Mobile EFTPOS machine

[KoB]

Hi,

Has anyone has any experience with an EFTPOS machine? There are so many in the market that I am a little overwhelmed. What are the pitfalls to watch out for? Are there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks

KoB

[paul]

Ingenico seem to be the "de-facto" standard.

But what is your use case? Mobile of course, but do you want to upload the data somewhere afterwards, or will you just key data from the report?

Reception of course is something you need to consider. On the other end of the equation is the bank. If you have a bank already in mind, then they may already have a range of EFTPOS machines they will provide, which will make your selection simpler.

Paul

[Jost Stollmann]

Originally Posted by KoB

Hi,

Has anyone has any experience with an EFTPOS machine? There are so many in the market that I am a little overwhelmed. What are the pitfalls to watch out for? Are there anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks

KoB

Hello KoB

I launched an Acquiring Bank in Australia to compete with the big banks. We help particularly SMEs. Have a look at www.tyro.com

If you have broadband access just pop the terminal in and it works. For mobile application we have a GPRS model. All transactions are real-time online.

Good luck!

Jost

[TSH-SR]

Hi KoB,
It is overwhelming, but everyone is out to sell you their best most expensive unit, not what is the best fit for your business.

For my business I went through the exercise and spoke to clients and contacts about what they wanted a Tradesman to have as far as payment options, spoke to a few companies about mobile coverage in the areas I cover and then the upgrade and updating costs on top of your bank fees/merchant fees.

Believe it or not but the best result for me and my situation, works everywhere that I am at no cost to me or my customers, just the normal bank merchant fees. It is an old fashioned Click Clack paper voucher machine.
Sure I can only take Credit Cards, but 97% of the people I spoke too, want to pay with credit cards for points etc not Debit from their account.

Occasionally I get excited about a new machine or service and think I should bring the last dinosaur in my business into the 21st century, but when I work through it all again - the paper based system works so well in my situation, at the moment.

All the best with it.
Tony

[CashflowAddiction.com]

There's a couple of apps for the iphone / nokia's which let you take cards.. you need an online merchant account which can also be tied into your website..
I looked into it a month or so ago but my current business doesn't require it.

Soon though

[BB]

Hey Kob,

I'm with Tony - it comes down to price. Of course, it also depends on how often you're going to use the dang thing.

I found that the cheapest option, and perhaps the most simplest, is (like Tony) the old "click-clack" machine. We only have to pay the bank fees on each transaction. And, oddly enough - my customers prefer to pay via cash or cheque. (seems to me that most folk are getting very wary of bank fees in all areas)

Whichever product you decide on - make sure you get the bottom line regarding fees!

Cheers,

B.B.

[CrashIT]

Actually I would go one better, cheaper, quicker faster.

Just ask you bank to give you web access.

we are with nab and they have a website called transact.

I can do a credit card transaction from anywhere that has web access.

Or fire up my laptop, log onto the web using my 3 card, log onto the website and bingo.

no fancy machines, no gimmics, just simple secure website.

too easy.

[LeelaCosgrove]

Another option if you want it to be even EASIER ... EWay now offer access using windows-based mobile phones. So precisely the same as above - you just log on to the internet and put in the credit card details - but in this case, you don't need to carry your laptop around.

[EFTPOSCO]

Hi KoB,

a few things, when using the non-bank payment services you will pay a lot for it, and the service will not always be there, if you use the internet payment systems this may lose you business as some people are not comfortable giving details in this way, also people are not comfortable having their details being punched in to a laptop.

having dealt with many banks, there are hidden fees, such as premiums and overseas cards, and corporate cards, be sure to ask about these also.

I have been in the EFTPOS arena for a few years now and have quite some knowledge on all banks and service providers.

The main thing is to establish what you need it for, are you retail, are you at trade shows or country areas.

The next step is to find out the type of industry you are in.

One thing the banks will do is offer you there standard rates, while they expect their clients to go directly to them and not shop around for better prices. This is why i still see people paying 2+% per transactions.

We see that our clients get below the 1% mark for the credit cards (being visa/mastercard) amex and diners do charge more. And is generally not negotiable. Unless some special deals are on offer (rare), it is still good to take these cards as these card holders are likely to spend more (also dependant on your industry type).

The next few questions would depend on the expected turnover you have forecasted. And average ticket sizes.

My only advise would be to shop around before committing to one bank.

feel free to call us for free advice. www.eftposconnection.com.au

We ensure your features are met, along with price and service.

Hope this helps, quick summary; ensure you shop around. ensure you dont go to your home bank and make sure you negotiate! it is your money they are taking for this service. If you want someone to do it for free for you and ensure you get the best deal see us last.

Also it can take 10 days or more to get terminals so if you are launching soon if not already might be worth doing this early on in the piece.

Cheers

Anthony

[mobbiexpress]

Hi KoB,

If your still looking and you find that a standard EFTPOS machine is to large or reception is not the best, we offer a Windows mobile solution that uses any windows mobile touchscreen phone as the interface to our card reader/printer. We use your phones data plan to make the connection to the banks, so if GPRS fails, go to 3G, no 3G then wifi, etc.

Its limited to credit cards but like TSH-ISS has said, most people perfer to use credit cards.

Regards,

Andrew
www.mobbiexpress.com