Hello, I bought a espresso/sandwich business in a business park last September.  I would like to deliver to the businesses but need to figure out a good way for payment.  The businesses (goverment type) are all in secure buildings so the deliveries would have to be to the receiption desk.  I also would like to figure out a way to facilitate tips. I looked at the POS forum, but a few of the link are no longer valid.  Not a confindence inspirering experience.  Would like your esteemed experience ideas.

Thanks

Hi, I'm new to the forum also.  We had a corporate catering business for many years.  Currently operating a QSR concept, have done concessions, etc etc.  Anyway:

Be able to accept ALL credit cards.   Create a profile of all customers and include a CC# on file.  Customers order and you punch in the card # and print the usual slips.  You are then PAID.  Upon delivery, have them sign the Merchant copy (include a tip line on there if you wish, some offices tip with cash)  Input charges for ALL orders for the day first thing in the morning to make sure the damn card works.  Leave a professional itemized invoice along with their copy of the charge slip in an envelope with your Logo and company phone #.

Some of these folks may request corporate billing.  You will have to make the call on that one.  Be prepared to wait 30-60 days for payment from a corporate office somewhere.

Look into courier services that may also do drop-off food deliveries, this will allow you to get down in wider areas.  They may charge $10 - $20 per one-way drop.  Pass this along somehow to the client. 

Having a CC # on file will get you fined so fast your head will spin. And it won't be cheap!! Take the card # on each transaction.

Or, set up an AR payment situation or even a prepay.

Quality is NOT expensive, it's PRICELESS

 Trust is good, Control is BETTER

 It has become painfully clear, that IQ's should be required
 prior to issuance of a voters registration card!!

Thanks for the reply.   The prepaid account might work.  I do have gift cards. The customer would have to come by my place to purchase the gift card, so a little cumbersome.  I have a website, GrubHub.com that has ordering and menus on the sight.  Any know about this or other site like it?  Opinions and ideas greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Betty

Quote (original post by: David_L)

David,

Why will having a CC# on file get you fined? I have a couple of bills each month that are billed to my CC. Is there something special they need to set up for doing that?

There are ways to securely and professionally keep cc's on file. I think David was referring to keeping card information on paper in a shoebox or in an Excel spread sheet somewhere and yes, this would not be secure nor professional. Funny thing is, PCI (the 800 lb. security gorilla) does not address paper systems like this, only electronic.

Simplicity wise, there are wireless CC terminals that you can carry with you -- swipe, and your done. This would not accomidate card on file but for most, this will work.

If you can accomidate a notebook with a wireless network card of some sort, there are virtual terminals that can be used for the simple transactions. Next, look for a virtual terminal provider that can accomidate your "card on file" needs (and make sure they are secure). We have a periodic billing module that will easily work; I know other providers have similar functionality but I don't know how easily.

Steve Sommers
Shift4 Corporation -- the next generation of Enterprise Electronic Payments ( blog )

If you have a web site, why not set up a pay pal account, and take $$ that way?

Quality is NOT expensive, it's PRICELESS

 Trust is good, Control is BETTER

 It has become painfully clear, that IQ's should be required
 prior to issuance of a voters registration card!!

I thought PayPal might be my answer for deliveries to a front desk area only, no actual contact with customer, they I found out the employees are not allowed access to Paypal. 

I have come to realize a website with a menu, ordering, and payment capabilities.  Do you know of a web developers who specialize in this type.  I am thinking a specialist would not be as expensive as someone figuring it out fir the first time.

Again, thanks for your help.

Betty

No disrespect to the senior member, but, um, what are you talking about?  You can't get in trouble for having a CC on file. (????) You (the owner) need to be in control of the transaction at all times - not a third party.

This is customary in corporate catering and has been for many years.  It is also the easiest way to get paid.. Someone in the office will have a corporate card.  If they want to give you the card over the phone each and everytime - do whatever floats everyones boat.  My customers always trusted me and I kept their card secure and updated as neccessary (expiration dates) and never had one problem. 

  My main advice is to run the charge before you make and deliver the order!!  So that you get paid!!!

If there are any snafus or outright disasters with the meal or delivery you can always credit the card back if need be.  Again, be careful with the corporate billing.  You may have larger orders but may wait longer to get your check. (cashflow).

Please review the following site  https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/.  You could be fined IF you suffer a data breach and it is determined you did not have the cc data secured.  We all hope that never happens to anyone, but it is a fact of business. 

Diana Knight

Card Solutions Inc

www.cardsolutionsinc.net