Stoner/Doom Bassists Thread, Part 90: Maxed Out

[Corey Y]

Ever since we got the one for work, I've been considering it for merch in future bands. If that ever happens lol.

I heard about them somewhere (online or on NPR or something maybe, can't remember) and looked into them for our work, then right after that a reclaimed lumber place I bought some old barn lumber from had it. I asked them how they liked it and they said it was great and a big asset to their business, since they were a cash and check only type place up until then too. Since then I've seen a bunch of smaller boutique retail places have them as well.

 

[CL400Peavey]

All you bastards have smart phones. I was thinking of getting one of those credit card readers for craigslist sales. You guys ever consider one?

Merch too

For CL? No way. Cash, and cash only.

Per my outings to the bar. When I actually go out to drink, it is a $10 night. That covers a big ass shot of Jack($3), a 60 oz pitcher ($4), and tip.

 

[The_Janitor]

Here in town they'd charge you 30%+ gratuity by like 3:00am

That's some bullsh*t. Would not fly in Wisconsin. ...and I tip well.

 

[Corey Y]

Something important to know about those Square credit card readers for smart phones. The fees are about the same as PayPal fees if you swipe a card. If you manually enter the information (say, over the phone purchase) they're something like twice as much or more.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Ever since we got the one for work, I've been considering it for merch in future bands. If that ever happens lol.

I heard about them somewhere (online or on NPR or something maybe, can't remember) and looked into them for our work, then right after that a reclaimed lumber place I bought some old barn lumber from had it. I asked them how they liked it and they said it was great and a big asset to their business, since they were a cash and check only type place up until then too. Since then I've seen a bunch of smaller boutique retail places have them as well.

There is a farmers market in town. Everyone is running their payments off of iPads and these card readers.

 

[Corey Y]

There is a farmers market in town. Everyone is running their payments off of iPads and these card readers.

The only downside I've had with them so far is I will only use them on jobs under $1K. A 2% service charge is no big deal for $100 in parts, but we have pretty tight profit margins for large orders of windows and doors, so it can start to take a bite. We don't use it at all for those jobs, but if we did we'd just change our prices and give a "cash discount" for home owners paying by cashier's check, which is the usual thing since most people doing major construction are getting a draw from a bank loan, or regular check from a building contractor.

 

[CL400Peavey]

The only downside I've had with them so far is I will only use them on jobs under $1K. A 2% service charge is no big deal for $100 in parts, but we have pretty tight profit margins for large orders of windows and doors, so it can start to take a bite. We don't use it at all for those jobs, but if we did we'd just change our prices and give a "cash discount" for home owners paying by cashier's check, which is the usual thing since most people doing major construction are getting a draw from a bank loan, or regular check from a building contractor.

And I can see where that would take it's toll. I can also see where making a sale minus 2.73% is better than making no sale, as may be the case in a farmers market, or at a merch booth. If it was to be used/offered as a standard way of doing business, then those charges would have to be added and accounted for in the business plan, or explained and passed on the the consumer.

"Hey this is $10 if you are paying cash, or $10.30 if you are paying by card."

Or

"Hey are shirts are $10.50 each, and you can pay by card."

 

[Blank_0101]

For CL? No way. Cash, and cash only.

Per my outings to the bar. When I actually go out to drink, it is a $10 night. That covers a big ass shot of Jack($3), a 60 oz pitcher ($4), and tip.

$4 pint of specialty beer like a 10%abv stout, $2 lone star/pbr/lagery cheapness is the standard here excluding sales. So 4-8 drinks then a walk or drive depending, I live like a mile away. Also not a big liquor fan.

I saw some people doing it, I mean you always get the money as the vendor right?

That's some bullsh*t. Would not fly in Wisconsin. ...and I tip well.

Denton county is dry, but you can buy beer and wine in stores and drink on the street in the two "big" downtown areas. Bars are "social clubs" and one must swipe their ID and then get in and then you can get liquor in bars. Can't have happy hour as it promotes binge drinking so lol the sales must remain in effect all day?!

There is a farmers market in town. Everyone is running their payments off of iPads and these card readers.

Same and food trucks and some regular restaurants.

 

[CL400Peavey]

$4 pint of specialty beer like a 10%abv stout, $2 lone star/pbr/lagery cheapness is the standard here excluding sales. So 4-8 drinks then a walk or drive depending, I live like a mile away. Also not a big liquor fan.

One nice thing, in this town just about every single bar has their prices including tax for drinks and food. That $4 gets me five 12oz beers (domestic).

 

[Blank_0101]

And I can see where that would take it's toll. I can also see where making a sale minus 2.73% is better than making no sale, as may be the case in a farmers market, or at a merch booth. If it was to be used/offered as a standard way of doing business, then those charges would have to be added and accounted for in the business plan, or explained and passed on the the consumer.

