Customers' Credit Card #s on file?

[Meghan MacMillan]

Several times a week when a client is picking up and I say what the balance is I will hear "Just use the same card, don't you keep them on file?" or something similar.

Do any of you keep clients' credit card information?

Do any of you leave your information "on file" with other retail businesses. (I understand giving it to vendors from whom you order each week. I'm speaking here about retailers)

I'm really just trying to understand where this notion comes from, as I have never been told by any other businesses "Oh we have your card number from last time."

 

[wpfay]

I have some clients that choose to leave a credit card number on file. They are not necessarily available when the work is complete, summering on Nantuckett etc., and want to be sure that I get paid in a timely fashion.
I would not do this for someone that lives locally and will be picking up the work personally. "Store policy is to not save or store credit card numbers".
Manual entry also costs an additional fee from the processor.

 

[B. Newman]

Since I do a lot of shipping to out of state customers, I do keep them on file. QuickBooks does this very well.

While most of my suppliers have me on open account, there are a few that keep mine on file as well. The only thing is keeping the expiration date updated.

Betty

 

[Ron Eggers]

I keep my copies of the printed slips - as required by my processor - but they're in a locked drawer sorted by date, so I wouldn't go fishing for numbers unless there is a charge-back. (There never has been a charge-back.)

Since I had my customer records stolen a while back, I would never keep credit card numbers where anyone but the most determined professional thief could get to them. Why deal with amateurs?

 

[rosetl]

I get this comment too, but not as frequently. People seem surprised I don't have the info already stored on the computer since I've been on a POS system. It is becoming common for POS programs to have this feature, especially if the credit card processing is done via the POS program on line, not a separate processing terminal.

I've noticed some on line and mail order places I've bought from do so and it shocked me at first. It SEEMS convenient....so many things are automatically billed to credit cards these days.

If I were a supplier (or doing mail order) I'd say it was a wise move as it would make the transactions much more efficient---but it feels different for retail.

I consider it risky and don't keep credit card information on the computer and our signed slips are securely kept with accounting records.

Like every convenience there are Up and Down sides -- Remember when it was in fashion to shred the carbon sheets on the slips to keep the numbers from being stolen before NCR slips came out? Now it's mega Firewalls & passwords and who knows what else!

 

[JFeig]

I use a terminal with a tape receipt. It is a
Hypercom 7P. The credit card number is blocked out other than the last 4 digits as a security feature as programed by the credit card clearing house.
As a second point, remember that there are 2 levels of being charged for cards, those scaned at the time of sale and those manually entered. There is also a third charge level for "corporate cards"

 

[ArtLady]

Don't forget that there is an extra charge for using a credit card number without the card present on some programs.

 

[David Waldmann]

Read the fine print in your processing agreement. I guarantee you will find that if the goods or services are picked up or recieved in person that you must require proof of card ownership. This is generally accomplished by swiping the card through your terminal, or obtaining an imprint.

(note: this is not a money-back guarantee )

 

[B. Newman]

Originally posted by ArtLady:
Don't forget that there is an extra charge for using a credit card number without the card present on some programs.

Yeah that's right, but in the "mail order" business, it's a necessary evil.

I still have the old "knuckle-buster" slider, which works fine for me since I have to take it to any shows that we do. Then when I call the authorizations in, I am told "press 1 for a retail sale, press 2 for a telephone or mail order, press 3 for other options."

I've yet to have one turned down or come back on me. (Knock on wood)

Betty

 

[PurplePerson1]

We only keep one credit card number on file, that I know of, and it is for a decorator who comes in frequently.

She is always in too big of a hurry to bother with the money and says "Use my card number."

I think we would be very careful of any number we would keep on file.

 

[Adam]

I'm wondering if there is some sort of legal document that could be written up authorizing you to use a card# apon completion, etc. I would shy from keeping card numbers because of liability issues.

I had a break-in about 6 months back. We keep a months worth of charge slips in the till and consolidate and securely file at the end of each month. When I noticed the cash gone I was upset. When I noticed missing credit card slips--I freaked. Luckily, the perp had tossed them near my back door when exiting with my cash. I had an experience with an employee theft who took 2 weeks worth of deposits--cash, checks, credit slips etc. The worst time of my life was calling customers and informing them that this information is floating out there somewhere. The employee most likely took the cash and trashed the rest but closed accounts were safer and that never makes anyone happy.

Sorry for the ramble and paranoia but I dont like being in charge of other peoples financials. My wife plays with numbers--I play with mats.

 

[Puppyraiser]

Here is what WE do... instead of keeping customers' credit card #s on file, we have a Store Charge system. Yes, that means we bill them. Now, this is only for those who request it, fill out the credit app, and are good customers. But talk about cachet! "Just put it on my account." I mean, is this old fashioned service, or what? And, of course, selling art supplies and whatever else we can sell to turn a dime, it is useful to all sorts of local companies. And we so rarely get bitten by it that Roger doesn't even complain hehehehe