Cash is a thing of the past and plastic is the name of the game in the trades community! If a contractor cannot offer a customer the option of paying by credit card the job often goes to another contractor who can offer that possibility. Now cash isn’t bad but in general people do not have access to large enough sums for the jobs contractors are providing, which leads to a problem in terms of payment. The popular solution is to pay by credit card - as a trades worker make sure you can tell your customer that you accept credit cards so that you are given the job and it doesn’t go to the next person on the list.
If you decide to accept credit cards one huge benefit is that you are paid almost instantly and it doesn’t matter how long the customer takes to pay off the credit card charge. Our economy is not fantastic right now, but many people still have credit cards with funds available. If you can offer them that option it may be more appealing and than cash because it gives themflexibility with their finances.
One of the nice things about credit cards as a form of payment is that you don’t need fancy equipment to give customers that option. It is as simple as using your cell phone to process transactions . The 1-800 telephone number will be given to you and then all you do is follow the prompts to guide you through the payment. Money is deposited in as little as two business days directly into your business account. These accounts are typically called ‘MO/TO merchant accounts’ and take very little time to set up and your company can advertise that they accept all major credit cards.
Customers today are doing so much more research and comparison shopping that you may be overlooked as a company if you don’t offer credit card payment options. Even if this option only brings you a few extra jobs each month it is worth it. Getting set-up with a merchant account won’t be a business decision you regret.
Tags: accept credit cards, business, business tips, credit card processing, general contractors, home improvement, merchant account
