Affordable merchant accounts and fax services?

[SheilaJ]

OK, I've got almost everything done for the startup of my interior landscaping business. I still need to find an affordable way to accept credit cards. Merchant accounts cost a fortune, and I'm not sure how many clients I will have or whether they will even want to use credit cards - I expect most of my clients will be small local businesses who will probably pay by check.

Also looking for an online fax service so I don't have to pay for a dedicated phone line and fax machine that I'll probably only use a few times a month. I found one called Packetel for $3.95 a month. Seems like a good price - has anyone used them or found something better?

Thanks very much!

Sheila
www.PerfectPlants.biz

[Holldoll]

I always recommend QuickBooks Merchant Services. Their prices are competitive and you can process everything right in QB.  It's a pretty good service.  If you want I can sign you up for it and it will be cheaper (I'm certified with QB so I get the fees waived). 

Pfax is a good service.  It's about $4 a month.  I use efax, it's 16.95 a month, but there is more storage and has a few different features that I find it's worth the price difference.  Plus, I've had the number for so long now I don't want to change it. 

[Esther]

As a retired banker, when I heard that you might choose between accepting checks only and accepting credit cards, my hair stood on end. I know you have fees for using credit cards but at least you know you'll be getting your money if the card is accepted. With the checks, you don't know that the check isn't good until your work is all done. I don't know if you're able to go back to the jobs where the checks are bad and dig up your plants or not. I would think that you should build a loss factor into your prices somehow. Ask someone who has run a business about how to handle bad checks.

[LeeAnne151]

It is my understanding that Costco offers low fee merchant accounts for accepting credit cards.

[SheilaJ]

Thanks, everyone, I'll be checking out all the options. I'm still fighting to get insurance. Some carriers freak out when you mention you might have to apply pesticides indoors (even though I'll be licensed, and in fact I must have insurance coverage to get the license!). I'm starting to find some companies that understand the plant industry and should be more receptive.