Credit Card Processing at Craft Shows

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Permalink Reply by James Dillehay on December 16, 2010 at 9:52am

Both Paypal.com and Propay.com offer mobile credit card merchant accounts. Like all merchant account providers, you have to fill in an application and then they either approve you or not. If your credit is good, you probably won't have a problem.

Be cautious of any credit card service providers who don't have a solid reputation. There are scams online so be sure to do some googling of any company you are thinking about working with.

2 article pages with more info:

eHow article on how to Accept Credit Cards at Craft Shows

Guide to Mobile Payments from 1st National Processing

 

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Permalink Reply by Laurie Davis on March 8, 2011 at 2:40pm

I just canceled my account with Merchant Warehouse and signed up with Squareup.com.  You can process credit card transactions directly from your iphone, ipad or android phone.  There are no monthly fees.  You only pay a percentage for each transaction.  They send you a free square that plugs into the headphone jack on your phone and you swipe the cards through it.  I havn't used it yet but know of a few fellow crafters that do use it and absolutely love it.  It just seemed like a better alternative for me because I don't do craft shows all the time and hated paying that monthly fee when I wasn't using my account.  This way I only pay when I use it.  You can sign up online at www.squareup.com and then you just download the free app from your phone.

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Permalink Reply by Feon Davis on August 14, 2011 at 9:36pm

Hi Jeff,

 

I attend art show with my brother when I can. What i understand from a artist that accepted credit cards you can get specially card swapper from bank if you get small business account with them for $30.00. It wouldn't hurt to have cell phone to check to see it sent as well. However, my brother done well just accept bank check or money order even cash. Another option if don't feel comfortable with either you can login paypal have where they can call it using your phone number thru paypal. And wouldn't hurt to have paypal email either. But they do say you don't half to have a paypal account to accept money which find it hard to believe when you would need to accept bank transfers along with credit card to transfer you money to your business account or account.  Contact me here if something I missed ok. Hope it works out.

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Permalink Reply by Toynga on October 3, 2011 at 10:20am

I use Square too, it's portable, you can take it with you where ever you go & the money goes straight to your bank account.

I think everyone who do Craft Shows should try Square.

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Permalink Reply by James Dillehay on November 29, 2011 at 9:45am

I'm taking over a co-op gallery near Santa Fe, NM and have started looking at merchant account providers like Square. Despite the positives mentioned in this discussion thread, you should really look at the drawbacks including lack of paper receipt when making a transaction, virtually no support from Square, and the somewhat hidden fact that they hold your money for 30 days when you do more transactions than their limit. Check out the review and comments for Square at: http://www.cardpaymentoptions.com/credit-card-processors/square-rev...

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Permalink Reply by Toynga on November 29, 2011 at 10:29am

Right now I'm in the process of opening a store, thus far I have had so many merchants call me and I want to be able to accept credit cards, but thus far all of the companies called and bad mouth others such as "free processor" others said it not free because they will throw in some extra fees to make up for the loss of a $800 credit card processor, every option has a down fall. I have Square but have yet to use it.

 

Square is getting better too, right now you are able to offer your customers incentives (Square realizes how much that person shops with you so you can offer them deals).

 

Square can work with your register if I'm not mistaken and open the draw and print a receipt while doing transaction.

 

I need to be able to take credit cards for my store but I'm so scared to get involved with these screwed up merchant accounts and their hidden fees, cancellation fees, fees per transaction , it goes on and on and on.

 

 

Any one? Know of a Good Merchant, I may just have to go with Pay Pal and use my computer in store.

 

Off to read Square reviews.

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Permalink Reply by James Dillehay on November 29, 2011 at 11:05am

My past experience with cc processors is that the hidden charges eat up profits fast. I like the idea of the mobile services like Square but got concerned after reading the reviews. The problem with user reviews is that you don't know all the circumstances under which someone is using a service.

Below is a list of providers I'm investigating. I haven't used any of these. Please feel free to add any links to the list:

http://gopayment.com/  (from Intuit who makes QuickBooks software. you can download transactions directly into your QuickBooks account)
http://merchantwarehouse.com/
http://teamacinc.com/
http://www.salesvu.com/

Paypal has an option for adding a card swiper to use with your PC if you are in a store.  But I read from other users that Paypal isn't actually a merchant account provider, only a middleman, so if you get into a charge back dispute, they just take the money back and give it to the customer and you have no recourse.

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Permalink Reply by Toynga on November 29, 2011 at 11:19am

You are correct, the last merchant provider I spoke to made me aware of that (chargebacks), it's scaring me, but at the same time more customers pay with cards, debit or credit.

 

I'm not sure what to do as it has become very stressful. One member on my site recommended Credit Card Systems for free (www.creditcardsystemforfree.com), they contacted me but I did notice they are not BBB accredited but they don't have any bad reviews, but are they in business? How do I know that, it states that they have been operating, but I still have no way of knowing, maybe I should google them.

 

This is harder than I thought, I know I should be able to accept all forms of payments. I have to start somewhere.

 

I'm stuck as I has been looking for something for months, not all customers will allow you to use your smart phone, some are just set in their ways and are unaware of new technology, I have to be concerned with that, it would be different if I was at a craft Show, but this will be in store, Hopefully if I have to fall on Square they will understand.

 

I will check them out above.

 

Thanks

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