I don’t know if this has been answered yet, is it just the iphone
and the android that this works on?
I work with clients for merchant processing services and I would also
advise that artists check into conventional merchant accounts and
compare what they will be getting and the costs of each. Some of the
easy, cheap providers have security that is not all that reliable.
Some will hold your money for up to 30 days if you process over a
certain amount. Most have a standard fee structure, often 2.75 - 3.50
percent even for swiped transactions. Our swiped rates are usually
around 1.75 percent. Typical merchant processors transfer your money
into your account in 24 - 48 hours. They don’t use your money for up
to 30 days because you were fortunate enough to sell more than the
standard ceiling that some of the “bargain” providers allow for a
time period. We also have a good customer service team who handles
questions and problems quickly. There are mobile swipers which fit
iPhones and Androids and have reliable encryption for the data which
is being transmitted.
I recommend that you get some from a couple of different
providers. Ask them to provide a comparison of fees based on your
usage comparing what you are currently paying for credit card
processing. That should tell you whether they can provide savings for
you. If we can’t provide savings for a client we don’t recommend that
they change providers.
If I can provide more contact me and I’ll see if I can
help.
Pat Gebes
In one of the post there was talk about the $1000. per week limit on
one system. My thought is don’t get hung up on paying a monthly fee
if another servers % base is smaller. You can eat up a lot of money
real quick paying out 3.5% of your sales. If you have very small
volume and only do a few shows it is worth it. Many of your banks do
processing and are very competitive and if you have problems you
call your banker. Kinda like California buying chevy volts for 5
million so they can save 150k a year in gas.
Bill
Re: Square
In Canada they have really ramped up the security so most credit and
debit cards now have a chip and are no longer swiped. Also with a
growing concern with consumer debt in this country it is very common
for people to use their debit cards instead of credit cards.
Is anyone aware of a similar system to Square or Intuit that has a
chip reader and can except both credit and debit in Canada?
Thx…Greg…
All,
I know all who accept credit cards need to be PCI compliant, and for
the past 2 years I’ve had to fill out a survey for my merchant
services account proving such. As I consider a switch to Square,
I’ve asked several people and no one seems to know what the process
is to prove compliance with them. I find on the Square website that
they are level one compliant, but I know that I need to prove MY
business is compliant too. Those of you who are using Square- what
is the yearly process to prove compliancy?
Perhaps an e-mail directly to Square is in order.
Brenda
Nesheim Fuller Design
http://www.sunrisejewelryoriginals.com
This is from Square’s site ref. security and PCI Compliance.
Hi Brenda,
As a Square user, I am still trying to understand all of the
implications about PCI compliance myself. I had time so I did some
research today and to make a long story short, I ended up with this
On Oct 28 2010 added SAQ C-VT for web-based virtual terminal
merchants no electronic cardholder data storage. (SAQ
Self-Assessment Questionnaire.)
Here is a link to the PCI standards and library:
Everyone who accepts cc’s might want to visit this
But what is important to note is that we merchants who use Square
don’t store any cc info on our devices. Our devices are transparent
and simply operate as a remote scanner sending the actual info to
Square who does have to be PCI Compliant.
This doesn’t mean that we don’t have to file a compliancy report.
When I get a minute (ha ha ha) I will email Square and post the
reply.
I would be interested to know what the experience of other merchants
is with regards to PCI compliancy and forms.
cheers,
Sandra
Bill,
That is very true and a really good point.
This is the first year I have been active in the craft fair scene
and my sales are periodic, not regular. While it might eventually be
a better economic choice to switch plans, right now for me, Square
is the best and easiest solution to the cc issue.
Cheers
Sandra
I currently use my bank for processing, and they have a firm that
contacts me annually for a PCI check for a fee. I’m looking into
trying Square, as I’m generally hearing good things about it, and
currently don’t do a large amount of processing, so it looks like it
might make financial sense.
I don’t see why I couldn’t continue to use the same PCI compliance
agency if I chose to…
Beth Wicker
Three Cats and a Dog Design Studio
This is Square’s response in asking about merchant’s being PCI
compliant…
Our card-processing applications adhere to the PCI Data Security
Standard (PCI-DSS), Level 1, which means the merchant is in PCI
compliance if they use Square. Read more about our security heRe:
http://www.ganoksin.com/gnkurl/qf
Have a great day,
Square SupportI had a thought about how one might accept credit cards at a craft
show: (1) you have a website with a shopping cart with all the
necessary security layers, PCI compliance etc, and all your products
are listed on the web. (2) You have a cell phone that can view and
use your website (3) You take your customers and enter it
directly into your shopping cart checkout system via your cell phone.
Would this work? It seems like it work for my situation. The
customer gets a receipt via email and you could also write out a
receipt if they requested it.
Respectfully,
Samuel A. Davis, P.E.
udesignjewels.com
Why not take your computer to the craft show along with a "stick"
connector. I’m on a 3-G connection right now - it is the on Only
way I can have high speed and live in the country. Then even your
customer can buy it right there on the puter or you can go ahead and
do it for someone who is not puter literate.
Barbara
I have helped a client who had QuickBooks ONLINE and they used a
laptop with an internet card attached and in the middle of a tent,
logged on, made an invoice, used QuickBooks online credit card
service, made the sale & emailed the receipt to the client
David Geller
(3) You take your customers and enter it directly into your shopping cart checkout system via your cell phone.
Would this work?
It would take too long.
Elaine
CreativeTextureTools.com
There is a device called Square which you can use with your iPhone,
iPad or a Droid. You plug it into your phone and swipe the card
through the device. The fee is 2.75% or if you have to enter
manually (in the event you are in an area with no cell or wi-fi
service) it is 3.75% + $.15 transaction fee. There is no charge for
the device, no yearly or monthly fees.
Here is a link. I have one and will put it to the test this coming
weekend as my show season kicks off!