We just did our first show - of the season--this past week end - and found what I can see as a potential big problem this year , that anyone taking credit cards , may come across...
A customers card was declined - but thankfully , we have a wireless machine, that was actually getting a signal.... otherwise , we would've been out that money , or had to track it down, plus pay whatever the process fee was to begin with ....and just hoped they were good for it .
I think this could be a potential bigger problem, this year , than in the past ,
because peoples credit lines are getting pinched -- because the banks are not loaning .
I know , in just my own personal case --our credit was cut back to just what we owe--on our Citibank card ....and we've always paid on time & have a good credit rating .....and I wasn't aware it was cut , until I tried to use the card.
So I know , the cut backs are happening , without people even being aware.
I really don't think the customer , last week end - had any intention of ripping us off, I think it was a total honest mistake--but I can see where this , can leave a big opportunity , for anyone wishing to abuse it ......
We are going to think twice , before using our "store & forward " feature ....or knuckle buster . Hopefully ALL our shows will get a signal on the wireless.
just thought I would bring this up ---as I hadn't really thought about it being a problem --any more than usual--until it happened to us.....and it dawned on me --
how easy it would be to take a bad card , this year -especially .
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I appreciate you sharing this info but I also agree that 99% of the time the credit card 'deline' is innocent. I have gallery/studio and have gotten maybe 3 or 4 declines--all of which were not intentional and which worked out fine.
well I am hoping to see more cash this year ! ......but the first show I did ,this season -in Ohio--was really not leaning that way .
Usually , 90 % of my sales are CC.......and I thought ,for sure , this year would be different ....but
surprisingly, once again ,people were using their cards left & right .
though too, I must note ...my total sales were not disappointing and had many multiple sales.
my show season isn't in full swing til June....than we will be in NY,MI and IL.......so will have a wider view of things--other than just that one show...... it will be interesting to see how this all plays out .
Early report on sales:
I've only done two shows so far this year - Smaller, get my body ready for shows kind of shows. First was in terribly recessed Racine WI - probably one of the hardest hit economies in southeastern Wisconsin. I consider this a big indicator for me as it's really a local show, albeit very popular in the area. Only three card transactions (debit or credit) out of 213. vs. 112 out of 247 in 2007. Those paying with cash either had a roll of cash (men mostly) or a wallet with cash obviously allocated for art purchases. In both cases, the amount of bills was substantial. Also interesting - 2009 sales were only $2.00 less than a financially better 2007 for that show. Better than I had expected. Same held true for my one day only art show at the Paine Art Center yesterday. Again, these were just very small events that I participated in just to get back into the whole swing of things, but they are great economic sales indicators to me as I now move toward my larger weekend events. I will add that I did lower my prices a tad and included one size smaller product than I have offered in prior years. But all in all - Gotta love that cash!
There are indeed more paying with cash, which is certainly better, though that too could be counterfeit. I am going to purchase one of those pens for checking larger bills. I get a lot of hundreds and fifties at the shows that I do.
One good thing about the store and forward system is that it will again try to process that "bad" card whenever you upload. If it was a simple matter of running out of credit, it might just go through the next time after they have paid down their balance a bit. Yes, Paula, I always breathe a sigh of relief when all are approved. :-)
Although, I can easily see this happening, I personally have found more people paying in cash this year. I am thinking it may have a lot to do with the credit card companies, but also makes people try to be more responsible with their money - budgeting for instance. I love cold hard cash - less going to fees for credit card processing. But am not sure if this is just a fluke thing - only happening at a few shows (say in my area) or if more people are doing this in other areas across the US. Guess we'll only find out sooner or later. - Michelle
Thank you, Peggy for bringing this up. I recently heard a lengthy report on public radio about what panicky credit card companies are doing to cardholders, but your post really brought the point home. I have been using a knucklebuster and cell phone. While I almost always call the charge in for large purchases before letting the artwork go, I hate calling in front of customers and got a bit lax at times if I couldn't talk them into shopping more while I "wrap their purchase" (and call in the card).
After reading this I finally made the leap I've wanted to make for years ---- I bought a wireless terminal. It was a big decision but I already feel more relaxed having made it. Thanks for the push!
Wow Peggy! This did not cross my mind and I'm so glad you mentioned it. I've been using my knuckle buster and the purchase of the wireless one is on my list but keeps getting delayed by higher priority purchases. I guess it just moved to the top of the list. You are so right, card companies are enforcing new limits - Citibank did same with us even tho we have good record and credit status. I think you are correct in customers likely don't even know. I'm signing up tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!
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Usually , 90 % of my sales are CC.......and I thought ,for sure , this year would be different ....but
surprisingly, once again ,people were using their cards left & right .
though too, I must note ...my total sales were not disappointing and had many multiple sales.
my show season isn't in full swing til June....than we will be in NY,MI and IL.......so will have a wider view of things--other than just that one show...... it will be interesting to see how this all plays out .
I've only done two shows so far this year - Smaller, get my body ready for shows kind of shows. First was in terribly recessed Racine WI - probably one of the hardest hit economies in southeastern Wisconsin. I consider this a big indicator for me as it's really a local show, albeit very popular in the area. Only three card transactions (debit or credit) out of 213. vs. 112 out of 247 in 2007. Those paying with cash either had a roll of cash (men mostly) or a wallet with cash obviously allocated for art purchases. In both cases, the amount of bills was substantial. Also interesting - 2009 sales were only $2.00 less than a financially better 2007 for that show. Better than I had expected. Same held true for my one day only art show at the Paine Art Center yesterday. Again, these were just very small events that I participated in just to get back into the whole swing of things, but they are great economic sales indicators to me as I now move toward my larger weekend events. I will add that I did lower my prices a tad and included one size smaller product than I have offered in prior years. But all in all - Gotta love that cash!
One good thing about the store and forward system is that it will again try to process that "bad" card whenever you upload. If it was a simple matter of running out of credit, it might just go through the next time after they have paid down their balance a bit. Yes, Paula, I always breathe a sigh of relief when all are approved. :-)
After reading this I finally made the leap I've wanted to make for years ---- I bought a wireless terminal. It was a big decision but I already feel more relaxed having made it. Thanks for the push!