"Hey this is $10 if you are paying cash, or $10.30 if you are paying by card."

Or

"Hey are shirts are $10.50 each, and you can pay by card."

Our farmers market charges only $500 a year I think so you can easily afford to hock some wilted all natural carrots and assorted hippie filth and crafts.

 

[hydrohydra]

One nice thing, in this town just about every single bar has their prices including tax for drinks and food. That $4 gets me five 12oz beers (domestic).

If I lived in the rapids I'd be too drunk, founders brewery is bro'd out college hangout but I just can't get enough breakfast stout.

Gotta say, that plus the pyramid scheme, and the awesome record store, I'd almost move there.

 

[CL400Peavey]

If I lived in the rapids I'd be too drunk, founders brewery is bro'd out college hangout but I just can't get enough breakfast stout.

Gotta say, that plus the pyramid scheme, and the awesome record store, I'd almost move there.

Founders, Harmony, Vivant, The Mitten, The Hideout, Gravel Bottom, Perren...

Just amazing beer here. I had some KBS this spring. SO. GOOD.

My loud band is getting ramped up again. We should split shows. East/West in MI.

 

[hydrohydra]

Founders, Harmony, Vivant, The Mitten, The Hideout, Gravel Bottom, Perren...

Just amazing beer here. I had some KBS this spring. SO. GOOD.

My loud band is getting ramped up again. We should split shows. East/West in MI.

Lemme know where and when and I'll be there!

Kinda misread but still, I'm sure my band will be down, we've been looking for more bands to get together on a bill, there's a few stoner rock and doom bands around here and beast in the field is always down to play for gas money.

 

[The_Janitor]

Denton county is dry, but you can buy beer and wine in stores and drink on the street in the two "big" downtown areas. Bars are "social clubs" and one must swipe their ID and then get in and then you can get liquor in bars. Can't have happy hour as it promotes binge drinking so lol the sales must remain in effect all day?!

I thought this was America, to hell with your dry counties.

Wisconsin small towns usually have more bars than churches, the UW serves beer at the Student Union (even brews its own), I can think of a dozen bars within walking distance of my house, 3 of those are microbreweries. There's over a dozen microbreweries in town total (300k people), I can't even count the number of microbreweries in the state. The liquor store at the neighborhood grocery store is the size of an entire small grocery store. I love Wisconsin.

 

[CL400Peavey]

Lemme know where and when and I'll be there!

Kinda misread but still, I'm sure my band will be down, we've been looking for more bands to get together on a bill, there's a few stoner rock and doom bands around here and beast in the field is always down to play for gas money.

Have you heard of or been to Muligans? Good venue for this kind of music in GR. Would be an easy split with a third band. Gives you a little longer set to play, instead of cramming 5 band in to 4 hours.

 

[Ender_rpm]

How does everyone manage the whole merch selling part of shows?

I feel like Catapult might need a better system.

One of the cool things that is pretty recent is now you can use Square for credit cards with a smart phone. It's pretty much the same thing as having PayPal, except you can swipe credit cards and email receipts. We use it for service parts here at work, we've always been a payment by check sort of place, since we're not retail oriented. We tried out credit card machines and they were always too expensive to justify, with the fees, but the Square thing is pretty reasonable and easy to use. That's a really good resource for bands to have for merch these days.

+1 for Square. You'd still want some petty cash on hand, but it made merch so much easier to deal with in my last band. The reader and app are free, and you cam set it up to deposit to any bank account, so you can keep your band funds separate from anyone's personal cash.

Hola dudes.

Welcome!!! Nice to see a local in these parts.

 

[hydrohydra]

Have you heard of or been to Muligans? Good venue for this kind of music in GR. Would be an easy split with a third band. Gives you a little longer set to play, instead of cramming 5 band in to 4 hours.

Haven't been but that sounds awesome because I'd like play more of our songs, are current set is like half of our music just because the songs are long and nobody around here will consider a band playing for more the lik 30 mins max lol

 

[Lazarus.Bird]

Every single bar I've ever played at had an ATM. Don't see a need for a card reader.

 

[Ender_rpm]

Every single bar I've ever played at had an ATM. Don't see a need for a card reader.

$5 the fan spends on ATM fees is $5 you or the bar don't see in revenue.

 

[Squanch72]

For CL? No way. Cash, and cash only.

Per my outings to the bar. When I actually go out to drink, it is a $10 night. That covers a big ass shot of Jack($3), a 60 oz pitcher ($4), and tip.

Fuccc what did you create a time machine? How the hell are you drinking at a bar so cheap? Are they like old man bars(NEPA slang for corner bars where functional alcoholics hang out) or clubs?