The Square vs Phone Swipe

Here is something that I wanted to share with everyone. I have recently been in the market for a swipe device for an iphone. I had a terminal device that printed out a reciept and all that but the company I was with "Flagship Merchant Services" was a pain to deal with and had higher costs involved. Everyone I know uses the simple swipe devices. The Square I believe is one of the first to come out.  I found a new devise through a company called MATCH RATE PLUS. It is called PHONE SWIPE.

 The device was free which was a $50 value when you sign up. The app you just download on your phone. It is super easy to use and there are so many cool things about it. I did a show in Maryland this past weekend and my GPS new where I was and it automatically adjusted the tax rate for me because it knew where I was! Here are the rates so that you can compare these to what you currently pay.

 

*Phone Swipe works with the I phone, I pad, Android 2.1 or better   or Blackberry phones.

*Free Smartphone reader (audio jack)

*1.69%credit rate
*Visa Master card and Discover and debit
*No Transaction fees
*2.69% for Rewards cards
*$12.95/month - Monthly basic service fee (includes monthly
statement and
*24/7 tech support and customer service)
*No transaction fees
*No monthly minimums
*No setup fee
*No application fee
*No annual fee
*No PCI fees
*No cancellation fee (month-to-month agreement) * 

The device is encrypted for your security as well as the customer.

Here is the contact info that you will need. Pat was very easy to work with! I had a show this past weekend and he had my devise rushed to me in 2 days so that I could use it at the show. Talk about service! Please tell Pat that Steven Lloyd referred you. They do have a referral program available. Thanks!

 

Patrick Weirmier
Account Executive
North American Bancard
250 Stephenson Highway
Troy Mi. 48083
866-506-8566 X 1802 (this is a direct contact number)
248-283-6207

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  • Has anyone else received the notice from PanOpticSecurity via PhoneSwipe that for the modest fee of $19 + $59 you can be assured of PCI compliance.  See copied e-mail below:

    Thank you for choosing North American Bancard for your merchant services. We are devoted to helping you run your business as smoothly as possible. Please review this important communication for action you must take to meet industry compliance requirements and reduce the potential liability of a credit card breach.

    What You Are Required To Do:

    The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard is a worldwide standard for payment card data protection, and is required for all merchants accepting credit cards at the point of sale. PCI mandates that you meet minimum levels of security for protecting cardholder data. Non-compliance may increase the risk of a negative impact to your company's reputation, as well as severe fines in the event of a data compromise.

    As your merchant services provider for payment card transactions, North American Bancard must report the validation of your compliance that meets industry mandated Payment Card Industry (PCI) standards.

    We have partnered with Panoptic Security's ExpertPCI program to assist you in completing your PCI compliance assessment. To get started, click on the URL link, below:

    LINK DELETED

    Once you activate your account, you will be prompted to change the password for security reasons.

    How Does ExpertPCI Work?

    PCI compliance requires the following:
    - Complete your PCI compliance assessment at https://www.panopticsecurity.com/PCICS/PanController/doInitUser?ou=...
    - Complete and pass the annual security self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ)
    - Complete and pass quarterly security scans of your internet infrastructure, if required
    - Remediate any issues in your Fix-It Plan that are preventing you from being PCI compliant
    - Follow the directions given by ExpertPCI to provide required PCI compliance information

    What if you are already PCI compliant?

    ExpertPCI will assist you with these scenarios to fast-track your requirements once you have logged in to your ExpertPCI account.

    If you are currently PCI compliant, you must report your status. You can carry over your existing PCI compliant status as long as you activate your account and tell us when you last achieved PCI compliance. If you were required to complete scans as part of your PCI compliance AND you have a current approved scan, you will need to enter the scan provider name and the date of your last current approved scan. If you provide these details, you will have completed your current PCI requirements and status update. You will only need to come back to your ExpertPCI account when a renewal action is required.

    How Much Does ExpertPCI Cost?

    There are no new or additional charges for using ExpertPCI. 

    If you are a merchant that requires security scans, there will be a fee of $59.00 payable to Panoptic Security. This fee will cover unlimited scans for one year for up to 5 IP addresses, $19.00 for additional IP addresses. Scanning fees are payable by credit card through ExpertPCI.

