Card machines? Any advice?

[nixnewcastle]

Hey geeks im looking to maybe take on a card machine when i get the new salon up and running and im needing a bit of advice.

I've been thinking about getting one for a while now and with expanding and taking on products to retail i think it's probably the best time to get one.

I've also noticed things look more expensive when you are paying cash than it looks when your paying on card and i do think clients will spend more this way.

What advice can anyone give me?

 

[-sophisticutz-]

Hi.
I took on a card machine just over a year ago. I have found that people are more inclined to have 'impulse' buys now.

I did my homework and in the end went with Natwest. They were offering a better deal than my own bank could give me plus, a few local business owners recommended them.

Also if you are part of a recognised professional body: I am with the NHF, you can get a preferential rate.

 

[WAX inc]

im with barclays cardsave, i just rang barclays who i do my business banking with when i first opened and they sorted it all out for me. there are lots of companys you can choose and they all charge slightly different commisson rates and rent for the machine. be careful with the get out clause though as cardsave wanted to charge me nearly £150 quid to terminate the agreement with them. iv had to sign for another year on the condition i can terminate it after 12 months without a charge. bit annoying cos better offers are out there but i cant take advantage of them for 12 months. contracts can be so hard to get out of and iv made lots of cock up along the way so id say the most important fact in signing up with any company is how long are you legally stuck with them if you change your mind.

 

[fozzyo]

Shop around, check any associations you belong to for offers / deals they have. I am a member of the Federation of Small Businesses and got my machine through 123send.net and their FSB deal. Both are well worth it!

Mat

 

[Julia Moran]

We got a good start up deal through the FSB also, free instalation and charges for the first couple of months. Its an RBS card machine and have had no problems so far, touching wood!!!

 

[fozzyo]

If you use the search you will also find several threads on this subject that we worth looking at.

Mat

 

[persianista]

your bank is the best place to start.
Your spend per client will definately go up significantly. Three quarters of our revenue comes in via the card machine.

 

[Blissful]

After much deliberation I have just signed up to accept cards. I shopped around, and cardsave was the best for me (uses streamline) they beat all my quotes with only a 12 month contract. I will see how it goes but my advice is take your time and negotiate!

 

[nixnewcastle]

thanks everyone i'll make sure i shop around. I just think people will probably spend more if i have one and i wont feel as bad taking alot of cash from people and be more confident putting my prices up

 

[bombini]

I had a mobile terminal with Silverpay and it was quite expensive, when my accountant worked out the total costs for the year I was stunned !

I rented a room at the time so I couldn't have a landline terminal and the mobile ones are pretty expensive whoever you go with so I didn't have much choice.

Definetly worth having one as it does help with retail, especially with walk ins. I stock Dermalogica so was always having people come in just to buy retail and they always paid by card.

A lot of people have cashback & points credit cards so they like to pay by card so they can build their points.

 

[fozzyo]

The 123Send terminal, and I'm sure some of the others, are Mobile terminals - no need for a landline as they have a mobile phone built in! Great for taking to events, show's or for mobile therapists.

Mat

 

[chilloutcalm]

How much does the 123send cost each time and monthly?

 

[fozzyo]

Just copied this from another thread:

I use a terminal from 123send.net and have it through the Federation of Small Businesses offer.

It is £25 a month rental plus authorisation charges (25p debit, 2 - 2.5% for credit). With the FSB deal there is no setup fee, and the Streamline account for authorisations is free too - usually £10 a month.

It is also a GPRS terminal - so doesn't require a phoneline, it has a mobile phone built it for authorisations so can be taken anywhere for payments such as fair, events, parties etc.

Wouldn't be without it now!

Mat

 

[nixnewcastle]

the mobile one does sound good so you can do loads and sell loads at pamper parties and events. I just dont want to pay too much for one though cause it eats away at your profits

 

[Helen v]

Hi, don't forget once you have got your terminal and have seen how much you process (normally giving it a year) write to the company and ask them to review your commission rates and charges. We have done this each year and have always got slightly better rates without the hassle of changing suppliers. I would also say the majority or our clients pay via card.