C/C discussion

[John Adrian Sopher]

Hey Dom, I just got off the phone with Jay Engles.  In our discussions we both thought to we should ask you a question about processing c/c's on a cell phone.  One of my issues is I offer a 10% discount if the customer pays at the time of inspection.  I am trying to figure out a way to process a c/c while on site.  One idea I had was to use a cell phone with true Internet.  Would this work?  Would the cell be able to access encrypted info or would it be too much for the phone?

Only problem is if I go this rout, I have to get a new cell phone and add this service to my plan.

Another option I thought of is having a wireless card for my computer.  Say, if I purchase the Q1, and had a wireless card with it, I could process the cards that way.  I'm not even sure if the Q1 can take a wireless card or not.  The other side of this one is, I have to buy the Q1, get a wireless card, and phone plane that works with it.


If you have any other idea's please let me know.

[Dominic Maricic]

Hey John,

I already have the credit card processing working on phones with an internet connection for on site use. Finished it a few days ago and have tested it wit ha few phones

The Q1 has built in wireless, so if there's a signal it will pick it up. Otherwise you'd need to get a air card from your cell carrier. That would be more expensive as it costs around $50 a month for the plan. You're better off getting a new phone where you have internet included. For example, my old plan was $15 a month for unlimited internet with Sprint. Now I have the 'simply everything plan' where $99 a month is unlimited minutes, text, internet and GPS service. I love it

[John Adrian Sopher]

I have T-mobile so I've been looking at what they have.  Been kinda looking at the wing.  I would still have to add Internet service to my plan.  Right now I have unlimited min. and text for $100  Maybe I should look into sprint!!!

[Dominic Maricic]

I snatched up the new plan as soon as they offered it as they claim they wont have it for long. The Sprint Mogul has the GPS built in which is nice, especially for inspectors!

[John Adrian Sopher]

Im not sure that sprint has good coverage here though.  Id have to look into it a bit more.

[Dominic Maricic]

http://coverage.sprintpcs.com/IMPACT.jsp

[John Adrian Sopher]

Ya I was just looking it up.  I just got off the phone with T mobile and I still have a year left on my contract.  I sure with they would do away from contracts.  lol

[Dominic Maricic]

Getting out of contracts is pretty easy. Just wait until until the next time they send you a new update to your current contract which they do often. At that point you have 30 days to cancel your contract since they've changedi t.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Hmmmm I hadn't ever thought of that!!!  That's a good idea.  They did just change my insurance on me, trying to split it up and make me pay two insurances now.  I wonder if I could use that!  Probably not, but its worth a shot.

[Dominic Maricic]

Any contract change gives you the right to cancel within 30 days.

[Dominic Maricic]

Check out https://www.homeinspectorpro.com/component/option,com_ccprocessing/Itemid,210/inspectorID,62/ on your phone if you have internet, or if anyone else wants to check it out and let me know how it goes. Feel free to send me any money you want as well

[John Adrian Sopher]

Hey Dom I wanted to find out, is the website service and the report upload service two different services you offer, or do they go together?

[Dominic Maricic]

Two different services. We have tons of people using the website service who don't even use our software, and people who use the upload service that have been hosting their site elsewhere and don't want to change. Eventually the upload service will also be available to people not using the software, but right now it obviously is restricted. When you buy the software you get 3 months free of both.

One perk is that if you are using both systems, you'll never need to pay for a full 2.x->3.x update of Home Inspector Pro, you'll get it free.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Okay, I think I'm going to go that rout eventually.  But right now I need to get some work coming in.

[Dominic Maricic]

Of course. Definitely use the report upload system while you have it free. You'll hear from a lot of the guys using it that it really helps out business.

[Bill Warner]

I snatched up the new plan as soon as they offered it as they claim they wont have it for long. The Sprint Mogul has the GPS built in which is nice, especially for inspectors!

Can you tether your phone as a modem occasionally with this plan?

[Dominic Maricic]

Yeah with most phones. I used mine as a modem at the CalNACHI conference last month Just don't go off playing games with it.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Hey Dom, is there any way we can add one more line on the c/c page of our sites where the customer can enter an invoice number?

[Dominic Maricic]

Sure I could add that. I've been contemplating adding an inspection address field. Which do you think would be better, invoice number of inspection address? Or both?

