Cash…who needs cash? More and more Americans have stopped carrying cash with the ever increasing convenience of credit card acceptance. Mobile merchants, also known as “on-the-go” merchants now have an easy solution for accepting credit cards. This solution is called iPhone! Any merchant with an iPhone, Internet connection, and a merchant account can process their credit card transactions anywhere. Smart phone technology has fulfilled a serious need for mobile merchants like: food vendors, tour guides, swap meet and farmers market vendors, limo services, mobile pet grooming, carpet cleaners, delivery services, and other in-home service companies
Traditionally, mobile merchants faced two obstacles when accepting credit cards. First, previous point-of-sale transactions had to be performed on bulky, cumbersome equipment that cost a small fortune. These inconveniences made it unpopular with on-the go business owners. Big, expensive equipment also created problems for businesses with mobile sales teams. Supplying each person with the right equipment was financially out of reach. Secondly, mobile merchants writing credit card numbers on an invoice to be entered later at the office found that this practice makes customers feel uncomfortable. The rise of identity theft has left consumers more protective of their personal information. Manually entering credit card numbers also creates potential mistakes and/or declined cards.
The introduction of the iPhone credit card reader has eliminated these issues altogether. iPhones are sleek, easy to maneuver and give mobile merchants real time credit card processing. If a card is declined, an alternate form of payment can be requested at the time services are rendered. Even doctors who make house calls can benefit from this payment preference.
iPhones are now being used to conduct business and allowing mobile business owners to get paid fast! On the road, no problem take out your iPhone and simply type the credit card number, expiration date, and the amount to be charged using the virtual keyboard. Press the charge button. Authorize.net (the payment gateway) encrypts the credit card information and the merchant’s processor authenticates the transaction. Email your customer their receipt. Easy! iPhone software also gives the merchant the ability to void a transaction that has not been settled, process a refund, and place a hold on funds for a future transaction.
