Would accepting CC payments increase business?

[+ TylerandAce]

Would the ability to pay by credit card enable clients to have an easier time committing to an appointment? We are a pretty expensive booking as a couple, so coming up with that much cash usually involves waiting for a bank to open since ATM's normally have daily withdrawal limits. Some folks (myself included) wouldn't want to go withdraw lots of money from a teller and then walk around with it. There are plenty of ways to take cards with smart phones and it's an easy transaction. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[tyro]

My best friend does holistic healing work and used Square to take CC payments. I don't know if you want any sort of evidence, though.......

T

[BaronArtz]

As a client, I would never pay with a credit card - confidentiality issues. And if I were an escort, I would worry about credit card payments being reversed, in case the client calls his bank/credit card company to dispute the charges. Incidentally, the same is true for PayPal payments, they can be reversed.

[+ TylerandAce]

Makes sense...thanks. Hopefully there would be no reason for a client to reverse the charges, but I do understand the concern.

[+ nycman]

Not with me.

 

YMMV

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I admit that I hate cashing checks at the bank to have cash, but I do it. In order to accept credit cards, there would need to have a business type associated with accepting the card in the dollar amount sufficient to cover the charge on the card. For example, "Tyler & Ace's Bed and Breakfast" might be appropriate when hosting.

[+ TylerandAce]

That's pretty much what we were thinking, yes. makes sense.

[+ purplekow]

Some escorts accept Paypal and I for one would use a credit card. I pay by check frequently as I do not always want to carry the cash for an overnight with me.

[marylander1940]

Would the ability to pay by credit card enable clients to have an easier time committing to an appointment? We are a pretty expensive booking as a couple, so coming up with that much cash usually involves waiting for a bank to open since ATM's normally have daily withdrawal limits. Some folks (myself included) wouldn't want to go withdraw lots of money from a tellar and then walk around with it. There are plenty of ways to take cards with smart phones and it's an easy transaction. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I think this could be posted in the "Ask an escort"

 

Now back to the subject, I only pay cash.

[+ Axiom2001]

On one occasion I used one of my cc's to pay the fee which the man requested. All was easy and rather innocuous, and I did not have one bit of worry as to my or his confidentiality.

He used his paypal account via swiping my card into his phone!

 

In regard to the general query, I can't state whether or not the escort would increase his client flow, for I am thinking in the same manner as Marylander1940. "Ask an escort" to glean responses.

[+ TylerandAce]

Thanks all. I posted in the Lounge to get feedback from both sides, but primarily wanted to know a client's perspective. I'm all about eliminating sales barriers and if clients find accepting a CC facilitates the close then we would accept some risk of forfeiture due to fee reversal. There is a cost of business, and I understand that. I'm not sure about accepting a check, though. I could see it with someone you had an established, trusted relationship, maybe.

[+ deej]

Would the ability to pay by credit card enable clients to have an easier time committing to an appointment? We are a pretty expensive booking as a couple, so coming up with that much cash usually involves waiting for a bank to open since ATM's normally have daily withdrawal limits. Some folks (myself included) wouldn't want to go withdraw lots of money from a tellar and then walk around with it. There are plenty of ways to take cards with smart phones and it's an easy transaction. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Cash always works. A company I used to work for used Diner's Club as their corporate credit card. I always carried a lot of cash because when DC had computer issues and was refused when checking in to a hotel I could always check in anyway.

 

Do you REALLY want clients so unprepared that they haven't thought ahead about paying the fee?

 

Just a thought.

[bigvalboy]

It wouldn't be an advantage for me. I never use credit cards except for car rental. I pay cash for everything, with the occasional debit card for large purchases. When traveling or paying for escort services, I carry the cash, sometimes large sums, and have never had a problem. I would think that an escort would prefer it.

[Paddy]

You will definitely get more business if you make it more convenient for clients to pay you. Paypal, Stripe, and similar services allow a bit of safety for the client because you don't deal with their credit card directly / you never have the number. You will have to accept some risk as the payment processors will pass chargebacks onto you, but that is the price. Just expect a small percentage to be nullified. Note that it can happen six months or longer after the fact.

 

Be sure to withdraw the money into your bank account as soon as you can in case the account gets frozen temporarily due to overzealous auditing or the like - it is uncommon but it can happen (as in Paypal's case) if you get more than x reversals in y time period. Just don't treat it like a bank account and leave money in there.

 

It should be worth it, though.

[stop]

You will definitely get more business if you make it more convenient for clients to pay you. Paypal, Stripe, and similar services allow a bit of safety for the client because you don't deal with their credit card directly / you never have the number. You will have to accept some risk as the payment processors will pass chargebacks onto you, but that is the price. Just expect a small percentage to be nullified. Note that it can happen six months or longer after the fact.

 

Be sure to withdraw the money into your bank account as soon as you can in case the account gets frozen temporarily due to overzealous auditing or the like - it is uncommon but it can happen (as in Paypal's case) if you get more than x reversals in y time period. Just don't treat it like a bank account and leave money in there.

