If you choose to set up credit cards on your site, we support the PayPal API standard on our Premier and Elite packages.
1. Set up an account with PayPal. Make sure that your bank accounts are all connected. We can’t help specifically with this, but the folks at PayPal will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
2. Once you have a PayPal account, you should enter that email address in your Web Maint Module>Variables>Go! and update them. (Box 1) Then, check whether you want to take credit cards for applications, other items on the site such as apparel or both. Update the page again.
3. Then drop an email to helpdesk@tourneycentral.com We will verify that the email address OR the Business PayPal Account (recommended) is working and the PayPal connecion is made before we turn on the credit card option.
“Convenience Fees”
Many states have laws that prohibit the addition of “service fees” for credit card use, setting minimum purchase amounts or giving discounts for cash. Since TourneyCentral services tournaments nationwide, we avoid writing support for fees like this in our software. There are exceptions, but you should check with your own legal team to make sure you are operating within the your state and local laws.
We are aware a lot of merchants do it and a lot of consumers pay the additional fee without knowledge of prevailing laws. That is not a conversation we wish to engage. However, if you feel strongly about “convenience fees,” we do have a custom credit card option at the Elite level, where we will integrate your chosen processor at which time you can set handling fees, etc. as you see fit.
Barring the selection of the Elite level for your tournament, you should look at setting the team fees to offset the expense of taking credit cards, as other businesses do, as a cost of sales. For planning purposes, on average, tournaments we see that give teams a choice to pay by credit card run about 10-12% of their volume, usually near or after the application deadline.
For tournaments that offer credit cards for apparel purchases pre-sale, we don’t see additional lift. But, for events that offer credit card at the point of sale, we hear anecdotal evidence at about 40% lift.