To process a credit card payment using a credit card machine, you typically follow these steps:
- Start by ensuring that the credit card machine is securely connected to a power source and turned on.
- When the machine is ready, insert the customer's credit card into the designated slot on the machine. The card should be facing up and with the magnetic strip or chip facing towards the correct direction.
- The credit card machine will display prompts or instructions on the screen. Follow them as required. This may include requesting a PIN or signature verification from the customer.
- If a PIN is required, the customer needs to enter it on the keypad provided on the credit card machine. Make sure they do so privately and securely.
- If a signature is required, the machine may prompt the customer to sign on a printed receipt or on the credit card machine's screen if it has a touchscreen display.
- Once the required verification is complete, the credit card machine will communicate with the card issuer or the payment processor to authorize the transaction.
- After a short processing time, the machine will display the transaction result. If the payment is approved, a receipt will be printed or provided digitally (via email or text) to the customer. If the payment is declined, you may need to ask for an alternative payment method or contact the card issuer to resolve the issue.
- Ensure that the customer receives the receipt and thank them for their purchase.
- Depending on your business's procedures, you may need to reconcile or record the transaction in your accounting system or point-of-sale software.
- Finally, it is important to ensure the credit card machine is securely stored or kept in a locked place to prevent unauthorized access.
Remember to consult the specific instructions provided by the credit card machine manufacturer and your merchant service provider, as the steps may vary slightly based on the machine's model and your service agreement.
Best Credit Card Machine For Small Business in 2024
1
Rating is 5 out of 5
Shopify POS Go - Mobile Point of Sale Machine & System for Retail, Small Business - All-in-One Credit Card Reader, Terminal, Barcode Scanner, POS Software Device
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ALL-IN-ONE DEVICE – Designed for efficient, quick, user-friendly in-store transactions, this compact device acts as a complete POS terminal, barcode scanner, and card reader. Accept all payment types including cash, credit or debit cards, and digital wallets.
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MOBILE CHECKOUTS - Close sales anywhere with this mobile wireless machine. Get everything you need to check out customers in the palm of your hand from the built-in barcode scanner to card reader, WiFi connectivity, and long battery life.
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USER-FRIENDLY FEATURES - The touchscreen is easy to use and read, with a 5.5" HD display using strong Gorilla Glass 5. The barcode scanner and tap, chip, and swipe card reader functions are intuitive and powerful for quick, smooth operation.
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SMART BUSINESS MANAGEMENT - Access your entire business from a single device. With this hand-held POS machine you can monitor sales, check inventory levels, update customer profiles, and view analytics.
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REQUIRES SHOPIFY ACCOUNT - To use the Shopify POS Go, you need to have a Shopify account. New users can sign up for Shopify at shopify.com. Existing Shopify users can start using the Shopify POS Go right away by simply connecting it to your account.
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
Square Register - Powered by Square POS
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Start selling right out of the box with payments processing, POS software and powerful hardware designed by Square. No extra tablet, apps or payment terminal required.
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Accept all major cards at 2.6% + $0.10 per tap, dip, or swipe and get funds in your bank account as fast as the next business day. Plus, with Offline Mode, you can still take payments, even when your Wi-Fi is down.
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Get expert phone support, protection from eligible chargebacks, and a 2-year limited warranty.
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Customize your setup with two touchscreen displays: one for you and one for your customers
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Grow your business with constantly improving point-of-sale software, including the Square Point of Sale app, Square Appointments, Square for Retail, and Square for Restaurants.
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Plug in optional cash drawers, receipt printers, order ticket printers, or bar code scanners and get up and running instantly.
3
Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Square Terminal - Credit Card Machine to Accept All Payments | Mobile POS
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With Square Terminal, you can ring up sales, accept payments, and print receipts, all with one device. Use it at the counter or ring up customers anywhere in your store.
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Accept all major credit and debit cards and pay one low rate with no hidden fees and no long-term contracts.
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Process chip cards in just two seconds.
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Get your money as soon as the next business day.
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Use it cordlessly with the built-in battery, designed to last all day.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
SumUp Solo + Printer Bundle - Credit Card Payment Card Reader. Full Touch-Screen Interface with Free SIM Card and Mobile Data (SumUp Solo + Printer)
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Issue receipts on-the-go with the lightweight pocket-sized device, and benefit from fast and fully thermal inkless printing with 800 receipts on a single charge.
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Use the printer as a battery pack to kick in when your Solo’s running out of power. Both the reader and the printer stay ready to go with double fast charging and optimal power distribution.
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Accept all major payment types from chip and contactless to Google Pay and Apple Pay.
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View your transaction history, issue refunds and enable smart tipping directly on the device
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Connect to Wi-Fi or use the free, unlimited data service and enjoy automatic software updates to make sure you’re always ready to take payments
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Swivel Stand for Pax A35 Credit Card Machine Terminal Pin pad - Complete Kit - Sturdy and Durable - 4.7" Tall, Swivels and Tilts
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SWIVEL & TILT FLEXIBILITY: The Stand swivels (Left and Right Turns) 330 degree and Tilts (up and down) 50 degree. Swivel gives the cashier flexibility to turn the device towards him/her to help the customers when needed without going to customer side. The tilt feature will adjust the correct angle to hold the Device based on counter height.
