People prefer to pay with credit and debit cards rather than cash, which leverages the priority of using a card machine for business in any sector. The same is true in the craft business. A mobile card reader is a machine that conducts card transactions. It is relatively easy to set up and inexpensive to maintain a card machine for business.
Any businessperson can use a card machine for business anywhere with only basic knowledge. The first thing you should do is inform your customers that you are also providing a means of payment via credit card at your booth. This can be accomplished with a card reader on top of your desk. To ensure you can use your mobile card machine throughout the exhibition, make sure it is fully charged. Moreover, have a backup to prevent any data breaches or system failures. The most important thing is to make the money transfer process as simple as possible for your customers.
You can use a card machine for business in your craft business by following the steps provided below.
Learn about the different types of mobile card machines
- Learning as much as you can about the different credit card systems is important before accepting credit cards.
- Mobile phones and tablets are now used for most transactions at craft shows, and the processing fees are about the same for all systems.
- Choose the one that is most suitable for your business based on your research.
- Most cards now feature both a chip and a magnetic strip. The chip technology used here is called EMV.
- By tapping or inserting the card into the reader, you don’t need to swipe the magnetic stripe.
Register Before the Show
- Avoid signing up for a payment processing system on the day of the show. As part of the registration process, you may also have to undergo a simple verification process, which can take a few days.
- Make sure you download the app and familiarize yourself with it use in advance.
- Don’t forget to give yourself time to get set up at the craft show, and make sure you have an internet connection.
Become an expert before the show
- Before you go to a craft fair, it’s wise to practice. A test mode is available on most systems so you can experiment with accepting credit cards.
- You should also know what to do if a credit card number doesn’t read correctly.
- You should be aware that this type of transaction can be more expensive than swiping or tapping your card.
- On the day of the show, make sure you can access your email and sign in.
- You don’t want to have problems logging in during the craft fair, because that could turn off potential customers.
Why should you have a card reader for craft fairs?
Now that you know how to conduct credit card payments at the craft fair. Now the question arises, what makes the use of a credit card machine at a craft fair so crucial?
Most shoppers who attend craft shows carry little or no cash, and when the cash runs out, they will stop shopping at booths that only accept cash. Providing credit card services could boost sales at your booth significantly. Since people don’t see their dollars leaving their wallets when they use a card, they tend not to be as cautious.
You should consider the fair’s size. Craft shows in your neighbourhood park versus a large holiday craft sale that everyone in your city attends have different sales results. You might not need to accept credit cards when doing smaller fairs. A larger event like Renegade Craft Fair leads to more sales, so you will need to accept credit cards. Also, a mobile card machine makes sales faster. Your booth will become unattractive to customers if you make them wait hours before they can purchase at your booth, and they will eventually move away from your sales and product.
It may also be difficult for you to manage your cash flow if you avoid card payments. There is no way to predict how many buyers you will meet at a craft fair in advance. When a bulk purchase occurs and you only have money as a means of payment, your cash counter will become full, which makes you vulnerable to thefts or related activities, since craft exhibitions are too crowded. It’s impossible to ignore the threat of fake money or fake checks at a craft show, especially when you’re in a hurry. It is easier to manage the crowd if you accept card payments because they are a faster mode of payment. It is possible to completely rule out the possibility of fake notes or checks as well.
Modern mobile card machine offers versatile payment options. You can also accept Google pay, Apple pay, or related mobile wallets using these devices. Also, you can manage your craft stall inventory with these mobile card machines. Business money generated at craft fairs will be safe in your bank account and you won’t have to spend time and effort doing accounting activities since the card machine will handle it for you. Providing a printed receipt to your customers after their purchases will enhance your credibility and professionalism.
What type of card reader can you use at a craft fair?
Mobile GPRS Chip and Pin Terminals
- GPRS and PIN terminals for mobile devices look a lot like those you’d find in stores and restaurants.
- Landlines or Wi-Fi are used to connect these terminals to the network. Therefore, you would need a terminal that can connect to a mobile network.
- Payments are handled by a merchant account when you use this type of service. You usually rent a terminal from one company and obtain a merchant account from another.
- Credit checks are required for merchant accounts.
Card Readers for Smartphones
- You can send and receive data through your phone’s Wi-Fi or data connection by connecting to a mobile card reader via Bluetooth.
- Transactions are handled via an app on your phone, and customers enter their information via a card reader.
Choosing the right system depends on how often and how many credit card transactions you will process. In most cases, artists, crafters, and designers do not accept credit cards very often and only occasionally throughout the year. Because there are no monthly charges or costs when you don’t use credit card processing services, the mobile card machine for your Smartphone would be your best choice. A Mobile GPRS Chip and Pin credit card terminal might be the best choice for you if you process debit and credit card payments at one or two shows a week.
You should always make sure you have explored all the available credit card payment options, understand all the terms of service, and that the fees are fair and affordable for your craft business before signing any contract.
