This article is from page 6 of the 2012-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
SMALL businesses across Clare are foregoing the use of credit cards and debit cards in their shops as the cost of maintaining the service is crippling them.
Businesswoman Joanne Dillon from Kilkee accepts that by getting rid of the credit card service in her two businesses – Jo Soaps Launderette and The Flower Shop – a year ago she has lost some business, but retaining the service was costing her too much money.
“In July to August last year, I looked at my statement and I realised the credit card service cost me € 150, and I only took in € 100 in credit card payments that month,” she told The Clare People .
“It has been tough sometimes without the service, not so much for the launderette but definitely for the florist. I hate having to tell people to lodge the money into my account or send a cheque when they ring. It also means I have to follow up on bills,” said the young businesswoman.
“One Portuguese company rang me to supply flowers for them but I couldn’t because they needed to pay by card, so yes, I suppose I am losing some business.”
She said it was impossible, however, to continue with the charges associated with providing credit and debit card services as the standing charge for the machine and every transaction was costing her. “A lot of small businesses in town got rid of them for that reason. We would love to have it but we just can’t afford it,” she said.
This is not just an issue for businesses in West Clare, however. Rita McInerney of Ennis Chamber of Commerce confirmed it is an issue for a lot of small businesses in the county town too. A number of smaller businesses in Ennis have signs up saying they are no longer taking cards due to the cost.
“The charges on credit and debit cards are quite hefty. It is not just the bank charge, there is the charge from the credit card company and the cost of the technology involved and the leases,” said Ms McInerney.
She said she was hopeful that new technology that is currently being developed in Ireland would allow businesses to use their smart phones or tablets to make credit card charges, which would reduce a lot of the cost.