square vs intuit

[PaperFlora]

I know this has been discussed before but I'd like to know what you think of each.
The only difference I know of is square is charging 2.75% and intuit is 1.75%
What do you use and what do you think of it ?

[Former_Member]

I second this. I'm doing my first large craft fair in the summer and am looking into both systems to possibly use. Anyone have experience or suggestions?

[PaperFlora]

Just did a little research and Intuit is 2.75% too unless you pay their $12.95 per month fee then it goes down to 1.75%

[PaperFlora]

Here is some info from a thread about the Paypal reader too.

https://www.etsy.com/teams/15495/craft-fairs-festivals-shows/discuss/11854829/

[TheEnchantedWren]

I use the Square and I love it. The money goes right into our bank account, usually the next day. The fee is worth it for me, because it has saved sales I would have lost by only taking cash. Customers are very receptive, especially because I have them stand beside me and watch me go through the transaction if they've never seen it before. I haven't used the others but I do recommend this one highly.

[Former_Member]

I love the square. I've had it about a year and a half and have never had any issues. I get my money quickly and it's so easy to use. My friend has the intuit and I had to help her the first show she used it. We could not figure out how to make it work. It was not intuitive to use at all. I'm not sure if she's ever figured it out or not or how they are about getting your money to you. When I do a Saturday show, I have the money in my account Monday, Tuesday at the latest.

[TheDarkFen]

i like paypal b/c the money is immediately in my paypal account. which i have a debit card for.

i like square when it's for large amounts (over $100) and goes into my bank account.

haven't used intuit. i don't think i need a 3rd card swiper :P

[ArtfulFolk]

I've used Square for 2 years now and have never had a problem. I was leery at first since there is no phone number for support, so I also have Intuit as a backup. I far prefer Square -- faster deposit times, easier to use, much better recognition by customers (have you seen their TV ad?).

I haven't used the PayPal system, but I'd rather have cash in my bank account than funds in a PayPal account even with a debit card.

[PrairiePrimitives]

Love love loooove my Square!

True, they don't have phone support ... but the founder of Square is one of the co-founders of a little site called Twitter (you may have heard of it?); they respond VERY quickly when contacted that way!

[WhittyWireJewelry]

I love my square. Had a merchant account from bank initially, but didn't like paying monthly fees when I didn't do shows all the time. At least with square, there is no monthly fee.

[Former_Member]

I've only used square, its easy and dependable. I remember someone in one of the forum complaining about intuit not letting them get their money without providing some kind of information about them being a business or something like that after they used the device to collect money after a show.

[Former_Member]

Most of my friends use Square.
Its only draw back is a limit in-take of $2000.00 per transaction, and then you must wait 30 days for the funds.

[ArtfulFolk]

Crudeco -- you can have the limit waived/lifted or increased after establishing your history. Just request a higher limit.

[Former_Member]

I use PayPal as I have had a PP account FOREVER. The money goes right in my PP account, and like the other poster, I have a debit card for my PP account. Very dependable and easy to use.

Whatever choice you make, you will greatly increase your sales by taking plastic - its the American way. hehe

[Former_Member]

i have used both the square and Intuit. I have changed over to Intuit. Intuit seems more user friendly. I am able to open the program on my phone and my laptop. This way me an my assistant can take customer payments at the same time.
Deposits at least for me are put in my account quicker with Intuit then with the Square.

[PAGEFIFTYFIVE]

I use square and love it!

[Former_Member]

I personally think that Square is the best. I have used it since shortly after it came out (almost 3 years) and their service has only gotten better and more efficient. Here are the advantages I think they have:
**The money goes straight into my bank account - all in one lump sum (per day) and for shows that I do on a Saturday the funds are in my account on Monday afternoon. And if I do a show that is Saturday and Sunday - there are two deposits - money from Saturday, money from Sunday and both are available by Monday afternoon.
**I don't have to mess with transferring money from a Paypal account over to my regular account so that I can use it.
** When I noticed that my card reader was not working, I went online to order a new one - it came in the mail within 3 days - no charge.

But always have a back up to technology - in the three years of doing shows I have had two experiences where I was unable to use square - no wifi and no 3G access - I was in a large building and there was no signal. So I STONGLY recommend that you also have the "old fashioned" knuckle buster card machine to process credit cards. If I had not had the old style machine - I would have lost several hundred dollars worth of sales. And you can order a knuckle buster online for about $20-25 - which comes with the custom imprint plate (has my business name and info) and 100 carbon copy receipts for the machine. It is always a good idea to be prepared for the times when technology does not work!!
And in the case where I used the knuckle buster - I just explained to the customer that I was unable to access Square, that I was going to process the card the old fashioned way, then when I got home I got into my square account, processed the sales and then emailed the customer a receipt. Just be aware of what information you will need if you are going to be keying in the card number instead of swipeing - you will need card number, expiration date, 3 digit code on back of card, customer's zip code and an email if they want to receive a receipt.

[Former_Member]

I've been very happy with the Square. Having the ability to take Credit Cards has meant more sales for me. And, as the previous post mentioned, I always have the ability to take Credit Card info manually .... just in case. Then I just enter the info into Square when I get home.

[Former_Member]

I have used Square and PayPal Here, and now have a Intiut that I am waiting to use. I applied for it because Intiiut was the only one that let you process offline transactions, and I had a couple of experiences at holiday shows last year where I had spotty cell service.

[PaperFlora]

where can I get a back up "knuckle buster" ?

[Former_Member]

There was a show once where I didn't have cell reception (for my cell phone carrier, but it worked with other ppl), and it was such a hassle b/c i couldn't get the Square to work for me.
The customer was very patient as I was trying to get it to work. but it never did. it just drained my battery. So, I think Sara makes a very good point that Intiut let's you key it in even when you're offline. so, I think I'm going to get that just in case my cell phone carrier doesn't go everywhere.

[8thdaystudio]

I've used Intuit for a year or so and never had any issues. For me it was easy to figure out and use; money is always deposited on time; never had a customer question its integrity or security. There used to be an issue with having to log in each time you had to do a transaction (after leaving the app when a transaction was finished) but an update solved that problem; now it's always available when I need it. I know plenty of people who use Square and love it, so I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. Never used PayPal's service so I can't comment on that.

[Former_Member]

Love my square! Haven't had a reason to try any others.

[Former_Member]

if you have a helper at the show, do you both have card readers? do you think it would be a good idea for both people to have them?

[AmandaDoster]

Has anyone used a USB Reader? I found this USB reader online. It says it works with a variety of merchant accounts including Intuit. I don't have a smart phone, but I do have a computer...

http://www.usbswiper.com/usbswiper-usb-magnetic-stripe-credit-card-reader.html