[Shop-talk] Cell Phone to POTS-Jack Adaptor?

[David Scheidt]

On 7/6/07, Kai M. Radicke <kradicke at wishboneclassics.com> wrote:
> This question may have shop-relevance to someone ;-)
>
> Does anyone know of a cell phone accessory that will allow you to connect a
> regular POTS-jack (plain old telephone service jack, RJ11/14) device to your
> cell phone?
>
> I am trying to find an "as needed" solution to processing credit cards from
> my credit card terminal when I am not at the shop (like the upcoming VTR
> show in a week and a half).  I could opt for one of the commercial cell
> phone plans that offer phones with built in credit card swipers, but they
> are very expensive and I would only need this functionality maybe 3-4 times
> a year.  I could also use my laptop, but only if WiFi service is available.
>

They exist.  They're not cheap, though.  I also don't know how well
they work for data.  Credit card processing is probably okay, given
the low baud rate.

It's also worth talking to your credit card processor, to find out
what they charge for phone verification.  Many processors have an
automated phone system, where you punch the card number and amounts
in, and they gave an authorization.  You may, or may not, also have to
make an impression of the card.  The rates are higher; how much
depends.

-- 
David Scheidt
dmscheidt at gmail.com