PayWise has launched its new mobile money app for Android devices. (iOS is coming soon).
Bonus! In the app, send a payment request to 18686826328 and get $20 free (first 50 persons).
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PayWise offers online card payments with attractive features.
Transaction Fee
1. 3.5% on the payment amount, plus
2. 3.00 TT per transaction
Settlement
Receive funds in your bank account within 3 – 5 business days
Card Types Accepted
1. Credit/Debit Cards (local and international cards)
2. VISA Debit (cards that replaced the LINX card)
See: Using The New Linx Cards Online
Website Integration
1. Install our WordPress plugin and accept payments on your website
2. Offer customers different payment options: card, cash, or card and cash
3. Cash payments are made at PayWise agents
Payment Links (Cards Only)
1. Create and send payment links to customers via email or social media
2. Post payment links on your social media pages or website
2. Get email notifications when payments are made
Automatic Invoicing
Automatically, send payment reminders every month to your customers.
Other
1. Request partial or full refund of card payment
2. Get stickers to show customers you accept online payments.
We continue to offer customer service that responds to your calls and needs. Contact us at 610-9323 or [email protected].
Security enhancement was the main reason local banks upgraded the LINX debit cards to the VISA Debit (LINX) cards. By doing so the banks reduced the incidents of skimming and card replication. However, there were secondary benefits like contactless payments and online payments. The promise of online payments using the new cards was a boon for many, but this has not lived up to expectations. There are some grey areas which this short article aims to address.
Note, the information in this article was gleaned from calls to local banks’ call centres and information available on their website. The banks checked were Royal Bank, Republic Bank, First Citizens Bank and Scotiabank. Response from some banks were clear and informative. Banks’ websites contained scant to very useful information about the new card, features, and fees.
The main takeaways from the exercise are: (1) not all banks’ VISA Debit (LINX) cards work online (2) only one VISA Debit (LINX) cards works internationally (3) transaction limits apply (4) transaction fees are high.
Royal Bank was clear and transparent about their card products and the information was easily found online. See table. Scotiabank cards can be used online locally but it may only be usable at select online stores. Details about the card usage was accessible. According to the customer representative, the Republic Bank OneCard Visa Debit cannot be used online (as yet). No information was obtained about the First Citizens Bank. (See Notes below for updates).
Banks limits the value of contactless payments at point-of-sale machines. Some banks have a limit of $300. Online payment using a Royal Bank VISA Debit (LINX) card is limited to $300; Scotiabank $340.
Credit card transaction fees are paid by the merchant. However, for VISA Debit (LINX) cards both the customer and the merchant may be changed. Royal Bank charges the customer TTD 50 on foreign transactions only; the merchant is charged the normal credit card fee.
In closing, the VISA Debit (LINX) card was primarily introduced for security reasons so don’t expect broad online features, at least not soon. Depending on the bank, VISA Debit (LINX) may not be suitable for large payments and frequent daily usage; fees can be high. Your best bet for online purchases remains the credit cards and pre-paid debit cards.
Note:
On 2022-06-08, the post was changed to reflect that Royal Bank charges the TT 50 on foreign transactions only.
2022-06-11: We were reliably informed that First Citizens and Republic Bank cards work online.
What are the requirements?
Your business must be registered and have a business bank account.
How do I sign up my business?
You will receive an email from us with the registration requirements. Complete the requirements and email the documents to us. After signing up a welcome package is sent via email. This contains your Paywise account number, payment instructions, etc.
How long does it take to activate the service?
One business day.
How does Paywise work?
Give the Paywise account number to your customers. Customers make payments at the PayWise agents and collect a receipt upon payment. Afterwards, payment notifications are sent to you by email . On the next business day, the money is transferred to your business bank account.
How can I find Paywise agent?
See link: http://bit.ly/PayWiseAgentList_G
What is the fee?
The fee is $8.00 TT per transaction for payment amounts of $800 or less. Over $800 the fee is 1%. Paywise deducts the fee from the amount paid. There are no setup fees and no hidden costs.
How can I verify a payment?
