Re: BIZ Question - the ability to process credit cards

fred schlomka (fredsch@maroon.tc.umn.edu)
Wed, 2 Oct 96 19:54:36 -0500

> Anyway, this whole credit card thing seems very *SLIMEY* to me (it doesn't
> help that the guy quoted me $420 over the phone for the software, then, in
> person told me that that would the first installment of what was really
> a $720 charge. $420 seemed incredibly overblown for that stuff, let
> alone $720!! ).

Yes the whole credit card business is 100% slime. However we have been accepting
cards for a few years now doing much what you are doing. A modest mail order
business, a couple of State fair booths, festivals, craft shows etc. Almost half
of our business is via credit cards. It's very worth it to pay the fees. You are
being charged too much though. Why do you need $1440 worth of software? We
purchased a small terminal to Zap the cards for about $400 when the business was
signed up. It authorizes the transaction via phone lines, and works from our
cellular phone too (handy at outdoor Fests). We also pay an annual fee of $125,
plus 3.25% of each transaction, plus a $0.20 transaction fee. Hope this helps.

Fred

Maxemilian Productions voice 612 227 6041
Cultural Gateways International fax 612 227 0320
Order Line 800 985 8040

PO Box 40275, St Paul MN 55104 USA Email: schlomka@well.com