Well now, I'm so tired of technology & changes that force an owner into spending money. At my time in life I don't want to learn anything new unless it is Guzzi oriented or other such fun. 'nuff whining here's the deal.
A year ago I had to spend over $5,000 updating point of sale software (plus 5 new computers to run it) so I could continue processing credit cards. The new software sucks but we live with it. Now with the chip cards it is happening all over again. $6,000 in software upgrades!
It is what it is so I started looking for alternatives. A lot of local business's are going cash only & some have put in ATM machines. So I started checking around to see who was using which machines, services, cost to run etc Got a couple of good references & contacted the ATM companies.
After many phone calls, emails & one company sent a rep to look us over the bottom line is: They are all having to upgrade equipment to meet the new standards so-o-o-o we are not a high enough volume business for them to justify putting in a machine & maintaining it. Two companies told me they are not replacing machines in many of their smaller accounts for the same reason.
Years ago I processed cards "outside" of the software (it's called third party processing) the trouble with doing that is end of day book keeping & end of month reconciliations. Briefly: a cashier has to run a ticket as cash but hold the receipt & mark it as :Visa or MC or Discv so the drawer count is correct. If they forget then it takes forever to figure out the mess.
I have considered using "Square" but that is third party with all the problems above.
I have considered buying the ATM out right but I am getting conflicting info about ownership & actual processing, maintenance etc..
One other thing that is bothering me about once again investing money is another technology change that some of my geek buddies are saying is coming. No more cards at all. Everything done over smart phones & tablets with a wireless connection. I thought maybe in a few years but yesterday at a gas station there was a sign at the pump that said: PAY HERE WITH APPLE PAY. Yep! Make the connection by logging into the pump, pump your gas & authorize payment from your phone.
Anybody got any suggestions?
