cc start up vs cash

[ronswash]

Right now my start up is $1.75 for 3.44 minutes, 32sec per .25. I'm going to add Crytopay ( count down) to my wash. Should I require a higher start up for the cc? Like $4.00 and can't the customer stop the sale at any time. So even if I have it posted as $4.00 to start they could stop it at lets say $3.00 and only be charged for that amount? Oh and when the cc is up and running I'm dropping my time to .30 sec per. Sorry guys for all the question.

 

[chaz]

I'm in Cincinnati. But here... I'm $3.00 first 4 minutes. C/c is count up with a $3.00 minimum, stops at $15 or when stop is pushed.

 

[MEP001]

FWIW I worried about that too, but decided to leave it the same as cash. Almost no one uses the minimum amount. I did eventually raise it to $2.00 but gave the same start-up time as cash ($1.50) so the CC fees were pretty much covered.

 

[Jeff_L]

I'm redoing the meter boxes at one of my washes and struggled with this too. (Adding bill acceptors, credit, and coin)

I decided to just make it easy for the consumer, $2 to start no matter the payment method. 30sec per .25. I don't want to make it hard for the customer to figure out how to spend money at the wash.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Startup same BUT I would seriously reconsider using count up. It's a game changer.

 

[pgrzes]

I am $2-4 min cash, $3-6 min credit card. never had any complaints. Count up a must with credit card. And even more so if you have hand blowers!!! 7 bays and the upgrade paid for itself in first year.

 

[BBE]

Count up is the way to go, IMO. Just to give another example, we are only a dollar to start for 1:32. And we do a $3.00 minimum CC charge. So if they only use 30 seconds and hit the stop button they will still be charged 3 dollars. But again, we don't call it a "credit card start up price" we just say there is a $3.00 minimum charge. All in the wording, most people understand this, as it is pretty standard practice to have a minimum amount that you can charge on a credit card.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

Should I require a higher start up for the cc?

Some of us do that, some of us do not. I use count down for CC, my minimum/start for CC is now $5, minimum/start for cash or tokens is $3.

... and can't the customer stop the sale at any time. So even if I have it posted as $4.00 to start they could stop it at lets say $3.00 and only be charged for that amount?

Your timer should be controlling that, so if they put in $4 in quarters can they stop it at $3?? Not likely; no, they will still be charged the $4.

Oh and when the cc is up and running I'm dropping my time to .30 sec per.

Good.

Sorry guys for all the question.

lol, that wasnt a lot of questions.

 

[Jeff_L]

Question for those of you using count up. How do you handle the pre-auth/pending amount of $15 on credit cards? I use count up at two of my washes, yes, I love it for the larger tickets. But I'm fielding calls daily about me "charging $15", which I have to explain the process each time. I even have a big bold title with link on my website "$15 Charge?" I still get calls. Thus, installing cc's at my other wash and I'm thinking of going to count down.

 

[Earl Weiss]

........ How do you handle the pre-auth/pending amount of $15 on credit cards? ..

A few years ago I got one call a month. Now one every 3 months. Some operators have a large sign explaining this by the CC Machine. I doubt users who are ignorant of this issue would go to a website for info. In addition, for those who "Pay At the Pump" a similar process is in place for those who get an authorization and start pumping so many are used to it.

 

[pgrzes]

I still get calls. Thus, installing cc's at my other wash and I'm thinking of going to count down.[/QUOTE]

DONT GO TO COUNT DOWN!!!!!!

 

[chaz]

Yep.. I too get some calls. And the ones that "forgot" to push stop. Still I'm fine with count up, the convenience to the majority of my customer and my increased sales are worth the aggravation of the calls.

Why spend the $ for C/C set up and fees if you don't get the benefit of increase sales!

 

[BBE]

We started just leaving a blurb about it right on our voicemail. Something to the effect of "if you are calling about what appears to be a $15 dollar charge on your credit or debit card...."

 

[MEP001]

I posted these and the calls stopped:

 

[chaz]

I like that sign.

 

[slash007]

Sometimes I go a few weeks without a call, one week I got over 10. It is crazy, people don't read and freak out over my $10 pre-auth. I still would never leave count up.

 

[BBE]

I posted these and the calls stopped:

I had thought about doing something similar, however the MAJORITY of people don't notice. For every 1 person who notices, there were probably 50 to 100 or more who didn't notice. The hold and change over happens so quickly, within 24 to 48 hours, that the only people who are gonna notice are the people who religiously check their account on an hourly or daily basis. Anyways, back to my point, I don't want to do/say anything that may slightly scare off the 95% of people who don't even notice by putting a sign out about it because they may notice that...though it's highly unlikely, nobody reads signs

 

[Jeff_L]

Gas stations do $1 pending. Everyone understands when I explain, but I still get the calls. Figure since they're checking their account online, they'd simply google my website and see the explanation there. Maybe they do, and those are the ones who don't call.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Gas stations do $1 pending.

I certainly don't. Guy comes in for a fill up. No knowing how much he will get, so it puts a hold on max dispenser is set for.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I had thought about doing something similar, however the MAJORITY of people don't notice. )

Part of the benefit of the sign is so:
A. You can point to it if there is a question; and
B. If someone cals you can say the notice is clearly posted .....