What credit card merchant service do you use?

Erbeman

So, I'm taking the step from part time photog with a SmugMug Pro website to starting an actual photography business. I registered a business name yesterday and got my tax ID. Tomorrow I am meeting with a graphic designer to have her start working on a logo and business card designs. Next will be a custom website, still don't know whether to go with flash based or HTML.

Anyway, I'm about to join the PPA and I saw one of the benefits is their partnership with Midwest Transaction Group. The rates seem very good and on their site, they offer the use of smartphones as terminals for on $89. That sounds really good to me.

So, who all uses MTG and what are your thoughts of them? Do you use the smartphone terminal? Anybody using a different transaction company that offers good rate that you are happy with?

Photog4Christ

You WANT to use MTG! They know photographers and the special needs of photographers. They understand that you'll be collecting a retainer (weddings) and then receiving payment in advance of the service.

99.9% of Merchant Agreements specify that you can not charge the credit card until the item is delivered. This is why mail order retail establishments don't charge your credit card until your item actually ships. (If they do it any other way, they're in deep doo doo).

Call Charlie Creamer (pronounced "Kramer") at MTG and tell him your a photographer.

Erbeman

Thanks Neal!

ColoradoSkier

I have been waiting on Square for some time now (they have just recently started shipping readers and seem to have quite a backlog). My business is fairly seasonal, so while it might cost me more per transaction, it'll be easier than paying monthly fees even when I don't have anything going on. I am checking into MTG and the ROAMPay device though.

Photog4Christ

Erbeman: You're Welcome

Chester: MTG doesn't have monthly fees.

Things I liked about using MTG (I don't any more... reason given below):

1) They're in Michigan

2) Customer Service is DA BOMB!

3) No contracts! No fees outside of your processing!

I got setup on MTG and used them for less than 90 days. I had been running a photography business for four years and due to various reasons decided it would be best to close the business. I called MTG to cancel and they did so without any extra fees or any excuses. I think I had to give them 30 days, but that was about it (and I expected that).

Before I got setup on MTG I was with another service provider and I was under a contract with them. I had to wait for the contract to expire before I could start with MTG. I wish I knew about MTG on Day #1!

-Neal

entropysedge

MTG is great!!!!!

fredjclaus

Thanks for the information on MTG. I am also using Square but was once with Leaders Merchant Sservices. They also have an IPhone app but after not charging many cards they opted to start charging me a monthly fee.

For me it's hard to find a merchant account company. Since I only charge about 5 cards a year the monthly fees are not worth it. I'm going to call MTG tomorrow.

ColoradoSkier

Fred - are you actually using Square, or in the queue for a reader, etc? If you are actually using them, would love to hear how happy you are and if it is going to be worth the wait.

MTG sounds perfect, I am in a similar situation to you...

fredjclaus

I'm in the cue to get a reader. I was in the original Beta but I closed that account once I found I could only charge $100.00 per transaction and only $500.00 in a month. Now that they removed those limits, I signed up again. Guess I should have kept my original account. I could have had my reader by now.

Does anyone know if MTG offers a way to accept credit cards through Iphone? I tried their site, but it's not working.

ColoradoSkier

fredjclaus wrote: »

I'm in the cue to get a reader. I was in the original Beta but I closed that account once I found I could only charge $100.00 per transaction and only $500.00 in a month. Now that they removed those limits, I signed up again. Guess I should have kept my original account. I could have had my reader by now.

Does anyone know if MTG offers a way to accept credit cards through Iphone? I tried their site, but it's not working.

MTG supports a device called ROAMPay from ROAMData - http://www.roamdata.com/roampay.php

ColoradoSkier

Just got my info from MTG. Looks like there is a $15/ month fee for having MTG + ROAMPay for the iPad/ iPhone, + $59 fee for the ROAMPay card wipe device (plugs into the iDevice audio port).

Here are the breakdowns:
MasterCard/ Visa/ Discover
Qualified Swipe - 1.55%
Mid - Qualified - 2.25%
Non -Qualified - 2.95%
Monthly Fee - $5
Per Transaction - $0.20

AMEX is higher

ROAMPay Setup - $59
ROAMPay Monthly - $10
ROAMPay Transaction Fee - $0.05

I haven't seen what Square is going to charge, but MTG/ ROAMPay looks reasonable, although Monthly Fees help me lose interest.

