Is this how most centers handle leagues

[JJKinGA]

Our center has taken credit cards. With AMF bowlmor standardizing they are now only allowing credit cards if you are paying for at least half a season.

[NewToBowling]

First week was last night. Confirmed only cash or check using envelope system. Credit card only if paying for full season.

Lanes were THS and looked liked it was fresh oil

167-173-167 series. Not bad I guess.

[TonyInPortland]

I bowl at a center that takes credit cards for all bowling-related fees including USBC cards. It's great, I get money back on all credit card purchases, and bowling and the lady that used to cut my hair were the only things I needed cash for. I am trying to get my 2nd league at this center as well,(not just because of the credit card thing) then I can quit using cash entirely. Also, it is like getting a discount on bowling.

[Tony]

I bowl at a center that takes credit cards for all bowling-related fees including USBC cards. It's great, I get money back on all credit card purchases, and bowling and the lady that used to cut my hair were the only things I needed cash for. I am trying to get my 2nd league at this center as well,(not just because of the credit card thing) then I can quit using cash entirely. Also, it is like getting a discount on bowling.

That's handy to be able to pay all the fee's with a credit card ! It would still be nice to have cash when buying a used car from a private party if you want a better deal !

[taxexpert2]

Interesting thread. I was thinking yesterday that it would be great if I could use a debit card for league - just like I can for practice and equipment. Guess I will find out tomorrow when league starts.

Really looking forward to this league this fall. Moved here late last year and was not able to join a league at that point. I really missed it.

[John Anderson]

Most league council members don't have the slightest clue as to how banking, accounting, and money management can be done. They usually just do it exactly how the last person in charge did it. Accepting credit cards now is incredibly easy and doesn't cost very much in fees if you have enough volume. 2% is not too bad for a league to accept. Just raise the price by a dollar a week and you can get an extra $30 per person into the league fund even after taking out card fees.

[Mike White]

Most league council members don't have the slightest clue as to how banking, accounting, and money management can be done. They usually just do it exactly how the last person in charge did it. Accepting credit cards now is incredibly easy and doesn't cost very much in fees if you have enough volume. 2% is not too bad for a league to accept. Just raise the price by a dollar a week and you can get an extra $30 per person into the league fund even after taking out card fees.

It's a bad idea for the league to get in a position where they accept credit cards.

2% is a base figure for transactions, there are also fixed per transaction fees, monthly fees, and if someone used a card that has a cash back bonus (1%, 2%, 3%) type option, that extra % is charged to the "merchant" (in this case, league)

After a while they started bumping up the monthly fees, and added an annual fee.

Finally when I had enough, and picked up a difference processor, but didn't cancel the first one incase the new one had problems.

So for the first month I didn't use the original, they tacked on an addition non-usage fee which was as much as my normal month of % fees.

Finally I decided to flat out cancel. But no, there is an early termination fee of another $200.

What makes it worse is they set the deal up so after each day's activity, the full amount of the transaction to deposited into your bank account, then at the end of the month they withdraw all of the fees.

While this sounds fair, it also allows them to just grab money from your account first, then maybe justify it later.

[bowl1820]

That's assuming the league is acting as the merchant and one paying for the card service.

Most of the leagues here use the in house banking service provided by the house, being able to pay by debit or credit is part of the service that provides.

The league doesn't pay any of the card service fees, unless you want to say it's figured into the lineage.

[Amyers]

Most league council members don't have the slightest clue as to how banking, accounting, and money management can be done. They usually just do it exactly how the last person in charge did it. Accepting credit cards now is incredibly easy and doesn't cost very much in fees if you have enough volume. 2% is not too bad for a league to accept. Just raise the price by a dollar a week and you can get an extra $30 per person into the league fund even after taking out card fees.

Raise the fees a dollar!!! Good God man what are you trying to do to me!!!! Sincerely most bowlers.

[Mike White]

That's assuming the league is acting as the merchant and one paying for the card service.

Most of the leagues here use the in house banking service provided by the house, being able to pay by debit or credit is part of the service that provides.

The league doesn't pay any of the card service fees, unless you want to say it's figured into the lineage.

In John's comment "2% is not too bad for a league to accept" that implies that league would be acting as the merchant, which as I said, was a bad idea.


In regards to the league not using in house banking. (reference post #17)

The house is prepared with cash on hand incase bowlers want to get cash to pay their league fees.

So instead of giving the bowlers cash, give them the receipt to pass on to the league.

When the secretary settles up the lineage, those receipts are good as cash to the house.

If the league has more CC receipts than lineage costs, the difference would be given to the league secretary in cash to be deposited in the league bank account.

Everything would need to be documented, but that is the same for any other banking method as well.

The house can either chooses to eat the ~2% charge, or charge something like $20.50 for the $20 receipt.