Please Help me, Warriors!!!

by The Sales Guy

Posted: 12 years ago 34 replies

OFFLINE MARKETING

Long story, but, I'll try and make it short...

I conduct most of my client billing through Paypal. Most people feel MUCH better paying an invoice through Paypal because they are one of the securest sites in the world, instead of blindly giving their credit card info to a stranger on the net or over the phone. Most people

Every once in a while, I get a client from Mars, who either doesn't know what Paypal is, or, is too afraid to use the service :confused:

I normally only speak to one of these strange, stuck-in-the-past creatures once in a blue moon, however, I've had the unfortunate reality of having to accept two or three of these clients' credit cards numbers verbally, over the telephone in the past few days. And I have nowhere to process them. It was either that, or it would've be a bitch getting paid from them. So....

I need the best recommendations or referrals on where to go to set-up a quick virtual credit card account. I don't want to deal with the physical terminals, those little swipe readers for my phone or any of that. Just a simple system where I can log-in to an online gateway, type in a clients c/c info, and get paid for.

I do NOT want to deal with any vendors who place holds or reserves on my account, if possible. Also, as I went through a divorce two years ago, my credit is pretty shaky, so, not quite sure how well a credit check would go.

Can anyone help? I need to process these cards a.s.a.p.. as I invested quite a lot of time and money getting clients set-up, so, I need to recoup my monies.

P.S. - I checked out a company called "ProPay". They seem pretty legit, but, I found a few horror story complaints about them online. However, I don't know if it's because they are bad, or, maybe they are large enough to always be receiving complaints like any other company would.

Thanks a million in advance, Warriors!!!

#warriors

bob ross 12 years ago

I think you're going to hear a lot of people who will say to use squareup, even though it's something you don't want to use. There literally is nothing easier and quicker to use than squareup on your phone.

Besides that, you're going to have to go through the process of opening a merchant account (and gateway or terminal)to be able to process CC's over the phone. (and they're going to check your credit, but I believe nameless mentioned in another post that his credit sucked when he first opened his and they gave him a 1k limit or something).

If you do end up using square at some point, they're going to hold money that's keyed in and not swiped for 30 days too. I wish I had a better answer for you but I really don't believe anything will fit the solution you're looking for unfortunately.
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- MrMarkOne 12 years ago
  
  Here's the link buddy!!
  
  squareup(dot)com/
  
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  1 reply
  
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  The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  Thanks guys, I appreciate it. However, I had the square thingee sent me many months ago and never used it. Reason why is, I sell over the phone as some of you know. So, all c/c info is given to me verbally, which means I don't have a physical card, I'd have to key it in. And as you guys mentioned, square treats these accounts VERY suspiciously and places holds, deposit limits, etc. on a vendor. This is no good. Need access to my money quickly, kinda like the paypal system.
  
  BTW, I'm surprised I didn't hear about this, but, I just got off the phone with Paypal. They are releasing a new device in 4 weeks called the 'Here'. It's just like square, but, NO RESERVES, NO FROZEN MONEY FOR KEYED C/C's, NO CREDIT CHECKS, NO MONTHLY FEES, and the list goes on I was floored when the rep told me this. However, just my luck, they won't be available for 4 weeks.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  ewenmack 12 years ago
  
  Back in the days before the internet was alive and kickn',
  I was taking credit cards over the phone and had a
  business owner friend process them for me.
  
  Not an ideal situation, but you gotta do what ya gotta do
  to make the sale and get your money.
  
  Best,
  Ewen
  
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  The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  Ewen, believe me, my mind is EXACTLY where you just mentioned. If anyone has a virtual terminal that would like to make a few bucks, send me a PM. I would ONLY respond to people I know on here, so, no newbs or spammers please.
  
  Thanks
  
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  ewenmack 12 years ago
  
  Got any offline biz friends in retail that you can approach?
  
  Thanks
  
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  The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  Not really, Ewen, and I'm losing my mind here. I tried 2 friends of mine that own liquor stores, but, they said that they cannot accept keyed entries, only swipes
  
  Also, I need a business that has a generic sounding name, as I don't want something like 'Bob's Service Station' showing up on my client's c/c statement.
  
  Jeepers, I feel like jumping off a bridge :confused:
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
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  ewenmack 12 years ago
  
  Are they in the same town?
  
