Author Topic: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal? (Read 2062 times)

SquirtyQueen · « **on:** 18 February 2023, 08:46:18 pm »

I'd like to start accepting card payments and wondered if anyone has experience of this?
For example, what percentage of clients were happy or even prefer to pay by card? My company name is short and vague btw!
And then which bank has the most reliable/best priced terminal?
Huge thanks!

xw5 · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 February 2023, 09:22:22 pm »

One word: chargebacks.

The main disadvantage with taking card payments is that clients can then report that it wasn't them / some other fraud. If the card company believes them - and they tend to do so, because there are more customers than people accepting cards - they get their money back and you get the money taken off you, typically with an additional charge for being so silly / guilty for accepting a fraudulent transaction.

If the card company discovers what's actually happening (for example, because someone does fancy a freebie via a chargeback) then they are very very likely to be annoyed. None of the main companies want to take payments for sex work and those that do will charge a hefty premium. When banks get annoyed with you, you can easily end up with no-one willing to let you have a current account.

If you're determined to try, Square aren't owned by PayPal in the way that iZettle is - PayPal really hate sex work - but there's a reason that sex workers aren't like performers at the Edinburgh PBH Free Fringe, all clutching their card readers...

SquirtyQueen · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 February 2023, 09:29:47 pm »

Some good points xw5, thank you!
I was thinking of offering it to longer term regs for the longer meetings.

Mirror · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 February 2023, 07:00:45 am »

Quote from: SquirtyQueen on 18 February 2023, 09:29:47 pm

Some good points xw5, thank you!
I was thinking of offering it to longer term regs for the longer meetings.

I've heard chargeback are an issue for agencies who have offered this form of payment. Seem to remember an independent using a form to say they would not charge back, but having experience of general public using cards to pay utility bills I think chargeback could be very common. Also what if the card is stolen or a 'mate's? I found out a new client had used his mate's bank account to pay a deposit twice, only when his mate accidentally sent me a payment meant for him.

ana30 · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 February 2023, 05:51:47 pm »

Quote from: xw5 on 18 February 2023, 09:22:22 pm

One word: chargebacks.

The main disadvantage with taking card payments is that clients can then report that it wasn't them / some other fraud. If the card company believes them - and they tend to do so, because there are more customers than people accepting cards - they get their money back and you get the money taken off you, typically with an additional charge for being so silly / guilty for accepting a fraudulent transaction.

This can happen in ANY business xw5, It can happen to amazon, the pet shop or my local coffee place. Yes, banks don't like sex workers but as long as you keep your real occupation under wraps or don't use "happy hooker" as your company name (just joking) you're going to be facing the same chargeback issue/risk that any small and big business would face.

Justine · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 February 2023, 06:33:56 pm »

Ana

We know chargeback can occur with businesses other than ours but the difference is if a client obtains our services for free after his chargeback we can do absolutely nothing about it. It's their word against ours that any meeting took place. They know we wouldn't cause a fuss and they will be gloating at having tricked us. The thought of servicing a client then being robbed of my fee is awful. I will never use a card machine. Cash in my hand please or no frollicks!

Mirror · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 February 2023, 08:17:41 pm »

Quote from: Justine on 19 February 2023, 06:33:56 pm

Ana

We know chargeback can occur with businesses other than ours but the difference is if a client obtains our services for free after his chargeback we can do absolutely nothing about it. It's their word against ours that any meeting took place. They know we wouldn't cause a fuss and they will be gloating at having tricked us. The thought of servicing a client then being robbed of my fee is awful. I will never use a card machine. Cash in my hand please or no frollicks!

Correct the sex contract is not recognised in law, very difficult to chase the money. Other businesses may have much more traction.

