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2012-11-21 7:56 AM

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Master
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Southwest Iowa
Subject: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

Is anyone here using these card readers for their small business?  I am really just getting started with my wire art stuff and am considering going to craft fairs and other artsy shows, but not sure I should even worry about it, but then again, how much business would I lose, because I only take "cash".   One of my bike racks sold for $250.00, but I don't usually have that large of things or that expensive to sell.

I was just curious what was being used.  I use PayPal to buy and sell things now, so I was thinking about the PayPal brand "here" card swiper.

 

 

 



2012-11-21 8:44 AM
in reply to: #4505849

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Elite
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Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

I can't tell you about the other services from Pay Pal. I use pay pal, but don't know about their card reader. My wife uses Square, and it is super easy. She isn't the most tech savy, but it is super easy. Fees are very reasonable. It's a snap.

As a consumer... I never carry cash. Ever. I do everything by card. I don't care for running to ATMs and paying fees to get some cash for something. Used to be to get a credit card machine and paying fees was a big expense and certainly not worth it for small stuff. And of course you had to plug it in if you were at a fair or something. But with Square, it is just so darn easy, you would be silly to not take advantage of it. Even though you may not think of yourself as a heavy user, by not taking advantage of it, you are limiting yourself to a very small customer pool that has cash on hand. And that pool gets smaller all the time with people using cards for everything.

2012-11-21 8:47 AM
in reply to: #4505930

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Pro
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
powerman - 2012-11-21 8:44 AM

As a consumer... I never carry cash. Ever. I do everything by card. I don't care for running to ATMs and paying fees to get some cash for something. Used to be to get a credit card machine and paying fees was a big expense and certainly not worth it for small stuff. And of course you had to plug it in if you were at a fair or something. But with Square, it is just so darn easy, you would be silly to not take advantage of it. Even though you may not think of yourself as a heavy user, by not taking advantage of it, you are limiting yourself to a very small customer pool that has cash on hand. And that pool gets smaller all the time with people using cards for everything.



This. We never carry cash and have passed up purchaes at fairs and other vendor places because they don't accept CC's. It's almost a no brianer to have Square or similar.....

2012-11-21 9:20 AM
in reply to: #4505935

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Champion
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Philly 'burbs
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

bradleyd3 - 2012-11-21 9:47 AM
powerman - 2012-11-21 8:44 AM As a consumer... I never carry cash. Ever. I do everything by card. I don't care for running to ATMs and paying fees to get some cash for something. Used to be to get a credit card machine and paying fees was a big expense and certainly not worth it for small stuff. And of course you had to plug it in if you were at a fair or something. But with Square, it is just so darn easy, you would be silly to not take advantage of it. Even though you may not think of yourself as a heavy user, by not taking advantage of it, you are limiting yourself to a very small customer pool that has cash on hand. And that pool gets smaller all the time with people using cards for everything.
This. We never carry cash and have passed up purchaes at fairs and other vendor places because they don't accept CC's. It's almost a no brianer to have Square or similar.....

Converse of that is it's a no brainer to bring cash to fairs and such since some vendors don't accept cards.

But agree that it behooves the vendor to accept cards.

2012-11-21 9:25 AM
in reply to: #4505849

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Master
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Lake Norman, NC
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

My wife just went through all the research.  She was using Global Payments with a purpose-built cellular credit/debit card machine/phone.  But the fees got to be too much.

She looked at Square but decided to go with Pay Anywhere  http://www.payanywhere.com/  The reader works in lots of different phones, the rate fees are very low, and their customer service is very responsive and helpful.  She's liked it a lot since switching.  Most people like to have their receipt emailed to them.  Although her old Bluetooth mini cc printer still works as well.

You'll need a small stylus for people to sign.  Using your finger on the touchscreen is a bit big and akward.  But that's a little thing.

 

2012-11-21 2:17 PM
in reply to: #4505999

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Master
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Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

I was wondering about a stylus to sign, but I haven't gotten that far into this yet.  Thanks for the information.

 

 

 



2012-11-23 8:23 PM
in reply to: #4505849

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Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

I've been researching this lately too.  So far, it appears this one's the best option, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet:

http://www.flagshipmobilemerchant.com/products/merchant_account_types/wireless_merchant.htm

 

2012-11-24 9:00 AM
in reply to: #4508296

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Master
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Southwest Iowa
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
TriMyBest - 2012-11-23 8:23 PM

I've been researching this lately too.  So far, it appears this one's the best option, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet:

http://www.flagshipmobilemerchant.com/products/merchant_account_types/wireless_merchant.htm

 

Why do you have this as your best option?

 

2012-11-24 1:28 PM
in reply to: #4508498

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Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
2012-11-24 10:26 PM
in reply to: #4505849

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Extreme Veteran
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Tucson
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

Square has worked out great for me.  All the data and info you need to track sales etc are online.  I've even been able to issue a refund immediately before it even processed their account.

I'm a Square fan.

2012-11-25 7:09 AM
in reply to: #4505849

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Columbus, Ohio
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
The fees for square are a little deceiving. They charge 2.75% for card swiped and 3.15% and $0.15 for card not present. The 2.75% sounds good, but if your average ticket is not too high and you are getting a lot of signature based debit cards, you are paying way too much. Most reputable processors can secure a much lower rate for these cards.

Also, good luck with customer service if you ever need it. They also cap the amount of funds they will hold and what they will release to you. If cash flow is an issue (waht small business doesn't worry about it), you could find yourself in a financial pinch at times.

Check with your bank and see who they work with. 9 times out of 10 you should work with whpo your bank does.