There are two ways to verify a payment:
a. Payment Update Report
Paywise processes payments on an hourly basis. An email, listing the payments made, is sent each time payments are processed to your Paywise account.
b. Transaction History
Paywise maintains a history of all payment transactions. Log-in to your Paywise account to view all payments received.
How will I know what amount will be credited to my business bank account?
At the end of each business day, a summary of all payments for that day is emailed to you. The summary contains the payments received, Paywise fees and the amount to be credited to your bank account.
When are funds transferred to my business bank account?
Payments are transferred at noon on the next business day.
Is there a minimum amount to be transferred?
No. All payments received are transferred on the next business day.
We encounter many entrepreneurs conducting small businesses. Many businesses are registered and have business bank accounts. However, some are registered but are without a business bank account. Others are unregistered.
To utilize the Paywise service business must be registered and have a business bank account. Several persons who have asked if we offer business registration services. So we decided to assist. Also, we decided to help registered businesses obtain a business bank account.
Paywise now offers, through a partner business, business registration services. In addition, we will refer registered businesses without a business bank account to a local bank. A representative from the bank will call the business and facilitate the opening of the business bank account.
For more information call us at 610-9323 or email us at [email protected].
Paywise now provides merchants with the area in which a payment was made. This feature tells merchants the city or town (e.g., Port-of-Spain, Arima, Mayaro, Penal) in which payments are made by customers.
Paywise creates more value for merchants and helps them increase sales.
You can use a scanner or phone to scan your documents for Paywise. If you are using a camera here are some tips to make sure the documents are ‘picture perfect’.
You can use an app like Microsoft Office Lens or your camera. The camera can be a phone camera or normal digital camera.
Using Microsoft Office Lens
Free app on Google Play and Apple App Store.
Google Play Store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.officelens&hl=en
Apple Store:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/office-lens/id975925059?mt=8
Point and click, the app does the rest.
Using Your Camera
1. Ensure the area is well lit
2. Position camera directly over the documents
3. The document edges should touch the edges of your screen
4. Ensure the camera is focused and the print is clear to read
5. Ensure no shadow is cast on the document
Since 2013 we have continuously improved the service. Now, Paywise provides hourly payment notifications and daily bank transfers. Hence, businesses have faster access to cash and timely payment information.
1. Daily Bank Transfers
Payments received are credited to your bank account on the next business day.
2. Hourly Payment Notifications
Payment notifications (via SMS and email) are sent within an hour of the payment.
These are just some of the dynamic changes we are making to benefit merchants.
There are always two sides to a story. The chronic foreign exchange shortage causes hardship to some but presents an opportunity to others. Many businesses are unable to access foreign exchange in sufficient quantities, at prevailing prices and in a timely manner to pay for imports. This leaves a gap, or rather, creates a business opportunity.
There has always been a cry to buy local. However, buy local not for the sake of buying local. Buy local because the goods are of comparable value to their foreign counterparts. Not that locally produced goods must measure pound-for-pound with foreign competitors. In other words, the price-to-value ratio (i.e., what the consumer gets for the price paid) convinces the consumer that the product is a sound and rational alternative.
With no end in sight for the foreign exchange shortage, the opportunity for local goods to gain inroads into the market will persist. However, it is not a low hanging fruit. The market is too discerning to accept poor substitutes. The entrepreneur has to come good and then some.
Many organizations, groups and individuals seek donations for worthy causes. The conventional way to receive donations is to ask that deposits be made to a bank account set up for that purpose. Despite the best intentions many potential donors never make it to the bank. They want to contribute but the long bank lines are a big discouragement. The lack of a quick way for the man-in-the-street to make donations is one of the major reasons funding targets are never achieved.
Paywise has a solution. We provide a convenient, safe and fast way to make donations. Donors simply visit one of the 900+ VIA Bill Payment agents across the country and make the donation. In two-twos, the payment is made. Afterward, Paywise transfers the donations to the bank account set up for that purpose. Such an easy way of making donations enables NGOs, organizations, groups and individuals to more purposefully target the man-in-the-street and raise more money.
To registration with Paywise is a simple process and by the next business day, you can begin receiving donations.
For more information call 223-9422 or email us at [email protected].