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PACKAGE INCLUDES: This is a complete kit. The package includes the Base Stand with Back Plate to attach the credit card machine (pre assembled), Mounting Screws, Allen Key and Wrench (tools), Adhesive Glue Pad. You can either screw down on counter surface or use Adhesive Glue Pad where Screw is NOT possible, exable - glass counter.
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PERFECT HEIGHT: The stand if perfect height of 4.7" for all counter level. It has enough clearance for Card Insert from button which can also be adjusted by tilt feature. Once you have the correct tilt position set, you can use the allen Key and Wrench to tight the screw so it won't tilt down anymore.
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ADHESIVE GLUE PAD: A adhesive Glue Pad is included in each stand as an option to glue down the stand if the surface cannot use the screw (examble glass or marble). The glue pad is very strong to hold the stand as this is made for this purpose. If you ever need to remove the glue pad in the futire, simple slowly heat up the area (with hair dryer) and use a string/thread to workout to remove.
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DURABILITY: The Stand is made out of robust mild steel with durable powder coated finish. It is very sturdy and durable.
6
Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Verifone VX520 Dual Comm Credit Card Machine- with Smart Card Reader
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Combines an ergonomic design, small footprint and unique cable management system
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VX520 DC w/SC 128/32 MB (Dial/ ETH 128 / 32 MB STK) (non contactless) EMV
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Part Number: M252-753-03-NAA-3
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
First Data FD150 EMV CTLS Credit Card Terminal with Wells 350 Encryption
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Chip Card / EMV / NFC Compatible
8
Rating is 4.3 out of 5
VeriFone Vx520 EMV CLTS 32MB Credit Card Terminal
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NO ENCRYPTION FOR DEBIT. NEED PIN PAD TO ATTACH WITH THE DEVICE TO WORK FOR DEBI
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Verifone VX520 terminal with EMV reader, contactless reader, and dual com modem.
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PCI COMPLIANT
9
Rating is 4.2 out of 5
Clover Mini POS System for Small Business, Credit Card Reader Anywhere Machine, Built in Printer - Requires Processing Account Through Advantage POS Store
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A SMALL, POWERFUL POS FOR TIGHT SPACES: Run your business with the sleek and powerful Mini, a POS that fits in any space. Everything you need is right on the device.
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LARGER TOUCH SCREEN: The upsized 8" touch screen has plenty of room to confirm orders, complete payments, and manage everything to run your business.
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ACCEPT POPULAR PAYMENT TYPES: The Clover Mini makes it easy for customers to pay with swipe, dip, or tap. Credit or debit. And contactless payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal/Venmo.
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START SMALL AND EXPAND AS YOU NEED TO: The Clover Mini works with all other Clover devices and can expand with accessories to build a complete system so your system can grow as your business grows.
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Payments: Accepts chip, swipe, and contactless payments Screen: 8" LCD color touch screen Receipt printer: Built-in thermal dot receipt printer Security: Clover Security end-to-end encryption Connectivity: Wi-Fi, ethernet, and LTE connectivity Cash drawer: Optional add-on
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READY OUT OF THE BOX: Comes with a receipt printer — all you need to get to work..-(note) Requires new processing account through Advantage POS Store for this package. Rate match guarantee with current credit card payment processor or flat rate of 2.6% and .10 cents a transaction.
10
Rating is 4.1 out of 5
symcode New POS PDA Thermal Receipt Printer 5.99" High Resolution and Clear Touch Screen Handheld PDA Printer Mobile POS Machine Terminal Printer Android 8.1 OS Built-in Google Play and NFC
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Symcode New POS PDA Thermal Receipt Printer,5.99" High Resolution and Clear Touch Screen, 5MP camera and Wifi 5G/4G/3G/2G/GPS connectivity.40MM Diameter Paper Roll Capacity, Support Nano SIM+TF , With NFC card recognition.
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58mm POS Thermal Receipt Printer Android 8.1 OS,Usb: Support USB OTG.support developers to debug and use .Deca-core/10 cores MTK.
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[ Control of Inventory ] This thermal receipt printer helps you keep better control of inventory, sales and profits, deliver tickets to your customers, create users, discounts, products by name, code or barcode and much more!
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POS PDA Compatible with 99% of Android Apps, e.g. Loyverse(For Retail/Clothing), iREAP(For Retail/Inventory), CasierStock(For Shopping/Inventory Management), Kyte(For Mobile Sales), Pozool(Restaurant/Coffee Shop), allow accept order and print receipt in one POS.
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Handheld PDA printer comes with Google Play and supports the following software, Shopify, Google Chrome, PDF, Loyverse, iREAP, and Kyte, Support Google Play software download.No need for secondary development.which allows accepting the order and print receipt in one POS , 90mm/s boosts 20% working efficiency.
