Credit card swipes on cell phone

I looked into these at one point and the best one I found was called Square. Kevin Rose (founder of digg.com) endorsed it heavily as well. Works with both Android and iOS and has some pretty nifty features.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1643271/square-credit-card-swiper-iphone-ipad-ipod-touch-android-credit-cards

-- Dan, Rochester, NY

I have looked into it but the drawback for me was the $1,000 limit in one week.
I only do shows where I can make several times that amount, so it would not work for me.

I do love the idea though, as it would be a great backup to my main wireless machine.

-- Jim Beachler, Chief Puzzler, http://www.hollowwoodworks.com

According to their FAQ, you can contact support and get that limit lifted with some add’l info about your business and who you are.. Worth a shot since there is no sign up fee, no monthly fee, and costs nothing if you do nothing.

-- Dan, Rochester, NY

I also have been looling at several smartphone devices for accepting credit cards. I have asked numerous vendors at craft shows about what they feel works best, and the general consensus is that it seems that most shoppers like the idea of getting a copy of a printed sales receipt with their transaction…I know I certainly do.
Several devices are available that will print a receipt through a small printer that can be operated through bluetooth and satisfy this need. Yes, I would have to pay more to buy the printer device..but I would rather spend the money and have a receipt to give. One I have been looking into is Blue Bamboo and I am finding other avaialble units as I search more.
http://www.wholesalecreditcard.com/credit-card-machine/Blue_Bamboo/Bamboo-P25-M.shtml

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

I heard about Square too and I just had a look at their site. The FAQ- says there are no limits on transaction size or transactions.

Maybe they lifted the $1k limit? It might be worth another look?

If and when I ever get an iPhone I will definitely go with Square.

-Will

Have you asked vendors at craft shows and trade shows what they use? How do most customers feel about getting an emailed receipt as opposed to a printed receipt at the time of purchase?
I asked these questions at several craft shows and the majority said the customers want a printed receipt.

-- Every step of any project should be considered your masterpiece if you want the finished product to reflect the quality of your work. http://www.FineArtBoxes.com

I don’t use any of these aps or have a need to so far. However, as far as printed receipts go, I just switched this month to processing all of my transactions as digital receipts (email) unless someone specifically wants a printed receipt. So far this month I haven’t had one person ask for a printed receipt at the time of purchase. I don’t sell at craft shows so that might be a factor.

-- Allen, Milwaukee, WI

If you have a paypal account you can accept credit cards through them. You can do it using a laptop and iphone/droid app and they have a swiper thing that you can attach to your phone.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_vt_hub-inside

1. Pricing $30 monthly fee 2.4% – 3.1% + $0.30 USD per transaction (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) 3.5% and no fixed fee per transaction (American Express)
2. Application Process You’ll receive an email in about 48 hours with your application status
3. Fax information * You may need to fax additional documents, especially if you don’t have a functioning website

Please note: Virtual Terminal is not available in U.S. territories. It is currently limited to the continental United States.

-AG

I spent most weekends last summer and fall at different outdoor venues. I use a knuckle buster to take the information and give the customer a reciept. That said, I personally would be a little queasy if someone swiped my credit card, had me sign the screen and then didn’t give me a reciept so that I knew the amount they entered was right. I only know one vendor with that app and he only used it twice last year.

Steve.

This one is free (Iphone only I think):

https://squareup.com/

You only pay when you use it (no monthly fees) and the hardware is free
from what I’ve read.

Swiping a credit card on cell phone is really a fantastic and trendy way of processing credit card. Yes I use square for credit card processing on my I-phone. There are many free apps available for processing credit card.
_
online credit card processing

I use the Square on my Android phone. Works great and has definately improved sales (probably doubled sales) because of it. You can send a reciept with each purchase by either text or email. I believe you can hook to a printer, but i don’t.

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

I went to my local bank and bought a $625 card reader that works well for me. The main thing I like about it is that it prints out a receipt. The card reader is just like the one they use in many restraints. Works on it’s own battery or you can plug it into a 120 volt wall plug. It will also work on just a land line phone line. I get the customer to sign the receipt and they get a copy. Folks like that. I do not have to even have a cell phone, It works anywhere there is a cell phone tower within range. I pay a monthly fee that is less than 1/2 of what the fee for a smart phone is. Less than 2% charge plus twenty cents per transaction. My sales have almost doubled since I got it last year.

-- In God We Trust

square is the bomb as long as the fee structure agrees with you – quick, simple and efficient and as long as the customers can deal with an emailed receipt – most of my customers wave off the receipt (must be my honest face!)

-- If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life... www.heirloom-ww.com

Square + PrinterShare on Android smartphone + Wifi Laser printer (< 100 bucks) + Gmail account (UrShopHere@...) = job done.

Enter your shop email and print it out – they now have a reciept and your contact info and you look slick. Unless we have to get the kids to figure out our smartphone. ;)

Assuming you consider a cellular phone a cost of doing business/living nowadays, this feels like the cheapest startup path – I know this doesn’t apply to everyone. You also have a backup laser printer for when your fancy Ink-jet cartridge eater craps out.

Do the math on your business first (and probably check it as you grow) – an extra 3/4 percent can hurt, but so can 20 cents a pop on low ticket sales.

Best of luck on your business venture, YellowTruck.

-- Chris @ Atlanta - JGM - Occam's razor tells us that when you hear hoofs, think horses not zebras.