One Keeseville flower shop is thanking its customers, after losing $1,000 in Small Businesses Saturday sales due to technology troubles. The owner of Mossbrook Roots Flower Farm and Florist says they had a great turnout for Small Business Saturday; neighbors coming out to support the local shop's fresh-cut flowers, arrangements, hand-crafted items and gifts. "We had people here before we even opened our doors," said owner Jackie Wheelin. The support is important to many small business owners during a pandemic, especially Wheelin, who missed out on wedding season, a busy time at the shop. It wasn't until this past weekend Wheelin was notified via email that many of the Saturday afternoon transactions did not go through - about $1,000 in sales."I was a little nervous, I mean certainly on a Small Business Saturday no one likes to see anybody lose money, by any means," she said. She was using an app, called "Square", for contactless payments. The app was set to "Offline Mode," which allows the shop to process payments when the iPad is not connected to the internet. Wheelin uses the feature when she takes her business to local farmers markets. "Offline payments are processed automatically when your device regains connectivity and will expire if not processed within 72 hours," reads Square's website. Wheelin says she made a mistake by forgetting to switch the iPad back online, not realizing this through her busy afternoon on Small Business Saturday. All of the sales made on that iPad have expired. "By enabling Offline Mode, you’re responsible for any expired, declined, or disputed payments accepted while offline," reads the app's website. The settings and connection issue had customers with their flowers, but the shop without any money, so Wheelin took to Facebook for help. "WE NEED YOUR HELP!!" read the post, asking customers to check their credit card statements. "We have the last four digits of the cards that were not processed so we will be able to verify card and amount! As a local small business, we thank you for your help!"Keeseville resident Kim Barber, who purchased a wreath and stocking stuffers, was one of the many customers who showed. "I just felt awful that for some reason they might not have gotten that money," said Barber. "Being a small business and being from the same town, I know how much small businesses are hurting right now, and I could never have not gone back and been honest with them."The shop has almost all of its money back, with $200 left to go. “We’d love to see it come in, but if it doesn’t, lesson learned and we know better next time," said Wheelin. Staffer Jennifer Dorr expected nothing less from her North Country neighbors. "It doesn't surprise me in the least that they supported us and were there for us and shared the post and made sure that it got out," said Dorr. "It really says a lot about our community and our customers. You know it's been a tough year for everybody I think. It was a really great outpouring of support for us," said Wheelin. Wheelin has advice for any other small business owners who may encounter the same issues using contactless-payment options. "‘If you are taking credit cards in an offline mode that you’re aware of, get the phone number, get their names in case there is a problem," she said.
One Keeseville flower shop is thanking its customers, after losing $1,000 in Small Businesses Saturday sales due to technology troubles.
The owner of Mossbrook Roots Flower Farm and Florist says they had a great turnout for Small Business Saturday; neighbors coming out to support the local shop's fresh-cut flowers, arrangements, hand-crafted items and gifts.
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"We had people here before we even opened our doors," said owner Jackie Wheelin.
The support is important to many small business owners during a pandemic, especially Wheelin, who missed out on wedding season, a busy time at the shop.
It wasn't until this past weekend Wheelin was notified via email that many of the Saturday afternoon transactions did not go through - about $1,000 in sales.
"I was a little nervous, I mean certainly on a Small Business Saturday no one likes to see anybody lose money, by any means," she said.
She was using an app, called "Square", for contactless payments.
The app was set to "Offline Mode," which allows the shop to process payments when the iPad is not connected to the internet.
Wheelin uses the feature when she takes her business to local farmers markets.
"Offline payments are processed automatically when your device regains connectivity and will expire if not processed within 72 hours," reads Square's website.
Wheelin says she made a mistake by forgetting to switch the iPad back online, not realizing this through her busy afternoon on Small Business Saturday.
All of the sales made on that iPad have expired.
"By enabling Offline Mode, you’re responsible for any expired, declined, or disputed payments accepted while offline," reads the app's website.
The settings and connection issue had customers with their flowers, but the shop without any money, so Wheelin took to Facebook for help.
"WE NEED YOUR HELP!!" read the post, asking customers to check their credit card statements. "We have the last four digits of the cards that were not processed so we will be able to verify card and amount! As a local small business, we thank you for your help!"
Keeseville resident Kim Barber, who purchased a wreath and stocking stuffers, was one of the many customers who showed.
"I just felt awful that for some reason they might not have gotten that money," said Barber. "Being a small business and being from the same town, I know how much small businesses are hurting right now, and I could never have not gone back and been honest with them."
The shop has almost all of its money back, with $200 left to go.
“We’d love to see it come in, but if it doesn’t, lesson learned and we know better next time," said Wheelin.
Staffer Jennifer Dorr expected nothing less from her North Country neighbors.
"It doesn't surprise me in the least that they supported us and were there for us and shared the post and made sure that it got out," said Dorr.
"It really says a lot about our community and our customers. You know it's been a tough year for everybody I think. It was a really great outpouring of support for us," said Wheelin.
Wheelin has advice for any other small business owners who may encounter the same issues using contactless-payment options.
"‘If you are taking credit cards in an offline mode that you’re aware of, get the phone number, get their names in case there is a problem," she said.
December 16, 2020 at 07:15AM
https://www.mynbc5.com/article/why-one-keeseville-flower-shop-is-thanking-its-customers-for-their-honesty-support/34981759
Why one Keeseville flower shop is thanking its customers for their honesty, support - WPTZ
https://news.google.com/search?q=Flower&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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