SumUp Credit Card Processing

BigGrayKettle · 08-10-2012 11:05am #1

Hi Folks,

Came across SumUp last night when looking into credit card processing options other than the traditional method of fixed terminal through Elevon or whoever.

This seems really good, particularly with Visa Debit cards replacing Laser for most banks. Card reader is free and app is free. They take 2.75% commission on transactions.

Waiting for my card reader now so will report back when I receive it. Seems very good though.

Anyone used it yet?

David

thecommander · 08-10-2012 3:56pm

BigGrayKettle wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Came across SumUp last night when looking into credit card processing options other than the traditional method of fixed terminal through Elevon or whoever.

This seems really good, particularly with Visa Debit cards replacing Laser for most banks. Card reader is free and app is free. They take 2.75% commission on transactions.

Waiting for my card reader now so will report back when I receive it. Seems very good though.

Anyone used it yet?

David

Have a reader sitting on my desk, but haven't had a need to use it yet. Look handy enough to use, would be afraid of losing the unit, it's tiny.

IpreDictDeatH · 08-10-2012 10:35pm

Hmmm duno how my customers would feel about making a cash payment and getting a reciept emailed to them. Most of my customers will be older generation. Pity, im currently in the market for a cheaper solution to card payment terminals.

I heard that banks are not giving out the terminals to start ups as easy as they used to. Anybody hear about this? I dont see why that would be.

BigGrayKettle · 08-10-2012 11:04pm

IpreDictDeatH wrote: »

Hmmm duno how my customers would feel about making a cash payment and getting a reciept emailed to them. Most of my customers will be older generation. Pity, im currently in the market for a cheaper solution to card payment terminals.

I heard that banks are not giving out the terminals to start ups as easy as they used to. Anybody hear about this? I dont see why that would be.

That is the only thing I would be worried about too - I can see how less technically inclined customers would feel a bit dodgy about it. From an older customer's perspective it looks exactly what they would think a "card skimming" system would look like!

If anyone has good suggestions for accepting card payments I would be delighted to hear suggestions. Most of my business is cash but I would have 2/3 people a week looking to pay by card so not really worth getting a terminal in at the moment anyway.

thecommander · 09-10-2012 10:51am

BigGrayKettle wrote: »

...so not really worth getting a terminal in at the moment anyway.

SumUp is the solution then. Only system like that on the market in Ireland afaik.

Nuttzz · 09-10-2012 2:20pm

If you are going to use a service like sumup you need to explain how the service works to the customer, what you are doing with their card, and that it is as secure as any other payment method

I believe v2 of the software will allow printing

thecommander · 09-10-2012 3:35pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

I believe v2 of the software will allow printing

If you want to print a receipt, just put your email in as the invoice email and print it off yourself. That's what you'll be pretty much doing when you print from an iPad/iPhone.

Merger · 09-10-2012 3:49pm

I've been working with the system for a week now.

Beginning all the hoops your jumping through to remove the 100 limit is frustrating.

But once that came off it was working away fine. Although I did have a problem with products which I had saved kept disappearing (but was more my phone then the system).

And yes the thing is Tiny! comes in a match box format! I have heard of a similar Bluetooth terminal that looks a little more conventional. But works in the same manner

Here is a link

cormac1982 · 17-01-2013 1:46pm

Like Merger above, I jumped through all the hoops which I felt were a bit OTT but liked the idea of having a mobile terminal for the odd time I'd need to take payment from a customer outside the store. Very disappointed when I realised that I can only use to swipe to accept MasterCard payments and not Visa payments! To accept Visa I have to put in the customers mobile (assuming they one and have it with them) then wait for them to receive the text, ask them to following the link in the text (assuming they have a smartphone and a data plan!) then ask them to manually type in their credit card details! It would be easier to drive them to an ATM and get cash! Someone was saying earlier in this thread that it might come across as a bit dodge to older customers (skimming etc) but it's even worse to ask a customer to follow a l link in a txt message! I've warned my Dad a few times NEVER to follow a link in a txt message that he may receive!!!

