Forum - A question

I'm thinking of using paypal for credit card payments from clients I was wondering how many others use this form for payments and how has it worked out for you. Or how many have thought about using a system like that I think it could be a great tool. Please share your ideas on this thanks.

I know paypal has issues with anything related to sex and adult matters. So be carefull and not place your paypal information on your site. Give it privately after the initial contact instead.

Paypal's Terms of Service precludes processing credit card payments for adult services, especially escort services. I would not advise falsifying the nature of your business in order to get a Paypal account.

I have been looking for a credit card processor that will accept escort businesses. No luck so far. Banks don't want the potential bad publicity associated with processing transactions with escort services. Also, escort businesses fall into the "high credit risk" category, so processing fees will be high (around 17% of the cost of the transaction). You are also responsible for ensuring that the credit card is valid and not fraudulent. Too many chargebacks (the client says he never paid) and you will lose your account.

I tell my clients to get a cash advance on their credit card. Its sad, some of them want to remain anonymous and use a credit card! Dumb. Dumber. Dumbest. [If a guy gets his hands on a stolen credit card, guess who he'll try to use it on?]

I don't think certified checks or cashier checks would be a good idea, either. They'd have to have your 1st and last name, a money order might work.
Make sure it's US Postal.

I've thought about this too and asked on other boards. Although I can understand the value in processing credit cards (client can charge immediately and pay it back slowly), Providers I have asked say that it's a bad idea.

1. paper trail
2. charge backs.

You can't use paypal and if you get caught, can be charged a hefty fine. CCBill might be okay, though. Gotta look in the service agreements.

Idea flash: reflecting back on what Paul said about buying photos from an escort, I wonder if you might be able to sell a couple of photos for the amount of the session. Maybe have a gallery of "valuable" photos priced high. Tell the client to buy the photo online with the CC and come pick it up at a specified time (or you'll deliver it, or whatever)

I dunno. It was just a thought.

One way I've been searching for CC processing like that is to search for adult web hosting and see what CC processing they use.

Another way is to get a merchant account and get one of those old fashioned things that runs CCs manually.

If you do run CCs, be sure to use a business name that doesn't sound obvious.

Take care,
Leslie

Leslie
Thats a good idea after you get things figured out with a cc company can you please let me know as Id reall like to be able to use a service like that. I would asume if one did use paypal couldnt a person just set it up as power seller account like on ebay that way they wouldnt know it was a escort or sexual nature business Im sure there has to be a way to do it. But I could be wrong. I do see everyones point on a stolen card maybe the cash advance might be a better way I dont know. I have heard escort services take cc payments.

A merchant account is the best option. It provides you with a paper receipt and a signature which protects you from chargebacks. You also need to record personal identification (name, address, driver's license) to verify the authenticity of a card before you swipe it.


Sure they do. They either have a merchant account or use a third party which processes the transactions for them (and charges them a processing fee which is ultimately passed on to the customer). However, it is difficult for an escort agency to get their own merchant account, because as I said before, banks don't want to deal with escort businesses.


You could do it, but its very risky. The greatest risk comes from your potential clients(!), jealous escorts(!) or any person who sees that you offer PayPal on your website. Its the anonymous tips and reporting that you need to factor in your consideration.

Best of luck.

Cash only!

Imagine, your client left and a few days later the credit card company informs you that the fee was cancelled, the customer is not accepting the charge. What do you then want to do?

I dont think you can go to that company or client argueing about what service you have given and why it is to be paid. You have no security and the rislk of getting paid is simply and only on you. Therefore, only cash payment I would say.

I am sure a client can organize to have that money around when meeting one of us. Also, much better as it has no proves of whatever payment received. Think about taxes too....

I also have thought about taking payments other ways;but cash only is best for me. I find that it just works best for me and it's just a lot less of a hassle. Be safe and have a great time!
Take Care,
12pleaseu

This is called a chargeback and why the credit card transaction is documented with a paper receipt, including a signature. In such a dispute, you would forward the receipt and its documentation to the credit card company. The transaction will not be canceled so long as it was not fraudulent.

To protect yourself in these situations, you must document the transaction by recording and verifying the cardholder's personal information (full name and address), personal id (driver's license or picture id) and signature on the receipt.


I agree. Cash is simplest and anonymous. However in North America, the use of credit cards is widespread - particularly among business travelers. Its pure and simply convenience. If you only take cash then you choose to give up the business from credit card users. Its really going to depend on your local business environment.

To protect yourself in these situations, you must document the transaction by recording and verifying the cardholder's personal information (full name and address), personal id (driver's license or picture id) and signature on the receipt.

IF one was going to do an online method, I wonder if it would be possible to send them a form to sign with personal info on it along with a signature. Also let them know that if they cancel, they'd be on the bad client list.

I'm thinking that jerks who would do this with a credit card would most likely be the same jerks who'd try to stiff you without paying cash before walking out the door. Hopefully most of the guys we see are gentlemen who wouldn't think of doing something like that. but I guess you'll always get a rew rotten apples in the bunch.

It's just frustrating to cut out that whole market - especially in this age of "swipe now, deal with it later"

Take care,
Leslie