ColoradoSkier

After the initial email from them, I had some questions. Here they are, with responses.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have some additional questions:

1) Do you have a different rate structure that does not include monthly
fees? There are only a couple times a year I am going to need to accept
credit cards, and it doesn't make sense to me to pay monthly fees when I am
not using the service. Or do I just pay the monthly fee in those months
when I use the service?

You only pay the monthly fee in months with not activity. You can put the
ROAMpay gateway on "seasonal close" for long stretches of inactivity which
would save you the $10/month. We also have a system called Touch Tone
Capture where you just call them into an automated 1-800 number. The
monthly fee would only be the $5 for that system. The set up is $29 and the
per transaction is 50 cents instead of the 20 cents.

2) Does the ROAMPay audio port setup fee ($59) for my iPad include the swipe
device, or is there an additional charge for that?

The information was supposed to say "Audio Port Card Reader", so yes it does
include the swipe device.

3) Does the ROAMPay option also still give me the possibility of keying a
transaction without the card in hand, or is it a swipe only option?

Yes, can key them in on your iPhone or log on and do it from a
desktop/laptop.

As an FYI, I am also exploring https://squareup.com as a vendor as they
don't have monthly fees.

Yes, this works similar to Pay Pal where the funds have to be deposited into
one of their accounts and transferred out to your checking as they permit.
Also, the swiper is not "encrypted" so the card information is not secure.

ColoradoSkier

BTW - it sounds like Brandon and Chuck are the guys at MTG that know the ROAMPay stuff - 1-888-599-2209

fredjclaus

I called MTG as well but they don't seem to offer any merchant accounts with no monthly fees anymore. Even their telephone line card service has a fee of about $5.00 a month.

I am currently signed up to use Squareup.com merchant services, but because of the backlog I have not received my card reader yet. They seem to be the ONLY iphone compatable merchant service with no monthly fees. I've called every single one including Paypal. Paypal was the most expensive one mind you at $30.00 a month.

Erbeman

Wow, not really liking all those fees and high percentage's. I mistakenly assumed it was 1.55 across the board. That doesn't look that great to me. Since I've registered my new business, I've been bombarded with calls on my cell phone from merchant card companies trying to get me to choose them as my card service. I hae been ignoring them becuase I was so sure MTG was who I was going with. I'm not so sure that's the case any longer.

I found this review of merchant services company reviews. I think I'll be in contact with Flagship to see what they have to offer.

http://credit-card-processing-review.toptenreviews.com/

ColoradoSkier

My Square reader just shipped, so I'll likely give them a shot before going the full merchant account route.

Njordan

ColoradoSkier wrote: »

My Square reader just shipped, so I'll likely give them a shot before going the full merchant account route.

Mine just shipped as well... Not sure when I'll use it (I also only charge cards 1 couple times a year). Looks promising though!

ColoradoSkier

My reader arrived today. Just tried a transaction on my iPad, super easy. For as little as I take cards, this will be perfect.

Njordan

Got mine yesterday as well. Tested my card through it... VERY simple. You put the amount, choose, card, swipe, enter email address for receipt, sign (With your finger on my phone) and away it goes.

Learned that it was developed by a co-founder of twitter and a co-founder of the 3rd Degree Glass factor in St. Louis. (Both of St. Louis).

Andy

http://squareup.com is pretty awesome, reasonable fees, no hassle signup and no commitments or hidden crap at all. Easy reader for iPhone, iPad and Android. Wow, couldn't be easier to set up, really. I use Google Checkout for larger payments but it's nice to have ability to swipe a card or input a cc# and have them sign right on the iPhone or iPad. I don't do a lot of payments this way, so I'm not so concerned with fees, though the square fees are very, very reasonable.

fredjclaus

Square is my choice because I don't have the monthly fees. The per transaction fees are a little hirer for me, but it's still a great price. Since, like Andy, I don't do too many credit cards, if I had a monthly fee, the months I didn't charge any cards would be eating away my profits in fees. I love the fact that I pay maybe 1/2 % more per transaction when I charge a card and don't have to worry about fees on the months I don't use it.

ChatKat

Easier
No matter what you do you want to make it as easy on the customer as you can to pay you.

I have PayPal, Google Checkout, Elevon (Costco) Merchant Processing, and I take checks, cash and any other method except the taking of someone's first born. I will probably get Square soon too.

Sunstruck

ColoradoSkier wrote: »

After the initial email from them, I had some questions. Here they are, with responses.