Promising product but needs a bit of work...

cormie · 29-01-2013 7:54pm

Been looking into something to accept card payments too. Very rarely have customers wanting to pay by card but it would be nice to have the option if need be and a % per transaction is probably the best way as I wouldn't like to be paying monthly at all.

I'd also like to take payment over the phone, is that possible with this or is it only a chip and pin system?

The rigmarole with the VISA sms/linking sounds way too much to be asking from a customer!

Ballyman · 29-01-2013 8:24pm

I was speaking with SumUp last week and they told me that the visa issue will be resolved early this year but he couldn't give me an exact date so hopefully it will be resolved sooner rather than later as its a great idea

cormac1982 · 30-01-2013 11:18am

cormie wrote: »

Been looking into something to accept card payments too. Very rarely have customers wanting to pay by card but it would be nice to have the option if need be and a % per transaction is probably the best way as I wouldn't like to be paying monthly at all.

I'd also like to take payment over the phone, is that possible with this or is it only a chip and pin system?

The rigmarole with the VISA sms/linking sounds way too much to be asking from a customer!

Cormie. (Great name by the way!)
It's not even chip and pin - just swipe, which is sorta a bit counter productive this day and age I think....

Far as I know you can't input a manual/customer not present sale. Would also be very handy. I'm sure there are online solutions for this though, maybe Google Checkout could do that for you, not sure if it's available in Ireland yet though but I'm sure theres alternatives.

Regards, Cormac

Kxiii · 30-01-2013 7:26pm

Does anyone know if sumup have any plans to bring in the option to make Laser payments?

cormac1982 · 30-01-2013 7:28pm

Kxiii wrote: »

Does anyone know if sumup have any plans to bring in the option to make Laser payments?

I'd be surprised seeing as Laser is pretty much being phased out in favour of Visa debit...

Kxiii · 30-01-2013 7:33pm

cormac1982 wrote: »

I'd be surprised seeing as Laser is pretty much being phased out in favour of Visa debit...

I know at some stage it will be probably all Visa debit, but there are a large number of Laser cards still about.

Red Crow · 30-01-2013 7:39pm

Kxiii wrote: »

Does anyone know if sumup have any plans to bring in the option to make Laser payments?

I wouldn't say so with Laser being phased out at this stage. Dankse Bank are the only bank that are offering customers a Laser card. AIB and BoI are phasing them out.

I certainly wouldn't think so anyway.

Hanley · 30-03-2013 8:30pm

Any updates on the visa issue here?! Thinking of getting one of these boyos.

Any negative experiences so far?

Kxiii · 30-03-2013 8:35pm

I got one after have put a few payments through it both mastercard and visa and both worked. The payment shows up in your acc a couple of days later.

I was speaking to someone from Sum Up a couple of weeks ago and he was saying that they're hoping to have the visa chip and sorted around the end of May start of June.

seedubya · 05-04-2013 2:36pm

This is insanely expensive if you're doing any volume of transactions. Over three years with the volume that we project (about 2 per day), one third being credit and 2/3 being debit they would work out over double the price. 2.75% is the rate the Merchants charge for PAPER transactions.

Branoic · 08-04-2013 9:17pm

These types of products aren't designed for people who would be putting through any serious volume though. In that situation you're better off going the traditional merchant account route with a full GPRS terminal. More monthly costs (rental and account fees) but much lower transaction charges.

These phone-related readers are really designed for low volume, occasional-use business, who would otherwise be crippled by the 50 or 60 euro average monthly cost on a regular mobile terminal account.

Now, forgive the sales pitch, but I reckon its fairly relevant to the thread:

I'm involved in Elavon's MobileMerchant product, which is a competitor to SumUp with a number of differences:

- its a fully chip & pin and PCI DSS compliant pinpad, which is better for your security and is also more in line with what customers are used to these days. In fact its the first proper chip & pin mobile reader of its kind and is award winning.

