PayPal?

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Those that do shows, have any of you used PayPal as a means to collect money from customer. If so could you give some details of how you went about it and what is needed. Does the customer have to have a PayPal account? How do you know the money gets sent before transaction is done? Any other details would be appreciated. Thank You!

[kmmcrafts]

Not much of a in person seller but I wouldn't use PayPal.. Unless they changed and they have a card reader system like Square does... The card reader I believe you link to your bank and you get instant payment.. unless the card is declined..

https://squareup.com/us/en/hardware/reader

 

Maybe some of those that sell regularly may know more.. but this was what everyone was talking about a few years ago

 

[barb.j.enders]

I don't use PayPal.  I have an old square unit that plugged into the headphone jack on the phone and had to swipe the card.  Upgraded this year to a blue tooth tap system.  Works great.  They deposit the money into the account on file, the next business day.  So for a sale on the weekend, I get the money on Monday.

[rafairchild2]

I am slowly setting up the hooks for sales.  I was fiddling with PayPal making my account for business and such... and then for some reason, PP banned my account!!  Here I have had an account for over 20 years.  Long before eBay had bought it.  Never had any issues, no bounced cards, connected to the same bank account, zero balance on PP credit. 

It was about a month after I was trying to set something up and they locked my account.  I uploaded my ID, but it still stayed locked.  I spoke to a CS rep and he was not sure why it was locked. He then said it should be taken care of in 3 days.  Nope.. nada...  I got an email asking for more info again, but I clicked on the link and it said I cannot access it... ?!?!?!?!

So they lost a 20+ year customer.

I now have a Square account, a basic sales site, and also the CC reader that plugs into my smartphone. So if I wind up selling items, I can do so.

Edited November 18, 2023 by rafairchild2

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I was trying to stay away from taking credit cards when and if I hit the selling circuit again. I know I would only be doing a couple shows and when I use to sell I only took checks and cash. But I figured many people today buy things through PayPal because most sites today offer it as an option. CC are risky when buying and I hate to be one who handles someone's CC for fear of it getting hacked and then I get accused. I have had a PP account for many many years and actually love it. Never had a problem. I kind of figured the other person needed an account also. I do not own a smart phone but plan on getting one next year but nothing elaborate. I am planning on visiting a couple craft shows this year to check them out. I always do that before I commit to do a show there. so I may dip the toe back in the water. That is the reason to ask. I will talk to other crafters about Square because that seems to be the latest craze. I want to hear the bad parts too just like the person above stated about their problem with PayPal. There is always 2 sides to everything. Thanks

[dgman]

John, like Barbara, I use Square. Most cards have chips embedded in them. You as a seller don’t even have to touch the card. The customer just taps against the card reader. You as a seller never sees or has access to the card number. If there is a dispute, Square handles it all. All in all, it is safe and secure for you and the customer. You pay a charge of 3-4% and I think 10 cents per transaction. No other charges. For me, that’s part of doing business. At my last show, 80% of sales were cc or debit cards. I am going to be upgrading to the Square terminal real soon. It is a handheld self contained unit. You don’t need a phone or IPad to use it. It also prints receipts. You do need Wi-Fi, but I use a hot spot furnished by my phone carrier, or you can activate Wi-Fi on your cellphone.

[kmmcrafts]

You probably would lose some sales but you could do cash only.. Most all of the bigger shows I've been to have a mobile ATM machine at the show.. However.. like I said.. you likely lose some sales because people like convenience and having to go to ATM also gives them time to reconsider the purchase.. 

I don't think you have to have a PP account to pay.. unless they changed that recently.. however, that said it goes back to convenience.. people aren't going to want to get on their phone and enter their card number in paypal and pay you.. It's quite a process to do without a account.. even with a account it's not simple like the Square reader where you just tap or swipe the card and go on your way..

[dgman]

31 minutes ago, dgman said:

John, like Barbara, I use Square. Most cards have chips embedded in them. You as a seller don’t even have to touch the card. The customer just taps against the card reader. You as a seller never sees or has access to the card number. If there is a dispute, Square handles it all. All in all, it is safe and secure for you and the customer. You pay a charge of 3-4% and I think 10 cents per transaction. No other charges. For me, that’s part of doing business. At my last show, 80% of sales were cc or debit cards. I am going to be upgrading to the Square terminal real soon. It is a handheld self contained unit. You don’t need a phone or IPad to use it. It also prints receipts. You do need Wi-Fi, but I use a hot spot furnished by my phone carrier, or you can activate Wi-Fi on your cellphone.

While I would prefer cash, most people don’t carry cash anymore, and nobody carries a checkbook anymore either. If you don’t accept cards, you will lose sales!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I think over the years that I sold at shows maybe lost 5 to 6 sales because I did not take cards but things have changed. I may look deep into the square thing if I really want to get back on the circuit. The only reason I am wanting to do that is because I want to get rid of my inventory and when it is gone I am gone. I would just sell pens. pens are so much easier to sell and set up booths. I can make 10 times what I made selling scrolled items and all that carrying around. I already bought my pen display cases. Would sell a few other small items too but not all the clocks and baskets I make. Things maybe opening up again after the pandemic so it is a thought. The big thing is I am that much older and not as easy to do shows any more and I never want to do web sites. that is too much work and like having another job because it is year round. Do a couple shows around Christmas time and make a few dollars and I am good. These are my thoughts right now because I am getting the bug again. 

Speaking of cash, I am old school and still use cash unless it is a large purchase than I use a card. but good old green paper is the way I fly. Love the site of Presidents on paper. 

