Really interesting replies. I'm still using Quickbooks 2001, and was using the program Intuit was offering through Quickbooks to accept Visa and MC. The merchant service middleman was the main reason for the large cost increase, although I'd bet Intuit got their pound of flesh as well.
Edward, what type of card swiper will you use with your laptop? Do you plug the laptop into the phone jack, or do you have to use a separate terminal for the authorization/receipt? I'm still interested in handling cards, if there is a way to do it convienently for me and my customers, and at a reasonable cost.
My main reason for all this is I was offered a deal for 1.76% per transaction, with no minimum, and a $25 a month terminal lease. It sounds good, but that's still $25 I could use elsewhere, especially if there's little interest. For you that do a fair amount of business with cards, did the clients ask you to start accepting cards; or did you start taking cards, then tell/sell your customers on it?
