Author Topic: Credit Card Machines? (Read 4790 times)

UrbaneAspects · « **on:** 11 October 2008, 11:15:55 pm »

Maybe this topic has been bought up before, but I cant help to mention it.

For those of you on the higher end of the industry spectrum, I had an idea to look into getting a merchant account to be able to use a credit card machine...

Simply put, would it really be better (for the customer) for us to accept credit?

Or would it be easier (for us) to continue accepting cash?

or is it even necessary at all to do so?

amy · « **Reply #1 on:** 12 October 2008, 12:05:49 am »

I don't know what the norm is in the US but I can't imagine it ever being popular here - cash involves no messing about, no unnecessary revealing of personal/bank details and no possibility that an odd and inexplicable entry will pop up on a statement somewhere. Why over-complicate things?

I take deposits via Paypal and that's as hi-tech as it gets; if you do choose to get any sort of merchant account, make sure that your personal details (real name etc) are not available to the clients - if you are not careful when filling in the forms you could seriously drop yourself in it.

Plus if the client is unscrupulous and decides to have a go at querying the transaction, or the card turns out to be stolen, there's a good chance you will have to give it back. Hard currency for me every time.

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #2 on:** 12 October 2008, 01:05:51 am »

Quote from: amy on 12 October 2008, 12:05:49 am

I don't know what the norm is in the US but I can't imagine it ever being popular here - cash involves no messing about,Why over-complicate things?

Plus if the client is unscrupulous and decides to have a go at querying the transaction, or the card turns out to be stolen, there's a good chance you will have to give it back. Hard currency for me every time.

it all makes sense, but I've seen ads (here) that say they accept credit cards, which is why I asked.

However I didnt think of the idea that you mentioned in terms of discretion...I mean I'd assume its quite revealing to have 'personal services' appear on someone's statement.

The last part you said sounds frightening...I'd hate the idea of charge backs, even once is too much.

anjali · « **Reply #3 on:** 12 October 2008, 07:45:59 am »

I do have a merchant account, but its not often used, so unless you have another use for it, you may find the costs outweigh the benefits, the clients statement can read whatever your account names set up as, so thats not an issue really, the only thing i would be concerned about, as Amy has allready mentioned, chargebacks, in the UK you have to jump through hoops to initiate one, but am led to believe over there its just a quick call and usually granted, if so, that could possibly cause your problems

In the US I'm sure i have seen have virtual merchants that could handle the payments over the phone for you, I'm sure i have seen a few in the past when i have been looking for solutions for me, i would look for something like that and have the best of both worlds

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #4 on:** 12 October 2008, 08:26:11 am »

Quote from: anjali on 12 October 2008, 07:45:59 am

I do have a merchant account, but its not often used, so unless you have another use for it, you may find the costs outweigh the benefits, the clients statement can read whatever your account names set up as, so thats not an issue really, the only thing i would be concerned about, as Amy has allready mentioned, chargebacks,

ok, i know anika is going to scold me on this one (you're fabulous

but I just read her post from awhile back about 'scame agencies' and one of the things she mentioned is to not accept credit cards/checks/etc...where there is the possibility of it bouncing/charging bacl/fraud

The only reason I asked is because there are ads that say accept visa/mastercard and I couldnt help but think maybe it would be better that way...as cash may not be handy but credit may be $:-\$

medea · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 October 2008, 10:26:55 am »

i think you are always securer with the cash option, it does not leave a trace
the credit card option besides being expensive also requires you to tax it and for if you are in the US where escorting is illegal a secure and plausible occupation that justifies the amount you are charging as well what is on the clients statement (of course you can set the name up to not cause any or much inconvenience to a client)

i think credit card payments are more popular where escorting is legalized or more legal as here, i think in Germany and Holland it is common to have credit card payment options in brothels

yes i understand your reasoning, and i agree they might only have a credit card, but not cash, and i know of a few or i have heard of a few people who do not have cash at all but do all electronically (i mean businessmen who could be clients)

i personally think it is not worth the hassle an the costs involved. also thinking about it, you always have the option to escort your client to a cash machine or ask him to get to a cash machine and come back with the money in hand

amy · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 October 2008, 04:54:26 pm »

Quote from: medea on 12 October 2008, 10:26:55 am

you always have the option to escort your client to a cash machine or ask him to get to a cash machine and come back with the money in hand

You do, but this situation should never arise - if you have made it clear in your advertising that payment must be in cash and at the start of the appointment then there is no excuse for a client turning up without it - it would be like you turning up without condoms. Whether or not they normally carry cash is irrelevant - they know that it is required in this instance, and should therefore have been organised enough to obtain the proper payment in good time - it's not exactly hard to come by (and longer bookings where the amount required may be greater than the daily cash limit on an ATM don't generally happen at such short notice that they don't have time to visit a bank).

