Replies

  • Hi Carla,  I have used the Square since I started about  a year and a half ago.  LOVE IT !!  I do have an INTUIT reader and a pay pal account as backup.  But I use the Square  90% of the time.  When I started using it I had a hard time getting the reader to connect, so I had to remove my phone cover for a moment and turn the volume up all the way, (i have an Android phone).  other than that...it's great.  I d/n have any problems with the INTUIT reader when I used it, but I think because I have used the Square more...I just go to it automatically.  Good Luck!

     

    • Thanks Cynthia!

  • I use Square- 4 years or so now- no problems as long as there is cell/data service.  I rarely have to resort to knuckle buster and manual entry.  I will check into the store and forward service mentioned earlier- that would be nice.  

    I'm chiming in because if you plan to use your iPad, you need to be wary!  It's very easy to steal while your back is turned if you are at a busy show, as it isn't like a phone - you can't tuck it in your pocket while you help someone find another color, or whatever.  be careful!

    • Thanks Patty

  • Carla, 

    I have both Square and PayPal card readers. The cost difference between the two for transactions is a wash. Square- 2.75% vs. PayPal 2.7%. Personally, I use PayPal most of the time because funds collected from sales are available to you instantly via your PayPal account/debit card vs. Square which takes a day or two for the funds to be deposited into your bank account. 

    I also use my iPad mini for transactions rather than my smartphone because of the larger screen. One thing I'd like to caution you of for both card readers. When you swipe a customer's card and process the transaction, the last step is for a receipt to be sent either an email address or to a smart phone via text message.

    If a customer has already used that credit/debit card at another vendor, that information is stored in the Square/PayPal systems. I have to tell the customer that I don't have access to that information, it's just a convenience so they don't have to enter the same info when purchasing from another vendor. The email/phone # that shows up in the receipt area is partially blocked out. Example: CARL*****IE@yahoo.com or (999)***-***9.

    I hope that helps. 

    Matt

    • Matt - We found that some older buyers were so upset that "someone" had their CC info stored that we quit telling them we had it. You can clear the field and re- enter and they'll never know. Better yet, we are now printing all our receipts on a Bluetooth printer bypassing the whole email/text thing.
  • As an aside to this... i bought a nurit 8020 to use for this purpose and have yet to find a company that I would trust (or would be willing to pay the fees they want) since I only do about 4 shows a year.  

    • Mobile processing has pretty much come of age. If you search this site, you'll find lots of discussion surrounding Square, PayPal's mobile solution and Intuit GoPayment. There are lots of others, but those three are the most prevalent.
      The fee is roughly 2.75% of your transaction! clouding the tax. If it's keyed, you pay a bit more plus a transaction fee (card not present). For Square this is 3.25% + $.20. You can also pay a flat monthly rate if you do high volume.
      There is no contract for Square. Pay as you go. It works most of the time. Occasionally you'll need to capture the NGO manually and key it later. Get a phone number, zip code and the persons name along with the credit card number, expiration and CVV code. You'll need the personal contact info if the card doesn't go through, and the zip to verify the payment.
      Square now has store and forward. It is showing up for some devices. Last I checked, it had not yet appeared on my iPhone 5s. They also have an 800 number. Both in response to user input and increasing market pressure. Square is the largest of the mobile processes, and perhaps the best known.
      • Hello Jim,

        Thanks for taking time to comment!  Wow, so many choices!

        I have an IPad and was planning on using it for the transactions since the screen is much larger than my Iphone.  What credit card processing do you use and what one do you prefer?

        Carla

  • Hello.  What is the Square?   I use Paypal on a cell phone./.,They provide the scanner free and only charge a percentage of sales...no fees.  I can accept all credit cards through them plus Paypal (obviously) and Bill Me Later which is a plus since all of my items exceed 200.00 and the 6 month/no interest helps with high ticket sales.   

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