Okay folks, I’ve survived day one. 
AmeriBanc kept their word and had four appointments ready for me. The end result? I get to go back to two of them Wednesday, one was a flat NO and the other one is still on the fence. Keep reading for the book version of each.
The first one was this old geezer who had been in business for 40 years. And every service I offered he said he had. I asked why did he tell the telemarketer (well, actually I said assistant, but anyway) that he didn’t take pin based debit. He tells me that’s because he doesn’t. He could, but he doesn’t. He then moves some papers around on his desk and uncovers a fairly new looking credit card terminal with separate keypad. He then launches and rant about how he doesn’t know how to use the machine and doesn’t care to learn because his customers usually pay cash anyway. Thank you Moses and I’m out the door.
One of the other guys in our training class kept saying “You can’t sell stupid.” Well Roy, you can’t sell stubborn either”
So, on to the second stop. When I first walk in, one of the owners is actually talking with a rep from a competitor. For a moment I’m having images flashing through my head of the owners (both rather large body builders) setting us down and interrogating both of us at the same time. Thankfully just a few minutes after my arrival I hear the other rep say “We don’t do point of sale” and I’m wondering if I’ve missed something. I though the whole point of credit cards was to do point of sale. Anyway, he leaves and I’m left presenting to the other owner in between customers. The guy seems to really like the pin-based debit and the check imaging, but refuses to sign until after he talks with his bank. He says he wants to give them a shot at his business. I persist and finally get a return appointment set for Wednesday. Should close then… should have closed today though.
I’m glad there was a small gap between #2 and #3 as the call center mistyped the address on the next one. When I pulled it up on 411.com it gave a different address and then Mapquest showed another address. Finally had my manager just call and ask for the right address. I get there and talk with the owner. It was a family owned auto repair shop. The owner was currently using his local bank for processing and was, in fact, waiting on his rep to come out and fix his equipment. He could already do pin based debit and had us beat on rate. But when I started telling him about the check imaging and the 3-n-1 marketing cards his eyes lit up. I thought for sure I had this one… but I didn’t. He had to talk to his bank. This guy wouldn’t even let me set up a time to come back out. But he promised to call. Gee, should I hold my breath?
On to call 4. Get there 20 minutes early so I leave and start cold calling nearby businesses. Had a few interesting conversations. Met one guy who had everything we offer except the 3-n-1 marketing cards. His rates were better, the swipe fee was lower. I started asking him questions. This was the first I had seen where someone might be able to compare to what I could offer. But, upon closer inspection, he wasn’t as well set as he though (still better than I had hoped). Again, I couldn’t get an appointment but he promised to call. This one I think might actually do it. When I return to my actual appointment the doors are still locked and no one is around. I reached the guy by phone and setup another appointment.
So, end of day one, I’m batting 0. But the week is young and I’m still expecting to hit 10. Regardless, I’m going to try and keep posting. That way the world can share in my victory or humiliation. Makes it more fun that way.
Oh, and I’m still accepting donations to help me either fix my truck or buy another one. 
