How can a home business accept debit / credit cards?

I am trying to start up a home business selling customized, beaded wedding glasses. Since these are special orders, I want to be able to secure payment before starting the work. How can I be able to accept credit and / or debit cards?

How can a home business accept debit / credit cards?
There are a bunch of companies that offer this service via an easy, Internet interface. So you can take the credit card info, log into your account, enter the credit card info, validate the number and amount, and make the transaction.





These are called "merchant accounts" and there are many out there so you need to comparison shop. One issue is that it will take some paper work and bank account confirmation to go through. They have a risk of you charging money, getting that money on the whole thing turning out to be a fraud.





My point is that it will take time and some paperwork to get it setup and running.
Reply:You get what is called a merchant account. A merchant account allows you to accept credit or debit card, and you wll be given the card swiping machine. You can choose to have the customer swipe it in the machine, or you can input the credit card information of the buyer (called "card not present" transaction -- typically higher fees)





The best rates often are those from the bank. However, they are more difficult to get. They look at your credit history. Some banks will even ask for a business plan





Costco also offers good rates for their merchant account. If you can't get one from a bank, check out Costco's rates (especially if you are an executive member)





There are also some merchant account providers such as CardService International http://www.cardservice.com/ that you can check out
Reply:Yahoo offers small business a merchant services and it cost so much less. Read this for yourself and call around to other merchants; i'm sure you will end up using Yahoo's





You can also accept paypal with this service


http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd...
Reply:I have quickbooks, and I used their system, they charge me a monthly fe of 18.00 plus a percentage for every transaction..
Reply:I own a home business, I use a company called yourpay you could check out their site yourpay.com


look around their site it might be able to help