[SShirley]

Hi, I'm considering getting into accepting credit cards and wanted any advice on that. I'm thinking of a unit that I can use in my gallery and also take along to shows. Our clay group had a group show over the weekend and we did quite a bit in credit cards. It was our first time, and a borrowed machine, but it worked really well and people were glad we had that option available.

My questions are:
Do you take credit cards? Why or why not?
If so, what kind of service do you use and do you recommend it?
What has your experience been, good or bad?

Thanks,

Sylvia
Pittsburg, KS

[Chris Campbell]

If you need a service and want more information, I would like to recommend that you visit the TeaMac website :
teamacinc.com/

Their specialty is artists and crafters ... they know our business needs and have multiple options available.
They have been around for a long time and I have never heard a bad word against them.

As to the pros and cons of accepting cards ... In my experience, there are simply no cons that outweigh the pros.
Like many other aspects of being a real business, it is simply expected. Not having this service for your customers
loses sales & credibility.

[GEP]

I have been using CellCharge for about 8 years, and I am very happy with the service. It is designed for small businesses just like pottery sales. The fees are cheap and simple to calculate. Their website is http://cellcharge.com

I agree with Chris, the pros outweigh the cons by a mile. I live (and sell) in a metropolitan area, and around here it is a baseline expectation. I admit that when I look at my Quickbooks file at the end of the year and see how much I gave to CellCharge, I don't like it. But then I consider the sales it took to generate those fees, and I feel better.

-Mea

[melodymck]

SShirley, on 07 May 2010 - 12:19 PM, said:

Hi, I'm considering getting into accepting credit cards and wanted any advice on that. I'm thinking of a unit that I can use in my gallery and also take along to shows. Our clay group had a group show over the weekend and we did quite a bit in credit cards. It was our first time, and a borrowed machine, but it worked really well and people were glad we had that option available.

My questions are:
Do you take credit cards? Why or why not?
If so, what kind of service do you use and do you recommend it?
What has your experience been, good or bad?

Thanks,

Sylvia
Pittsburg, KS

I take cards through Propay, an online processor. I use an old-fashioned knucklebuster credit card machine and then input the card info online when I get home at the end of the sales day. It only costs about $30 a year, plus fees per transaction. I used to do more craft shows and had a monthly contract and an expensive wireless terminal, but this is much cheaper and works just as well. And when I am not selling I am not paying a monthly fee.

The only risk is that the card is not authorized on the spot, but so far I haven't had one that hasn't gone through. You can buy the card imprinter and sales slips on ebay. An easy way to get into it without needing to get a merchant account approved. They also offer an electronic swiper, but I have heard some folks have had problems with it. It works fine for me to use the old fashioned machine, as I mainly sell at a farmer's market where not everyone takes cards--so folks are just happy that I do!

It is definitely worth doing in some form or another, most people pay with plastic, and even when they have gone to the ATM before shopping they often add onto their sale when they realize they can use their credit or debit card.

Good luck,
Melody

[Carolyn Dorr]

Potters Council members have had great sucess with Chase Paymentech for credit card processing:

Credit Card Processing: check out the credit card processing program available. Note: only $3.50 monthly fee.

http://media.ceramic...l-oct-sch-a.pdf

To see full terms and conditions:
http://merchants.chasepaymentech.com/

Call them directly at:

1.800.824.4313

[Thom-whirledmud]

Look at quickbooks on line. There is little to no fee!