computer as credit card terminal

[Tom Fuhrman]

just got an e-mail from paypal stating they can send you equipment to convert your PC into a credit card terminal. I'm interested since I don't do shows anymore and don't have a smartphone, i.e.old contract that is very cheap so won't switch if I can help it.
Has anyone else tried this and if so, how did it go? They say they even have a card swiper that goes into the USB on your computer. I've had good luck with paypal over the last 10 years and wondered if anyone has used this new service they have.

[Bert Weiss]

When I gallery sit, I have used squareup with an ipad. It is slick and works because you can sign your signature on the touch screen.

So, does the paypal model come with a swiper and a sign-pad? If so, it should be a good alternative. I have also used a signature pad that plugs in to a PC. It is finicky but it works. When I make purchases online, I use paypal to pay with, whenever it is an option. I have no complaints.

I will never have a card services account again for any reason I can imagine, on earth, so I hope these guys are good alternatives.

[Morganica]

There's a bunch of these on the market, including one from Intuit, so I'd check around first. And supposedly you can buy a USB swiper to work in place of a regular terminal, too.

I used PayPal to take one-off credit card purchases on my computer, before I got the Square, worked pretty well.

[Brad Walker]

Lots of these on the market. I run my credit card transactions with Quickbooks and Intuit, but their are many other options. Also, regarding the USB card swiper, lots of those, too. I bought one for $25 on Ebay (as opposed to $75+ from Intuit) that worked just fine.

In general, the software is probably more important than the hardware. I'm sure PayPal provides that if you're using PayPal (as opposed to a merchant account).