Why you should opt for the PDQ machine

If your business accepts card payments, then you want a machine that will make your work easier and therefore lead to more sales. Although all businesses are not the same, all customers want the same thing; convenience and good customer service. This is what makes a PDQ machine such an important tool for businesses that accept card payments.

The idea behind the PDQ machine is pretty simple. We all know that the world moves at full speed these days. Everyone wants things done quickly. The PDQ machine allows for transactions to be completed in a quick and efficient way, saving time for everyone involved.

Why should I opt for the PDQ machine?

Using the PDQ machine makes a lot of sense for any business. The fact that it uses both chip and pin and the magnetic strip technology means that you don’t have to turn any card-carrying customers away at any given time. Here are some of the other reasons why the PDQ machine is definitely the way to go:

Customers want to save time

We live in a fast world. Everyone wants to just get what they want, swipe their card and move on to something else. Using a PDQ machine will satisfy your customers in this regard and they will always be happy to come back to you because of your fast service.

Safe transactions

This is yet another great aspect of the PDQ machine. Before the chip and pin terminals, cases of card fraud had been rampant with the previous technology and its limitations exposing cardholders to acts of fraud. Now with the PDQ machine, customers can feel a lot safer swiping their cards on this machine. The PDQ machine requires a higher level of encryption and makes it harder for a person’s information to land in the wrong hands.

Universal

A PDQ machine can be used in all types of environments and almost everywhere in the world. So if you are a merchant who sells from event to event, accepting card payments is now much easier than it was before thanks to the PDQ machine.

No telephone lines needed

Most PDQ machines are wireless devices. So if you are in a venue where there are no telephone lines or no electricity, a PDQ machine will still suffice. This is not the case with most of the other card payment machines in the market.

Affordability

If your business is still in its early stages, you want to save as much money as possible in order to keep reinvesting in the business. In addition to the PDQ machine having the potential to add to your customers, it is also quite affordable.

It reduces the risk of handling too much cash

Handling a lot of liquid cash poses a security risk in addition to being a potential area for accounting errors. By using a PDQ machine, you will be minimising the risk while also keeping your records tidy and less prone to errors.

With so many advantages, there is no reason why businesses, small or large, should not maximise the potential benefits of using a PDQ machine. It will make their operations easier and more orderly while also helping to bring in more card using customers.

PDQ Machine

Understanding the PDQ machine

Many businesses have a lot to celebrate thanks to the PDQ machine. It has completely changed how businesses approach payment transactions. In a nutshell, payment transactions have become much simpler and quicker.

Previously, customers had to go through the rigours of swiping their cards through a card reader, wait for the payment to be verified and then be required to sign the transaction slip. The signature would then be compared to what appeared on the card.

Despite this tedious process, these transactions were still very susceptible to fraud. It was not uncommon for cards to be stolen or amounts on transactions slips to be changed without the knowledge of the cardholder. By using both a chip and a pin, the possibility of misuse is significantly reduced.

How a PDQ machine works

For starters, PDQ stands for Process Data Quickly. This should definitely give you an idea of what a PDQ machine is all about. It’s about speed and efficiency.

Once you slot your card into the PDQ machine and enter your pin number, the information is relayed to the issuer of the card through an internet connection that is secure. The card issuer will then confirm whether the available funds are sufficient to complete that transaction.

If the funds are sufficient, the money is deducted from the cardholder’s account and deposited into the bank account of the business. If the funds are not enough, the payment will be declined. The process of a PDQ machine is very fast. It takes only a matter of seconds for a transaction to be completed.

Updated versions

The latest PDQ machines now use a card slot. This upgrade came with the trend towards chip and pin technology. The embedded chip took the place of the magnetic strip. It means that as long as customers enter their pin number, they don’t have to sign for goods purchased.

Why use a PDQ machine?

One of the benefits of using a PDQ machine is that customer funds are protected. This is one benefit that customers hold dear. Card fraud has been a big problem in the past and with the new technology, it is not easy for fraudsters to find crucial card details that they would use to commit fraud.

Another major benefit of the PDQ machine is convenience. With transactions taking just a matter of seconds to be completed, both the seller and the customer will find the experience a pleasant one. For a larger business, this can mean that there is no need for extra staff, which means savings for the business.

Another benefit of the PDQ machine that is definitely music to the ears of business owners is that funds appear in the bank account within 3 to 4 working days. Considering the risks of carrying cash to the bank or human error when handling cash, this is a significant plus.