I also added a new feature to change the font color. It's posted under the website board.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Both actually.  I save everything using the address and my invoice software generates.... wait for it....  (((invoice numbers)))!  lol 

[Dominic Maricic]

Ok, I'll look in to it.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Ok thanks

[Gregory Scheer]

I really enjoy the credit card processing!  I did an inspection and my client came by the house but had forgotten his checkbook and I'm sure didn't have cash.  "How would you like to arrange payment?" asked the client.  "Do you have a credit card?"  I took the info right there and then got home and processed on the computer.  Another client also paid online.  I never met the client--online agreement, online payment, uploaded report retrieval.  Hmmm, all I really did was made a couple calls and inspect the house.  Pretty cool! 

If anyone is on the fence about the credit card gig, look at the minimal cost compared to what you'd get locally from your bank.  Out of curiosity I talked to my bank and the deal Dominic has worked out is incredibly better by far!  And the capabilities he's added like cell phone payment; unbeatable!

Greg

[Jay Markanich]

What's the percentage fee on the transactions?  Do you up the inspection fee to accommodate that percentage?

[John Adrian Sopher]

Fee's are as follows:

Set up fee $100
Hosting fee $5/mth
authorization fee per item $0.35

Those were the main fee's, there are others, but some don't apply because we wouldn't use those features.

I also checked the fee's against my banks rates.  The setup fee was more here, but the monthly, and per transaction fee's were more with my bank.

I look at it like this, if you ever get a job that the only way they can pay is by c/c, you just paid for the service.  So far, all my jobs have paid by c/c since I started accepting them.

[Gregory Scheer]

You also get tagged with a fee for the type of card; roughly about 2%.  I haven't increased the charge for the card but I have thought about passing the known fee to the client for using it.

Greg

[John Adrian Sopher]

You also get tagged with a fee for the type of card; roughly about 2%.  I haven't increased the charge for the card but I have thought about passing the known fee to the client for using it.

Greg

I wouldn't increase fees for using c/c's.  In my opinion that would make for negative feelings about your company.  That's the worst thing you can do to yourself in this industry!!!  Its only $5 per inspection (approx).  If you truly want to do something to make up for the loss, increase your rates across the board so everyone pays for it rather than just people who want to use c/c's.

[Gregory Scheer]

You also get tagged with a fee for the type of card; roughly about 2%.  I haven't increased the charge for the card but I have thought about passing the known fee to the client for using it.

Greg

I wouldn't increase fees for using c/c's.  In my opinion that would make for negative feelings about your company.  That's the worst thing you can do to yourself in this industry!!!  Its only $5 per inspection (approx).  If you truly want to do something to make up for the loss, increase your rates across the board so everyone pays for it rather than just people who want to use c/c's.

Good call John.  That's exactly why I haven't charged the fee to the client--I did raise rates.  I had a "Summer Stimulus Price" July and August.  All houses were $280 regardless if they were old, had a crawl space, were huge, etc... I went up to $335 for the basic home inspection though some are lower (military and my neighborhood).  Now I'm working on my time at inspection and report time.  I may get to a point where I can print on site (if the business is that vast), but for now I'm "practicing makes perfect" my process.  By the way, no squawks about pricing--I'm middle road to slightly cheaper than middle road but quality is top-notch (IMHO).
Greg

[John Adrian Sopher]

I definitely need the practice makes perfect thing.  I did my inspections Thursday and it took me 3 hours for a house that was 1100SQFT.  That was the longest inspection for the size I've done.  Problem was I got to a slow start, trying to explain things to the buyer about the outside.  Everything sped up when I hit the roof. 

I also gave her a notepad and told her to write anything down she wanted to remember to ask me or for me to address.

[Dominic Maricic]

Its illegal to charge more for people using cc cards. You csn though increase across the board and give a discount to someone paying cash.

Think of it this way. Like John mentioned (I'll add the math) If that credit card logo on your website gets you ONE inspection for your $300 you have covered the startup fee and the monthly fee for more than THREE years! It took 8 months to negotiate this deal. It kicks the pants off paypals 2.9-3.9% especially if you're paying $30 a month for their virtual terminal (which you get free). Plus I've set it up so you can process on an internet capable phone and it will soon be integrated into the report upload proecess (pay before view).

