Hi Folks. I know there are some among you who do craft fairs regularly and I would like to ask you a question about how or what your preferred method of taking payment is. I havent done craft fairs for a long time and with all the different options available to use on a mobile etc. I am looking to find the easiest to use, simplest, straight forward method. I do have Paypal, but I want to have other options too. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much x
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I have a Zettle (part of PayPal) card reader which I operate with an app on my phone (so either WiFi or phone signal is required). No monthly fee, low percentage fee. Customers can wave their card or phone or smart watch at the reader, very straight forward. Money paid into my bank account after a day or so.
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Very few folk seem to carry cash these days, so a card reader is pretty essential. I use Square, which has low fees and pays out quickly.
One bonus of folk using cards is they often buy multiple items, as the spending seems less real.
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I use a Sum up card reader and find it really useful at craft fairs. It’s very easy to operate from my phone and the money comes through pretty promptly, usually a few days. As others have said I don’t think people like to carry a lot of cash these days, but with a card it just makes it easier all round.
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At my last event I still had some change as I wanted to have some for people using cash, and it came in handy. I ended up using my banking app to send links to payments instead of my card reader as I didn’t have it with me, but when I do have my card reader I often request a minimum payment of £5 to cover any fees. I don’t think they are high fees, but a minimum spend does encourage people to take advantage of any deals that handily came in at £5 or £6…
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Yes, credit card payments are creeping up more and more and you can’t be without a facility to take these payments now and people are more likely to buy more than one item if they can pay by card. I’m still approximately half and half so I’m still taking my £30 float - depends on the location and the age group that turn up, as well as which end of the price range they’re buying: they’re much more likely to pay cash for the £8 earrings but definitely not for a £40 ring. I use SumUp but the basic one that works with my phone is much more reliable than the more expensive, newer one that’s supposed to work by itself and pick up any signal, but lets me dowen alot - so I have the two.
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Yes, it is assumed nowadays that you will be able to take a card. I have used both Square and SumUp and I seldom use the card reader now, mostly using ‘tap to pay on iPhone’ which can be used in either app. I believe there is an android equivalent too. Infrequently, the app does require use of the reader so I wouldn’t do completely without one.
A sign of the times, at a fair today a young customer asked whether I would take cash…
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Thank you all for your helpful suggestions and information. It’s so good to know about the good ways to go about this, as there is so much out there it’s hard to know where to start. I appreciate all your comments and have taken it all on board. Thank you very much xxx
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I use iZettle. I have a card reader but the latest incarnation of the app allows customers to tap their card on your phone, so you could get away without purchasing a reader (although this may still be required for payments over £100 requiring a PIN, or if the bank asks customer to insert card into reader, which they do occasionally).
There is no monthly fee and they normally deposit money to my account within 2 working days.