Thanks for the prompt reply. I have some additional questions:

1) Do you have a different rate structure that does not include monthly
fees? There are only a couple times a year I am going to need to accept
credit cards, and it doesn't make sense to me to pay monthly fees when I am
not using the service. Or do I just pay the monthly fee in those months
when I use the service?

You only pay the monthly fee in months with not activity. You can put the
ROAMpay gateway on "seasonal close" for long stretches of inactivity which
would save you the $10/month. We also have a system called Touch Tone
Capture where you just call them into an automated 1-800 number. The
monthly fee would only be the $5 for that system. The set up is $29 and the
per transaction is 50 cents instead of the 20 cents.

2) Does the ROAMPay audio port setup fee ($59) for my iPad include the swipe
device, or is there an additional charge for that?

The information was supposed to say "Audio Port Card Reader", so yes it does
include the swipe device.

3) Does the ROAMPay option also still give me the possibility of keying a
transaction without the card in hand, or is it a swipe only option?

Yes, can key them in on your iPhone or log on and do it from a
desktop/laptop.

As an FYI, I am also exploring https://squareup.com as a vendor as they
don't have monthly fees.

Yes, this works similar to Pay Pal where the funds have to be deposited into
one of their accounts and transferred out to your checking as they permit.
Also, the swiper is not "encrypted" so the card information is not secure.

I would inquire further if they are PCI compliant. The banks are banding together to combat credit card fraud. http://www.pcicomplianceguide.org/pcifaqs.php#7 Interesting read, if you browse down.

Penny

karemiksch

? I like the square up ....have been looking at MTG (which I still cant find amounts), Pro pay, etc.

Can you use square up from a computer also if needed? I know there are times your phone does not have signal....

Photog4Christ

Sunstruck wrote: »

I would inquire further if they are PCI compliant. The banks are banding together to combat credit card fraud. http://www.pcicomplianceguide.org/pcifaqs.php#7 Interesting read, if you browse down.

Penny

Yes they are (says so on their web page.)

karemiksch wrote: »

? I like the square up ....have been looking at MTG (which I still cant find amounts), Pro pay, etc.

.

Try giving Brandon Creamer (pronounced "Kramer") at MTG a call: 888-599-2209

ColoradoSkier

Ran my first charge through Square yesterday. Flawless problem, and overnight they transferred the funds to my bank. For as infrequently as I do these things, this is perfect. Especially now that I have an Android phone (picked that up yesterday too) and can process payments on either that or my iPad. I recommend it if you have infrequent needs that trump the desire to pay monthly fees.

karemiksch

I went ahead and signed up for Square. My Phone slider was shipped the next day....hope to get it soon.

The way I look at it, is I DONT know how much I plan on using it. BUT, Most places are charging equipment, and a cost for using the phone each month (some Ive seen as High as 10.00). I know Squares processing fees are about 1% more then most -

BUT-

Even if the other plans are 5.00 a month. (totally 60 year). I would have to Charge 5000. in the year that equals 50.00. So unless I make it big, OR should I say...UNTIL I make it big...I think this works.

d3vilr3d

Merchant services provider bankcardclub.com has great rates. They also have mobile solutions if that's your cup of tea. Here's their MOTO Credit Card Processing rate (mobile / wireless / etc).

Photog4Christ

Just wondering. Has anyone actually read through their merchant agreement? Most agreements state that you can't charge a credit card until you have actually shipped (or delivered) the tangible product. That's why when you order from B & H and if the item is backordered, they don't actually charge your card until the item is shipped to you.

Photographers usually charge a card in advance (for a retainer of services) or before an item is delivered. Example: A wedding photographer would charge a card to receive payment prior to the actual shooting of a wedding or prior to the delivery of an album.

There are Merchant Services Providers that are aware of the needs of a photographer and they take this into account when drawing up the agreements. MTG works with photographers and they know that photographers have special requirements.

Dan7312

B & H charges when you order:

Photog4Christ wrote: »

That's why when you order from B & H and if the item is backordered, they don't actually charge your card until the item is shipped to you.

Photog4Christ

Interesting to know. My point is basically that most places don't charge you until they actually ship you a product. That's the requirement as per the merchant services agreement. Photographers on the other hand, charge before the item(s) are delivered, such as wedding/portrait photography services, albums, retainer of services, etc.... That's all I was trying to point out.