POS and billing equipment: how to choose and buy for your business
Start from the kind of business
A shop, a cafe, a pharmacy and a service business each need a different set. A shop with a large range needs a barcode scanner and a link to its billing software. A cafe needs a fast counter and integration with table orders or a card terminal. A small service provider often manages with billing software on a phone or tablet. Buy for your own process, not the most expensive kit.
Describe this in your request, and on BlaBlaPrice sellers suggest kits with prices and setup terms.
What to put in your request
- type of equipment — billing counter, POS terminal, barcode scanner, receipt printer;
- type of business — shop, cafe, pharmacy, service;
- model, if you have one, for example Ingenico Move/5000;
- features — card payments, mobile wallets, integration with accounting or billing software, Wi-Fi, tax billing;
- number of counters or devices;
- setup — whether you need configuration and installation of the billing software;
- condition — new or used;
- delivery city and budget.
Example: “I'm opening a cafe in Montreal and need 2 counters: a POS terminal with tax billing, card and mobile payments and accounting software integration, plus a scanner and receipt printer. New, with setup and cashier training. Budget up to $420.”
Billing, card payments and accounts
A billing system issues proper invoices and receipts, either as software or as a dedicated machine. Rules for invoicing change, so confirm the current ones with your accountant. Ask the seller whether they help with setup and configuration or only sell the hardware.
Card machines are usually arranged separately with a bank or payment provider. Find out which terminal works with your provider, what the charges for taking payments are and whether the device can work without internet. If you use accounting software, make sure the equipment connects to it.
How to compare offers
Sellers reply in the chat with the kit, price, setup, timing and warranty. BlaBlaPrice compares the offers and shows the best one for you first, with seller reviews next to it. Sellers can see where they stand among the others and may improve their terms, for example by adding setup.
- Compare the same kits: a counter without a scanner that costs less is not the same as the full set.
- Ask about the software licence: some work on a subscription, which may be extra.
- Check the warranty, exchange terms and who repairs it in your city.
Common mistakes
Buying a device without checking it works with your chosen billing software. Not planning space and power sockets for the equipment. Forgetting the software licence and consumables such as receipt rolls and labels.
A food business can also be fitted out with restaurant and cafe equipment, and a sales floor with shop and exhibition equipment.
