Square Mobile Credit Card Device

[Former_Member]

(I posted this in one of the other teams I belong to, so apologies to those who are on both and have to see this twice!)

Have any of you used this? I just saw someone with it yesterday and ordered one for myself.

squareup.com/?gclid=CO683-ONza0CFclgTAodyWn5jw

Here's a review: www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2380586,00.asp

In a nutshell, it's a little add-on to your iPhone or iPad that allows you to take credit cards as a payment when you're out and about. (Craft Fairs?) And how about when you're out to dinner with a group of friends and trying to split up the bill?

Their fees are 2.75% of each transaction. PayPal's are 2.95% plus .30 cents.

I haven't found any reason not to use it...have any of you heard anything about it or tried it yet?

[Former_Member]

Oooo la la! I like that the fees are cheaper than paypal! Makes it worth it! Thanks for sharing :)

[GreenOrchidDS]

Hi, My sister and I use square when on the road...we've had no problem.

[ScytheAndStemFarm]

I use it for artists' markets. I LOVE it! It can be a little tricky to swipe - you have to do it really fast, and sometimes make several attempts, but other than that I've had no issues.

When it arrives, make sure you use your own card at home to trial a sale with the reader so you don't end up stuck with a faulty reader (this happened to a girlfriend of mine - she sent it back and they quickly replaced it), and so you kind of get the hang of it.

My last show, it definitely got me more business since people either didn't bring cash, or ran out by the time they got to me. Out of 5 stars, I'd give it 4.5 (only because it can be tricky to swipe.)

Also, they'll send you a little sign that you can display prominently that lets browser's know you accept cards.

[Former_Member]

I've been meaning to get this! Thanks for the reminder.
It's looks like it will work great!

[ecoPaperie]

Hey there!

I use Intuit Go Payment for craft fairs and it works great! They have two plans - 1) high volume sales: you pay a monthly fee but the % per transaction is lower or 2) low volume sales: you don't pay a monthly fee but the % per transaction is slightly higher. I am pleased with it! I have the second option and the % is around 2.7 for swiped cards. I got my device for free, as well!

[Former_Member]

Thanks! I can't wait to try it out when it comes.

[Former_Member]

Would it work with a blackberry? Anyone have experience with this or know someone who does?

[Former_Member]

I do not think it works with blackberries, but I'm sure it works with Androids and iphones. The best source of information is straight from the app, called "Square" in the app store. It's free for iphone, and they send you the "square" in the mail once you sign up. You just plug it into the headphone port on your phone and swipe a card through. Super user friendly. I do not personally use it, but I know many people who do.

[Former_Member]

I have one and use it with my Andriod. I love it! The last time I did an in-house show it was a huge hit! It's such a great option to have.

[Former_Member]

I got one and it worked very well! I agree with Abbey, practice swiping at home. It's kind of an unnatural motion and takes some getting used to. I also found it helpful to position one thumb at the base of the square and against my iPhone to hold it steady as I swipe...otherwise it will tend to spin in the socket.

I've had no issues with the processing etc. and customers have had no issue with me using it i.e.security etc. It's a huge help when doing shows!

[Former_Member]

My hubby and I got one earlier this winter to use at craft fairs. As of right now we only have an ipod touch, so we can only use it at locations with secure wifi capabilities, but it has worked very well so far. They take a small % off each transaction, and the money is deposited into your bank account within 2-3 days, the same as a PayPal transfer. My favorite feature is that you can either email or text a receipt to the customer immediately if they so choose.
Once we get more involved with the craft fair scene we will invest in an iphone or android with an internet plan, it just hasn't been worth it so far. Many people still want to pay with cash.

The only problem we have had was because of the WiFi, not the square. If you use an ipod or ipad that needs a WiFi connection, make sure that you have signal at your booth before you tell people you take cards =). At the first craft fair that I used our square no one was able to get signal, even though we were told there was WiFi. Many vendors ended up having to go outside to get enough signal to process a transaction.

[Former_Member]

i have used mine at a craft fair and i think almost every single vendor had one! you can always manually enter in the cc # if you can't get the swipe to work, or if the swiper hasn't yet come. we also saw people using it with their iPads and it was working fine!

i found it pretty handy and my customers enjoyed the experience as well! not to mention some of them being stoked that they didn't need to have cash on hand to purchase things (i can't count the # of times i go in to a craft fair and then wish i brought more cash)!

[Triburban]

I have one and I love it!!

[Badanbody]

I love my square!!!! I have yet to have a problem with it, and payment into my account is prompt!

[Former_Member]

Square is wonderful! No problems yet (knock on wood). It was sad how many sales I lost before getting it.

[PurelyChicDesigns]

I use it at shows and for personal sales. Have never had an issue, the money is transfered quickly, it helps get me sales, and it is AWESOME!

[thevicagirl]

A friend of mine has one, and has me convinced into getting one. Then I remembered I don't have a smart phone.

[Former_Member]

I use it at craft fairs and I love it! It literally saved me this past summer when I was doing a 2 day fair and literally every customer used credit card or debit card. The money quickly goes into your account. SImple, easy and worth it to me! (ps I use with an iphone)

[Former_Member]

I now use this at farmers market and I love it!

[FrenchVintagePrints]

Does it work only in the US ? So far that's been the case with every intelligent and cheap credit card device...

[Former_Member]

I just ordered it for events after my friend showed me the one he got. After some researched I decided that it was totally worth the $0 it costs for the convenience :) I also like how it automatically creates receipts and the fees are comparable to Paypal and others

[MomNMiaDesigns]

I have one and I love it! It's easy to use, the customer signs right on your phone screen, and you can text or email a copy of the receipt directly to your customer as the charge goes through! Another huge advantage over other processors is that YOU get your money within a few days rather than having to wait a week or more.

Just make sure there is a network signal wherever you are planning to use it. I've run into a few shows where the wireless didn't work, or something in the building slowed the signal down.

I always bring the old fashioned carbon paper (knucklebuster) forms with me just in case for a backup.

[Former_Member]

Does anyone use it for your ETSY sales?
When a customer wants pay with CC.

[Former_Member]

I am so glad to hear such good things about this! I just received mine in the mail yesterday. I can't wait to use it at my first craft fair this year (in March). Great idea to check for wifi!!