- no transaction limits

- no differences in processing Visa / MasterCard

- accepts Laser cards

- 24/7 phone support (i believe SumUp is web-based support only in most cases)

- it comes with a Virtual Terminal web tool so that you can process cardholder-not-present / telephone orders through on your PC / laptop.

- price is a little more than SumUp - 25 euro set up, 10 euro monthly rental, 2.95% on credit cards and 49c on debit cards, but its a better product with better support.

If anyone would like to look into MobileMerchant, drop me a PM.

Nuttzz · 09-04-2013 1:58pm

Does mobile merchant require a merchant account with a bank?

Is there an iphone/ipad app? Dont see one linked on the link provided

Seve OB · 09-04-2013 2:37pm

I just had a look at the Sum up website.

As a punter, if I bought something and was offered asked to put my card into a reader like that I'd be telling you where to go.........................................

Branoic · 09-04-2013 2:38pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

Does mobile merchant require a merchant account with a bank?

Is there an iphone/ipad app? Dont see one linked on the link provided

It requires a merchant account through Elavon, which is set up as part of the process for getting Mobile Merchant. The pricing I listed above covers the merchant account and device.

At the moment it's android or blackberry but iOS support is imminent. Don't have a specific date, but very very soon. Literally just waiting for the app to hit the app store.

galwayjohn89 · 09-04-2013 2:48pm

stevieob wrote: »

I just had a look at the Sum up website.

As a punter, if I bought something and was offered asked to put my card into a reader like that I'd be telling you where to go.........................................

That's just because it's a new enough product for Ireland. I was selling bus tours in Vancouver and had an iPhone with credit card swipper attachment. No-one batted an eyelid when I asked for their credit card.

Nuttzz · 09-04-2013 3:11pm

Branoic wrote: »

It requires a merchant account through Elavon, which is set up as part of the process for getting Mobile Merchant. The pricing I listed above covers the merchant account and device.

Doesn't that depend on the bank giving you a merchant account? I've found banks to be a bit sticky on this in the past, and there are a number of examples in this forum.

Seve OB · 09-04-2013 3:14pm

Vuzuggu wrote: »

That's just because it's a new enough product for Ireland. I was selling bus tours in Vancouver and had an iPhone with credit card swipper attachment. No-one batted an eyelid when I asked for their credit card.

A lot of people don't bat an eyelid full stop. I know there are a lot of phone apps in recent years that don't even read the card and are in no way PCI compliant etc, you just punch the number in and people still do it....... like eh hello!!!!

Branoic · 09-04-2013 3:20pm

Nuttzz wrote: »

Doesn't that depend on the bank giving you a merchant account? I've found banks to be a bit sticky on this in the past, and there are a number of examples in this forum.

Not exactly. Banks don't do merchant accounts - they use acquirers like Elavon (BOI), Streamline (Ulster Bank) or First Data (AIB). The banks don't have anything to do with the accepting or declining of businesses for the merchant account, that's solely down to the underwritting criteria of individual acquirers. Also, you don't have to bank with a particular bank in order to use any of the above acquirers. They have partnerships with the banks, but they don't require your bank accounts to be held there, you can bank whereever.

So if you were applying for a merchant account for MobileMerchant, you'd be applying directly to Elavon.

caddy2 · 08-08-2013 3:54pm

Just wondering how those that are using SumUp are finding it? Any hitches? We would love to try it but would be worried for security for ourselves and our customers. As well, does it take up to 10 days to have the money in your account?
Any general experiences of it would be great - good and bad
Thanks in advance

jimmii · 08-08-2013 4:11pm

I use syspay which is a similar service. I looked at sumup but all they had was a card swiper that you attach to a phone which I didn't fancy we have a bluetooth chip & pin pad. We receive payments inside a week (payments taken on a Monday we get on a Thursday and Tuesdays on a Friday etc) haven't had any major problems so far and any time I have contacted them with issues they have been super quick in fixing things.

