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

Rusty Davenport · 02-10-2012, 10:52 AM

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.

Keith 944 · 02-10-2012, 11:28 AM

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...

Julie Jordan · 02-10-2012, 11:29 AM

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

Alan Roehrich · 02-10-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Jordan

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

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

Dwight Southerland · 02-10-2012, 11:53 AM

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.

442OLDS · 02-10-2012, 11:58 AM

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.

Jeff Jewell · 02-10-2012, 12:31 PM

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

Jim Kaekel · 02-10-2012, 01:13 PM

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

X2

Jeff Teuton · 02-10-2012, 02:06 PM

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.

Randall Klein · 02-10-2012, 03:14 PM

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

02-10-2012, 10:52 AM	#1
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 506 Likes: 4 Liked 101 Times in 27 Posts	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.

02-10-2012, 11:28 AM	#2
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,193 Likes: 1,160 Liked 1,877 Times in 577 Posts	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... __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

02-10-2012, 11:29 AM	#3
Julie Jordan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 638 Likes: 90 Liked 518 Times in 93 Posts	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. __________________ Julie Jordan 7549 STK

02-10-2012, 11:53 AM	#5
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 64 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	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.

02-10-2012, 11:58 AM	#6
442OLDS VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Elgin,IL Posts: 1,339 Likes: 5 Liked 282 Times in 103 Posts	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. Last edited by 442OLDS; 02-10-2012 at 12:04 PM.

02-10-2012, 12:31 PM	#7
Jeff Jewell Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bangor, PA Posts: 182 Likes: 41 Liked 171 Times in 36 Posts	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

02-10-2012, 01:13 PM	#8
Jim Kaekel VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,226 Likes: 133 Liked 529 Times in 107 Posts	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 __________________ Jim Kaekel 3836 STK

02-10-2012, 02:06 PM	#9
Jeff Teuton VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Houma, LA Posts: 2,717 Likes: 2 Liked 325 Times in 50 Posts	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. __________________ Jeff Teuton 4022 STK

02-10-2012, 03:14 PM	#10
Randall Klein Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska Posts: 785 Likes: 45 Liked 316 Times in 67 Posts	Re: Credit cards at the gate for entry....what is the proble Gee, Jeff, a company check for race entry.......hmmmmm. (LOL)

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