Pay Anywhere credit card phone app.

There are a few different mobile card readers available, although I haven't really looked too deeply into any of them. It is definitely something I would like to add for this season.
 
Square sent me the thing for my phone, but I've yet to download the app and set everything up..paranoia mostly. Glad to hear this is legit.
 
I received a mailer from Vistaprint about this. I can say they offer great prices on marketing materials. Not top notch but still higher quality volume to value they are great. Just curious what is out there. Already had the meeting with my bank and this is less than their per charge, monthly fee, plus equipment.

I can say for anyone check out Vistaprint for marketing materials. They are not top top notch but not bad and will get you exposed for a decent price. Shipping is quick. I am not shilling this just helping people to save a buck or two. You can upload your logo and design your own stuff. Pens, etc.
 
Square is one option, and I've been using it for a while. Intuit also has a similar program, and I just saw last night that PayPal is coming out with a version soon too.

I guess it just comes down to preference which option you go with, but they all look quite promising. Square has come in handy for me.
 
While I am definitely concerned about getting the lowest usage cost for something like this, I would be more concerned about the security and stability of it. Even if you're not at fault for an error charge or stolen information, it certainly won't reflect well.
 
CH.Detailing said:
While I am definitely concerned about getting the lowest usage cost for something like this, I would be more concerned about the security and stability of it. Even if you're not at fault for an error charge or stolen information, it certainly won't reflect well.
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That is my concern and why I asked here if anyone had any experience with it. It seems from what they say it is secure but no one wants to be the first on anything to find out otherwise.
 
Concours.John said:
That is my concern and why I asked here if anyone had any experience with it. It seems from what they say it is secure but no one wants to be the first on anything to find out otherwise.
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My understanding is that these services all transmit via SSL-encrypted data and their servers/software are tested PCI compliant.

I doubt the card companies would allow them to operate if that weren't the case on something like this.


One thing I would strongly recommend is if you have something like this set up on your phone, make sure to keep access to the phone restricted with a PIN or password. And if it's an iPhone, download and set up Apple's "Find iPhone" app -- if something happens where the phone is lost or stolen you can brick it remotely.
 
ObsessiveDetail said:
I've been using Square and been very happy with it. I'm pretty sure it has the cheapest rates out of all the mobile processing devices.
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SQUARE IS AMAZING! Clients love it, if processed before 3 it only takes 2 days for the money to be deposited into my account. Love this app! Card reader is free when you sign up online. I even use their app to keep track of my cash and check sales and can send out receipts immediately for them too. No monthly fee either, just 2.75% per swipe, which they automatically deduct so you have no monthly fees. I obviously think very highly of his card reader
 
DJsDetails said:
SQUARE IS AMAZING! Clients love it, if processed before 3 it only takes 2 days for the money to be deposited into my account. Love this app! Card reader is free when you sign up online. I even use their app to keep track of my cash and check sales and can send out receipts immediately for them too. No monthly fee either, just 2.75% per swipe, which they automatically deduct so you have no monthly fees. I obviously think very highly of his card reader
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That's the thing the loss
Is deductible. I just don't want to get too complicated.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
My understanding is that these services all transmit via SSL-encrypted data and their servers/software are tested PCI compliant.

I doubt the card companies would allow them to operate if that weren't the case on something like this.


One thing I would strongly recommend is if you have something like this set up on your phone, make sure to keep access to the phone restricted with a PIN or password. And if it's an iPhone, download and set up Apple's "Find iPhone" app -- if something happens where the phone is lost or stolen you can brick it remotely.
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Thanks Charlie.
Having worked in the "industry" I know that anything that receives is also a transmitter. Security is a loose misconception. That is a big concern.
It takes 5 min. After a visit to Radio Shack to recover someones garage code and car sequence and phone if you know what to buy and follow them.
This was my job before detailing. I built and help design these these things. The last thing anyone needs is information shared. I'm just wanting to know how quickly these blocks can be put in place or how reliable their network is in responding. What do you think on this? It would be great for business but I also now how easy it is to capture it. This is speaking as a friend not a foe. I'd like to talk.
 