[David Macy]

I am all set up for credit cards.

If I am on site is the best way to do a credit card transaction is righting the card numbers/expiration date and security code and then doing the transaction at home.

I don't understand the phone/internet process at this time.

I have not received any training. (Dom has helped set up as he always does)

[Dominic Maricic]

David,

If you're on site you can

A. Write down all the info and enter it when you get home.
B. If you have an internet enable phone, go to the site I sent you in the email (make sure to bookmark it). Then you can enter the data on site.
C. There's also a number you can call and process it via a live operator but I think it's like $1.50 a call (not worth it).
D. Get one of the carbon card swipers from staples or someplace else, insert the metal plate the bank sent you and swipe away, then enter the data at home.

[John Adrian Sopher]

Man I cant find those swipers.  I've looked at all the business supply stores around here.  I tried to buy one on eBay but the plate didn't fit it.

[Dominic Maricic]

Call first national and ask them if there's a particular brand you need. My understanding is that they were universal.

[John Adrian Sopher]

That's what I thought too.  I'll try calling them and find out.

[Dominic Maricic]

Something I found out today. By default your accounts are NOT set up to accept AMEX cards. AMEX charges $5.95 a month no matter what service you're using (in other words this isn't a charge from the bank we're using). Because of this it's off unless you call Jay and request to take it. If you do, let me know. I'm going to remove it as an option from the drop down list so it doesn't confuse your customers. It also has a higher process rate around 2.95% + .35 to Amex.

[Dominic Maricic]

Found a Canadian Processor. All the Canadian inspectors that had requested the service will be notified, and I'll send out a mass email as soon as our negotiations with them are through.

[Dominic Maricic]

The startup fee for the CC processing has been dropped by the bank to $50 for people signing up now through the end of the year!

[Gregory Scheer]

The rest of us get a refund? 

[Dominic Maricic]

I tried, but unfortunately no. It's a short time special, not really put on by the bank but the third party processor (payfuse).

[Dan Smart]

I've been using the cc web site and the clients seem to like it a lot. I had to use the "machine" yesterday without any luck ( I'm sure its a hook up issue) so I used the call in number for Visa/MC.

Followed all the instructions on the machine and it went through with a verbal valaidation code then ended the call. Good deal.

My question is, I did not receive a notification of completion from my E-mail like the other transactions. Is the transactions done this way treated differently thhan the others?

Also my one lone transaction for November cost $30.60 for a $319.00 fee. It seems there is a minium charge of $25.00 per transaction and a monthly fee of $5.60. I have no problem with the monthly charge and fee schedule, but the "Minimum Bill Adjustment" of $17.29 is not acceptable. The fee charge was $7.71 which is fine.

The same fee from PayPal is $9.95 from 319.00 for a net of $ 309.45, a +21.05 in my pocket.

I hope this is a mistake on my part that can be corrected with training other than reading the "Quick Reference Guide"

Dan

[John Adrian Sopher]

What card did they use?  American Express charges more than the others.  Other than that I would call Jay Engle and have him go over the fees with you.  That sounds way too high to me.  You shouldn't be charged more than 3% + $0.15 per item. That should only come out to $9.72.  And that's a high estimate because I don't know what percentage your in so I used 3%.

You may be charged more for using the phone in method from the yesterday transaction.

[Dan Smart]

It was a Visa card and Jay is on my list for Monday. I would not have taken on this cc if the fees were that high.

Dan 

[Gregory Scheer]

Dan,
Have Dominic work this issue.  Same happened to me early on.  They shouldn't charge $25/month.

Greg

[John Adrian Sopher]

I have never had a fee that high.  That's why I'm saying it isn't right!  There is an error on their side somewhere.  It states in your contract that the only fees are the $5 per month, the $0.15 per transactions, and the 2.02, 2.37, 2.95% fee that you would fall under.  They have however started charging everyone that does business with them $9 something for a statement fee.  You can get rid of that fee by getting your statement online.

Any time I have ever had a question or problem, Jay has been able to help or has pointed me in the right direction.  

[Dan Smart]

Thanks for the input guys. Sometimes things get out of alignment and just need a little tweeking here and there.
 

