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Post by imkat on Apr 2, 2017 14:30:53 GMT
I am thinking of selling my work at a craft fair, and need a way to be able to take credit cards. I attended this year, and people definitely expect to pay by credit card.
I don't know if I will do more than this one, so don't want to spend a lot of money. What is the best option for taking credit cards? Pros/cons? |
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tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,382
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Apr 2, 2017 14:33:30 GMT
I have seen crafters with a thing attached to their phones that they run the credit card through. I would google it and I'm sure it is easy to get and likely free to get, just not free to use.  |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 2, 2017 14:34:27 GMT
I'd recommend the Square app. Very easy to use. Lower percentages than some. And you get the money in your account quickly.
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eastcoastpea
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,252
Jun 27, 2014 13:05:28 GMT
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Post by eastcoastpea on Apr 2, 2017 14:35:28 GMT
A Square. Attaches to your phone and you swipe the card.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 2, 2017 14:36:48 GMT
Square.
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Post by epeanymous on Apr 2, 2017 14:42:26 GMT
I'll fourth or fifth the Square rec. The small vendors at every craft fair I attend have it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 7:21:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 14:45:00 GMT
We used Square with our Girl Scout Cookie sales this year. Made about 40% more sales for having Square as a payment option.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on Apr 2, 2017 14:55:37 GMT
We used to use square for work but had connectivity issues. Our cell phone company recommended Pay Pal. It is a little more costly but works so much easier for us.
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Post by ntsf on Apr 2, 2017 14:57:54 GMT
square.. you don't need the little reader.. you can just enter info on app.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 7:21:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 14:59:04 GMT
I sell at craft shows and by far, the most common app is Square. I use it. The regular reader is free. I believe the chip reader costs $. If you only use it for craft shows, you can opt for the by the transaction fee which is right up there with PayPal's fees. You get your money within 24 hours unless it's a holiday and you can link it to your checking account. As long as you have a good cell phone signal, data plan, and/or good Wi-Fi signal, it's easy to use.
With PayPal, I believe the money goes into your paypal account almost immediately but you'd have to wait the 2-3 days for it to transfer to your personal bank.
A note on the Wi-Fi/cell phone service: if you cannot use a Wi-Fi signal, make sure your phone has good reception. I do one annual craft show and the school is kinda rural. I have Verizon and have very good coverage. Another crafter used Sprint or T-Mobile and could not get a signal. The school's Wi-Fi was iffy so she had to run cards off-line which had a higher transaction fee.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 7:21:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2017 15:00:16 GMT
square.. you don't need the little reader.. you can just enter info on app. When the info is entered manually, there's a higher fee, FYI. |
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Post by cannes on Apr 2, 2017 15:43:54 GMT
I've used Square at craft shows for years and have been incredibly pleased with it. I have used the regular reader, but I now exclusively use the card reader that accommodates the chip cards. It's $50, but it will help protect you if there is fraudulent activity on the card that you are running.
PayPal came out with a card reader a year or two after Square. I never switched, because their fees are slightly higher.
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Post by AngieandSnoopy on Apr 2, 2017 16:26:42 GMT
As everyone said, PayPal or Square.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Apr 2, 2017 18:50:30 GMT
square.. you don't need the little reader.. you can just enter info on app. When the info is entered manually, there's a higher fee, FYI. I was going to say the same thing. |
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daisydonna
Full Member
Posts: 265
Sept 5, 2015 11:45:16 GMT
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Post by daisydonna on Apr 4, 2017 4:29:05 GMT
Square
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Post by mrssmith on Apr 4, 2017 4:37:35 GMT
We did Square for a preschool fundraiser. Just want to reiterate the issue re: wifi/cell service.
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mom2rnb
Shy Member
Posts: 24 
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Post by mom2rnb on Apr 4, 2017 7:10:03 GMT
I agree with square. I just started using it a month ago for my little business. it is so easy, so customizable, and it goes directly into your bank account the next day. Plus if you need one, use my link, you'll get $1000.00 worth of free processing during the first 180 days you use it! squareup.com/i/70122135 |
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Apr 4, 2017 9:50:07 GMT
Square is the best !!
