# Square credit card reader app/device **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964 "2012-12-04T15:52:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/21 "2012-12-05T15:25:50Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > Is that really necessary? I mean…in the US at least, can’t 99% of debit cards just be run as regular credit cards? Not in Canada. Some cards have merged function, but most people have a separate card that accesses their bank accounts. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/22 "2012-12-05T15:48:35Z")
I have used them as a consumer - The first time I actually used one was in the depths of the Mexican jungle. We were at a zipline/4-wheeling adventure and they used these with iPhones. I thought it was brilliant, because they were far away from land lines and civilization. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/29 "2018-08-26T15:49:45Z")
I’m entering a PIN on a device; does it really matter if it’s a dedicated device or a smartphone/tablet app? You’re hardselling a distinction w/o a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/30 "2018-08-26T18:14:49Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I’m entering a PIN on a device; does it really matter if it’s a dedicated device or a smartphone/tablet app? You’re hardselling a distinction w/o a difference. **Spiderman** , I edited out your references and response to the spammer, but left your question in case someone else here cares to address it in the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/31 "2018-08-26T19:51:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I saw some Boy Scouts selling candy bars outside the grocery store for a fund-raiser and they had a device like that. I’m the treasurer for our Cub Scout pack, and I have one of them for collecting money from people (annual membership, camping fees, etc.). It is more convenient than dealing with checks. On the other hand, my volunteer labor is free to the pack, so strictly speaking just dealing with checks would be cheaper. On the other-other hand, I suspect we get paid a lot quicker, since people typically have their cards with them when we’re reminding folks of what they owe. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/32 "2018-08-26T22:40:04Z")
It’s great. Most vendors at SF cons use it these days; they can take credit cards and Square’s cut is smaller than most anyone else. Easy to use, even if you don’t us it often (I sell an occasional book with it). ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964/33 "2018-08-28T17:39:11Z")
Another upvote for Square. They have a nice website, very acceptable terms, and no surprises. It’s easy to add products with prices and pictures for an easier checkout. Unlike my other merchant accounts I like how Square takes their cut before giving you the money (so if I charge the customer $100 I might get $97 deposited.) With my bank merchant account, I get all the money deposited that night (so if the customer was charged $100 I get $100), but then once a month the bank takes out their cut and fees. If I had to think of a downside, Square deposits can take a few days but they always happen and I believe there is a way to speed that up. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/square-credit-card-reader-app-device/642964.md?page=1)