Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the problem ??
 

I'm sure as a track owner that cash money at the gate has its advantages for reasons too lengthy to list, but what is the biggest problem with accepting plastic for entry fees at any track ??? I know for myself, I had rather keep my cash in my pocket for road trip emergencies and you can never carry too much.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

i agree, why not? it would make things much easier, at least in my opinion. also easier to keep track of expenses for tax time. keep that cash for the "club" er, i mean roadside emergencies...

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Well, if you are working on a thin profit margin (and many tracks are) the merchant discount fees can get costly.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Exactly. It's why I don't take credit cards. It would drive the price up for all of my customers.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I worked for years writing software for the plastic card industry - ATM cards, debit cards, security cards, pre-loaded cash cards, credit cards, etc. Federal regulations that govern the transfer of funds based on electronically initiated transactions is heavily stacked in favor of the financial institutions. It is another chapter in the history of the many GOB favors and manipulation of control that has helped create the economic mess everybody is now experiencing in our nation. Yes, the merchant pays the fees. Yes, the cost gets passed on the the consumer. Yes, it is another way for the rulers of the financial kingdom in this country to use the government kingdom to force the people to transfer the fruit of their work into their hands. It's more than paying for a convenience

Yes, this is a soap box of mine, and yes, I can get very angry about it.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I would probably pay a higher entry fee to be able to use the credit card.Some of these credit card companies really give you the rewards.

The key to beating them at their game is to ALWAYS pay your balance due in full.

( I know,NOT always easy to do!) lol.

The reason that they don't take them is probably because credit card fraud is so common nowadays.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

As a business owner that takes a fair amount of credit cards, I can say that I can't blame them. The merchant fees on a credit card transaction can add up to as much as 5% of the purchase, depending on the type of card. Also, at best, the track would receive the money the next business day, but could be 2 or 3 days.

I think that in this day and age, businesses have to take credit cards, but it does drive the end cost to the customer up. In the case of the tracks, if it were me, I'd have to tack on a 5% surcharge at the gate for a credit card. I'd also only take them for events where the payout goes out in a check. If I was making the payout in cash, I couldn't take a card for it as I wouldn't have the cash for payout.

Just my $0.02 in cash...

Jeff Jewell

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

[QUOTE=442OLDS;308756]The key to beating them at their game is to ALWAYS pay your balance due in full.

X2

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I have used credit cards at several tracks, don't remember any problems. I usually bring a company check for points races. Haven't been refused yet.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Gee, Jeff, a company check for race entry.......hmmmmm. (LOL)

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

It's a company function.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I'll run that by my bean counter

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Orlando has been this way the last 3 years I was there

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I've been writting a check for the entry forever, the only place that has ever given me greef has been Orlando, did 2 yrs in a row. But I just told them I don't carry cash. Guess what, they took my check..... lol.

I like checks for the record keeping/proof of entry.

And the obvious, I don't like carrying to much cash, the thiefs at the track, (and Orlando has there share/jumping fence) and the thugs on the road. I know of more one than one guy that has been robbed............. I'd hate to have to shoot some idiot.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I always write checks at IHRA races and the Big Buck bracket races we go to. Some of the Bracket races laet you leave an Open Check and run a Tab. When the weekends over you go to the pay window and settle up.
Does NHRA not allow checks?
CHip Johnson

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Thanks to everyone that has shown up to race this weekend. A little rain yesterday but now is real nice. High 60's today and clear as can be.

It's true we don't take plastic for payment of admission and entry fees. And, we don't pay with plastic either. We've had the lease on Orlando Speed World Dragway for 25 years and have always paid with cash unless a out of area racer left without picking up their prize money. In that case we will send a check. Heck, what ruffles my feathers is places that won't take my cash!

Messing with credit cards is one inconvenience we simply choose not to pay for.

Good luck y'all.

Carl

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

There are some tollways in Illinois that have tolls at some exits with CASH UNACCEPTABLE for payment.Never understood how this could be "legal" .

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Carl , nice post but in most business the customer is always right . In this day most people dont carry cash and most prefer plastic or debit . Its the same as cash and has been proven to help business not hurt it .

By the looks of the car count you could have used a few more cars . If you need a good card processor let me know . Current rates are about 1.86%

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I have a dollar bill here that says "THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR ALL DEBTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE". 'Course it's an older bill. Maybe the trillions in unbacked currency they've printed in recent years no longer carries that statement.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I should have stated that clearer.There are a few exits where CASH/COIN is NOT accepted at all.



A $36 million interchange at Eola Road in Aurora opened on November 20, 2009 after approximately ten years of planning and less than one year of actual construction. It is the first set of ramp toll booths which accept only I-Pass users without providing for cash tolls.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Could it be that they get a kickback from i-pass???

David
The New Hemi Guy

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

X2
When my daughter started doing hair she was completely dependant on "walk-in" customers. The first time I went and got my hair cut (what littles left) I noticed out of 10 booths no one was accepting credit cards. The following week whe got her setup to accept cards and WAM her business took off. Seems everyone wanted to go to her because she was the only one accepting cards. Now half the girls there are accepting cards but, she's got her client's built up because woman don't want to go to someone different.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Terry - Your story is exactly why there is a double-edged sword. If some little guy was making money off the cc charges, it would be okay. What I have seen in my working in the industry is that the small innovators who got the whole electronic transaction processing business going have been forced out of business by federal regulations that make it so that only the huge financial insitutions can own the network. Now it's just a way for the big to get bigger and we pay for it. It's like the recent mortgage settlement for $25 billion; additional fees are being placed on mortgage processing and payment transactions by the very institutions who were "punished". We end up paying for their settlement. Or trying to tax corporations to somehow make it "fair". They just tack on the expense onto the market prices and we pay for it.

