Am I being unreasonable? (re: accepting payment by mail/phone)

[dogmom327]

So I've had a policy from the beginning that I don't accept payment by mail (no checks, money orders, cash, etc.) or over the phone. The only forms of payment we accept are Paypal (has an e-check option) or credit cards directly on our site. I worry about misunderstandings, lost mail and the increased liability of having someone's account info that I have to properly dispose of. Since I run my payments through Paypal's merchant services, I never see credit card numbers, etc.

A couple times a month someone e-mails to ask if I'll take orders/payments by mail or over the phone (I have the answer on our website in multiple places too). Am I being unreasonable? I don't think I'm losing a lot of business this way, but maybe I'm wrong.

What do you smart mama's do?

[CawMama]

I'd say that you might want to rethink things. I have a LOT of people who want to do orders over the phone (I use Paypal Virtual Terminal for these). Usually, it's older people, who don't trust the internet.....sometimes people just want to make sure that there is a real person on the other end.

I also take money orders (no personal checks), but it's very seldom that someone wants to pay that way. I've found that the ones who do, are SUPER appreciative that I was willing to work with them.

[sewchris2642]

Most of my business is face to face. My policy is checks until 2 weeks before delivery then it's cash. I'm not set up for credit/debit cards. For those few long distance clients, I use my dh's paypal account.

[Quirky]

For my business, I take checks and cash in person and credit cards/paypal online. But my clientele is generally internet savvy and not worried about shopping online, because I'm selling to young-ish parents.

I assume that because your potential client base is much broader than mine, and may not have/use paypal or credit cards online, you might be cutting yourself off from some customers. Esp. because your customers might be much more inclined to live off the grid and not have home internet, etc.

For payment methods I would consider:

1) a US postal money order is the same as cash. no reason not to accept it, and it's easy enough to get one from the post office. you can endorse it and deposit it just like a check.

2) checks i would take too, with the understanding that you dont' ship until they clear. i can deposit my checks by mail, so i don't have to go to the bank. in 2+ years i've never had one bounce. and i dont' have to pay cc fees!

3) considering accepting well-concealed cash with many disclaimers. as long as you disclaim the heck out of it, it's at your own risk, etc. the mail is very safe and not likely to go missing.

Overall, I just don't think it could hurt to consider expanding your payment options. You could have a PDF on your website for a downloadable order form they could print and send in.

The phone is a separate issue from the payment methods. I do occasionally get someone who wants to place an order over the phone, with a credit card -- and I just write down all the info and process the order later. You could set up a dedicated toll-free line that goes to voicemail with clear instructions on how to leave the right info, if you thought it was worth it -- or you could just do what I do and answer the phone when it's convenient, and respond to voicemail other times.

[nursingmom]

I don't think you are being unreseasonable by not accepting other methods of payment besides paypal and cc. It is your policy. You are not losing much sales this way. There are many stores that refuse certain methods of payment, so, I think just accepting Paypal and cc can simplify your transactions and reduce risk of loss by post mail.