Credit Card (CC) or point of sale terminals (POS) is a necessary equipment in a store or company that accepts credit cards. Normally, companies buying or leasing credit card terminals with their merchant account provider that is most convenient. But there are other options. This article discusses some important points for picking DC terminals.
Payment methods accepted at point of sale terminals
Before you start looking for a credit card machine to establish the types of payment you want to handle.
* Payment by debit card: the POS terminal to accept credit cards and debit cards? By accepting debit cards is a good thing, because it just created a service fee, no discount rate. If so, it is internal or external PIN from the beginning? Built-in PIN pad is cleaner than manual, but it also means dealing with the customer terminal. External PIN pad costs about $ 100 - $ 200.
* Electronic Check Conversion (ECC): If you want to process paper checks electronically, you must use a check reader that scans the MICR code and takes a snapshot of controls for recording. It costs several hundred dollars. The advantage of ECC is that the processing time becomes much shorter. Plus, you do not have to worry about maintaining control or safe deposit them, rejected the checks are reported promptly, and the deposit is made much faster.
* Loyalty Cards: You may accept gifts or rewards card if your offer promotions to increase sales. Most point of sale terminal software can be customized to accept these cards.
* Smart cards: Smart cards are the successors of credit cards, but not yet widespread. More information about the account, that store personal data on a chip. A POS terminal must be willing to integrate a smart card processor payment option, internal or external will become popular in the years ahead. Outdoor units for $ 100 - $ 200.
* Check / ATM cards: Often confused with debit cards, check / debit cards work both debit and credit. They are recognized by MasterCard or Visa logo on them. Save on discount rates by asking the cardholder to enter a PIN when using the card.
* Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT): If the number of customers using food stamps and social benefits, the terminal OSP must be able to accept them. Customers must enter the PIN, as they do with credit cards.
Credit card terminals
Credit card terminals can be connected (all-in-one) or non-integrated. integrated connectors are compact, built-in printer, not the cables, and to serve all the computing needs. The downside is the high cost and inconvenience can not use if you develop a printer problem. non-integrated payment terminals are more bulky than the PIN pad and printer are external. There are no more wires to hide, but the price is lower.
Buy or lease a credit card terminal
The new payment terminals would be expensive. If your budget is tight, you may consider buying a refurbished terminal. They are used for terminals, which were imposed by the manufacturer and are sold at discounted prices. Warranty, these units is similar to that offered new terminals. If you do not mind some of the errors, this is a good option.
You can also choose to purchase and lease of POS terminals. The estimated cost of the terminal in less than the providers of the lease contract is a long (48 months), which can not be undone, and we pay our taxes and security against loss or damage.
The best place to install the terminal
The location of a POS terminal is important for customer convenience. The terminal must:
* E 'strategically located boxes faster
* Give customers easy access PIN pads
* To be near a phone jack
* E 'better to have a small footprint
Companies should also have a second phone line so you do not miss calls, the terminal works.
Some popular brands that manufacture VeriFone payment terminals, Hypercom, Ingenico. Offer easy credit card processing to more sophisticated models. Your company's needs with available features and select a credit card terminal that will serve satisfactorily in the coming years.