2012-11-26 10:05 AM
in reply to: #4509081

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Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????

jacasa - 2012-11-25 5:09 AM The fees for square are a little deceiving. They charge 2.75% for card swiped and 3.15% and $0.15 for card not present. The 2.75% sounds good, but if your average ticket is not too high and you are getting a lot of signature based debit cards, you are paying way too much. Most reputable processors can secure a much lower rate for these cards. Also, good luck with customer service if you ever need it. They also cap the amount of funds they will hold and what they will release to you. If cash flow is an issue (waht small business doesn't worry about it), you could find yourself in a financial pinch at times. Check with your bank and see who they work with. 9 times out of 10 you should work with whpo your bank does.

Interesting information...going to check into this...thanks a bunch.

2012-11-27 8:54 AM
in reply to: #4505849

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Master
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Boynton Beach, FL
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
Just be careful.   Some of these new devises are not encrypted (example; square).  They are talking about adding it and are in the process, but I cant confirm.  This can open the door to upset customers etc down the road.
2012-11-29 2:49 PM
in reply to: #4505849

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
Easy to use but downside is that they are expensive to use taking 3% of each transaction plus a transaction fee.

I have a merchant account and pay...get this... 0.3% per transaction, plus a transaction fee. I don't have a card swiper, but could add one.

i can take cards either through an imprinting device or entering the transaction right on my phone or a web connection.

IT's a bit of a pain to get the merchant account, but in the long run it's worth while if you'll be doing a lot of transactions this way.

I use eprocessingnetwork (EPN) for my gateway (takes the place of paypal). My merchant account was set up by Reliance Business Solutions, in Pittsburgh, PA but she works with people all over the country. Diann will do everything she can to help you get set up and runnimng.

http://www.reliancetransactions.com/
2012-11-30 11:08 AM
in reply to: #4515236

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Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
AdventureBear - 2012-11-29 3:49 PM

Easy to use but downside is that they are expensive to use taking 3% of each transaction plus a transaction fee.

I have a merchant account and pay...get this... 0.3% per transaction, plus a transaction fee. I don't have a card swiper, but could add one.

i can take cards either through an imprinting device or entering the transaction right on my phone or a web connection.

IT's a bit of a pain to get the merchant account, but in the long run it's worth while if you'll be doing a lot of transactions this way.

I use eprocessingnetwork (EPN) for my gateway (takes the place of paypal). My merchant account was set up by Reliance Business Solutions, in Pittsburgh, PA but she works with people all over the country. Diann will do everything she can to help you get set up and runnimng.

http://www.reliancetransactions.com/


When you say you are paying .3% plus a transaction fee, you are paying this on top of interchange and assesments. Depending on your average ticket and what the transaction fee is, this may or may not be a good rate. If you are hand keying card transactions and have the ability to sipe the card you would benefit from a mobile device or magtek reader.
2012-12-03 12:17 AM
in reply to: #4516428

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Coach
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Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
jacasa - 2012-11-30 10:08 AM

AdventureBear - 2012-11-29 3:49 PM

Easy to use but downside is that they are expensive to use taking 3% of each transaction plus a transaction fee.

I have a merchant account and pay...get this... 0.3% per transaction, plus a transaction fee. I don't have a card swiper, but could add one.

i can take cards either through an imprinting device or entering the transaction right on my phone or a web connection.

IT's a bit of a pain to get the merchant account, but in the long run it's worth while if you'll be doing a lot of transactions this way.

I use eprocessingnetwork (EPN) for my gateway (takes the place of paypal). My merchant account was set up by Reliance Business Solutions, in Pittsburgh, PA but she works with people all over the country. Diann will do everything she can to help you get set up and runnimng.

http://www.reliancetransactions.com/


When you say you are paying .3% plus a transaction fee, you are paying this on top of interchange and assesments. Depending on your average ticket and what the transaction fee is, this may or may not be a good rate. If you are hand keying card transactions and have the ability to sipe the card you would benefit from a mobile device or magtek reader.


I'll look into it more. Here is the device:

https://www.eprocessingnetwork.com/ePNMobile.html


2012-12-03 7:48 AM
in reply to: #4518908

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Subject: RE: "Square" vs. PayPal "Here" vs. ????
AdventureBear - 2012-12-03 1:17 AM

jacasa - 2012-11-30 10:08 AM

AdventureBear - 2012-11-29 3:49 PM

Easy to use but downside is that they are expensive to use taking 3% of each transaction plus a transaction fee.

I have a merchant account and pay...get this... 0.3% per transaction, plus a transaction fee. I don't have a card swiper, but could add one.

i can take cards either through an imprinting device or entering the transaction right on my phone or a web connection.

IT's a bit of a pain to get the merchant account, but in the long run it's worth while if you'll be doing a lot of transactions this way.

I use eprocessingnetwork (EPN) for my gateway (takes the place of paypal). My merchant account was set up by Reliance Business Solutions, in Pittsburgh, PA but she works with people all over the country. Diann will do everything she can to help you get set up and runnimng.

http://www.reliancetransactions.com/


When you say you are paying .3% plus a transaction fee, you are paying this on top of interchange and assesments. Depending on your average ticket and what the transaction fee is, this may or may not be a good rate. If you are hand keying card transactions and have the ability to sipe the card you would benefit from a mobile device or magtek reader.


I'll look into it more. Here is the device:

https://www.eprocessingnetwork.com/ePNMobile.html


Interchange goes to the card issuing bank and the assesments go to Visa and MasterCard. They are charged on every transaction with no exceptions. The .3% and the transaction fee are what your processing company is making.
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