of the job gives the customer sooo much leverage, they can be as much of a pain in the ass as they like and they know it.

rxbren
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:41 am
Location: northampton

Post: # 111190Post rxbren

Delayed payments suck especially if you have a few jobs on at a time now anything we carry out over £1000 unless theyre a days work are either 40% to be paid before work starts or depending on the job staged payments.
I know programmes say dont do it and when I started of I didnt, but I pay for all my materials up front when someone decides they're going to avoid paying a few k a month late it puts strain on everything why should I fund someones project an risk my own house on the chance of getting paid at the end

Donk
Posts: 28
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:18 am
Location: Worcester

Post: # 111191Post Donk

Take a large lump up front when the blocks are delivered so they can see they are not just handing cash over for nothing. Something like 60%, make sure this is clear up front. No work starts until you have it. Then the day before the job is complete give the final bill. Sometimes it's easier to have someone else to do the money chasing (the mrs) as they are a neutral person and the client is more likely to let on if there is a problem or they dont like something you have done as it avoids confrontation. Remember us brits dont like to complain directly we take to trip advisor etc and moan.

dig dug dan
Posts: 2504
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 10:20 pm
Location: hemel hempstead,herts. 01442 212315

Post: # 111192Post dig dug dan

I have a portable machine for the crusher side of the business. It uses all mobile networks to find a signal, I can do transactions over the phone.
but I pay £25 a month plus vat for the machine, then 1.2% debjt cards and 3% credit cards, it takes three days for funds to appear.
bear in mind that if a customer goes to his card issuer to quibble the payment, they get it back, you get the funds withdrawn no questions asked, leaving you twisiting in the wind.
izettle or the paypal one is face to face only, amd expensive on fees.
bank tansfer is the best way for you.
Dan the Crusher Man
01442 212315
www.crusherhire.co.uk
"a satisfied customer? we should have them stuffed!"

rxbren
Posts: 394
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:41 am
Location: northampton

Post: # 111194Post rxbren

That's the biggest issue with card payments
I have the first izettle card reader which doesn't have the keypad not sure if it still even works the izettle was the cheapest option for me at the time but fees are 2.7% unless you put thousands a month through

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