After about a year my bank finally settled on Clover Go for the new chip card processor.  They are exceptionally good on service and is why I have never considered Square (They sent a personal rep down from Denver to resolve a problem - 45 minute drive one way - when I first got started several years ago). Anyways, there was an article in the Denver Post about the increase in fees on using the new chip readers, so I checked my statement. SHOCKER: it's now 15% or total sales.  While most are less than $0.40 and some are only $0.01 the big kahunas are: "Transarmor monthly fee $5.00, Mobile Service Fee $6.00, PCI compliance fee $3.00 and account fee $13.76. It's a cost of business that will simple get passed on with higher prices next time I adjust prices. Leather prices have dipped so I still have a bit of a grin over last round of price increases. It's sort of like a flock of vultures feeding on a zebra with each taking their bite.

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  • You don't have to file PCI compliance for Square because the cc numbers are never revealed to us.
    • How do you run a "card not present sale" from your studio for international and out of state clients if the number is not given to you?
      • For phone orders with the square, I do need the card number, the expiration date, the Zip code and the CVV. For those sales I'm charged 3.75%. Period.

        I had a full blown merchant account with 1st National and I was being charged different fees depending on the card. One fee for a regular card, a higher fee for a rewards card etc, and $28 per month in processing fees. My wireless terminal died just as my 3 year contract was up and I decided to try the Square.

        I can't believe how much money per month I'm saving. And I don't have to go through answering "YES" to every question on the PCI renewal test.

  • This is the whole tamale and includes MC, Visa, Discover fees and the bank handling fees. My device fee is 3%. I think it would be beneficial to look at your total fees per sale not just device fee.  The big problem I still have with square is PCI compliance. I have to take an annual written test for this and I don't think Square does. I don't think my business insurance covers mishandled client card data but the bank does with this compliance. Don't ask me more, I just jump through their test hoops and get back to work.

  • 15% of sales would definitely keep me away regardless of how far their customer service rep drives. My 2.7% fee with Square is good...especially since I have only needed to contact ccustomer service once and didn't find it to be a difficult process.
  • 15% of sales

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