accepting credit cards...is there a cheap way to do this?

For 15 years I have avoided using credit cards, excepting checks and/or hopefully cash. Is there a nonconsuming way to do the credit cards and what is the best way to go about this? . Just had a party cancel for today AND I had turned down a 3 hour corporate event because of this booking. Need to have better protection. I must tell you, this almost never happen to me...maybe 4/5 times in the last 15 years of doing this full time. Not sure it is worth the red tape and expense.
Thanks,
Giggles

Do you take deposits? That helps to offset the loss of a job on short notice.

I don't take credit cards/debit either and have no interest in doing so. Just take deposits for jobs that are non-refundable if THEY cancel on me. No one has ever baulked at it.

I use paypal... you can send them an email request for funds and they don't need to have a paypal account. There is a small fee per transaction, but it's not a lot.. I THINK it's like .35 plus 2% or something?

Thanks for the info...I guess I will start out with the deposit -I used to do that all the time and then I got lazy- and then if that dosen't work check with paypal...Thanks again!

I have a Paypal button on my website that clients can pay their deposit through. It's helped a lot with last minute gigs. Getting a paypal account is free. Paypal charges a small fee/ percentage of your payment, so you'll make less. It's well worth the minimal cost & the fee can be written off on your taxes.

I've used PayPal for years with my current business and love it - it's perfect for those one in 100 that want to use a credit or corporate card. It is very safe for them as you never see their credit information. And Perry Nola and Psalmbook are right it's free if you get a standard business account and the % they take off is minimal (better than not getting it at all!). You can send an invoice by email or as Psalmbook does, create buttons to put on your website. There are also several ways of getting the money that is in your Paypal account to you - by check ($1 fee I think), direct deposit into your bank account (3-4 days) or a debit card issued by PayPal. I think the latter is the fastest, but I've only ever used the direct deposit method. Good luck!

This is a new way to go if you have an iPhone. It lets you run cards where ever you are with a small percentage like Paypal.

https://squareup.com/

ooooh, when I get an iPhone, I REALLY want this app!

You guys are the best! We are so lucky to have this forum...I feel like I now have people to brainstorm with. Something I have missed since I left the corp. world. Wait... that is the only thing I miss.