BJ started accepting credit cards in 1986

The Beacon Journal started accepting credit cards on September 23, 1986. Here's the article explaining the new service in the October/November 1986 Sidebar:

On Sept. 23, the Beacon Journal began accepting MasterCard and VISA for classified and retail advertising. Pay By Mail (PBM) subscriptions, carrier accounts or promotional items sold at the public service counter.

According to Tim Kucheman, credit manager, this move has been in the works for some time. "I can't think of anywhere I go that I can't use a credit card," says Kucheman, "so why not here?"

The system works just the same as it does at any other retail outlet where you can charge your purchases. The public service counter is equipped with a scanner which either denies or a gives approval for credit. It also identifies stolen cards.

The Beacon Journal pays a 2 per-cent per transaction fee to Bnak One, but accoring to Tim, this system is cost effective in that it elimininates the need for repeated billings and collection efforts on the part of the company.

Customers will be able to charge their classified advertisements by supplying the service representative with their card number over the telephone.

It is hoped that this service, which has been requested by our customers for some time, will enhance collections, and enable the advertising departments to increase sales.

Circulation efforts should benefit from the new service also. "Since we are promoting the PBM concept, we want to make it as easy as possible for customers to pay for their newspaper," said Tim.