Square? Anyone use?

[yooper1]

Do any of you use the "Square" credit card / debit card swipe or POS (point of sale)?

I am trying to decide if accepting debit cards or credit cards for my classes will increase sales. I like the idea that you can be anywhere and swipe a card and get the cash into your account. Even if there is no cell service, it supposedly saves the info from the swipe and then when your phone gets cell service, it finishes the process.

Let's not get carried off track with bad mouthing using cards , please, I am merely asking if you use Square and how you like it.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bud0505]

I don't use one but I had a plumber come yo the house last week and he had one that was wireless. From a customer point of view I thought it was convenient. He was able tosend a receipt to my cell phone. The whole transaction took about two minutes.

 

[Kevin]

I see them in use a lot but I don't have a reason to use one myself. I do hear they are easy and convenient. You are able to direct the money to a specific account. I think they charge a fee but not sure how much.

 

[hittman]

I personally do not use it but know local business owners who do.

One may has a "quick lube" type oil change business, another is a Roto-Rooter guy and one does lawn care. All seem to get along fine with it. I've done business with all of them and from the consumer side, it worked great for me too ..... just swipe my card, sign my name with my finger on their smart phone or ipad.

 

[yooper1]

Thanks for the input

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

If this device/service is what I think it is, I've seen it used at gunshows. Apparently quite a bit, too, so it might be worth a try. Be sure to read the fine print first, so you know how to get out without surprises if it doesn't work for you.

Rick C

 

[yooper1]

Square seems to treat you like your own business and only charge for the service .... they strip off their cut right away.

Also, it is super portable. I get a plug in card reader for my iPhone and can use it anywhere, even without cell service. When there is no service, the swipe gets stored on your phone and then when there is a signal it finishes the transaction. They do have a disclaimer that if the card is denied or over the limit or a couple other reasons to get declined, I would now know until it gets sent with a cell signal. SO I could possible lose that transaction. Especially if that happens at the start of my class which is on the shore of Lake Superior and the cell service is bad.

As with any payment service there are fees. Those fees do seem manageable. Very close to the PayPal percentages.

And yes, I will check and recheck the fine print to know how to bail if I want out.



Thanks guys

 

[Dan in MI]

Keep us posted. Looking at the same type of on site CC tool. Looking at (gasp ) PayPal's version since I already have a biz account with them.

 

[Fox Mike]

I have it loaded on my Android phone. My wife is a potter and they use it at shows. Never had any complaints.

 

[blume357]

I question anyone using Square service at a gun show.....

I would not use Square... look at their rules.... they are anti 2nd Amendment. It says absolutely no firearm sales.....

I have a local grocery store that uses Square and I now only pay them in cash.....

 

[SamV]

I don't have a business, but I used to have to set up credit card processing for the businesses that I managed. Always look at all your alternatives before picking the first one.

 

[Taterman]

I question anyone using Square service at a gun show.....

I would not use Square... look at their rules.... they are anti 2nd Amendment. It says absolutely no firearm sales.....

I have a local grocery store that uses Square and I now only pay them in cash.....

Reason enough for me not to try it.

 

[gramps]

It used to be you paid $300 for the card reader/receipt maker plus a percentage of the sale. My son is a locksmith and has used it for years without problems. Convenient, portable, in Middle Tn there are very few dead areas for cell phones. Blume, we all try to not use business that diss our way of life, but I won't cut off my nose to spite my face. We pick and choose what we can live with. Read their policies for yourself.
gramps

 

[blume357]

I was told, have not checked but can if anyone wants the name, that there is a company based here in Greenville S.C. that also processes credit cards like Square that is not anti 2nd Amendment. I've run a one man show for 36 years and made a decision not to accept credit cards.... so far it has not been a problem... if folks don't have a check then I just leave them a bill and they electronically do it later one way or another..... then again, I don't have a web site either.

 

[Pyromike]

Used it a few years ago when I sold stuff at little league tournaments. Did it for a friend and all these parents loved the option. Most people don't carry cash and it made sales go way up. We would just set up a tent and sell our stuff. No electrical connection needed for a machine. It would automatically charge them an extra $1 for using the service so we didn't have to pay the fee. Most people didn't care. Set it up so it went right to a bank account. End of day I would call my friend and he could log on and see all the transactions.

I have the Square on my phone and have the reader but it's not directed to an account as of yet. Haven't needed it but like the option.

My local golf course uses it so he doesn't have to pay for a CC machine. Fees are a lot cheaper.

 

[RoninPA]

I used SQUARE for about 5 years in my gunsmithing business and then go a letter from them canceling my account. The said there was a policy change that they would no longer allow it to be used for any firearms business.

I then found a company called PHONESWIPE, had them for about 5 years and then they cancelled my account. They cited a change in policy that said it could not be used for any firearms or "dangerous devices" (they never defined dangerous devices).

So now I go with cash, check or money orders and haven't had a problem.

 

[barrycarraway]

I used one in our old donut shop---had problems but were told we needed to upgrade our phones. Appears older phones don't transmit data fast enough. You could still input card data manually, but square charged higher rates then similar to banks. Also a tablet or Ipad should work ok. You could always ask your phone guy but do not go to Wal-Mart (they sell the square) and ask them because most of those guys can't find their butt with both hands and you already know more than they do by reading my post. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Sgt Garcia]

I use it for 2 different businesses and we use it for our gun club gun shows. I haven't had any problems. I don't use it for my main business because from what I read they can be very slow paying on large amounts. The 2 places and gun show charges are usually under $200. My other business can have charges that are several thousand.

My experience....

Dennis.

 

[blume357]

I still don't understand why anyone here would use them even if they can after reading their no firearms rule.