Cianos · 07-01-2014 6:41pm

Had a read through this thread a few weeks back and must have assumed that the Visa issue was sorted with SumUp. I got signed up, got an iPad especially for it and everything - just tried testing it using my own Visa there and nope, it's still not sorted. Does anyone have more info on this?

Really disappointed as I thought we were all ready to go, the mobile payment option just isn't good enough, I wouldn't be happy asking customers to follow that process. Surprised they haven't gotten it sorted yet given the popularity of Visa.

jimmii · 07-01-2014 6:52pm

Cianos wrote: »

Had a read through this thread a few weeks back and must have assumed that the Visa issue was sorted with SumUp. I got signed up, got an iPad especially for it and everything - just tried testing it using my own Visa there and nope, it's still not sorted. Does anyone have more info on this?

Really disappointed as I thought we were all ready to go, the mobile payment option just isn't good enough, I wouldn't be happy asking customers to follow that process. Surprised they haven't gotten it sorted yet given the popularity of Visa.

Surprised its still not sorted seems a very strange move and would imagine its lost them a good few customers I know I took them out of the running as soon as I found out how Visa had to be done. I would suggest looking at syspay you get a chip & pin device and it takes Visa. We have been using them for almost a year now and I would recommend them to anyone the service has been top class.

Graham · 07-01-2014 6:56pm

Always coming soon, I emailed a direct question about visa processing a few weeks ago. It was a straightforward enough question to answer but the response was a request for my phone number to discuss.

I didn't.

Like you Cianos, I don't think the Visa solution is anywhere near presentable to customers.

Cianos · 07-01-2014 7:26pm

jimmii wrote: »

Surprised its still not sorted seems a very strange move and would imagine its lost them a good few customers I know I took them out of the running as soon as I found out how Visa had to be done. I would suggest looking at syspay you get a chip & pin device and it takes Visa. We have been using them for almost a year now and I would recommend them to anyone the service has been top class.

I'm now considering syspay, thanks for the recommendation.

On the site it says it's 1.99% per transaction for physical goods - we're a services based business, would this make a difference do you know?

jimmii · 07-01-2014 7:54pm

Cianos wrote: »

I'm now considering syspay, thanks for the recommendation.

On the site it says it's 1.99% per transaction for physical goods - we're a services based business, would this make a difference do you know?

I don't know for sure but I don't see why it would make a difference then never asked if we process non-physical goods when we signed up. The whole sign up process was nice and quick although there was a problem initially which meant our terminal had to get swapped but every time we have had any issues they have been super quick to fix things you are always able to get them quickly via online chat and over the phone too which is handy.

Cianos · 08-01-2014 9:27am

With Sum Up you just have to enter your bank account number and sort code and that's all that's required to receive the funds - is it that easy with syspay?

jimmii · 08-01-2014 12:19pm

I assume now its the BIC and IBAN you would need instead but essentially the same thing. Once you have filled out the application form initially all do is start taking the payments and wait for the money to hit the bank! The whole process is very easy and quicker than I expected too.

floydmoon1 · 22-01-2014 12:23pm

I am also looking into a credit card system.

Started a small hostel last year and the credit card costs were alot.

Between rental and minimum fees as well for the 4 months we were closed I got read of the Elavon system.

Going to try to get more customers paying by cash but also need a system like sumup.

The visa thing is the problem so will look into syspay.

There seems to be a market for an alternative to the monthly fee and minimum contract so it seems weird there is not more competition for all the small businesses in Ireland.

Branoic · 22-01-2014 12:39pm

floydmoon1 wrote: »

I am also looking into a credit card system.

Started a small hostel last year and the credit card costs were alot.

Between rental and minimum fees as well for the 4 months we were closed I got read of the Elavon system.

Going to try to get more customers paying by cash but also need a system like sumup.

