Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
(OP)
Some customers I support with routine questions that require maybe a few hours per week, and some occasional calculations or diagrams supporting the answers/opintions. Currently we get a PO from them for maybe 40 hours, then I invoice every two weeks against the PO until its depleted, then get another one and so on.
Getting a new PO every few weeks is a headache for me, their accounting dept., the customer, etc. Then theres the invoicing that I have to follow up on, etc. It's inneficient on both ends.
I'm wondering if there is a better way for this type of situation? Maybe I could accept Credit cards, or have a fixed monthly cost like the prepaid attorney plans,...
Has anyone found a good system for this type of customer.
Getting a new PO every few weeks is a headache for me, their accounting dept., the customer, etc. Then theres the invoicing that I have to follow up on, etc. It's inneficient on both ends.
I'm wondering if there is a better way for this type of situation? Maybe I could accept Credit cards, or have a fixed monthly cost like the prepaid attorney plans,...
Has anyone found a good system for this type of customer.





RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
JIM
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
If you decide to accept cc, make sure your fees are high enuf to cover the charge that Visa/MC/Amex will hit you up with.
We have also signed up with paypal for one customer-again, we pay a fee on each payment.
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
You need a merchant account to accept CC's. This can get pricey (I looked into this myself, once). Be careful. Lots of internet predators looking for a cut of this kind of business. Best thing probably is to talk to your banker in person.
If cash flow is a problem, you might be able to set up a line of credit with your bank.
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
This has worked for me for many many years.
I use a spreadsheet to keep track of invoices, receipts, etc. If this is too much of a burden, then maybe you need to get someone to help with this.
The other solution of just invoicing a fixed sum monthly, and then reconciling at the end of the year may work, if both sides agree to it. Haven't tried this method, but I would think the amount of work is probably comparable.
"Do not worry about your problems with mathematics, I assure you mine are far greater."
Albert Einstein
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RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
I prefer a check, to lower my costs, but I have accepted PayPal from individuals. Almost as good as a check.
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Alternative Billing: Accept Credit Cards? Pre-paid plans?
Cvanoverbeke