How to Accept Credit Cards at Events
Credit card acceptance can boost a business' sales by up to 70 percent, according to an article in "Forbes" magazine. But when you are selling at an event, whether it is an outdoor festival or an indoor book fair, you do not have access to the same equipment, phone lines and Internet access as you do at a store. Thankfully there are a few services that allow you to accept cards when you are away from your home or shop.
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Things You'll Need
- Merchant account
- Credit card acceptance equipment and software from merchant services provider
- Credit card imprinter
- Sales slips
- Cell phone modem
- Laptop
Instructions
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Cell Phone
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1
Sign up for a cell phone merchant account. With this service you can type in a credit card number on your cell phone to process a charge.
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2
Get your account details and carry it with you to the event. Bring a manual credit card imprinter and carbonless sales slips with you as well.
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3
Dial the access number that was provided to you and enter your transaction details (including your merchant number) per the instructions.
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4
Enter the customer's credit card number and wait for a verbal authorization from the computer. If it goes through, you will receive an approval code. Write it down on the customer's sales slip.
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5
Place the sales slip over the card and swipe the card using your imprinter. Ask the customer to sign and then provide him with a copy.
Laptop
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6
Sign up for a cell phone service plan that allows you to use your cellular handset as a modem. You must also purchase a compatible phone (Blackberrys are common choices) that will allow you to connect to the Internet remotely.
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Sign up for a merchant account that allows you to process charges using your laptop or PC. See Resources for a visual of what this setup looks like.
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8
Purchase the proper equipment, including a small credit card swiper and signature pad (USB compatible).
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9
Download the software associated with your new merchant account (if required). This should be provided by the merchant services provider. You may simply need to log into the provider's online system to process charges while at the event.
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10
Sign up for a PayPal merchant account as an alternative. PayPal also offers a "virtual terminal" which allows you log in and type in the customer's credit card number without the need for a swiper or special software.
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Set up your laptop at the event. Try to sit near an outlet so that you can maintain a charge throughout the event. Connect to the Internet using your phone modem. Log onto your online system or software. You are now ready to swipe cards or enter the customer's credit card information on your computer.
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Get the customer's signature on your signature pad or a sales slip. Some services will allow you to email a copy of the transaction to the customer. You can also simply offer a handwritten receipt.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to ask for the customer's valid state identification to match with the card. Inform him of the name that will appear on his credit card statement.