 

It should be worth it, though.

 

 

I'm not sure I would want to pay via credit card. I don't care what the charge would show up as but up I don't think I want to give a credit card number to somebody I just met. I also only use Amex and it is horribly expensive for a business.

 

I might consider PayPal though.

 

I am replying directly to Paddy's post because I want to know if the avatar he uses is a pic of him. (because that pic is awfully handsome)

[rvwnsd]

I have paid for escort services using a credit card. One escort used Paypal, which was a bit of a pain for both of us, and two escorts used Square. At the same time, not accepting credit cards would not deter me from hiring an escort. While it is true that ATM and debit cards have daily withdrawal limits, the daily withdrawal amount resets at midnight. Additionally, the limit is typically a per account limit. So, if a client has a checking and a savings account and a withdrawal limit of $500, he could withdraw $500 from his checking and $500 from his savings each day. Many banks now set the limit as the available balance on deposit in the account and give the customer the option to set a lower limit.

[rvwnsd]

I'm not sure I would want to pay via credit card. I don't care what the charge would show up as but up I don't think I want to give a credit card number to somebody I just met. ...

 

That is a very valid concern. Using Square, the merchant (in this case, the escort) does not get to see the credit card number. If the reader could not read the mag stripe, he would have the option to enter the card number. He could then see the number, unless he handed you his phone and you entered it. If the escort used PayPal, he would not see the card number because he sends you a request for funds via PayPal and you provide the credit card info to PayPal.

[mike carey]

For me it would be an advantage to be able to use a credit card but it would by no means be decisive. There is a degree of perceived vulnerability carrying cash, especially for an overnighter. I do not have a US bank account so I can't go into a bank and cash a cheque, I have to rely on ATMs and foreign exchange desks. Last time I used a US ATM they typically only dispensed 20s, is that still the case? $1000 or $1200 in 20s anyone? For any of the higher priced companions you would almost need an attache case! In Australia I have only had short hires and $50 is the standard ATM banknote (some, very few, do $100s) so having the right amount of cash hasn't been an issue.

 

I agree with others that with just a little planning there is not much difficulty in having the cash available for an appointment.

[Paddy]

Jeepo: It is, and thanks ;-)

[MikeyGMin]

I used a US ATM they typically only dispensed 20s, is that still the case? $1000 or $1200 in 20s

 

Yes. Unless you're in Vegas and then they kick out $100 bills.

[MikeyGMin]

Would the ability to pay by credit card enable clients to have an easier time committing to an appointment? We are a pretty expensive booking as a couple, so coming up with that much cash usually involves waiting for a bank to open since ATM's normally have daily withdrawal limits. Some folks (myself included) wouldn't want to go withdraw lots of money from a tellar and then walk around with it. There are plenty of ways to take cards with smart phones and it's an easy transaction. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I would totally use a credit card because I have very few confidentiality concerns. It would also amuse me to get airline miles on an escort ride.

[Marlfox]

For me it would be an advantage to be able to use a credit card but it would by no means be decisive. There is a degree of perceived vulnerability carrying cash, especially for an overnighter. I do not have a US bank account so I can't go into a bank and cash a cheque, I have to rely on ATMs and foreign exchange desks. Last time I used a US ATM they typically only dispensed 20s, is that still the case? $1000 or $1200 in 20s anyone? For any of the higher priced companions you would almost need an attache case! In Australia I have only had short hires and $50 is the standard ATM banknote (some, very few, do $100s) so having the right amount of cash hasn't been an issue.

 

I agree with others that with just a little planning there is not much difficulty in having the cash available for an appointment.

 

In Australia I always pay with cash, however when I was in New York I had the same problems as Mike, the ATM's dispensed 20's and sometimes had a limit of $200 per withdrawal. Being able to use a credit card made everything much simpler, and I got frequent flyer points! I can imagine times when I would hire someone who accepted credit cards, rather than someone who didn't.

[Tigger]

I have qualms about using my credit card or paying with a check. With escorts that I have a good relationship with I have used PayPal for overnights and weekends. But I haven't paid all of the fee at one time. I don't know whether it really matters, but I've divided the payments up to be less suspicious. I've also marked the payments as gifts to avoid the service charge for the escort.

 

I did have one escort last year who banked at the same bank as I did who wanted a cashier's check. I think he is incorporated, and this was the best way for him in regards to taxes.

[+ Gar1eth]

In Australia I always pay with cash, however when I was in New York I had the same problems as Mike, the ATM's dispensed 20's and sometimes had a limit of $200 per withdrawal. Being able to use a credit card made everything much simpler, and I got frequent flyer points! I can imagine times when I would hire someone who accepted credit cards, rather than someone who didn't.

 

 

Welcome to the Forum, Marlfox. I (we ) hope you enjoy your participation with us.

 

Gman

[+ DERRIK]

Satisfied square user here and would love to use square. ATM's are fine except there is usually a limit to daily withdraws and typically they only spit out twenties. When payment time comes with an escort I prefer an envelope with 100's.