Multi part question for those who board, train or otherwise make their living with horses.?

Question

How do your customers pay you?

Do you take credit cards or cash/check only?

If you do take credit cards do you eat the processing fees or pass them along to the customer?

Also, when your board is late, when do you start to get tough about it?

Question to boarders - would you pay your boarding/training fees on a credit card if it was available to you?

I would like a little feed back please!

Answer 1

I help train at our barn, and because we are mildly small, we only accept cash or check, at time of lesson.

I don't handle the boarding, but I'd say the time to "get tough" would depend on how dependable that person is normally, their record at the barn, and if they had ever had late rent before.

And I don't think I would pay with a credit card (i personally don't really like them) but I bet a lot of people would find that more convenient!

Answer 2

When I boarded, I paid by check...credit cards were not accepted.  the late policy is usually in the contract and a late fee is assigned after 5 days....most places will waive it if extenuating circumstances present a valid reason for being late...but not more than once. In reality, collecting board from someone who doesn't pay requires a lengthy legal process, so try to avoid problems by checking references on your boarders before you let them in. from a boarder's perspective, being able to use a charge card would be fine...but if I take on boarders, I won't do it....debit card, maybe.

Answer 3

Check. If the person is good about paying board we let the go at the most a month behind. If they are new you should make them pay in advance but the most time you should let pass is a week.

Answer 4

The place that I board recently decided to take credit cards.  I do believe it is more convenient for some and a necessity for others right now!!

I pay by check..but knowing that the option is open is a good idea.  I'm not sure who pays the fees..never asked..I know with lessons they must eat them because I've helped in the office a couple of times.

As far as the fees...you can either figure into the price or maybe offer a discount. ..or some incentive to pay by check?  Hmmm got to think about that one.  One other thing that should be considered..is charge-backs....if there was ever an issue with someone...would they be able to reverse the charges for some reason?

I think in these times..it could be a good idea though.

I also think you need to know your customers too...someone changing to credit cards could be a warning flag of some type of financial distress..that might lead to other services not being paid for like farrier, vet..you just need to be aware.  So, in a way, after saying that perhaps if someone needs to pay by credit card..they should have to pay the fees too..just to discourage it as a last resort???

*******EDIT***********

I was just thinking....if you are still undecided..could you have those that chose to pay by CC sign a waiver stating that they are paying for a service and that they agree that they cannot dispute or charge-back...use of the CC is a privilege and not a way to get out of paying.  You would have to ask the service company if that is legal to do.  I'm sure you'll make the right decision..if not, it can be changed!!

Answer 5

I only have a couple of boarders so i wouldn't go as far as to say it's how I make my living... I prefer everything in cash, just makes it easier on the both of us. Checks are fine too.

I've never considered taking credit cards because honestly I think it would just be too much trouble for me. Possibly if I ran a larger business it might prove to be something useful, but for now, eh, not really.

I'm usually pretty lenient about a boarder being a little late and don't start cracking down until they are over a week late. They get a warning from me and if they don't bring the money by the next day I charge a 5 dollar late fee for every missed day after the warning.

Answer 6

I prefer to pay everything in cash, field rent, farrier, vet etc if that's not possible I use a check.

Nobody has ever complained.

Answer 7

That is a good question.

I have often thought about taking credit cards too, but honestly I don't need more paperwork to do.

My office is a train wreck as it is lol.

I would be curious to know, from a market analysis view point if customers would spend more if the option of paying on plastic was available to them?

Would they take those additional lessons if they could charge them?

Then the flip side is what if they did charge their board, lessons, farrier, vet etc on their card and  later disputed the fees?

That to me is a deal breaker. I guess I answered it for my own business. I am interested to see what others say.

In my barn, I am very fortunate that my boarders are rarely late  If it is an unusual situation and depending on who it is, I will let it go a week. In the past I have bartered for hay. I will always try to work with someone before I haul out the big guns.