Taking Credit Cards

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 01 2012 Post subject: Taking Credit Cards

I recently got a smarter than I phone so I can accept credit cards while vending...I have received 2 different companies free readers / apps - "Pay Anywhere" and "Intuit" [ pay anywhere advertises here] I know square and paypal have systems too [ paypal will soon?!] MC/ Visa / Discover....

Each charge 2.69% per transaction, are free except for the eventual fee for being PCI[?] compliant.....up to $100/yr [ found in all companies fine print]
any input - history - pro's or cons any of you can share to help me make the choice??!!
Any and all input appreciated!
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Apr 02 2012 Post subject:

I like Sq.I haven't bought yet, but have looked into it.I like the pos system for the Ipad and you can still do cards with phone or pad,and it's free.but for the 2+percent fee.
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solaryellow · Posted: Apr 02 2012 Post subject:

I have Square as well but since I use an Android phone I see it slowing our line down considerably this year. The card reader itself is problematic because it doesn't stay stationary. I haven't been able to swipe a card yet on the first try. Maybe I just need more practice? Without the ability to preprogram SKUs like the POS available for the iPad, putting in the right information for the receipt is going to be slow going. Great concept but falls short if you aren't using an iPad.

kurtsara · Posted: Apr 02 2012 Post subject:

Slow Heat · Newbie Joined: 11 Mar 2009 Posts: 88 Location: Virginia

I have Square but have yet to use it. I don't really want to advertise it for concessions as I am afraid it will slow our lines way down and we sell for a 5 hour window at lunch so I will only use it if someone asks if we take cards.

solaryellow · Posted: Apr 03 2012 Post subject:

Becksboy · Joined: 03 Dec 2011 Posts: 5

I have intuit, have not had any problems so far. The program is pretty simple to use but does take about 3 minutes to use. I could see it being a hassle if it were real busy but the people using cc seem to be happy that the option is available.

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 05 2012 Post subject:

Thanks guy's = I have found the intuit to be a pain on my android as it resets itself everytime I unplug it to use phone, needing to do a setup of what kind of reader etc over and over....the pay anywhere just plugs in and works! What kind of "other" fee's should I expect?? One of my regulars sells card services and says I will get all kinds of bills for per swipe, perks cards etc... - any truth there??
thanks again guts - btw, the pay anywhere usually works first time, and takes 30 seconds or so start to finish, at least so far!
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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Apr 05 2012 Post subject:

I finally pulled the trigger on a standard merchant account with a mobile card reader.
The rates are 1/2 of the smart-phone devises and sounds like the traditional card reader is faster.
I've also had people tell me they appreciate the traditional reader. It seems many are still leery of watching their card being processed through a cell phone.

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 06 2012 Post subject:

I have actually had great reviews of the smart phone reader!! People saying "they DO have an app for that!!??" and a lot of wow, thats pretty neat...they sign the screen like a big reader at the wallyworld...... I've been PM'ing and facebooking with others who use square and other phone app's - seem to be a pretty good deal with no other fees! Though I am sure I will drop intuits - sounds like theirs works better with ipad / iphone etc....
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Swamp Mama's · Posted: Apr 07 2012 Post subject:

I have been using Square for well over a year. I only do about $1500 per month. The only fee they charge is 2.75%...no swipe fee.......no monthly fees....no bull$hit! They deposit into my account every night but Saturday. I couldn't recommend them enough. They are great and easy to use. My customers love it when I text or email them receipts too. I also give them a cash register receipt on onsite sales. I've researched all the other companies, and they all have hidden fees or are too damn high. Just my 2cents worth............ Rolling Eyes

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Virginiasmoke · Posted: Apr 07 2012 Post subject:

No swipe fee? I didn't know that.

Swamp Mama's · Posted: Apr 08 2012 Post subject:

That's right. When I sell a bag of jerky for $10.00. They take out 2.75% (.28 cents) and that night deposit $9.72 into my account. No monthly or other fees ever. I can take visa, mastercard, discover and american express. I think I ran $1500.00 in March. You can also go to your site and look at the figures by day, week or month with a breakdown of you activity. Unless you are doing several thousand per month, it's the best way to go.

Rolling Eyes

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knotjustribs · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 1

I just started using the reader this week worked great with my I Phone. I charge a surcharge each swipe to cover the swipe fee. I like square, since it does have any hidden fees

Swamp Mama's · Posted: Apr 16 2012 Post subject:

A lot of people including me will not do business with a restaurant, store or other business that charges a fee to use a credit or debit card. It cost me 28 cents to sell a $10 bag of jerky, but that's a bag that I probably wouldn't have sold any way. I learned when I first started using it that it would pay for it'self and bring in more business. Example: Before I got my accept credit cards sign up, a lady bought two bags of jerky and handed me $20 cash. She then replied that she would buy more if she had more cash. I told her that I accepted cards, and she purchased 8 more bags on the spot. That's $80 that I wouldn't have made. That one incident pays for a lot of credit card fees.
Square doesn't charge a swipe fee unless you punch in the card manually. Just my opinion............................ Rolling Eyes

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Swamp Mama's Hawgs & Dawgs BBQ & Jerky Shack
That just goes to show you.....People have more fun than anybody!
I'm actually Swamp Daddy AKA Jerky Man.....Swamp Mama is my lovely bride!
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daddywoofdawg · Posted: Apr 16 2012 Post subject:

I agree with swamp mama,at a couple of cents to the price of all your food to cover the cost of the swipe fee's.walmart doesn't charge you extra to use your debit or credit card,that's because your paying for it in the price, even if your using cash.
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Custom Made offset smoker
Char grill smoker
Weber kettle

Mr Tony's BBQ · Posted: Apr 16 2012 Post subject:

I've been using the "pay anywhere" since I originally wrote this...2.69%, no swipe fee - 3.5%[?] plus $.30 if hand entered....Sales have increased because of reasons noted above..."oh, you take plastic? Give me a couple pounds to go, and a full rack.....maybe some tater salad too...can I pay for a party on my Visa???"....I see no need to charge per swipe!! No minimum either - straight 2.69% Glad I did it!
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