credit card acceptors for a low volume site

[Mel(NC)]

One of the upgrades I have planned in the next couple of months is to add credit card acceptors. However, since my wash is in a small town and is relatively low volume (about $2400/month for the bays), I am concerned about recurring monthly charges and initial expense. From the postings on the forum, it looks like Etowah Valley's system might be the best bet for my site. The initial expense is less than other systems I have researched and it transmits data over phone line instead of over a more expensive internet connection. Wash gear looks like a great system but I don't think my site would justify the added expense.

Is Etowah Valley a good choice for a low volume site? Are there other systems that I have missed that might be a good fit? Also, I have a Fragrmatics combo vac I would also like to upgrade to CC acceptance. Can the Etowah valley system be used on vacs?

 

[mjwalsh]

Some really should give an ATMs path at least a thought!

One of the upgrades I have planned in the next couple of months is to add credit card acceptors. However, since my wash is in a small town and is relatively low volume (about $2400/month for the bays), I am concerned about recurring monthly charges and initial expense.

Mel & others,

We chose to go the owning an ATM route since April of this year with it more than meeting our expectations in terms of another source of income & convenience for the customers. It gives out 5 dollar bills & they can also check their bank balances for free. The free real time tracking is fined tune & detailed if ever needed --- in our experience --- can the same be said about the card swipes? It is surprising with bill acceptors in the bays how many people put in a bigger bill like a $5. The dynamic is not totally unlike the quick credit card swipe --- there is that same sense of freedom & convenience of having the time covered. For the more budget conscious --- making darn sure dollar coins are at their fingertips via the changers is another helpful offset.

It depends on your sheltered areas & security somewhat --- some ATMs can be built in a wall. I think some of the operators have to step back & consider the fact that if they set themselves up with the added initial & accumulating expenses of the card swipes --- they will have to charge a bit more to cover it. Charging that extra amount can make the facility a bit less competitive whether it is acknowledged or not! If your area has banks & credit unions that cover any ATM charges in full --- that will also work in your favor. I really do believe it is a good fit for our facility & possibly for some others.

MJ

 

[Whale of a Wash]

At one of my washes i had a rowe changer that was possessed no mattter how many new parts it had, so i got a standard changer with cc to give out tokens, it has really been doing alot of cards. Not sure how your setup, bought thought i would throw it out as an option if you had a changer you didn't like.

 

[Ric]

Maybe eport?

 

[kentadel]

I have had Etowah Valley credit card acceptors since Feb. I know its a short period of time, but I have not had a problem of any kind yet.

 

[MEP001]

ePort sounds like a good option if you're concerned about fees. I don't have any direct experience with them, but from what I understand it's a flat $10 a month for each terminal plus a per-swipe processing fee. The equipment is very inexpensive and easy to retrofit.

Can the Etowah valley system be used on vacs?

Yes with a "but". Jim Gosnell told me that they must be hardwired to work properly. The vac motors make too much noise for the wireless to communicate.

 

[Mel(NC)]

Thanks for the responses. For me, space and security might be an issue for an ATM. I called Bluepay to figure out exactly what the charges would be yesterday. Etowah Valley via Bluepay costs $.15 per transaction with a minimum of $15/mnth. There is also a monthly charge of $10 for the site. Visa/MC would also get their fee of 1-3%. I would also need to find a long distance service but I have not priced that yet. You can use other processors with the EV system but they recommend Bluepay.

I have not done any research on Eport yet but the $10/card reader instead of by site would increase base fees.

MEP, you read my mind on the vacs. I was wondering why I could not use a wireless phone connection to hook up a vac. I am sure there has to be something available that could filter out noise. I am also not sure how Jim's system would interface with the digital display on a vac. I was planning on calling him later today.

 

[Sequoia]

IP

I would check with other operators who are doing CC verification over a telephone line. A few years ago, there was a large difference in the time it took to conclude a transaction based on whether you did IP (internet) verification or used a phone line. This, back then, was a prime selling feature about why to do it the IP way instead of a phone line.

Perhaps the phone-based systems are faster now-- not sure. But I'd check it out.

 

[MEP001]

MEP, you read my mind on the vacs. I was wondering why I could not use a wireless phone connection to hook up a vac. I am sure there has to be something available that could filter out noise. I am also not sure how Jim's system would interface with the digital display on a vac. I was planning on calling him later today.

There is (or used to be) a wireless phone bridge device you would plug in at the jack and has a remote unit you plug in elsewhere to use a standard wired phone. Maybe that can function around the vac motor noise.

What kind of digital displays are on your vacs? The Etowah Valley CC timer will directly replace a Dixmor LED-7.

I would check with other operators who are doing CC verification over a telephone line. A few years ago, there was a large difference in the time it took to conclude a transaction based on whether you did IP (internet) verification or used a phone line. This, back then, was a prime selling feature about why to do it the IP way instead of a phone line.

Perhaps the phone-based systems are faster now-- not sure. But I'd check it out.

The Etowah Valley system turns the timer on immediately with the swipe and starts the processing at the same time. If I'm not mistaken, if the card comes back bad it shuts off. Dial-up processing is generally pretty fast, around 15 seconds.

 

[Mel(NC)]

MEP,

I have a Fragramatics combo unit.

 

[Kevin James]

There are a few things you want to look at. Is the system PCI Compliant? What are the Fee’s and operating costs? Do I have to subscribe to their processor? We are looking at this system www.getcryptopay.com/ it’s a wireless system and only costs $150 per bay. Does anyone have any feedback on this system?

 

[MEP001]

I have a Fragramatics combo unit.

If it's a shampoo combo unit, with a little work you could replace the existing timer with the Etowah Valley timer. You wouldn't need to though, if the EV timer was hidden and you configured it to send coin pulses with a swipe it will work with any existing timer. I don't know if the EV system can be set up for pulse credit.