CREDIT CARDS

Barclaycard Merchant Services - Rates for ABA Members

Very competitive preferential rates apply for electronic transactions under the ABA scheme (at present for members based in the UK only, we regret):

In order to join the ABA scheme or change machine members need to telephone: for E-commerce trading on the internet or if you are new to BMS - 0800 616161, Existing BMS customers - 0844 811 6666. Members should state that they are a member of or wish to join the "Antiquarian Booksellers' Association Trade Association Scheme"

Consumer Credit and Debit Card Rate

 Rates available from the ABA office - please note that our rates are loaded by 0.4% for credit card transactions or 6p for debit card transactions for E-commerce trading on the internet - a new merchant number is required for this.

Please note that the preferential rates only reply when Chip & Pin or Card Security Code security measures are used

Please note that BMS are likely to add 0.2% to the rates when more than half the transactions are “customer not present”

Please also note that there will be a minimum billing charge of £20 per month for some customers

The £20 minimum billing charge applies immediately only to Tonelink customers. They are not phasing Tonelink out, but users are going to find it increasingly difficult to get payments accepted after the end of February when the use of Security Codes (and address and postcode numbers in the UK) is phased in fully. BMS are offering Tonelink customers a special price offer to convert to a PDQ machine, but they will not lose the ABA preferential rates if they keep their Tonelink.

The £20 minimum billing charge will also be applied to some BMS PDQ customers from the end of February, but BMS will decide on the basis of annual turnover to whom to apply this and will write to each customer affected. All the banks seem to have a minimum billing charge now, or to be introducing one (HSBC, for instance, have had a minimum of £20 per month for some time). From the end of February PDQ customers will lose preferential rates for any transactions they can get through without using the new security precautions.

Chip and Pin

PDQ Eclipse (TT41 on-line):

This existing terminal will remain the primary BMS unit, and members who have this will be provided with a PIN pad to upgrade to Chip & Pin. This terminal will remain at the cost of £20 +Vat per month.

Customers with other BMS terminals:

BMS customers who have any other type of BMS PDQ will have their old terminal swapped for one of the new terminals shortly.

BMS has also introduced two new terminals, both fully Chip & Pin capable, to its range:

PDQ Classic:

A compact counter-top unit with an integral PIN pad and Chip reader. This terminal is designed to carry out a small to moderate number of card transactions quickly and efficiently. It is meant for businesses processing fewer than 1,000 card transactions per year (about 2 or 3 a day). The cost of this terminal for members will be £13 + VAT per month but there is a £40 charge if you swap from PDQ Eclipse (TT41). BMS hope that by introducing this new terminal, the lower cost will encourage more members to join the ABA group deal with BMS.

PDQ Portable:

This terminal is designed to enable staff to take the terminal to the customer. A little like a cordless phone in the home the terminal sits on a base unit, the terminal is then removed from the base unit and taken to the customer for use. The unit is fully equipped for Chip and Pin and is designed for companies that have multiple till points. The cost of a portable unit (1 base unit and 1 Handset) for members will be £25 + Vat per month. This terminal can have up to 5 handsets operating from 1 base unit and BMS offer additional handsets (an additional charge applies for each handset).

VODAFONE/BMS Mobile Terminal

A Chip & Pin mobile PDQ terminal is now available from Vodafone, who offer purchase and long and short term rental options. This service has been developed to assist customers who attend off-site events and exhibitions away from their normal trading sites. In the past customers attending exhibitions either took their existing PDQ terminal (if phone lines were available) or used paper vouchers. However if members use paper after the end of December this year they will become liable for any fraudulent transactions. A summary of the costs of this service are as follows:
Rental Options: Long-term GPRS option (fast always on-line connection) - £32.49 call charges included. Long-term GSM option (Standard Mobile signal) - £28.49 & 10p per call. Short-term option - Set up Fee: £20, min period: 3 days £45, thereafter per day: £15, per Week: £75
Purchase Options: GPRS Option - £575 & £5 access charge - call charges included GPS Option - £575 & £9 access charge - 10p per call
These machines are approved for connection to BMS but are not BMS terminals. They are subject to a 3 year contract.
For full details please contact VODAFONE on 0870 9009809

PDQ Tonelink  no longer available - being phased out for existing holders.

This replaced paper transactions and can be used from any touch tone telephone including mobiles. BMS should have accepted ABA members at £5 per month (rather than £7.50 as advertised) and put them on the agreed rates for the ABA Group PDQ sales.