by Chandra Spary-Kontinos | Apr 1, 2022 | Featured, POS Systems, Restaurant Industry News, Services, Uncategorized
What are the differences and the best choice for your business?
Are you considering Surcharging or Cash Discounting? Accepting credit cards is a necessity in today’s world. However, credit card processing fees are taking a larger chuck out of your profit margin these days, especially with the ever-increasing popularity of rewards cards. Moreover, many of the merchant fees associated with rewards cards tend to increase year after year, due to the escalation of the “Cash Back” incentives the Card Issuers give their cardholders.
Who pays for the majority of these incentives? You the merchant. More and more merchants are now electing to add a surcharge or implement a cash discount program to combat these rising costs. This may be a great option for your company if done correctly. So, what is the difference between surcharging and cash discounting?
Surcharging
- Surcharge: Adding a small percentage to a credit card transaction to offset the merchant fees for processing the credit card payment. This surcharge is added to offset the processing fees associated with accepting credit cards. This fee only applies to credit cards and does not apply to other forms of payment such as debit cards, cash, or checks. Surcharging must also be done in a compliant manner and by a processor that follows the rules and ensures their merchants are compliant.
Cash Discounting
- Cash Discount: A reduction in price for customers who pay with cash or check instead of credit or debit cards. The discount is deducted from the advertised price at the time of sale. Another method of Cash Discounting is adding a small percentage to increase the price of the sale, known as a Non-Cash Adjustment.
Making this Win-Win Solution
Ask yourself, is this a good move for your business? Will there be pushback from the customers? The solution is simple. Giving your customers an option to pay with a lower-cost alternative is a win-win! They continue to receive great pricing if they pay with cash or check, and you are able to offset your processing fees. It is good for both parties when these programs are rolled out correctly with proper signage, employee training, and a good Point of Sale System, which calculates and ensures compliance.
Card Systems understands that every business is unique, which is why we take a consultative approach to find the right solution for your business and card processing needs. Whether you’re just getting started or have been in business for decades, Card Systems can offer endless benefits to help you run your business more efficiently and more profitably.
by Chandra | Sep 10, 2018 | Equipment, Featured, Hospitality News, News, POS Systems, Restaurant Industry News
POS Systems Dominate this Year’s Florida Restaurant and Lodging Show
The Florida Restaurant and Hospitality show in Orlando this past week was filled with three amazing days of great food and ideas to help your Restaurant become iconic and memorable.
Restaurant POS solutions were showcased by Florida Resellers, Card Systems, Inc., Cervion Systems and JCR Systems. Point-of-Sale Industry leaders all came together to share mega-trends, “what’s new” in online delivery, guest engagement with SMS text features, and kiosk order. Delivery companies like Uber Eats and POS delivery and tracking systems made restaurant owners re-think their position on having someone else deliver their meals.
To compete with the Amazons of the world why not harness the Digital Tools and Features in your Point-of-Sale Systems? You can now reach out to your customers, using beacon technology and ping your daily specials right out to your customers as they drive by. What about allowing your clients to order online to pick up in an hour or for dinner? How about giving your customers an app to “skip the line” to order and pay without talking to anyone at your restaurant. These features are just the tip of the iceberg of what the New POS Systems are capable of. If they are not options in your current Point-of-Sale System, you should consider upgrading to one that has these features.
These trade shows are key to helping restaurant owners make sense of all the new technology available to make better buying decisions when choosing a POS System. The education programs provided were practical and relevant for today’s food service personnel. Industry leaders delivered business lessons, the latest information on trends and best practices in the market, as well as their own opinions of what creates success in the food world and now in a digital world. Contact us for more information.
Are you Digital yet?
- Streamline your Takeout Operations
- Increase Revenue with Digital Gift & Loyalty Programs
- Create Operational Excellence and Lower Costs
- Boost Beverage Earnings
- Deliver an Optimal Customer Experience
Don’t miss the show in 2019!
by Chandra | Apr 26, 2018 | Featured, Income Generators, Marketing, News
Regardless of what the reason or for any season; gift cards are the perfect gift.
On the off chance that your business doesn’t offer gift cards, it might be the ideal opportunity for you to think about it. Retail and restaurants alike benefit immensely.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, what better way to show your appreciation than with a gift card?
Have you ever at any point received a gift that just didn’t fit? So what do you do with it? Do you set it aside someplace where it will never be used again? Do you re-gift? We have all been there. Be a trendsetter.
Gift cards are also the perfect marketing tool to get people into your business. Get creative, if someone spends $25.00 in your establishment give them a $5 gift card to come back and shop. If you’re a restaurant, consider discounting a $50 gift card to $45 that really makes the purchaser feel as if though they are getting more bang for their buck.
As a business owner another thing to consider is what is known as breakage. Breakage is when the business sells a gift card that doesn’t get redeemed Talk about, “FREE MONEY”! This happens more than you think.
Gift cards are no longer just your standard plastic cards. Of course that is one way to sell them, but now businesses can take advantage of technology and sell them on their website, Facebook and even via text.
