> |-----------------|Dale Wein wrote:
> DW>DA> Anyone have any experience with accepting credit cards in a DA>
> DW>home-based mail-order business? DA> Startup costs, fees, etc.
> DW>
> In my experience it is very difficult for a home-based business to accept
> credit cards.  The card slips do act as  checks after you have recieved
> "credit card merchant"  status.  To become a credit card merchant you
> must apply and get approved, and they check your credit, just as if you 
>were trying to get a credit card. It is not very easy for many new 
>business's to get this status from the bank. Not everyone is approved.
 
> Give the bank a try, and after getting denied, (if you do get denied)
> then try another bank. Eventually you will find one to accept you. Compare 
> fees with Credit Card Services and the bank.
> Anyone who gives you Credit Card Merchant status is going to charge you
> for charge card reciepts. They all have charges... ie.. a percentage of
> sales monthly equiptment charges, ect... so a little comparison shopping
> between banks Vs. credit card services will go a long way.
 
> I know at my store credit cards equal approx half of our cash-check
> sales. ie.. on a $3000 day, $1000 will be in credit card sales and $2000 in 
> cash and checks. It would hurt us not to be able to accept them.
 
> Deliberate your options, if it is worth it to you then do what you have
> to do.
 
Hi Folks....
 
I run a home-based business and found NOVUS to be EXCELLENT.  The cost to me 
to become setup was quick, painless and very easy.  They qualified me BEFORE 
charging me.  As a matter of fact, they don't charge you if you don't 
ualify!
 
They charged me $80!  I now accept Mastercard, Visa & Discover.  I could also 
accept American Express but elected not to because the rates aretoo high.
 
They (Novus) charge me 1.89% on a charge, no minimum, free supplies, $11 per 
month for the electronic card swipe.  I also paid $25 for a manual card swipe 
so when I'm at a clients home or business I swipe the card imprinting it to a 
charge slip, call for a verification number and once back at the home-office 
make a manual batch entry in the electronic swipe machine.
 
Novus is a GREAT service and a true friend to the home-office industry!
 
John Benjamin
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