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Accepting Credit/debit Cards?
I'm considering this. Any recommendations? Do you find it a profitable addition to your business, or do you find it best to only receive cash and checks?
Views: 280
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on
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I have mostly accepted cash and checks which I prefer naturally. However, in this day and age people seem to
prefer debit or credit card. If you can find the right plan that doesn't cost you much, it is worth having this convenience.
It is especially handy during holidays and if you want to sell packages.
If you are in sole practice and can stay on the cash basis, go for it! -
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Permalink Reply by Exie Buehler on
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Hi Sue,
I've been accepting credit/debit cards for several years. I use Cellcharge which is endorsed by ABMP & has a low monthly fee (as well as competitive per charge fees). This method of payment, although costing me a bit of the top of each session price, has been extremely convenient for my clients and has enabled me to sell many gift certificates (even to a person in England once!) With Cellcharge, there is no equipment rental as everything is done manually via your cell phone. This also makes it convenient for spa parties, outcalls and events. At this point, I feel that accepting cards has been essential to the growth of my business.
Hope that helps! -
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Permalink Reply by Sue Rexford on
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Thanks for the replies. I just opened a new studio and everyone wants to pay with a Debit/Credit card. I haven't lost business because of it yet, but Gift Certificate and package sales would be so much easier. I think I'll give Cellcharge a look. Thanks alot.
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Permalink Reply by Kirsten Niesar on
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I have only been accepting cash and check for the last 6 months. When we had a change here at my office and lost the charge card machine, I looked into different options. I also looked at my charges for the previous two years. I found that most of my clients were already on a cash or check basis and most who weren't were using Debit cards anyway. It would cost me about $50/month in fees to offer a credit card option so at this time I don't. The only real change is that one of my people who used to buy packages just pays per visit now (because she was collecting miles). I do not believe I have lost any sales (or work) by not taking cards.
I have had situations where people do not have cash or checks on hand then I give them a self addressed stamped envelope to mail me a check when they get home.
I also have become so disgusted with the whole credit card industry that I personally don't want to give them any more money than I need to. We consider it our way of keeping people financially healthy as well as physically. -
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Permalink Reply by Tom Florio on
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I have always accepted credit cards. Initially, I used Cell Charge. Their rates are a little on the high side, but you don't need a credit card terminal or phone line for the terminal. Once I was getting a sufficient number of credit/debit cards I weighed the cost of CellCharge against a lower rate by having a terminal. Found processor that offered a free terminal, decent rates, and I had a dedicated phone line installed. At first the lower rate and the cost of the phone line made it an equal expense to the higher rates of CellCharge, BUT the convenience of being able to slide a card and not have to call was awesome.
I also accept credit cards on my website through Paypal. Paypal is a great option if you have a computer in the office. -
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Permalink Reply by Karla Linden on
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I have never been set up to accept credit/debit cards - it is cost prohibitive for me.
I do, however, accept cash and checks and PayPal.
About half of my patients are auto accident cases, so I'm paid on those through insurance. -
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Permalink Reply by Donna C. Agrinsonis, LMT on
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Hi Gloria, I am with you on that. I wish I could just stay on a cash basis for simplicity sake but it is time for me to take things to a new level so I now have no choice.
Gloria Coppola said:I have mostly accepted cash and checks which I prefer naturally. However, in this day and age people seem to
prefer debit or credit card. If you can find the right plan that doesn't cost you much, it is worth having this convenience.
It is especially handy during holidays and if you want to sell packages.
If you are in sole practice and can stay on the cash basis, go for it! -
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Thanks Karla and Tom. Good info. I have Paypal but have not learned all about it yet. I will definitely look into Cellcharge also.
Karla Linden said:I have never been set up to accept credit/debit cards - it is cost prohibitive for me.
I do, however, accept cash and checks and PayPal.
About half of my patients are auto accident cases, so I'm paid on those through insurance. -
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Permalink Reply by Stacey Kent on
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I have accepted credit & debit cards the past 5 years and have found it a positive step for my practice growth. I also am able to accept flex-spending & flex-fund through my terminal which greatly benefits state employees who have access to that employee option. I used to share a terminal and split fees with other practitioners in my office (counselor & aestheticion)...
Shop around, check this forum. and even poll your clients to see how they feel about its benefits or effects on them...I used to use google checkout online for GC sales via credit card when it was free of per purchase fees...then it changed, but its worth a look. AMTA also offer discounts as does ABMP with related service providers... -
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Sheard, LMT, NCTMB, CIPI on
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I use CellCharge also. I like it. Personally, I am terrible at keeping cash-change on hand, so it's been handy to be able to run a card instead of not getting paid in full, or not having change for someone (why they can't just let the extra $10 go towards tip, I don't know!) I agree with Kirsten about keeping people financially healthy as well as physically, but at this point, I need to be sure *I* am financially healthy, and I think I would be missing some busienss if I didn't offer this payment option. Believe me, it's a tough call to keep taking credit payments when I wish the credit card industry could be shut down and let us learn to live within our means, the country as a whole. Ugh. Okay, I'm done.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Wolfes, CLMT, CRP on
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Through all my 23+ years of massaging as a sole proprietor with no staff and an Outcall practice, I have never accepted Credit/Debit cards because I didn't want the added expense of the card machine. ONLY since PayPal came to be have I accepted CC's and only for those prospective clientele who choose to pay in advance or for Gift Certificates via a link on my business website. Very few have asked about plastic when making a phone appointment and have never caught a client without money to pay. Just my experiences of course.
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Permalink Reply by silvana marroche on
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Hi there :)
Interesting, so the insurances pay you directly, as the MT? do your clients have a doctoers referral, so that you can get paid by the insurances? I am just curious how it works for MT's :) thanks! Silvana
Karla Linden said:I have never been set up to accept credit/debit cards - it is cost prohibitive for me.
I do, however, accept cash and checks and PayPal.
About half of my patients are auto accident cases, so I'm paid on those through insurance. -
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