Use your Android to accept credit cards?

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Use your Android to accept credit cards?

by Dianne Culbertson
(Waterville, Maine)

I was watching TV recently and saw a cell phone commercial where a child used a phone to swipe a credit card. Oh, I thought, I have to have one of those! I began researching and it turns out 2 major companies offer this that I know of. One is Intuit and the Square Up.

I started asking around on the social networking sites I belong to and it turns out that Square Up is the one most preferred by those in our line of work. You simply apply and once approved (it only takes seconds) they send you a device you simply plug into your phone and it is free. You then download the app (also free) and you are ready to accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. You are charged 2.75% per transaction if the card is swiped, slightly more if you key in the numbers. The deposit only takes a day with Square Up and 2-3 days with Intuit.

I plan to charge a 3% processing fee for credit cards I take in person. On a $50 dollar item that is only $1.50 so I don’t think my customers will mind. I plan to waive the fee on orders over $100.00.

I have talked to several of my friends that use this at shows, home parties and fairs and they say it works great and they have had no issues. You do have to have an Android type phone with Internet. I have T-Mobile so have the unlimited Internet for $30.00 a month.

If you think this is something that could work for you go to squareup.com or intuit.com and check to see that the service supports the phone you have.

Dianne Culbertson
Divella Delights
Divella Delights blog

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Use your Android to accept credit cards?

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Thanks for sharing this
by: Anonymous

I am headed over to the site now to get signed up. I like that you are not charged unless you process a charge. One more thing I like about my Android.

I was using the PayPal app to process payments but this will an additional option.

squareup tips...
by: Lorian Rivers

Squareup.com just announced they are removing the per charge fee. Only the % will be charged now. I have an android phone and it works like a champ. It does take a few days to "process" and receive the payment in your checking account. Just like paypal - the payment is ok'd immediately but there is a 2-4 day lag getting actual access to the money.

This sounds great, thanks!
by: Donalee

Thanks so much for this information! I so apprecate this site.

I just got one
by: TwentyThou.com

During mother's day I made a few sales to family and they all paid cash, so I deposited the money in my bank, and then used my debit card on my Square Up dongle on my iphone to "transfer" the money to my business account (which is an online account, so I can't deposit directly to it), figured it would deposit faster, or at least get it out of my regular account before I spent it lol. Looking forward to using this at shows, I didn't even think about charging a processing fee, that's a great idea!

I love it!
by: CGwynne

I've been using SQUARE on my Iphone for shows - I love it!! So much fun, works every time, and the customers have a ball signing their name with their finger - perhaps making it a little easier to buy more pieces!

Thank you, it is awesome info
by: Karen

I have been debating with the idea of accepting credit cards at the art and craft festivals. I am liking this idea as I need to get a new phone soon also. I will definitedly be looking into this option.

Thank you very much,
Karen

Receipts?
by: Stephanie

I read an article in our local paper about this Monday. It sounds great but there are no printed receipts. Do your customers seem to mind? Do you hand-write a sales slip with each order or just when they ask for one?

processing fees
by: JLowe

Please keep in mind it's against many state laws to charge a credit card processing fee!

Square Up
by: L Perez

Thanks for the tip. I went in right away and applied for it and am waiting for it to arrive. Thanks, Rena for sharing this information. I have always loved your magazine for the information and tips it brings us.

Lina

Have a back-up just in case
by: Anonymous

I was at the giant Bead & Button Show in Milwaukee last week and those who had phones with the little swipe attachment were not able to get them to work. Presumably it had something to do with reception in the bldg or something like that. So one improvised by writing down the credit card nos. (a security no-no) on the sales receipt and one took the credit card and did the old run your pencil across it many times to get the imprint on the sales receipt. There was nothing else they could do. By doing it this way the merchant had no way of knowing whether the card was good or not. Those that had the regular electronic credit card swipe terminals had no problem.

So if it seems to good to be true, it may be. But I would think for outdoor shows it should be fine as long as you are not in a "dead zone".

Square
by: Pat

I have heard you can use them on an Ipad and take pictures of your merchandise and send a receipt via email to the customer.
I have been doing a lot of research and am getting very excited about the possibility of using this contraption! I am one of the few people in the whole world that does not have a cell phone but will probably get one or an Ipad now!!!!

