Redding, CA: April 21, 2011: Whenever we’re out with friends, just as the conversation starts to get juicy, the waiter shows up with the bill. We have to delay the fun and turn to business. Who has cash? Who wants to pay with their credit card? How much do you tip again? Now, leave your wallet at home, and let’s find out who kissed who in the copy room without interruption.
Nerds On Call has some fun and easy ways to use your Smartphone as your wallet. Once you get the lowdown on the office gossip, use your Smartphone to collect payments from your friends. Or, Let’s say you are having an annual Spring Cleaning yard sale or you run your own small business but don’t want the expense of those traditional bankcard readers? Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to pay and get paid:
Square Up: Square is the simplest way to accept credit cards. It’s easy to use and comes with a free credit card reader for your phone or iPad. Sign-up is quick. No complicated contracts, monthly fees, or merchant account. When you swipe cards with Square there is just one fee: 2.75%. Download the free app from the Android Market or iTunes App Store. Square can be used at concert venues; Farmers Markets, fundraisers, community events and even companies who have field agents can accept payments on site.
Pay Pal: Now there’s a Pay Pal app to transfer funds for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. Manage your account, send or receive funds, and it’s all secure. Also if you have an iPhone with the Bump Application send or receive funds by “bumping” your iPhone with the other party. How easy is that? Simply download from the app store.
Starbucks: Not so sure about sending money via your cell phone? Well, keep this in mind next time you are in line at Starbucks and woops you thought you had exact change for that Latte! Starbucks now has an app you can use to pay for your caffeine fix just using your Smartphone. The app essentially is a Starbucks gift card for your phone, you can refill it as often as needed and when it’s time to pay up the barista just scans the barcode displayed on the screen. Now that is a lot easier than digging for that last dime at the bottom of your purse.
FaceCash: The new kid on the block, FaceCash, has us really excited about future possibilities! For only $2.99 this app links to your checking account, so you can use it to pay for stuff with your phone. Similar to the Starbucks barcode system, but it has the added security of having your picture incorporated into the barcode, so no one can use it but you. Plus there isn’t a fee per transaction, which makes it really inexpensive to use! The only problem is that it’s not widely incorporated yet into merchant services, but be on the lookout with the new NFC technology coming soon this may be an industry standard.
About The Author: Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, a computer repair company that specializes in on-site and online service for homes and businesses. Andrea is the writer of a weekly column, Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight. She prepares TV segments for and appears regularly on CBS, CW and FOX on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, More Good Day Portland, and CBS 13 News, offering viewers technology and lifestyle tips. See Andrea in action at callnerds.com/andrea/.
About Nerds On Call: Established in a spare room in Redding, Calif., in March 2004, Nerds On Call offers on-site computer and laptop repair services to consumers and businesses. Nerds On Call provides trouble-shooting for PCs and Macs, home and office networks, printers, iPods® and MP3 players, handheld devices and cell phones, home theaters and game systems, and virtually every other form of digital entertainment. In 2009, 2010, & 2011 the company was named to Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. With 7 locations across California and Oregon, Nerds On Call serves more than 40,000 satisfied customers per year. For more information, visit callnerds.com or call 1-800-919-NERD.
