DocAndersen
I know a lot of folks here on Virily also sell crafts and other things. Have you considered the Square solution? Square allows you to turn your phone into a POS. A POS is a point of sale, in the craft fair, flea market world square is a great toolset to add. I have an account, and while I only use it on occasion, it has saved me time several times. The solution is based on a card reader. It does not have a chip reader, but it does support the swiping of the card. The Square software is easy to setup. The advantage of the software is that you as a small business person can send frequent customers an invoice. Or, you can right there at the craft fair accept credit cards!
The reality of using a Point of Sale, is you have some risk and some security benefits. Based on that, we should discuss the risks and benefits.
Benefits
•You can take credit card payments anywhere
•You are not forced to carry a lot of cash with you
•You have a permanent record (for taxes) of sales and payments
Risks
•You have no way of knowing if a credit card was stolen and may accept stolen cards for payments.
•There is no chip reader which reduces the security a little
I’ve been using square since they first came out (more than nine years ago). I take around ten payments in a two-year period. My mother, who makes and sells quilts uses Square as well. She takes between 25 and up to 40 payments per quilt show (they do 2-3 a year) She is overall happy with the solution. I have a couple of concerns. The device itself is not re-enforced. I wish it would have a remote Bluetooth dongle as the reader rather than plugging into the USB port of the phone. Anytime you have to hold a phone at an odd angle you increase the risk of dropping it. A Bluetooth card reader would also allow for the use of chips in the newer credit cards which increases the overall security of the transaction.
Overall my rating of the Square Point of Sale system is a 7 out of 10.
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Question of
Do you ever sell things at flea sales?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you ever sell things at craft fairs?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
have you ever been disappointed that you couldn’t buy fleas at a flea sale?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Is there a reason to buy fleas?
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Yes
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No
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Question of
Do you think you would ever use a portable POS?
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Yes
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No
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Very interesting article!!! Many things are new for me cause never opened the door to the flea market world.
It is a growing world, not everyone is engaged or involved though!
Q: Do you ever sell things at flea sales?
Yes (2 votes) – 25%
No (6 votes) – 75%
Q: Do you ever sell things at craft fairs?
Yes (1 votes) – 13%
No (7 votes) – 88%
Q: have you ever been disappointed that you couldn’t buy fleas at a flea sale?
Yes (2 votes) – 25%
No (6 votes) – 75%
Q: Is there a reason to buy fleas?
Yes (1 votes) – 14%
No (6 votes) – 86%
Q: Do you think you would ever use a portable POS?
Yes (1 votes) – 14%
No (6 votes) – 86%
I am not sure how to use it. At the moment I am feeling rather disappointed with the way it is for artists and photographers in New Zealand.
The people here have it all sewn up, only rich and famous sell their art work.
Craft fairs, well, you need more time that what I have plus you need to put up a lot of money for the stall, then sometimes you sell nothing, actually most of the time
They look at craft and then say either 2 things I can do that or else I can get a picture cheaper at the $2 store sold by Asians.
I suspect they have an NZ version. Sorry that the market is so tightly controlled Pam.
Yes, well the rich elite make sure our market is only about them for creativity. Oddly enough, a lot don’t like the art work in our art galleries, because the art that is being sold, I would not want on my wall.
The art work we have in galleries being on display and winning prized is frankly depressing..
So I am wondering if things could take a turn for the better in the future..?
you raise an interesting question. I suspect the answer is well beyond my knowledge.
I agree with carol what she says is mine words as well
Thanks, i can understand you not selling things at fairs and craft shows.
since I sell prints, and my business model is print on demand, this doesn’t make a lot of sense for me. but it is great for most folks
that I can see, and do understand. Now, for you, within square, you can send invoices…
that would work for me…
yes, it also would allow you to take online credit cards via the invoice.
Paypal does all that for me right now
they do, there are others as well that provide the service.
to be sure, it isn’t a unique service
Sounds very interesting but I wouldn’t use that. I’m too distrustful.
actually they are very secure overall, but I understand your position.
I would have no use for a POS program; but I’m sure there are some people here that would. I’m glad they don’t sell fleas at the flea market. 🙂 Thank you for posting the pros and cons.
Always happy to help 🙂 You never know when needs change!
Ha! If I have to pay for fleas, then no, I do not want this POS! 🙂
Thanks for the info Doc. But I would not use it, seriously.
It might help folks that are selling various hand made items. It is not for everyone!
I’m kidding about that!… I used to be responsible for Point of Purchase displays. Tangible ones.
I love how things have become ethereal and yet real at the same time.
it really does amaze me. I did some work years ago for Standard Cash Register and was always wandering their lab!
What is a POS? Then I can answer correctly.
crap i had a great explanation. Its a positronic brain~
It should prove to be a good one for small or even unprofessional sellers!
i actually know a number of small businesses that use it for their invoicing system