Selling Paintings

[Mary Byrom]

Hello Everyone,

I don't think this has been discussed before.... what are you doing for
direct purchases of paintings from you the artist ? (cash, check, credit
card) While out painting? At art fairs & festivals? Website
purchases? I'm looking for something I can use for credit cards while
out painting. I'm wondering if the same service/thing can be used for my
website? Can I use it where there is no cell phone reception? Hoping to
get one service for all but if not possible I'll do several. I'd
appreciate any experience you can share and what worked best for you.

I don't know if this is a trend or not but the early summer tourists
I'm meeting while out painting are interested in purchasing paintings...
now wouldn't that be a nice change for everyone this summer ?

Thanks in advance.
Mary

[Robert P. Hedden]

Matt. Can you provide some details on your wireless card service? A web site where we can look up cost to set up and ongoing charges by the service?

R Matthew Songer said:

At fairs and festivals I take cash, checks and have a wireless credit card machine. Most offers while painting have been cash, or if it is their property I am painting, I'll take a check. Guess I ought to haul the credit card device along. I don't sell off my site, but plan to use etsy later this year and accept PayPal.

[Donald Maier]

Mary, May I suggest a smart phone and a PayPal account. I think PayPal can accept major credit cards from non-members, so that may be a good answer. Myself, I don't have a smart phone yet, so I am just out of my depth here.

[Becky Joy]

Mary, use the square. It is free and the the percentage is very low. I carry it in my purse at all times. On my website I use paypal.

 I'm not sure what you would do without cell service. 

I made some t-shirts up with my website and a qr code on them to wear while painting, especially when I'm out amongst tourists. I've had some people immediately ask about my website and where I sell.

[Robert P. Hedden]

Mary, go to www.squareup.com  and read your options. $0 monthly charge. 2.75% charge for any major credit card. Free device that hooks to i phone, ipad, ipod etc. With anything, you have to be near wi fi for the pad or pod, or a cell tower if you use the phone option.

[Carol Hartman]

I use Intuit. They have a small clip-on device to attach to your cell phone and/or iPad that will charge the buyers credit card and instantly email them a receipt. They charge something like 2.5% for service. Square-Up (?) is similar. All easy to use and at least can take credit cards on the spot.

[Vonnie Kohn]

Pay Pal has just come out with a device similar to Square-Up. (VERY new). I will be getting one in the mail shortly. Percentage is also 2.75%, no fee & I already have a PayPal account, so it is very handy for my bank. Becky, good idea about the t-shirt with QR code on it!