[TheForge] credit card accounts

[Larry W Housner]

At 09:37 AM 1/13/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Greetings all --
>
>    For years I've been piggybacking on a friend's account so
>I can accept credit cards at knife shows/fairs/etc. Due to a messy
>divorce (not mine - the friend's), that option has gone south.
>
>What do you guys do about accepting credit cards - I typically
>work where I cannot make a swipe/phone confirmation. Any words
>of wisdom would be appreciated.
>
>Steve
>Steve Bloom, IronFlower Forge. Archer, FL
>     Webmaster for the FABA web site:
>         www.blacksmithing.org


Having worked for a transaction clearing house, I can note that they all do 
charge some percentage.  If it is an option you may also wish to look into 
one of the cellular card readers.  I know I saw some early prototypes that 
used an embedded cell phone to do the transactions at a remote 
location.  You can also use a standard computer based system with your cell 
phone if it has a data passthrough option.  I have seen this used at the 
local street fairs and the Renn Faire.


Just my $0.02


Larry