Accepting card payments is vitally important for New Zealand organisations owing to the flexibility and convenience card payments offer consumers. And with New Zealand consumers the most prolific users of debit and credit cards in the world, it is more important than ever for your organisation to be accepting card payments.

The benefits of accepting card payments include:

• Access to a much wider customer base - 90% of New Zealanders carry and expect to use debit and credit cards everyday.
  
• Your customers can be encouraged to spend more as they are not limited by the amount of cash they have on them. This provides consumers with secure and convenient access to their funds and their credit lines.
  
• Cash flow improves as card payments are approved or declined at the time of purchase. It also helps to improve security as less cash is held on your premises.
  
• Easing your administration - a regular statement of card transactions is easier to reconcile than numerous cash transactions.
  
• Giving your customers flexibility and choice when choosing how to pay can help build customer loyalty or when they cannot physically be at your premises.
  
• Accepting credit cards can increase the likelihood of customers purchasing on impulse and you will benefit from those who like to utilise credit card based loyalty programmes.
  
• Cards can be used internationally and are therefore an important payment method for tourist-sector businesses or those selling to consumers overseas.
   

For information on card acceptance contact our Merchant Sales Team on 0800 EFTPOS, that's 0800 338 767, option 1.