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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: abcameo
Date: 01-05-2005, 01:11 PM (1 of 9)
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I'm working on revamping my site and desperately trying to figure out how to market it so that I attract a customer who would appreciate my arts and crafts. Everyone is telling me craft fairs, shows and trying to get my merchandise into some boutiques is the way to go to get some name recognition. UGH--I was so naive and thought it was a field of dreams--"If I launch it, they will come..." I am currently using Paypal on my website and accepting personal checks, but when you do a craft fair or show, you need a "knucklebuster" or wireless connection in order to accept credit cards. I've been researching merchant credit card services online ongoing, looking for the lowest (and no hidden!) fees, best service, reliability and high ratings, but it gets pretty overwhelming and somewhat confusing. So I've asked the question in few different forums. "ProPay" seems to be the popular choice--but that's only from the very few replies I receive and hardly any other leads. I tried my bank but they don't offer these services. The company they recommended had hidden fees, a three-year commitment (too long when you're just starting up as I m) and the guy was really kind of pushy which was a turn off. So, I thought I'd ask here. Any recommendations for online website, call-in (for those who are reluctant to input financial data online) and in-person (for craft fairs) credit card service companies? Many thanks, Amy The Wear-with-All http://www.thewearwithall.com |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
From: MaryW
Date: 01-05-2005, 02:43 PM (2 of 9)
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Most online companies will advise you to call their 1-800 number if you don't want to enter in financial info. I contacted our bank and got a lead on accepting Visa/MC, etc. I know this is one of the toughest parts of setting up your business. Once it is all in place, it works like a breeze. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 03-29-2005, 10:02 PM (3 of 9)
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I'm working on revamping my site and desperately trying to figure out how to market it so that I attract a customer who would appreciate my arts and crafts. Everyone is telling me craft fairs, shows and trying to get my merchandise into some boutiques is the way to go to get some name recognition. UGH--I was so naive and thought it was a field of dreams--"If I launch it, they will come..." I am currently using Paypal on my website and accepting personal checks, but when you do a craft fair or show, you need a "knucklebuster" or wireless connection in order to accept credit cards. I've been researching merchant credit card services online ongoing, looking for the lowest (and no hidden!) fees, best service, reliability and high ratings, but it gets pretty overwhelming and somewhat confusing. So I've asked the question in few different forums. "ProPay" seems to be the popular choice--but that's only from the very few replies I receive and hardly any other leads. I tried my bank but they don't offer these services. The company they recommended had hidden fees, a three-year commitment (too long when you're just starting up as I m) and the guy was really kind of pushy which was a turn off. So, I thought I'd ask here. Any recommendations for online website, call-in (for those who are reluctant to input financial data online) and in-person (for craft fairs) credit card service companies? Many thanks, Amy The Wear-with-All http://www.thewearwithall.com This is my full time job. I can help you. Have you found someone yet? I won't be doing this full time much longer though as my back ground is telecom engineering and I'm moving back into the technical side of merchant services from sales. I work with alot of non-profit churches and monestaries so I usually go lower than the companies out there. Let me know! |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 03-29-2005, 10:44 PM (4 of 9)
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I use a company called "Merchant Services". I don't know if they have a website. I'll try to find their 800 number for you.
"No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152 
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From: DragonLady
Date: 04-08-2005, 12:23 AM (5 of 9)
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I'm sorry this took so long. The company is Merchant Services, and their number is 1-(800)-810-4USB. They will set you up with an account. You will need a newer model verifone machine; but they'll provide everything else. When the orders come in (they must come over a secured connection), you simply type the credit card number into the verifone and wait for it to be processed. It cost me about $100.00 to set up the account, $500.00 for the brand new Verifone, and it's $35.00 per month whether you use the service or not. Also, there's a $15.00 processing charge for chargebacks, and another $15.00 once a year for something-or-other. It was the cheapest service overall that I could find; and they let me buy my own Verifone -a lot of the companies want to buy or lease only from them. Also, the various credit card companies have their own one-time or annual charges; but I can't recall which ones or how much. Hope this helps! "No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152
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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-09-2005, 03:34 AM (6 of 9)
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I'm sorry this took so long. The company is Merchant Services, and their number is 1-(800)-810-4USB. They will set you up with an account. You will need a newer model verifone machine; but they'll provide everything else. When the orders come in (they must come over a secured connection), you simply type the credit card number into the verifone and wait for it to be processed. It cost me about $100.00 to set up the account, $500.00 for the brand new Verifone, and it's $35.00 per month whether you use the service or not. Also, there's a $15.00 processing charge for chargebacks, and another $15.00 once a year for something-or-other. It was the cheapest service overall that I could find; and they let me buy my own Verifone -a lot of the companies want to buy or lease only from them. Also, the various credit card companies have their own one-time or annual charges; but I can't recall which ones or how much. Hope this helps! Just to let y'all know, I do much lower than that  When you work with a company that has Account Wxecutives instead of call centers, you actually get to tailor what you need. $35.00 is alot to pay each month and is totally unneccessary. Dragonlady, if you want to rewrite what you have, let me know and I'll cut your cost in half for you or more.... Also, the $35 fee, when calculated into your '% rate' actually increases your 1.80 rate to a 4 - 5% rate when all is said and done. That is sky high, but most people don't understand the math so they don't know to look elsewhere or know anyone who is honest enough to work something out that is fair. $35 is a rip off, butall the main banks (BofA, Wells and so on) charge this minimum. My company processes for Wells Fargo 100% so we are their back end (hidden) processor. When you cut out the middle man, you get to me and then you pay less for your services..... I can help you.....HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: DragonLady
Date: 04-09-2005, 11:09 AM (7 of 9)
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Hippiegirl, my site is closed right now and I have no immediate plans to re-open it I've been planning to turn my service off. But I intend to keep my Verifone and will probably end up restarting the service somewhere along the line. I just can't afford to keep paying for it when I'm not using it. I'll keep you in mind, and we can discuss it when I'm back in biz. Thanks for the info, though! "No more twist! No more twist!"
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User: DragonLady
Member since: 11-10-2004 Total posts: 152
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From: Hippiegirl
Date: 04-09-2005, 03:17 PM (8 of 9)
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Hippiegirl, my site is closed right now and I have no immediate plans to re-open it I've been planning to turn my service off. But I intend to keep my Verifone and will probably end up restarting the service somewhere along the line. I just can't afford to keep paying for it when I'm not using it. I'll keep you in mind, and we can discuss it when I'm back in biz. Thanks for the info, though! Hi DL, Definately keep your machine. You don't want to have to buy another. I usually reduce the monthly to 10 so that is usually easier for small business to stomach I totally understand.Good luck! HG |
User: Hippiegirl
Member since: 03-21-2005 Total posts: 77 |
From: abcameo
Date: 04-11-2005, 10:18 PM (9 of 9)
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Hi, Hippiegirl: After you posted your reply to me, I tried to send you a private e-mail message asking you to contact me off list so that I could ask some questions about the service and fees. I guess you didn't receive a message alert.... My e-mail is: Amy @ The Wear with All (<email address removed for privacy>) (Ooh, that's pretty cool--it doesn't reveal your true e-mail. ) I'll look forward to hearing from you. Many thanks, Amy |
User: abcameo
Member since: 11-02-2004 Total posts: 131 |
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