Best Credit Card Acceptors? Pros and cons

[Indiana Wash]

OK, I am going to put credit card acceptors in my self serves. I have credit card acceptors on my automatics. My automatics are hamilton ACW 5's.

Hamlton DAN
My distributor is trying to sell me the Hamilton DAN. I have had several people tell me that the DAN reports all credit AND cash transactions through a third party. Hamilton vehemently denies this. I have also had several people tell me that Hamiltons charge at least two transaction fees for each SS transaction. That sounds really pricey to me.

Washgear
Apparently, I can use the washgear option. They make a kit that retrofits and works with the Hamilton DAN. It appears to be just as pricey as the Hamilton since I have two automatics and the kit is 1900 per auto plus I need a computer and to purchase the software. I am told that washgear allows batch reporting however so the transaction charge is much less.

Ginsan?
I was told that some company with a name like this allowed options for the SS but not for the Auto. I would really like to speed up acceptance on my autos since they are dial up and take 30 to 60 seconds per transaction. I would also like to do away with the two phone lines I have for the two ACW's. I figure I can switch to one phone line with DSL.

Washcard others?
I have found no pros or cons.

Does anyone use any of these systems? I am looking for pros or cons. I would just like to make an informed decision.

 

[MEP001]

Hamilton isn't monitoring your cash flow in any way as far as I can tell, but the credit cards are processed through a third-party service called eXact. You pay them and your merchant processor a transaction fee for each swipe in count-down mode, or twice per swipe in count-up (One for the pre-approval and one for the final charge), plus the percentage.

As I mentioned in the other thread, if WashGear really does batch transactions, the savings in fees would go a long way toward the extra cost of the ACW upgrades. You could even put swipers on vacuums, something a lot of our customers have asked for. The PC requirements for WashGear are very minimal, the software can be run on a $500 WalMart computer, and you have full control of the hardware and software. Hamilton's idea of securing their software is to sell you a PC in a black box and not give you any administrative rights at all. I can't remove the Dell monitor driver they installed so I have to boot it in safe mode and enable VGA mode each time it needs to be restarted.

 

[Red Baron]

I have Wash Gear in my SS bays and it has been just about bulletproof. I've had very few problems in the 3 years I've had my Wash Gear that couldn't be fixed by just toggling the breaker to reset things. I highly recommend them.

Your customers will spend more money per wash with the CC acceptors in your SS bays. I haven't put a pencil to exactly how much more, but it's significant. If no other car washes in your area have CC in the SS bays, you'll need to spend a little time educating them about what they do.

Also, I cleared up a lot of confusion by adding this simple label to my Wash Gear boxes: "Turn dial to Rinse, insert card - takes 4 seconds." This because, if they slect a low pressure function they may not know their card has been accepted but the chemical just hasn't reached the wand yet.

 

[SplishSplash]

I made the mistake of purchasing WashCard. Without elaborating, cost of the equipment was to high, transaction fees are higher than most and replacement parts are just outragious. In less than a year I had two mag reader boards fail...

If I could go back and do it over, I would go with WashGear. Equipment is roughly half the cost, transaction fees are on average 30% lower and when I needed two new mag readers, they were more than 50% less than what WashCard wanted for theirs, and they were dual sided readers! WashGear at the time I purchased had a different mag reader that would only mount to the outside of the door.

 

[Jeff_L]

I have WashGear at both my washes (autos and self serves) and love the product. As of April of last year they required internet authentication for the cards, but still batch them up and process in the evening (or whenever you set it for). This eliminates 100% of the declined cards, therefore you'll get paid for every swipe that is accepted. As for whether the batching once a day eliminates the per swipe cost, I'm uncertain. I believe I'm still charged per swipe even if it's the same card multiple times through the day. Either way, I'm very happy I put CC acceptance in the bays. As I said in your other post, I recommend signs on how to use them. Customers are growing to love them since they no longer have to get change and carry it around.

 

[Jeff_L]

I should also state, WashGear works for me, whether it will for you or not is up to you. I suggest researching your options like the rest of us. If you want to chat on the phone, PM me your number and I can give you a call.

 

[Indiana Wash]

If anyone cares, here is what I have been told directly from Washcard, Hamilton and Washgear.

Washcard says: Washcard is about 33% more expensive than Hamilton when comparing apples to apples. Washcard charges transaction fees in addition to the credit card processor transaction fees. Washcard says that your credit card charges and all coin and money transactions are stored at Washcard. I asked what would happen if I got a divorce and the information were subpoenaed from them. Their response was that had not happened yet.

Hamilton says: I can only use certain CC processors with their system. They also say that none of the coin or money transaction information leaves the premises. I am somewhat confused by that statement, but it is what they say. Hamilton also said that each SS transaction will incur a CC transaction fee when authorized initially and another when completed. To me, that sounds like double the fees.

Washgear says: The cost for CC acceptors on ACW's is actually higher than Hamilton since I have 2. I will have to buy my own computer and purchase washgear's software. Washgear does not keep track of cash transactions. This is bad for those that can't count their money.

 

[MEP001]

Hamilton's system doesn't even need to track the money - you can use a separate cash timer if you're worried, but it does track quarters and bills separately, even $1 and $5 bills separately. It's stored only in each individual bay terminal.

Yes, there are only some merchant processors that work with Hamilton/eXact. I've been told that Hamilton has made a deal with a bank for very low merchant fees.

Yes, you pay double transaction fees with Hamilton's system in count-up, but you'll pay that with any count-up system (One for pre-approval, one for final charge). If WashGear batches all final transactions for the day into one, it will cut down on those charges.

 

[ONEcard]

Transaction fee's

The MagCard system allows you now to pre-authorize cards. Then batches transactions at the end of the day. So In count up mode you only have one transaction fee.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I don't know about the ACW's, but etowah valley's system has worked out great for me. Fast processing, reasonable fees. All you need is a phone line to hook it up. It's been great for my wash.

 

[MEP001]

The MagCard system allows you now to pre-authorize cards. Then batches transactions at the end of the day. So In count up mode you only have one transaction fee.

Is there not a transaction fee when it pre-authorizes?

 

[ONEcard]

Mep
Its pre authorized for say $20.00. The completed transaction is not sent till after the customer has had time to use the wash use a vacuum but vending etc. All of these transactions are then combined and submitted as a single transaction Thus aving the multiple charges. This can be done only with our prefered merchant provided. You can use any provider you with either high speed or dial up using a batch process

 

[MEP001]

This can be done only with our prefered merchant provided.

This was the answer to my question.

 

[Indiana Wash]

This can be done only with our prefered merchant provided.

LOL, they are all in on the action.

 

[Dan kamsickas]

LOL, they are all in on the action.

Not all. GinSan is not, nor have we ever been involved in the actual processing of transactions. I cannot speak for other maufacturers, but we do not "get a cut" of any fees.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

This was the answer to my question.

MEP, the other thing he didnt tell you is that the one card system doesnt work. I made the mistake of buying it, it has been a total loss for me.

 

[Greg Pack]

MEP, the other thing he didnt tell you is that the one card system doesnt work. I made the mistake of buying it, it has been a total loss for me.

What system was that?

 

[Indiana Wash]

I am leaning toward the Washgear system. Anyone have anything bad to say about it before I buy it?

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

What system was that?

"one card".

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

I am leaning toward the Washgear system. Anyone have anything bad to say about it before I buy it?

If you search old posts, you'll find that it is a reliable system, I dont recall hearing anybody who is unhappy with washgear.