DIY Square reader keychain stash

Computers & Mobile Craft & Design
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Square, Inc. makes a magstripe reader that attaches to your smartphone’s minijack and allows you to process credit card transactions with their handy service. It’s a pretty cool setup if you’re interested in payment processing. When you’re not using it though, you’re stuck with this eraser-sized plastic fob that you really don’t know what to do with. It’s small enough to put in your pocket, but it’s a little too important to accidentally let go through the wash, yet you want to keep it handy for when you’ll need it.

MAKE subscriber Steve Cooley may be onto a suitable solution to this problem. Using a dab of Shapelock, a key ring, and a rubber band, he’s fashioned a custom key fob stash that fits the Square reader like a glove. It’s a little kludgy, but it’s a great proof of concept. [Thanks, Steve!]

20 thoughts on “DIY Square reader keychain stash

  1. linuxman94.myopenid.com says:

    I think sugru would work well for this too!

  2. Anonymous says:

    Any idea how quickly that reader can be lost or smashed? What about the fact that if you go over $100 a day or 1k a month they hold funds for 30 days. Stick with a real merchant account like http://www.prestigemerchantservices.com if you are serious about accepting credit cards. Watch out for contracts and set up fees.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Any idea how quickly that reader can be lost or smashed? What about the fact that if you go over $100 a day or 1k a month they hold funds for 30 days. Stick with a real merchant account like http://www.prestigemerchantservices.com if you are serious about accepting credit cards. Watch out for contracts and set up fees.

    1. NPK says:

      Actually, out of the box it is $1000 per day, with a $1000 per week sliding window hold. They will send out a maximum of $1000 per seven day period, holding the remainder. For example, an $800 transaction on Monday followed by $350 on Tuesday, would mean that on tuesday, you would be only paid $200, with the remainder held until the following Monday (as there were no longer $1000 in transactions in the last 7 days). This hold lasts a maximum of one month, at which point, you get the entire held balance of the month. They don’t hide this, nor do they hide any other charges. Also, unlike your big bank processor, you don’t get blasted by reward program fees. I never ran enough credit card stuff to deal with the big bank bullcrap, with monthly charges and all. Oh, almost forgot… If you show fair transaction volume, they are very obliging about increasing the daily and weekly payout limits.

      As far as the readers, yes, they are easy to lose. I lost mine, and they sent me TWO more for free, I later found it at the bottom of the washing machine, and it still works perfectly, so now I have three.

    2. Autoverse says:

      “Square Up” implies that upon its birth, the idea was for people to square up their bills and debts easily on a small business, or even personal level. It’s grown since then. The holds are there, but as they seek out convenient ways to secure users, they will likely be let go. This is disruptive technology, so give it a chance (and don’t blatantly “advertise” for someone like prestige who just really nickels and dimes small businessmen out of fees).

    3. Autoverse says:

      “Square Up” implies that upon its birth, the idea was for people to square up their bills and debts easily on a small business, or even personal level. It’s grown since then. The holds are there, but as they seek out convenient ways to secure users, they will likely be let go. This is disruptive technology, so give it a chance (and don’t blatantly “advertise” for someone like prestige who just really nickels and dimes small businessmen out of fees).

    4. Autoverse says:

      “Square Up” implies that upon its birth, the idea was for people to square up their bills and debts easily on a small business, or even personal level. It’s grown since then. The holds are there, but as they seek out convenient ways to secure users, they will likely be let go. This is disruptive technology, so give it a chance (and don’t blatantly “advertise” for someone like prestige who just really nickels and dimes small businessmen out of fees).

    5. Autoverse says:

      “Square Up” implies that upon its birth, the idea was for people to square up their bills and debts easily on a small business, or even personal level. It’s grown since then. The holds are there, but as they seek out convenient ways to secure users, they will likely be let go. This is disruptive technology, so give it a chance (and don’t blatantly “advertise” for someone like prestige who just really nickels and dimes small businessmen out of fees).

  4. Anonymous says:

    Any idea how quickly that reader can be lost or smashed? What about the fact that if you go over $100 a day or 1k a month they hold funds for 30 days. Stick with a real merchant account like http://www.prestigemerchantservices.com if you are serious about accepting credit cards. Watch out for contracts and set up fees.

  5. Anonymous says:

    Any idea how quickly that reader can be lost or smashed? What about the fact that if you go over $100 a day or 1k a month they hold funds for 30 days. Stick with a real merchant account like http://www.prestigemerchantservices.com if you are serious about accepting credit cards. Watch out for contracts and set up fees.

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I make cool stuff and write about other people making cool stuff on makezine.com. If you have something you think I should see, send me a tip.

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