Anybody using Square to take credit cards?

OCDetails

OCDetails

Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2006
Messages
853
Reaction score
0
I had a coworker clue me in on this and I have to say it is awesome!! Square is an app in the Android and iOS app markets. It is free and works on every device. It allows you to connect your bank account to the app and enter in credit card numbers on your phone and have it go straight to your bank. There is a 2.5% fee and that's it. Roughly the same as PayPal, but it gets even easier than that. Register on their website and they'll send you this neat little square thing that plugs into your headset jack which allows you to swipe cards instead of manually entering them! I've already used it with a client who ran out of checks and was going to have to pay me later. It worked out great and saved me from having to track down a payment from him.

Sorry if that sounded like a commercial, but I think that is what every fan of a product or service should sound like. I don't see Square doing much advertising, but I have seen it around since I got it. Besides, free is free, so why not?
 
I've been using it for a couple months, and people really like it. And honestly even on big jobs, you're not out tons of money for using it.
 
I have been using it for about 6 months and I love it... Customers think it is the coolest thing on earth! And it takes all the major credit cards! I have a lot of customers that use Amex and they are so happy that I accept Amex...
 
I have been using it for about 6 months as well and although it's not that common for people to pay via CC, I've found it to work great when they do.
 
I don't take too many payments through CC either. Occasionally on the really expensive job like a plane or large RV or boat they will ask if they can use a CC just so they get their points. Its always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. ;) Kind of the same justification for carrying a gun I guess. lol
 
My son uses Square for his business and loves it.

Most of his payments are by check, but he has the card reader when he needs it. Impresses the customers too.

Rick
 
I was looking into this as well. I did some research into Intuit, but about 1 out of 10 reviews on the process wasn't very good. I have not researched Square yet.

Have any of you that use this had a customer that didn't feel comfortable with you using your phone to take their CC info?
 
BryanBeall said:
I was looking into this as well. I did some research into Intuit, but about 1 out of 10 reviews on the process wasn't very good. I have not researched Square yet.

Have any of you that use this had a customer that didn't feel comfortable with you using your phone to take their CC info?
Click to expand...

I have taken close to 500 payments on my Square and no one has had an issue with it... Most people think it is just cool...
 
Before this app have any of you used any of the other merchant market services for CC? I have seen one of the intuit systems in work and looked cool(the scanner that attaches to the phone) and the guy using it said it was only a $10 fee a month regardless of how many charges a month you did. I have been contacted by several merchant marketing companies and they all advertise only 1-2% service charge per use. Not trying to take over this thread, but if anyone has anything to add to this please post it here or PM me. Thanks.:) and thanks for the info on this app available. Any downsides to using the app on Android phones like the GalaxyS Captivate?
 
I've been using it on a T-Mobile G2 and haven't had a problem. I've also used it on my iPad tethered to the G2 for internet and it works fine there. I've even installed it and tested it on my old G1 and it worked fine there too, so if it works on the G1 then I think it will work on any Android device.

I think you'd have to do a cost/benefit analysis if this is worth it. The merchant fee is a little higher than the intuit system, but it doesn't have any monthly fees attached to it. So it just depends on how much you do on the app to determine if it is worth it. I suck at math, but off the top of my head I'd say that you'd have to do a couple thousand dollars on the device before the savings of .5% makes up for the additional $10 service charge.
 
Wow I might have to try this out. I have been using a knuckle buster and people seem kind of iffy because if I lose the paper they think they will get their identity stolen...which in reality I would feel the same way.

Does this work for any bank account routing number? Or strictly business accounts?

Also, what if a customer desired a receipt, how do you go about doing that
 
Last edited:
It only works with credit/debit cards. No electronic check option from what I can tell.

It has them sign on the screen and can text them the receipt. Check out the videos on their website and that pretty much explains everything.
 
OCDetails said:
It only works with credit/debit cards. No electronic check option from what I can tell.

It has them sign on the screen and can text them the receipt. Check out the videos on their website and that pretty much explains everything.
Click to expand...

Nice thank you. Got one more car to detail then im going to go home and research it some more. Thanks!
 
OCDetails said:
I've been using it on a T-Mobile G2 and haven't had a problem. I've also used it on my iPad tethered to the G2 for internet and it works fine there. I've even installed it and tested it on my old G1 and it worked fine there too, so if it works on the G1 then I think it will work on any Android device.

I think you'd have to do a cost/benefit analysis if this is worth it. The merchant fee is a little higher than the intuit system, but it doesn't have any monthly fees attached to it. So it just depends on how much you do on the app to determine if it is worth it. I suck at math, but off the top of my head I'd say that you'd have to do a couple thousand dollars on the device before the savings of .5% makes up for the additional $10 service charge.
Click to expand...
I did some math on the calc and now my head hurts. But, it would take charging $1620.00 on the Intuit gopayment system before you would save $.01 compared to the Square app. But that is saying that all your charges are card-swiped with one of the four major CC that intuit supports and only being charged 1.7% per transaction and $12.95/month. 2.7% will be charged on all qualified manually keyed Visa/MC/Discover Network transactions that have AVS. All Visa/MS/Discover Network transactions that do not meet the requirements stated above, business cards, foreign cards and transactions that do not meet Visa/MC/Discover Network requirements for the best interchange program will be charged a “Non-Qualified Rate” of 3.7%. And with Intuit you get a "free" swiper for your phone so you don't have to key in the CC info. But, until I start charging over $1620 a month I will be trying out the Square app.:)
Thanks OCD.
 
I love my square. I have a number of customers that I picked up because they don't do cash. I almost prefer square to cash as it keeps me from spending what I have in my pocket. It's usually in the account the next day which is nice and getting to add the credit/debit card logo to my flyers and business cards is nice. You know the logo that has visa, mastercard, discover and amex on it. Looks professional.
 
mpm said:
I love my square. I have a number of customers that I picked up because they don't do cash. I almost prefer square to cash as it keeps me from spending what I have in my pocket. It's usually in the account the next day which is nice and getting to add the credit/debit card logo to my flyers and business cards is nice. You know the logo that has visa, mastercard, discover and amex on it. Looks professional.
Click to expand...

Before my Square I had customers call and ask if I took CC on most occasions when I would say no they would never be heard from again... now Yes is my answer and I love the fact that I can take all the major ones!

I have ordered 3 of the recepticals one for the iPod touch, one for my wife's GalaxyS, and a spare back up one... all were free and Square was so kind when I was doing my ordering too...

Yes in fact the logos look very professional on materials that are sent out, handed out, online, etc...
 
I too use the squared up app with my iPhone. It's very convenient for my customers who prefer to use it. And everyone is impressed that I can do the whole transaction right there in front of them.

They charge you 2.75% per transaction if you have the card present. If not I thinks 3.25%. so have to ensure I remember the card reader.

Still prefer cash though!
 
SeaJay's said:
I too use the squared up app with my iPhone. It's very convenient for my customers who prefer to use it. And everyone is impressed that I can do the whole transaction right there in front of them.

They charge you 2.75% per transaction if you have the card present. If not I thinks 3.25%. so have to ensure I remember the card reader.

Still prefer cash though!
Click to expand...

This is why I have 3 of the readers... lol...

The key in cost is 3.5% + .15 cents per transaction just fyi...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top