Hi,
We're proud to announce a new, on-line secure credit card facility on our
web site. We believe this is a first in PBM and should allow you to send us
money in complete confidence. You can also use Euros, American Dollars,
Australian Dollars and South African Rand.
Please visit the website and get in touch if you have any questions.
Sam
···
****************************************************
Harlequin Games
mailto: pbm@harlequingames.com
www.harlequingames.com
Middle Earth - Legends- Serim Ral
CTF 2187 - Starquest - Crack of Doom
Battle of the Planets - Exile
****************************************************
340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP
Tel 029 2062 5665 12-6.30 Weekdays
Fax 029 2062 5532 24 hours
BUT ARE YOU STILL APPLYING THE INIQUITOUS SURCHARGE FOR UK CREDIT CARD
USERS?
Regards,
Laurence G. Tilley http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
Talk to me live when I'm online with Yahoo Messenger
http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/ My ID=LGTilley
···
Harlequin Games <pbm@harlequingames.com> wrote
We're proud to announce a new, on-line secure credit card facility on our
web site. We believe this is a first in PBM and should allow you to send us
money in complete confidence. You can also use Euros, American Dollars,
Australian Dollars and South African Rand.
Hi,
This is getting a little boring ...
BUT ARE YOU STILL APPLYING THE INIQUITOUS SURCHARGE FOR UK CREDIT CARD
USERS?
Why should Hartlequyion have to swallow a 5% commission charge, simply
to accomodate UK players who are vperfectly able to pay by other means
(which doen't include a %age charge).
If Harlequin were doing this to make a bit of extra money, I would feel
different. But the situation is that they are bneing charged 5% and it
is only fair to pass that cost onto the customer.
Standard practice I'm afraid, live with it or pay by cheque!
Colin.
ColinForbes wrote:
If Harlequin were doing this to make a bit of extra money, I would feel
different. But the situation is that they are bneing charged 5% and it
is only fair to pass that cost onto the customer.
What a load of crock! The 5% is a business expense and should be treated as
such; deducted from taxable income or absorbed. First, the 5% is negotiable.
Second, it saves Harlequin from a bigger mass of paperwork and the physical
paper shuffling, so they gain from it too. If the secure web payment system
has been set up right, they hardly have to do anything to process the
payments.
It wasn't so long ago that such a practice was deemed illegal.
Gosh, I'm in a snotty mood tonight...
Gavin
Hi,
Gavin WJ wrote ...
What a load of crock! The 5% is a business expense and should be treated as
such; deducted from taxable income or absorbed. First, the 5% is negotiable.
Second, it saves Harlequin from a bigger mass of paperwork and the physical
paper shuffling, so they gain from it too. If the secure web payment system
has been set up right, they hardly have to do anything to process the
payments.
This is a very fair point, when made about a business with even a medium
sized turn-over. But ...
1: Harlequin are not a large business, no PBM company is. They simply
can't "absorb" the cost without passing it on to the players. I for one
would object to any increased cost. As I understand it Harlequin DO
absorb these costs for overseas players who don't have the other options
of payment open to UK players. We can always send a cheque.
2: Speaking as someone who does the accounts for another PBM company,
can I assure you that in actuial fact the paperwork for CC's is at least
as great as that for cheques.
3: The 5% is NOT negotiable! Harlequin do not have their own CC account,
but use Flagship instead (as do a number of other PBM companies). I have
some knowledge of the Flagship situation and, believe me, they do not
have a choice about paying the 5%. Negotiation is an option, but only
depending on the annual turnover.
When will people realise that PBM is not a huge money-spinning venture?
Harlequin are not trying to fleece CC players, they are merely trying to
cover their own costs in a fair way.
If you've got a credit card you can afford the extra 5%. Besides, Middle
Earth (like a lot of other PBM's is still under priced for the work
involved). Of the 3.90 per turn you pay, I would think bout a quid goes
to GSI. this leaves no more than 3 quid with which to cover costs, pay
tax and pay people. And you want Harlequin to absorb the CC costs?
Shiish!!
Colin.
BUT ARE YOU STILL APPLYING THE INIQUITOUS SURCHARGE FOR UK CREDIT CARD
USERS?
Hi Laurence,
Chambers Dictionary describes thus:
Iniquitous: unjust: scandalously unreasonable: wicked
In case anyone doesn't know, we get charged 5% on every credit card payment
we receive by our Merchanting package with Worldpay. (This is actually a
very good rate for an on-line service, other merchants such as Netbanx
charge 9%)
We pass this cost on to UK players, but waive it for all non UK players, as
we understand that it can be hard to arrange for payment in a foreign
currency.
On the other hand, UK players are welcome to send us a cheque.
We could knock off the 'iniquitous' 5% charge and simply raise turn fees for
everyone to cover this cost. Foreign players would then have to deal with
a.) Strong pound
b.) Currency exchange rate deduction
c.) Worldpay costs
But wouldn't that be iniquitous?
Cheers
Sam
What a load of crock! The 5% is a business expense and should be treated
as
such; deducted from taxable income or absorbed.
First, the 5% is negotiable.
Second, it saves Harlequin from a bigger mass of paperwork and the
physical
paper shuffling, so they gain from it too. If the secure web payment
system
has been set up right, they hardly have to do anything to process the
payments.
Hi Gavin
What do you mean absorbed? Either I take a pay cut, or we raise turn costs.
The money has to come from somewhere.
Credit cards are much more paperwork than cheques. John is the accountant.
'Cheques take 30 seconds, credit cards about 5 minutes' he says (over my
shoulder)
Perhaps I haven't 'set it up right' - I'd appreciate any advice you can give
me.
