What is the best type of card reader?

[Former_Member]

What's the best card reader to use for a show?

The Etsy card reader? PayPal? Square?

Do you guys give a discount to cash only customers? Or charge extra for card swipes? Just curious.

[Former_Member]

I've only used the Square reader & have been extremely pleased with its performance. We don't charge extra or anything for people paying with a credit card. Most of the time, if they're paying with a credit card, they're spending more money than the typical person buying with cash, so the Square fee is just a cost of doing business.

The Square fee is around 2.75% if I recall so it's well worth it IMHO to get those extra sales. Of course, there was one show where a customer came up to me holding 1 - $6 bar of soap & she charged it, lol, but most charges are a lot larger.

A couple of the larger shows we did a few months ago were one's where we finally broke the $1K barrier after almost 4 years. At one of those shows, credit card purchases alone were responsible for a little over $500 in sales, so having a cc reader is a must have these days.

[PrairiePrimitives]

I, too, have only used Square. I've used it for 4 or 5 years now. I have the Etsy reader but haven't ever used it. I don't offer a discount to cash customers, but if anyone asks for one (and I'm in the mood to give it), I do tell them they need to pay cash. Just for the record, I only agree to a discount at fairs when they're buying quite a bit of merchandise, or if it's something I've had for a very long time. Having the ability to accept credit and debit cards is really important these days; as Mike said, cards can easily be responsible for half of a day's sales!

[PlaynwithScraps]

I've always used a Square reader but I have Paypal and now Etsy readers as backup. Be sure to get the new Square chip reader since Square won't cover fraudulent charges on the old style readers. Staples still had the old readers on clearance real cheap when I bought my new chip reader.

[Former_Member]

In my experience Square is best in terms of fees and customer service. However, when square was new I used an Inuit card reader which was also good. Since then I've also used SparkPay which is newer, but tends to have more problems with crashing and transactions not going through. I've never used the Etsy reader.

[ArteOfTheBooke]

I've only used the Square reader. I don't charge a surcharge or give a cash discount---the fee is simply the cost of doing business and, as others have pointed out, most of the time people paying by card spend more anyway. (I just grit my teeth and smile if someone pays for a $4 notecard with a credit card---doesn't happen often.)

CC sales, depending on venue, make up anywhere from 50% to 70% of our sales.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

We use Square. We have not had any problems, except that the new chip reader needs to be charged often. We bring our old reader as back up, and also use it if the customer's card doesn't have a chip.

I think he Square is the most recognizable reader and therefore the one the customers feel most comfortable with. We have an Etsy reader, but have not used it. Besides hearing less then stellar reviews about it in the forums, I also think customers might question "what the heck is that you're sticking my credit card into?

We don't charge extra for cc purchases or give a discount for cash. The fee is very small, and as others have said, the convenience of accepting cc payments almost always increases sales.

The square fee on a $100 sale would only be $2.75. So if someone asks for a cash discount, know how much your really saving if they pay cash.

As Tana said, offering a volume discount or offering "a deal" on an older piece makes more sense if you have a bargain hunter.

[TigersandDragons]

Square is essentially your merchant company, but you are processing Visa, MC, Amex and must follow these companies rules.

Giving discounts on cash sales for not using a credit card or charging a fee for using a credit card is NOT ALLOWED by the credit card companies - Visa, MC, Amex.

The Square User Agreement for the USA mentions clearly in rule 12: https://squareup.com/legal/ua
"The Networks require that you and Square comply with all applicable bylaws, rules, and regulations (“Network Rules”). The Networks amend their rules and regulations from time to time. Square may be required to change this Agreement in connection with amendments to the Network Rules. Significant portions of the Network Rules are available to the public at www.visa.com, www.mastercard.com, and www.americanexpress.com.

"Network Rules currently prohibit you from dispensing cash on any Card transaction. The Network Rules also restrict your ability to ***assess a surcharge*** or split a single transaction in to multiple transactions except in certain limited situations.

Your use of Network logos is governed by the Rules; you agree to familiarize yourself with and to comply with these requirements."

