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Redbirds

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Well, after reading various comments - here and elsewhere - about using Square for our transactions, we decided to go ahead and give it a try. I went back a few months and compared the statements from our processor (Pay ment Alli ance Intern ational) and most months we would save money with Square's flat 2.75% and no fees. We're going to wait a month or so before dumping our processor.
I have a question for those who have done this: do we just call the processor and just tell them to cancel our account? Do they put up a fight or is it relatively easy?
Thanks!
 
RB "do we just call the processor and just tell them to cancel our account? Do they put up a fight or is it relatively easy?" if you have a contract you may need to wait til the time stipulated expires after notification, I couldn't remember if we had one or not. I just called up and canceled, it was very easy.
Amex was the most difficult, they did not want to say goodbye and I assured them we are receiving Amex still, which made them happy! So once they heard that they eased off. (Makes me happy to only pay the flat rate for a change, and for Discover!)
Our guests have loved it, and every single one asks all about it. Many write it down as they want to get it to use for their own business.
I got a second card square for redundancy, which was sent out free of charge as well. You can order it onceyour first one is in. We used DH android phone when we had a power outage/wifi outage this week and it worked like a charm.
 
I got my iPhone yesterday. I will be contacting Sq uare to get set up as soon as I get comfy with the new phone.
Having changed processors in the past and remembering what a hassle that was, I am waiting a month to quit them - but will NOT use them of course. I want to ensure all legit fees are paid - and then I will notify them in writing AFTER I close the checking account used by them. I have opened a new checking account in my town (other bank started over a bank fees on cc processing years ago and is not convenient for cash & check deposits) and that is where my Sq uare charges will go.
I had to go through hoops with the bank to get the previous company out of my account so this time, I am just closing it.
Edited to add: I doood it! Ordered the swiper. Figured I may as well learn as I go. I have my account set up. All I need now is the swiper and a credit card guest (and a prayer that I do it right).
 
I have interest in changing but have a concern regarding the upcoming pin & chip CC changes. As of now, Square is not stating they have anything in the works to take the new CC's which will no longer have a magnetic strip. If I recall in my readings, merchant companies need to be on board within 9 months; businesses have longer to do so.
JB - have you had any information come your way from Square about this issue? It is my thoughts that with all the commercials and publicity they are getting that they do plan to be around after this change!!! I just want to be certain that when I make a change I won't need to change again soon their after.
 
I have interest in changing but have a concern regarding the upcoming pin & chip CC changes. As of now, Square is not stating they have anything in the works to take the new CC's which will no longer have a magnetic strip. If I recall in my readings, merchant companies need to be on board within 9 months; businesses have longer to do so.
JB - have you had any information come your way from Square about this issue? It is my thoughts that with all the commercials and publicity they are getting that they do plan to be around after this change!!! I just want to be certain that when I make a change I won't need to change again soon their after..
I have seen one company advertise a Chip & Pin Bluetooth device, but it's in testing at the moment. I wouldn't really worry about it, since you aren't buying equipment for square. When the implimentation comes they will either have a solution or you can get a new account.
 
RB "do we just call the processor and just tell them to cancel our account? Do they put up a fight or is it relatively easy?" if you have a contract you may need to wait til the time stipulated expires after notification, I couldn't remember if we had one or not. I just called up and canceled, it was very easy.
Amex was the most difficult, they did not want to say goodbye and I assured them we are receiving Amex still, which made them happy! So once they heard that they eased off. (Makes me happy to only pay the flat rate for a change, and for Discover!)
Our guests have loved it, and every single one asks all about it. Many write it down as they want to get it to use for their own business.
I got a second card square for redundancy, which was sent out free of charge as well. You can order it onceyour first one is in. We used DH android phone when we had a power outage/wifi outage this week and it worked like a charm..
JB:
I've looked over our contract, and I don't see any language about timing. I'll spend more time with the contract this evening to see if I can find anything.
BTW, the individual whom we signed up with to use the processor told me recently that he isn't writing contracts for them anymore, citing some of the same "you need a new machine" conversations that some innkeepers have mentioned. We also had some phantom charges last year that took dozens of phone calls to rectify, including some overdraft fee reversals by our bank. We've had enough.
Should get the Sq uare later this week!
 
Don't forget to also check out Sail - it was mentioned again in PC World this month and the rate is lower, plus it has some other interesting features. I would compare the products that are out there now...they keep adding new ones.
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I love Square, I have been using it to prcess credit cards for my art business. You will love it as well, it's easy to use, and for the most part customers seem delighted with the technology. I suggest to perhaps get an ipad or tablet if it's within your budget, so that customers can more easily see what they are signing, as well as it is just plain easier to sign on a larger screen- as opposed to a smart phone. I especially like square for its ability to be abe to personalize and add your logo or branding on e-mail receipts. Paperless receipts are a great way to make your inn that much more "green" as well as minimizes the costs of office supplies (ink, paper).
 
Got the swiper and signed in with Sq uare BUT did not realize I needed to download the ap on the iPh one. So I am furiously trying to get downloaded and it kept rejecting my login anfd then I figured out that I had to have an iTu nes acct to download the ap and then download it and by that time, my lady wrote a check. For the total on the room receipt - not with the goodies she wanted added to her bill. I had not done the add-ons on rezkey. I try to keep things separate. After she left I got the TA-DA!!! and am good to go with the next one. In one month - actually after they do the bite of the month in Sept and I am certain all checks have cleared - I will notify the cc processor I am not using them any longer and will close the account so they cannot hit me with any cancellation fees. FREEDOM is in sight!
 
