Card Payments -online & over the phone

[cmp78]

Hi,
I'm considering starting up a business but have one major stumbling block. How do i take payments!!!!!
I will be tele-canvassing prospective clients (sme's and sole traders). I want to be able to take a payment over the phone and also have the option for my potential customers to pay via my website.

What is the best way of going about this?

I've read up on the merchant accounts but would not qualify I feel as i'm purely in the concept stages and it will be a service im selling not a tangable product...

regards

[fisicx]

There is no other option. You cannot for example takes someones card or bank details and enter them into a payment portal, it's illegal.

Why can't you get merchant services?

[rossperr]

Your only option is really to get a credit card machine and set up a service contract. You can apply via your bank but you may need to set up a separate business account. No otherway i am afraid

[Scattman]

Go to paypal mate. They offer that service and even they are offering to process CC payments for you. DOnt know about the telephone side of things.

Cheers.

[underpressure]

You should talk to your bank about getting a merchant account. Why do you say it's so hard ? Have you had an application rejected ?

A merchant account which provides a card terminal and over the phone sales is generally easier to get than one for internet retailing.