This year is the first time I am going to do art shows and I want to start taking credit cards. Can anyone give me any information on who the best vendors are?

thanks

Hi,

I use www.propay.com. I take the cc numbers at the show and the process them online. If the show has wireless set up, you can process it at the show. If not (and most do not) you can process it when you get home. The obvious con with this method is that if someone gives you a bad card, you won't know it until they are long gone. If you only have high ticket items, then this may be too risky. The pros are that it is more affordable then getting the equipment, which becomes obsolete too quickly. In the 3 years I have been taking cc's, I have yet to get screwed.

Meredith

meredith, can you call in a card to get authorization from the show with propay? what kind of monthly fee do you pay? thanks!

Hi Meredith,
I am just a few steps ahead of you.
I recommend "TeaMac" for credit card services. They specialize in artists and art fairs. They are the reseller for Authorize.net, one of the major Credit card processing centers. They talked with me for almost an hour, giving me all of my options and prices. Call them at: 800-873-1192. Ask for Deb Young. She's the one you want to talk to. Tell her Dan Saultman said, "Hi".
Good luck.

David @ Acceptingcreditcards.biz

I've got a free wireless unit through them but I know they provide many different ways to process.

He took a lot of time to talk me through the program and was always there for me to ask questions.

Donna

Teamac all the way for me during the past 15 years or more. Very artist friendly. See at http://teamacinc.com/index.aspx Always in front of the technology and able to help explain options or talk you through any problems during shows.

Hi - I use Merchant Warehouse through my iPhone. It's quite easy, the batch processing gets the funds into my account in 1 day, and their fees are quite reasonable.

AlachuaArtist, Thanks for the tip. A number of artists are either using or looking into using their cell phone or portable computers for credit card processing. I understand you need a phone/mobile computer with internet access. I have regular cell phone that offers internet service, but it is not an expensive I-phone, will it work? Is there any special port or features the phone must have? Do you swipe the card on a cellphone attachment or enter the card number manually? Is there an attached printer for a customer receipt? This would beat lugging an expensive processing machine around if the technology is reliable.
Do you have a Merchant Warehouse website link that would provide more info/pricing for this service?
Thanks,
Carl

Hi Carl;
They have several different options, not just for the iPhone. Here is their website:
http://merchantwarehouse.com/

good luck! I worked with them over the phone. They were very helpful, patient and informative. No high-pressure, either.

There are tons of credit card processing companies available. I think internet you should search on internet to find the right credit card processing company.
And then decide which one is affordable,reliable and suits your requirements. Don,t forget to consider the cost because many credit card processing services charge several types of monthly fees ranging from little as $10.00 per month to $50.00 or more per month.

Does anyone use Pay Pal? I signed up for it, but I don't know how to use it.
I have expensive paintings and in the summer I talk to tourists that visit beautiful Block Island, RI.
This means they leave the island and I may never see them again.
I don't keep a large inventory and I can't afford to get ripped off by an admiring customer that likes
my paintings but won't pay their credit card purchase.
Most people don't walk around with that much cash in their pockets, and the ATM machines don't
usually allow customers to withdraw money over a set amount.
I have mailed a painting and insured it after I was paid in advance, the money order was deposited
in my checking account and I felt secure.
But I would like to sell paintings online.
How do I set this up on my Web site?

I think MasterCard can help you.It is very polite and reliable company with big experience in finance line in business)
see http://prepaidcardtoday.com/creditdebit.html for more information

I work for a company called 1st National Processing. Over half of our merchant are mobile merchants processing at craft/trade shows. We offer many different options; including seasonal programs with no contracts. I can be contacted toll free at 877-964-1622.

Mary
1st National Processing
877-964-1622 ext. 30

Found this thread while searching for any individuals that have had experience with Merchant Warehouse. based on our initial research we feel they are one of the best options out their for a large cross section of independent artisans as well as traditional brick and mortar companies.

We'd really appreciate it if any of you would be willing to let us know what your experiences has been with Merchant Warehouse (good, bad, ugly) as we'd trying our best to give others the benefit of avoiding those merchant providers that do a poor job of putting their merchants first.

Cheers.

Gerald,

I work for a company called 1st National Processing. Over 70% of our clientele consists of Artists and Crafters. We offer seasonal programs with no contracts. If you are still in need, please contact me so I can answer any question you might have.

Also, visit our website at http://www.1nbcard.com/content/mobile_credit_card_processing_artisan.html

Devin
1st National Processing
877-964-1622 ext. 13