The visa thing is the problem so will look into syspay.

There seems to be a market for an alternative to the monthly fee and minimum contract so it seems weird there is not more competition for all the small businesses in Ireland.

**Disclaimer - I work for Elavon.

Elavon do a system called MobileMerchant which is a wireless chip & pin card reader connected via Bluetooth to your phone. There are no monthly minimum fees and there is an option for no rental fees (you pay either €10 rental per month for the life of the account, or €120 once off to own the pinpad with no rental thereafter). Its better than SumUp and the like because:

1) Its fully chip and pin compliant (to my knowledge the only mobile system of its type which is chip & pin and not signature based) so its more secure.

2) There's no messing around with Visa cards - all main credit and debit cards are handled as you would expect (it doesn't do AMEX or Diners, yet).

3) Its Bluetooth connected so you are not handing your actual phone to customers, just the card device, so its more professional looking

4) Phone and web support (i believe SumUp are web support only? could be wrong here)

5) As well as the physical pinpad you also get free access to an online Virtual Terminal which you can access through your PC or phone web browser, for processing of telephone transactions.

If you're interested, drop me a PM and I can get you set up.

jimmii · 22-01-2014 12:46pm

Branoic wrote: »

**Disclaimer - I work for Elavon.

Elavon do a system called MobileMerchant which is a wireless chip & pin card reader connected via Bluetooth to your phone. There are no monthly minimum fees and there is an option for no rental fees (you pay either €10 rental per month for the life of the account, or €120 once off to own the pinpad with no rental thereafter). Its better than SumUp and the like because:

1) Its fully chip and pin compliant (to my knowledge the only mobile system of its type which is chip & pin and not signature based) so its more secure.

2) There's no messing around with Visa cards - all main credit and debit cards are handled as you would expect (it doesn't do AMEX or Diners, yet).

3) Its Bluetooth connected so you are not handing your actual phone to customers, just the card device, so its more professional looking

4) Phone and web support (i believe SumUp are web support only? could be wrong here)

5) As well as the physical pinpad you also get free access to an online Virtual Terminal which you can access through your PC or phone web browser, for processing of telephone transactions.

If you're interested, drop me a PM and I can get you set up.

Just so you know syspay do all that and take Amex too (think I have only done one or two Amex over the year though!). Looks like syspay is a bit more expensive though. What are the rates for debit & credit cards per transaction? My subscription is coming up soon so looking at my options!

Branoic · 22-01-2014 12:58pm

jimmii wrote: »

Just so you know syspay do all that and take Amex too (think I have only done one or two Amex over the year though!). Looks like syspay is a bit more expensive though. What are the rates for debit & credit cards per transaction? My subscription is coming up soon so looking at my options!

2.95% on credit
49 cent on debit

Also, forgot to mention settlement times -

Generally next day funding with a Bank of Ireland account, or normal bank transfer times of 3 days with any other account.

floydmoon1 · 22-01-2014 1:05pm

Branoic wrote: »

2.95% on credit
49 cent on debit

Also, forgot to mention settlement times -

Generally next day funding with a Bank of Ireland account, or normal bank transfer times of 3 days with any other account.

Can you do remote payment?

Most of my customers pay at the premises but somethings I need to take payment over the phone.

SysPay is

Laser Debit : 0.49 €
Visa Debit (VIDE): 0.49 €
Visa Electron (VIEL): 1.99%
MasterCard Debit (MCDE): 0.49 €

International Maestro: 1.99%
Amex: 1.99%

They have no monthly fees but if you want the bluetooth credit card terminal it is 199 euro and you own it.

They said as well that the above rates are locked in for life once you have the machine.

Graham · 22-01-2014 1:08pm

Branoic wrote: »

2.95% on credit
49 cent on debit

Also, forgot to mention settlement times -

Generally next day funding with a Bank of Ireland account, or normal bank transfer times of 3 days with any other account.

