Makers, how do you get paid?

GDOK

GDOK

Joined
Feb 4, 2011
Messages
115
I recently got talked into going through the process of accepting credit card payments by some friends as well as by requests on the forums.

It's giving me a serious headache

Who else has gone through that process, or do you stick to cash/check/money order/paypal?
 
CC is very simple, but you loose a percentage of course. I have the app on my phone and can swipe cards or just enter the info. I think PP offers the same service.
 
We get paid for making knives? I didn't know that.

Seriously though, most of my clients pay with paypal. Used to get more money orders, which is my preferred method. I try to avoid personal checks, since I've received a few bad ones lately.

Credit cards are convenient, but it does cut into your profits a little (like paypal). In what way is it a headache for you?
 
I haven't sold any knives via anything but Paypal, but I did help a friend get everything set up using a service called Square for credit card payments at his restaurant. Seemed like it was a bit easier than getting him set-up with the typical credit card services. You can also do manual card entry as well if you don't have the reader with you, but I'm not so sure if you can accept credit card payments online with it yet. I think Paypal and a couple of other companies also have their own similar services.

Might be something to look into, so long as you have a smartphone.
 
Phillip Patton said:
In what way is it a headache for you?
Click to expand...

The whole setup process is very involved. You have to go through authorize.net to be able to relay the payment information to your merchant account and everything involving sensitive data on your site needs to be SSL protected.

Now I find out I need to be PCI compliant (something involving data storage safety, I don't really know what to do about that) or the IRS will shut me down.

Plus, authorize.net charges $20/month, the merchant account is $25/month, and SSL is $50/year.
 
Look into the Square. You use it with a smart phone and it charges a small percent like paypal and is very convenient to use.
 
I have the paypal card reader set up from a while ago
The issue came up because a few potential customers were worried about paypal shutting down their accounts for buying balisongs so I guess the issue would have persisted

I have google checkout as well, though I just got word that they won't be processing orders for physical items come November.
 
I use Amazon Payments. That allows CC payments and such, but they so far seem to be more friendly than Paypal. I don't use Paypal any more because their seller protection is non-existent, and they're perfectly happy to let a buyer keep the product AND refund the money, and then charge you on both the original transaction and the refund. Square seems to be a good alternative.
 
I have used all of the above so to speak.
I also have a retail/workshop location so I have a merchant CC through a terminal, your fees sound high? I also use paypal and i have a square card account for shows etc. I also accept personal checks from established customers and good old cash is cheerfully accepted!

Alot does depend on your biz set up? If you just make knives to order and have a good size established customer base you may be able to just take Money Orders? I have a few things happening.

Custom knife sales. Orders and I build for inventory for walk ins.
Sharpening.
Retail sales of production knives.

I don't think I could make it without accepting plastic and Paypal?
 
+1 for Square. We now live in an electronic, fast and convenient world. If we don't comply, we loose potential sales/ customers.
 
not sure if anyone has mentioned this one: stripe.com

"Stripe has no setup fees, no monthly fees, no validation fees, no refund fees, and no card storage fees. There’s also no charge for failed payments. You’ll never have to decipher a complex statement, because you know what you’re charged in advance." They charge something like 3%
 
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