Hello, I am planning to offer consultancy services, but hesitate in regard of getting payment without the risk of charge back. I will address a very specific niche, and provide service over the phone. The nature of the niche request a quite long period of consultancy (something 2 hours per weeks during 30 weeks). So, I will have few customers (very small niche) but willing to pay relatively high amount. In chargeback occurs, it will wipe out months of work. I am considering PayPal (for convenience and CC possibilities, but risk of charge back) or bank transfer, (safer, but less convenient for the customer). What is your opinion for these payment methods? What kind of proof you suggest me take that I am actually providing consultancy over the phone (in order to deal with possible chargeback)? Thanks.
I would bill on a recurring basis, and not in a single sum. If you take a single payment which you can do, you are liable for a long time after the services are complete. Chargeback liability is 6 months past the completion date of the transaction. In your case the completion date would be after all services are rendered, or 30 weeks as you previously suggested. You should also have your customer sign a receipt that has the details of the services being rendered and the cost for the services. No matter what you have, fighting a chargeback on this would be nearly impossible, since you are providing an intangible service, and something that would be hard to verify and justify the cost of. Someone could just say you didn't deliver what you promised, and win the chargeback. A no-guarantee / non-liability clause would be very appropriate in this case. Taking a check would be much safer, but people do like to pay with credit cards and paypal, so it may not be a viable option.
Well go for www.moneybookers.com or www.e-gold.com , no charge backs there Advance payment would help edit/ add : As for the proof, you can use Yahoo or MSN voice chat as consultancy mode and show save those voice chats for reference.. If you use phone.. then producing phone bill might help... Best way is to find honest ppl... who got no intentions of tricking others