How do you get the incurred damages after guest left (ex: Smoking in Room = $175 fee) if you get cash or paid thru Paypal

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Little_Easy_Cabins

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To confirm the date, we charge payment in full for ONE to THREE nights and 50% down payment for FOUR nights or more. They pay this via Paypal, directly from pay buttons on our website or I invoice them through Paypal.
The problem I have is how do you RE-charge the credit card (supplied and copied upon check in) if damages were made, like smoking in the room which incurred a $175.00 fee? The guest also signed (and was given a copy) of the renter's rules stating the "no smoking policy" and fees attached if this rule was broken.
Does anyone have a suggestion of a good credit card processing company (not Square or Intuit because I do not have a Smartphone).
Paypal will not work on this problem. I would like a company with low processing and monthly fees.
I have spoken to a few companies who state "if I was handed the credit card, I could process the fee like a telephone order", I have spoken with a few companies (companies fees range from 1% to 4% and a monthly fee of $5 to $49). I do not know any of these companies...

Before I sign a contract with an unknown company, does anyone have a suggestion, comments or words of caution? I do not want to go through my personal bank because we do not have a business account (thier fees are too great at this time). Many thanks & take care,
 
You are a business ... and there are costs to doing business. Yes, we hate all the fees that come with business accounts and merchant accounts, but paypal is not the way to go in my opinion because it is not designed for your needs.
I am looking into dwolla which is low fee per purchase (24 cents) and is a transfer of funds between accounts, no credit cards. Or, as Kathleen suggested, invest in a smart phone or pad and use square to minimize your fees. Yes you are going to incur fees but you will also have some protections in place by using credit cards.
But ... no business bank account? Why not look into a local credit union to do your banking with? You really should have a business account.
 
You are a business ... and there are costs to doing business. Yes, we hate all the fees that come with business accounts and merchant accounts, but paypal is not the way to go in my opinion because it is not designed for your needs.
I am looking into dwolla which is low fee per purchase (24 cents) and is a transfer of funds between accounts, no credit cards. Or, as Kathleen suggested, invest in a smart phone or pad and use square to minimize your fees. Yes you are going to incur fees but you will also have some protections in place by using credit cards.
But ... no business bank account? Why not look into a local credit union to do your banking with? You really should have a business account..
Even if it is a personal account that is used only forthe business is better than co-mingling funds. I now have a business account at a bank in town, but I had an account for years that I used only for the business and the checks had the business name on them but I do not believe it was a "business" account as far as the bank was concerned - maybe it was. Hmmm. Anyway it was not and is not now at the same bank as our family account. I am a sloe prop though so that may make a difference. SS is correct - a separate accoiunt for the business is a must.
 
You must have heard this before "you must spend money to make money"! If you want to be in business, there are things that do cost and one is credit card processing. I have not looked at paypal in years but there is a fee, right? You have added the any cost of that fee into your rental costs, right? No different with a credit card processor, add that into your rental fee as well as the business checking (really what is that $10 a month?).
Now about your smoking guest. You have a fee for noncompliance but no way to charge them? This will not help you with your current problem but why not create a deposit (on top of rental), this is done a lot in the rental world. If they leave everything intact, you issue a refund of their deposit. If they smoke or otherwise damage the place, it is taken from the deposit. As for the current matter, the only thing I can suggest is send them an invoice. If they do not pay, your only recourse is to take them to small claims court or move on.
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?
 
you can get second hand i pads and i phones very cheaply now - ie much cheaper than one person smoking
 
Nightly rate: $74???? THat is way too low. Like others said. It costs money to be in business. Paypal charges you a fee. You don't think you get it for free do you? Charge a deposit equal to your smoking fee. If they smoke, the deposit is not returned or credited to the account.
 
You must have heard this before "you must spend money to make money"! If you want to be in business, there are things that do cost and one is credit card processing. I have not looked at paypal in years but there is a fee, right? You have added the any cost of that fee into your rental costs, right? No different with a credit card processor, add that into your rental fee as well as the business checking (really what is that $10 a month?).
Now about your smoking guest. You have a fee for noncompliance but no way to charge them? This will not help you with your current problem but why not create a deposit (on top of rental), this is done a lot in the rental world. If they leave everything intact, you issue a refund of their deposit. If they smoke or otherwise damage the place, it is taken from the deposit. As for the current matter, the only thing I can suggest is send them an invoice. If they do not pay, your only recourse is to take them to small claims court or move on..
(re: You must have heard this before "you must spend money to make money"!)
I fully understand this.
However, my question is in regard to a reputable company to sign up with NOT the actual cost (I was merely supplying the relevant facts). There are numerous reason why I do not wish to use my back-woods rural Regions bank (and the only large chain bank within 45 miles).
For clarification. I do not need pricing guidance, I know my local market and my know my costs.
I am seeking a credit card processing company. I do not know anyone who has used one. Does any one have any pros or cons? Many thanks, B
 
