Exciting Changes for dues/membership payments

[jft69z]

Just a quick note to mention that we are getting closer to obtaining the option to use credit cards as an optional payment method. I've been working on it the last couple of days and should have something in place fairly soon if tomorrows meeting goes well.

It looks like it will include the major credit cards as well as apple pay, google pay, etc. (Venmo is NOT included in this package). It will also be fully secure just like any other credit card transaction, using industry standards.

As with everything else, there are small fees associated with this, but as we currently do with accepting PayPal for dues payments, we intend to absorb the fee and still maintain the $25 cost to members.

I also looked at a better method to streamline the PayPal process with a simple 'pay link' button that would make it easier than going to their site, entering the club email address, etc. The added fees for that convenience nearly doubled what we already pay though, so unfortunately we won't be going that way...sorry, lol. We do NOT want to raise dues prices, and the method we currently use seems to work for everyone, so that will just be business as usual.

I'll update our Membership/Join/Renew pages and dues reminder emails with the new methods when it goes live, and I'll post any additional info as it becomes available.

Thank you!

Joe T

[DragCat]

Will Debit cards also be accepted ? I ask because some institutions don't charge a fee when using a debit card. 

[jft69z]

4 minutes ago, DragCat said:

Will Debit cards also be accepted ? I ask because some institutions don't charge a fee when using a debit card. 

I would have to say yes. If it says Master Card/Visa, etc. on the debit card, for the most part it works just like a credit card. We most likely still have to pay the surcharge though, as the bank still wants their piece of the pie to conduct the transaction.

I will ask them today, it's a good question. Thanks for the input Mark.

[DragCat]

Timing was great on this since I just had the suburban serviced yesterday, no fee with debit card, but there is a fee with a "credit card" . 

[jft69z]

2 minutes ago, DragCat said:

Timing was great on this since I just had the suburban serviced yesterday, no fee with debit card, but there is a fee with a "credit card" . 

That's interesting. My GM dealer charges Credit Card fees lately, so I use cash when getting stuff.

Unfortunately, I only have credit cards, no debit cards. 

[jft69z]

Since we didn't steer this post off topic yet, like we usually do... I'll start. 😄.

Since the new Club License Plates shipped yesterday, I already added them to the Merchandise page, with a screenshot of the design. As mentioned in another recent post, if you're interested in one (or any available merchandise) to be brought to the upcoming meets to save shipping, let me know.

https://www.firstgenmc.com/forums/index.php?/store/licenseplate/

[cny first gen 71]

Is venmo going to be an option in the future? I seldom use credit cards if I do I usually pay it off the next month to avoid intrest.  I use my debit card for most stuff but most places charge a fee for that too just like a credit card. 

[jft69z]

26 minutes ago, cny first gen 71 said:

Is venmo going to be an option in the future?

Not at this current time. It was lumped in with the PayPal option I looked at, but the fees were high. The banks don't seem to think too highly of Venmo (scammed payments, etc), but probably because it bypasses them, lol.

My GF uses it for her business, but I don't seem to recall her having issues with it.

[DragCat]

2 hours ago, jft69z said:

Unfortunately, I only have credit cards, no debit cards. 

I only realized maybe 2 years ago (when they amped up the CC charges) that my bank ATM card was a debit card. The dealership has a sign by the swipe machine that debit cards are fee free. 

My bank also just changed their checking account policies/guidelines so I no longer get free checks. So now I'm using credit cards on everything that doesn't charge a fee and writing one check at the end of the month. I don't do auto pay as in the past some companies have had "issues" with a glitch that billed multiple times for one bill 🙃

[Scott S.]

I'm good with the existing PayPal method..... Didn't realize they charged a fee at your end. 

[jft69z]

19 minutes ago, Scott S. said:

I'm good with the existing PayPal method..... Didn't realize they charged a fee at your end. 

It would be different if they let us use 'Friends & Family' to make the payments (no fee), but they do not because we have a business account. 'Goods & Services' is the only option. I do remember one snuck in last year without a fee, it may have been a member from Canada. By all means, if it pops up on your end to use the 'Friends & Family' option, use it. 

[B-Man]

@jft69z, for what it's worth, I use Square as my 'merchant services supplier' for my business.  I have for years, running six-figure revenues through each year.  Probably 99% of our transactions are credit / debit cards, with cash being a very rare and unpreferred method of payment.  This forum could pretty easily have a web-based store, to include memberships as Items, pretty easily I would think.  The REAL benefit of Square (or something like it) is on the bookkeeping / accounting end - it's near seamless!