Dan

[Gregory Scheer]

I just sent Dominic an email--thay guy never rests!  Dominic worked the same issue for me a couple months ago; I received a rebate from the bank.  More to follow I'm sure.

Greg

[Dominic Maricic]

Hey Dan,

That's a screw up on the banks part. 99.9% of the banks customers have a minimum processing fee of $25 a month. Our 'association' is in the .1% that does not. Unfortunately because of that the bank has screwed up a few of the signups when our contacts there, Jay & Jeff send over the paperwork (the techs entering it don't even notice there's not supposed to be a charge). I emailed Jay, but you can also call him directly at 1-863-393-5457. Not sure if he's there over the weekend so you can also email him at jengle@fnni.com. The $25 charge WILL get removed as it has from a few other guys that signed up when the mistake was made. If you EVER have a problem all you have to do is call Jay or Jeff (they are actually brothers). They are responsible for our associations account at the bank and the only ones who really know about the contract we have with the bank (it's EXTREMELY unusual to bypass the $25 a month statement fee + the $25 a month minimum processing fee).

Regarding the terminal. Are you telling me you got a swiping terminal as well as the online system? I didn't realize anybody had gotten both. Yes, if you use a card swiper it does not go through our system, not payfuse so you will not get an email. It goes DIRECTLY to the bank.

There's no reason for you to call in a card. Just enter the information via your website.

Let me know how it goes.

Dominic

[Dominic Maricic]

I have never had a fee that high.  That's why I'm saying it isn't right!  There is an error on their side somewhere.  It states in your contract that the only fees are the $5 per month, the $0.15 per transactions, and the 2.02, 2.37, 2.95% fee that you would fall under.  They have however started charging everyone that does business with them $9 something for a statement fee.  You can get rid of that fee by getting your statement online.

Any time I have ever had a question or problem, Jay has been able to help or has pointed me in the right direction.  

Everyone should be setup for electronic statements unless you opt to get paper.

[Dan Smart]

As usual your on the problem. I can wait until Monday to call. No problem.

I was asked if I wanted the hand machine and since it did not cost anymore money , I said sure, send it. Changing the phone lines to hook it up was more than I wanted to do at the time. But, I forgot to just fill in the information on the web site. Lesson learned.

You know I went to LSU, went in dumb, came out dumb too.

Thank you for your help everyone

Dan

[John Adrian Sopher]

I have never had a fee that high.  That's why I'm saying it isn't right!  There is an error on their side somewhere.  It states in your contract that the only fees are the $5 per month, the $0.15 per transactions, and the 2.02, 2.37, 2.95% fee that you would fall under.  They have however started charging everyone that does business with them $9 something for a statement fee.  You can get rid of that fee by getting your statement online.

Any time I have ever had a question or problem, Jay has been able to help or has pointed me in the right direction.  

Everyone should be setup for electronic statements unless you opt to get paper.

Mine started out paper, then they sent me an email stating they were changing their system to an online statement system.  I signed up for it and everything should be fine now.

[John Adrian Sopher]

As usual your on the problem. I can wait until Monday to call. No problem.

I was asked if I wanted the hand machine and since it did not cost anymore money , I said sure, send it. Changing the phone lines to hook it up was more than I wanted to do at the time. But, I forgot to just fill in the information on the web site. Lesson learned.

You know I went to LSU, went in dumb, came out dumb too.

Thank you for your help everyone

Dan

Boomer Sooner baby!!!!  

[Dan Smart]

Boy, talk about service !

No sooner than I made the last post, I got a call from Jay. He's right on it and will be corrected on Monday. Can't ask for much more than that.
Between Dom & Jay we can mess up all day long and they'll fix it no matter what time, or day or weather.

Good stuff

Thank you again

Dan

[Jay w. Engle]

Hey Guys,

This is most definately a mistake on our side and will be taken care of immediately.  To err is human but sometimes to err is computer.  I want everyone to know that if there is ever any sort of problem, concern, or question that I am available any time and can be reached on my cell at 863-393-5457. My brother Jeff Engle can also be reached on his cell at 863-450-7760.  

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jay

[Dominic Maricic]

Thanks Jay for taking care of the issue so quickly. Glad to see you posting on the board