Looking at adding a pos system and new credit card merchant.  Looking for suggestions!  I was thinking about shopkeep for iPad and using square up for credit cards.  Looking for some advice.  Thanks

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Michael,

I'm from Ambur, so I'm obviously biased, but I'll give you the straight up facts:

1.) We work off a local server(1 primary "hub" iPad), so if the location's internet goes down, you can still do everything(print tickets, process cash transactions etc.) except process CC transactions. It's possible to use a 3G compatible wireless router which will automatically switch to 3G if the modem's connection goes down, but I don't know of anyone currently using one.

- You can still view reports remotely, however not to-the-minute, but not more than an hour generally - And only from an Apple touch device.

2.) Yes, it's dependable. If an iPad goes down or gets stolen, you don't have to ship it off and pay $1,000 for a week's worth of repairs - Just go to the nearest Apple store. In the mean time, grab a secondary device or borrow one from a friend for a day, link to Dropbox and you've got your entire database waiting for you.

3.) Nope, we haven't yet integrated with a gift card program, however we do allow custom coupons to be created and emailed to customers directly from Ambur.

4.) Yes, we have a clock-in clock-out system and the permission capabilities to say which users are prompted to clock in or out at their appropriate times.

5.) We don't yet offer a kitchen display system - However it is certainly something our development team has on its list of features to work on for the future.

6.) Ease of Use is one of our primary tenets - many of our clients have a menu set up and working in our demo version before they even receive their hardware - After purchasing a license, one only has to input a username and password and all of their information will remain in the system.

Pleeeease don't simply trust me or anyone out there based on what you find in a forum - Really check up on reviews, ask for references and try to find locations in your area using their system. POS systems shouldn't cost as much as they used to, but they're still a large investment.

Feel free to try us out - I can offer a 30 Day $ back guarantee on the license, and all of the hardware is compatible with most other systems out there.

Cheers!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. I may be in touch with more questions as I move forward.

Jeffrey Pollock said:

Michael,

I'm from Ambur, so I'm obviously biased, but I'll give you the straight up facts:

1.) We work off a local server(1 primary "hub" iPad), so if the location's internet goes down, you can still do everything(print tickets, process cash transactions etc.) except process CC transactions. It's possible to use a 3G compatible wireless router which will automatically switch to 3G if the modem's connection goes down, but I don't know of anyone currently using one.

- You can still view reports remotely, however not to-the-minute, but not more than an hour generally - And only from an Apple touch device.

2.) Yes, it's dependable. If an iPad goes down or gets stolen, you don't have to ship it off and pay $1,000 for a week's worth of repairs - Just go to the nearest Apple store. In the mean time, grab a secondary device or borrow one from a friend for a day, link to Dropbox and you've got your entire database waiting for you.

3.) Nope, we haven't yet integrated with a gift card program, however we do allow custom coupons to be created and emailed to customers directly from Ambur.

4.) Yes, we have a clock-in clock-out system and the permission capabilities to say which users are prompted to clock in or out at their appropriate times.

5.) We don't yet offer a kitchen display system - However it is certainly something our development team has on its list of features to work on for the future.

6.) Ease of Use is one of our primary tenets - many of our clients have a menu set up and working in our demo version before they even receive their hardware - After purchasing a license, one only has to input a username and password and all of their information will remain in the system.

Pleeeease don't simply trust me or anyone out there based on what you find in a forum - Really check up on reviews, ask for references and try to find locations in your area using their system. POS systems shouldn't cost as much as they used to, but they're still a large investment.

Feel free to try us out - I can offer a 30 Day $ back guarantee on the license, and all of the hardware is compatible with most other systems out there.

Cheers!

Jeff

We just started using Square Register and it was the best decision we have made yet. The customers love it (increased customer interaction as they get to sign on the screen and they love the rotating case!), the staff loves it (it doesn't lock up, shut down, move slow, and look horrible like Vitalink), and the management loves it. There is great back end reporting and the ability to export everything to excel.

The only thing it lacks is inventory management and gift cards functionality. We fixed the gift card problem by using a alternate gift card processor, provided for free by our old credit card processing company, Mercury.

Comments about Square not being good for a busy cafe I don't think are well founded - Square is able to handle the quick turnaround better than our previous system. 

Oh, and the other fantastic thing: Square is saving us $300-400 per month in credit card processing fees! Tips have increased about 15% for our barists. And, get this, sales have increased! I have had customers come in "just to see the ipad" (which is hysterical to me, but hey, whatever works!)

I highly recommend Square. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Janice - How were you able to integrate Square for cc payments and Mercury for gift cards? We currently use Mercury for our cc processing and gift card program, but are looking to switch to Square. The drawback is no gift card program. How did you do both?

Thanks!

-Aaron

Hello all,
I am in the process of purchasing a pos system. I started with the three legacy top tier systems and now am examining IPad based systems. I love the thought of using NCR Silver system that has a 2.6% fixed rate. Currently I am on cost plus with average ticket under $10.00 resulting in monthly charges from 3.5-3.75%. I like the idea of the fixed rates on some of the iPad systems but not one has all the features I need. Anyone have a processor to recommend? Desperately seeking better rates.

I haven't taken a hard look at it yet, but I just came accross this iPad app and processor in one, and they have gift card capabilities, too... would love to know if anyone has had current experience with them...

 

https://instoredoes.com/

Holy Cow!  Thats the best credit card around. It makes you wonder how long some of these companies can hold these rates. I have found that the "best of show" ipad drives system to be ISIS POS. This has it all includeing built in default for credit cards to 3g/4g via your router. Only problem is that they do not partner with a credit card provider.

I posted this in the other thread, but last month using Square my rate worked out to under 1.5%... food for thought...
 
Timothy Pellizzer said:

Holy Cow!  Thats the best credit card around. It makes you wonder how long some of these companies can hold these rates. I have found that the "best of show" ipad drives system to be ISIS POS. This has it all includeing built in default for credit cards to 3g/4g via your router. Only problem is that they do not partner with a credit card provider.

No one seems to be mentioning the fact that Square now has a new flat rate of $275 per month. We do a large number of credit card sales in the shop and it seems to me that the flat $275 per month would be lower than 2.75% per transaction.

hi Chad

i have a pos for sale with cash drawer, 15" touch screen with cc reader, 2 printers and dinnerware software for sale. i bought it new $2500 2 yrs ago and now asking 1000 - any interest ? cafemcafe@gmail.com

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