  In other words, drive by to pick up a check from them
  and let them post date it if necessary for their cash flow.
  
  This work?
  
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  The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ewenmack
  
  Are they in the same town?
  
  In other words, drive by to pick up a check from them
  and let them post date it if necessary for their cash flow.
  
  This work?
  
  I'm kicking myself that I SHOULD'VE done this originally, however, life's a lot easier in hindsight I wanted it quicker & easier, now I'm in a bind.
  
  Theoretically, I could still do this, but, this customer is a pain in the butt. Nice guy, but, no patience type of person. So, I'm sure he'd be pretty suspicious if I now wanted to pick-up a check. Just doesn't look right, IMHO.
  
  @KenMichaels - Ken, if that's true, I would be endebted to you forever I have had a Paypal account for 3 years and have NEVER had a problem - not one chargeback, freeze, etc. So, I wouldn't mind verifying that. As times are cash tight right now, I'd need these c/c funds fairly quick, which was the reason for me taking the clients c/c info in the first place. However, I didn't realize how tough it would be to get a terminal quickly.
  
  Thanks
  
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- dnjoseph1 12 years ago
  
  They won't do that - I've been using it for almost a year now and on both swipes and manual key-in's, I've had the money transferred into my bank account in 48-72 hours. Not attacking you, just saying that this isn't my experience.
  
  Thanks
  
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kenmichaels

12 years ago

edit--
just read the responses.... so my post was not needed.

I know someone who will help. Let me get a hold of him, check your PM in about an hr.
If i knew you, i would do it.

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The Sales Guy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by kenmichaels

edit--
just read the responses.... so my post was not needed.

I know someone who will help. Let me get a hold of him, check your PM in about an hr.
If i knew you, i would do it.

Gonna wait on that email, Ken. Whether it's you or your friend that can do it, I'll make it worth anyones while

Thanks

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NewParadigm 12 years ago

You could be honest with your clients saying you only deal in paypal and don't currently have a CC merchant account. Have them cut you a check.
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staxx 12 years ago

Nice very interested in the 'Here' that you are talking about. I currently use Squareup and have no problems but it's always good to have an alternative. I question all the 'NO" type hype though. We will have to wait and see. I bet they change the game on at least some of that policy at some point.
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rbecklund

12 years ago

This is what I do when I get CC payments - I have a paypal business acct, so I if you don't this might not work, But go into your acct and click merchant services along the top menu and click create payment buttons (in the middle area), fill in the info on this page for the service and amount, then click create button. The next screen will give you an option for a link in an email, copy and paste that in your url window in a new page and it will take you to the payment page. There will be an option to make the payment with a CC and not a paypal acct, this should just walk you through a regular payment.

Hope this helps!

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The Sales Guy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by rbecklund

Hmmmmmm, interesting beckland

Quite crafty. However, I wouldn't feel quite comfortable attempting this. It's a very grey area, IMO. Believe me, I'd like to, but, I just can't do it. Thanks for the tip though. Pretty smooth.

Thanks
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ShayB

12 years ago

I've used ProPay for over the phone credit card processing.

They cater to the WAHM crowd (Mary Kay, Avaon, etc.), so they are home biz friendly.

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The Sales Guy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by ShayRockhold

I've used ProPay for over the phone credit card processing.

The cater to the WAHM crowd (Mary Kay, Avaon, etc.), so they are home biz friendly.

Thank you, Shay

Yes, they seemed pretty legit and all, and...even better, no credit check. However...

They too have all of these asinine rules about monetary limits, high risk accounts, etc., etc., etc. I just need to run ONE STINKIN CREDIT CARD

I tell ya, anyone who can come up with a simple, easy, no-fine-print solution to this specific problem and market will get rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Thanks
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ShayB

12 years ago

Originally Posted by The Sales Guy

Thank you, Shay

I tell ya, anyone who can come up with a simple, easy, no-fine-print solution to this specific problem and market will get rich beyond their wildest dreams.

Really? Hm. I never had an issue with them.

OTOH, they may have added some new rules since I was with them. That was a few years ago.

Thanks
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The Sales Guy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by ShayRockhold

Really? Hm. I never had an issue with them.

OTOH, they may have added some new rules since I was with them. That was a few years ago.

Don't get me wrong, Shay, they sounded legit and all...as far as one can tell after only speaking with them on the telephone, but, it was just all of the fine print that made me shy away.

