Page 9 - tmp

July, 2019 The Antique Shoppe Page 9
VENDORS: MAKE USE OF THE OFFICE IN YOUR POCKET

Insights - by: William Flood

We antique dealers are an interesting lot. In sale, or ended up deeply discounting an item
many ways, we have an ideal lifestyle business, because a buyer was short on cash? Moreover,
with opportunities to travel, meet interesting as the younger-buyer population increases, the
people, and get our hands on some great stuff. card versus cash gap is going to widen.
Yet, we often fail to treat our operations as In the past, accepting credit cards was
“real” businesses and our bank accounts suffer expensive and often ineffective. While some
for it. dealers obtained merchant accounts for
Perhaps it comes with the territory, but their stores, the equipment was useless at
dealers often remain fixated with “old school” shows where electricity and phone lines were
ways of doing things. In particular, the adoption unavailable. Not so today. With a simple credit
rate of technology in the antiques field is card swiper for your smartphone - like those from
relatively low, even though technological Square and Paypal - you can easily accept cards
advances have made so many small business and snag those sales you would’ve otherwise
tasks easier. lost. The card readers are free or nearly so, and
Notably, mobile technology has put a wealth of great (and often free) you only need a charged phone and a cell signal to make them work. Now you can
business tools at your disposal. These tools can not only make your life easier accept cards virtually anywhere, even at outdoor shows! These outfits charge a
but also increase your sales and help your bottom line in other ways. If you small percentage (1-3%) for each purchase, but that’s how the industry has always
have a smartphone, here’s a sampling of how it can help your business: worked and it’s a small price to facilitate a profitable sale.
Accept Credit Cards With Your Phone - Are you aware that taking credit Track Your Mileage With An App - As a dealer you’re always traveling to
cards can increase your sales by 30% or more? Likewise, as much as a third of auctions, yard sales, shows and maybe your own shop or mall spaces. Did you
your customers would readily pay by credit card if they could. know that all that mileage is tax deductible? In 2019, the rate was 58-cents
Why operate strictly on a cash basis or risk taking a bad check when people per mile.
are quick to use a credit or debit card today? How many times have you lost a Continued on Page 12

Manatee Co. Antiques Dealers

Ellenton, Palmetto & Terra Ceia

COME SEE OUR NEW LOCATION
Emiline’s FEED STORE

Antique Mall ANTIQUE MALL

antiques & collectibles
4407 Hwy 301
Ellenton, FL 34222
Antiques & Collectibles Exit 224, 1 Mile W of I-75

Tea Room & Gifts 35 Quality Dealers (941) 729-1379
th
941.417.2150 1415 10 St. W., Palmetto, FL Mon. thru Sat. 10 - 5
www.charmsofleffingwell.com (Hwy. 301 - I-75, Exit 224)
Open Sat. & Sun. 10am-3pm OPEN 7 DAYS: M-S 10-5, Sun 12-5 Sun. 12 - 5
or by appointment 50 Quality Dealers
905 Leffingwell Avenue 941-729-5282
Ellenton, FL 34222 2 www.EmilinesAntiqueMall.com 3 4

Magnolia

Antique Mall 5
Antiques • Collectibles • Fine Gifts

941-729-9500 3411 US Hwy 301 N.
Just south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Ellenton, FL 34222
on beautiful Terra Ceia Island (2 miles West of I-75, Exit 224)
Come visit our shop featuring furniture, Mon.-Sat. 10-5 • Sun. 12-5
pottery, artwork, or that 941-722-5255 3 6 2 4
one of a kind gift.
Readers Preference Award
6441 U.S. Highway 19 #1 Antique Mall
P.O. Box 378 2006-2015
Nominee Manatee Co.
Terra Ceia, FL 34250 Small Business of the Year
Hours: Tue – Sat 10-5 5 We carry Howard Woodcare Products 6