BOI Payment Acceptance – bringing business benefits

Kopper Hair Salon in Cork now takes over 80% of customer payments by card, but switching to BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA) has turned this increase in card transactions from a burden into a business benefit

Kopper Hair Salon is one of Cork’s leading hair and beauty destinations, led by award-winning stylist Sabrina Hill. Since Hill took the reins as managing director in 2005, the salon’s team has grown to 20, running alongside New Hair Revolution, Hill’s online business.

The salon currently takes about 80-85% of customer payments by card – avast increase on the 50:50 split between cash and card payments that the business was dealing with 10 years ago.

As the volume of card payments increased, Hill and her team grew increasingly frustrated with the shortcomings of their previous card payment provider, which was delivering an inefficient service at a high price. Switching to BOIPA has helped turn the salon’s increasing card payments from a burden into a business benefit.

“We were with another payment provider, and the charges were extortionate, but I had never thought of moving,” says Hill. “I just thought everyone paid the same high rates.”

It took as much as three days for the former provider to process payments; or sometimes longer during public holidays in the US, where the provider was based.

Customer service, quality card readers and prompt payment processing

The main drivers for switching to BOIPA were the needs for:

• Faster, more affordable payment processing

• Knowledgeable, local customer service

• A reliable card payment service for customers

“The way people make payments is changing, and in the last two or three years, card has made up 80-85% of our payments. We had to look at sourcing a service that suited us as a business, and could deliver cost savings. Our local manager at Bank of Ireland gave us the option of a better deal by introducing us to BOIPA.”

Fast, affordable payments

According to Hill, the salon instantly saw an improvement in its cash flow, thanks to BOIPA’s prompt settlement. “The money is in our account next day. That is a huge benefit when you’re dealing with a business with a high volume of money passing through it.”

Quick, painless payments are also good for the customer experience. Hill explains that offering reliable card payments is important in the hair and beauty industry, as customers may not know exactly what they will buy or how much it will cost. Without a reliable card service, clients may face the hassle of leaving the salon to get more cash.

“The nature of our business means customers may not have the exact amount in cash,” she says. “Card makes it a lot easier – particularly when the customer wants to buy an extra treatment or product. It’s very easy to take payments, and there’s no waiting around. That’s a relief, because when you’re running a business, you don’t want to be dealing with any hassle.”

Superior customer service

For Hill, BOIPA’s customer service has been a revelation. “I’ve benefited more than anyone from the switch, because I no longer have to deal with bad customer service,” she notes.

Kopper Hair Salon had its first interaction with BOIPA’s support team during onboarding, when it experienced an issue with the wireless connectivity of its card readers. “The engineer came out and solved the problem immediately,” says Hill. “If I need something to happen, it happens.”

Switching to BOIPA means Kopper Hair Salon now gets its payments processed at the right time and for the right rate, and customers are pleased with the reliable service offered by BOIPA’s card readers.

“Our clients have never been unhappy with BOIPA card payments, and neither have we,” says Hill.

“When there’s an issue and you call customer service, you really are dealing with someone who understands. Whenever we need someone to help or to ring back, BOIPA has always been there.”