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POS Receipt Printer inside 3200mAh 7.6V battery lasts the whole day even in the most demanding situations.Work with android app, make bill printing, mobile payment, ordering, takeaway, queue control, marketing management, make all-in-one POS.
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Terminal printer POS is portable, 0.7in body, 0.9lb weight , also with a 5.5-inch touch screen, also can scan 1D/2D.QR barcodes by the camera.(The camera mainly decodes 2D codes.and the ability to decode 1D codes is relatively weak) It is a combination of Bluetooth thermal printer and mobile phone, so that you can save your money and space, Widely used in food trucks, cafes, drink & food, pizza, bakery, restaurant, grocery store, fashion & boutique, convenience store, jewelry, carwash.
What is a batch settlement?
A batch settlement refers to the process of settling a group of transactions or payments in a single batch. It is commonly used in electronic payment systems or credit card processing where multiple transactions are collected over a specific period and then processed for settlement together. In this process, the merchant or payment processor submits a batch of transactions to the acquiring bank or payment network for verification, authorization, and settlement. The batch settlement enables efficient processing of multiple transactions simultaneously, reduces administrative efforts, and ensures timely payment to merchants.
What is a PIN pad?
A PIN pad, also known as a Personal Identification Number pad or keypad, is a device used for entering a numeric code or PIN (Personal Identification Number). It is commonly found in various electronic systems and devices such as ATM machines, debit/credit card payment terminals, security systems, door locks, and other devices that require user authentication. The PIN pad typically contains a set of numerical keys (0-9) enabling the user to type in their unique PIN to access a system or authorize a transaction.
How to set up a credit card machine?
Setting up a credit card machine involves a few basic steps. Here's a general guide that can be applied to most credit card machines:
- Choose a credit card machine: There are various types available, such as countertop terminals, portable terminals, and mobile card readers. Select the one that suits your business needs.
- Obtain merchant services: To accept credit card payments, you will need to establish a merchant account with a bank or a payment processor. Research and select a provider that offers competitive rates and supports your chosen credit card machine.
- Gather necessary information: Before setting up the credit card machine, gather essential information like your business details, banking information, tax identification number, and any required documentation requested by the merchant services provider.
- Connect to a power source: Plug in the credit card machine to a power outlet for a direct power supply. Some portable or mobile card readers may be battery-powered.
- Connect to the internet: Depending on the type of credit card machine, you will need a stable internet connection. It can be done via a wired Ethernet connection, Wi-Fi, or cellular data. Follow the machine's instructions to establish the connection.
- Configure the machine: Power on the credit card machine and follow the setup instructions provided by the manufacturer. This typically includes entering basic business information, setting the date and time, and configuring communication settings.
- Install any software or apps: Some credit card machines require specific software or apps to operate fully. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to install any required software onto your computer or smartphone.
- Test the machine: Once the setup is complete, perform a few test transactions to ensure the credit card machine is working properly. Use real credit cards or a test mode provided by the payment processor, if available.
- Train your staff: If you have employees who will be using the credit card machine, provide them with training on how to operate it effectively. Ensure they understand how to process payments, handle common issues, and troubleshoot potential errors.
- Display prominent signage: Make it visible to customers that credit card payments are accepted by displaying signage or logos provided by the payment processor or credit card networks. This helps build trust and encourages customers to pay using their cards.
Note: It's essential to consult the user manual provided by the credit card machine manufacturer for specific setup instructions and considerations, as the process may vary depending on the brand and model.
How to reconcile transactions on a credit card machine?
Reconciling transactions on a credit card machine involves the process of matching the transactions made on the machine with the corresponding records in your business records or bank account. To reconcile transactions, follow these steps:
- Gather necessary documents: Collect all relevant records that provide information on credit card transactions. These may include credit card receipts, transaction reports, settlement reports, and bank statements.
- Review the credit card machine reports: Look over the transaction reports generated by the credit card machine. These reports typically provide details such as the transaction date, amount, card type, and authorization code.
- Compare with records: Compare the transactions listed on the credit card machine reports with the receipts and other records you have. Check for any discrepancies or missing transactions.
- Cross-reference with bank statements: Once you have matched the transactions with your records, reconcile them against your bank statements. Verify that the funds from credit card sales have been correctly deposited into your bank account.
- Investigate discrepancies: In case you encounter any discrepancies or missing transactions, thoroughly investigate the issue. This may involve contacting your credit card processor, bank, or the card issuer for clarification or resolution.
- Make adjustments if required: If you find any discrepancies or errors during the reconciliation process, make appropriate adjustments to your records. This could involve updating transaction amounts, recording missing transactions, or resolving any errors in deposits.
- Reconcile regularly: To ensure accuracy in your financial records, reconcile your credit card machine transactions on a regular basis. Depending on your business volume, this could be done daily, weekly, or monthly.
Keep in mind that if you are using a payment processing service or software, they may also provide tools or features to assist in reconciling transactions.
