Problems linking Zettle card reader to PayPal

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if anyone can offer any useful suggestions, I'm only getting scripted replies from PayPal, even when I phone.

I'm involved in running the local Flower and Craft Show. It's a small event, we're not a Registered Charity, nor a Company Limited by Guarantee. The most official thing about us is our NatWest Community Bank Account. 

I've borrowed a Zettle card reader for use on the day. It seems I need to run it through PayPal, so I set up a business account - I don't have a personal account anyway.

But I can't get through the business verification process. I've got a bank statement sent to my address, but they keep asking for a business registration document, or some government tax exemption certificate (which I don't think exists in the UK). I've uploaded a letter explaining this, I've emailed that letter to someone on the Helpdesk, but nothing seems to work.

PayPal has linked to the bank account OK,  there just doesn't seem to be a way to use the card reader.

Any bright ideas? The Show is on Saturday...

Robin9

Have you tried Sum Up - ours is linked to our Lloyds account.

MyRealNameToo

Zettle can be used with an iPhone without a card reader... it may be possible on Android too but dont know. 

How have you declared yourself in the account? Presumably as a sole trader?

You mention "we", who is we? What are you that you need to take payments? Is this a one off or something you do all the time?

Savvy_Sue

I think I finally have the correct answer: Zettle no longer allows organisations to use their services without being either a company limited by guarantee or a registered charity. 

'We' are the organisers. We don't take money all the time, but last year we found quite a few people came without cash, and we charge for admission and for refreshments. Because it's just an occasional thing, I have borrowed a card reader from another organisation who only use it occasionally - but before anyone asks, I know at least two other groups who have been able to use this machine and link it to their own bank account. 

I freely admit that I am a bit of a dinosaur in this area: I think one of my fellow organisers might be more used to taking money through PayPal, so my options might be to have a link available to either pay our bank account or our PayPal account (preferably the former to avoid charges). We should have good WiFi on the day. 

Just slightly depressed that no-one thought to mention this on any of my previous phone calls ... 

MyRealNameToo

Savvy_Sue said:

I think I finally have the correct answer: Zettle no longer allows organisations to use their services without being either a company limited by guarantee or a registered charity. 

'We' are the organisers. We don't take money all the time, but last year we found quite a few people came without cash, and we charge for admission and for refreshments. Because it's just an occasional thing, I have borrowed a card reader from another organisation who only use it occasionally - but before anyone asks, I know at least two other groups who have been able to use this machine and link it to their own bank account. 

I freely admit that I am a bit of a dinosaur in this area: I think one of my fellow organisers might be more used to taking money through PayPal, so my options might be to have a link available to either pay our bank account or our PayPal account (preferably the former to avoid charges). We should have good WiFi on the day. 

Just slightly depressed that no-one thought to mention this on any of my previous phone calls ... 

They certainly also allow other structures as we have Zettle accounts both as a sole trader and a company limited by shares.

The problem is that you appear to be an unincorporated organisation but are trying to fill in the forms as if you were a legally recognised entity. Certainly with other firms they instruct non-incorporated entities to either have a related organisation register, if one exists, or register as a sole trader in the name of an appropriate member.

What do you guys do for banking? There will be a similar challenge as a non-legal entity

A quick chat with their help desk does say they will accept an unincorporated group as long as they have a bank account in the groups name and have articles of association. They also suggested registering as a sole trader as an alternative

Savvy_Sue

Thanks. Bank account has been fine, but fiddly, as its designedfor community groups. Yes, I may well have filled the forms for PayPal in wrong! Desperate to avoid anything being 'personal'.

I was trying to avoid buying a card reader for use once a year, hence borrowing the Zettle ... however last night we agreed to buy one and see what we could link it to. And one of our committee is keen to run more events so it will get more use.  

MyRealNameToo

Savvy_Sue said:

I was trying to avoid buying a card reader for use once a year, hence borrowing the Zettle ... however last night we agreed to buy one and see what we could link it to. And one of our committee is keen to run more events so it will get more use.  

For Zettle, Square and Sum Up an iPhone can be used instead of a card reader, and possibly an Android phone too so no technical need to have a card reader though personally the idea of entering my pin into some random person's phone doesnt give me a warm fuzzy feeling but then that would only be for card payments (rather than phone) and only for transactions over £100 

Savvy_Sue

MyRealNameToo said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I was trying to avoid buying a card reader for use once a year, hence borrowing the Zettle ... however last night we agreed to buy one and see what we could link it to. And one of our committee is keen to run more events so it will get more use.  

For Zettle, Square and Sum Up an iPhone can be used instead of a card reader, and possibly an Android phone too so no technical need to have a card reader though personally the idea of entering my pin into some random person's phone doesnt give me a warm fuzzy feeling but then that would only be for card payments (rather than phone) and only for transactions over £100 

Nor me ... 

No prospect of needing to take large payments, fortunately!