credit card processing

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Pandalou

Pandalou

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Aug 19, 2005
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www.ferrariflorist.com
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I know we have had discussion regarding credit cards processing fees, etc. but I don't remember covering this aspect. I called FTD (I purchased my POS system from them) to get let them know I was going to another vendor who had better rates. I was told I couldn't because it was hard wired. I said so you charge me higher rates and I have no choice in the matter. They answered, Yes!
This doesn't seem legal to me. Can I get a separate unit to use instead of the POS system?
Sharon
 
Pandalou said:
I called FTD (I purchased my POS system from them) to get let them know I was going to another vendor who had better rates. I was told I couldn't because it was hard wired. I said so you charge me higher rates and I have no choice in the matter. They answered, Yes!

Sharon
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Another ringing endorsement for wire service technology...NOT... it's called technology jail.

As far as being "hard wired", that's not quite true. While it is indeed "coded" into the system, they could let you change if they wanted to, which they don't and most likely won't.

Your only option at this point, would be to go to another processor with a separate terminal. And then pull the plug on the WS tech, or is it internet based?

However this too will present an accounting problem. How do you process orders on your system? Can you mark them paid without running it through the system? Maybe, if you have the option to enter a "voice authorization" into the ticket.

Good luck!
 
Pandalou said:
I know we have had discussion regarding credit cards processing fees, etc. but I don't remember covering this aspect. I called FTD (I purchased my POS system from them) to get let them know I was going to another vendor who had better rates. I was told I couldn't because it was hard wired. I said so you charge me higher rates and I have no choice in the matter. They answered, Yes!
This doesn't seem legal to me. Can I get a separate unit to use instead of the POS system?
Sharon
Click to expand...
Sharon
Call your bank and get the number of the company they recomend for c.c. processing. I bet that the processing co. will be able to help you.We do not belong to FTD/telaflora so we own our own equipment.But.....when we changed processing co., they called us on the phone and led us thru the reprogramming.It has to do with your bank routing #. It would be worth a try. I do know that they told us if we ever purchase a POS system that it can interface with it. Go for it!That will be less money they(FTD) are making off of you!:)
 
lizzie ann said:
I do know that they [your bank] told us if we ever purchase a POS system that it can interface with it.
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While it's true they "can", neither FTD or Teleflora will allow them to. It's not in their best interest to do so, as they make more money off the system that way.
 
I would really take a very close look at the processing fees with another vender before switching. I did this for almost a year with another vender instead of Teleflora and I actually spent more with our Banks processer. To many different rates for corporate cards and transaction fees where all over the place.

Going back to teleflora we ended up saving about $100 to $150 a month compared to Nova.
 
Teleflora gave me a great rate but they want me to change to their system. I have 1 1/2 left on the FTD system. They would give me the rate if I change with the idea that I would consider their system after the first of the year. I would need a separate terminal to input the cc but I think that might make a accounting nightmare with the Mercury system.
Sharon
 
Is the rate really that much better then FTD? I know right now Teleflora offers a 1.99% for all cards and different transaction fees for for each card. American Express and Discover transaction fee much higher but since they are used far less then Mastercard or Visa its not big deal.

Unless you have some crack head trying to buy a single rose using their american express..
 
The wire services love to keep you hostage but legally they can't do that, no matter what they tell you. Going through your bank isn't the better option either as they too are the middle man to the credit industry. The rates are established by VISA and MASTERCARD and EVERYONE has to pay them. So you would be far far better off going with a company that only does CC processing such as Merchant Warehouse Services. They won't require you to sign a contract, pay big upfront fees and they are one of the "good guys" who know how to read those (purposely) confusing WS statements. I can guarantee the CC rates from FTD are one of the highest rates in the entire CC industry.

Good luck!!
 
spentflowers said:
The wire services love to keep you hostage but legally they can't do that, no matter what they tell you. Going through your bank isn't the better option either as they too are the middle man to the credit industry. The rates are established by VISA and MASTERCARD and EVERYONE has to pay them. So you would be far far better off going with a company that only does CC processing such as Merchant Warehouse Services. They won't require you to sign a contract, pay big upfront fees and they are one of the "good guys" who know how to read those (purposely) confusing WS statements. I can guarantee the CC rates from FTD are one of the highest rates in the entire CC industry.

Good luck!!
Click to expand...

I'm reluctant to go down this long and winding road one more time--but--it isn't necessarily true that FTD has the highest rates in the industry. It depends on the specifics of your shop, volume, orders sent vs. received, etc. The FTD, and I assume Teleflora, rates can actually be very favorable. There are past threads where we talk about this in detail.
 
master J said:
it's hard for us to get the best rate because 90% of our cc business is not swiped, they are entered manually, and we pay a higher rate for no swipe entries :(

We are paying 2.25% right now, yet after all other extra charges, trans fees, etc, it ends up being closer to 3% :(
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yes, ~3% is the avg monthly w/all extra fees factored in.
I consider that ok when a customer calls with off the wall cards
ie: ae,discover,carte blanche etc that charge higher rates if you sign up individually(non-group negotiated) and we can tell the client yes we can take your card. We should not be penalized for non-swiped cards though, that burns me up.


Lesson of this thread is to NEVER get into proprietory supplied software/hardware from sleazy vendors. They do not care about your dollars, now do they? ...unless your dollars go into THEIR pockets.
 
BOSS's quote of the YEAR!

avenuegardensflorist said:
Lesson of this thread is to NEVER get into proprietory supplied software/hardware from sleazy vendors. They do not care about your dollars, now do they? ...unless your dollars go into THEIR pockets.
Click to expand...
Ding ding ding...we have a winner!
 
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Eric S said:
I would really take a very close look at the processing fees with another vender before switching. I did this for almost a year with another vender instead of Teleflora and I actually spent more with our Banks processer. To many different rates for corporate cards and transaction fees where all over the place.

Going back to teleflora we ended up saving about $100 to $150 a month compared to Nova.
Click to expand...

initially i left teleflora processing credit cards, tried two different companies (one being an iso, and completely horrid as well as costing a fortune for leaving) now i'm back with teleflora and staying there.
 
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