The flea market business has always operated on a cash basis, but an innovative hardware and software solution may now change all that. One of the newest trends in retailing is the development of custom applications, or apps, for use with the iPhone, and one of the newest apps is the PayWare Mobile program using the iPhone Sled to read and transmit credit card transactions, currently being offered by Data Payment Systems. FleaMarketZone recently conducted an e-mail interview with co-owner and vp-marketing John Sabatino to get some basic info on the hot product.
FleaMarketZone: Could you tell me about your company?
Data Payment Services is headquartered in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Our executive staff has over 15 years combined experience in the bank card industry with a background in risk management and sales management. Our experience has enabled us to form partnerships and alliances with several well respected financial institutions in the world. We specialize in providing merchant services at rates you can afford.
FMZ: When was the company founded?
Our company was founded about 18 months ago from relationships in the bank processing industry.
FMZ: How long have you been carrying the iPhone Sled? What’s the story behind that?
We were one of the first wireless providers to carry and market the iPhone Sled. It has been released to the public within the past 30 days, but we have had the Sled for more than six months now. Due to our lasting relationships in the merchant services industry and our unbeatable customer service backed by the industry leader (First Data), we were chosen to launch the iPhone Sled alongside Verifone, who supports the PayWare Mobile Application.
FMZ: Do you do a lot of business to flea market vendors?
We have chosen flea markets as one of our areas to introduce the iPhone Sled due to their constant “On the Go” style of business.We also offer supporting wireless units if consumers don’t have the iPhone. It’s not our primary field, but it’s definitely a market we are looking in to help save money.
FMZ: Who are your customers?
Our customers range from small individual merchants that do $500 a month in processing to nationwide franchises doing hundreds of thousands of transactions a month.
FMZ: How important is the Internet to your sales?
We do a good percentage of business from our Internet marketing, but what company doesn’t?
FMZ: Do you have any really new products that have been released just this year?
The iPhone Sled is our newest and trendiest product we released this year. With the Sled you can take payment anywhere anytime at a low flat rate of 1.59 percent. You can view this at iphonesled.com.
FMZ: What else is newsworthy about your product?
Data Payment Services has partnered with the Make a Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Every time your customer pays with their credit card, Data Payment Services makes a donation from their proceeds to the Make a Wish Foundation.
FMZ: What is your pricing? Do you offer any volume discounts or incentive packages for new customers?
Our most popular pricing for merchants is a flat rate of 1.59 percent with transactions rates from .03 to .15. with monthly fees at $10. We do have a major merchant program with large discounts if they do over 20,000 transactions a month. For our new customers we offer a free equipment package.
FMZ: How can people find out more?
We have a couple blogs on our Web site that you can review. You can reach our office at 877-877-6072 or view us on the Web at iphonesled.com or datapaymentservices.com.