Accepting Credit Card Payments?

[Nardo1895]

I have a non store front FFL business and am a pretty low volume operation. I was looking into the possibility of accepting credit card payments, especially for on-line sales. I have heard that many companies including places like "Square" won't do firearms transactions.

I contacted Merchants Services which took over for McMillian and was reported by NRA to be gun friendly. They were, but on top of charging about 2% per transaction they also have monthly ($10) and annual (forgot how much) fees. Non "card-present" transactions are even more.

They directed me to "Pistol Pay" which sounded like it might work. Transaction costs are pretty high, but they don't have monthly or annual fees. After registering I got the impression they are not updating their website and may be in trouble?

Do any of you smaller FFLs accept credit cards and have you found a cost effective gun friendly way to do it?

Have any of you done business with Pistol Pay? My inner voice is telling me "danger" but they were recommended by Merchants Services which was in turn recommended by NRA.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Baboosh]

If you use Square be prepared for your account to just be closed one day and funds held.

Unfortunately Gun Dealers are labeled 'High Risk' and us low volume dealers get bent over on fees.

Do not use Mercury who is now Vantiv. They mishandled a charge back on us in a high amount and we were out thousands for 6 months.

Reach out to Lindze Jackson, ljackson@clearent.com, 561-531-7422 he has taken good care of us and NRA approved with very good rates.

[kemasa]

The question is whether it is worth it to take credit cards. Charge backs can be an issue, plus it costs you money for the transactions and in the case of DROS fees you can't increase the amount to make up for it.

It all depends on what type of business you do and the volume. You might lose some sales, but I doubt that you would lose money on transfers.

[I Swan]

I know we are diacussing home based FFL's but I think in my whole life and visits to hundreds of gun shops I have only seen like 2-3 that were cash only. I know some that really discourage CC use though.

[kemasa]

B&M really don't have much of a choice when it comes to credit cards.

[Baboosh]

I know we are diacussing home based FFL's but I think in my whole life and visits to hundreds of gun shops I have only seen like 2-3 that were cash only. I know some that really discourage CC use though.

Depends at markup. We try and compete with online stores and don't have the B&M to get walk ins. If you sell at MSRP you can eat the CC fee. For us the CC fee is often more than the markup of the gun.

[nfs]

I have a non store front FFL business and am a pretty low volume operation. I was looking into the possibility of accepting credit card payments, especially for on-line sales. I have heard that many companies including places like "Square" won't do firearms transactions.

I contacted Merchants Services which took over for McMillian and was reported by NRA to be gun friendly. They were, but on top of charging about 2% per transaction they also have monthly ($10) and annual (forgot how much) fees. Non "card-present" transactions are even more.

They directed me to "Pistol Pay" which sounded like it might work. Transaction costs are pretty high, but they don't have monthly or annual fees. After registering I got the impression they are not updating their website and may be in trouble?

Do any of you smaller FFLs accept credit cards and have you found a cost effective gun friendly way to do it?

Have any of you done business with Pistol Pay? My inner voice is telling me "danger" but they were recommended by Merchants Services which was in turn recommended by NRA.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi, I'm also a home based ffl. I have been looking into CC processing as well.
There is a CC vendor that specializes in FFL sales I found through Gunbroker
I have not completed the application yet but, it does not seem difficult.
Hope this helps!

https://fastchargeonline.com/

[38Special]

Have you looked at PayPal?
They have card readers (free) and money can be accessed via a Debit card for you to use.

[Montu]

Have you looked at PayPal?
They have card readers (free) and money can be accessed via a Debit card for you to use.

Not gun friendly.


Pretty sad state that a legitimate business is treated like a back ally drug dealer.

For the record I try to never pay cash for things..so unless it's all transfers I wouldn't think it's wise to not take credit cards.

[Baboosh]

Have you looked at PayPal?
They have card readers (free) and money can be accessed via a Debit card for you to use.

Until they find out you used it for Firearms. They will lock your account and hold all funds for 9 months.

[ugimports]

I just started looking to switch to these guys: bankcardusa.com

You can try reaching out to: garik.mitchell@bankcardusa.com

Rates look competitive.

[acespawnshop]

Screw the banks, if they're going to cooperate with operation choke point, I'm going to give them as little money as possible.

[ugimports]

Screw the banks, if they're going to cooperate with operation choke point, I'm going to give them as little money as possible.

That would be ideal, but I can only hide so much cash under my mattress..

[Nardo1895]

I have two reasons for wanting to be able to accept CC payments. The first is probably the main reason.

1. I'd like to start selling stuff on GB or AA. Stuff from my personal collection, and as a service to customers who don't want to do it themselves. I have no feedback yet so I'm worried people may not be willing to take the risk. If I took CCs they at least have that protection. Before I was a dealer I would gladly pay the 3% CC fee for the assurance that I could challenge the charge on a bad sale. Maybe I was naive, but that's my thinking. I think I'd even be willing to eat the CC fee when selling from my collection until I can build up some positive feedback.

2. Similarly, I have some F2F customers who I think would gladly pay a 3% markup for the convince of a CC transaction. I'd like to at least be able to offer that to them.

I have on occasion accepted PP "friends and family" cash transfers but I suspect I'm playing with fire there. I try to avoid those. There are other online money transfer services that I have also used. Not sure if gun friendly or not. But none of them offer the same convenience and protection a CC does.

It is amazing that we are probably one of the most highly regulated and policed industries in the country and yet we're treated like drug dealers. Actually, I think drug dealers are treated a little better then we are. Maybe its all that cash...

Thanks for the recommendations, I'll check them out.

[acespawnshop]

That would be ideal, but I can only hide so much cash under my mattress..

Send some to me UG, I've got a California King at home and my AR-15 is the only thing under there......