Thursday, April 25, 2 pm ET8869098685?profile=original

Making the sale and making it easy for you and your buyer

Talking about:

  • terminals, wireless & wired
  • iPhones
  • iPads & tablets
  • PayPal
  • PCI compliance & fees
  • merchant support
  • pay-as-you go processing
  • monthly charges
  • and getting the biggest bang for your buck

Steven Ballan, vice-president of 1st National Payment Solutions, one of the pioneers in providing merchant accounts to non-bricks and mortar merchants, lays out the current "best practices" and answers questions about making smart choices in your credit card processing options.

 

8869109277?profile=originalIn light of the continuing discussion about credit card processing we'll speak with a merchant provider who has been in the business many years. 1st National stepped out years ago to provide services to artists and they have a long history in the business.

You can help make this podcast better by posting your questions below in the comments and also by calling in to the show: (805) 243-1338

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Comments

  • No methods are "free". They all charge a transaction fee. I don't know what a knuckle buster is however.  Never heard the phrase before.

  • One of the things I like about PayAnywhere is that I can reach someone by phone 24 hours a day.  No minimums either and they are backed by a real bank.  2.69% for swiped and 3.49% plus 19 cents for key in.  I've been with them for over three years and have not had a problem.  Free reader, your own account (yes, you have to be approved), etc.  I think they just aren't as well known as some of the others but they are well established enough to be stable and to know what they are doing.

  • Steven with 1st National can offer a very competitive mobile solution and great customer service, they understand our industry very well.  Salesvu.com offers a good solution with great support, but has a minimum CC processing fee of $15 per month, so if you do less than $550 per month in charges or so, you will be hit with the difference.

     

    I would expect Intuit's customer service to be horrible, just like Quick Books.

  • I have read some unfavorable comments about Square, Paypal and Intuit seem to have some customer support that is not available from Square.  I am interested in feedback from those who have used these services as to which one is the best.  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

  • Connie Asked, "Can you do PayPal as a mobile merchant". Steven's reply was that with Paypal you would have to take credit card info manually and enter it later on your computer. Not so, assuming you have a smartphone, Paypal is doing a big promo (Ran into them at Tempe) with their little card swiper device now.

    Connie, great show, wish I had this information 2 years ago!

  • Michael, I hope you know you can download the podcasts and also listen to them on your computer. Right? When I plan a podcast I try to get the info out a week ahead of time and post it on this site and our FB pages and put it in both of our newsletters, ArtFairCalendar.com and ArtFairInsiders.com, as well as at the top of this site. This time it didn't solidify until Monday afternoon, at which time I hustled to do all of the above. Then in the morning the day of the podcast I send out the "Message Broadcast" to all members here -- this time I was late getting it out and you are right it was about 30 minutes before it began. My apologies to you and others who may have wanted to call in.

    On another note, I try to find a time that works for my guests and the audience. Does anyone have any preferences as to time of day?

  • I never get timely notifications about upcoming Podcasts. I got the notification about this one less than 30 minutes before it began. Anyone else have this problem?

  • Jo Ann - Seriously look at SalesVu before jumping.  It is so easy and provides all sorts of exportable reports, and will soon offer QB export as well.  You REALLY don't want a dedicated credit card terminal, trust me....

     

  • Hi - just to start out with - I am technically not good on the computer.  I listened, tried to call in, lost you a couple of times and got you back again.  I need help with this credit card situation and your podcast came at the right time.  Connie - it was really really terrific and I am trying hard to get a handle on this computer thing.  On an island in Spain making purses for 15 years and came back after the techie revolution.

    Been with Elavon/Costco since the first company they purchased here in Cal. (Superior Card Processing -with my analog phone connected to it) and had very excellent service 24/7 for over 25 years. Pricey but good.  I make medium priced leather purses $220-$500 retail and do a lot of shows.  Never thought of changing until these last few years when the Square came in. Service means a lot to me so I have reserved my judgment about changing until now.  

    I have been paying the higher qualified price since the beginning and although I asked for I did not get any lower prices. I recently learned that since my program did not include a debit/credit card button everything I thought was a debit was in reality the mid price charge.  And the rewards were at 5.95%.  Since business was good at that time I just ate it.  I work alone and find the bookkeeping a necessary and time consuming pain.  Until now.

    I use Quickbooks but do not like having to speak to Pakistan for help. I pay extra for that $30 p/mo. I have just recently decided that I would not use Intuit for that reason.  I have spent hours with their outsourced help and it is just too frustrating.  I need my time to make my lovely purses.  

    Tomorrow I have an appointment with the new supplier of my credit card terminal and he will go over all of the notes I took during your podcast.  I opted for a short agreement of 6 months and will be much more aware, alert and on top of the new system.  My goal is to keep my bookkeeping as simple as I can, including the credit card terminal and of course all the various taxes that go along with travelling this wonderful country for fine arts/crafts shows.  40 years on the road.

    It is much easier to make the money than it is to hold on to it.  My new goal!  I take direction with thanks. Jo Ann Page, Leather Lover!

  • Mary, that 19 cents per swipe is nuts.  With SalesVu at 2.7 and Square at 2.75, with no swipe fee, along with much better interfaces, you should really look at these options, as well at the 1st National option at 1.69 plus $5 per month.....

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