Credit Card Machines Buying Guide

Credit card machines or credit card terminals allow doing transactions by means of the credit card. Every business that aspires to grow into a larger business should have the ability to handle credit cards. Today, money orders, cheques or cash are simply relics. People hardly use them until and unless the power goes out. Also, banks encourage the use of credit cards to. Once you get a card terminal, you will realise how you can make more profits with it.

Why a business needs card processing systems

A cash transaction using credit cards involve a lot of players. However, in the end, no matter how complex the system may be, getting credit card machines will improve your sales greatly. It is indicated that the moment you gain the ability to accept cards can increase the sales by 23 percent. Therefore, your products will get a larger market. It also improves cash flow, improves productivity, decreases operational costs and enhances your business image.

How the system works

The card payment processing terminal communicates with the bank via a telephone line. It can do the same using the internet connection too. The connection may be wired or wireless. But, usually, the telephone line is used. Some card terminals can also use cellular networks and can do transactions using the GPRS. The credit card information is entered by inserting or swiping the card. It can be manually entered too. This data is then transferred for authorisation and authentication, after which it is funded. Some credit card machines cache the data as authorization might not be available immediately. After the connection becomes available, the payment is processed.

As mentioned earlier, there are many stages involved in how the system works. The customer first chooses a product and buys it using a credit card. The moment the credit card is swiped and the transaction details are provided in the card terminal, the card-issuing bank checks if the data is valid or not, and if there are enough funds to make the purchase.

After the card data is authenticated, the bank sends the payment processor system an authorization code. This authorization is send to the card terminal, where receipt is printed for the customer to sign. The entire process takes only a few seconds.

The issuing bank will then transfer the appropriate amount electronically to the merchant’s account. Thus the payment is made.

Getting the right machine

There are different types of terminals for credit card machines. Each of these terminals are designed with a specific functionality in mind. Sometimes, the terminals need portability, like in restaurants, while at other times, they need to be fast, like in departmental stores, where there is a long queue. As for the functionality, all include basic transaction and cash back functionality, along with gratuity functionality, pre-authorization and currency conversion.

So, getting credit card machines makes a good business sense. It will help you enhance the customer service and give your business an edge over the competition.