    Need More Motivation?

    Keep in mind, if your business experiences a data breach, ultimately you are held responsible. PCI compliance can help you find out if you are processing credit cards properly and help you learn how to secure your processing environment better. As a bonus, North American Bancard offers a Breach Protection Program covering up to $25,000 at no additional expense to you once compliance is achieved.

    Additional information on PCI compliance can be found at http://www.pcisecuritystandards.org.

    Your diligence in this matter will protect you, your business and its' customers. Remember, being PCI compliant is vital to the success of your business!

    WHAT???????  Sounds like a scam to me!!!!

  • Has anyone used the PayPal square? Seems like a good deal, no minimums and only a charge per swipe. PayPal also seems to have a lot of good features for the artist.
    • The reviews on the play store for pay pal here were terrible the last time I looked. Also you have that 3 - 5 business day wait for the money to make it into your account. I like to have my funds as soon as possible.
  • My company endorses and markets PhoneSwipe and always will over Square.  While Square is a capable device/application we view PhoneSwipe as superior.  In fact, my experience with Square was witnessing my wife using it.  My wife operates her own salon and originally used Square.  

    Let's begin...Errors in swiping.  Why? Construction. PhoneSwipe uses the Roam Data platform in regards to construction of the device.  Here's a link showing a comparison in construction of both readers.  

    So she did what others here have mentioned.  She got additional readers.  That's when I kinda stepped in and asked her a simple question.  If it's such a great product why on earth do you need multiple units?  She kinda gave me that....Duh, look.  (That's when she starting looking for alternatives.  It was through her initial research that brought myself to investigate PhoneSwipe.)

    Customer support.  Square's customer support speaks for itself.  Google, Review of Square's customer support and see what comes up.  PhoneSwipe has LIVE support.  

    After thorough research my company now endorses PhoneSwipe only for our mobile business customers.  By no means am I suggesting that Square is junk.  I'm simply saying that PhoneSwipe is better.  My opinion only.

    (I'm glad to report that my wife has now been using PhoneSwipe for about a year and loves it with no complaints.)  

  • I would not change from my square.  I just ordered another one for my husband's business...Fast, cheap and very secure.  Allows me to keep my product prices in line and offer my customers other payment options.

    • Here's what we know, as reported on National Network news (at least CBS) the presidents of Square and Starbucks appeared on the same show announcing that every Starbucks in the ENTIRE WORLD, would start accepting the square. Both the Obama and the Romney campaign workers on the ground who are soliciting contributions use the square to allow supporters to contribute to the campaign. Given the acrimony between the two, if there was the slightest inkling of a security breach, the other campaign would be shouting " CONTRIBUTOR DATA IS AT RISK!!!!!!!!!. It is a dead issue, use the Square with confidence. 

  • I use the Square Register on my iPad, and I LOVE IT. Something different will have to be very superior in order to get me to change!

    • My square seems to have a mind of its own lately. I am doing an indoor show in a convention center. Not sure if the reception is somehow lessened  inside but Ive had some problems with swiping. Instead I decided to run most of my sales manually (even resorting to using my old standby the knucklebuster!) instead of swiping the card. It seems to be easier especially when people are in a hurry or if I have a full booth. I just dont want to stand there swiping and reswiping my card while it asks me if I need any HELP! haa. Of COURSE i DO! :)

      Also I noticed my phone was getting physically HOT too. Does anyone know if the circuits could be overloading somehow??? 

      • Get extra readers, I have 4 of them sometimes they wear out and you have to move on to another one.  Also if your phone is doing anything in the background such as syncing with your email or facebook that could make your phone heat up while using square. Better to shut all of that off while at a show. Let the phone just concentrate on processing those sales.  The last time I used square had this one stubborn card had to go through all 4 readers to get it to swipe. My limit is 3 tries with the reader then I move on to the next reader in my stash.

        • ahhhhh thanx greta! That makes sense! I will try turning everything else off today and see if my square works better. Ive also been taking more cash and even checks at this show so I can avoid the  fickleness of the square. 

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