Here is are the guides that MC puts up on their USA site.
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/about-mastercard/what-we-do/rules.html

[Former_Member]

I have the Etsy card reader as well as the Square. I've used both with no issues but I am still very new. If I'm not mistaken the fees are the same or very close. Not to high. The reason I prefer the Etsy reader over the Square is because I want to link sells to my shop. It seems I've been doing more custom orders that pay me cash than anything else so I'm really just trying to increase my Etsy sells and reviews. No discounts offered for cash or credit sells. I determine discounts on an individual basis.

[Former_Member]

I have had great success with using the square. And I would rather take a square payment than lose a sale entirely!

[OutOfTheWoodsUSA]

Smart phone credit card readers are simple to use…
www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/emv-faq-chip-cards-answers-1264.php
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz9HKNj1-m8

SQUARE Credit Card Reader

• Can be used on or off line in the event you are having connectivity issues; however, if you use it off line and the card does not clear, you are out of luck.
• The new credit card readers that are able to read the chipped credit cards cost $29 (they run various deals from time to time so the cost may differ).
• Not connected to Etsy shop so seller must deactivate any sold items.
• You have the option of tracking cash payments.
• Offers great analytics and record keeping capabilities.
• Square advertises in print all sorts of media so customers are familiar with it.
• Phone support is available.

ETSY Credit Card Reader

• Connected to your Etsy shop so when you sell an item, it automatically comes off your inventory
• Cannot use off line so connectivity might be an issue if you are in a school or remote area
• Not yet able to read the new chipped credit cards – go to www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/16837929/page/1 to read Etsy’s announcement about the EMV card readers.
• 20¢ imposed when you sell one of a multiple item. If you sell one of a multiple item while using the Square or PayPal, you simply reduce the number left in your listing – no extra fees.
• If you sell a one-of-a-kind item with the plan of remaking that item, you have to list it again and the listing fee is imposed. If you sell a one-of-a-kind item while using the Square or PayPal, you just leave it listed while remaking the item.
• You may want to read the Forums for feedback.
• Phone support needs to be requested.

www.etsy.com/help/article/5631
www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/15487786/page/1
www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/what-etsy-sellers-should-know-about-emv/30922515241?campaign_label=etsy_success&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=etsy_success_092515_31003194611_0_1&utm_medium=email&utm_content=&email_sent=1443182563&euid=GsNzrhveh0kiYKuSCJtuVF3rPXuS&eaid=961683651&x_eaid=fe2b1d550b


PAYPAL Credit Card Reader

Can be linked to a PayPal debit card

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIL9GsBI3ik

[IttybitsTrinkets]

We have used both PayPal and Square and we like Square better. Just seems easier to use, noting against PayPal.

[ByTheBayBeads]

I have a square and love it. I also have Paypal and Etsy readers as backup. I don't offer a discount either. As some other people mentioned, its the cost of doing business and usually people spend more when they can pay with a card.

[ImLaughingMyGlassOff]

I'm in with the square crowd. Never a problem. Fees are small.

[BohemianHollow]

Square! :D

And with cash only customers I don't charge them tax. Or so I tell them. I basically just take the hit myself like a little discount. Don't worry, everything is still reported on my taxes. It's a pretty normal practice of nearly all vendors here in California. Hardly ever do you have to pay tax if you're paying cash. Paying with card always comes with tax, but never and extra charge.

[Former_Member]

I use paypal, but there are things that worry me about them such as basically having total control of my money. the new chip readers are like 150$ EACH. I never recommend just 1 reader either...

what a gimmick. that alone has me considering square.

but I always though paypal was a fraction of a % cheaper than square. so I chose paypal and stuck with it.

[Former_Member]

I use a card reader through my bank that charges a small monthly fee ($NZ10), no charge for using bank cards, but a 3% charge for credit cards. It's fantastic! The money is in my business account the next day, and when people see that it has a bank logo on it, they trust the security of it.

[ElisaAlvarado]

I use the Square $29 chip card reader. I have found that a huge percentage of customers have chip cards and are really relieved to see that I have a way to charge their cards. There are so many Square commercials on TV that everyone has heard of it and feels fine using it.

[Former_Member]

I've never had anyone "second guess" paypal. I trust them as a card processor.

I think paypal and square both have the confidence of the shopping public.