Edited November 18, 2023 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[kmmcrafts]

3 minutes ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I think over the years that I sold at shows maybe lost 5 to 6 sales because I did not take cards but things have changed. I may look deep into the square thing if I really want to get back on the circuit. The only reason I am wanting to do that is because I want to get rid of my inventory and when it is gone I am gone. I would just sell pens. pens are so much easier to sell and set up booths. I can make 10 times what I made selling scrolled items and all that carrying around. I already bought my pen display cases. Would sell a few other small items too but not all the clocks and baskets I make. Things maybe opening up again after the pandemic so it is a thought. The big thing is I am that much older and not as easy to do shows any more and I never want to do web sites. that is too much work and like having another job because it is year round. Do a couple shows around Christmas time and make a few dollars and I am good. These are my thoughts right now because I am getting the bug again. 

I read a new article on a ecommerce news site that said people are slowly shifting back to the in person sales and ditching the online.. Many of the online sellers are saying it's slow ( including me ) and I've been seeing post about the craft shows doing great so you may do well at it..

If I go back to the in person selling I'll only do a couple shows a year and primarily focus on just themed ornaments.. likely do shows around the holidays.. Online selling will have to die out much more than it is now before I go back to the in person though.. 

[Wichman]

I have a Paypal account, just a consumer account, a Square account for sales and a Venmo account for sales and payments.

All three are the same company. Square and Venmo are just different parts.

I'm getting ready to ditch all three, the threat of scams keeps getting larger and the fees, while small, add up.

Back in the day, I'd cash my paycheck and then take cash to pay bills; more and more of where I paid bills disappeared and I had to pay with plastic and an additional fee to do so. Then came the day when the bank that the boss used wanted to charge me to cash a paycheck; started using the phone to deposit the paychecks, I never had any issues with doing so, but I didn't trust it.

IMHO people in general are fed up with the little fees that add up and are starting to go back to cash. We'll see.

[dgman]

3 hours ago, Wichman said:

I have a Paypal account, just a consumer account, a Square account for sales and a Venmo account for sales and payments.

All three are the same company. Square and Venmo are just different parts.

I'm getting ready to ditch all three, the threat of scams keeps getting larger and the fees, while small, add up.

Back in the day, I'd cash my paycheck and then take cash to pay bills; more and more of where I paid bills disappeared and I had to pay with plastic and an additional fee to do so. Then came the day when the bank that the boss used wanted to charge me to cash a paycheck; started using the phone to deposit the paychecks, I never had any issues with doing so, but I didn't trust it.

IMHO people in general are fed up with the little fees that add up and are starting to go back to cash. We'll see.

Square is not a part of PayPal. Venmo is. In order to accept cc, there has to be fees. Most Companies that process cards charge a monthly fee plus fees for each transaction. Square only charges 3-4% plus 10 cents each transaction, no monthly or service fees. My last show, 80% were cards. If I didn’t accept cards, I would have lost 80% of my business! 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I need something that does not have monthly fees and only charges when used and sounds like square does this. I will only be doing 1 or 2 shows max a year and they will be around Christmas season when that is the big sales times. Always has been. If I decide to go through with the entire plan of getting a smart phone to doing shows I will be back with more questions on the exact workings of probably both phone and square use. Bring back the old days man. Cash is KING. 

[dgman]

2 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

I need something that does not have monthly fees and only charges when used and sounds like square does this. I will only be doing 1 or 2 shows max a year and they will be around Christmas season when that is the big sales times. Always has been. If I decide to go through with the entire plan of getting a smart phone to doing shows I will be back with more questions on the exact workings of probably both phone and square use. Bring back the old days man. Cash is KING. 

If you sign up with Square, they will send you a free swiper, or at least they did when I first signed up six or eight years ago. Nevertheless, it cost about $15. But I would suggest you get the Square reader which is contact free. But you do need either a smart phone or tablet. Then you will need internet service. I have a hot spot, but most smartphones have a hot spot feature. If you don’t have a smartphone, you are showing your age and I’m 70, no offense!
If you do decide to get back into it, whether it’s turnings or scroll work, we’ll be here for you John!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I got you by a couple years. yes age plays a huge part in today's world of progress. Do people even carry wallets any more?? I still do. Even have a money clip.

[Wichman]

4 hours ago, dgman said:

Square is not a part of PayPal. Venmo is. In order to accept cc, there has to be fees. Most Companies that process cards charge a monthly fee plus fees for each transaction. Square only charges 3-4% plus 10 cents each transaction, no monthly or service fees. My last show, 80% were cards. If I didn’t accept cards, I would have lost 80% of my business! 

You are so very right, thanks for keeping me straight.

[BadBob]

18 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

having to go to ATM also gives them time to reconsider the purchase

I would not buy it if I had to go to an ATM. I can't remember when I used an ATM or paid cash for anything. I use Discover for online purchases and Visa for local. Discover has buitin fraud protection.

[Jim McDonald]

I have a Square plug in reader, simply to get those two or three folks at every show that don't carry cash. 

Yes, there is a fee, but losing 3 or 4 percent to fees or losing the sale was my rationale. I don't do many shows as my sawing is recreational not vocational, so the small amount I pay in fees is what we used to call the cost of doing business. 

I just hope to buy some blades and wood from the proceeds. 

[barb.j.enders]

There is no additional fees for the Square, unless you are wanting some of the other options.  I have the contactless tap, that I paid for.  Money is deposited next business day.  It can be deposited immediately for an additional fee.  I used to also do e-transfers, but that is cumbersome.

[John M]

I do a lot of craft or in person shows. My forms of accepted payment are cash, check,credit-debit with square and venmo. If you do a lot of shows you will realize that most people do not carry cash.