The convenience brought about by the PDQ machine can definitely be harnessed by businesses to increase their sales potential. The business world is highly competitive and it’s all about small margins. As long as you provide your customers with the most convenient options, your business has every chance to grow from strength to strength.

PDQ Machine

Things to consider when acquiring a PDQ machine

Any person who owns a business will tell you that the initial stages can be quite stressful. Resources are limited and it’s not easy to get everything you want at once. It means that every time you draw a budget, you are performing a balancing act. A PDQ machine is one of the important items that your business will need.

For small businesses, there is always a lot at stake when deciding to distribute the available resources. Just like most of what you will be acquiring, a PDQ machine still has to go through the normal buying process. It’s all about cost-benefit analysis. Here are some of the factors that will come into consideration in the buying process of a PDQ machine:

New or used

In an ideal world, you would want everything you acquire to be new. But we don’t live in a perfect world. We are always dealing with budget constraints. This is why you will have to make a choice between buying a used PDQ machine or a new one. They all serve the same purpose. At the end of the day, all you want is to be able to give your customers the good service that they need. A used PDQ machine can end up saving you between 25 percent and 50 percent of the cost of a new one. However, with the technical nature of a PDQ machine, it is more advisable to buy a new one rather than opt for a used one.

Buy or rent

There is no doubt that having a PDQ machine is absolutely vital for all businesses nowadays. No one wants to lose a potential customer to the competition because they can’t accept card payments. Before buying or renting a PDQ machine, you should make use of all the information available about the pros and cons of each option. It’s all about finding the right solution without breaking the bank for it. For example, if you are going to a trade show or any other seasonal shop, renting a PDQ machine makes a lot of sense. At the same time, if your view is long-term, buying makes more sense.

Quality over price

You don’t want a machine that is always breaking down. When buying PDQ machine, take your time to consider each model carefully. There are enough online reviews to give you a good idea of what you will be dealing with. Taking the time to do your own research can save you from a lot of problems going forward. You should also know where to take the PDQ machine for repair or service if it happens to have an issue.

Don’t compromise on PDQ machine

Sometimes buying cheap can end up costing more. Even when the budget is tight, there are some items that are still spending some more money on. This helps avoid bigger problems ahead. A PDQ machine is one of those items. With the potential benefits it brings to the business, it is worth every pound spent on it. Invest in the best, it’s worth it.

Although there are many factors that come into play when deciding to acquire a PDQ machine, its importance to a business cannot be underscored. It’s one of the assets that are important for the growth of any business.

PDQ Machine

The rise and rise of the chip and pin machine

The chip and pin machine continues to change businesses and the way business owners approach card payments. Small businesses are realising that even they can take advantage of this evolving technology to attract customers that were previously the reserve of the bigger, more established businesses. Contrary to past norms, the size of your business does not really matter when it comes to accepting card payments.

A chip and pin machine is vital for all businesses

As long as you have a smartphone, a chip and pin machine, which is the card reader, you are good to go. Although initially many businesses were reluctant to embrace this technology, they are now realizing that every penny counts in today’s highly competitive market. Consumers no longer carry the amounts of cash that they used in years gone by.

In the past, conventional card terminals were not considered to be a big part of small businesses strategies to broaden their revenue base. The monthly fees and rental costs, together with low transaction numbers meant that it was not feasible for a small business to add new expenses in their books in the name of having a card terminal.

But as society reduces its interaction with cash and embraces the use of debit and credit cards, smaller businesses are coming to the realization in order to get their share of the cake, they have to adapt to the new trend. This has also been influenced by the fact that a chip and pin machine is no longer as expensive as card terminals were in the earlier stages.

Is using the chip and pin machine a big challenge for you?

The chip and pin machine is quite different from the card readers that were there before the chip and pin technology. The chip and pin machine is definitely affordable for most small businesses as compared to the traditional card readers. Customers also have to enter their pin number in order to authorize any transaction. This means that transactions are generally more secure with the chip and pin machine.

Preparing for the switch to chip and pin

You cannot start accepting chip and pin cards without having the updated chip and pin machine. The advantage of having a chip and pin machine is that it can read both chip-and-signature and chip-and-pin cards. This means that once you upgrade to a chip and pin machine, you don’t have to worry about how you will handle customers who still use chip-and signature.

All you need to do is to ensure that your staff members know how to use the chip and pin machine. They should know how to process transactions, make refunds and cancel transactions.

Educating consumers

As the proprietor, you should strive to educate those customers who are not conversant with chip and pin machines or the new technology in general. These transactions are not the quickest as a consumer has to insert the card into the chip and pin machine, allow it to decrypt the information on the chip after which it will ask for a pin number and then finalise the transaction. It is only by guiding your customers that they will become good at it and reduce processing time.

