no more cheques! need a cheap card set up

[estherlou]

I currently don't take cards in the salon, and the girls in the hairdressers that i rent from don't either, problem is people just don't walk with cash these days and i have to say i'm getting fed up of cheques, i do have a day off in the week but have three kids to contend with so don't brave the bank, i do deposit monies through the cash point at night after i close but this adds 2 days onto cheque clearing time:irked:
I don't earn a fortune and i'm finding over half of my treatments are paid for by cheques.
Can anyone advise on a cheap card system to use, i know i'm gonna get charged but can't deal with all the bank trips anymore. also i don't have a landline phone set up to the salon is this a problem?

 

[oey]

There is lots of threads on here that have discussed this very topic. Have a search round to see if that will help.

Here is just one of the many threads for you:

http://www.salongeek.com/biz-geek/62873-credit-card-processing.html

 

[estherlou]

oh you can tell my head is full of cold, didn't think to do a search, off to do one now, thanks for your reply T x

 

[HelenRobinson]

Hi Estherlou. This is a problem that is becoming common place but once you do get a card payment facility you will see your business and product sales grow. Silvergum have mobile terminals and have an offer at the moment of a minimum contract of only 3 months so you can try it over the party season with out being tied in to a long term commitment. They are in the Services section, other threads (for opinions) as Oey mentioned or here through the link http://www.silvergum.co.uk
Helen

 

[sharon h]

hi I run my salon from home and I have a notice up on the wall stating Sorry but at this present time I no longer accept cheque, credit/debit cards. when people ring me to book an appointment I just inform them that at present I do not accept cheque, credit/debit card, cash only. I have only had acouple of people ask me why. I have told them that a cheque has bounced more than once from clients and I am looking into a credit machine. these clients turn into regular clients that pay cash. I dont see why i should have to pay a bank to sort out my business cheques or why I should have to pay for a credit machine when people can bring cash.at the end of the day the less we have to pay the less we have to put up clients fees for treatment.

 

[HelenRobinson]

Hi Sharon, being able to take card payments has shown to grow business and can make a big difference when selling products or courses of treatments etc. Personally I can't recall the last time I wrote a cheque and am told the banks charge for them now. I'm sorry you have experienced problems.
Helen

 

[dee]

hi ya i hada phone call from the federation of small businesses the other day , saying that the co-op are offering so many months free line rental and free business banking for life , maybe try them ,
hth xx