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StephDRebel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,707
Location: Ohio
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Post by StephDRebel on Apr 4, 2017 16:05:53 GMT
square.. you don't need the little reader.. you can just enter info on app. When the info is entered manually, there's a higher fee, FYI. This. And if someone disputes the charge it's a long process of fuckery to get your money back. |
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Post by beaglemom on Apr 4, 2017 16:09:41 GMT
square.. you don't need the little reader.. you can just enter info on app. the reader should be free (at least they used to be). You should just be able to sign up on their website and then they will mail you one. If you need it ASAP I think Best buy has them for like $10. |
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Apr 4, 2017 17:54:16 GMT
I have seen crafters with a thing attached to their phones that they run the credit card through. I would google it and I'm sure it is easy to get and likely free to get, just not free to use. The card scanner is sold at Walmart.... Probably other places, too. I just happened to notice when I was looking for something else |
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Apr 4, 2017 17:56:18 GMT
Why wouldn't people bring cash to a craft fair? If I go to something like that I assume it's cash only because who's walking around with a card reader.
It's like taking a credit card to a yard sale.
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Post by KikiPea on Apr 4, 2017 17:59:33 GMT
Why wouldn't people bring cash to a craft fair? If I go to something like that I assume it's cash only because who's walking around with a card reader. It's like taking a credit card to a yard sale. I never have extra cash on hand for thngs like this, especially since I have no idea what I will find. I always use a CC. |
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Post by cakediva on Apr 4, 2017 18:00:47 GMT
Use the Square app - very handy! Deposits right into your bank account, and takes the credit card fees right off the top so you have no "bill" to pay them.
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Post by myshelly on Apr 4, 2017 18:00:59 GMT
Why wouldn't people bring cash to a craft fair? If I go to something like that I assume it's cash only because who's walking around with a card reader. It's like taking a credit card to a yard sale. I assume everyone will take a credit card these days. I assume EVERYONE who is trying to sell something as a business has a card reader. They are easy to get and free. Why wouldn't a vendor have one? Signed, someone who never gets cash for a craft fair |
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,379
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Apr 4, 2017 18:47:28 GMT
I went to a craft fair over the weekend and paid a couple vendors with a CC. Seems like they are all using the square.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Apr 4, 2017 19:43:03 GMT
I just did a craft fair this weekend. I loaded the paypal app before I went and had a couple sales where I sent them a Paypal request for money. They sent the money while standing there and once I saw it in my account (a few seconds) I handed them their purchase.
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Post by papersilly on Apr 4, 2017 20:57:10 GMT
whatever service you decide on, you are making a great decision to accept CCs. the last time i did a craft boutique was 10 years ago and when we accepted CCs, we made 50% more in sales. it seems that people spend more freely with CCs than when they have to debate their purchases depending on much they brought in cash.
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Post by Zee on Apr 5, 2017 1:23:16 GMT
Why wouldn't people bring cash to a craft fair? If I go to something like that I assume it's cash only because who's walking around with a card reader. It's like taking a credit card to a yard sale. Maybe they don't like to carry cash, or happened upon the craft sale while they were out doing something else. I greatly prefer vendors who take cards. |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Apr 5, 2017 4:37:05 GMT
Why wouldn't people bring cash to a craft fair? If I go to something like that I assume it's cash only because who's walking around with a card reader. It's like taking a credit card to a yard sale. I assume everyone will take a credit card these days. I assume EVERYONE who is trying to sell something as a business has a card reader. They are easy to get and free. Why wouldn't a vendor have one? Signed, someone who never gets cash for a craft fair LOL, you're not alone. Our family went to the State Fair with a guy that DH refers a lot of business back and forth with, and his family. The idea was that this guy wanted to buy us dinner, pay for the kids to go on rides, basically show us a good time on his dime. Dude brought maybe $50 in cash, thinking he would be able to put all of the food, ride tickets, etc. on his corporate card so he could expense it! Ha ha! No. The guy was honestly shocked that almost NONE of the vendors at the Fair take credit cards, and DH ended up fronting him about $150 in cash before the night was over! So weird. DH and I commented to each other on the way home, "Who goes to the State Fair and *doesn't* bring cash?"  Granted, it's not *exactly* the same thing, but it's still pretty similar. Sometimes you just need good old fashioned greenbacks. |
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