If a client was rude enough to turn up without cash I would see that the time taken to go and get it came out of his booking - and I don't charge for showering, chatting or any other 'down' time. I would consider this as one of the few behaviours that is completely inexcusable - I would rather someone ran late going to get the money than turned up empty-handed.

brandy@saafe · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 October 2008, 06:08:36 pm »

Quote from: amy on 12 October 2008, 04:54:26 pm

I would rather someone ran late going to get the money than turned up empty-handed.

Spot on!

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 October 2008, 09:47:30 pm »

Quote from: medea on 12 October 2008, 10:26:55 am

you always have the option to escort your client to a cash machine or ask him to get to a cash machine and come back with the money in hand

oh yes...I had done that 1 night (and one night only).

At the end of a particular session, turns out the person was nearly $30 short. He said he only had x amount and that he could drive up to the bank to get change...

I made one of the biggest mistakes and walked out with no cash. I didnt realize how silly it was until I got into my car and thought, "what the hell did I just do?"

Luckily, the guy ended up driving out of his house (5 min. later) and I followed him to the bank 2 blocks away and everything turned out fine...

medea · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 October 2008, 10:37:36 pm »

i was assuming you ask for the money at the beginning at the booking, which i would strongly recommend

and yes amy is right that the client has to come with the money at hand

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 October 2008, 01:22:11 am »

Quote from: medea on 12 October 2008, 10:37:36 pm

i was assuming you ask for the money at the beginning at the booking, which i would strongly recommend

and yes amy is right that the client has to come with the money at hand

absolutely, playing around and risk getting gipped

lexienight · « **Reply #11 on:** 13 October 2008, 07:31:47 am »

If prostitution is illegal in USA then paying by credit card is the equivalent of turning up at a drug dealers in this country and paying by card (which wouldnt suprise me if you could do that actually!!!) Wrong wrong wrong. Cash every time, i wouldnt even want to attract the kind of extra business that might be wanting to pay by card.

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 October 2008, 09:03:51 am »

Quote from: lexie on 13 October 2008, 07:31:47 am

If prostitution is illegal in USA then paying by credit card is the equivalent of turning up at a drug dealers in this country and paying by card (which wouldnt suprise me if you could do that actually!!!) Wrong wrong wrong. Cash every time, i wouldnt even want to attract the kind of extra business that might be wanting to pay by card.

Absolutely. So the question remains, are these people actually paying with cards...or is it nothing but desperate advertisers doing anything they can to attract a booking?

celebate · « **Reply #13 on:** 13 October 2008, 06:28:49 pm »

Isn't that exactly how that politician (i think) in new york (i think) got caught out?

If I were a punter I would run from paying for a booking with a credit card - especially since a lot are married and/or highly paid men who would be putting these at risk.

UrbaneAspects · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 October 2008, 07:10:06 pm »

Quote from: celebate on 13 October 2008, 06:28:49 pm

Isn't that exactly how that politician (i think) in new york (i think) got caught out?

If I were a punter I would run from paying for a booking with a credit card - especially since a lot are married and/or highly paid men who would be putting these at risk.

yes you are right about NY politician...but I dont know exactly how he paid, but it may very well have been with a card.

That'd just really bring on alot of attention

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Author Topic: Credit Card Machines? (Read 4790 times)

UrbaneAspects

Credit Card Machines?

amy

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UrbaneAspects

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anjali

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UrbaneAspects

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medea

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amy

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brandy@saafe

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UrbaneAspects

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medea

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UrbaneAspects

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lexienight

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UrbaneAspects

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celebate

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UrbaneAspects

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