Square vs PayPal vs ???

[Iguanadon]

Hi All,

 

As I'm a newbie at doing the vendor/booth/sales thing I'm thinking about being able to accept debit and credit cards.  My first Saturday nobody asked to pay by card and were happy and able to pay cash.  Today I had 3 or 4 requests to pay by card.

 

I have a Paypal account so I'm leaning towards their tool but wanted to check with those of you using Square or Paypal or any others that are out there for your thoughts and experience with them.

 

This is the Paypal option...  https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader

 

Thanks for any and all feedback and/or recommendation.

 

Thanks,

Iggy

 

 

[DWSUDEKUM]

Both have a free reader that can attach to your phone or tablet.  The difference is the amount they charge per transaction,

Personally I like the paypal one better, but that is just my preference.

 

 

DW

[bandaideman]

I have not tried any of these and will accept check or cash so far so good but do not do many vending shows. I am retired now and have more opurtunity to do them. I will need to eventually need to get in to it. However I do not have a smart phone but do have a tablet if that will work. I will be interested in seeing what is said here. Thanks for asking Iggy

[dgman]

I haven't used the PayPal option so I don't know anything about it, but I do use Square. They charge 2.75% of the transaction and the reader is free if you order it from them. You can buy the reader at places like Target, and they will credit the cost to your account.

Payment is usually in your account the next day.

It uses a register on your phone or tablet. You can add all sales, cash or charge so you can keep track of all your sales without counting your money in the corner of your booth.

The reader comes with stickers that you can apply on your tables so customers know they can use their cards.

I found my sales increased about 30% when I started accepting cards.

A few years back, during a cable and Internet upgrade, they threw in a free hotspot and dedicated line for free, so I use my iPad for transactions. The larger screen makes it easier to see the transactions.

With the increased sales, I don't mind paying the 2.75%!

[Dave Monk]

I am using paypal. I had an account already so it was very simple to set up To me there are no drawbacks other than they take a small percentage which they all are going to do. The nice part to me is if I want to buy supplies on line I can go ahead and use that paypal money. Of coarse I do not advertise taking credit card because I definitely prefer cash.

[Jim Finn]

I use a machine that prints out a paper receipt for the purchaser  and I get one with their signiture on it,  I got it from my bank.   I had to buy this machine.   2% fee plus forty cents per transaction.  20%-50% of my sales are credit.  I do not accept checks.

[dgman]

I forgot to mention, with Square, the buyer has an option to get a receipt via email, text or no receipt so there is no paper to worry about. You also get sales reports via email.

[NC Scroller]

I have the Square. No complaints. Money is deposited the next business day in my regular bank account. Do your homework. The Square as and PayPal devices do not work on all smartphones.

[EarltheScroller]

I started using the Paypal one because I already had an account with them. It is very easy to use and because I already had the account I could move money around with no problems. Accepting cards definitely boosted my sales. At least 1/2 of all sales are by cards and I have a big sign saying I accept credit cards.

[WayneMahler]

I use Square with no complaints. Accepting CC payments has opened up a lot for me. I tried Paypal, normally 3-4 days to transfer money to your account. Square is next business day. Square also supplied a new chip card reader, cost me but they refunded it through the transactions fees. Just what I have experienced and hope it helps.

[amazingkevin]

Hi All,

 

As I'm a newbie at doing the vendor/booth/sales thing I'm thinking about being able to accept debit and credit cards.  My first Saturday nobody asked to pay by card and were happy and able to pay cash.  Today I had 3 or 4 requests to pay by card.

 

I have a Paypal account so I'm leaning towards their tool but wanted to check with those of you using Square or Paypal or any others that are out there for your thoughts and experience with them.

 

This is the Paypal option...  https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader

 

Thanks for any and all feedback and/or recommendation.

 

Thanks,

Iggy

I can't stand checks .They are in trash piles and easy to forge.I've only had one bad check and that  was from a friend,go figure

[Lucky2]

Kevin, with friends like that, you don't need any enemies.

Len

[Lucky2]

Iggy, I don't use either system, but, I've never heard or read anything negative about Square. The main issue I've read or heard about Pay-Pal, is that it takes longer to access your money. So, I think you'd be safe with either one, it all depends upon if you can afford to wait a couple of extra days to get your money.

 

Len

[Iguanadon]

As always, thanks for all of the responses, input and information.  I've gone ahead and signed up for PayPal since I have an account with them.  If there is a delay of a couple of days in receiving the funds that's not an issue for me.  I'll put it to the test the weekend of July 4th and if I run into any issues I'll report back.

 

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out here.

[orangeman]

I switched from a card reader machine with paper printer to PayPal reader on my tablet. Should have done that years ago. Fees are much less!

 

At the last show during Memorial Day weekend the booth next to us was experiencing problems with Square and had trouble processing charges. I don't know how they were connecting to the cell tower.

 

We had the same problem in Fairhope, AL last March during a big show. There were so many folks using their cell phones on a Saturday afternoon that the cell tower became clogged and we could not process charges. We connect via AT&T.

[edward]

I been doing craft shows for a number of years, and only  had a couple people ask me if I took credit cards, I do take checks which I never had a problem. I also have pay pal but my phone is not hooked up for it... Just my opinion.  edward

[lawson56]

Just me personally,I have been doing Craft shows Big flea markets for awhile,and I take only cash,sometimes chks'.very few have asked me if I take cards.but that's me.Great Luck in your Vendering

[Iguanadon]

Quick update... I went with PayPal, ordered my little swiping thing and it arrived today.  I had already downloaded the app so I logged into my PayPal account, plugged in the swiper and tested it by selling myself something for $25.  Everything went perfectly.  My credit card was charged, my PayPal account showed the sale right away less the small fee.  

 

My next date at the farmers market is next Saturday July 2nd and I'll get to try it in the real world.  I'll only report back if I have any issues or problems.

[ike]

I have been doing shows for many years , maybe i get ask for credit cards but I do only cash and Local checks never had a problem with checks, even if i did have a bad check in the long run it is still cheaper., I will stick with it.

IKE

[oldhudson]

Paypal.