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Offliners: How do you set up a payment method?

by Funkymonkeyman
12 replies
I'm thinking of using paypal as my main option. I'm about to start my offline ventures but I'm not sure how I deal with the payment. I'm offering a service so I'm having them pay first.

How do I make it a legit sale. Like make sure they have some sort of proof or receipt so that they have something to hold on. I don't want them to think that I'll take their money and run off before giving them the service.

How do I get rid of this doubt?
How do I make a payment option that makes people trust that I will come through with my service?
#method #offliners #payment #set
  • Profile picture of the author TheRealKG
    If your staying mostly local I would use something like square. It allows you to accept credit card swipes from your phone or iPad. I prefer something like square or Intuit GoPayment over online payments because it requires a face to face meeting (chance to pitch other solutions). If you really want a one in all solution I would go with Intuit Quickbooks combined with the intuit GoPayment. The GoPayment is shipped for free and I believe it is 2.75% per a swipe when accepting payments. The Quickbooks will let you accept online transactions and also allow you to track finances, send invoices, write proposals, and all sorts of other awesome things once you start using plugins. It will also send transactions from your GoPayment to your quickbooks accounts automatically. It can start getting pricey for Quickbooks though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Brian Boyd
    Banned
    In my business, I have found that a lot of places prefer to pay with check as opposed to PayPal or some other electronic means...

    I typically invoice for 1/2 the amount upfront and the other half upon completion of the project....If someone is paying me monthly for something like SEO I just send an invoice to their office each month...Also, I really never have too much trouble with people not paying...

    Like I said, it seems that a lot of my clients prefer this over PayPal, etc....
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  • Profile picture of the author Funkymonkeyman
    What happens if they don't pay you the second half?
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Checks, 100% up front... check by phone, I print it out same day, in my account the next day.
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    • Profile picture of the author danielsteven
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Checks, 100% up front... check by phone, I print it out same day, in my account the next day.
      I have always done 50% up front and 50% upon completion.. do you notice any hesitancy with 100% up front? Lol I have never asked for 100% up front but it would solve a lot of my "chasing clients down" problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheRealKG
    There's nothing wrong with checks. But I'm telling you every time I go in and take final payments with my Ipad + GoPayment setup I've had nothing but positive experiences. The clients are impressed. I even have a client who has asked me to set up a similar system for him. Plus the meeting is usually very pleasant. It's kind of like a "what's next" type of meeting.
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  • Profile picture of the author Funkymonkeyman
    how do you do checks by phone? Do they send you a picture? What do you use?
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by danielsteven View Post

      I have always done 50% up front and 50% upon completion.. do you notice any hesitancy with 100% up front? Lol I have never asked for 100% up front but it would solve a lot of my "chasing clients down" problems.
      Never have any hesitation. Most businesses are used to paying by check. Roofing companies that pay their suppliers, usually by check. Same with most industries. Nobody really questions it.

      Originally Posted by TheRealKG View Post

      There's nothing wrong with checks. But I'm telling you every time I go in and take final payments with my Ipad + GoPayment setup I've had nothing but positive experiences. The clients are impressed. I even have a client who has asked me to set up a similar system for him. Plus the meeting is usually very pleasant. It's kind of like a "what's next" type of meeting.
      Yeah that might be cool, but the majority of my clients are out of state. Plus, you're wasting money. I had a merchant account and 3 months worth of processing fees were worth more than what most people ever make doing this lol. 2.75% is high.. I was paying 1.9% and it was costing me a TON. You also run risk of chargebacks. I personally will never accept credit cards again.

      Originally Posted by Funkymonkeyman View Post

      how do you do checks by phone? Do they send you a picture? What do you use?
      Google it.. It's very simple. Or use the search function of the forum, and you'll find in depth information.
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    • Profile picture of the author justmerob
      I do mostly face to face calls & meetings so Square & PayPal Here have been awesome! Still get those checks at times tho.

      I've done the invoice part before and found it takes them way to long to get off their rumps and pay it...
      Signature
      "There are no magic wands, no hidden tricks, and no secret handshakes that can bring you immediate success, but with time, energy, and determination you can get there."
      -- Darren Rowse, Founder - Problogger
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      • Profile picture of the author mojo1
        I received this video from Mark Helton today that although doesn't give all of the ins and outs of getting check payments by phone. However, it does offer some insight on printing a check draft template that according to Mark might be helpful in saving you some money and trouble when collecting payments from your customers.

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  • Profile picture of the author meeka87
    paypal is the way to go......
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  • Profile picture of the author jharri
    Paypal with subscription service!
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