RB1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 February 2023, 08:58:37 am »

I get Amazon vouchers for deposits 😂
I spend so much on Amazon it works just fine for me

Mirror · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 February 2023, 09:55:20 am »

Quote from: RB1 on 23 February 2023, 08:58:37 am

I get Amazon vouchers for deposits 😂
I spend so much on Amazon it works just fine for me

Can be handy but doesn't pay bills, including tax bill on the income. I am currently no longer offering gift cards as payment option.

ladyofthemansion · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 July 2023, 08:58:22 am »

Can they still do a chargeback if they use chip and pin?

xw5 · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 July 2023, 09:30:27 am »

Mirror · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 July 2023, 10:11:33 am »

Quote from: xw5 on 27 July 2023, 09:30:27 am

Yes.

Quote from: ladyofthemansion on 27 July 2023, 08:58:22 am

Can they still do a chargeback if they use chip and pin?

This is my main concern.

VoluptuousCurves · « **Reply #12 on:** 28 July 2023, 01:51:13 pm »

Quote from: ladyofthemansion on 27 July 2023, 08:58:22 am

Can they still do a chargeback if they use chip and pin?

They can but it's more hassle for them as they'd have to cancel their card, apply for a new pin, etc.

I'm using a card reader and no problems so far but it's early days.

I'd be very very wary to take a card payment off someone who was acting shifty (like he might have stolen a card) or was intoxicated.

Quote from: Justine on 19 February 2023, 06:33:56 pm

Ana

We know chargeback can occur with businesses other than ours but the difference is if a client obtains our services for free after his chargeback we can do absolutely nothing about it. It's their word against ours that any meeting took place. They know we wouldn't cause a fuss and they will be gloating at having tricked us. The thought of servicing a client then being robbed of my fee is awful. I will never use a card machine. Cash in my hand please or no frollicks!

There's not really a difference from any other service provider in terms of theft of service. If I do a chargeback to a hairdresser I paid by card, I've had the service - she's not going to come round and take the hairstyle off me. I've stolen her time and service, the same way clients can do to us.

Since covid it's been clear that banks want to move towards a cashless society. We're going to have to find some way of fitting into that payment paradigm.

FullyFashioned · « **Reply #13 on:** 28 July 2023, 03:47:01 pm »

Quote from: VoluptuousCurves on 28 July 2023, 01:51:13 pm

They can but it's more hassle for them as they'd have to cancel their card, apply for a new pin, etc.

I'm using a card reader and no problems so far but it's early days.

I'd be very very wary to take a card payment off someone who was acting shifty (like he might have stolen a card) or was intoxicated.

There's not really a difference from any other service provider in terms of theft of service. If I do a chargeback to a hairdresser I paid by card, I've had the service - she's not going to come round and take the hairstyle off me. I've stolen her time and service, the same way clients can do to us.

Since covid it's been clear that banks want to move towards a cashless society. We're going to have to find some way of fitting into that payment paradigm.

Hi, how receptive are clients to paying via card? Also do you have a business account for this and does using card reader allow you to choose how the transaction is shown on their statements - as in no personal names etc

VoluptuousCurves · « **Reply #14 on:** 28 July 2023, 06:34:12 pm »

Quote from: northernstar on 28 July 2023, 03:47:01 pm

Hi, how receptive are clients to paying via card? Also do you have a business account for this and does using card reader allow you to choose how the transaction is shown on their statements - as in no personal names etc

I don't ask clients to do it, I just have it on my profile as "card payments accepted" and they will ask on arrival if they want to do it. I find it popular if I'm in a hotel that's out of town with no cashpoints around. Also useful on Sundays or bank holidays where cashpoints haven't been topped up for a few days.

I set up a business name in the app and I have a website to match the business name saying I do a totally non-sex-work related service.

See also the main SAAFE.info site for more Support And Advice For Escorts

Author Topic: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal? (Read 2062 times)

SquirtyQueen

Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

xw5

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

SquirtyQueen

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

Mirror

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

ana30

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

Justine

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

Mirror

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

RB1

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

Mirror

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

ladyofthemansion

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

xw5

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

Mirror

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

VoluptuousCurves

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

FullyFashioned

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?

VoluptuousCurves

Re: Anyone accepting card payments via a terminal?