There are many different makes and models of credit card terminals . Choosing one that will meet your business needs and enable you to improve your customer service is the biggest dilemma many will face when it comes to deciding on a card reader. It is not so much about style with this type of decision as it is with function.
Finding one that works for your company and will work with your current payment system is the most important part of the terminal selection. You will not want to make a huge investment in redoing the entire system over one piece of equipment, so check the compatibility.
The first thing to look at when choosing card swipe machines for your business is whether or not the existing register system you have has the ability to incorporate this device. In some cases you may have invested in registers that have a reader built into them already, if that is the case, then you will not have a need to invest in any new equipment. You may however need to invest in the software that will be required in order for the machine and reader to work properly. It is not as simple as having one and being able to slide the card through. You will need to make sure it is functional and operational before saying that you now take credit cards.
The type of machine that is most likely to attract your attention is a free standing machine that you position next to the register and swipe the card through. It in most cases will have its own printer and will allow the user to enter the number manually if necessary and the strip on the card does not read. This will give all of the control to the cashier and allow for easier signature comparison when it is necessary. In most cases, this component is separate with the total needing to be entered and a separate total from the drawer kept in order to maintain a balance.
Another style of card reader would be the style in which it attaches to the register, but the customer swipes his or her own card and enters a pin if necessary. Here it will usually attach to the register front in view of the customer and allow the customer to see it and use it. This model will have to plug into the actual register and be integrated with it so as to be able to work with it. Here the machine is part of the overall system and there is no separate entity or need to calculate and balance slips at the end of the evening unless there is a problem.
Regardless of the type or style of credit card terminals that the company will use to meet the needs of the customers, there will still be a need for additional hardware as well as a routing system that is in place in order to maintain and provide info for the system. The reader will need to able to either directly, or indirectly communicate with a financial institution to be able to complete the transaction. This will need to be done either through a hi-speed service or else through the use of satellite. Either way you will need to find a way to transmit the information from your establishment to the bank.
Depending on the type of business you are involved in will determine if it is necessary to have a receipt print from the reader itself or if you will be able to print a copy of a receipt in a different way. If it is a mail order business or one in which things are ordered on the internet or over the phone, the receipt will be mailed to the person who is making the purchase. The company will be able to, in all likelihood include the information for the transaction on the invoice and thus will not need to have the printer style card reader. If you will need a card reader that prints the receipts itself take into consideration the fact you will need paper. Be aware of the type of paper you will need and where you will be able to get it. No all of the consoles will have a universal paper supplier and thus you will need to determine what to use based on the printer that is with the reader.
Being aware of your business and customer needs will be that largest factor in what type of card reader will be used for the company. Knowing which is the most convenient as well as what it is that will give the customer a positive experience is what should carry the most weight when it comes to how to decide on a reader. If you work in an industry such as a quick service restaurant or a convenient store, you will probably want to buy a reader for credit cards that is easy to use and see. Another factor for these types of industries is the durability as many will be using and in contact with these readers as opposed to the few in other industries. However, if you run a sit down restaurant the reader does not need to be as user friendly. This is because very few people will use it in this situation where as in the other businesses it will be in use by the masses.
However, make sure that the reader you do eventually decide to procure is within your price range for your credit card reader. Look at the different prices as well as warranties and service plans that may be included in them and determine if they will work for your budget and meet your needs. Do not forget about compatibility with the existing system in place as well as who will be installing the product and card reader to meet your specifications and to explain the system to you. Make sure to know all of the options and to get a thorough rundown so you are not spending the first two weeks of owning the reader on the phone trying to find out how the thing works.