GCU Forum - art business

Bambi_136382

Full Member
artist

Posts: 135

art business
Apr 5^th, 2011, 9:47pm

Wonder if anyone can offer some advice on this. I love GCU and I try to keep my GCU card store going as well as my own art business. In having my business I offer customers visa and Mastercard as forms of payment. I'm a small business and the monthly charge I pay is hurtful. I use a merchant service through Costco. Can anyone suggest a different reliable merchant service company? If this isn't appropriate to ask on a GCU forum, I understand. But it's one of the biggest collectives of artists I know. And I thought I'd give it a try.

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SunAtNight_145914

Gold Member
artist

Posts: 719

Re: art business
Reply #1 - Apr 5^th, 2011, 10:21pm

Thanks for posting this...I didn't know about the Costco Service. This very topic is on my To Do List. I had started researching this months ago and haven't quite tackled the various nuances. I decided to change my plan of attack and go for shopping cart integration...so far PayPal is in the top 3 and I only researched 3 so far Grin

I have heard of another company (only heard of never dealt with them) International Payments http://www.intlpay.com. Their claim to fame a few years ago was one of the few companies that offered wireless capabilities at the time. They also offer other products for retailers.

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Patty_145595 GCU Newbies artist Posts: 1	Re: art business Reply #2 - Apr 5^th, 2011, 10:38pm I don't know what you are using for your record keeping but you might check out quickbooks as they will also let you accept bank cards as well as other pmt options you might be able to use.
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Cori_146275

GCU Newbies
artist

Posts: 47

Re: art business
Reply #3 - Apr 5^th, 2011, 11:02pm

Interesting you should post this today. I just changed companies today. I was paying $10 a month plus a yearly fee of $49. I was referred by my attorney to a company that charges $4 a month plus $10 if you have wireless and no yearly rates. The transaction fees are much less than my last company. Under 2%. No start up fees.

Here is the info:

I-Payment
Jeff Winegardner
888.494.3177

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« Last Edit: Apr 6^th, 2011, 1:12am by Cori_146275 »

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Peggy_137160 Gold Member artist Posts: 760	Re: art business Reply #4 - Apr 6^th, 2011, 12:56am I just received my Square reader today. https://squareup.com/ No hidden/annual fees and 2.75% per transaction ... no set up cost ...
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Cathy_151407 Junior Member artist Posts: 61	Re: art business Reply #5 - Apr 6^th, 2011, 7:37am I use MTG at Art Shows. It costs $5 a month and a fee on what you sell using their service. Midwest Transaction Group. My other bankcard service charge a yearly and mid year fee.
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Bambi_136382

Full Member
artist

Posts: 135

Re: art business
Reply #6 - Apr 6^th, 2011, 11:07am

Oh thank you thank you!!! Cheesy

This is so helpful. as for the service offered through Costco, it started out reasonable, but now the cost is $33.00 per month regardless if I use it or not. I do use PayPal on my website and I am happy with that. However, if I make a sale via the phone, or email, or a commission, that is when I want to offer the customer the use of a credit card. So I will be looking into the companies you guys mentioned. Thanks a million!!
Bambi

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Jannina_152182 Junior Member artist Posts: 59	Re: art business Reply #7 - May 19^th, 2011, 11:44am Although I am still in the baby-step stages with my art and cards, I appreciate all the wonderful information seasoned "vets" are giving. Thank you for starting this post and for all the replies. I'm learning a lot from all of you! Jannina
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Robert_136464 Full Member artist Posts: 152	Re: art business Reply #8 - May 20^th, 2011, 12:57pm Great info - I too am just spreading my 'Art' wings... A friend of mine uses his iPhone...he is a new author and sells his boosk via iPhone at various book events...not sure what the prices are but if you have one already...maybe a way to go...
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Bambi_136382 Full Member artist Posts: 135	Re: art business Reply #9 - May 20^th, 2011, 1:47pm another good tip! I'm checking into them all. thank you Robert. and best of luck to you and Jannina.
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