Anyone still do this?

[pretty]

Hi guys..just wanted to know if anyone still does not accept credit cards? I work in a salon where we just started taking credit cards a few years ago..I tried to accept them but it ends up costing me more! She divides the cost between the hair stylists and myself (and they have many clients who use cards} okay, not too many of my clients use credit card, most of them use checks or pay cash...so, it was actually costing me more to accept them..so for now, I only take credit cards around the Christmas season when more people are apt to use the cards for massage...and i then pay the fee...but otherwise it's a waste for me...I feel bad when someone does flip out a card, and I say "i'm not accepting them at this time" and i feel like a cave woman...and my salon owner won't work with me on this..either i pay the full split monthly charge or I dont accept cards..

 

[maxiumus]

I don't take them in the office, but have the option to take them on my website through paypal. As of now, everyone either pays by check or in cash. I haven't even had someone ask if I take cc's.

As for my MT, as well as her coverage, don't take CC's either.

 

[Somebodyelse]

In my private practice I don't take them right now ~ not enough of my clients want to pay with a card. I do have a paypal account but haven't really used it much as a way for clients to pay with a card.

At the studio I work at they do take credit cards but with them I get a flat rate based on the session length and it's the same no matter how the client pays.

 

[Barb M]

I don't take credit cards and neither does my therapist.

 

[Voistikiphete]

I wouldnt be without my cc machine. So many people use them, especially around the holidays. If you are just a small time operation, I think it is fine. I feel it gives a business a certain type of credibility when you accept credit cards. Most people expect it to boot.

I cant believe how many times I have heard the following:

I dont have any checks OR Oh good, you dooo accept credit cards!

People like to use them, who am I to turn away money in plastic form?

They also come in handy for spaboom purchases. I am having a great Valentines Day over here, let me tell you! My machine hasnt had a chance to cool down all day. From February 1st until today, my conversion rate is almost 36%!!

 

[ezpaced]

I do accept CC. Just out of curiosity, how much was the owner charging you for using the machine? It sounds as if shes charging you a fee even though you dont use it as much as the other employees? Thats odd, not very good business on her part!

 

[JamesHenderson]

I don't take credit cards, but I have a solid clientele of regulars who are used to paying by check/cash. I don't accept new clients very often, but when I do, I always warn them in advance that I don't have a credit card machine, so they're not caught off-guard.

Now, if I was just starting my massage practice, I'd probably accept credit cards and include that information in my advertising. It is one way to set yourself apart.

 

[PB&J]

I don't accept credit cards either. Very few people have even asked me about it. The only client I ever lost over it was another MT. I called to remind her of her appointment and reminded her of the payment options at that time, as well as the 24 hour cancellation policy. She returned my call when it was less than 24 hours prior to the appointment and said in disbelief "You DON'T accept credit cards? Well, that's going to be a problem for me!" It ticked me off, as she already knew this when making the appointment. She must have mismanaged her money and didn't have the cash at the time of the appointment. I think perhaps she was looking for a trade or something. She never did rebook, which was just fine with me! I was getting a very negative feeling from her.

But, that's the only "client" I've ever lost because of not accepting credit cards. It might be easier to sell packages if I accepted them, but quite honestly, I prefer NOT to sell packages. When I've done it in the past, it seems to lead to problems. It seems people want to start giving their sessions away to other people. Or they decide they want to lengthen or shorten a session and "borrow" the time from another session. I had a client move too far away when she had 3 or 4 sessions left. It has just never gone smoothly. I don't advertise or offer packages. If a client asks me about it, I will sell it. So, the credit card option is really not a big problem when it comes to this.

I've occasionally had a client forget their checkbook, but they are established clients and I just have them mail the check. I've had last minute gift certificate requests where there is not enough time to wait to receive the check before sending the gift certificate, so I send it in good faith. If I never receive the money, then I just don't honor the gift certificate. Never been a problem so far.

 

[Joe N]

But, that's the only "client" I've ever lost because of not accepting credit cards. It might be easier to sell packages if I accepted them, but quite honestly, I prefer NOT to sell packages. When I've done it in the past, it seems to lead to problems. It seems people want to start giving their sessions away to other people. Or they decide they want to lengthen or shorten a session and "borrow" the time from another session. I had a client move too far away when she had 3 or 4 sessions left. It has just never gone smoothly. I don't advertise or offer packages. If a client asks me about it, I will sell it. So, the credit card option is really not a big problem when it comes to this.

I do allow people to purchase packages and give them to other people. Most of the time though, it is someone giving it to another family member. I dont sell many packages though.

 

[chuck]

I allow people to purchase packages and give sessions to their immediate family members only. Most of the time they don't, they keep them ALL for themselves. : But a few times I've had a sick client on package send in the husband or the daughter to take the session, instead of canceling. Works for me.

I've never had anyone ask to borrow time from another session, or shorten it to save time. :shock: They're not buying 6 "hours", they are buying 6 "sessions" of an hour each.

I do take CC, and do quite a few packages. Also, it allows me to do the spaboom gift certificates, so it has been worth it to me. Since I switched to Costco's processing, the total expense has yet to exceed $25/month, so it has been well worth it.

 

[0sm0di0r]

I do not accept credit cards in the office, and I don't have any plans to in the future. I do online, for gift certificates, but that's it. I also do not accept checks, except on a veeery occasional basis from regulars. Even though I live in a very highly plastic-happy area, I have never yet had anyone hem and haw about paying cash. In fact, few (if any) have ever even asked me about whether or not I take credit cards. I think maybe 1-2 people in nearly 2.5 years. Even back when I accepted checks, most ppl opted to pay cash. (Ceasing to accept checks hasn't made any perceptable different, either )

I prefer to fly below radar, not pay out fees, and continue to be able to offer our clients specials and maintenance programs. And for that, people gladly pay cash

Hugs,
~Jyoti

 

[Jigsaw]

I have been accepting cc since last year. I am glad that I decided to do it! ItSales have boosted and I can sell gc on my website. I started with Card Service International but I am switching to Sam's Club. They have a telecharge service I do over my cell phone. It's $5 a month service charge, you must process at least $25 a month and they charge 3.47% per transaction.

 

[zoetodman]

i am surprised by the number of you guys who say that you're not asked very often if you accept cc's. that seems crazy to me! people are always asking everywhere i go. not just in my shop but everywhere. i accept cc's and i couldn't imagine not doing it. i truly believe it helps keep me busy. it's really convenient for people & it really doesn't cost that much.