Transaction amounts must be under $500, if the account is 'high risk' they place holds on it (they couldn't quantify their formula for high risk, either :confused

, no 24/7 live support, etc.

Not my cup of tea.

Thanks
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ShayB

12 years ago

Originally Posted by The Sales Guy

, no 24/7 live support, etc.

Not my cup of tea.

Ah, I see. Sounds like they've changed a few things then.

Thanks

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JST3P 12 years ago

PayPal has a virtual terminal product but that requires a credit chech I do believe, you have to apply for it through their merchant services.

PayPal HERE is one option, but currently it's only available for iPhone, sorry android users (raises hand).

Personally I don't trust square, they've been going a few years and (insider info here) they JUST started encrypting their data like last March. DUH. That's so basic and lame I don't trust them just based on that.
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pamon 12 years ago

huge fan of square or even intuit's gopayment options, either does keyed transactions over the phone. square deposits next day into bank acct.
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- The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by pamon
  
  huge fan of square or even intuit's gopayment options, either does keyed transactions over the phone. square deposits next day into bank acct.
  
  A lot of people love them and a lot of people hate them. I've heard horror stories though.
  
  Based on my research, they aren't THAT bad for swiped c/c accounts, however, for keyed entries, they are a nightmare, IMO.
  
  They sent me the free swipe thingee and I never even opened it after reading some of the terrible customer reviews online.
  
  Thanks
  
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Angela V. Edwards 12 years ago

One WSO I purchased recently recommended a PaySimple Merchant Account. Here is what they said about it (as opposed to Paypal):

So, if something ever happened to your payment account... then you still
have all your clients credit card numbers and can move them to whatever
billing you want to use.
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- The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  @KenMichaels - Ken, I sent you a PM, but, not sure if you received it as it's not in my sent box. Let me know if you got it.
  
  Thanks
  
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kenmichaels

12 years ago

I put a call in, i am waiting for him to respond. i did not receive a pm, and i am guessing u did not from me either ... Soon as he gets in touch with me, ill connect you to together.

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The Sales Guy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by kenmichaels

I put a call in, i am waiting for him to respond. i did not receive a pm, and i am guessing u did not from me either ... Soon as he gets in touch with me, ill connect you to together.

Thanks, Ken! I sent you a PM again. It went through this time.

Thanks

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beeswarn 12 years ago

Happens to me too. Sometimes you have to break down and work with a paper invoice.
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- JMB Marketing Group 12 years ago
  
  The Sales Guy,
  
  Here's another alternative to other payment options that have been mentioned above that I'm aware of. You can read more about it here:
  
  http://mikeyounglaw.com/internet-law...chant-account/
  
  Also, do a WF search and you will find further comments on this alternative by searching it this way:
  
  Site:WarriorForum.com "PowerPay"
  
  Hope this is the answer to your prayers.
  
  Good luck!
  
  Cheers,
  
  JMB
  
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  The Sales Guy 12 years ago
  
  I want to thank everyone that chimed in with their responses
  
  UPDATE: After all of that worrying and crying in my beer, I managed to get a merchant account at the first place I applied for
  
  The true measure of a person is not when they flex their "muscles" showing how smart they are, but rather, when they respond to another being in need of help.
  
  Glad I was able to fix this. Your help, feedback and suggestions make me proud to be a member here
  
  [ 3 ] Thanks
  
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PhilaPM 12 years ago

Have you checked out MerchantInc.com? They were recommended my IamNameless in another post. Only $7/month. I'm going to sign up with them next week.
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KingSolutions

12 years ago

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, I thought you could email clients a PayPal invoice. They can then pay (using their credit card) without having a PayPal account.

Thanks
1 reply

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Zeal4Life

12 years ago

You're correct! You CAN invoice clients directly from Paypal and MOST people would not "question" a paypal invoice

I have Squareup, Paypal, PaySimple.

Never had a problem with Paypal (once my accounts got verified 5 years ago)
Squareup deposits next day.
PaySimple works well for checks (just don't like paying the $34 when I don't process a check that month)

hope that helps

Originally Posted by KingSolutions

Correct me if I'm wrong, but, I thought you could email clients a PayPal invoice. They can then pay (using their credit card) without having a PayPal account.

Thanks

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Please Help me, Warriors!!!

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