I am glad it helped your daughter. There just needs to be some honesty in the banking world. Just like there needs to be honesty in sportsman drag racing.

Still on my soap box, sorry!

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Silver Dollar takes credit cards!;)

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

The only track I had problems using a card at the gate was an IHRA race at State Capitol, at Baton Rouge. I use mine all the time with no problems. Used it there, just had to ride to the main spectator gate with an official to process it. Said they had no phone line to the entrant's booth. Told them they just need a wireless card for a laptop. Since I've seen a cel phone with a card swiping fixture on the end. Makes no sense to not take cards at the pit gate. Many of us prefer to not carry that much cash. I could not run my business if we did not take cards. Today that is just part of doing business.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

really amazing all the answers.....it is always ok for the racer to spend every dime and his last ounce of energy but it is an INCONVENIENCE to the track or it isn't smart or a matter of principle ??? Since when doesn't the added fees go to the racer ??? Add $ 5.00 at the gate.....I guarantee there are people out there that would race on credit if they had access to a track that would take a card...the car count WOULD go up..now nobody would race on credit would they ???? does president ODUMMA know about this ???? hahaahah

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I am always upset at any business that inconvience their Customer base . for example I went to best Buy at 9:45 am and there were around 15 people waiting to get in The opening time was 10am .. the doors were closed and we all could see the employees in the store . Interesting as one person was there to buy a TV and he was upset so he left and then another person was interested in a Computer so she left No sales for the best Buy sales from them . I find it very bad business when a business spends 100s of thousand of advertising dollars to get customers to do business and then makes them wait to get in and spend their money with them > then all of a a sudden the Business come out with a report sales are down DUH This idea could be applied to any businees including a drag strip .Service the Customer is a good thing your bottom line but be better

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Don
If you do not mind, I would like to play the devil's advocate here. I am a small business and sometimes I have customers waiting on me when I get here in the morning and I have customers to come in after I close. But lets explore the Best Buy store you spoke of. If you open your doors 30 minutes early, next week you will have some one there 15 to 30 minutes before that new opening time. But lets go one step further. Who is going to pay for those employees extra time on the clock. Are you if the store says I will open 15 minutes early but the price will be 10% higher. At some point in time, you must pick a time to open and pick a time to close unless you have enough business to absorb that extra time (Walmart). I now that in my business, I average over 12 hours per day and I luv to go watch my grandchildren play ball. I bet your boss has a time for you to start and a time for you to get off. What if he walks in tomorrow and tells you we are going to work 15 minutes longer time. What will be your reaction. Ok that doesnt mean that these store should not periodically look at their hours, but no matter the business, you have to have structure and structure will not please every one. Ok lets say those people went to another business to purchase. Where did they go since all of them open and close at or about the same time except (Walmart). In my business, it is so competitive that we all do good to stay open in this miserable Congress atmosphere. I just want to hold on and hope it will get better.
Credit cards, I have taken them when business was good, but now as business has dropped off and the fees went higher, I found very few (and I mean very few) that want to offset those additional prices. Credit cards in most situations are a convenience for the user and not for the taker. If they become an advantage, then by all means we or they should do it but until it is an advantage and will help me add to my bottom line, then I must say no.
reed

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

The Business owner must decide if he wants to improve his bottom line PERIOD , by serving his customers one way or another it all depends on YOU the owner on what you want to do to succeed in this Business environment, Your call on how you want to service your customer base. By the way In my lifetime I have always service my customers first cause the customers may not always be there ? just my opinion

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

So don't shop at the big box stores. If you vote with your feet /wallet, the free market will lead them to change their business practices, and/or the local small business will thrive by providing the service that others do not.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

right on

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

At our dealership we take cash, credit cards, checks, barter, bear rugs, ice chest of shirimp, beer (2 for 1), Mardi Gras Beads (minimum 48 inch 10 MM bead), alligator skins, live gators (not too big), promises, and more that I can't remember now. Swapped a used car for braces one time(3 kids).

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Somehow we aren't surprised......lol. But I would do the same thing.....Maybe I should do some shopping when I come down....I have some snow to swap????

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

I don't know if you boys are qualified to trade with us Southern Gentlemen. We do things a little different down here as you attendees of the Cajun Sportsnationals might have observed.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

in other words watch Cajun Pawn Stars for a reference, Jeff taught "Big Daddy" how its done.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Bo, . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The only thing missing from your dig about the car count was the "LOL".

LOL

Carl

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

Unless this store had recently changed its hours of operation, why would you and 15 other people get annoyed that the store was not be open outside of its posted business hours? If the store has a sign that states that opening time is 10.00 am, I would hardly be suprised to find the doors locked until 10.00 am. Maybe these people need to line up outside a store that sells watches, or learn to tell time. Do you think that if your TV dies at 1.30 am, that the Best Buy should have a phone number on the door so you could call the manager at 2.00 am to open the store so you can buy another TV so you don`t miss a Matlock marathon? Lets be realistic here.

Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble
 

LOL...

Happens all the time. It's actually funny to be inside a business while people walk up, and pull on the locked door. They then read what the hours are and try the door again. Walk 1/2 way back to their car then come back for 1 more try at the door. If it says 10, then it is 10! There is stuff to do to get ready for opening so employees need to be inside early.