Storing Credit Card Details for future use

First off, thanks to everyone so far for their help. I am setting up a somewhat unique website, as it will be used for selling convenience items to local college kids.

My need for what my title states, allowing customers to input their CC info once and then just choose it on future visits (ala Amazon, etc) stems from two things. First, I would like to use offline processing for CCs, as my delivery drivers receive bigger tips overall when the customer has to fill it in while the driver is standing there. Second, many of my customers find it much easier to call their orders in if they are required to enter their CC details every time.

I appreciate the concern that I am bound to receive, but I have read many threads about PCI requirements, and intend to follow these closely.

Does anyone currently have this implemented? If so, I would like to hear your experience/thoughts on whether I am completely crazy for even thinking this.

Thanks in advance for the help and advice.

well ... to start, if you are going to store CC numbers, you will have to be PA-DSS certified and that certification will cost you between 10 and 20 thousand dollars ...

K, let me revise my inquiry then. Is there a service provided by anyone out there that does have this certification and, for a fee, will store the CCs for a company like mine? It will recall it when customer logs in and approaches the payment screen, then sends the same info that would be sent w/ the customer entering it every time?

Thanks for the quick reply.

Authorize.net offers their CIM service for a fee. You'll have to customize your site to integrate that functionality for your use.
But that'll mean your drivers will no longer get the bigger tips, which I'm sure they'll be unhappy about :blush:

Yes, that is my dilemma. I would like my customers to have the convenience of the number being stored for them, but would still like it to simulate them entering it manually every time (first and last 4 are stored, middle and date are emailed to me) and would like to enter it manually and take the slip to them.

Another option I have thought of is using a system on my Android phone. Has anyone had any experience with these? do you purchase a printer, or is there no slip?

Thanks

If you are planning to store the card numbers in such a way that you have access to constructing the entire card number, then you will fail PCI compliance regulations.
I suggest you ask your merchant account company for more specific help in making sure what you're hoping to do is actually acceptable under the contract you've signed.

As for taking payments using your phone or other terminals, you'll have to talk to your merchant account company about the options available to you.