Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

[QC]

Mrs QC does some catering as a little biz of her own. She has found a niche delivering sandwiches and such to medical offices and her customer is likely a pharmaceutical rep or similar medical salesperson buying lunch for the whole office. They need her to be able to take credit cards easily. I've found stuff like this: https://squareup.com/

Any other ideas before we pull the trigger?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

Mrs QC does some catering as a little biz of her own. She has found a niche delivering sandwiches and such to medical offices and her customer is likely a pharmaceutical rep or similar medical salesperson buying lunch for the whole office. They need her to be able to take credit cards easily. I've found stuff like this: https://squareup.com/

Any other ideas before we pull the trigger?

That's 2-3/4% I think on top of what the bank takes...ouch! If she does $30K/yr on cards that will be an extra $800-/yr. Small business always takes it in the shorts...

Depending on the number of transactions actually needed, and the usual $$ total....if it is less than $100- you may not need authorisation numbers for each transaction. It might be possible to use the original "slide-and-imprint" machines....believe it or not they still are in use in a few places, and some banks still are OK with their use.

I used to have two "wallet imprinters" for a small door-to-door business I ran....I'll have a look and if I can find them there is a free option. I'll send them to you if you can use them.

 

[QC]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

That's 2-3/4% I think on top of what the bank takes...

I think that is "what the bank takes". Why would my bank take anything? I guess the Credit Card company takes their percentage, but I am guessing that's the deal made with squareup. Or is this a double dip opportunity?

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I think that is "what the bank takes". Why would my bank take anything? I guess the Credit Card company takes their percentage, but I am guessing that's the deal made with squareup. Or is this a double dip opportunity?

I think so...:facepalm:
The Bank/C.C.Company gets their 2-1/2-5% (depending on volume) as well.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

My wife runs a very successful internet business, and she has been using paypal as her credit card processor for over 7 years now, with no problems at all. Your going to pay points, no matter who you go with, and as a small business owner your going to pay the premium, it is just standard OP now a days.

But just to add, our bank takes nothing, but paypal does, depending on your level of membership and the amount of monthly volume.

Take note, if you have to manually enter a credit card number, the fee's go up to 3.5% PLUS $0.15 per transaction, My wife can manually enter a credit card with no extra fee's.

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I don't believe squareup is charging on top of the fees a normal credit card processor is charging. That 2.75% is their merchant processing fee. I would call to confirm, but if doing a small volume, paypal and squareup would be where I would look. It's just not worth it to pay for the equipment and the slightly higher fee will not be recouped with the purchase of equipment.

 

[QC]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I have a PayPal account and I have done quite a bit on eBay. I don't understand how that allows me to take a card for her while she is out remote . . . Enlightenment necessary.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I have a PayPal account and I have done quite a bit on eBay. I don't understand how that allows me to take a card for her while she is out remote . . . Enlightenment necessary.

Take a look at the various types of accounts they offer, you need to look at the business accounts..

 

[Silverbullet555]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I have a PayPal account and I have done quite a bit on eBay. I don't understand how that allows me to take a card for her while she is out remote . . . Enlightenment necessary.

It doesn't. They would have to send her money and since most businesses would not want to send to paypal, I would really look at squareup. I think it is a perfect solution assuming the rate stays close to where it is.

 

[QC]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

OK, that is what I figured regarding PayPal. I guess I'll investigate the Squareup deal a little further absent some other revelation gained here.

 

[StickyWidget]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I use Intuit GoPayment for my business, not sure how the fees compare with squareup. I got a free card reader for my iPhone when I set up my account.

 

[QC]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

OK, from the squareup site:

Our fees are simply 2.75% per swipe.

Every payment card we accept (Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover) has the same flat rate. As our fees are taken out of each payment as they occur, there is no fee schedule. Square does not require a contract upon signup or have any monthly minimums. It doesn't cost you anything if you don't use it. If you type in the card information manually, our fee is 3.5% + 15?.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I use Chase Bank to do all transaction because that is where I bank. There is a monthly fee if you don't use the service. If you charge a customer, there is a fee charged but it is minimal. I do all the transactions on the computer, all you need is the customers credit card number and it goes into your business account immediately.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

It doesn't. They would have to send her money and since most businesses would not want to send to paypal, I would really look at squareup. I think it is a perfect solution assuming the rate stays close to where it is.

Well,

I can say with 100% honesty, over 1000 business's send my wife's business, their monthly payments every single month through paypal. And another 200 allow her to charge their credit cards that we have on file..so if you look at paypal and actually investigate their system, you may very well be surprised. There is a BIG difference between their personal accounts and their business accounts.

But as with anything in our internet world, you will have to make the best choice for your particular situation. Good luck.

 

[QC]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

Just to clarify. Imagine her at a medical building, working with a rep who has never met her before. She needs to let that rep pay with his business credit card on the spot. That's the scenario. If I can use my existing PayPal account for that, then cool.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

QC,

Have you looked at their various types of accounts? If not, then you need to look, as I said, the best solution is the one that works for you, but yes, we can charge cards on the spot with our "business" paypal account.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

There is a interact/credit card reader that works over the cell phone. Don't know much about it but one of our mobile tool guys use it.

 

[nikon]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I use squareup.com for my business (real estate appraisals). I use it on my HTC Incredible 2, but as I understand it will work on any android or iphone.

As far as ease of use and how quickly it works; type the dollar amount and swype the card...instant authorization then you can 'text' or email a receipt instantly. Funds are collected throughout the day and are transferred every night which is a huge plus. Usually have funds available 1-2 days later. Best part about it is there are no monthly fees if you don't use it and they send you the card reader for free.

Downside is the account is registered to you personally and not the business, not a big deal for me as I'm my only employee

So far I've used it for 5 payments all have gone very smooth.

The only other one I researched was from intuit, it's 2.7% vs squares 2.75% but you have to buy the card reader.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I checked out the Square website and it looks pretty interesting. Sounds like that might be the hot setup for what Mrs. QC wants to do.

I also found a review that tells a little more about them.

http://www.cardpaymentoptions.com/credit-card-processors/square-review/

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Simplest Way to Take Credit Cards

I have a Paypal business account, and use it for customer payments on occasion if they request payment by card. I email an invoice, using Quickbooks, with the paypal link attached in it. They click on the link and can pay from any card or their paypal account. If she has a laptop with wifi, it is a possibility. The fees are per use and not monthly. Best part is, I don't have any of their card numbers in my computer or possession, they do it securely on their own. Makes them feel a little more at ease.

For the amount of times I use it, it works great.