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Mudbath

:wave:

Horace - that's awful! It must have been a nightmare at the time!!

Moneymabel - well done on the photo's, hope they're ok.

Quick question - how many of you take payment by credit/debit cards. In 12 years of running my business i've never been asked to take payment by card. However, today I received a call from a lady who'd seen my website and wanted to purchase a gift voucher and pay by card. Is it expensive to set this up? Is there a cheap way of doing it? If I did it via paypal would they need a paypal account too? Any ideas?????? Thank you x

starxtrouble

if u do it via paypal you will need to set up a paypal account, which is free. Paypal charges 3.5% of the amount plus a fee of about 50p. (might be less... i got a paypal payment today in euros and the fee was in euros so i cant remember how much it was) they take the money out straight away when u receive it (it used to be they charged it when u transfer the money into your account)

you can however.. either charge the customer the extra amount..

or theres someway of deducting it against ur tax return (i just havent worked out what it is yet!)

Star

Horace

I don't take card payments as yet but when I do I shall arrange it via the FSB as I get a discount on the wireless card machines - I haven't investigated the cost as yet.

The stalker thing was particularly horrible especially as the b*tch was still meeting me for lunch on a weekly basis and exchanging emails daily. I eventually figured it was her by telling her a load of lies and watching to see what happened - low and behold she couldn't stop herself from posting them on a chat forum:rolleyes: I guess you could call her a troll - how sad she was to be jealous of my life, she didnt like the fact that her husband left her whilst me and mine split amicably:rolleyes:

My chap was out all day yesterday and didnt get back til gone 7pm - then he charged the battery on my car, took me shopping and even better paid for the shopping:j

I must ring the accountant today and ask where that letter is that she promised would be emailed yesterday.

Purpleroses

Oh Horace what a nightmare! Good job you found out who it was!

We use a card machine, best deal was through our bank. On quiet months when there's hardly any transactions its about £8ish a month, busy months when its over £4K its about £75 a month. So we charge £3 extra if using a card to cover the costs.
They don't need a paypal account to pay by card which is a bonus so may be more cost effective to do it that way.

I have so much to do I don't know where to start! ohh think some coffee would be good

Have a good day all

Mudbath

Hiya
Thanks for the information about payment by card. This time I emailed the lady in question and said 'at this time we don't take payment by card but you can pay by cash or cheque'. She phoned this morning to say a cheque was in the post. I'm going to research my options and see if it's going to be worth starting to accept card payment. I think it will have to happen at some time as cheques seem to be used less and less.

Small rant now: a client didn't turn up this morning and when I phoned her she said 'I forgot'!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! This has never really happened until the last two weeks where i've had 5 people not turn up. I'm going to have to put a sign up saying if people don't give 24 hours notice then they'll have to pay x amount of the treatment anyway. Don't know how that will go down but it might make people think twice!

Have a fab day xxx

Carrie85

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

Horace wrote: »

Welcome Carrie

The first year is hell - I haven't long started and often wonder what the hell I have done but then I think of the alternatives e.g going back to being a PA and general dogsbody and having to do jobs that I hate whereas now I work for myself those jobs seem to be a bit more enjoyable:D It is hard setting up on a shoestring and I am getting there slowly. What is it that you do? Have you thought of joining the Federation of Small Businesses (you get free banking for life and a host of other things through them) and perhaps your Chamber of Commerce too as they have some networking events which may be useful plus they give out business advice.

Thanks for the advice haven't looked into any of that, not sure if i can as i'm a sole trader. Haven't got business banking yet as i'm just not doing enough jobs to need it, although starting to think maybe I should.

Sorry didn't mention what it was I do. I'm a Scenic Artist, paint anything really mainly backdrops and sets for theatre and TV. Although i'd love to do more commission based work which I've had my first enquiry for.

Its fun work when I get it just need a lot more to make it a career.


Been busy with other stuff the last few days, although some good news, I did get myself an interview for lots of freelance work with another good company. Fingers crossed I get the work. Won't hear until at least Friday so not got much else to do except tidying and looking for more work as usual!

TCM_3

Carrie, you can get free business banking with the FSB and join the FSB as a sole trader as thats what I am and have full membership with them - they are very good and always helpful.

I have my card machine through them too Mudbath - it was a lower rate than the bank and a lower % of transaction. The only thing I would say to you is to keep a record of the total daily transactions you put through it and check it off with your bank statement and the terminal statement as sometimes there is the odd discrepency.

I am glad you got rid of your stalker Horace, what a complete nightmare for you.

Scaringly quiet in here today - i have £12 in the till so far and am way down on my target. Still, trying to stay positive, have a shed load of rugs to wash and mend so am getting my head down and getting on with it (stopped for a quick cuppa hence waffling on here!)

Hope everyone good
T

Carrie85

so as soon as i'd written that message i got a call from the people I was interviewed for yesterday and they want me to work next week! :j

should be on off work until christmas as well, really happy. First time in a long time things start to be working out, although better not speak too soon. Will see how it goes next week

Mudbath

That's brilliant Carrie...such a good feeling when you get more work! Well done xx

Horace

Well done on the temp job Carrie.

Purple - are you getting ready for your trip to the states?

I swear by the FSB - I got my certificate from them yesterday. It cost me £150 to join for 12 months and although I havent yet taken advantage of the free banking (I need to send them a business plan and 90 days worth of bank statements from my personal account - I want to wait for a while and get statements from TSB and send them instead). After reading their mag, I noticed that they have support for disabled people too so I shall investigate that further. When you join the FSB they also send you a book of vouchers so that you can make savings on their wireless credit card machines.

Mudbath with regard to people not turning up for appointments, certainly say that they need to pay a surcharge in fact start taking credit card payments and when they make an appointment take the credit card number from them and warn them that if they fail to turn up or cancel their appointment with plenty of notice that you will charge their card. I need to make an appointment for some treatments as I am in desperate need as I have turned into hairy mary:eek:

Enjoy playing with the rugs TCM - I am sure work will pick up soon.