Easy "credit card" as payment
 

I have a client who had problems paying the large outstanding balance on their commissioned portrait, so they suggested they pay by credit card. I was reticent though to do this, as once I open a merchant account I have to pay a monthly minimum even if I don't have clients making credit card purchases (I opened a merchant account when I started fulltime, but put it on pause then let it expire since no one ever asked to pay by credit card).

Well we solved the problem by using Paypal. I started out by creating a Paypal vendor account. Then, from the Paypal account I can actually send an invoice to my client via email through the Paypal system. When the client gets the email invoice, there is a direct link for them so that they in turn also create a "buyer" account. For both our Paypal accounts, the procedure includes linking ones' existing bank account routing info. Once we've both been approved (which take a few days), she is approved to make a payment to Paypal using any major credit card. Once they do that, Paypal informs me of the payment into my Paypal account, and I can (at no charge) instruct Paypal to transfer the funds to my regular bank account.

Paypal takes a 2.9% cut from what is paid, so be aware that .

I just completed my first transaction this way and it was very easy for both me and my client. I expect this will be a great way do transactions that need credit card payment when they arise.

Thanks for the tip Linda,
I have been using Paypal for years to accept credit card payments from my customers, but I think I have been doing it the hard way. What I have been doing is to create a paypal item button and insert that into a non public "customer" page of my website. I then email the customer the link to that page so they can buy the commissioned item through the paypal button. I wasn't aware that you could just send them an invoice. I'll have to look into that.
Thanks!

I believe the email invoice thing is a new option they've added.