One of the members in ceramics had a great idea and asked if it would be possible to create a QR code that would be a link to pay for clay/glaze supplies in ceramics via paypal? Personally I generally don’t carry cash or a checkbook and a lot of people don’t. Would be a quick and easy way to pay for supplies, not sure how quick and easy to setup initially.
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This would also be good for the other area consumables like filament and stained glass too.
Edit: I was told at one point this wasn’t feasible, but I don’t know where that is and maybe things have changed.
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The main issue when I looked into it (years ago) was the fixed charge per transaction which would eat up a large percent on small payments like filament, glaze, etc. Larger payments would be less of an issue. There is also an option to set up a PayPal account for micro-transactions which has a fee structure more suited for small payments, but this would have to be separate from our main PayPal account or it would cause more fees to be taken from membership and class payments.
Payments could be added up and charged as a lump sum on a monthly basis, but that would require a system to track charges over time. Another option would be to directly pass the fees on to members and let them decide whether to pay as they go or consolidate.
Another potential issue with a QR code is properly attributing the payment to the member that made it, if that’s something that is necessary or desirable.
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Micropayment through Venmo’s charity rate (1.9% + 10 cents, minimum $1) might be the way to go.
Charity rates are slightly lower for Venmo versus Paypal (1.99% + 49 cents).
Definitely something I’d like to see @Finance look at. I wonder how much money we’re leaving on the table since people are carrying around less change and cash in general. It’s really easy to say “oh I’ll just bring some next time…” and then you forget.
I don’t use any of the materials for which donations are taken, so I don’t really have any direct skin in the game, but can it be setup so that the fee is in addition to the materials? I’m sure somebody will see it as being ripped off, but they can continue to use cash. Others would happily pay a small convenience fee
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Since payment for materials used is on an honor system anyway, why not have a paper pad in each area to record IOU’s. If you don’t have cash on hand, write down on the pad whatever you need to pay for and keep a tab going for a month, then pay it when you do have cash. When you do pay for something, mark it off on the paper. Perhaps messy and not as up-to-date as online payments, but easy and less expensive for everyone.
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We can work with a clipboard of some kind for now, just bringing it up since people are used to “paying as they go” using electronic methods and rarely carry cash. I don’t see why we couldn’t add the fees to the products, an extra dollar or dollar fifty for clay would still be a deal.
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