Use Square a lot
by: Anonymous

I Use the Square (Square Up) a lot for jewelry transactions at my local market. I charge $1.00 extra per item (my average item is $20) and it seems to work out very well. Most folks who are short on hard cash are more than happy to pay the fee (which is a little cheaper than the ATM at the market). My payment always is posted on either Monday or Tuesday after my weekend sales. I highly recommend it

accepting credit cards
by: ReyerWare

I use Intuit's gopayment for accepting credit cards. For those who accept total charges under a certain amount per month, there are no monthly fees and they only charge 2.75% swipe fee or 3.75% if you key it in. I have used it for a while and it works wonderfully. I have the payments in my bank account within a couple of days. The biggest advantage of GoPayment vs the others is that the information is encrypted so your customers can be assured of safety in using their credit cards. Check them out at www.gopayment.com

Be careful about charging for credit card use
by: Linda

Mastercard and VISA and most states (as JLowe mentioned previously) have strict laws/rules against charging extra when your customer uses a credit card. And doing the reverse, offering a "cash discount" for cash, is also on the edge. You would be in violation of your Merchant Agreement with the card companies and, if you're caught, you could lose the ability to take MC or VISA and/or be prosecuted under state law.

A better solution is to add the cost of credit card fees into your overhead as a business. That way it gets reflected in your prices. As someone else mentioned, the difference in your price is minimal and you wouldn't be taking a big business risk.

Hip Little Square
by: Summer

Being able to use the Square was the main reason I bought my iPad! Yes, you can take photos of your inventory, load them into the app with all the descriptions you want. When the item is purchased, the customer can plug in their email to have the receipt (with photo) sent to them. the email is not stored. All my pieces are OOAK, so loading all the pics does get a bit tedious. I paid extra to get the iPad with both WiFi and 3G capabilities because the 3G is more secure and my shows are never in WiFi hotspots. I love not having to pay anything for those slow times, too.

yes, be careful
by: Caren

I know that in Florida it is illegal to charge a fee for using credit cards or give a discount for paying cash. The better choice is to build your fees into the price of the product.

Propay is another good option
by: Lee-Lee

I have used Propay for the last 3yrs with no ploblems. They offer the varies card readers for both online and offline. They haven't failed me yet.

Square One
by: Michele W

I do flea markets and have lost customers who only have card. Saw ad for Square One, and signed up. Within a week I had my swipe. Small, Compact and easy to use. Because of small size, I keep mine, when not in use in the package it came in. Company takes a percentage, but no monthly fees and will take just about any card.

Intuit program is great
by: Bonnie

I have used the Intuit program since April and am very pleased. There has only been one show where I had no service and had to revert to the old knuckle buster card imprinter.
The program does give you the option of keying in an email address for the purchaser so they get a reciept. My customers usually don't bother though. They are happy with the "regular" reciept that I give them.

buy the printer with Go Payment
by: Ann Nolen

Hi.... I also use Intuit Go Payment and have been happy with it for shows. They also offer a Bluetooth swiped/printer for their service. You have to buy it for a little over $200, but I do enough shows I decided was worth it + I had a customer signature. Last show I did, most vendors around me took down the info to buy one when they got home! It is small, rechargeable battery that goes and goes, and then it prints the two copies just like the big machines. My customers also loved the got a professional receipt. I am loving it!

Super Information
by: April Schwaegerle

Thanks to everyone who posted! I have been using Pro-Pay and have been happy but Square Up sounds like it may be more user friendly with a competitive fee. I don't own a swiper and entering the information can sometimes be tedious...especially if I'm busy.

I love this newsletter! Always something of interest and such useful information. :-)

Square device
by: Anonymous

I use Square for credit cards and have not had a problem at all. Before leaving the transaction, there is an option to send a receipt via email or text message. I love having the flexibility to accept credit cards, too.

Another Payment Option
by: Doug Kelly

There is yet another Credit Card Acceptance Company; No Monthly Fees, the rate is usually based on your average sale and the business you are in. They also provide you a FREE Card Swipe that fits in the ear piece section of your iPhone, Droid or Blackberry. You do have to have a touchscreen phone for the signature feature.

I pay 2.69% and 19 cents per transaction. You can take a picture of the item you are selling or do the inventory thing.

I get paid 3rd business day after transaction. It is auto-batch (you don't do anything but swipe and sell) - and they have really good availabe reports.

Take a look at www.PayAnywhere.com and if you want it, email me and I will have them contact you (I get a referral credit)

Doug Kelly
sales@jdkellyjewelry.com

iPad and gopayment
by: Donna C

I learned that I could use an iPhone or iPad with intuits go payment, which works with quicken products. I can get a report of my transactions quick and easy, plus I started using it as either a key in or swipe function immediately. If you are just starting out, there is no service charge for under $1,000 in sales, and $16 monthly if more than that.

My brother uses it in his business as well. It works great.

The only downside is that you need a wifi connection if using the iPad alone. Since I have tmobile, I don't have an iPhone. Tmobile sold us a plan to make my HTC HD7 a hot spot to cure this, but we found out quickly that the service doesn't work with any HTC phone.

My quick solution is to have the customer fill out a quick form (or you can) and have then sign the authorization. Then you can process later if necessary, and go payment gives you the option of sending them an email confirmation of the payment.

One last tip...ask for ID before processing. A friend processed a card for purchase to have it reversed later. A woman had been using her mothers card, and later the mother disputed the charges. Sp just use caution and good luck.

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