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Newbie Question…...Credit Card Readers?

Posted by Bob Ross on July 3, 2014 at 10:16am in Business of Art Fairs

I am getting ready for my first show in less than a month

I am just starting to look into the whole topic of how best to accept credit cards

I have an IPhone - do I need something larger?

Is SQUARE the best way to go?

Thanks,

Bob

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Tags: Card, Credit, IPad, IPhone, Readers, Square
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Replies

  • Jay McDougall July 5, 2014 at 11:27am

    Square. None, nadda, no problems for three years. I have compared side by side with both paypal and intuit (gopayment) readers. Square won. Rate is 2.75% swiped with no add'l fees ever. For phone orders you can send invoices from the dashboard on your computer for the same 2.75% rate. Do yourself a favor and move on down your list of upcoming challenges, this one is a safe call.

  • Martha Moore July 4, 2014 at 5:29pm

    I've used square since it came out. Very few issues... Some people's cards don't read, but you can punch them in manually. If you don't have cell connection, you'll have to punch them in later, so have yourself set up with a pre-made form to document all 5 things. CC number, exp, CVV, Zip and phone. Better keep this extremely under lock and key, or you will compromise your customers' cards. You might also want to get their name and address in case the card doesn't go through. It is a risk, so you'll need to decide if you are willing to take it.

    I also recently got Paypal's version. They want 2.75%. I haven't tried it yet, so I can't comment, but it's an option. 90% of my sales are on credit cards. These days you will probably lose sales if you opt not to take them. Best of luck to you! Oh, and get a stylus. People hate signing with their finger....

    • Tina Pietsch > Martha Moore July 4, 2014 at 10:22pm
      I use square....there is another current thread where someone had issue on a large sale that somehow cancelled. Most agree to get a name phone and or email address in case something goes haywire. I have not experienced such but went with square for the few events I do. I have latest iPhone and recently ordered a new card reader. Also going to try my iPad next weekend. Yes people are mostly paying with plastic so you really need something.
      • Bob Ross > Tina Pietsch July 5, 2014 at 11:26am

        Thanks!

        I signed up for SQUARE

  • Justin Bernhardt July 4, 2014 at 12:18pm
    Hey Bob, I started using Square last year and it works great. It is easy and convenient, sending money directly to my account and sending an email with other options. The only down side is that they take a 3% cut. Recently I heard about a sale of an artist not going through due to bad connection. Overall, a reliable service.
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