Even more reasons to offer gift cards:
- Customers shopping with gift cards are less price–sensitive and often pay full price
- Compete with national brands
- Create new business and increase sales today
- Reward your current customer with a gift card. Visible gift cards can increase sales by 35%-50%
In addition to Mother’s Day coming up, you’ve got Graduations, weddings, baby showers and birthdays, etc. Consider offering gift cards in your business.
No matter who your target market is from Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millenials gift cards are the most sought after gift.
With that in mind, give us a call and we can help with a simple, economical solution for your business to carry gift cards or even a loyalty program……Look for yourself.
by Chandra | Mar 1, 2018 | Business to Business News, Featured
Zero Cost processing to keep 100% of the sale and surcharge
Accepting credit cards is a necessity in today’s world. As a business owner, you want to offer every means of payment you can to your customers, but the cost of processing high ticket transactions on a credit card could be putting a serious dent in your profits.
The practice of charging a small convenience fee for the privilege of using credit cards is already commonly used in many countries, and in 2013 surcharging became legal in the U.S. Until recently, some states, including Florida, have prohibited surcharging. Although Florida statutes currently prohibit surcharging, the US Supreme Court has determined that the Florida law is unconstitutional based on the Freedom of Speech protection. Surcharging is growing in popularity among many different industries and will continue to grow as more business owners realize the savings this solution can bring them. By switching to a zero-cost credit solution, many merchants have seen an enormous savings to their bottom line.
Businesses offering specialty products and services are often hit the hardest because the majority of their transactions are high ticket amounts. A zero cost credit processing solution is perfect for these business types. Making sure that your surcharge rate is fair and transparent isn’t always as easy as it may sound. We’ve seen surcharge rates as high as 4%, and we can help guide you with lower options. Fortunately, it is possible to ensure your business is charging a fair surcharge that covers the entire cost of accepting credit cards.
You have to ask yourself, is it good for you? And, will your customers give you push back? Passing credit card fees to your customers allows you to increase your income, which could amount to thousands of dollars every year! Acceptance will continue to grow with consumers as more industries begin to implement surcharging. Click here for common frequently asked questions. If you would like more information about this solution for your business, contact us today!
by Chandra | Feb 22, 2018 | Equipment, Featured, News Alerts
As you reflect on 2017, so much has changed in the payment space. Are you planning a new image for 2018? How about even a minor adjustment?
Isn’t it time you harness the power of technology? Yes, it can be easy and fun!
With new wallets, crypto currency, kiosks, biometrics, and more, people are now using their fingerprints for more than accessing their phone. They can pay with a touch or wave of a cell phone, skip the line at a busy takeout and even bypass security at major airports. What does this all mean for your business? Time savings, profitability and happy customers.
It’s time for your business to embrace technology to enhance the customer experience.
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know today it’s all about engaging your customers, making payments faster and easier along with creating a great experience for them. How do you achieve this in your business? First, by knowing who your customers are, what they like and why they buy from you. How quickly can you get this all done? These all work in tandem really.
Reward your customers with a loyalty system. This will help you understand and collect data from your customers and track what they buy. Then you reward them when they come back again. Next, implement an easy to use NFC (Near Frequency Communication) technology system to make checkout a breeze, saving you, your staff and your customer time. The new friction-less payments work by allowing clients to pay with their phone through Apple Pay, Android Pay, Google Wallet…maybe even bitcoin someday. Another method some merchants use is the QR code scan to checkout. This wonderful technology works through NFC which keeps their card safe in their wallet. No more handing over their credit card to a shop clerk or server. The newer systems even allow a Kiosk to order and check out faster, which can save you a tremendous amount in labor costs.
Not only do these systems help with collecting data from your customers about their favorite drink or pizza, they help you stay connected with them by sending out loyalty points or pings (beacon technology) when they pass by your store. It’s all about engaging your clients and customers with what you have to offer.
Be informed with how your business keeps your clients data secure. Learn about the many payment options for online and face-to-face sales. Nothing in America is happening faster than technology. It is time to embrace the new technology so that running your business is easier and more profitable all while creating happy, satisfied customers. What are you waiting for?
By the way, if you travel to Miami, Seattle, NY, LA or any big city in addition to the TSA pre-check, look for Clear, a biometrics security check that will save you pulling out your ID for TSA. You just look into a screen or use your fingerprint for validation, saving you hours while traveling.
by Chandra | Dec 20, 2017 | Featured, News, Non-Profit News
Forever Pets Happy Home Adoption
We all know pets can improve our health, why not help yourself or a loved one and save a pet at the same time? Forever Pets of SW Florida, a non-profit no-kill shelter, is a wonderful organization. We just adopted an adorable Maltese mix dog for one of our family members here at Card Systems. Ask anyone who has adopted a pet, and they’ll share their story of love, fun, and companionship with you, Why?…..because shelter pets are amazing!
There is a growing amount of research today confirming the impact the human-animal bond can have on a person and community health. Want to see for yourself? Please check out the links below from Harvard Medical School and Pet Partners.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-and-risks-of-pet-ownership
This year give yourself the gift of “forever love” by providing a “forever home” for that perfect little creature who has been waiting for you. Adopting a pet from Forever Pets is a win-win for you and the pet. So, what are you waiting for? Call 239-822-3382 – or visit www.forever-pets.org