Chip and Pin Machine

The best card reader

We live in a time when payment options are no longer limited to cash. This means that businesses have to make adjustments to keep up with the changing times. While in the past card reader terminals were limited to a few stores, soon after, everyone would catch on and start maximising on the potential benefits of having a card reader option for their customers.

Now virtually every business has modernised. Businesses that use a card reader are fast becoming the norm and not the exception. What’s even better is that the card reader has evolved so much from what was there initially. The modern card reader now accepts almost all card payments. This means that every customer can easily get service irrespective of their card issuer.

How do I choose the right card reader?

In order to choose the right card reader, you have to be clear in your mind about what you want to be able to accomplish. This is always the first step when going to purchase anything. It’s about understanding the full scope of your needs and then going out to find the right solutions.

For example, if your business entails going to sell to people at different locations, you will need a mobile card reader for convenience. On the other hand, if your business is situated in one specific permanent location, you will need a card reader that is more multi-functional. A POS (point of sale) system would suffice in such a situation.

Here are some of the other considerations that you may have to take into account when looking for a card reader:

1)Cost and fees

If you are still a small business, you want to be saving money in order to grow your business. While having a card reader is important for the growth of your business, always remember that you have enough options to choose from. Remember that it’s not about the cost of the card reader but also the monthly and transaction fees involved. Take your time to weigh all your options.

2)Flexibility

Business situations are always changing. It means the card reader you choose should be able to accommodate the circumstances of your business as they change from time to time. A good card reader is the one that can be used at your business premises and also while you are on the move.

3)Compatibility

If your business is currently using specific software, it may be better to get a card reader that is compatible with that software. It makes sense to find the card reader that fits your current software instead of having to make too many changes to accommodate a non-compatible card reader.

4)Accepts a wide variety of cards

A good card reader is the one that accepts a broad range of card payments and doesn’t limit you to only a few cards. This will mean that you don’t have to turn away some of your card using customers sometimes.

5)PCI compliance

If it’s possible, find a card reader that is already PCI compliant rather than having to deal with the compliance separately. This will save you time and money. You don’t want to go through the compliance process again when you have already spent enough time trying to figure out the best card reader.

Card Reader

Answering some of the most commonly asked questions about the PDQ machine

If you are in business and you haven’t started accepting card payments, you may be missing out on a lot of revenue. The world is shifting towards cashless transactions and businesses that don’t adapt might soon find themselves losing out to their competitors who accept card payments. If you own a business and you have been considering accepting cashless transactions, you need to consider purchasing a PDQ machine.

It’s always important to view your business from a long-term perspective. While the day to day decisions must still be taken, playing the long game is what makes your vision for the future clearer. So while having a PDQ machine might not bear fruit immediately, it is bound to help your business going forward as now there is more awareness about cashless transactions.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the PDQ machine:

What does PDQ stand for?

PDQ stands for Process Data Quickly. The PDQ machine is used for processing transactions where payments are paid using credit or debit cards.

How do I start the process of acquiring the PDQ machine?

If you are new to the concept of card payments, this process can seem insurmountable. But if you are willing to take your time to understand all that it entails, finding and learning how to use a PDQ machine will not be a difficult process for you.

How much does it cost?

There are many options for you and it’s all about choosing what is best for your business. The price of the PDQ machine varies from vendor to vendor and also depending on the model. The best thing to do is to shop around to see where you can get the best deal. Other business owners who use the PDQ machine can offer you useful information that will help your selection process.

How does a PDQ machine work?

When accepting a card payment, you can either enter the total amount owed into the card manually or send it through the connected Point of Sale machine. The customer will then insert his or her card into the PDQ machine and enter their pin code (4-digit). The PDQ machine will then process the transaction, contact the merchant or customer’s bank to request for authorization. If the funds are cleared and the details validated, then an approval will be sent to the PDQ machine and a receipt will be issued upon completion of the transaction. The whole process takes just a matter of seconds through an internet connection.

How does a PDQ machine help my business?

Most businesses are now realising the importance of catering to the needs of their customers who prefer to use credit or debit cards rather than carry cash. While in the past this type of customer was not the norm, in recent years, there has been a big shift towards cashless transactions. It’s now common to see people using their cards to pay bills in hotels or purchases in a supermarket. As long as you don’t have a PDQ machine to accept these card payments, you will be locking out a considerable portion of the consumer base. The PDQ machine is no longer a luxury that businesses can survive without.

PDQ Machine