It wasn't so long ago that such a practice was deemed illegal.
Gosh, I'm in a snotty mood tonight...
Sam
···
Gavin
Middle Earth PBM List - Harlequin Games
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Hi,
OK, I wasn't aware that Harlequin now had their own CC merchanting
agreement, but the same arguments still apply.
Colin.
3: The 5% is NOT negotiable! Harlequin do not have their own CC account,
but use Flagship instead (as do a number of other PBM companies). I have
some knowledge of the Flagship situation and, believe me, they do not
have a choice about paying the 5%. Negotiation is an option, but only
depending on the annual turnover.
Actually, we now do have a credit card account of our own, through Worldpay.
The last credit card payments using Flagship are going through now. It will
be Worldpay from now on.
Sam
I'm sorry I used a word which you had to look up. Don't take it too
literally, there was an element of exaggeration for comic effect
intended. I think the surcharge is bad business, because you should
make it easy and SIMPLE for people to pay you. Level charges are part
of this. I do think that you should raise all charges to cover
increased costs - though this is becoming an increasingly easy argument
from you. It seems that every time someone suggests an improvement to
you, you reject it rather too lightly with the retort that turn fees
would have to go up. But, it is your choice, and I was not suggesting
that you be excommunicated for your vile sins, I'll save that for if you
ever "Special" Service me!
Regards,
Laurence G. Tilley http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
Talk to me live when I'm online with Yahoo Messenger
http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/ My ID=LGTilley
···
Harlequin Games <pbm@harlequingames.com> wrote
BUT ARE YOU STILL APPLYING THE INIQUITOUS SURCHARGE FOR UK CREDIT CARD
USERS?
Hi Laurence,
Chambers Dictionary describes thus:
Iniquitous: unjust: scandalously unreasonable: wicked
Harlequin Games wrote:
In case anyone doesn't know, we get charged 5% on every credit card payment
we receive by our Merchanting package with Worldpay. (This is actually a
very good rate for an on-line service, other merchants such as Netbanx
charge 9%)
Feel free to ignore this , but...
It would put things in perspective if we knew just how "big" Harlequin is
financially. What's the annual turnover? Is the 5% such an amount that it
eats a significant portion of your margin? If so, you're too close to the
edge.
Are you registered for VAT, by the way? I've often wondered. The VAT
threshold in France is quite high and being exempt can make a difference
over here for small businesses.
Gavin
Harlequin Games wrote:
What do you mean absorbed? Either I take a pay cut, or we raise turn costs.
The money has to come from somewhere.
Deducted from taxes as a business expense.
Credit cards are much more paperwork than cheques. John is the accountant.
'Cheques take 30 seconds, credit cards about 5 minutes' he says (over my
shoulder)
Perhaps I haven't 'set it up right' - I'd appreciate any advice you can give
me.
Ask how EasyJet do it. They save so much on taking cards over the internet
that they can offer a discount if you book that way.
Gavin (in a better mood)
Hi,
Are you registered for VAT, by the way? I've often wondered. The VAT
threshold in France is quite high and being exempt can make a difference
over here for small businesses.
KJC is definitely VAT registered, I assume Madhouse is also.
Colin.
Okay the other argument is that the money has to come from somewhere. So
either we pass the charges on to players (ie higher charges) or we earn less
ourselves by eating the charges.
As it appears that some players are able to pay by cheque with minimal
effort, then it seems only fair to charge for the extra service. (We charge
for phone-in orders for example).
Clint
···
Harlequin Games <pbm@harlequingames.com> wrote
>> BUT ARE YOU STILL APPLYING THE INIQUITOUS SURCHARGE FOR UK CREDIT CARD
>> USERS?
>
>Hi Laurence,
>
>Chambers Dictionary describes thus:
>
>Iniquitous: unjust: scandalously unreasonable: wicked
I'm sorry I used a word which you had to look up. Don't take it too
literally, there was an element of exaggeration for comic effect
intended. I think the surcharge is bad business, because you should
make it easy and SIMPLE for people to pay you. Level charges are part
of this. I do think that you should raise all charges to cover
increased costs - though this is becoming an increasingly easy argument
from you. It seems that every time someone suggests an improvement to
you, you reject it rather too lightly with the retort that turn fees
would have to go up. But, it is your choice, and I was not suggesting
that you be excommunicated for your vile sins, I'll save that for if you
ever "Special" Service me!
Regards,
Laurence G. Tilley http://www.lgtilley.freeserve.co.uk/
Talk to me live when I'm online with Yahoo Messenger
http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com/ My ID=LGTilley
Middle Earth PBM List - Harlequin Games
To Unsubscribe:www.onelist.com
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/harlequin.games/list.htm
Come to a pubmeet/con and we'll discuss it. Our end income is low though.
Clint
> In case anyone doesn't know, we get charged 5% on every credit card
payment
···
> we receive by our Merchanting package with Worldpay. (This is actually a
> very good rate for an on-line service, other merchants such as Netbanx
> charge 9%)
Feel free to ignore this , but...
It would put things in perspective if we knew just how "big" Harlequin is
financially. What's the annual turnover? Is the 5% such an amount that it
eats a significant portion of your margin? If so, you're too close to the
edge.
Are you registered for VAT, by the way? I've often wondered. The VAT
threshold in France is quite high and being exempt can make a difference
over here for small businesses.
Gavin
Middle Earth PBM List - Harlequin Games
To Unsubscribe:www.onelist.com
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/harlequin.games/list.htm
