Credit Card Machines Buying Guide Basics

New Jersey - May 23 2005 - What do you look for in credit card machines?  How do you know you are finding the right equipment for your business?  These and many more questions plague our customers and merchants on a daily basis, so how do you know what you are buying is right for you?   All the different electronic payment options make buying a terminal more and more complicated.  When you consider having the capability of attaching a check imager, a PIN pad, or networking your systems through a router, you have to consider the equipment and the processor when accomplishing your goals.

Check with processor!  The first step in buying equipment is to always check with our processor to see if they can support the equipment you're buying.  You may want the Hypercom T7 Plus, but if your processor cannot support it, the equipment is useless to you.  Our experience with most of the customer service issues is that the merchant bought a piece of equipment , but their processor cannot program it.  It's not because the equipment is useless or defective, but all processors are limited in their capabilities, and it's because of their limitations that you need to find out the right equipment by comparing apples to apples.  Example:  when you are looking at a Talento T1, there are three different models to that you can buy, so you need to discover which one your processor can support.

Credit Card Machines:  Is the Hypercom T7 Plus the same as the Verifone 3750?  Every credit card terminal has different functions and capabilities, but all of them take some investigation for your needs and price expectations.  The following is a list of different options available when considering credit card machines:

• IPP or Internal PIN Pad:  This comes with several different models and although a nice option, you should consider the fact that this terminal is passed back and fourth between the cashier and customer.
• SmartCard: Another great option automatically available on some terminals, but will you utilize this option?  Smartcard is used for gift and loyalty cards and unless your business is going to utilize this option, you might want to consider a less expensive terminal.
• Touch Screen: This option is more for the ease of use for the cashier, but usually gives you signature capture.  Signature Capture allows your customers to sign the terminal screen instead of the receipt.
• Wireless Capabilities:   This allows you to accept Credit Cards through a wireless or cellular connection.  Most of the time this is great for merchants who are making sales away from the office, but this can be limited by the cellular service in that particular area.
• RS-232 Ports:  This gives you the opportunity to attach other devices to your terminal such as a check imager or check reader.
• PIN Pad Port:  Allows you to add an external PIN pad to your existing credit card machine.

Now there is no set rules for what type of equipment to buy or what type of equipment your processor can support, so it's up to you, the merchant, to investigate what your best options are.  Just remember, if you have any questions about equipment call your processor, and if they cannot help you, give us a call - 877-239-2144

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