Towne’s Two Cents

July 15, 2021 Edition

There is a simpler way to pay less in CREDIT CARD FEES

Last month, I discussed the importance of finding a great ACH Processor. Well, this month, why not talk about credit cards? This blog will discuss merchant payment services (customer payments) and not credit cards used by the business to purchase supplies and materials. But, I’m not doing it alone though……I have 3 very highly qualified credit card experts to back me up! They are a big piece of your bookkeeping since they take a big chunk from your income. Your bank charge expenses on your income statement might be higher due to the credit card fees that credit card processors charge. So, why not work with someone that will be on your side and be your ally, especially if they all integrate with QuickBooks?

The reason why I decided to write about credit cards this month was not only because it followed the ACH Payment Processors blog from last month BUT I have had several conversations with clients, colleagues, family & friends about credit cards.  The majority of my clients use payment services such as QuickBooks Payments, Square, Stripe & Toast. These are all very convenient but these are also the ones that I get the most complaints about in regards to their fees and lack of customer service. New business owners take this approach as a last resort and I can understand completely why.  I did the same but then I realized more people want to use their credit card because it was convenient or for “miles”.  So I had to bite the bullet myself and start accepting credit cards, even though I didn’t want to.  We all want what’s best for our clients. 

After researching credit cards by googling a few articles, taking webinar courses about credit cards and networking with credit card processing experts, I found some very interesting information about credit cards. 

First, a little bit about credit cards……here’s a flow chart I found on www.nacha.org which describes a flow of a credit card transaction which is helpful to understand how it all works:

If you would like to start accepting credit cards, here is an article showing you the pros and cons of accepting credit cards: https://www.investopedia.com/how-to-accept-credit-card-payments-5078027

In addition, I would like to introduce you to 3 amazing experts in the credit card industry.  Each company has different ways on how they help their clients and if any of you are interested to reach out to any of them, their contact information is listed below each of their sections. 

East Commerce Solutions provides a customized 3 prong approach to merchant services.

Pricing: We offer 3 different pricing models (Flat Rate/Tiered, Interchange Plus and Cash Discount). The pricing recommended pricing model will be contingent on what the merchant’s goals/needs and requirements are. It will also depend heavily on the industry/business type, average ticket size, target market and transactional environment. In any case, we’ll always be proactive in regards to offering our clients the most cost-effective pricing that the market will bear. We operate in a no-contract situation on a month to month contingency. We also offer complimentary annual rate reviews.

Service: This term may seem broad however the biggest takeaway is that your clients get me for the lifetime of the account. I am a proactive Account Manager and your clients will be able to easily reach me as their primary point of contact. The extension below rings thru to my cell phone. Try and get that with Square or PayPal. I am also supported by a local team of Executive Management, Customer Support and Technicians.

Technology: Card processing technology and equipment has evolved over the course of the last decade and we’re fortunate enough to offer a bevy of custom processing options that meets any businesses’ needs. Abundance of hardware options (stationary and mobile), software options (virtual terminals for desktop, laptop, tablet and phone) as well as our very own computerized cash register and POS company, Write Touch POS, which is headquartered in Seekonk, MA and has four working offices in New England (Seekonk, MA, Hyannis, MA, South Boston, MA and Brewer, ME). http;//writetouchpos.com

One other thing that separates us from our competitors is our services are marketed using a one to one/face to face approach. We’ll physically visit the clients location.  This allows us to experience first hand how the client operates and gives us ideas on how we can enhance their operations to save both time and money.

Bill Trabulsie is a Senior Account Executive at East Commerce Solutions, Inc who has worked for them for many years.  He believes in East Commerce Solutions and loves their approaches.  One of the approaches that sets them apart from their competitors is their services are marketed directly to face-to-face approach.  They will physically visit the client’s location which will allow them to experience first hand how the client operates and gives them ideas on how they can enhance their operations to save them both time and money.   

Bill Trabulsie
Senior Account Executive 
East Commerce Solutions Inc.
22 Morris Lane
East Providence, RI 02914
Ph. 1-800-527-5395 Ext. 812
Fax. 1-888-999-5891
btrabulsie@eastcommercesolutions.com

Swipe for a Cause is not just any payment processor, we are a  payment processor that gives back! When using a credit/debit card at a business that processes payments through Swipe for a Cause, a portion of your sale will automatically be donated to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care along with other organizations.  Andy & Margaret Kinnecom created Swipe for a Cause because they both had family members in hospice care.  They both wanted a way to give back to the hospice “angels” who had done so much for their loved ones.  Hospice Care will be the company’s main passion, but they will also team up with other charities to give back.

So what sets Swipe for a Cause apart from their competition?

• Better pricing which means lower rates,merchants save money and give back to a great cause.
• Customer service – I give every client my cell phone number, I do not want them struggling with any issues
• No matter how big or small the merchant is, they get the same VIP service.
• Free terminals
• Our Cash discounting and Debit Steering which can save merchants  thousands of dollars by eliminating their fees.
• Of course – we donate back Hope Health Hospice

But most importantly – we do what is right for the business

If you are interested in learning more about Swipe for a Cause and how they can help your business, contact Greg.  Here’s his contact information:

Greg Caldarone is the VP of Business Development at Swipe for a Cause and has worked with many businesses where he made it an easier process by giving merchants better customer service and value, educate them on the process and at the same time save them money. 

Greg Caldarone
V.P. Business Development and Operations 
Swipe for a Cause
43 West Main Street
Wickford, RI 02852
Phone 1-800-768-6004
Cell 401-465-8893
greg@swipeforacause.com

“SpotOn was built to help small and midsize businesses compete and win with intuitive software, point-of-sale, and payment solutions.

There are many products that SpotOn offers for their customer but the top 3 that caught my eye were the SpotOn Restaurant, SpotOn Register & SpotOn Mobile

• SpotOn Restaurant is a Point-of-Sale system that is tailored just for you.  All customers get an end-to-end, personalized solution with all the features you need to maximize throughout, grow revenue and improve your guest experience.  It includes Point of Sale, Custom Menu build, Table Layouts, Labor Management & Multi-Location Management
• SpotOn Sidekick can save time and reduce mistakes with intuitive ordering.  You can easily accept cash, cards & contactless payments.  Increase sales with commission – free online ordering via your website and QR code.  You can capture customer contact information during checkout and drive repeat visits with integrated marketing and loyalty.  And gain better insights about your business with over 90 intuitive reports.
• SpotOn Mobile has the option of going where you go – taking payments has never been easier with the secure mobile payments app and optional Bluetooth card reader.  This would also include the 24/7 support, the SpotOn Payments mobile app, a Bluetooth card reader & powerful tools to help you grow without constraint.  “

Dan Whittenberger is an Account Executive at SpotOn where he provides transparent pricing, customer service & local representation for his clients that he helps on a continuous basis

Dan Whittenberger
Account Executive
SpotOn
Phone 508-308-8150
danw@spoton.com

Thank you all for reading!

Dolly Towne, CEO & Growth Advisor

Bookkeeping Towne, LLC

Website:  www.bookkeepingtowne.com 

Email:dolly@bookkeepingtowne.com

Phone: (401) 474-5229