Need New Credit Card Terminal

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Rick Granick

Rick Granick

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Just as the busy holiday rush was coming on, my old Xon Jr. credit card terminal decided to stop reading the stripes on cards unless it was REALLY in the mood. I didn't have time to do anything about it until after the holidays, so I spent a lot of time punching in numbers.
Anyway, I need to get a new terminal. I noticed recently that PPFA (of which we are a member) is offering credit card processing as a benefit. Anyone have experience with this service thru PPFA? How do the rates compare? How is the service? Any problems, and if so how are they handled? Do they handle all the different card types? (We take MC, Visa, Discover, and AMEX)

As to the terminal: Is there a best place to obtain a new one? I'm not quite ready to write the sales up thru POS system at this time, and although I'm probably one of the rare merchants still using the paper slips that you imprint with the "ka-chunker" along with swiping the card, I like the opportunity to itemize pieces on the slips.

Thanks for any tips on the above.
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Rick
 
Another twist, that you may or may not be aware of, is that, starting yesterday, we must all be using printers that 'x' out all but the last 4 digits of the credit card number plus the expiration date on the customer's copy.

This was a regulation last year in many states, but now is required in all states.

Your carbon slips are probably illegal. Read the fine print on your monthly merchant statement.
 
Many vendors are unwilling to re-program the Xon Jrs because they have so little RAM and are from the late 80s. They weren't designed to handle all the new toys like corporate cards that ask for PO #, cvv/cvv2/cvvc code on back of card, address verification, zip code verification, pin pad/ATM cards, etc. Some will tell you they can be updated to XXX out the card #s, others will say no. (It can be done if they want to). I think I have a pile of Xon Jr's in the garage if you want me to send you a working reader. Your vendor may also send you a free cleaning kit, which may fix the reader.

Personally, I suggest EBAY. We've been pretty happy with our HyperCom T7P-T(thermal printer is built in) It dials and connects about 2-3 faster than the Xon Jr and the printer is about 10x faster than the dot matrix models. They're often about $200. We have one of these units in the frame shop, 3 of them in a family medical business, and 1 of them in a family automotive business. Other than one of them, they've been very reliable. Verifone makes some great products, too. Many of the new terminals have the ability to read smartcards and offer a PIN PAD for ATM card use.

Those Xon terminals were built like tanks!

Mike
 
Merchant Warehouse I bought here and so have about 1/2 doz of the local merchants over the last couple of years around me. All have been happy.

I recommend an Omni3200 unless something newer in the works. Their customer support has been very good.

framer
 
I got a Nurit 2085, with printer and debit keypad. Google Nurit 2085, good machine and I think it is also available at FramerTG's link.

Both should be less than $400, and they can trunc the numbers for you
 
Rick,

Go out and purchase the Omni 3200. Banks will charge $400-500 for these and if they lease these to you, you'll pay even more. On a search, I found several companies selling these discounted and ended picking up two new ones for $199 each. I then had my processing company program them.

They are very quiet, intuitive, and up-to-date. Several threads have run on this subject in the past...


Processing Credit Cards
Credit Cards - Address Verification
Merchant Account Question

Happy New Year,

John
 
Just recently my VeriFone Trans 380 was reprogramed by Wells Fargo to scan the cards and take all the information including the back ccv#.

While doing this I asked about the new receipt laws. They told me that if I only imprint my shop information on the old style carbon receipt without putting the customer card in the manual swiper, and then hand write in the name and last 4 numbers on the card, that this would be an expectable way to give receipts using the old style carbons and still being in compliance with the new laws. The authorization # you also hand write on the carbon receipt will give you and the customer the information needed if later an inquiry or refund is necessary.

I'm sure there are many small shops out there who have a problem with the added expence of buying a terminal to comply with the new laws. This sure beats having to spend $8-900 if you don't have to. Your card service company won't readily offer you this information because they want to sell new terminals, but ask the questions--they should tell you the truth. Maybe.
 
I bought mine at Merchant Warehouse too.

My bank actually suggested M.W. when I laughed violently at their $800.

I got the Omni 3200. It reads cards!

Carry on.
 
Rick -
You might also try your local bank where you do business. When ours went down, our bank replaced it with a new upgraded unit at their cost (189.00). Sometimes it pays to live in a small town
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