Jewellers, car dealers, boat dealers, art galleries and wholesalers have one thing in common. Their average sale is many times bigger than a typical card payment. That alone is often enough for a business to be described as high risk. I think that is the wrong way round. Ticket size is a number. It is not a risk profile.
Why high value card payments get extra attention
A £15,000 card payment stands out to a card issuer’s fraud system in a way a £15 one never will. Stolen cards are used on high value goods because the reward is greater. So fraud controls on large sales are sensible. What is not sensible is treating a long established business as a risk simply because its products are expensive.
How to take large card payments safely
Agree your sale values up front. Tell your provider your typical sale and your largest expected sale when the account is opened. A genuine £20,000 sale should then be expected trading, not a surprise.
Use 3D Secure on every online payment. Strong customer authentication moves fraud liability and stops most stolen card attempts at the checkout.
Deliver to the cardholder. High value goods should go to the billing address, with a signature on delivery.
Split very large sales. For the largest orders, a deposit by payment link with the balance by card or bank transfer reduces exposure on any one transaction.
Taking large card payments and want them agreed up front?
Capping card payments on large purchases
Plenty of car dealers and wholesalers cap card payments at a few thousand pounds. The usual reason is cost. But a cap is a habit, not a strategy. Ask what a lost sale costs, or a late invoice, before deciding what a card payment costs. A rate agreed against your real turnover and average sale value often changes the answer.
High value payment guides by sector
Our merchant category code guides cover jewellery and high value goods, car, van and boat dealers and wholesale and B2B in more detail.
My view
A jeweller with decades of trading and a handful of disputes is a steadier account than plenty of everyday retailers. Judge the business, not the price tag. Tell me on LinkedIn if you see it differently.