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I am contemplating getting my business set up to accept credit cards. I do home remodeling and construction. It is a bit pricey to get set up for this and therefore I want/need some input from others.
Would you be more inclined to do business with a contractor due to their ability to accept a credit card payment?
I know a lot of people hire places like Lowes and Home Depot to do their installations due to the credit terms they offer. A lot of times I can beat their prices by A LOT. Do you think it would sway you (as a homeowner) to do business with me when the only difference is the use of credit? Forget the fact that I provide more personalized service and hand-picked, quality materials.
I'm having a website built as I write this... and am highly thinking of fronting the money to get started on a credit acceptance program. I am trying to provide what seems to be an important option nowadays. Do you agree this would help my business?
Thanks for any replies.
IMO on a small repair i might use a credit card but large one i would rather do a bank loan due to instrest(guess i'm kinda wishy washy) hope this helps good luck with the work end of things aswell.BARRY
Would you be more inclined to do business with a contractor due to their ability to accept a credit card payment?
I know a lot of people hire places like Lowes and Home Depot to do their installations due to the credit terms they offer. A lot of times I can beat their prices by A LOT. Do you think it would sway you (as a homeowner) to do business with me when the only difference is the use of credit? Forget the fact that I provide more personalized service and hand-picked, quality materials.
I'm having a website built as I write this... and am highly thinking of fronting the money to get started on a credit acceptance program. I am trying to provide what seems to be an important option nowadays. Do you agree this would help my business?
Thanks for any replies.
Craig, I've been taking credit cards for years, no big start up expense the way I did it. I don't have the machine, I just take the info and phone it in, realy simple for me as I do allot of internet selling, but in my other business now and then we get request to pay by card, I think they are shocked when we wsay yes and perhaps tht gets us the job sometimes???? But they charge you anywhere from 2.5% to 5% fee and it's illegal to pass this on to the buyer or customer (maybe hide it in the price). Those fees add up and I think it's depending on volume what yiur rate is.
I have to agree that most people do not pay for home repairs with credit cards as most contractors I know don't take credit cards. But if this will give you an edge, go for it, if it don't work out, drop it.
Big John
John, like you said, the fees will add up. The info the creditor sent me today said 0.4% per transaction. At first, I thought that was great... but then I just realized that is only the middle-mans fee. The credit card company then takes another 2 to 5 percent. Whoa... thats a lot of money. I do some jobs that are 30 grand or more. No way would I consider losing 5% of that money just so someone can use a card. Not worth it. Okay, so I already made my decision... no cards here. haha.
Exactly, the fees are there but I'm not sure the are that high, the 4 to 5 percent is standard, high activity they drop it some, but another 2 to 5 percent
I'm not sure.
It's a good chunck on a 30,000 job, if you build it in somehow, might put you over the budget.
Good desicion.
Big John
IMHO, I think you should look into the expense & paperwork (time) vs benefit on the credit cards. I'm sure that CC's might bring in a little more business. Not sure if it would help your bottom line. I am not sure if issueing credit to your customers was an option. If it was, I would strongly reccomend against that. I personally know of two lumber business' one huge, one small, that were brought down primarily due to bad receivables. In this economy, bankruptcy, is not uncommon. Even if a customer does not declare bankruptcy, chasing money is a frusrating reality. I would think that you would need a current cash flow to buy materials and pay for labor, including yours!
Hope this helps Craig.
Richard
I've been accepting cc for 10 years. most of my cc transactions are for lawn sprinker repair and services, however, I do regularly have people pay their installations with cc because of miles and free gifts. my rate is about 2.65% with a .25 cents per transaction fee. But I get my money in 24 hours, no bounced checks, no chasing money. On a $3,000 install, it costs me less than $100.00. I can live with that to get my money. Just my 2 cents. Don't do American express, their fees are outrageous. good luck
As a consumer i would say that it is worth it for you to take credit cards.
I have used them almost exclusively since I had a whole lot of trouble with a carpet installer I had in my house several years ago. It was a nightmare experience that i won't go into but ultimately i was able to reverse the charge on my CC until the job was done to my satisfaction. Prior to doing so I could not get him to answer my calls after he left the job 3/4 done. One he was out $1100 he was at my house 2 days later.