You must have heard this before "you must spend money to make money"! If you want to be in business, there are things that do cost and one is credit card processing. I have not looked at paypal in years but there is a fee, right? You have added the any cost of that fee into your rental costs, right? No different with a credit card processor, add that into your rental fee as well as the business checking (really what is that $10 a month?).
Now about your smoking guest. You have a fee for noncompliance but no way to charge them? This will not help you with your current problem but why not create a deposit (on top of rental), this is done a lot in the rental world. If they leave everything intact, you issue a refund of their deposit. If they smoke or otherwise damage the place, it is taken from the deposit. As for the current matter, the only thing I can suggest is send them an invoice. If they do not pay, your only recourse is to take them to small claims court or move on..
(re: You must have heard this before "you must spend money to make money"!)
I fully understand this.
However, my question is in regard to a reputable company to sign up with NOT the actual cost (I was merely supplying the relevant facts). There are numerous reason why I do not wish to use my back-woods rural Regions bank (and the only large chain bank within 45 miles).
For clarification. I do not need pricing guidance, I know my local market and my know my costs.
I am seeking a credit card processing company. I do not know anyone who has used one. Does any one have any pros or cons? Many thanks, B
.
They are all chiselers. Just pick one. Heartland, NPC, Walmart. They all charge you way more than necessary. You'll find 'fees' for everything on the bill. A basic vanilla credit card (one with ZERO perks) will process for about 2.1% + an access fee (anywhere from 10 cents to 25 cents). Rewards cards process for another .5%. Amex is about 3%. Business cards are more. Foreign cards are 3% more on top of everything else.
Do a Google search. Then do a search for 'scams' using the processor's name. See what comes up. Or, just pick one and ask here. But we can't pick a processor for you.
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
 
Use an iPad and go with Square..
You would have to be able to get reception to appreciate the the value of a smartphone.
When a tower is placed closer (as well as water and gas and DSL)
and is available in this area, I will happily pay & upgrade.

. . . and of course I have a separate (personal) banking account
to handle all of this business' related dealings.

Thanks, B
 
Use an iPad and go with Square..
Thanks, I have heard many good things about 'Square' from my artist friends
That said, you would not be able to process incurred damages after the guest has departed.
I am not trying to re-invent my "wheel", just looking for a reputable processing company which serves small volume clients. Thanks & take care, B
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
.
Really, in spite of Visa Internationals guidelines that specifically say that you cannot? You better get that in writing.
http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/visa-acceptance-guide-lodging-industry.pdf
Page 16 and Page 47
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
.
Little_Easy_Cabins said:
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
They all will say you CAN charge after the client leaves, what they are not saying is that ANYONE can fight the charge. Your smoking fee is considered by CC companies as a damage fee, all of the card companies state in their policies that damages can not be recouped via CC so if you charge a card for the fee and the cardholder fights the charge the card co. will side with the cardholder. As stated before damages can only be recouped via invoice and if they don't pay, by small claims court. That is why you would be best served to charge a cleaning deposit in the beginning than to fight the battle afterwards.
All CC processing companies will have charges, each have different methods to determine your % and other fees, but they are all higher than what we would like! As stated by others, do your research online, get their best prices, and try NOT to get caught up in a contract. Purchase your own CC machine - check out ebay, etc. for a refurbished one.
 
Use an iPad and go with Square..
Thanks, I have heard many good things about 'Square' from my artist friends
That said, you would not be able to process incurred damages after the guest has departed.
I am not trying to re-invent my "wheel", just looking for a reputable processing company which serves small volume clients. Thanks & take care, B
.
Little_Easy_Cabins said:
I am not trying to re-invent my "wheel", just looking for a reputable processing company which serves small volume clients. Thanks & take care, B
We ALL are! After 3 tries, I went Square. You hear one thing during the "courtship" and after the honeymoon period. the marriage sets in. It is as simple as what you hear before an election and the reality of after.
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
.
Little_Easy_Cabins said:
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
Not for damages. Of course you can run the card for the balance of the stay if the guest leaves without checking out.
Get that in writing because VISA and MC say you cannot charge a guest for damages without the guest's express permission. Without a sig on the cc slip the guest will win every time. And even if they sign, they can go home and dispute and say they were 'threatened' or the damage was there when they arrived.
BTW, did they tell you what the proper steps are? We would all like to know this as we've been over this a million times and have posted the terms and conditions on here taken right from the cc websites.
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
.
Little_Easy_Cabins said:
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
They all will say you CAN charge after the client leaves, what they are not saying is that ANYONE can fight the charge. Your smoking fee is considered by CC companies as a damage fee, all of the card companies state in their policies that damages can not be recouped via CC so if you charge a card for the fee and the cardholder fights the charge the card co. will side with the cardholder. As stated before damages can only be recouped via invoice and if they don't pay, by small claims court. That is why you would be best served to charge a cleaning deposit in the beginning than to fight the battle afterwards.
All CC processing companies will have charges, each have different methods to determine your % and other fees, but they are all higher than what we would like! As stated by others, do your research online, get their best prices, and try NOT to get caught up in a contract. Purchase your own CC machine - check out ebay, etc. for a refurbished one.
.
Good to know, I just asked again for clarification with ICS.
Looks like if i swipe the card at check in, input the proper amount,
(as a security deposit, which I was never able to do via paypal),
have the client sign slip & contract,
and then leave the transaction 'pending' until client departs & room cleared,
then the fee would be valid.
also, thanks for the ebay tip as well! Cheers, B
 
You will find credit card processors will not allow you to charge the card for damages. Best bet is refundable security deposit.
What processors are you looking at?.
I have spoken to over 8 companies.
They all state that we CAN process AFTER the the client leaves,
IF the proper steps are taken when they check in.
The main one I am considering is
Integrated Card Services – ICS Merchant Services
and also East Commerce Solutions, North Ame Bancard, Resource Nation
Any thoughts or suggestions? Many thanks, B
.
Really, in spite of Visa Internationals guidelines that specifically say that you cannot? You better get that in writing.
http://usa.visa.com/download/merchants/visa-acceptance-guide-lodging-industry.pdf
Page 16 and Page 47
.
great link (and the page number too!!) . . . will do.
MANY thanks, B
 
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