Got the swiper and signed in with Sq uare BUT did not realize I needed to download the ap on the iPh one. So I am furiously trying to get downloaded and it kept rejecting my login anfd then I figured out that I had to have an iTu nes acct to download the ap and then download it and by that time, my lady wrote a check. For the total on the room receipt - not with the goodies she wanted added to her bill. I had not done the add-ons on rezkey. I try to keep things separate. After she left I got the TA-DA!!! and am good to go with the next one. In one month - actually after they do the bite of the month in Sept and I am certain all checks have cleared - I will notify the cc processor I am not using them any longer and will close the account so they cannot hit me with any cancellation fees. FREEDOM is in sight!.
gillumhouse said:
I will notify the cc processor I am not using them any longer and will close the account so they cannot hit me with any cancellation fees.
Be sure to also contact your bank and cancel their permission to pull money out of your bank account.
 
Got the swiper and signed in with Sq uare BUT did not realize I needed to download the ap on the iPh one. So I am furiously trying to get downloaded and it kept rejecting my login anfd then I figured out that I had to have an iTu nes acct to download the ap and then download it and by that time, my lady wrote a check. For the total on the room receipt - not with the goodies she wanted added to her bill. I had not done the add-ons on rezkey. I try to keep things separate. After she left I got the TA-DA!!! and am good to go with the next one. In one month - actually after they do the bite of the month in Sept and I am certain all checks have cleared - I will notify the cc processor I am not using them any longer and will close the account so they cannot hit me with any cancellation fees. FREEDOM is in sight!.
gillumhouse said:
I will notify the cc processor I am not using them any longer and will close the account so they cannot hit me with any cancellation fees.
Be sure to also contact your bank and cancel their permission to pull money out of your bank account.
.
That is why I am closing the account. I will have nothing at that bank after that. I opened the new checking account when I got the Bank ing on Bu sin ess Loan and everything will go there from this day forward. Will let them take for this month and then it is sayonara.
 
I had asit down with my processing company to find out who was cheaper! I am paying 1 cent per transaction and the cost that V,M,D charge. I also looked over the last three months of statements. I am paying an average of 1.97%. That includes Aut. Net! Guy's, Square is not cheaper! I believe square also has a limit they will process each month as well! After that limit they hold your money for up to a month! The reason is you don't have to have a business to process from square, so anyone can use it! This hold protects square if they suddenly have a user processing a bunch of cards. This could mean someone running fraud! Just make sure you are doing the correct thing for your business! I am going to use it for a garage sale, but not my business!
 
I had asit down with my processing company to find out who was cheaper! I am paying 1 cent per transaction and the cost that V,M,D charge. I also looked over the last three months of statements. I am paying an average of 1.97%. That includes Aut. Net! Guy's, Square is not cheaper! I believe square also has a limit they will process each month as well! After that limit they hold your money for up to a month! The reason is you don't have to have a business to process from square, so anyone can use it! This hold protects square if they suddenly have a user processing a bunch of cards. This could mean someone running fraud! Just make sure you are doing the correct thing for your business! I am going to use it for a garage sale, but not my business!.
My last straw was that they will be charging me $20 every month - WHETHER I HAVE CHARGES OR NOT!!! That means I am paying them for doing nothing. The Sq uare will charge only when I have a charge. I do have months with no guests - the winter is dead as a doornail. And if I have a student on rotations, it is an invoice, no credit card, so I would still pay $20 that month. Too many little bit here and litle bit there. And I like not having to wait 3-5 days for my money to hit the checking account.
 
I had asit down with my processing company to find out who was cheaper! I am paying 1 cent per transaction and the cost that V,M,D charge. I also looked over the last three months of statements. I am paying an average of 1.97%. That includes Aut. Net! Guy's, Square is not cheaper! I believe square also has a limit they will process each month as well! After that limit they hold your money for up to a month! The reason is you don't have to have a business to process from square, so anyone can use it! This hold protects square if they suddenly have a user processing a bunch of cards. This could mean someone running fraud! Just make sure you are doing the correct thing for your business! I am going to use it for a garage sale, but not my business!.
Bob said:
I believe square also has a limit they will process each month as well! After that limit they hold your money for up to a month!
Bob said:
Not that I know of. I'm processing over $1000 a day through the swiper and it is deposited the next day. Saturday is the only day they don't deposit and it is carried over to Sunday's deposits. If you are keying them in manually then there is a limit but if you plan to process that way you can have your limit raised up.
 
You all got me interested in checking out both sq are, and s ail. Never heard about these until just now, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to do much reading on here. Do I just google their names to get info?
 
You all got me interested in checking out both sq are, and s ail. Never heard about these until just now, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to do much reading on here. Do I just google their names to get info?.
Yes for Sq uare Up. There is a link on here but here it is again
www.sailpay.com/
 
You all got me interested in checking out both sq are, and s ail. Never heard about these until just now, but I've been so busy I haven't had time to do much reading on here. Do I just google their names to get info?.
Yes for Sq uare Up. There is a link on here but here it is again
www.sailpay.com/
.
Thank you! :) (I guess I missed it the first time.)
 
Square Stand is beautiful new hardware that turns an iPad into a complete point of sale. http://squareup.com/stand pic.twitter.com/2JVwpaZBLy
nevermind, wayyyyy to expensive. Good for RETAIL though.
 
I closed the account before I gave them (Me rch ant Se vic es) the heave ho, but closing turned out to be just a phone call, no extra fees asked for. I could have kept the acct.
 
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