I’ve used the Square for a United Way Charity Event, so basically I had my scarves set out on a table for a few hours. I was very pleased I had it. I saw it used at a group show a few week earlier with an I pad, but I used my smart phone.
At the group show the alternating cashiers had trouble swiping the card so I spent some time practicing at home before the event. They even have an online tutorial to practice swiping, which I found very helpful. I got the Square kit two days before the show and on the day before the show I spent a few hours getting familiar with it. I made print out copies of how to void a transaction, giving a partial refund, etc. It was funny because the clients thought I was an old pro at taking credit cards.
The kit included a vinyl sticker showing images of the credit cards accepted and I put that on the cover of the notebook with the print out. A customer stopped in mid sentence asking if I take credit cards when she saw the signage.
Disadvantages.
It’s not sent up to take mailing address if you wanted to collect them. I had a guest book but there was so much activity at my table it just got covered with scarves. I did take phone numbers in case of potential problems.
Tips.
When using a smart phone It was difficult entering the buyers email address. But that’s the phone not Square.
If you could bring a helper perhaps have 2 squares. I was by myself and it took me between 7-10 minutes per transactions.
Which I wish was faster since people were waiting to pay. One even asked if I’d hold her stuff and she would come back to pay when it was less busy.
I don’t know if paypal would be faster or if they access or store mailing address.
Someone suggested bringing both incase one of them is down. Great idea!
Also it would have been nice to have access to the funds immediately with the PayPal debit card, but it wasn’t too long getting the funds from Square.
Also if using PayPal's system perhaps they would include seller protection.
For that evening all transactions went though Square except one was cash. From total sales 88% were credit card so I was thrilled I had the Square.
Good luck everyone.
