I don't know if it is the area I am living in or what, but I do several shows a year and would love the option of paying by credit card for my booth fee. Many times I don't have the money right now - but will, say by the end of a week or month, but want to get into a show before the deadline (and of course money is due when you apply).
I get that it probably isn't worth it for shows that are around a $50 -$75 mark, but those above $100 should, in my opinion, at least give it a shot - offering credit card as an additional form of payment. Am I the only one who thinks this way? - Michelle
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We work with a lot of organizations that just rent the machines from us for the weekend and we charge them and they charge all their vendors at the booths. For example we rent 10 machines out to an organization and they give the terminals to the Artist and they run the cards through. That terminal is assigned to that booth and when the show is over the organization pays each vendor minus a percentage. Usually higher than what you would pay if you had your own merchant account, but this saves the headache in getting your own.
Dave Hinde said:
One reason why a lot of shows don't accept credit cards is because the sponsoring organization only puts on one or two shows a year. If it's a club or association, they might change officers each year, and handling credit cards just adds one more burden on the groups treasurer.
What I've seen done with a different organization (non-art related) is a business that one of the members owned processes all the credit cards and charges back the bank fee to the organization.
Another option that is gaining popularity is accepting PayPal. I haven't seen it in the Art Show arena, but another club that I'm a member of uses PayPal for club dues and event entry fees. I'm not sure of the fee, but it's probably close to what a group would pay for a credit card account.
Speaking for a couple groups in my area (Norfolk, Virginia) they hold your check until after you are accepted. If you aren't accepted, then the check is returned. Not sure if that's a good idea, given the fact that several months could have passed between you writing the check and it being cashed.
Maybe too that in this era of identity theft being such an issue, these organizations don't want to be responsible for the security of all that personal information. Perhaps another of the reasons shows are trending towards the use of the digital jury systems like ZAPP and JAS ..... they do all the credit card processing and assume all liability issues. For a fee of course ...... which is likely passed on to us in the jury fee, don't you think?
They probably do not want to pay the 2-3% to the credit card companies for our payments. I am about to pay with a show with PayPal and was quite relieved that it was an option as the cash in the bank is rather low at the moment. But we cannot make money if we don't spend it..
This one made me think as to which promoters I work with accept plactic. I looked at my schedule and found only 4 of the shows I do don't accept plastic with applications.
I agree with Dave about some promoters only doing one or two shows per year, or are an organization that sponsors the show. It's not worth it for them to set up a merchant account.
But personally, we don't use credit cards to apply to the shows. We're old fashioned and still use company checks.
One reason why a lot of shows don't accept credit cards is because the sponsoring organization only puts on one or two shows a year. If it's a club or association, they might change officers each year, and handling credit cards just adds one more burden on the groups treasurer.
What I've seen done with a different organization (non-art related) is a business that one of the members owned processes all the credit cards and charges back the bank fee to the organization.
Another option that is gaining popularity is accepting PayPal. I haven't seen it in the Art Show arena, but another club that I'm a member of uses PayPal for club dues and event entry fees. I'm not sure of the fee, but it's probably close to what a group would pay for a credit card account.
Speaking for a couple groups in my area (Norfolk, Virginia) they hold your check until after you are accepted. If you aren't accepted, then the check is returned. Not sure if that's a good idea, given the fact that several months could have passed between you writing the check and it being cashed.
Another great reason to offer credit cards - relieves the worry of money if one doesn't get into a fair and waiting for refunds (if the event offers that). I rarely write checks anymore and just wish some offer this option.
We have found that many of the shows with higher booth fees are now accepting credit cards. If they don't offer it on their application, then call them. Several this year have taken our CC info and not charged them until accepted. That helps a lot.
Replies
Dave Hinde said:
I agree with Dave about some promoters only doing one or two shows per year, or are an organization that sponsors the show. It's not worth it for them to set up a merchant account.
But personally, we don't use credit cards to apply to the shows. We're old fashioned and still use company checks.
What I've seen done with a different organization (non-art related) is a business that one of the members owned processes all the credit cards and charges back the bank fee to the organization.
Another option that is gaining popularity is accepting PayPal. I haven't seen it in the Art Show arena, but another club that I'm a member of uses PayPal for club dues and event entry fees. I'm not sure of the fee, but it's probably close to what a group would pay for a credit card account.
Speaking for a couple groups in my area (Norfolk, Virginia) they hold your check until after you are accepted. If you aren't accepted, then the check is returned. Not sure if that's a good idea, given the fact that several months could have passed between you writing the check and it being cashed.