|
|
Post by HankRocks on May 18, 2019 9:36:55 GMT -5
Glad you had a decent show. Sounds like you seriously need to get yourself a Square for those credit and debit card purchases. We use it at the few shows we do and wouldn't be without it. Everybody is so used to not carrying cash anymore, it's really a necessity in order to make sales. Definitely worth it, IMO. I agree with what you said but I have been surprised at how few sales not being able to take a Card has cost me. Maybe 1 or 2 per Show. The main reason I don't have one is that I am still in the Dark Ages with phone technology, my good old Flip Phone!! I do not take upgrading lightly as I am pretty sure that "Henry getting a Smart Phone" is one of the 7 Seals of the Apocalypse. |
|
|
|
Post by miket on May 18, 2019 10:03:40 GMT -5
I think you're display looked great!
|
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on May 18, 2019 10:03:53 GMT -5
Glad you had a decent show. Sounds like you seriously need to get yourself a Square for those credit and debit card purchases. We use it at the few shows we do and wouldn't be without it. Everybody is so used to not carrying cash anymore, it's really a necessity in order to make sales. Definitely worth it, IMO. I agree with what you said but I have been surprised at how few sales not being able to take a Card has cost me. Maybe 1 or 2 per Show. The main reason I don't have one is that I am still in the Dark Ages with phone technology, my good old Flip Phone!! I do not take upgrading lightly as I am pretty sure that "Henry getting a Smart Phone" is one of the 7 Seals of the Apocalypse. Vince also is in dark ages, but being a realtor necessitates having a "smart" phone. The decision to get a Square was made after losing a couple of nice sales because we didn't take credit cards. The Square (at least when I first got it) was free when you signed up and it doesn't cost anything if you don't use it. The fee per transaction is low and totally worth it. I had to upgrade to the contactless and chip reading Square when I upgraded my phone and didn't realize it didn't have a jack in it to plug my old Square into. I think it was only $50 and it's been paid for many times over already.
I guess it also depends on what you are selling and probably even your community. Not a lot of people carry cash around here anymore. Since we sell the jewelry I make (and I only use silver), cabs, slabs and our opals, some of it can be more pricey and it's good to know that we have the ability to take cc's in case someone wants to buy that $13K opal in the tray.
|
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on May 18, 2019 10:53:48 GMT -5
I think you're display looked great! Thanks. A lot more basic than what I do for 1-2 day indoor shows. |
|
|
|
Post by Rockindad on May 18, 2019 13:23:04 GMT -5
Glad you had a great experience. Hope the connections you made pay off for you in the not so distant future!
Al
|
|
MommaGem
spending too much on rocks
Member since April 2019
Posts: 312
|
Post by MommaGem on May 20, 2019 7:55:29 GMT -5
Sounds like you had a wonderful show and learned some lessons for next time - Congratulations!!  |
|
|
|
Post by MsAli on May 20, 2019 15:17:08 GMT -5
I am so happy you had a great experience. Sometimes, that is all that matters and the next time will go even better from the lessons learned this time around
If you already have Paypal they will send you a card reader upon request. It is really easy to use.
Also there are other apps like Cash App where you do not even need a card reader.
You can always ask your customer if they have a cash app. Takes just a few seconds to sign up.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 16:03:18 GMT -5
Glad you had a decent show. Sounds like you seriously need to get yourself a Square for those credit and debit card purchases. We use it at the few shows we do and wouldn't be without it. Everybody is so used to not carrying cash anymore, it's really a necessity in order to make sales. Definitely worth it, IMO. Paypal seems like a good option. How do you think it compares to Square? I think I'd use the paypal one. People are so familiar with paypal. |
|
zarguy
fully equipped rock polisher
Cedar City, Utah - rockhound heaven!
Member since December 2005
Posts: 1,791
|
Post by zarguy on May 20, 2019 16:05:55 GMT -5
I'd like to add my voice about accepting credit card sales.
Do it!
When I was planning to do my first show, I knew that accepting credit cards was going to add to my sales.
I got my first smart phone just so I could use a Square & accept cards.
My first show was 60 - 70% CC sales!
That was in 2011.
Now, hardly anyone carries cash, even at Arts & Craft shows.
When Square was first introduced, the CC reader was free.
No fees to join up. Just 2.75% fee for each swipe.
That's a pretty low cost to make a sale.
Do it!
Lynn
|
|
|
|
Post by rockjunquie on May 20, 2019 16:07:33 GMT -5
I like your set up. I was looking at your table legs and wondering what kind of table you had. You can get big lightweight ones at walmart pretty cheap now. Everything seems to have gone ok. I'm really glad you had a good show. It's better to learn under fun and happy circumstances than to be plagued with issues and try to manage. I don't know how much you made, but connections are free and potentially more valuable.  |
|
|
|
Post by hummingbirdstones on May 20, 2019 21:46:14 GMT -5
Glad you had a decent show. Sounds like you seriously need to get yourself a Square for those credit and debit card purchases. We use it at the few shows we do and wouldn't be without it. Everybody is so used to not carrying cash anymore, it's really a necessity in order to make sales. Definitely worth it, IMO. Paypal seems like a good option. How do you think it compares to Square? I think I'd use the paypal one. People are so familiar with paypal. I really can't compare them. I've never used the PayPal one because when we first started doing shows, Square was the only way to go. I will say that almost all of the vendors at our big club show use Square. People are used to it and it is easy and seamless. They send the money to your bank account very quickly (usually a day) and send emails for each transaction. You can even send a receipt to a customer's email if they wish. |
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on May 21, 2019 4:38:58 GMT -5
I like your set up. I was looking at your table legs and wondering what kind of table you had. You can get big lightweight ones at walmart pretty cheap now. Everything seems to have gone ok. I'm really glad you had a good show. It's better to learn under fun and happy circumstances than to be plagued with issues and try to manage. I don't know how much you made, but connections are free and potentially more valuable. The table I brought for outside is an older one that folds in half. It has a handle on one end. About 36" by 36" when folded. Fits in my car nicely. |
|
|
|
Post by fernwood on May 21, 2019 4:40:47 GMT -5
Will be looking into the car readers. Thanks for the info everyone.
|
|
