Hi, this year I started making sewn items for sale at crafts shows. So far I've gone to 1 event, and considering the mistakes I made with set-up, presentation etc. I did fairly well. My items range from $3 to $55. Most of the vendors around me seemed to accept credit cards. I am not set up for anything like that (only cash and checks) and am wondering whether it would really create that many more sales. What are you accepting as payment? And if you accept credit cards, what service do you use? Thank you!

I used to do craft shows for years and never took credit cards. Took checks and never had a problem, even with out of state buyers.
I don't believe I ever lost a sale because of not taking CC.

i did a few, cc cost YOU to take them, never lost a sale, cash machines all over even in churches now

I actually had one lady who assumed I took credit cards and put the item back when I told her I didn't. She came back a while later to buy the item, she had gotten cash from an ATM. I thought that was kind of nice.

If they're accepting CCs, then they have a well established business. The fees that the card and processing companies charge can be quite outrageous, even if you have no transactions in a given month. If its something that would be worth it to you, definitely look into it! If you're a member of a wholesale club (like Costco or Sam's Club), sometimes they have deals for their members. Intuit also has a credit card service for small businesses. I only take cards via PayPal.

I take cash and check only. If all you had were big ticket items, say over $50. and up, I might consider a cc, otherwise no need for one.

Nope --- I wouldn't take checks. Been burned. I scope out before the shows where the nearest ATM machine is located and direct them to the ATM. I'm in heaven if there is one in the same building.

When I went to gem shows, some of the vendors would accept cc's only if the sale was over $20 (or more).

CC companies charge you a percentage every month even if you don't have transactions...if you are getting checks get drivers license number also...can help if the check ever does bounce.

[quote=bjnicholson]When I went to gem shows, some of the vendors would accept cc's only if the sale was over $20 (or more).

You are not supposed to set a limit when accepting a cc. I seem to remember this from the paperwork from setting up the processing.