Concours.John said:
Thanks Charlie.
Having worked in the "industry" I know that anything that receives is also a transmitter. Security is a loose misconception. That is a big concern.
It takes 5 min. After a visit to Radio Shack to recover someones garage code and car sequence and phone if you know what to buy and follow them.
This was my job before detailing. I built and help design these these things. The last thing anyone needs is information shared. I'm just wanting to know how quickly these blocks can be put in place or how reliable their network is in responding. What do you think on this? It would be great for business but I also now how easy it is to capture it. This is speaking as a friend not a foe. I'd like to talk.
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In this day and age, the way I look at it is no matter how much better they build the mousetrap, some mouse out there is going to find a way to get around/exploit/abuse it.

I too have a background in the industry, having worked for a rapidly growing web hosting firm for a few years and spending part of that time dealing with security issues on Windows servers. So believe me when I say, I totally understand and can relate to your concerns.

Thankfully the credit card industry takes security very seriously, and PCI standards are quite strict when it comes to what is required in order to properly pass. We had customers who had to get their security validated through an independent third party before the card companies would even deal with them or allow them to use a merchant account for their ecommerce solutions. It sometimes took multiple rounds of additional server and network hardening before they got a pass.

Having seen what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to dealing with any of the major credit card service providers, I feel that there are certain calculated risks I can live with taking where working with an established and reputable vendor like Square or PayPal to provide my customers with added convenience is concerned. If a customer is unfamiliar with that sort of service or has any apprehension whatsoever about using it they are certainly able to opt out of using it as a payment method since I don't rely on it as my primary or sole option.

Considering the rate of adoption of iPads/iPhones and Android devices as POS terminals based around these types of services, the industry trend is pretty clear. As long as we as business owners/operators educate ourselves as to the potential risks and do everything that is within our control to supplement network/data security and secure physical IT resources, I feel like there's little reason to don our tin foil hats at this juncture.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
In this day and age, the way I look at it is no matter how much better they build the mousetrap, some mouse out there is going to find a way to get around/exploit/abuse it.

I too have a background in the industry, having worked for a rapidly growing web hosting firm for a few years and spending part of that time dealing with security issues on Windows servers. So believe me when I say, I totally understand and can relate to your concerns.

Thankfully the credit card industry takes security very seriously, and PCI standards are quite strict when it comes to what is required in order to properly pass. We had customers who had to get their security validated through an independent third party before the card companies would even deal with them or allow them to use a merchant account for their ecommerce solutions. It sometimes took multiple rounds of additional server and network hardening before they got a pass.

Having seen what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to dealing with any of the major credit card service providers, I feel that there are certain calculated risks I can live with taking where working with an established and reputable vendor like Square or PayPal to provide my customers with added convenience is concerned. If a customer is unfamiliar with that sort of service or has any apprehension whatsoever about using it they are certainly able to opt out of using it as a payment method since I don't rely on it as my primary or sole option.

Considering the rate of adoption of iPads/iPhones and Android devices as POS terminals based around these types of services, the industry trend is pretty clear. As long as we as business owners/operators educate ourselves as to the potential risks and do everything that is within our control to supplement network/data security and secure physical IT resources, I feel like there's little reason to don our tin foil hats at this juncture.
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Thank's Charlie,
I was in the hardware end. Things have not changed much just smaller and faster.
The software end though has evolved greatly. This is where it takes me a little research.
 
It's the best way to get rid of the problem.."forgot my cash, will pay you tomorrow". If your customer has a "smart phone" he can get his receipt right there & now via email. But be prepared to pay a % from your bill. Better that than loose the customer.
 
What turns me off about square is that $14 a month charge even if nobody used it. They do have the lowest percentage rate and this by itself could be worth it if you have enough business. I'd rather charge the customer a small $2 covienence fee when i charge them on payanywhere. They have no monthly fees, no credit check, their swiper is free, and the swiper looks more solid on my phone
 
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