Tap readers

[Earl Weiss]

I’ve wondered about how gas stations immediately release the hold amount and I’ve been told that they have such enormous sales that they can negotiate better. And their systems finalizes every transaction as soon as it’s done - hence the hold is over right away .

Not correct. Recently sold a gas station after operating it 35 years. There were still holds and if the Purchase was made late Friday it would not clear till Monday morning. Most customers were aware of the hold issue if it is "Pay at Pump" An hey filled up since the dispenser and system did not know what the total purchase would be there would be a hold. But, if they went into the store and paid up front the exact amount they want then their is no hold except exact amount of purchase.

 

[HCCW]

Not correct. Recently sold a gas station after operating it 35 years. There were still holds and if the Purchase was made late Friday it would not clear till Monday morning. Most customers were aware of the hold issue if it is "Pay at Pump" An hey filled up since the dispenser and system did not know what the total purchase would be there would be a hold. But, if they went into the store and paid up front the exact amount they want then their is no hold except exact amount of purchase.

Interesting. I have never noticed it hold anything after my transaction was done. I actually need to fill up my truck today. I’m going to pay attention and watch it in real time to see what it does. If purchases were made on Sat and Sun, would the same thing happen? The hold wouldn’t release till Monday?

 

[Rodj]

I did a test last month at a Sheetz with Verifone readers with tap at the pump, and as soon as I finished and got the receipt, I checked my account and it shown the final amount already.

 

[HCCW]

I did a test last month at a Sheetz with Verifone readers with tap at the pump, and as soon as I finished and got the receipt, I checked my account and it shown the final amount already.

That’s always been my experience. I’m going to watch close today though when I fill up

 

[HCCW]

That’s always been my experience. I’m going to watch close today though when I fill up

Update. I filled it up and saw no pending charge whatsoever after I slid my card. So then I wondered if maybe it just wasn’t going to do a pending hold on that card and I slid a different one and just put a tiny bit more in my tank to see what happened. Still no transactions visible on my account at all. I’m going to keep watching and see what happens.

 

[MEP001]

Update. I filled it up and saw no pending charge whatsoever after I slid my card.

Did you use a credit card or a debit?

 

[HCCW]

Did you use a credit card or a debit?

Two credit cards from totally different accounts

 

[MEP001]

I've only seen these holds on debit cards. The purpose seems to keep a customer from spending money at your wash which doesn't batch the transaction(s) until the end of the day, but then going somewhere else and spending all their money keeping your processor from pulling yours out of their account.

 

[HCCW]

Did you use a credit card or a debit?

Second update. It’s been 4 hours and still absolutely nothing on either card from the gas station. However, two charges I have done since then, Home Depot and a grocery store, have pending holds.
(Final update - never saw any hold on either account, just the final amount. I wish I knew how they did it.)

 

[HCCW]

I've only seen these holds on debit cards. The purpose seems to keep a customer from spending money at your wash which doesn't batch the transaction(s) until the end of the day, but then going somewhere else and spending all their money keeping your processor from pulling yours out of their account.

That makes sense to me, but our car wash has a pre-auth hold every time someone slides a card in our self serve bays no matter what kind of card it is - debit or credit. This doesn’t happen with or in bay automatics of course since the amount of the charge is known at the time of card slide.

 

[HCCW]

That makes sense to me, but our car wash has a pre-auth hold every time someone slides a card in our self serve bays no matter what kind of card it is - debit or credit. This doesn’t happen with or in bay automatics of course since the amount of the charge is known at the time of card slide.

I’m going to try using a debit card next time I fill up my truck.

 

[soonermajic]

Back to original questions:
Who is currently making best swipe, tap & chip reader? Why is it the best?
Cryptopay, @ SWCA, said they have a new system coming in October ish. Supposed to be all in 1 system...any1 else got info on them?

I was really impressed with Nayax @ SWCA. But dadgum so many people have complaints about them. So that scares me away from them. But boy, their system was impressive.

I know nothing about Washgear or Washcard.

Question: are chargebacks only on swipe, or dial up, or tap, chip or what? I have never had one.

 

[HCCW]

Back to original questions:
Who is currently making best swipe, tap & chip reader? Why is it the best?
Cryptopay, @ SWCA, said they have a new system coming in October ish. Supposed to be all in 1 system...any1 else got info on them?

I was really impressed with Nayax @ SWCA. But dadgum so many people have complaints about them. So that scares me away from them. But boy, their system was impressive.

I know nothing about Washgear or Washcard.

Question: are chargebacks only on swipe, or dial up, or tap, chip or what? I have never had one.

Personally, I’m not sure who is making the “best” tap, swipe, chip readers because all the systems I’ve looked at have features I hate. Being forced to use a crappy processor like Worldpay, no time stamp/bay # on transactions, our wash name not showing on customers statement, no preloaded gift cards that draw from dollar amount, steep ongoing monthly fees, etc, etc.
Personally I do NOT want a system that includes chip readers. 24 years ago we had “push in/pull out” card readers on our Hamilton automatic pay stations and what a nightmare. They get dirt and presoak and water blown into them and corrode, dumb customers stick things in them they shouldn’t, etc.
We quickly switched to sliders and that was the end of the problems.

So now, what we’re looking for is slide/tap only. But if we find a system with our other requirements and we don’t have a choice - it comes with chip readers, we will take it.

One of the things about Nayax(if memory serves, I’ve looked at soooo many systems the last 2 months I may be getting confused) that was a deal killer for me was - the customer processes their credit card, then they have to pick the dollar amount they want to spend and the timer counts down. This is a huge mistake. You will make a LOT more money if it is a count up system. You do not want to have your customers racing the clock. You want them to be relaxed and wash as long as they like. You will make at minimum 25% more per transaction. If people have to pick what they spend ahead of time, they will underestimate.

 

[peaches]

David, give them a call and ask them about those 5 criteria. Please post back here what you find out. I had Washcards original system starting 20+ years ago. It was a great product with great service. I’m sure their service is still great, their new product just has virtually none of the features I’m looking for and will cost 3 times what I’m paying monthly now.

I'm strongly considering leaving them as well, will cost a fortune to get out though!

 

[HCCW]

I'm strongly considering leaving them as well, will cost a fortune to get out though!

Oh no. Will it be expensive because of purchasing a new system or do they charge you fees for leaving??

 

[peaches]

I’ve had WashCard since I bought my wash in 2015. Outside of a few technical issues along the way they’ve been absolutely fantastic to work with. They produce a great product and offer exceptional service in my opinion.

I like you am looking at upgrading and as much as I love the WashCard system I’m looking for also something that’s a bit simpler in regards to overall complexity.

Not sure something like that exists out there since we’re such a small segment within the industry.

With that said, when I’m ready to do my upgrade, WashCard is pretty high up on the list. I think, as far as innovations within the self-serve industry, there are by far one of the best.

Did you make the decision to stay with WashCard or have you found something that worked better for you?