What is a Card Swipe Machine?
A card swipe machine is a device that allows customers to swipe the magnetic stripe of a credit card through a slot and, at times, to enter a personal identification number (PIN) for verification. These devices are commonly found at the point-of-sale (POS) of a retail store to process credit and debit card transactions.
The Card Swipe Machine- How To Use It And Why You Need It
What is a Card Swipe Machine?
A card swipe machine is a device that reads the magnetic stripe on a card and takes the information from it. The most common card swipe machine is a credit card reader that is used with a cash register. Other types of swipe machines include debit card readers and ATMs.
There are various card swipe machine models that work for different purposes, such as the card swipe machine for sale, the card swipe machine for rent, and the card swipe machine for purchase. Card swipe is just one of the many payment processing devices that are used at POS. Other devices include the magnetic stripe card swipe, Point-of-Sale terminal, a barcode scanner, and so on.
Why is a Card Swipe Machine Important?
As technology advances and becomes more and more convenient, means and modes of payment also evolve. When you run a business, you realize that you need to equip yourself with the latest kinds of devices and incorporate advanced payment collection methods.
A magnetic card reader is one of the most important pieces of equipment in the modern business world. Card swiping, or card reading, is an easy way for businesses to accept payments.
In today's time, contactless payments are becoming common but going by the statistics globally, every person carries at least one card with them at all times because card payments are accepted everywhere.
Some people still think the swipe method is a little old-fashioned but the popular argument for using the old-fashioned swipe machine is that it's the most convenient and it's what people are used to.
There are many reasons why a business will need to use a card swipe machine. These machines are needed for businesses that have employees that work in more than one location.
Businesses may also need the card swipe machine if they have a lot of customers.
Simple Steps to Setup a Card Swipe Machine
You must have seen how card payments are made simple using the card swipe machine. It hardly takes a few seconds from swiping to a successful transaction but at the backend this is a multi-step process. Let us see what happens in front of us.
First the customer hands over the debit card or credit card and the staff swipes it against a magnetic card reader. Then, depending on the card type, the card holder enters a Personal Identification Number (PIN) as an approval for the transaction. The payment processes and a debit receipt is generated.
Let us now understand what happens at the back end! First the card is swiped against the magnetic reader which encrypts the code and reads the card information. It identifies the bank account and transmits the data electronically to the merchant account through an established network account. While the data is transferred to the bank to authorize payment, the card reader awaits approval. After identifying the payer's information and authenticating the transaction with the correct PIN, the bank provides its approval and the transaction is successful.
A card swipe machine is simple to use and set up. The payments involve a few steps If you're running a small business and find yourself constantly struggling to take credit cards, it might be time to invest in a card swipe machine. A card swipe machine can be a costly investment, but it'll save you time and headache in the long run. Here's how you can setup a card swipe machine easily.
1. Choosing a Machine
Choosing the right kind of swipe machine is an important step even before you worry about installation. Depending on the machine type you can either purchase a new one or add a card swipe machine to your existing point of sale system. Sometimes the point sale systems allow third party integrations for card swipe machines. Different Pos Types have different card swipe options; in fact, some even charge monthly rentals or transaction fees. Make sure to check all the terms in detail before you make a purchase.
2. Charging and Connection
Most card swipe machines are wireless and can be operated for up to 15 hours on a single charge, but this number varies with every machine type. Therefore, once you have the device with you, connect it and put it to charge.
The card swipe machine is one of the most important pieces of equipment for any business.
It is important for everyone to know how to use the card swipe machine and the reasons why they need one.
3. Install and Link Merchant Account Details
Once you have picked your machine you need to install it and link it to your merchant bank account to collect payments. For this, you first need to connect it to the internet using the wi-fi or a SIM card, just like using the internet on a mobile phone. Once the connection is successful, you can link the device to your bank account. This process may take up to 2 days depending on your bank and the card machine company.
After the account gets linked, all the payments collected using the card swiping machine directly get transferred to the registered account details. If you are purchasing the machine from a banking partner where you do not hold an account, you should clarify details like setting up of a new bank account. At times, the banks require an account with their bank if you are using the card swipe machines issued by them.
4. Set up a PIN
In most cases when the pos machine is operated it asks for a Personal Identification Number for security purposes. After you finish linking the machine to your bank account, it asks you to setup the PIN. This is usually a four or six digit number that is required to input every time the machine is set up.
5. Start Swiping
Now that the machine is all set, you can start collecting debit credit payments using cards. It is also worth noting that many payment terminal devices offer contactless payment options as well. For example, the devices have integrations for contactless credit card processing and QR code scanners to enable easy payments. When you pick a device for use to help your small business setup, you may also keep in mind such additional features.
The biggest problem is that people don’t know how to use the card swipe machine.
They are not aware of the benefits that come with having one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone as a card reader?
You can use your phone as a card reader, but not as a payment terminal. You can swipe and read cards and then send that data to a payment terminal and process a transaction provided your phone is running a mobile operating system that is compatible with the payment terminal.
How much does it cost to rent a credit card machine?
Renting a credit card machine can be an expensive endeavor. You might be able to save money by opting for a different type of credit card machine, or by renting it for a shorter period of time.
What is card swipe machine called?
The card swipe machine is a device that has a data reader, card reader, and a keypad. It is also called a credit card terminal, credit card reader, credit card swiper, or point of sale terminal.
How much does a card swiper cost?
When you start a business, one of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need is a card swiper. There are many different types of card swipers, but you'll need to know what type of card you'll be accepting. A card swiper is a device that accepts credit cards. It's typically attached to a register. The cost of a card swiper can depend on the type of register you use.