Credit card reader

[edward]

Has anyone had any experience with a square credit card reader which plugs right into the phone, I seen someone at the last show has one, and they like it, just wondering. edward

[Dave Monk]

I use Paypal card reader and like it. dave

[MrsN]

I have used one as a buyer many times and love it! I don't always carry much cash, and love when I can still make impulse buys of awesome stuff.

[Iguanadon]

I use that one.  Square is great, I've never had a glitch.

 

I used to use the PayPal version, however every so often it wouldn't swipe and when I got a new phone (a Google Pixel), it wouldn't work at all so I switched to Square and am glad I did.

[Paladin]

I've been using square for years and have no complaints.  Upgraded to the chip reader from them last year and that works great too.  Money is deposited into your bank account automatically the next day.

 

Steve

[jbrowning]

I use the square also. I've never had an issue other that when my phone doesn't have a signal. But that isn't the squares fault.

 

Jim

[MTCowpoke22]

I used the Square when I bartended a few years back. Personally, I didn't think it was all that great, but it may have been the fact that the square wasn't taken care of. The bar had an older I-phone it was permanently attached to. Most of the time it wouldn't read the card, so I had to enter in all the information. That can be really time consuming. Also, if you have to enter in all the info, the zip code for the card holder is one of the fields. Seems simple enough, but if someone's using a business card, they may not know exactly what address the card is registered under. It will reject the transaction if the zip is wrong. Anyways, Just my experience. And I'm sure if you don't throw it around on a dirty, sticky bar top, it'll probably work better than what I had to use.  

[Iguanadon]

One trick/hint... If you are somewhere that there is a WIFI signal, be sure to turn your WIFI off on your phone.  For whatever reason it doesn't seem to like using WIFI in most cases.  It took me a couple of times to figure that out.

[NC Scroller]

Another SQUARE user and love it. Seems like more and more people prefer to use credit cards. This past year I paid extra for the chip reader and I feel it was worth it. Be warned. Square and other such devices do not work with all phones. Check yours to be sure.

[WayneMahler]

I have both Square and PayPal. The only I use is Square. Been using it for a few years and very happy with it. Also I'm sure it helps increase sales as 50 % of my business is on CC.

[edward]

Thanks for all the combacks, think I will order one soon before my next show. edward

[redwine]

Edward, you will love the Square and you will be surprised by the increase in your sales. Mine was 65% with the card over cash, checks this past year. I also have the chip reader which is $49 more that will take not only the chip card but the newest accounts that the customer just puts the phone next to the reader and its done. Square has also proven that their reader will do the transaction in 4.2 seconds so the customer is not standing there waiting like it is in the big stores. I use a tablet so it is much different for us, if there is not wifi I have to go off line and just use the small square and swipe the cards. No big deal for as soon as the tablet picks up a signal that is already stored all of the transactions are sent to Square. It is very easy to use and the customers will appreciate that you take cards and not miss a sale.

Erv

[dgman]

I too use Square. My sales increased by more than 50% when I started taking cards. I use it with my lPad and a hot spot. I prefer using the iPad as it has a much larger screen.

[JimErn]

One trick/hint... If you are somewhere that there is a WIFI signal, be sure to turn your WIFI off on your phone.  For whatever reason it doesn't seem to like using WIFI in most cases.  It took me a couple of times to figure that out.

I have never seen that.  I use square personally and in my wife's store.

 

I bought a burner phone for her store, enabled wifi, linked the phone, and never paid for any air time - Square works fine.

 

Cell phones default to wifi (internet) if they are logged in, no data plan usage is accumulated or used at all.

 

I used PayAnywhere when I started, nothing but problems, changing policies, etc., so I switched to square.  one thing I really like about Square is that when I email support with a question I get an actual answer and not a copy/paste of standard response or FAQ entries.

[Iguanadon]

I have never seen that.  I use square personally and in my wife's store.

 

I bought a burner phone for her store, enabled wifi, linked the phone, and never paid for any air time - Square works fine.

 

Cell phones default to wifi (internet) if they are logged in, no data plan usage is accumulated or used at all.

 

I used PayAnywhere when I started, nothing but problems, changing policies, etc., so I switched to square.  one thing I really like about Square is that when I email support with a question I get an actual answer and not a copy/paste of standard response or FAQ entries.

 

Just this past weekend, at my last event, one of the vendors next to me asked if I was having trouble with my Square.  I told him to turn off his WIFI, I had to when my first customer tried to pay by credit card.  He turned his off and had no more problems.  It's not all the time, just occassionally. 

 

It may be since you were using your own WIFI and likely had logged into it with the password, there were no issues.

 

It's just something to keep in mind if you ever have an issue at an event away from home.

[NC Scroller]

Many times the WiFi will get maxed out by clients and vendors. That is the only I have had an issue. I always ask if the if there is a private password protected network. You would be surprised how many places do.

[bandaideman]

I have considered the square. I have not done more than 2shows a year now retired may do more. But if I keep with 2 is it worth it. I have a show first week end in May but don't know if I would have it by then and may not need again until fall. I like others always have many ask if I take cards and often lose the sale about 40 % of the time. or some say they will be back with check book or cash don't usually see them again.

[Iguanadon]

I have considered the square. I have not done more than 2shows a year now retired may do more. But if I keep with 2 is it worth it. I have a show first week end in May but don't know if I would have it by then and may not need again until fall. I like others always have many ask if I take cards and often lose the sale about 40 % of the time. or some say they will be back with check book or cash don't usually see them again.

 

It's worth it in my opinion.  There is minimal cost up front and there are only small transaction fees.  If you don't use it for several months, it doesn't cost you anything.

[NC Scroller]

I have considered the square. I have not done more than 2shows a year now retired may do more. But if I keep with 2 is it worth it. I have a show first week end in May but don't know if I would have it by then and may not need again until fall. I like others always have many ask if I take cards and often lose the sale about 40 % of the time. or some say they will be back with check book or cash don't usually see them again.

Dan when I ordered mine it came in less then a week. I ordered directly from Square. All the setup took less then 20 minutes. Just make sure your cell or tablet are compatible.

[Tommy Johnson]

I have been using Square for several years now and for the most part very happy with it. Had problems with the first chip reader I got but they replaced it very fast at no charge if you get the old one back to them in a certain amount of time. The chip reader needs to be charged up every day. You can find the regular readers at just about any retail store now. I have even seen them in Home Depot. I know that when I was able to start accepting credit/debit cards my sales went up quite a bit! Good luck on the sales!

[bandaideman]

Thank you for your responses guys. I do not have a Iphone but do have a Verizon tablet I will see if they are compatable. if not may have to wait a little. to get tablet that works with it.

[edward]

I ordered mine today! edward