Taking Credit Cards

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Taking Credit Cards

by Gina
(Pittsford,NY)

Hello,
My name is Gina and I have been designing Jewelry for a little over 3 years now. I am a self taught jewelry artist and with my third child starting full day school in September, I am ready to take things to a new level.

Currently, I sell to people that I know or sell by referrals. I have also worked with a few women to create pieces for special outfits,and everyday fashion. I really would like to start taking credit cards but the fees are outrageous when there is not steady business and not worth the risk.

There are some months that my sales are at a bare minimum and other months that they are significantly higher. I am hoping to get picked for a local holiday show and I am going to start approaching boutiques to sell my jewelry. Does anyone have any advice on the subject of taking credit cards? I am hoping to find a company that accommodates small business but I haven't found it yet.

I appreciate any input:)

Gina P
A Splash of Chic

Comments for
Taking Credit Cards

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Mobile App may be the way to go
by: Leigh

I know that Intuit has a mobile card swiper and there are a few others too that you may want to look into that will allow you to collect credit card payments.

square!
by: Jennifer

www.squareup.com

It is FANtastic. No setup fee, no monthly fee, just a small percentage per swipe. Can't be easier. I love it and tell EVERYone to use it. :)

Square
by: Margaret

Don't you need a smart phone to use Square?

Taking Credit Cards - The Power of Being a Woman
by: Anonymous

Gina P,
I too recently decided to take my jewelry design to the next level and started a business. Like you I was scared about the fees associated with accepting credit cards because some months sales are slim and some months sales boom. I am doing a holiday boutique in November and realized that jewelry can be an impulse buy for shoppers and accepting plastic gives them instant gratification. I shopped merchant accounts online and found high fees also. It wasn't until I opened my business checking account at my credit union that I found a company willing to work with me. They told me about special business programs for small businesses that are owned by women. We qualify for special financing and discounts because we are women business owners. I got a merchant account set up with not set up or application fee. Plus the monthly fee and % charge for transactions are half of what everywhere else wanted to charge me. I would suggest contacting your banking institution to see what programs they offer. I personally liked this option the best because I already put my faith in them to handle my personal finances and knew they would handle my business finances in the same manner. I hope this is helpful!

Sunnie M.
sunniescustomjewelry.blogspot.com

square
by: Jennifer

Square works with iphone, droids, ipad or ipod touch.

UK Cards
by: Genna Delaney

In the UK you can join the Federation of Small Businesses. This gives you a discount on one of the merchants for a portable card machine. The money you save is more than the annual subscription to the FSB too.

Square
by: Stef Florie

The Square is indeed fantastic, and I have found it to be well worth the cost of upgrading my phone to be able to use it.

Of great disappointment to non-US users, it is NOT available for use outside of the US at this time.

their website: www.squareup.com

mine: www.wiredstones.com

Taking credit cards
by: Gina

Thank you for all your input on this issue - I really appreciate everyones advice on taking credit cards. I went with the Square for my iphone - i just set up my acount (very easy) and will be using it for the first time this weekend for a show at my home. I get to use it at a much bigger event at the end of November so i am very excited about it and hope it works out well. The salesman at the Apple Store uses it for his own side business and loves it. Thank you again for taking the time to respond.

Gina Pietropaoli
A Splash of Chic

Paypal and a Laptop
by: Anonymous

paypal offers a free upgrade to a "merchant" account allowing a seller to process credit cards as well as bank transfers.
At my last show I brought my laptop with me to process credit cards - I went to my paypal account and sent a "money request" -( kind of like an invoice) - my customers then went to their account and paid me with their credit cards.

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