Isculpt Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 I need to be able to accept credit cards for my work, sold primarily in craft show settings. I have followed the links to the card service offered by the Craft Council, and it all looks pretty darned confusing! And the fine print -- don't get me started! Can anyone tell me, simply, what it costs to use the service that is a benefit of membership in the ACC? I had planned to compare it to my bank's offerings, but if I can't fully grasp the info in the link, I certainly can't compare costs. Has anyone found that their bank can compete on the cost? Also, I had a swipe machine 10 years ago when I had to close my business due to a hand injury. Is that what they're still using? If not, how expensive is it to purchase and set up whatever tool is used nowdays? And what IS used nowdays?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Campbell Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 The Potters Council offers it's Members credit card services for $3.50 per month. http://ceramicartsdaily.org/potters-council/learn-more-about-potters-council/ It might be just what you are looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEP Posted May 13, 2011 Report Share Posted May 13, 2011 Most credit card processing services are very complicated in terms of their rate structures. There are a few that have simplified the rates, but these are also the most expensive in the long run. If you are planning to do small volume credit sales for now, i.e. less than $1000 per show or per week, I would go with a simplified plan (Square, Cellcharge, Propay). The higher rates that these services charge (usually 4% of each sale) won't affect you that much. If you are selling higher volumes than that, then it's worth it to have a more complicated service. Overall they charge you about 2% of your sales. Most of these will involve buying a swiper (roughly $500 - $800). But if your sales volumes are high enough, even after buying the swiper, this will still save you money. Bottom line is there is no perfect solution, every choice has a downside. The privilege of accepting credit cards is expensive no matter what. I've never used the Potters Council service, but from what I know about it, it sounds like a good deal. Mea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JBaymore Posted May 14, 2011 Report Share Posted May 14, 2011 I agree with Chris. I am about to drop my ACC merchant account of many, many years and switch to the Potters Council one. The one thru the ACC just keeps upping and upping the fixed fees..... let alone the discount rate. If I were a prime retail outlet selling mass-market items it would likely make sense... but it is getting absurd for who I am and what I do. Years ago... it was a good deal. Not anymore. You do have to analyze the overall costs to figure out what makes sense for the way YOU do business. best, ...................john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dinah Posted May 15, 2011 Report Share Posted May 15, 2011 I've just completed a sign up of Paymentech with Chase through the Potters Council. Excellent service and prompt responses to my queries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isculpt Posted May 16, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks, y'all. I'm going to search the archives for some contact info for the credit card services offered by the Potters Council. I'm hoping that there is an alternative to an $500 - $800 swipe machine, but I guess it's the computer age and I may have to just accept the cost of joining it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellevue limo Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 The Potters Council offers it's Members credit card services for $3.50 per month. http://ceramicartsda...otters-council/ It might be just what you are looking for. I would like to thanks for share your credit card information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.