| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Accepting credit cards payments - VISA, Mastercard logos on profile page? Thread poster: Nicole Schnell
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Nicole Schnell 
United States
Local time: 11:41
English to German
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In memoriam
Hello,
I was wondering if it would be feasible to be able to add credit card logos on our profile pages. Many translators offer this service, but it can't be displayed anywhere, except on our own websites. It would be a nice way to attract direct clients who intend to hire a translator of their choice for one-time or whatever selected projects. Sending money across continents, be it by mailing a check or wire transfer is an expensive hobby. Private persons might shy away from hirin... See more Hello,
I was wondering if it would be feasible to be able to add credit card logos on our profile pages. Many translators offer this service, but it can't be displayed anywhere, except on our own websites. It would be a nice way to attract direct clients who intend to hire a translator of their choice for one-time or whatever selected projects. Sending money across continents, be it by mailing a check or wire transfer is an expensive hobby. Private persons might shy away from hiring a preferred translator because the payment might turn out to be complicated. Asking your direct client to open a Paypal or Moneybookers account isn't very customer-friendly, to put it mildly.
My experience with offering this service has been excellent. The few cents are no comparison to what a translator has to pay on those outrageous Paypal fees.
What do you think? ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Please tell me more | Jul 30, 2008 |
Nicole, when I looked into accepting credit cards, the cost of set up etc wasn't exactly pennies - please tell me more of how you do this?
| | | | Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 11:41
English to German
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TOPIC STARTER In memoriam
My intention wasn't exactly to promote credit cards. Compared to Paypal and Moneybookers however, they are the lesser evil.
Here is what I did: A few years ago, I bought a lifetime licence for this merchant software for about 250 USD. Everything is being processed online, so I don't need one of those expensive terminals. I don't know the processing fee off hand, but it's about 15 to 30 cent per transaction. Compare this to 3.8% Paypal fees! I pay $9.95 per month for the website usa... See more My intention wasn't exactly to promote credit cards. Compared to Paypal and Moneybookers however, they are the lesser evil.
Here is what I did: A few years ago, I bought a lifetime licence for this merchant software for about 250 USD. Everything is being processed online, so I don't need one of those expensive terminals. I don't know the processing fee off hand, but it's about 15 to 30 cent per transaction. Compare this to 3.8% Paypal fees! I pay $9.95 per month for the website usage.
Before you are allowed to acquire such a licence, you must be a registered business and will undergo a thorough background check.
It has proven to be the ultimate payment method with direct clients (advertising agencies, manufacturers, website owners, individuals who want some personal papers to be translated). Obviously none of those sporadic direct customers will ever turn into regulars, so there is no reason to set up accounts. I can also process debit cards and regular checks online. After any transaction the customer receives a receipt via email automatically and within seconds.
I am sure that a lot of prospective clients looking for the appropriate translator would go for this option. Payments between Europe and the US can be quite a hassle.
The exchange of such personal information requires some trust between you and your customer, and I take credit card numbers over the phone only, in case anyone hacks into my email account. Before any of such transactions, I provide a written statement that any notes will be destroyed immediately after use. Then any note will hop into the shredder.
[Edited at 2008-07-30 10:01] ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Thanks for sharing ;) | Jul 30, 2008 |
Sorry, I should have contacted you privatly or noted OT in the subject line But thanks, I would really like to do that myself, because it is problematic with payments. I imagine that you get paid a lot quicker as well?
Maybe with prior permission from proz, the user could just add the VISA / Mastercard logo to the profile in the description field?
I think it would definitely make a difference. My husband,... See more Sorry, I should have contacted you privatly or noted OT in the subject line But thanks, I would really like to do that myself, because it is problematic with payments. I imagine that you get paid a lot quicker as well?
Maybe with prior permission from proz, the user could just add the VISA / Mastercard logo to the profile in the description field?
I think it would definitely make a difference. My husband, who is also selfemployed and sell a service comparable to translation, has often been asked if he accepts credit cards. He finds that the fees here in DK are too high to warrant it though - maybe it wil be different when we move to the UK in a month. ▲ Collapse
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Nicole Schnell
United States
Local time: 11:41
English to German
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TOPIC STARTER In memoriam | Thanks, Ivana! | Jul 30, 2008 |
Ivana Friis Wilson wrote:
I imagine that you get paid a lot quicker as well?
Yes, immediately. No bad checks or phony excuses.
Maybe with prior permission from proz, the user could just add the VISA / Mastercard logo to the profile in the description field?
This would be great!
I think it would definitely make a difference. My husband, who is also selfemployed and sell a service comparable to translation, has often been asked if he accepts credit cards.
