The Importance of Accepting Credit Cards
We may be nearing that time when all transactions are processed through the use of that ever useful material called plastic. Name it, your automated teller machine uses plastic in the form of ATM cards; drivers’ licenses are made of plastic; most hotels have plastic keys and the most important example without which most Americans would not survive-credit cards made of plastic.
The modern way of doing business has made credit cards a must-have for every person. More and more establishments are going for credit cards and are no longer accepting cash payments.
Using credit cards both to accept payments and to pay purchases is the common and practical choice for most people because of the safety and convenience offered by credit cards. Unlike cash payments, credit card payments could not be the subject of holdups or robbery, except perhaps if the robbers are plastic collectors.
Aside from being used as a substitute for money in actual shops, credit card is widely used in internet or web-based shops to hasten online transactions. So why should an ordinary citizen opt for credit cards in paying for his ordinary purchases? And why should establishments accept credit cards from their customers?
Ordinary citizens can benefit from using credit cards provided they know how to use their credit cards wisely. As cash substitutes, credit cards can be used by people to purchase goods on credit. These plastics are a valuable tool for people who may not have enough cash to purchase necessary items or highly-priced items. By using credit cards, they can buy highly-priced items on installment basis. It is also one of the most efficient ways of making sure that they can exchange their purchases for the same or other items subject to certain rules.
On the other hand, even small businesses can benefit from accepting credit cards as payments. By allowing clients to purchase items through credit cards, the shops are encouraging customers to make outright purchases. Most people do not carry cash so it is more convenient for them if the shops they go to accept credit card payments. Imagine the amount of sales that could be lost just because you do not accept credit card payments when it is the only way the client is able to pay for his purchases.
The use of credit cards makes it easy for shops to cash in on impulse buyers who can easily swipe their cards without thinking of the costs involved. It also serves as a guarantee for shop owners that the purchases will be paid, as compared to accepting personal checks from buyers.
However, shops must first have a merchant status or accredited by the credit card companies before thy can accept credit card payments. This can be easily done by calling up companies like American Express and filling out some forms.
For more common cards like Visa, shop owners have to set up a merchant account with a Visa affiliate bank. While banks do not really have a capital or earnings limit before approving a merchant store, they do however look into the length of time that the business has been operational. New businesses can still apply and be approved but they have to look for banks that are less strict on this requirement.
The process of getting merchant accreditation may be a little complicated but establishments that really want to get that credit card market should give it a try.
- Shopping
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Distributed by Smashing Magazine
12 Responses
THAT WAS BORING
Here are a few ways how you can fix your credit rating.
1)Make Payments on Time and Pay Off Debt ~ If you want to build and maintain your credit rating, pay your bills on time and don't miss any payments. If you have missed payments in the past, get back on track. Your recent payment history counts more than ancient history.
2)Establish Credit History ~ Your credit rating is established partially on your credit history. Your credit history is based on the information that your creditors have reported to credit bureaus, including credit cards, loans, and even some utility bills.
3)Don't Apply for or Take on Too Many Credit Cards ~ Having and using a credit card wisely can be beneficial to your credit rating. However, if you're constantly applying for new credit cards, it can hurt your rating, especially if you're getting turned down for them.
As you have poor credit history and want to have a credit card, the best option would be applying for a secured credit card. Secured credit cards work just like an ordinary card, but secured by a deposit account owned by the cardholder.
Secured credit card holders are expected to make the regular payments agreed upon, just as you would do with regular credit cards. However, if the card holder defaults on a payment, the credit card issuer can recover the cost of the credit card holder’s purchases by taking money from the deposit.
When you are using secured credit card it is best that you pay on time and avoid having the credit card issuer to take money from your deposit. This is because credit card issuers will often upgrade your secured credit card to regular credit card after a few months of making payments on time.
If you've truly accepted responsibility for your actions, then you will realize that this situation is now completely out of your hands. You have effectively destroyed your wife's comfort zone and she is taking the time she needs to deal with the resulting backlash. You need to respect her boundaries and give her the space she needs, instead of being so needy and expecting her to allow you to come waltzing back with open arms. You need to realize just how traumatic it is for a woman to be hit by her husband. Until you deal with HER pain, you have not fully accepted the responsibility or the full import of your actions. The ball is no longer in your court. You must follow her instructions, realize these things take time, and respect her boundaries by allowing her the space she needs. Then she will come to you. What she says is entirely up to her, and also out of your hands. It will be up to you to accept entirely what she says, and if she is willing to work it out *at that time* you will need to acknowledge her needs and go the extra mile to prove yourself to her.
Understand that she may decide in the end to go ahead and leave. But if you truly love her, you will wait until she is ready to resolve the issue. This is her time to heal; you have had yours and she needs this. Let her be until she is ready.
Good luck, and continue your journey. It is a good thing that you have gotten sober again, and commendable.
You are obviously living in poverty, and that’s no one else’s fault. Hate to be harsh but I know lots of people with less than average incomes who travel there especially to shop designer gear. Just because you can’t afford the items does not mean you are entitled to call it a “waste of space” – it certainly isn’t for others! Also Britboy0404, Ralph Lauren and Ted Baker are hardly “high street”.
You can afford in a lot of shops which arent much more that High Street shops. Puma, Jack Wills, Fat Face, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s, Reebok, Quicksilver, Ted Baker to name a few are all reasonable.
Haha I used to live in Bicester and we have a similar user name
I live in Bicester!!!
this “crisis” just isn’t enough to bring the cancerous system to a halt. the world needs total collapse!
I used to work in Timberland! Richard is bloody amazing! Bless him this is pretty funny! Lol
I know exactly where you are coming from. I was employed by a major fast food corporation myself. I did not work in the restaurants to often, as I actually worked for the corporate offices. However, time to time, I would visit the locations for investigations etc. Here is what is happening. You are very fortunate to be using this job only as a stepping stone while you attend college. For many people, believe it or not – this is their final destiny. I was so surprised when I entered the restaurants, how many people had been there for 25 + years! Amazing. So, these people are taking their job very seriosuly. Maybe not in the best professional approach, but yet take it very seriously. She probably feels very honored that she was asked to come help and does not know how to exert that honor correctly. She probably feels that "hey , they must think I am good so let me do it even better now" kind of approach.
My best advise, if possible, try your best not to take it personal and let it go. This is just a stepping stone for you. Her communication skills are not that polished, but she is in her mind, doing her best and using her talent the best she knows how.
Keep in your mind the thought that you will not be here a long time and she might be making a career out of this. Most of the employees I encountered that were there for a long time also had this same harsh tone – but meant nothing by it. Of course, I was not working side by side with these people as I was part of Corporate and was in observing etc.
Sometimes these people want acknowledged. If you pass a few compliments like "Wow – you really know your job – you must learn quickly" or "you really handled that well" – it will go far. These types of employees usually relish in compliments and once you befriend them, they will back off. Good luck!
i live in bicester and work in bicester village.. theres definately no credit crunch going on..
bicester village is private property as well. but doesnt stop tourists taking pictures of themselves holding products in the stores and taking pictures of us!
same, how old r u?