craft fairs
Ok everyone I spent the last weekend at my first craft fair, it was a fun and learning experience. My question for all of you is do you uses some type of app or program to use credit cards? One of my neighbors at the show used a program called Square Up. Have any of you used it or have any suggestions? Thanks for all your input.
LeeAnne
Tags: craft, credit, ideas, show, square, up
Views: 139
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alex Dalsfoist on -
When we do craft shows, we only take cash...credit card payments are strictly for our outside customers.
From my limited research, Square is the 'industry standard' but it also requires special hardware, meaning you'd have to look up stuff like compatibility. PayPal, which has been around since probably the dawn of time, has an android app that allows you to receive payment, but only if the buyer already has a paypal account. Those that do likely already have that app to make payments to you, especially if they're the type to frequent craft fairs in the first place.
Also, checking with your bank may give you some fairly cheap credit card processing options for business accounts.
But from our experience, most people who frequent craft fairs know that most sellers accept cash or check only, and come prepared.
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Permalink Reply by Nancy Herzog on -
I also only accept cash or local checks. I'm not sure I would want the hassle of taking credit cards. I have nevr ehard of squared up, but I'm not up on all that kind of stuff! Good luck with more shows that you do!
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Permalink Reply by Willew on -
I use the Square. As long as you have a compatible phone they ship the reader to you for free. There is no monthly fee and the % they take is very low. I love mine.
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Permalink Reply by D & P Creations on -
Square is probably the most popular low cost solution, as long as you have a cell phone equipped to handle the application. It is not provide a printed receipt to hand to the customer.
ProPay is another low cost solution, but doesn't provide immediate on-line confirmation; on-line confirmation is available for call-in. You would use an imprinter to have a receipt for yourself and for the customer.
We use FirstData (available directly through Sam's Club web site); this was the best solution we found for a hand-held wireless unit which prints a receipt for the customer. There is a very high cost ($ hundreds) to purchase the terminal. There are other companies which offer a terminal "rental" with very high termination costs. These merchant accounts would require monthly sales of over $100 to cover the terminal costs within a year. The merchant account works because we have a weekly retail location in addition to winter craft shows and expos.
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Permalink Reply by Clarify (Claranne ) on -
If I already had a cell phone or tablet that was compatible with the Square I would get and use one. But doing only one or two shows per year I cannot justify the cost of equipment to process credit cards. I have never had a customer back out of a purchase because I did not accept credit cards, but I suppose I might draw in more customers if I had a prominent sign indicating that I did accept credit cards. I do feel the need to accept checks since the price of my items may be more than the amount of cash in a shopper's purse. So far I have not had a customer's check bounce.
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Permalink Reply by Lucy's Bead Studio on -
Wow Thanks for all the info so far. I only took cash, no checks, but found that many customers that were looking, as I do. Look at everything first then come back around, but alot of times were out of cash. The lady next to me thought how funny it was that some women will spend 40/50 dollars on a pieces of jewelry that they are going to throw in a drawer but wont spend it on a OOAK piece that noone else will have. I thought that maybe the ablility to uses a card might help sales. Plus Mom wanted to try sell some of her larger quilts and they can be pricey, alot of hard work and time! :)
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Permalink Reply by D & P Creations on
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Accepting credit cards is a real advantage; it opens the sales options to a different segment of the market. We've had credit card sales account for more than 50% of daily sales on some days. Even at our regular market, it's amazing how some customers will react when they know they can use a credit card and keep their cash for buying from other vendors. Checks are OK for some shows, also, but with discretion.
Credit card acceptance does add a new level of accounting for the business and a more responsibility, depending on the type of a account used. If you are planning to make your work into a business, credit card acceptance is essential.
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Permalink Reply by Rozelyn De Sagun on -
Accepting credit cards is a big plus especially at craft shows. I have a Propay account and I usually bring my laptop during shows for immediate processing.
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Permalink Reply by Naturally Nickel Free on -
Rozelyn, do you ever have trouble getting a wi-fi signal for your computer? Do you plug it in or just let it go on battery? I get a little crazy when I think about setting my computer out where the rain could get to it. Do you have problems with this, or do you just use it indoors?
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Permalink Reply by Dixie on -
I use Propay. I only do 4 shows a year & Propay doesn't have a monthly fee, just a yearly fee. I have used them for 5-6 years & no problems whatsoever, transfers to my checking account are quick.
However, I don't feel it helps my sales that much. My show last weekend was a $975 show & I only had 3 charges & I doubt I have ever had more than 10 charges at a 2 day show. I guess it depends on the area as well as the price range. My items are $20-75.
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Permalink Reply by Naturally Nickel Free on
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I have a Square, but it is not that useful to me since I have in iTouch gen 2 which require a wi-fi signal to get internet and be able to process. If you have a regular smart phone you should be fine. Square does not have a way to input data directly into the website either, so, though it was free, it didn't work out with my particular equipment. But on the "one" sale I did manage to do with it, it was really easy to use. It also sends a receipt immediately to the buyer's e-mail account.
I just signed up with ProPay yesterday. I got a discount with my other website, but I think I saw that they have a sale for $50 / year going on anyway. With Propay I can use my cell phone to process information, or a card reader is also available for a cost. ($40 for the one I would need.) I am disappointed that in order to use the card reader I would have to upgrade my iTouch, but I can see that this will be my next tech investment now. Anyway, I can still use the phone, or just swipe the data on a "knuckle buster" and put the data in the computer as soon as I am able. I like the idea of putting customer data in the website right on my computer at the show, but am not sure if the signal needed would always be available.
Another one I am learning about is called Intuit GoPayments. They have no annual fee and no cost for the card reader. I kind of wish I had gone with this one now, but as ProPay is compatible with my other website, I think that will still work out okay for me. Check the tech requirements for your situation, but even if the card reader doesn't work with your current set-up, you can still put data directly into the website like you can with ProPay. At least it's something to check out. ** by the way, I was REALLY impressed with Intuit's customer service. I was able to get questions answered on a chat line with a tech after 6 pm on a Sunday night!
Also, here's a chart that referenced on another forum thread. I compares some of the main features of different CC processors. http://credit-card-processing-review.toptenreviews.com/mobile-credit-card-processing/
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Permalink Reply by Paperbilities4you (Tricia) on -
I have not taken credit cards at Craft Fairs YET. I just got my SQUARE UP and can't wait to use it. My brother makes soap and he also has the Square Up and LOVE IT. Says it is simple to us the money is in your bank account the very next day. Sometimes the same day. My first craft fair is the Wellborn Blueberry Festival June 1st and 2nd. In my own experience with the current economic times, people are not carrying a lot of cash at a fair so I am hoping if I offer them the credit card option, I may get more sales.
Come June I will let you all know.
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