I recently hosted a merchant table at a Christmas market in Huntington Beach, CA, and did mobile sales with Paypal Here’s Mobile Card Reader for the first time. Paypal Here is a device that attaches to a cell phone and allows the user to process credit and debit cards transactions when customers do not have cash on hand (keep in mind, cash is always better!).
Before I start, take note that there are two devices for Paypal Here. There is the Mobile Card Reader and the Chip Reader. I am focusing specifically on the Mobile Card Reader.
The reason I went with Paypal Here was primarily because I needed the device within short notice. I already had a Paypal account set up so I was a step ahead with Paypal. Additionally the first Paypal Here reader is free (who doesn’t love free?). After the first reader they are $30 each.
Not to mention I’ve had great experiences with Paypal’s customer service in the past whereas have seen others experience absolute nightmares with popular transaction service Square which does not offer live customer support. When there is a problem transferring money you will be thankful for live customer support.
On a final note, I knew I would not be processing more than $500 while at the Christmas market. If more than $500 is processed within a 7-day period on Paypal Here’s Mobile Card Reader, any amount over the $500 may be held in a reserve and take up to 30 days to be released. (Paypal Here’s Chip Reader, or EMV Reader, will release funds over $500).
I plan to do more research on differences in card readers, but for now here’s a review of Paypal Here’s Mobile Card Reader.
- Set up – A primary issue I had with Paypal Here was connecting with its app. Being logged into the app is required to do transactions. Originally I was not able to log into the app, but with the help of customer support we found out it was because my phone had not updated for some time. So be sure your phone is up to date. Once my account was verified I received the card reader within two days (I was in California at the time).
- The app – The app is user friendly and easy to navigate. Numbers and buttons are big so it is easy to type in information and make corrections. Additionally you have the option to type in individual products and prices and do calculated tax. At the end of the transaction there is an option to send the customer a receipt. One customer gave me his email address to have a receipt sent to him, but he didn’t receive it within five minutes. Thankfully there was an option to send the receipt via text message, which worked.
- Processing transactions – The card reader seems to process most card swipes. Swiping the card is convenient because it collects the card information and all you have to do is process the order. Out of three separate transactions, the card swiper did not read one card from swiping, so I had to insert the card information manually (card number, expiration date, etc.). Once the required information was entered the transaction was processed quickly. It is ideal to obtain card information by swiping in order to have a lower Paypal transaction fee.
- Obtaining funds – Funds were received immediately in my Paypal account and I was able to deposit the funds to my bank account the next day. The fee for transactions was not bad.. Out of $80 worth of transactions $4 was retained.
At this point in time I am satisfied with Paypal Here and am glad to have it on hand when I am selling at events. I’ve been a happy Paypal user for over a decade.
Contact Lauren Ell for more information about Paypal Here. Call (760) 820-2723 or email lauren@laurenellmarketing.com.
Lauren Ell Marketing offers Online Marketing and Virtual Assistant services in the United States and Europe. Services include basic WordPress management, email marketing, social media management, PR work, customer service and more. Ell is particularly familiar with Palm Springs, CA, Riverside, CA, San Diego, CA and Los Angeles, CA. Contact Lauren by email or call (760) 820-2723.
