Accepting Credit Cards 2

     In the last Guide, we had a question about accepting credit cards.  Here is a comment from one of our readers on the subject.

     Reader's Comment:  I have a possible solution for the person wondering about accepting credit cards at craft shows.  If you have a computer, I would suggest getting Quickbook Pro.  It costs about $300, but it's well worth it.  Quickbook has an agreement with a merchant company to provide customers the ability to accept credit cards.  You have to pass their credit check, but it's well worth it!

     Editor's Comment:  One of the options that I mentioned last week for authorizing credit cards on the spot was to use a laptop computer. 

     You can use an "air card" that plugs into your laptop but another less than expensive solution is a USB cable that will connect to your cell phone from your computer.  Check with your cellular company to see if this option is available for your phone service agreement.

     I have Verizon and found out that for about $39 I can get a cable with software to be able to connect my laptop to the internet through my cell phone.  I do not have to change service to do this and it just uses minutes off my existing plan.

     If you would not be using the laptop on a regular basis to process credit cards, this is an inexpensive way to do it with either an online merchant account or PayPal.