I think so, too.
| | | | Brandis (X)
Local time: 20:41
English to German
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| great suggestion thank you | Jul 30, 2008 |
Hi! this way one could by-pass paypal and moneybookers, however moneybookers is not so expensive as paypal these days, but there is a monthly or quarterly withdrawal limit. BR Brandis
| | | | | Declaring your payment methods in your profile | Jul 30, 2008 |
Hello all,
Paypal and Moneybookers payment methods can be added to your profile as direct links since it is possible to click those links and make the payment directly. Declaring other payment methods you accept in your profile (for example in the "About me" section) is a good idea, be it credit card, wire transfer, check, etc., as this information may be important for potential clients. Your profile is there to help you better market yourself as a language professional, so of cours... See more Hello all,
Paypal and Moneybookers payment methods can be added to your profile as direct links since it is possible to click those links and make the payment directly. Declaring other payment methods you accept in your profile (for example in the "About me" section) is a good idea, be it credit card, wire transfer, check, etc., as this information may be important for potential clients. Your profile is there to help you better market yourself as a language professional, so of course, make sure that it represents you and your services to the fullest.
Best regards,
Jared ▲ Collapse
| | | | USER0059 (X)
Finland
Local time: 21:41
English to Finnish
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| Normal cards should be selectable, just like the esoteric Moneybookers and PayPal are | Jul 30, 2008 |
Ivana Friis Wilson wrote: Sorry, I should have contacted you privatly or noted OT in the subject line But thanks, I would really like to do that myself, because it is problematic with payments. I imagine that you get paid a lot quicker as well? Maybe with prior permission from proz, the user could just add the VISA / Mastercard logo to the profile in the description field?
That is what I have done.
However, I would like to see prospective clients be able to use their favourite credit card as a direct search criterion. Doing a free-form search for e.g. “American Express” is much less convenient.
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Thanks, Thor, this is a good point. I've spoken with the team working on profile improvement, and this has been added for future development.
Best regards,
Jared
| | | | USER0059 (X)
Finland
Local time: 21:41
English to Finnish
+ ...
| Thanks, Jared | Jul 30, 2008 |
Jared wrote:
I've spoken with the team working on profile improvement, and this has been added for future development.
Thank you very much!
| | | | | Credit card payments for unknown direct clients would only make sense if they pay first | Jul 30, 2008 |
I assume the reason for arranging credit card payment would be to make unknown persons pay in advance - just like the Internet vendors who are not translators do. I have yet to try to buy ANYTHING over the Internet without having to pay for it in advance by credit card.
However, traditionally no-one would dream of paying for a translation in advance, at the point of ordering.
I would love to see the system changed, though!
Astrid
| | | | The Misha
Local time: 14:41
Russian to English
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| Yes, but ... | Jul 30, 2008 |
This is a great idea and I can vouch for it personally - having been a merchant (no, I did not sell hot dogs off a street cart) for over 10 years. Your credit card transactions are priced as 10-30 cents per transaction (just like Nicole) PLUS a percentage of the transaction amount, which depending on the degree of risk perceived by your processing company may be quite high and definitely comparable to what Paypal charges (ughhhhhhh!) As a merchant I used to pay anywhere from 1.5% to 3.25%, and ... See more This is a great idea and I can vouch for it personally - having been a merchant (no, I did not sell hot dogs off a street cart) for over 10 years. Your credit card transactions are priced as 10-30 cents per transaction (just like Nicole) PLUS a percentage of the transaction amount, which depending on the degree of risk perceived by your processing company may be quite high and definitely comparable to what Paypal charges (ughhhhhhh!) As a merchant I used to pay anywhere from 1.5% to 3.25%, and American Express is usually the most expensive. In the US, your best deal on credit card processing, just as about on anything else, is through Costco Wholesale membership (no, I am not paid for promoting Costo, I just shop there). However, the fact that by using a credit card you virtually eliminate the risk of non-payment and get your money in three days rather than at least 30 is definitely worth the cost. Don't worry about the set-up costs, this is the least of your trouble here.
AND THE BIGGEST TROUBLE IS ....how the heck do you make them prepay by credit card? As unfair as it is, the very concept is as alien in this industry as ... I don't know, take you pick of a gross absurdity. ▲ Collapse
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Brandis (X)
Local time: 20:41
English to German
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| As always Astrid is again right. or may be wrong.. | Jul 30, 2008 |
Hi! proz.com was offering paypal or moneybookers as a standard option to receive payments, when we have that option to accpet payments via cards it would be a very good enhancement. Put the visa and master card or other flags in the profiles. One would need a contract with a potential service buyer along these lines with the upfront security payment as Astrid is indicating. How good is your Monnnae! BR Brandis
| | | | USER0059 (X)
Finland
Local time: 21:41
English to Finnish
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| Authorize now, charge later? | Jul 30, 2008 |
Astrid Elke Johnson wrote:
I assume the reason for arranging credit card payment would be to make unknown persons pay in advance - just like the Internet vendors who are not translators do. I have yet to try to buy ANYTHING over the Internet without having to pay for it in advance by credit card.
However, traditionally no-one would dream of paying for a translation in advance, at the point of ordering.
Merchants are usually not allowed to make the actual charge until they are certain that they will deliver the service or goods. In my opinion, and in order to be on the safe side, merchants should make the charge on delivery, not earlier.
What you can do right away is authorize the purchase. This will tell you that the charge is likely to succeed. You can then, upon delivery, choose to charge either the same amount you had authorized, a lower amount, or a slightly (not infinitely) higher amount. (Should you, for any reason, decide not to charge the client at all, you would cancel the authorization.)
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