What's the process like to be setup as a merchant? There's not much mention of it on the website?

jimmii · 22-01-2014 1:11pm

Branoic wrote: »

2.95% on credit
49 cent on debit

Also, forgot to mention settlement times -

Generally next day funding with a Bank of Ireland account, or normal bank transfer times of 3 days with any other account.

Thanks.

jimmii · 22-01-2014 1:13pm

floydmoon1 wrote: »

Can you do remote payment?

Most of my customers pay at the premises but somethings I need to take payment over the phone.

5) As well as the physical pinpad you also get free access to an online Virtual Terminal which you can access through your PC or phone web browser, for processing of telephone transactions.

That looks like the biggest plus over syspay imo just a matter of how much credit card you do and how much the almost 1% difference will make.

floydmoon1 · 22-01-2014 1:16pm

jimmii wrote: »

5) As well as the physical pinpad you also get free access to an online Virtual Terminal which you can access through your PC or phone web browser, for processing of telephone transactions.

That looks like the biggest plus over syspay imo just a matter of how much credit card you do and how much the almost 1% difference will make.

I have been onto Syspay and they said they can also setup this type of virtual terminal connected to your account with the terminal.

They said the fees depend on your application and I guess the useage you put down.

It might be more expensive per transaction for the virtual terminal but as it will only be a handful in the year I think for me overall Syspay will be cheaper.

jimmii · 22-01-2014 1:28pm

floydmoon1 wrote: »

I have been onto Syspay and they said they can also setup this type of virtual terminal connected to your account with the terminal.

They said the fees depend on your application and I guess the useage you put down.

It might be more expensive per transaction for the virtual terminal but as it will only be a handful in the year I think for me overall Syspay will be cheaper.

Interesting to know assumed they had something like that but never really looked into it as its not something that I need to use often either at the moment I use paypal and its sure to be cheaper than that!

Branoic · 22-01-2014 1:34pm

Graham wrote: »

What's the process like to be setup as a merchant? There's not much mention of it on the website?

Pretty straight forward. We take your details then email you a precompleted form which just needs to be signed and sent back - you can scan and email it back. We need some stuff with it for Money - laundering legislation requirements - copy of photo identification, utility bill, proof of bank account. PM me if you like and I can arrange.

cormie · 22-01-2014 1:49pm

Lower the % fee and I reckon you'll get a rake of new sign ups

Sounds great besides that.

floydmoon1 · 22-01-2014 2:18pm

cormie wrote: »

Lower the % fee and I reckon you'll get a rake of new sign ups Sounds great besides that.

I would definitely consider going with the mobile merchant if the fees were a bit more favourable.

I am amazed that this option wasn't advised to me when I aired my grievances about Elavon and decided to cancel my account.

To be honest I didn't find Elavon very helpful as any time I had an issue no-one seemed to contact me.

Branoic · 22-01-2014 3:43pm

floydmoon1 wrote: »

I would definitely consider going with the mobile merchant if the fees were a bit more favourable.

I am amazed that this option wasn't advised to me when I aired my grievances about Elavon and decided to cancel my account.

To be honest I didn't find Elavon very helpful as any time I had an issue no-one seemed to contact me.

Would love to drop the % but alas cannot

it's a fixed product with pricing set by the powers that be.

CinSoots · 22-01-2014 9:00pm

I spoke to SumUp yesterday. I was looking for the card reader but they told me not to bother as a new Bluetooth chip and pin device would be issued in March that would accept Visa. Visa will not accept the current arrangement that Sumup have in place so that's why they have had to do this. The charges would remain the same but there would be an initial cost of approx €50 for the card reader.

This is the first time they have answered the visa question with some kind of solution rather than it will work soon so I hope they are right this time!!

I also asked about a payment solution that would integrate into my website and they said it was being worked on but they couldn't give any specific timeframe at the moment. This I wasn't convinced about so I'll believe this when I see it!!

SumUp Credit Card Processing

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