Credit cards are not the only way you can accept orders online, and they certainly aren't the cheapest.
Probably one of the worlds best kept secrets is that you can accept payment for orders by check without requiring a signature, just like taking a credit card order. The biggest difference is you don't have to pay a fortune to begin accepting checks online.
The name for this sort of check is a Draft Check.
 

You get all the convenience of accepting credit cards:

• Accept payment instantly. Boost your impulse sales
• You can accept orders without requiring a signature, simply by having written (even electronic such as by email or online form) or verbal (recorded) authorization
• You don't have to wait for ''The check is in the mail''

Your customers don't have to wait for their check to get to you

• 61% of the buying public does not have a major credit card. They instead pay for purchases with checks or cash.
• 83% of the total consuming public uses personal checks for shopping.
• 64% of customers surveyed spend more money when paying for purchases with checks than when paying for purchases with cash.
• Over 50 billion checks were written last year, and that number is projected to double by the turn of the century.
• You don't have to lease or buy any special equipment like you do to accept cards (To lease a credit card reader typically costs $50 a month)
• You don't have to pay huge up front costs to the bank and wait for pre-approval
• You don't require a special merchant account at the bank
• No security deposit needed
• No surcharge on your transactions (accepting credit cards costs you 2-3% per transaction)
• No waiting to get your money. You can print and cash or deposit the check the same day you receive a confirmed order. Many credit card companies require you to wait a week or more
• You can keep a database of things you commonly sell so that you never have to retype the information

You can even produce checks for your own use!
You no longer have to buy expensive pre-printed checks, you can get blank checks for less than half the price. You can print your own checks right on your computer, completely filled out. You can even keep a database of checks you regularly send out, such as your utilities and insurance, so that you never have to retype the information.

How is all this possible?
Over eight years ago, changes to banking laws were made to allow for checks to be accepted without a signature. The primary requirement is that the person accepting the check must have written or verbal authorization from the account holder. This can be in the form of an email, an online form, a fax, a letter, or a recorded phone call. You do not need to provide this proof to the bank. You simply must keep records of this proof in case a dispute ever arises. This is no different to the requirements for taking credit card orders without a signature.

The following are the laws that govern draft checks:
Uniform Commercial Code, Title 1, Section 1-201 [39] and Title 3, Sections 3-104, 3-403, 2-403 Code of Federal Regulations, Title 12 Chapter II, Part 210 Regulation J, Federal Reserve Bank, Part 2, Sections 4a-201 to 4a-212. The Federal Trade Commission in late 1995 proposed rules that became law in January 1996 (Regulation 16CFR Part 310) that requires businesses who take checks over the phone to have a "verification" procedure in place.

So, what do you need to be able to accept checks online and make your own checks?

• A 486 or faster computer
• Windows 3.1 or better
• A laser or inkjet printer
• Checker Software
• Blank security check paper

Checker software has been around since 1996. The latest version (V3.0) was written in September last year. Accepting checks without a signature is not new. Thousands of companies accept checks in this way every day.

You have probably have even payed for something in this way without even thinking about it;
Do you remember the last time you placed an order for pre-printed checks?
Most likely they charged it directly to your checking account by producing a check on your behalf using similar software (with your permission of course).

How much does the software cost?

Accepting checks is by far the cheapest way of accepting orders online.
The only cost to you is $49.95 for the software
There are no ongoing fees or charges - EVER
Your only other cost is for the blank security check paper you need to print your checks on (this is a federal requirement, not a requirement of the software).
To get you started you will receive 375 blank checks FREE by Priority Mail with your order.
If you wish to download the software online, there is NO SHIPPING CHARGE, and you will still receive your 375 blank checks by Priority Mail at no charge.
When you need more checks you can purchase them at any office supply store such as Office Max or Staples, or you can order them directly from the program's author. The blank checks cost as little as $0.02 each.

Compare that to the cost of accepting credit cards: Typical equipment leasing for a credit card reader is $40-50 a month with a 3 year lease. That's $1,800. Not to mention the 2-3% surcharge on every credit card order. You also need to see your bank manager to get a special credit card Merchant Account. Don't just take my word for it, do a search online for "accept credit cards" and you can see for yourself how expensive it is.

With checks you don't need any of that. You simply cash or deposit your printed checks into your regular checking account just like any other check. You can cash or deposit the checks on the same day you print them. Many credit card companies require that you wait a week or more before you can get your money.