Collecting Money via iPhone at Concerts

[RJ of MMM]

I've got this personal pet peeve about carrying cash, that is, I don't. It creates change, change creates lumpy pockets. So, I prefer to go the debit card route. This isn't a problem till I come to a show. Not just the small ones either, the big ones where a few artists (indie and signed) have tables but don't do debit/credit transactions. Sucks, cause I want to purchase then, not in many minutes/hours when browsing iTunes, Amazon, etc.

I know that i am not the only one with this issue. So why aren't more artists/labels using products like Square to make it easier to do purchases on the fly using your iPhone as the "register?" Less cash counting to worry about, and the rates actually just went down.

Makes sense to me, just wondering, would you (artists) do this? Heck, instead of having a table, you'd have a street team of folks who'd be able to do this throughout the crowd at certain points. Reduce the friction to purchase and maybe sell a bit more?

[Lynaz24]

I've got this personal pet peeve about carrying cash, that is, I don't. It creates change, change creates lumpy pockets. So, I prefer to go the debit card route. This isn't a problem till I come to a show. Not just the small ones either, the big ones where a few artists (indie and signed) have tables but don't do debit/credit transactions. Sucks, cause I want to purchase then, not in many minutes/hours when browsing iTunes, Amazon, etc.

I know that i am not the only one with this issue. So why aren't more artists/labels using products like Square to make it easier to do purchases on the fly using your iPhone as the "register?" Less cash counting to worry about, and the rates actually just went down.

Makes sense to me, just wondering, would you (artists) do this? Heck, instead of having a table, you'd have a street team of folks who'd be able to do this throughout the crowd at certain points. Reduce the friction to purchase and maybe sell a bit more?

Great idea, but you have to factor in the high possibility of identity theft. Those machines usually take all the credit card info and send an email to the purchaser, kind of like a virtual reciept, but the credit card will then be stored on the iphone being used to process the transaction.

If for whatever reason that ipod is lost, stolen or falls in the hands of an untrustworthy person....you know where I'm going

[RJ of MMM]

Great idea, but you have to factor in the high possibility of identity theft. Those machines usually take all the credit card info and send an email to the purchaser, kind of like a virtual reciept, but the credit card will then be stored on the iphone being used to process the transaction.

If for whatever reason that ipod is lost, stolen or falls in the hands of an untrustworthy person....you know where I'm going

The "smartmouth" in me asks, "And loose cash is more secure?"

You raise a valid point about that aspect. It doesn't answer though why there is so much friction towards purchasing product at concerts for fans, nor why the tech that many artists have on their hips receiving calls/texts during the show isn't being used for this, or of there's been any here who've tried it and can give some feedback.

I wonder because I have manned the table that's been too busy, the table that's gotten no sales, and watched the youth group from the posh church leave early without any means to engage them except for a flyer that has a really small printed website address on there and tell them to "hit me up there to purchase what you heard today because I am not on iTunes/Amazon/HCR/etc. yet."

[Lynaz24]

The "smartmouth" in me asks, "And loose cash is more secure?"

You raise a valid point about that aspect. It doesn't answer though why there is so much friction towards purchasing product at concerts for fans, nor why the tech that many artists have on their hips receiving calls/texts during the show isn't being used for this, or of there's been any here who've tried it and can give some feedback.

You didn't reaaly ask any of these questions in your original post bro..lol..But I understand your frustration, but the main reason why I as an artist/consumer wouldn't use such technology at this point, is because its not verified or secure..Yes money is more secure then providing my credit info to a random person.

I'm sure as the technology becomes more secure you'll see it being used more. I don't know alot of fans who would readily allow thier credit card to be swiped and stored on someone's personal iphone..I'm jus saying..Maybe that's just me.

[RJ of MMM]

Sorry. Yea, frustration is a good word. I usually keep that in check, just didn't today. Thanks for the grace in your answer.

[allday]

don't they have paypal "bump" for iPhone money transfers? is it the same thing? paypal is pretty reliable and secure, and anytime i've had problems with a seller through paypal i was always able to recoup my money.

[JDWhyte]

don't they have paypal "bump" for iPhone money transfers? is it the same thing? paypal is pretty reliable and secure, and anytime i've had problems with a seller through paypal i was always able to recoup my money.

^ what he said...

[RJ of MMM]

Yes, Bump is similar, but not the same. Bump requires a PayPal account, and has the security you mention. Square doesn't go thru a middle-man like PayPal, it's direct over the web to the credit/debit processing company. If they (your merchant account holding company/bank), can't guarantee security, using PayPal or anything else wont help you.

Bump can/should be used too IMO.

Why aren't folks doing this (besides security)?

[RJ of MMM]

The Girl Scouts are doing mobile payments in Ohio. The Body isn't at concerts.