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Message
Providing card info prior to service
Posted on 12/8/23 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 12/8/23 at 12:43 pm
Called a plumber to get my septic pumped this morning and, not only was the cost ridiculous, but they also wanted me to provide them with my card number over the phone before the service was performed.
I told her I'd prefer to pay the guy who comes out after the service is complete and she said they'd only take a check due to not having card readers with them. I told her I didn't want to give them my card prior to service and she seemed offended, so I told her I'd call another business.
Is this a thing now? Am I just being paranoid? I can't remember ever being asked to do this before, regardless of which service type I'm having out to the house.
I told her I'd prefer to pay the guy who comes out after the service is complete and she said they'd only take a check due to not having card readers with them. I told her I didn't want to give them my card prior to service and she seemed offended, so I told her I'd call another business.
Is this a thing now? Am I just being paranoid? I can't remember ever being asked to do this before, regardless of which service type I'm having out to the house.
8
Posted on 12/8/23 at 12:46 pm to mmmmmbeeer
No, you're not being paranoid. You can't be too careful these days and you shouldn't pay for said service until service is rendered.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 12:46 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Yes and it’s a scam. They all want to close a freaking sale on a new water heater or huge repair. I had a guy come out and tell me $1500 for new water heater. I found a part at Colburns and fixed it myself. $75.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 12:57 pm to WonPercent
quote:
No, you're not being paranoid.
You are being paranoid. Today the power is 100% with the cardholder.
You can get a refund from most payment card companies for almost any reason, and they will charge the merchant an additional penalty beyond loss of the funds.
Merchants sometimes ask for your card number to pre-authorize a charge, just to confirm you can pay for the service.
Similar to a hotel capturing your card number upon check-in.
===========
ETA: competent contractors have higher demand and are more difficult to schedule.
If you want someone to show up in 30 minutes with no questions asked, answer a sketchy ad on Craigslist.
This post was edited on 12/8/23 at 2:38 pm
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:08 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Mmmmmmmmmmmmcreampie. Sick frick
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:10 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Sounds like a shitty company. I’ve never had to provide a card prior to service or a check once the service was performed. For routing/emergency maintenance I’ve always been provided with an invoice either on the spot or via email next day and 30 day terms
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:16 pm to mmmmmbeeer
I'd go elsewhere. Any reputable home service business won't ask for money or card info up front. As a provider of automobile electrical services, I've never done so until the work was completed.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:19 pm to Weekend Warrior79
Thread about a septic tank company:
quote:
Sounds like a shitty company.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:22 pm to mmmmmbeeer
you did the right thing OP.
should not pay until services are rendered. especially with all the shady contracting work i've seen.
should not pay until services are rendered. especially with all the shady contracting work i've seen.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:23 pm to mmmmmbeeer
I require customer’s to provide a card for a specific service at my business. I’m in construction/property maintenance. Had to implement it after GC’s tried to avoid paying on several occasions.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:28 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Had something similar happen to me yesterday. I wanted to try new barbershop in town. Went online to make an appointment & they wanted my credit card info. I understand their reasoning (wanted to charge for "no-shows") but I don't trust a barber shop with my cc info.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:44 pm to texn
The fact she even "sounded" offended is a red flag to me. Whenever they aren't nice when any question is asked makes me skittish. Imagine the attitude if there was a problem with the service.
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:49 pm to WB Davis
quote:
You can get a refund from most payment card companies for almost any reason, and they will charge the merchant an additional penalty beyond loss of the funds.
Who the f would want to risk having to go through this process when you can just avoid it all together?
Posted on 12/8/23 at 1:58 pm to Weekend Warrior79
Being a small business owner in skilled trade it makes perfect sense and ive started doing the same prior as like was mentioned earlier, making sure you are able to pay for the service as well and make sure we get paid. No offense to you at all but when someone writes a check or invoice me, its more problems for us to collect as well as time for cash flow. My guy was there he gets paid, my truck is there witj paid for fuel, my insurance, my equipment etc. when i have to wait 30 days to get paid from an invoice or i get a bad check, that hurts me and is more time on my side to collect. Or then the ones on oh well my card isnt working etc after. Again not saying thats you, however a-lot of people are. The card readers are also costly as well as another monthly fee. Then putting a technician in charge of charging the correct amounts, parts etc is a nightmare. Operating small or on customer locations is tough.
Now of course this isnt for everything as something's are quoted on a job basis but for a general service that is a flat fee, yes. Its x amount to do this and we charge upfront. If we are doing a project, we charge a deposit up front and then remainders at certian completions
Now of course this isnt for everything as something's are quoted on a job basis but for a general service that is a flat fee, yes. Its x amount to do this and we charge upfront. If we are doing a project, we charge a deposit up front and then remainders at certian completions
This post was edited on 12/8/23 at 2:03 pm
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