Just my $0.02

[jft69z]

30 minutes ago, B-Man said:

@jft69z, for what it's worth, I use Square as my 'merchant services supplier' for my business.  I have for years, running six-figure revenues through each year.  Probably 99% of our transactions are credit / debit cards, with cash being a very rare and unpreferred method of payment.  This forum could pretty easily have a web-based store, to include memberships as Items, pretty easily I would think.  The REAL benefit of Square (or something like it) is on the bookkeeping / accounting end - it's near seamless!

Just my $0.02

We looked at Stripe, Invision Commerce, GoDaddy Services, PayPal merchant etc. Most all provide the same services and functionality. Fees tend to vary a bit, but most are the same per transaction. All add extra layers and middleman drama between the program and the actual bank though. We're going to be using the merchant service our actual bank provides, partly because we're already established with them, it eliminates the middleman, they have 24/7/365 phone support, and can do all of the invoicing, store front, recurring payments if wanted, just like the other services, etc. 

It will also eliminate the middleman if there's a dispute with funds. We won't get the line, "That's Stripes problem, call them' or calling Stripe and them saying "it's your banks problem, call them". One roof, one solution.

 

[Dtret]

I like it. 

[Scott S.]

I like cash..... As do most of the local merchants I deal with.

Zero service fees can go a long way with when buying from independent operations.  

I was amazed at how much operations like Skip and Uber charge these Mom and Pop businesses..... But I guess you can't buy sports arenas without getting it from somewhere.  

[Dtret]

Obviously the preferred method would be cash. But I don’t think we would accept a cash I.o.u.  Have you ever bought anything from Amazon, they don’t take cash. Unless you getting out and driving to a vendor I agree cash is king but that’s not the society we live in. 

[Glen]

Ok, I’ll ask…

you still good with third party, postdated out-of-state checks?  Asking for a friend.  

[jft69z]

3 minutes ago, Glen said:

Ok, I’ll ask…

you still good with third party, postdated out-of-state checks?  Asking for a friend.  

Those go straight to the shredder...

[Rob Peters]

9 hours ago, Glen said:

Ok, I’ll ask…

you still good with third party, postdated out-of-state checks?  Asking for a friend.  

i would suggest THAT friend would need to be a cash customer.  Either that or YOU could be a FRIEND and pay it for him/her/them.  I'm sure we would accept cash from you for your FRIEND.

rob

[jft69z]

So, the ability to process credit/debit cards is now live!

I've added a 'Pay Button' and live link on the 'Membership Renew' page, and links on the 'Join' page, and the merchandise payment methods pages. I'll probably paste it around in a couple other places down the road.

 - The button & link will pop up a window where you can enter the $25 dues, or more if you choose to do multiple years. 

 - This service will let us 'Invoice' you, say for totals when you want to get a couple shirts, hats, etc,

 - It will also let us generate a 'QR' code that can be used say at a car show, print the thing out, leave it on the table, and people can join/pay immediately in person.

- We'll also be able to do manual transactions over the phone, if desired.

 

Who wants to be the first to try it out? 😄  (I did a couple test runs myself for a $1.00 each, and it worked fine).

 

I'll also put the live link for Credit Card and PayPal in the dues reminder emails we send out, to hopefully make it a little easier for everyone.

 

[Leghome]

I'm glad it works so much easier

 

[jft69z]

5 minutes ago, Leghome said:

it says payment received

I'm glad it works so much easier

Thank you so much, Larry! (our first victim 😁)

It popped up already in the system. Did you get a receipt?

[Leghome]

it showed in in my bankstatement alreadythis was a debit card. I never looked for a receipt as the payment recieved message appeared

 

 

[cny first gen 71]

I already paid mine by check and went through fine or I would have tried this. Thank you Joe for updating/upgrading this.

[jft69z]

1 hour ago, Leghome said:

it showed in in my bankstatement alreadythis was a debit card. I never looked for a receipt as the payment recieved message appeared

 

 

OK, thx!

I'll check the settings to see about emailing receipts.

EDIT: Larry did receive a receipt. Important because sometimes things happen and I want to make sure members have proof of payment,  in case for whatever reason our records are wrong and you get an unwarranted renewal reminder.